Happy Easter!

Good Friday and Happy Easter from the Peltons and SantaAnnaNews.com!

One Act Play

Don't forget about the Area One Act Play Contest Saturday in the SAHS Auditorium.

This year's Santa Anna One Act Play, "The Women of Lockerbie" by Deborah Brevoort, advanced from the District Contest last week. The contest is open to the public, however contest rules will apply. No one may enter or leave the auditorium during the performances so be sure and go early. I think the Santa Anna play will be late again but check at the school for the schedule. No small children, cameras, and no cell phones are usually allowed in the auditorium during the performances. There will also be a $3.00 admission for the Area Contest according to the SAISD Calender.

The Santa Anna play is set on December 21, 1995, the 7th anniversary of the Pan Am Flight 103 crash. Members of the cast are Jarod Jones, Leeanda Bennett, Molly Pritchard, Becca Fellers, Heather McMillan, Adelaida Dean, Caylie Robinett, and Terrence Jackson. The Crew is made up of: Sierra Herrod, Brittany Morris, Michelle Wetsel, Monica Cortez, and Kendra Coleman. The play is directed by Kathy Walker.

Spring Flowers

Submitted by Tex Wright:

Enhanced Rabies Surveillance Testing for Select Areas of West-Central Texas

With the recent discovery of Texas fox variant of rabies in several West-Central Texas counties, this protocol has been developed to help agencies respond to calls about potentially rabid wildlife and to facilitate the testing of suspect animals for rabies. Species of most concern in the transmission of this rabies variant are foxes, bobcats, raccoons, coyotes, and dogs and cats.

 

·        If a suspect animal is found in the target area (refer to map below), please contact appropriate personnel in those areas (Animal Control, Sheriff’s Dept., Texas Parks and Wildlife-Game Warden) to have the animal humanely destroyed. Refer to page two for pick up and testing information.

·        If a private citizen in any of the following counties is witness to a suspect animal and cannot contact appropriate personnel, it is asked that the animal be humanely destroyed and held until appropriate personnel can be contacted. This recommendation pertains to citizens living outside of the city limits.

·        We ask that all safety and care be practiced when attempting to obtain suspect animals. Remember: always wear latex, rubber, or leather gloves when handling dead animals.

 

We are trying to acquire as many specimens as possible to better serve the citizens of West-Central Texas in future rabies prevention activities. 

Thank you for your cooperation in this multi-agency project …

____________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

The most important question to ask…

Has there been human/pet exposure?

 

Yes: Possible Exposure

Human/Domestic Animal Exposure:

If a human or domestic animal has been bitten, scratched, or otherwise potentially exposed by a wild or domestic mammal, or if there is any question about what constitutes exposure, contact the Texas Department of State Health Services at (915) 834-7782, Dr. Ken Waldrup or (432) 571-4118, Kathy Parker or (512) 458-7111 for after-hours emergency.

No Exposure

Sick or Strange-Acting Animals, or Animals Found Dead:

If personnel are available, the following agencies will provide assistance or advice on how to deal with a sick-acting raccoon, bobcat, fox, coyote, dog or cat:

 

• Contact Health Region 9/10 offices of the Texas Department of State Health Services(DSHS) at (915) 834-7782, Dr. Ken Waldrup or (432) 571-4118, Kathy Parker during normal business hours [M-F 8-5].
• Additional Contacts include the Texas Wildlife Services Program (TWSP) district offices at San Angelo (325) 655-6101, Fort Stockton (432) 336-3303, Brownwood (325) 646-4536, Kerrville (830) 896-6535, Uvalde (830) 278-4464 or your local TWSP technician.
• If no response, contact the central office of Texas Department of State Health Services Zoonosis Control at (512) 458-7255 or the TWSP state office at (210) 472-5451. 
• If no other options are available, keep pets and children indoors and leave the animal alone.

 

Note:  We are actively trying to test suspicious foxes, bobcats, raccoons, and coyotes for rabies.  Freezers are located at several Texas Wildlife Services offices. Freshly killed or dead animals should be kept cooled or frozen for testing. Contact one of the above telephone numbers for handling procedures.  If there was human or pet exposure, keep cool rather than freezing.

Remember … contact the Health Department at (915) 834-7782 or (432) 571-4118 if there is a question of exposure.

No Exposure

Nuisance & Injured Wildlife/General Wildlife Information:

 

• Contact the Texas Department of State Health Services at (512) 458-7111, ext. 3306, Dr. Skip Oertli or Texas Wildlife Services Program (TWSP) at (210) 472-5451, Bruce Leland for information on Oral Rabies Vaccine (ORV) baiting and Enhanced Rabies Surveillance (testing). 
• TWSP can also provide advice on preventing and resolving nuisance wildlife problems.

Things you can do to protect yourself, your family, and your pets from rabies...

• Do not feed, touch, or adopt wild animals, and be cautious of stray dogs and cats.  Rabid animals do not always appear ill or vicious.

 

• Teach children to leave wildlife alone.  Be sure your child knows to tell you if an animal bites or scratches them.

 

• Call your doctor and your local health department for advice if an animal bites or scratches you. Thoroughly wash the wound with soap and water and report the incident immediately!

 

• Have your veterinarian vaccinate your dogs, cats, or ferrets against rabies.  Vaccination of livestock which are in frequent contact with people is also recommended. Keep pet vaccinations up-to-date.

 

• Tightly close garbage cans.  Open trash attracts wild or stray animals to your home or yard.

 

• Feed your pets indoors; never leave pet food outside as this attracts wildlife.

 

 

Don’t relocate wild mammals – this can cause rabies to spread quickly to new areas.    Importation of rabies-vector wildlife into rabies free counties or into Texas from other states would be disastrous.  Homeowners should not transport and release animals.

The counties highlighted represent enhanced surveillance area.

