http://agnews.tamu.edu/ Daily Agriculture News Mon, 12 Sep 2005 18:37:00 GMT en-us WESLACO - Dr. Qingyi Yu, Texas AgriLife Research plant molecular biologist in Weslaco, will be part of a $3.1 million National Science Foundation grant to study the sex chromosomes of papaya. The study, led by Dr. Ray Ming, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign plant biologist, aims to determine the sex of a papaya plant prior to its flowering. That would enable breeders to help develop better producing varieties for the fruit that is grown on about 1 million acres worldwide. ... http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1504 http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1504 Plant Pathology and Microbiology WESLACO -- The nutritional value of peppers and the growing consumption of them will be the focus of the 12th Texas Pepper Conference, according to organizers.The conference, organized by the Texas Pepper Foundation, will be held Nov. 12-13 at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Weslaco, 2301 E. Highway 83."People the world over are consuming more and more peppers and salsas, and while people may eat them for the heat and taste they add to meals, they're also doing their ... http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1512 http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1512 Agriculture Program COLLEGE STATION - An endowment contribution from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to honor Dr. Norman Borlaug, "the father of the Green Revolution," will help the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences train future international agricultural leaders. The foundation's $1 million endowment contribution to the memorial Borlaug International Scholars fund will be used to build productive partnerships between students, scientists and farmers in developing countries and U.S. ... http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1511 http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1511 Agriculture Program Food and Nutrition COLLEGE STATION - - Many parts of Texas had excessive rain, taking them from drought to flood, but overall it's a good thing, according to Texas AgriLife Extension Service experts. A couple of months ago, the agricultural situation in his district was rather dire, said Dr. Dale A Fritz, AgriLife Extension administrator for an 18-county area in Southeast Texas that includes ... http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1508 http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1508 Texas Crop and Weather Report Texas Drought COLLEGE STATION - Representatives from Texas' cattle industry recently discussed future research and educational partnerships related to fever ticks at a summit hosted by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service. The fever tick is a major concern to the livestock and wildlife industry, said Dr. Tom Hairgrove, livestock systems program coordinator with AgriLife Extension Service and Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. It can carry and transmit Babesia, a blood parasite that can kill ... http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1509 http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1509 Animal Science SAN ANTONIO - The Texas AgriLife Extension Service will offer a food manager certification training course Nov. 16 at the AgriLife Extension office for Bexar County, 3355 Cherry Ridge Dr., suite 208, in San Antonio. The course will be from 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. with a certification exam after the completion of the classroom instruction, said Dr. Connie Sheppard, AgriLife Extension family and consumer sciences agent in Bexar County.The program cost of $100 includes training, materials and ... http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1510 http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1510 Consumer and Family Sciences COLLEGE STATION - One might say plants don't have a leg to stand on, but that may actually give them a leg up on the animal kingdom when it comes to environmental adaptability. "Plants are rooted in the ground. They can't move away when it gets too hot, too dry or too wet," said Dr. Lee Tarpley, Texas AgriLife Research plant physiologist in Beaumont. "If we can understand how plants respond to the environment, that would give us some clues on how to breed plants more capable of adapting to ... http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1502 http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1502 Soil and Crop Sciences ELDORADO - The Texas AgriLife Extension Service offices of Schleicher and Sutton counties will conduct a public continuing education unit training beginning at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 19 in the Schleicher County Civic Center, located just south of Eldorado at 427 U.S. Highway 277 South. Five Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be offered, four in the general category and one in the laws and regulations category. Cody Bundick, AgriLife ... http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1506 http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1506 Agricultural Communications General Rangeland Ecology and Management Soil and Crop Sciences PALODURO - The sprawling JA Ranch has seen its share of fires - some intentionally set and some not. Ranch managers now are looking at the results of the fires to help determine how prescribed fire could be used for brush management on their property. Texas AgriLife Extension Service officials conducted a field day on the JA Ranch, located southeast of Amarillo in Armstrong and Donley counties. During the course of the day, ranch operators and AgriLife Extension and Texas ... http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1507 http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1507 Rangeland Ecology and Management COLLEGE STATION-- The department of agricultural leadership, education and communications at Texas A&M University has been named a "distinguished program" and ranked second in the nation among 82 universities offering similar degrees. The department is part of Texas A&M's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. According to Robert Birkenholz and Jon