55th Annual Texas State 4-H Horse Show a success

Writer: Chelsie Huseman The 55th Annual Texas State 4-H Horse Show took place on July 23-29, 2017 in Abilene, Texas, which included new programs connecting youth and higher education and providing educational opportunities beyond exhibiting horses. Over 350 4-H youth, plus their families came to the Taylor County Expo from across the state to compete in over forty classes ranging from speed events, to stock horse and hunter classes. Dr. Jennifer Zoller, assistant professor and horse specialist, and Chelsie Huseman, horse program specialist, along with numerous county extension… Read More →

Selection Considerations to Improve Longevity

By Associate Professor & Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Beef Cattle Specialist, Jason Banta, PhD., PAS Every cow-calf producer wants a cow that is productive for 12 to 15 years or more. Longevity of both cows and bulls is influenced by a host of factors including disposition, feet and legs, udder and teat confirmation, fleshing ability, fertility, function of reproductive organs (e.g. lazy prepuces in bulls), and breed just to name a few. The ability to wean an acceptable calf every year is the primary factor affecting longevity of… Read More →

State makes top 10 in various agricultural areas

BY JOE PASCHAL Recently I was asked to participate in an educational program initiated by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension called “Path to the Plate.” The purpose is to educate our consumers about agricultural products – fibers, grains, vegetables and animal proteins, about where their food comes from and how it is produced. It might seem that most folks should already know where their food comes from but unfortunately most do not. Not only do they not know where it comes from, they have no idea of the value… Read More →

Consecutive AgriLife sheep, goat events are almost here

Sheep and Goat Field Day, Texas Sheep and Goat Expo set Aug. 18-19 in San Angelo Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu Contacts: Marvin Ensor, 325-653-4576, m-ensor@tamu.edu Dr. Reid Redden, 325-653-4576, Reid.Redden@ag.tamu.edu Dr. John Walker, 325-653-4576, jwalker@ag.tamu.edu   SAN ANGELO – Two major sheep and goat events are fast approaching. The 44th annual Sheep and Goat Field Day, followed immediately by the 2017 Texas Sheep and Goat Expo, will be Aug. 18 and 19 in San Angelo. The field day theme is “Feeding for Profit” and will showcase work being done at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension… Read More →

Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course attracts record 2,200 participants

Writer: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259, b-fannin@tamu.edu COLLEGE STATION – A record 2,200 Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course participants heard about potential export market opportunities and the outlook for cattle markets, as well as practical information to take to the ranch and become more profitable. The short course, which kicked off Aug. 7 on the campus of Texas A&M University amid heavy rain in the Bryan-College Station area, was welcomed by attendees representing ranches and beef cattle operations throughout Texas, the U.S. and the world. “Young and old, the… Read More →

Buying time approaches for Angora wether, fine-wool ewe lamb futurity prospect animals

San Angelo Stock Show youth contests stress livestock knowledge, management skills Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu Contacts: Dr. Reid Redden, 325-657-7324, reid.redden@ag.tamu.edu Brittni Kaczyk,325-653-7785, www.sanangelorodeo.com SAN ANGELO –  The time approaches for young exhibitors to select animals for two livestock competitions unique among the San Angelo Livestock Show youth contests, said the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service state sheep and goat specialist. Goats to be entered in the Junior Angora Goat Wether Futurity must be owned by the exhibitor by Oct. 1  and the Junior Ewe Lamb Futurity set of two… Read More →

Some Thoughts on Body Condition Scoring of Cows

By Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Livestock Specialist Joe C. Paschal, PhD. As far as technologies go, body condition scoring is one of the most useful and least expensive. No computers, no scales – heck, you don’t even have to pen your cows to apply it. Although body condition was certainly used before the 1960s, I think the late Jim Wiltbank, PhD. at the Texas Agricultural Research Sub-Station No. 1 in Beeville, Texas was one of the first to apply it to subsequent reproductive success. He scored cooperator herds… Read More →

Gill appointed as interim department head of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications

Dr. Mark Hussey announced today that Dr. Clare Gill will be serving as the new interim department head of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications, effective August 1, 2017. Dr. Gill completed her Ph.D. from University of Adeliade, located in Australia, in molecular genetics. Her bachelor’s degree in biotechnology is from Flinders University of South Australia. She joined the Texas A&M Department of Animal Science in 1999 and currently serves as a Professor of Animal Genomics. Additionally, she just completed a term as the Faculty Ombuds officer for Texas… Read More →

RMC goes off without a hitch

Last month, the American Meat Science Association held the 70th annual Reciprocal Meat Conference on the Texas A&M Campus. The Department of Animal Science hosted over 850 meat science students and professionals who participated in a number of activities from June 16th to 21st. Pre-conference activities at the Rosenthal and Kleberg Centers included a processed meats contest, iron chef competition, meat judging coaches’ clinic, and Jimmy T. Keeton Processed Meats Workshop. The Memorial Student Center housed the student poster and quiz bowl competitions along with the bulk of… Read More →

Forrest named advisor of the year

Dr. David Forrest was recently recognized for his leadership of the TAMU Saddle & Sirloin Club by being named the 2016-2017 Advisor of the Year for an Affiliated Student Organization. The purpose of this award is to recognize and reward individuals who have clearly distinguished themselves by providing exemplary guidance, support and dedication to the advisement of a recognized student organization at Texas A&M University. The award was presented at the 2017 Division of Student Affairs Awards Ceremony and included a check in the amount of $100 to the Saddle &… Read More →