 

Resources for rabies information:

Texas Department of State Health Services:  www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/health/zoonosis

Centers for Disease Control (CDC):  www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies

USDA/APHIS/Wildlife Services:  www.aphis.usda.gov/ws/rabies/index.html

 

 

Texas Wheats Excel in Baking Quality

April 5, 2007
Writer: Kay Ledbetter, 806-677-5608,skledbetter@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. Jackie Rudd, 806-677-5600,jcrudd@ag.tamu.edu

Photos and Graphics Click for larger images About the Experimental Lines TX01A5936: This hard white winter wheat line is resistant to stripe rust, susceptible to leaf rust, and offers some wheat streak mosaic virus resistance. It performs best under High Plains dryland and limited irrigation conditions. It’s relatively large seeded with a good test weight. Baking data indicates a short mixing time, average stability and good loaf volume. TX01D3232: This hard red winter wheat variety will be released as TAM 304 this summer. It is resistant to leaf rust and moderately susceptible to stripe rust. It performs best in the Blacklands and South Central areas of Texas, but it also performs well under irrigation in the High Plains. It is relatively small seeded with less-than-average test weight. The baking data indicates a long mixing time, good stability and good loaf volume. TX01V5314: This hard red winter wheat is resistant to leaf rust and stripe rust. Performance has been excellent throughout the Great Plains. Due to its high level of foliar disease resistance, it is well suited for the warmer and more humid wheat growing areas of Texas. It has an average seed size and less-than-average test weight. Its baking data generally indicates a short mixing time, average stability and average loaf volume. Source: Texas Agricultural Experiment Station

AMARILLO – Texas wheat offers high quality when it comes to baking and milling characteristics, said Texas Agricultural Experiment Station's state wheat breeder.

Dr. Jackie Rudd, Experiment Station wheat breeder at Amarillo, received the annual Millers' Award from Tim Aschbrenner of Cereal Food Processors at the recent Wheat Quality Council annual meeting in Kansas City.

The award is presented annually in appreciation of breeders who develop a top quality wheat that is recognized by the milling industry, according to the Wheat Quality Council.

"This just shows the High Plains can produce high quality wheat and Texas A&M University varieties are among the best," Rudd said.

The annual meeting provides a networking opportunity for wheat breeders and industry personnel to discuss preferred wheat characteristics and new wheat varieties, Rudd said.

In addition, breeders submit wheat lines for evaluation in baking, milling, tortilla and noodle quality, he said. This year 51 breeder-submitted wheat lines and checks were submitted for evaluation.

The two most recent Texas A&M variety releases, TAM 111 and TAM 112, were entered as comparison varieties, along with three experimental lines, Rudd said. The two varieties were entered to demonstrate their baking and milling quality.

TAM 112 was released two years ago and TAM 111 was released in 2003, he said. TAM 112 was selected as a good replacement for TAM 110 with greenbug resistance. It has also shown drought and wheat streak mosaic tolerance.

TAM 112 and an experimental hard white wheat, TX01A5936, had two of the highest scores in both baking and milling, he said. For overall quality scores, the white wheat was rated the best and earned the Millers' Award.

Only seven of the experimental lines were considered good tortilla quality, and three of those were Texas A&M lines – TAM 111, TX01A5936 and another experimental, TX01V5314.

TX01V5314 has been proposed for release, Rudd said. It has above-average baking quality and is recognized for disease resistance and high grain yield from South Texas to Nebraska. It is expected to be released this summer.

The excellent showing of the Texas-submitted wheats can be attributed in part to a good growing environment in 2006, Rudd said. The samples submitted by Texas A&M were harvested from strips planted adjacent to irrigated yield trials on Experiment Station land near Bushland.

Temperatures were above average and rainfall was below average, he said, so the crop was flood irrigated four times from early March to early May. Also, no significant diseases infected the wheat varieties.

Information gained through the Wheat Quality Council program helps breeders, such as Rudd, determine if they are working in the right direction and what markets the different wheats should or could be targeted toward.

"It takes, typically, about 15 years for a variety to go from the crossing stages to the commercial planting," Rudd said. "For example, the cross for TAM 112 was made in 1992 and the release was made in 2005."

The cross for the hard white wheat which was recognized this year was made in 1995, so Rudd estimates it should be nearing a release date in the next year or so.

When breeding and selecting wheat varieties for quality, a line is tested in the first year for visual kernel characteristics and is characterized as hard or soft, he said. In the second year of testing, hardness, kernel size and protein content are checked.

The third year of testing adds dough mixing characteristics to the list of qualities undergoing scrutiny, and in the fourth year, bread baking and tortilla making are added, Rudd said.

Testing for hardness, protein content and dough strength is conducted by Dr. Lloyd Rooney, professor of food science at the Texas A&M Cereal Quality Laboratory at College Station.

The bread-making quality tests are conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service's Hard Winter Wheat Quality Laboratory in Manhattan, Kan.

And Dr. Ralph Waniska, a professor of food science and technology in the Cereal Quality Laboratory, performs the tortilla-making tests.

Throughout the process, the research is supported by the Texas Wheat Producers Board, Rudd said.

Info Box About the Experimental Lines:

– TX01A5936: This hard white winter wheat line is resistant to stripe rust, susceptible to leaf rust, and offers some wheat streak mosaic virus resistance. It performs best under High Plains dryland and limited irrigation conditions. It's relatively large seeded with a good test weight. Baking data indicates a short mixing time, average stability and good loaf volume.

– TX01D3232: This hard red winter wheat variety will be released as TAM 304 this summer. It is resistant to leaf rust and moderately susceptible to stripe rust. It performs best in the Blacklands and South Central areas of Texas, but it also performs well under irrigation in the High Plains. It is relatively small seeded with less-than-average test weight. The baking data indicates a long mixing time, good stability and good loaf volume.