Simonsen, authors of a study titled "Characteristics of Distinguished Programs of Agricultural Education," 10 agricultural education ... http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1503 http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1503 Agricultural Education OVERTON -- The job of the newly hired Texas AgriLife Extension Service assistant is to fight cancer through education and encourage early detection. But it's more than just a job for Lori Reed, she said. It's more like a personal vendetta. "Breast cancer took the life of my mother at age 65, and this job gives me a chance to fight it," Reed said. "That's part of the reason I'm so excited about this position." The ... http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1505 http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1505 Consumer and Family Sciences Food and Nutrition Health COLLEGE STATION - The TAMU Fit-to-Finish Show Cattle Camp is scheduled Dec. 12-13 at the Pearce Pavilion on the campus of Texas A&M University in College Station. "There is no question that the 4-H and FFA members who exhibit cattle in the state of Texas represent some of the most competitive and well respected exhibitors in the nation. The concept of the upcoming camp is to emphasize the grooming and fitting skills needed to maximize a student's cattle project," said Paul Maulsby, event ... http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1501 http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1501 Animal Science COLLEGE STATION - Though cooler weather slowed down the advance of armyworms, the pest is still eating up pastures and small grain fields in many parts of the state, report Texas AgriLife Extension Service personnel. "There are places where they're still a problem," said Dr. Noel Troxclair, AgriLife Extension entomologist based at Uvalde. "The ... http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1499 http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1499 Texas Crop and Weather Report COLLEGE STATION - Dr. Andy Vestal of College Station has received the 2009 Partnership Award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service. Vestal is director of emergency management programs for the Texas AgriLife Extension Service. The award was given for Vestal's effective and efficient use of resources in education to reduce the impact of disasters, according to Colien Hefferan, the agency's National Institute of Food and ... http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1500 http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1500 Agricultural Education LUBBOCK - Plans are being finalized for the Texas AgriLife Extension Service's High Plains Ag Conference set for 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Lubbock. The center is located at 1102 E. Farm-to-Market 1294. "It's still a bit early, but we want folks to have plenty of time to plan to attend this key event," said Robert Scott, AgriLife Extension agent in Lubbock County. "We're finalizing the program now, but we ... http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1496 http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1496 Agricultural Communications General Soil and Crop Sciences COLLEGE STATION -- A U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded project being led by Texas A&M University has brought Iraqi agricultural personnel to Texas for training and to introduce them to new technologies and methods that may be applied in Iraq. The 13 Iraqis -- 10 from Iraq's Ministry of Agriculture, two from the University of Baghdad and one from the University of Babil -- are receiving agricultural instruction at Texas AgriLife facilities throughout the Lone Star State as part of the ... http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1498 http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1498 4-H and Youth Agricultural Economics Agriculture Program Food and Nutrition General Poultry Science Rangeland Ecology and Management Soil and Crop Sciences Veterinary Medicine and Science Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences COLEMAN - The Texas AgriLife Extension Service office in Coleman County will conduct a Deer Appreciation Day beginning with registration at 8:15 a.m. in the First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall at 500 W. Live Oak in Coleman. The program will conclude by 4:15 p.m. following an afternoon tour of the J. Lock Ranch near Gouldbusk. Two Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be offered -- one general and one integrated pest management. ... http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1495 http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1495 Agricultural Communications General Rangeland Ecology and Management Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences COLLEGE STATION - For years, aerial photography has aided researchers in surveying the density of forests. However, a recent Texas AgriLife Research study shows that infrared detection allows for a more comprehensive measurement for trees and other plant life. Lidar technology, which can be applied both on the ground, air and space, uses intensive pulses of light to capture information and give researchers a more comprehensive look at a surveyed area. "Lidar creates the premise for 3-D ... http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1494 http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1494 Rangeland Ecology and Management OVERTON - This year's fall weather- rain and cloudy following a drought - and its effect on forages can be a recipe for nitrate poisoning of livestock, said a Texas AgriLife Extension Service expert. And under these conditions, cattle don't have to consume improved forages to be at risk, as many weeds also can build up high levels of nitrate, said Dr. Vanessa Corriher, AgriLife Extension forage specialist."In a recent ... http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1491 http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1491 Soil and Crop Sciences SEGUIN - A free, one-day Texas Watershed Steward training will be held 8a.m.