Texas A&M Foundation Board of Trustees Announces Outstanding Student Award Recipient

The award recognizes outstanding graduating Aggie seniors who succeeded in college despite experiencing personal or family financial challenges. The Texas A&M Foundation Board of Trustees named Isolde Parrish ’20 as the recipient of the Foundation’s eighth Outstanding Student Award. She graduated with an animal science degree in May and will enroll in Texas A&M University’s College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences in the fall. Created in 2012 by former Foundation trustee and Texas A&M graduate Melbern Glasscock ’59 and his wife, Susanne, this endowed award publicly recognizes… Read More →

Former #tamuansc graduate promoted to Executive Director at Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

By Kaitlyn Arnold On May 12, 2020, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo® (HLSR) announced that CEO and President, Joel Cowley, will leave the rodeo at the end of May. According to HLSR, Cowley’s last day will be May 22. He is moving on to pursue an opportunity in the agriculture industry. “I am incredibly thankful to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Executive Committee for the opportunity to serve this organization for the past 15 years, seven as president and CEO,” said Cowley. Replacing Cowley as CEO… Read More →

Two ANSC grads re-appointed to TAHC

On May 4, 2020, Governor Greg Abbott appointed two new Commissioners to the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), Jimmie Ruth Evans representing the sheep and goat industry and Melanie Johnson, Ed.D., representing the general public. The governor also reappointed Kenneth “Ken” Jordan representing livestock markets, Barret J. Klein representing the swine industry, Joe Leathers representing the equine industry, and Thomas “Tommy” Oates representing the exotic livestock and fowl industry. Jimmie Ruth Evans of San Antonio is a rancher and partner of Wittenburg Ranch. She is a member and… Read More →

Online beef cattle, forage management program set for May 15

An online Beef Cattle and Forage Management program will be held from 9 a.m.-noon on May 15. The program, presented by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service offices in Atascosa, Bexar, Guadalupe and Wilson counties, will offer one general Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education unit for attendees. The cost is $10. Attendees will need a laptop or desktop computer and internet access. To register, email Chris Lambert at christopher.lambert@ag.tamu.edu. Once registered, attendees will be provided the link for participation. Make checks payable to Bexar County Ag and Natural Resources Committee and… Read More →

Color and Food Safety Considerations When Smoking versus Grilling Ground Beef Patties

By Dr. Davey Griffin1, Professor and Extension Meat Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Ground beef is one of the most common beef products consumed. It is used as a main ingredient in thousands of recipes and stands alone or with condiments in hamburgers, cheeseburgers and many other methods of preparation. Because ground beef is so versatile, new recipes and cooking styles are constantly being featured and advertised through conventional as well as social media applications. Traditionally, ground beef patties would be grilled or pan fried, but lately… Read More →

Livestock Auctions Going Smoothly, But Meat Processing Could Face “Backlog”

AUSTIN, Texas — Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, workers in the agriculture industry are tasked with keeping food on the table, meaning livestock auctions are continuing as usual. While more animals are being sold, what happens further down the supply chain is becoming an issue. “A lot of your feed yards are getting bogged down cause the packing houses are cutting down on their killing,” Donne Richter with Seguin Cattle Co. said. “And so the fat cattle are getting backlogged, and you don’t have many places to go with… Read More →

Two Department of Animal Science students receive Colvin Scholarships

TEN SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED IN 2020, TOTALING $42,000! Developed in 1999, when Louis M. “Mick” Colvin retired as the executive director of Certified Angus Beef LLC, the Colvin Scholarship Fund (CSF) recognizes his role in making dreams a reality and inspiring others to be their best. Colvin co-founded the program in 1978, leading it to provide the world’s leading brand of fresh beef. The scholarship fund benefits tomorrow’s leaders who are involved in their communities and the beef industry. TEN STUDENTS EARN COLVIN SCHOLARSHIPS The Certified Angus Beef ® brand recently awarded… Read More →

Opinion: Government Support Needed to Modernize Agriculture

World food prices have now fallen as much as 4.3 percent amid the pandemic, potentially crippling rural economies and raising sharp concerns among farmers trying to sustain their operations. (TNS) — The United States has built the most abundant, affordable, accessible and diverse food system the world has ever known, but the emergence of the novel coronavirus is revealing vulnerabilities that have been growing for decades across the food and agriculture value chain. From production through consumption, we must prioritize the development of cutting-edge technologies that reduce our… Read More →

Using Vaccines This Spring? Keep ‘Em Cool.

By Rhonda Brooks Vaccines are effective tools against a host of cattle diseases but how they’re handled – from the time purchased to the time used – can significantly affect their efficacy. “It’s our job to keep as much of that vaccine effectiveness as possible until we actually get it injected into the animal that is going to need it for disease protection,” says Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University emeritus Extension animal scientist. Keeping the vaccine at the temperature prescribed by the label is a key factor. “Use… Read More →

Online West Region Cattle Marketing Update set April 20

By Susan Himes COVID-19 impact to be focus The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will be holding the West Region Cattle Marketing Update online April 20 from 10-11 a.m. The focus will be the impact of COVID-19 on the beef industry. The event is free and will be held on the Zoom meeting platform. Participants may also join by phone at 346-248-7799, meeting ID 191 418 537. David Anderson, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension livestock economist, College Station, will discuss livestock and food product marketing. “Cattle and calf prices are a real challenge… Read More →