– TX01V5314: This hard red winter wheat is resistant to leaf rust and stripe rust. Performance has been excellent throughout the Great Plains. Due to its high level of foliar disease resistance, it is well suited for the warmer and more humid wheat growing areas of Texas. It has an average seed size and less-than-average test weight. Its baking data generally indicates a short mixing time, average stability and average loaf volume.

Attorney General Abbott Stops Illegal Contact Lens Dispensers

Thursday, April 5, 2007

Main Optical, New Look Cosmetics sold contact lenses without prescriptions

SAN ANTONIO –Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott stopped two local contact lens dispensers from illegally selling contact lenses without prescriptions. Under the terms of the agreements filed in San Antonio, the operators of Main Optical and New Look Cosmetics, the latter of which has closed, have agreed to provide restitution to consumers who complained about the products or who may have suffered eye injuries because of improperly fitted lenses.

“Texans will not tolerate vendors who ignore the law and put their customers’ health at risk,” Attorney General Abbott said. “We are pleased that these defendants are prohibited from illegally selling their products. The Office of Attorney General will continue aggressively protecting the health and safety of Texas consumers.”

According to the judgment, Main Optical was illegally dispensing lenses to customers without required prescriptions. Dispensing any contact lenses, even noncorrective, or “plano,” lenses, which are intended solely to change the appearance of the eye, still requires a prescription from a physician or optometrist.

Main Optical also advertised “cosmetic color contacts,” which led consumers to believe prescriptions were not necessary, a violation of the law. The business used its own staff and equipment to make eye measurements without prescriptions or without the involvement of a licensed optometrist, which also violates state law.

New Look Cosmetics routinely operated from booths at a flea market on Highway 90 West, as well as Corpus Christi-area flea markets, despite warnings from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) that the practice is illegal.

DSHS referred both cases to the Office of Attorney General for enforcement.

TRANSPORTATION HIGHLIGHTS WEEK'S BUSINESS

Senator Judith Zaffirini's bill to increase the child safety seat requirements up to children younger than eight or shorter than 4 feet 9 inches was passed by the Senate today.

(AUSTIN) -- Issues relating to how the state pays for and runs its highways and roads have been some of the most significant topics this session, and this week was no different. Much of the controversy about transportation has revolved around a proposed system of tollways and highways called the Trans Texas Corridor. Opponents criticize the state's policy of entering into comprehensive development agreements (CDAs) that transfer administration rights to private entities who build and maintain the roads. Opponents say these deals leave the public out of the loop and aren't appropriately accountable or transparent, and many lawmakers agree. The Senate passed three bills this week intended to address some of the problems many Texans have with toll road expansion.

Senate Bill 1795 would give the state greater access to other sources of funding beside public/private partnerships. This bill, authored by Finance Chairman Steve Ogden, would double the amount of bonds the state could issue for transportation projects, from $3 to $6 billion. Lt. Governor David Dewhurst said that this bill will tell the Texas Department of Transportation that it doesn't have to turn to CDAs to pay for highways. "Senate Bill 1795 sends a strong message to TxDOT that we have additional revenues here in Texas, and while I believe there is a legitimate role for public/private investments in roads here in Texas, we ought to make sure, when possible, to use state funds and build highways as economical as possible," he said.

Ogden also sponsored SB 718, which would restrict TxDOT to previously identified route selection, called the Texas Trunk System, which emphasizes expanding existing highways over new construction. If TxDOT decides a project does not fit into this model, it must notify the Legislature within ten days.

Transportation and Homeland Security Chair John Carona agrees that the state should look for funding outside of public/private partnerships, but he proposes an increase in the gas tax to do so. At a Monday press conference, Carona called on his House colleagues to consider a bill that would tie the gas tax rate to a variable economic indicator, such as the Highway Cost Index. Currently, the state gas tax stands at 20 cents per gallon, where it was set in 1991. Carona says that barely covers highway maintenance, and with construction costs continuing to rise, soon it won't even pay for that.

Raising the gas tax, says Carona, is much cheaper and sensible for commuters than paying toll fees. By 2030, he says, a gas tax increase tied to HCI would cost the average commuter $21 per month, opposed to an estimated $100 per month in tolls. Either way, the state could be looking at a transportation crisis if it doesn't change its funding model soon, said Carona. "We're at a crossroads," he said. "We can either continue along our current, haphazard transportation policy for which the public has shown an increasing distaste, or we can give ourselves an essential tool to create a long-term, responsive transportation plan that will best serve Texas now and in the years to come."

Bills that deal with tax issues must originate in the House, according to the Texas Constitution, and current bills dealing with the gas tax are still in House committees.

Another bill aimed at increasing transparency in public/private contracts was passed Wednesday. Senate Bill 995, by Lewisville Senator Jane Nelson, would require that entities that intend to enter into a construction project with TxDOT must report on the financial details of the proposed contract in newspapers in the area where the project is to be built. The entities would have to hold public hearings before the contracts could be finalized.

Two more bills, this time seeking to regulate controversial red-light cameras, were passed by the Senate this week. Proponents of these cameras, which are automatic devices that snap pictures of traffic violators, say they improve public safety, while opponents say it is just another way for cities to increase revenue. The two bills passed this week represent a compromise between the two positions, restricting how much fines are and what they can be used for, but not banning their use.

Senate bills 125 and 1119, by Senator John Carona, work together to codify, for the first time, state laws relating to these cameras. The bills would cap fines for offenses caught by red-light cameras at $75 dollars. Half of the net revenue would go to the state to offset trauma care costs in the region where the fine was collected, and the other half would go to the state for public safety funds. The bills would also require the cities to conduct an engineering survey before installing cameras, to prove that they are needed for public safety at certain intersections. Carona says these bills guarantee these cameras are used to enhance safety and not as a way to increase revenue. "I really do think that we are ensuring that these cameras will end up only in places where they provide public good, and that they're not merely means to create an electronic speed trap." he said.