-4p.m. Nov. 10 at the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority's River Annex, 905 Nolan Street in Seguin. The training is sponsored by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service and Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board in cooperation with the river authority. "This program is designed to help watershed residents improve and protect their water resources by showing them how to get involved in local watershed protection ... http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1492 http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1492 Drought Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences Texas Drought STERLING CITY - The Texas AgriLife Extension Service and its Sterling County Range and Livestock Committee will conduct a rangeland workshop at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 17 at the Sterling County Community Center in Sterling City. Two Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be offered, one in the general category and one in the laws and regulations category. Dr. Allan McGinty, AgriLife Extension range specialist in San Angelo, will discuss ... http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1493 http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1493 Agricultural Communications General Rangeland Ecology and Management COLLEGE STATION - Heavy rain, as much as 10 inches in some areas, raised soil moisture levels and generally improved the agricultural outlook through most of the state, according to Texas AgriLife Extension Service personnel.Though delayed in some areas by the rain, cotton, corn and hay harvests continued. However, the rain was a mixed blessing for those wanting to establish winter pastures. In all, the extra moisture ... http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1488 http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1488 Texas Crop and Weather Report VICTORIA -- The South Texas Farm and Ranch Show in Victoria will celebrate its silver anniversary Oct. 28-29 at the Victoria Community Center.Joe Janak, a Texas AgriLife Extension Service agent in Victoria County, said the quarter-century milestone is a testament to the show's relevance to the agricultural community."In its 25-year run, this show has hosted over 800 educational programs on topics of importance to the farming and ranching community," he said. "We average about 4,000 ... http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1489 http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1489 Agriculture Program Editor's note: There is an accompanying video segment for this report at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTRDuAlvr0s. BRYAN - A weak U.S. dollar has encouraged investment in commodities, resulting in positive activity for agriculture, according to a Texas AgriLife Extension Service economist. http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1490 http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1490 Agricultural Economics COLLEGE STATION - Harvest-time photos from small farms this time of year inevitably show food-laden tables, classic farmhouses and smiling people. It's enough to make anyone yearn for a small acreage on which to produce food for local markets.While that goal is achievable throughout much of this warm, sunny state, Texas AgriLife Extension Service horticulturists note that several thousands hours of labor and not a few brushes with weather and pests come before the fall harvest.That's why ... http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1485 http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1485 Horticultural Sciences CLOVIS, N.M. - Optimizing expertise and equipment to get solid answers both ... http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1486 http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1486 WESLACO -- The Arroyo Colorado Watershed Partnership steering committee will meet Oct. 22 in Weslaco to continue its efforts to implement the Arroyo Colorado Watershed Protection Plan, according to an official with the Texas Water Resources Institute.The Texas Water Resources Institute is part of Texas AgriLife Research, the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, and the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University.Jaime Flores, watershed coordinator, said the meeting ... http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1487 http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1487 Agriculture Program WELLINGTON - Landowners and others interested in learning about recent water quality research results and providing input into the development of the Buck Creek Watershed Protection Plan are invited to a public meeting Oct. 27 in Wellington. The meeting will be from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Wellington Auditorium, 802 10th Street. Light refreshments and meeting sign-in will begin at 6 p.m. Texas AgriLife Research and Texas AgriLife Extension Service staffs are ... http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1480 http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1480 Rangeland Ecology and Management COLLEGE STATION - A team from Texas A&M University has won the 2009 Wildlife Society National Quiz Bowl Competition, held Sept. 22 in Monterey, Calif. "Aggie team members Caleb Carter of Longview, Drew Fowler of Sugar Land, Andrew Maddox of Houston, and team captain Samantha Reinhart of Fort Sill, Okla., upset a team from California's Humboldt State University 165-130 to win the championship round," said Bill Gibbs, a spokesman for Texas A&M's College of Agriculture and Life ... http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1463 http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1463 Agricultural Communications Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences COLLEGE STATION - Following rains, armyworms marched in and devoured improved pastures and wheat throughout the state. But the worst may be over -- or not -- according to Texas AgriLife Extension Service personnel. They say producers could see another flush of armyworms depending on the weather. "Conditions are improving, but the biggest problems we do have right now are the cooler weather - as far as forage production ... http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1479 http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1479 Texas Crop and Weather Report