Wednesday, the Transportation and Homeland Security Committee approved a measure to halt all CDAs for 24 months to allow the state to study the issue further. This bill would effectively halt Trans Texas Corridor construction for two years, but Lt. Governor Dewhurst said he's going to wait on the bill, to see if lawmakers and agency representatives can come up with an acceptable compromise. "I'm going to hold that bill for awhile, and see what kind of progress the Chairman (Sen. Carona) makes in his negotiations with the House," he said.

The Senate will take an extended weekend for the Easter and Passover holidays, and will return Tuesday, April 10, at 11 a.m.

Session video and all other webcast recordings can be accessed from the Senate website's audio and video archive pages.

Rio Grande Valley Bull Gain Test Announces Results

April 5, 2007
Contacts: Brad Cowan, 956-383-1026,BCowan@ag.tamu.edu
Ronnie Zamora 956-487-2306,RZamora@ag.tamu.edu
Dr. Enrique Perez 956-361-8236,EPerez@ag.tamu.edu

LINN - The Rio Grande Beef Improvement Association recently completed its bull gain test for 2006-2007 at Rio Beef Feedyard in Linn, said Brad Cowan, Texas Cooperative Extension agent in Hidalgo County.

Seventy-eight bulls from 25 consignors and representing four breeds were placed in feed in November to evaluate their genetic potential as herd sires, Cowan said.

"The bulls were measured for daily gain, frame size, muscling, marbling and reproduction based on pelvic area measurements and scrotal circumference," Cowan said. "The bulls were evaluated within age and breed group."

"Bulls are assigned to comparable groups based on age, and then performance is ranked within each breed," said Ronnie Zamora, Extension agent in Starr County.

In the early junior bull calf group (bulls born after January 2006), the champion Santa Gertrudis went to Olivarez Ranch in Mission, and reserve champion went to Encendido Ranch in La Feria. The champion Simbrah was entered by RX Ranch of Ballinger; Filegonia Ranch of Monte Alto won both reserve champion and the first runner-up. The champion Simmental was entered by RX Ranch of Ballinger, and Mallett Simmentals of Lampasas had reserve champion.

In the late senior bull calf group (animals born between November 2005 through January 2006), the champion Santa Gertrudis went to La Campana Ranch in George West, and Cortijo 4 Hermanas Ranch of Mission entered the reserve champion. Champion Simbrah was Whitaker Livestock of Ranger, and reserve champion went to McCrary Farms of Dekalb.

In the late summer yearling bull group (those born before November 2005), Puesta del Sol Ranch in Austin had the champion Santa Gertrudis bull.

"The Rio Grande Valley Beef Improvement Association was formed nine years ago by several forward-looking Rio Grande Valley beef producers representing several breeds," said Dr. Joe Paschal, Extension's livestock specialist for the southern region of Texas.

The association was formed when a group of purebred beef cattle producers asked Extension agents in Hidalgo and Cameron counties to help them conduct a bull gain test.

With Paschal's help, the agents solicit entries, conduct the tests, collect and assimilate the data, and present the awards.

"The bull gain test and a replacement heifer development program with educational field days were their first projects," Paschal said.

"The overall performance of all the bulls at Rio Beef during the 112-day test yielded an average daily gain of 3.85 pounds per day with very little weather-related stress," said Mike Risica, owner and manager of Rio Beef Feedyard.

The bulls come in for a 14-day "warm-up" period to become accustomed to the feedyard and the other bulls. Once the 14 days are up, initial weights are taken and the test begins.

Halfway through the test, a mid-test weight is taken to see how the bulls are performing, said Enrique Perez, Extension agent in Cameron County.

"Towards the end of the test all bulls are scanned for ribeye area, fat thickness over the ribs, percent intramuscular fat and rump fat," Perez said.

The ribeye area is an indicator of muscling, and the fat thickness measurement is a measure of lean meat yield or cutability, Paschal said. The intramuscular fat measurement is an indicator of marbling, the major factor affecting the quality grade of the steer and heifer offspring of these bulls, he said.

Rump fat, a relatively new measurement, indicates how well an animal adapts to good or poor environments. Cows that carry slightly more rump fat tend to be better adapted to their environment than cows that do not, Paschal said.

The bulls also are measured for frame size.

"Bigger cattle (of the same age) require more feed but may not necessarily be more productive," said Vidal Saenz, Extension agent for Hidalgo County.

The average frame size of the U.S. cow herd has been estimated to be somewhere between 4 and a 5, based on a 12-point scale, and the bulls between 6 and 7, Saenz said.

A mature frame score 4 cow is about 50 inches at the hip, a frame score 5 is 52. A frame 6 bull measures 58 and a 7 bull, 60 inches. Frame sizes of bulls and cows should be not too different in order to keep calving difficulties low and to keep mature size of replacement heifers close to the dam's, he said.

Scrotal circumference was also measured done during the test.

"Bulls that have larger scrotal circumference are bulls that have reached puberty at an earlier age generally, and sometimes that is transmitted to their heifer offspring," Cowan said.

If mature bulls have scrotal circumference of less than 34 centimeters, Cowan said, most likely they infertile.

For more information on the Rio Grande Valley Beef Improvement Association, contact a Texas Cooperative Extension office. A list of Extension offices in each county can be located at http://tce.tamu.edu .

Gov. Perry Awards $756,520 in Forensic Science Improvement Grants

Apr. 05, 2007

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry awarded $756,520 to six forensic crime labs throughout the state. These grants are awarded under the federal Coverdell National Forensic Sciences Improvement Act fund and are distributed by the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division (CJD). The Coverdell program improves forensic science and medical examiner services by providing new equipment, training and additional staff to laboratories.

“Through these grants, necessary equipment and increased training will enhance the quality of these forensic science services as well as improve essential timeliness and credibility,” Perry said.

Each year, CJD awards more than $113 million in grants for a variety of juvenile justice, criminal justice and victim services programs.

The awards include:

• $150,000 to the Harris County Medical Examiner's Office to purchase equipment to determine trace element concentrations and isotropic ratios in elements, which will improve the quality, timeliness and credibility of forensic science and medical examiner services.
• $93,000 to the City of Austin to purchase equipment for the police department’s crime laboratory including a specialized printer for DNA results, ultraviolet cameras to better evaluate and display evidence, stereoscopes to be used in forensic research and analysis equipment for testing blood-alcohol content.
• $150,000 to the City of Houston to purchase new equipment for the police department's crime laboratory including digital audio/video equipment to better process media-based evidence efficiently.
• $75,000 to Dallas County to purchase equipment to improve the analytical capacity for current toxicology tests that will lead to an increase in the number of tests offered.
• $250,620 to the Texas Department of Public Safety to purchase two ballistic comparison microscopes for the analysis of ballistic evidence. The project will also provide overtime pay to forensic scientists to assist in the reduction of pending drug and firearm cases.
• $37,900 to Jefferson County to purchase equipment for the crime laboratory that will ensure quality blood alcohol analysis, a laptop computer with software for diagramming crime scenes, and other equipment to better assist in the retrieval of physical evidence.

Clinic Addresses Recent Changes In Market Lamb Classification Standards

April 5, 2007

Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576,s-byrns@tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. Frank Craddock, 325-653-4576,b-craddock@tamu.edu

SAN ANGELO – Minor changes in the market lamb classification standards used at all Texas youth livestock shows has prompted Texas Cooperative Extension to hold a market lamb classification clinic from 9 a.m.- until 4 p.m. April 25 in San Angelo.

The clinic will be held in the new Tom Green County 4-H Building at 3168 N. U.S. Highway 67.

Dr. Frank Craddock, Extension sheep and goat specialist at San Angelo, recently met with the Texas Lamb Breeders Association and the Animal Industries Committee to discuss the Market Lamb Classification Standards. The standards are used by all stock shows to determine which lambs fit a particular breed class.

"There has been a need for some minor changes for some time," Craddock said. "And changes have now been made. This clinic is meant to introduce those changes to Extension agents, agricultural science teachers, lamb classifiers, volunteers, club lamb producers and interested parents, so they will all be working off of the same set of standards. This is an important training as these changes are now in effect and they will have a significant impact on all market lamb shows now held."

Finewool, finewool cross and Southdowns are the three lamb types affected by the changed standards.

The morning program will be an explanation of the old standards versus the new standards followed by a presentation on classification and selection.

The afternoon program will be broken into finewool, finewool cross and Southdown lamb hands-on classification exercises. Participants will rotate among the three groups every 30 minutes.

The clinic and accompanying lunch are free, but pre-registration is required by April 18 for the meal count.

For more information and to register, call Craddock, Myra Marsh or Jamie Steen at 325-653-4576, or e-mail any of the three at: Craddock b-craddock@tamu.edu ; Marsh atm-marsh@tamu.edu ; or Steen at jksteen@ag.tamu.edu .

Army Prepares for Next Rotations in Iraq

Apr 02, 2007

The Department of the Army confirmed today the Department of Defense's announcement for the next rotation of one corps headquarters, two division headquarters and two brigade combat teams in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Additionally, the Department of Defense extended one unit in Iraq and added approximately 2,000 combat support Soldiers to maintain the momentum of operations.

The XVIII Airborne Corps Headquarters, from Fort Bragg, N.C., will replace Headquarters, III Corps, of Fort Hood, Texas, as the Multi-National Corps - Iraq Headquarters in November 2007. The Multi-National Corps Headquarters element oversees day-to-day operations in Iraq, and this deployment of a corps headquarters and some of its subordinate elements is part of a routinely scheduled rotation of forces. No stranger to this mission, the XVIII Airborne Corps Headquarters last saw duty as the Multi-National Corps Headquarters from February 2005 - February 2006.

The 1st Armored Division Headquarters from Wiesbaden, Germany and the 4th Infantry Division Headquarters from Fort Hood, Texas, will deploy to Iraq in August 2007, and serve as multi-national force headquarters, assuming command and control of units and areas of operation as directed. Germany's "Old Ironsides" Division Headquarters last served in Iraq from April 2003 to August 2004 and Fort Hood's "Ivy Division" recently returned from an OIF deployment that started in December 2005 and ended this past December 2006.

The two brigade combat teams confirmed as part of the regular rotation to Iraq are the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division from Fort Drum, N.Y. and the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division from Fort Bragg, N.C. (The Department of Defense previously announced this 82nd Airborne brigade's deployment Nov. 17, 2006.) Both Brigade Combat Teams are seasoned veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq. The "Warriors" of 1st BCT, 10th Mountain Division completed their latest OIF rotation in August 2006, and had served in Afghanistan from June 2003 to May 2004. The "Devils in Baggy Pants" from Fort Bragg served in Iraq from September 2003 to April 2004, and twice in Afghanistan from December 2002 to May 2003 and June 2005 to March 2006.

The Headquarters, 25th Infantry Division from Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, currently serving as Headquarters, Multi-National Division North, is extended 46 days past an anticipated 12-month rotation end date. These "Tropic Lightning" Headquarters Soldiers will now redeploy in September 2007.

The 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C., which was the first unit called forward from Kuwait as part of the Operation Iraqi Freedom plus-up operations, deployed from Fort Bragg in early January 2007. Though tentatively scheduled to redeploy in September 2007, they will now complete a full 12-month rotation and return in early January 2008.

The Army is also supplying an additional headquarters unit for the plus-up, the Headquarters, 214th Fires Brigade, from Fort Sill, Okla., placing additional combat support capability in theater. This headquarters will plan, coordinate and synchronize lethal and non-lethal effects for operational commanders. The 214th HQ is trained and ready, and will deploy at the end of this month.

Combat support and security operations remain keys to success on the ground, and the Army is answering theater's call to provide more of these capabilities. For these latest requirements, the Army National Guard will provide headquarters and line batteries from the 181st Field Artillery Battalion, 145th Field Artillery Battalion and the 131st Field Artillery Battalion, all Army National Guard units. The incredible Citizen-Soldiers who comprise these units hail from the states of Tennessee, Utah, Texas, Kansas, and Georgia. They will deploy this September.

The Army will only provide the best led, best trained and best equipped forces possible to the combatant commander for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Though increasingly a challenge, the Army also remains committed to carving out the critical 12 months of dwell time for units, Soldiers, and families between combat rotations. This dwell time is required to properly organize, re-train, and re-equip forces, as well as allow Soldiers and their families well-deserved rest. Where the 12-month dwell is broken, and where unanticipated extensions are ordered, the Army will focus all available resources on those units, posts, Soldiers and family members to ease the challenges these conditions bring.

Soldiers and family members continue to make great sacrifices for the good of our country and in response to theater requirements. America's Soldiers are performing magnificently around the world during this time of war, and they appreciate and acknowledge the continued support of the American People.

BILLS MOVING THROUGH PROCESS

Senator Judith Zaffirini's bill to increase the child safety seat requirements up to children younger than eight or shorter than 4 feet 9 inches was passed by the Senate today.

(AUSTIN) -- With sixty days left in this session, legislation is moving through committee and being passed by the Senate. The Senate approved a bill Wednesday that expands requirements for child safety seats in cars. Senator Judith Zaffirini, author of Senate Bill 60, says that seatbelts designed for adults can still be dangerous for children who are older or taller than the current requirements. Her bill would require that children who are shorter than 57 inches or eight years of age be secured in a child passenger safety seat, up from the current statute of 36 inches in height or five years of age. Parents that don't follow these new regulations could face a $25 fine, but not until one year after the effective date of the bill. Zaffirini says this is because she is more interested in educating parents of the need for booster seats for older children, not punishing them. "A one year grace period will allow the state to inform more families and increase the impact this bill will have on public safety," she said.

The Senate also approved a bill aimed at increasing transparency for public/private partnership contracts for toll roads. Senate Bill 995, by Lewisville Senator Jane Nelson, would require toll project contractors to disclose the financial details of the contract in the newspapers in the areas around the project, and also to hold public hearings before finalizing the contract.

Also Wednesday, Dallas Senator Royce West announced legislation to increase access to counseling services for Iraq veterans. A recent Army study estimates that 16 to 20 percent of Iraq war veterans suffer from post traumatic stress disorder, which can further strain families and make it more difficult for veterans to integrate into society. Senate Bill 1058 would provide an accurate and current database of available counseling services for veterans via the 2-1-1 Information and Referral Network. West said this legislation will help the state pay part of the debt of gratitude it owes to veterans. "it is our duty as a legislative body to protect those who protect us," he said. "Helping our military families survive the aftermath of war is the least we can do for our Texas patriots." West was joined by colleagues and bill co-sponsors Senators Eliot Shapleigh, Leticia Van de Putte, and Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa in supporting SB 1058.

The Senate will adjourn for an extended period because of this weekend's holidays, and will reconvene Tuesday, April 10, at 11 a.m.

Session video and all other webcast recordings can be accessed from the Senate website's audio and video archive pages.

Medical Research

Submitted by Debbie Hailey
County Extension Agent
Family & Consumer Sciences
Coleman County

Andrew B. Crocker, Extension Program Specialist – Gerontology Health

Every day there are stories about new discoveries in medicine. A commercial comes on television touting the latest and greatest advance in medicine available for only $29.99. Your health provider tells you about a new medication that is in “clinical trials” and will be available soon. How are we to make sense of such statements? To do so, it’s important to understand how medical research and testing is done.

There are different types of research studies. Often a scientist starts with a question and sets up an experiment to get the answer. Maybe a new drug needs to be tested to see if it cures an infection. In this kind of experiment the scientist grows the bacteria in the laboratory and then adds the new drug to see what happens. Usually, there is also a control – that is, the same bacteria is grown but not exposed to the new drug. The scientist then looks to see how the new drug affected the treated bacteria compared with the untreated bacteria. By doing so, he can begin to see how effective the drug is, in what conditions and at what dose.

When studying people, scientists often use observational studies. In these, researchers keep track of a group of people for several years without trying to change their lives or provide special treatment. This can help scientists find out who develops a disease, what those people have in common and how they differ from other people.

The results of laboratory experiments and observational studies may then come together. For example, perhaps a new drug for lowering cholesterol has already been tested for safety in experiments. Scientists know from observational studies that eating a lot of high-fat foods can raise cholesterol levels and they know that people with high cholesterol are more likely to have heart attacks. This might lead scientists to suspect that they can prevent heart attacks by lowering cholesterol levels with the new drug.

But how to prove that their hunch is right? Another kind of research study, called a randomized controlled clinical trial, is thought to be the best way to learn whether a certain treatment works or not. A clinical trial often involves thousands of human volunteers. They are assigned to two or more study groups by chance (randomized). One of the groups, the control group, receives a placebo – a placebo looks just like the treatment or drug being tested, but actually does nothing.

To start the clinical trial the scientists sign up volunteers. The volunteers are randomly divided into two groups. One receives the test drug, and the other, the control group, gets a placebo. The study is also masked. This means that neither the doctors nor the volunteers know who is getting the test treatment or the placebo. At the end of the study period, everyone learns which group was getting the test drug and which was on placebo and the results are analyzed. From there, the drug is further tested and may eventually make it to the Food and Drug Administration for approval, ending up in your medicine cabinet.

So how can you evaluate the “miracle” or “devastating” story you heard on last night’s news? Ask yourself:
• Was it a study in the laboratory, in animals or in people? The results of research in people are more likely to be meaningful for you.
• Does the study include enough people like you? You should check to see if the people in the study were the same age, sex, education level, income group and ethnic background as yourself and had the same health concerns.
• Was it a randomized controlled clinical trial involving thousands of people? They are the most expensive to do, but they also give scientists the most reliable results.
• Where was the research done? Scientists at a medical school or large hospital, for example, might be better equipped to conduct complex experiments or have more experience with the topic.
• If a new treatment was being tested, were there side effects? Sometimes the side effects are almost as serious as the disease. Or, they could mean that the drug could worsen a different health problem.
• Who paid for the research? Do those providing support stand to gain financially from the results? If a drug is being tested, the study might be partly or fully paid for by the company that will make and sell the drug.
• Who is reporting the results? Is the newspaper, magazine, radio or television station a reliable source of medical news? Some large publications and broadcast stations have special science reporters on staff who are trained to interpret medical findings.

In any case, if you have questions about research or something you heard in the news, talk with your health provider. He or she can help you understand the results and what they could mean for your health. Remember that progress in medical research takes many years. The results of one study need to be duplicated by other scientists at different locations before they are accepted as general medical practice.

For more information, contact your County Extension Agent, Debbie Hailey, at 325-625-4519. You may also find more information on the National Institutes of Health Clinical Trials website: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/info/resources .

SENATE APPROVES MEASURES TO LIMIT TRANS TEXAS CORRIDOR, RED LIGHT CAMERA

Recipients of the Texas Medal of Arts were honored Tuesday on the Senate Floor.

(AUSTIN) -- The Senate passed Tuesday four bills aimed at two different yet controversial issues: the Trans Texas Corridor and red light cameras. Senate Bill 718, by Senator Steve Ogden of Bryan, would require the Texas Department of Transportation to utilize existing routes for Trans Texas Corridor projects whenever possible. If TxDOT must use another route, the bill would require them to notify the Legislature within ten days.

The second bill, Senate Bill 1795, is not necessarily directed at Trans Texas Corridor construction, but would give the state more room to issue bonds for future transportation projects. One of the most divisive issues surrounding the Trans Texas Corridor is the use of public/private partnerships that critics say are not appropriately accountable or transparent and that give away state control of public projects. SB 1795 would double the amount of bonds, from $3 billion to $6 billion, that the Texas Transportation Commission could use in order to build new roads.

Lt. Governor David Dewhurst said that this bill will tell TxDOT that it has other options when it comes to transportation funding. "Senate Bill 1795 sends a strong message to TxDOT that we have additional revenues here in Texas, and while I believe there is a legitimate role for public/private investments in roads here in Texas, we ought to make sure, when possible ,to use state funds and build highways as economical as possible," he said.

The other two bills, Senate Bills 125 and 1119, are aimed at automated cameras placed at traffic intersections to catch traffic law violators. There has been much debate over the past years as to the role these cameras should play, and how much fines should be, and who should get that money. Tuesday's measures would answer those questions.

The bills cap fines for violations captured on red-light cameras at $75, and would split the money in half, sending half of the net revenue to the state for trauma care costs in the region where the fines were collected, and the other half could be used by the city to improve public safety. The bills would also require cities to conduct an engineering study at an intersection before placing a red light camera there, in order to show that the camera is necessary to improve safety at the crossing.

Senator John Carona, who authored both bills and chairs the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committees, said that it is important that the state ensure that these cameras are used as a means to improve safety and not just another way for cities to make money. "I really do think that we are ensuring that these cameras will end up only in places where they provide public good, and that they're not merely means to create an electronic speed trap." he said.

Health and Human Services Chair Jane Nelson laid out a bill before her committee Tuesday that she says would help Texas reduce the share of its budget that goes toward health care while covering more of the uninsured. Nelson said that if projections for health care costs in the future are accurate, Texas must change or face serious problems with its health care system. "We cannot continue to run our Medicaid program as it is," she said. "It will break us."

Certain provisions in Senate Bill 10 focus on reducing medical costs through preventative care. It would authorize increased benefits for those who enroll in smoking cessation and weight loss programs, and to patients who follow disease management guidelines. Tailored health benefit packages would allow custom care for certain groups, including the elderly, disabled, and working parents. The bill would also create a health savings account pilot program to look at the impact and effectiveness of private health care accounts.

The bill would use state and federal funds to create an indigent health care fund, called the Texas Health Opportunity Pool intended to increase coverage for uninsured and offset the cost of uncompensated care for hospitals. SB 10 also seeks to increase health care coverage by paying for insurance premiums for employees who have access to group insurance programs at work, as long as those premiums are less than the cost of Medicaid.

The Senate will reconvene Wednesday, April 4 at 11 a.m.

Gov. Perry Urges Legislature to Keep Transportation Projects on Track

Apr. 03, 2007

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today encouraged the Legislature to support the state’s current transportation system and to ensure vital transportation projects continue as planned. The governor was joined by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters and Dr. H. K. Park, executive vice president and general manager for Samsung Hard Disk Drive, at the Samsung Austin Semiconductor expansion site currently under construction.

“Our message today is that building needed infrastructure is essential to creating jobs and attracting economic development investments in Texas,” Perry said. “And you can’t accomplish that with a two-year moratorium on needed road projects.”

During the remainder of the session as the Legislature debates critical issues affecting Texas, Perry encouraged the Legislature to consider the successes from past sessions, highlighting key aspects of the existing transportation system. Texas is currently:

• Pouring more concrete and building more roads than any state in the nation;
• Attracting multi-billion dollar investments from private partners to build needed roads now; and
• Using billions of dollars advanced up front by private concessionaires to build numerous other projects in local communities.

The governor also noted that the land needed for highways will always be owned by Texas, and drivers will always have a non-tolled alternative to toll projects.

“But let no one be confused: there are no such things as freeways,” Perry said. “There are taxways and tollways, and for 50 years we have tried taxways that have been underfunded by Austin and Washington and that have left local communities choking on pollution and brimming with congestion.

“You have heard me say before that we have three alternatives: toll roads, slow roads or no roads. If this moratorium passes the legislature without some other significant investment in our roads, we will be down to one alternative - no roads. Let’s get roads built so that jobs, trade and opportunity continue to come to Texas.”

Gov. Perry Appoints 21 Members to the Commission for College Ready Texas

Apr. 03, 2007

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today appointed 21 members to the Commission for a College Ready Texas. The commission will provide leadership and guidance to the State Board of Education to improve college readiness programs by aligning high school curriculum with college standards.

“Education has always been, and will always be, the cornerstone to success,” Gov. Perry said. “Every student deserves to receive the necessary groundwork to be academically equipped for college. With the guidance of the Commission for a College Ready Texas, students will have access to improved college preparation tools.”

The commission will hold public meetings from April through fall 2007. The commission will consider the public testimony from these meetings to make recommendations to the State Board of Education, which has the authority to adopt, align and define college-readiness standards for Texas.

Sandy Kress of Austin will serve as chair of the commission. Kress is a partner in the law firm of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, L.L.P., where he focuses on public law and policy at the state and national levels. He served as senior advisor to President George W. Bush on education and as president of the board of trustees of the Dallas Public Schools. Kress currently serves on the Education Commission of the States. He previously served as counsel to the Governor's Business Council and Texans for Education, and as a member of the Texas Business and Education Coalition. Kress received his bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Berkeley, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and earned his law degree with honors from the University of Texas School of Law.

Additionally, the following business, education and community service leaders were appointed to the commission:

• Albert Black, President, On-Target Supplies and Logistics of Dallas
• Barbara Cargill, Member, State Board of Education
• Jose Cuevas Jr., Founder and CEO, JumBurrito
• Dr. Robert Duron, Superintendent, San Antonio Independent School District
• Linda Evans, President of Grants and Planning, The Meadows Foundation of Dallas
• Bruce Esterline, Vice President of Grants and Planning, The Meadows Foundation of Dallas
• Larry Faulkner, President, The Houston Endowment; and former President, The University of Texas at Austin
• David Garcia, CEO, CEDRA Corporation of Austin
• Bill Hammond, President and CEO, Texas Association of Business
• Dr. Eric Hanushek, Paul and Jan Hanna Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution of Stanford University
• Woody L. Hunt, former Chairman of the Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
• Jodie Jiles, Managing Director, RBC Capital Markets of Houston
• Charles E. McMahen, Chairman, Governor’s Business Council
• George McShan, former President and President-elect, Texas Association of School Boards
• Sonya Medina, Executive Director, AT&T Foundation
• Elaine Mendoza, Member, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
• David Merrill, Vice President-Investments, AG Edwards & Sons, Inc.
• Dean Nafziger, Ph.D., CEO , Edvance Research, Inc.
• Dr. Richard M. Rhodes, President, El Paso Community College
• Dr. Ricardo Romo, President, The University of Texas at San Antonio
• Zeynep Young, Michael and Susan Dell Foundation

Also included as members of the commission are eight co-chairs who oversee the four subject-specific teams:

• Dr. Linda Ferreira-Buckley, Chair, Department of Rhetoric and Composition English, The University of Texas at Austin
• Selina Jackson, English Teacher, Wall Independent School District
• Linda Gann, Mathematics Instructional Specialist, Northside Independent School District
• Dr. Selina Vasquez-Mireles, Associate Professor of Mathematics, Texas State University
• Mercedes Guzman, Science Teacher, El Paso Independent School District
• Dr. C. O. Patterson, Professor of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station
• Larry Garibaldi, Instructional Team Leader, Houston Independent School District
• Dr. Jonathan Lee, Associate Professor of History, San Antonio College

De-facto members of the commission include:

• Commissioner Shirley Neeley, Texas Education Agency
• Commissioner Raymund Parades, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
• Susan Combs, Texas State Comptroller
• John Fitzpatrick, Executive Director, Texas High School Project – Communities Foundation of Texas

Attorney General Abbott Protects Texas Consumers from Identity Theft

Monday, April 2, 2007

Fort Worth-based RadioShack cited for exposing thousands of customer records

CORPUS CHRISTI – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott took legal action Monday against Fort Worth-based RadioShack Corporation for exposing its customers to identity theft. According to documents filed by the Attorney General, RadioShack violated a 2005 law requiring businesses to protect any consumer records that contain sensitive information, including Social Security and bank account numbers.

Investigators with the Office of the Attorney General discovered that a RadioShack store in Portland, near Corpus Christi, exposed thousands of its customers’ personal identifying information. The investigation was launched after reports indicated company employees dumped bulk customer records in garbage containers behind the store. According to investigators, the records contained sensitive consumer information, including Social Security numbers, credit and debit card information, names, addresses, and telephone numbers.

The records included personal information from one consumer’s 1998 credit application and another receipt from a local woman who, ironically, purchased a shredder from RadioShack in order to protect herself from identity theft. Also discovered among the discarded records was sensitive information from a credit card issued to the City of Portland, according to Portland Police Chief Randy Wright, who joined Attorney General Abbott Monday in denouncing the store’s actions.

“Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States,” Attorney General Abbott said. “Texans expect their personal information to be protected. The Office of the Attorney General will take all necessary steps to ensure that consumers are protected from identity thieves.”

RadioShack is accused of violating provisions of the 2005 Identity Theft Enforcement and Protection Act, which requires the protection and proper destruction of clients’ sensitive personal information. Corpus Christi Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa sponsored the legislation, which gives the Office of the Attorney General authority to seek penalties of up to $50,000 per violation.

The Attorney General also charged RadioShack with violations under Chapter 35 of the Business and Commerce Code, which requires businesses to develop retention and disposal procedures for their clients’ personal information. The law provides for civil penalties of up to $500 for each abandoned record.

Attorney General investigators are also working to determine if any exposed data has been used illegally. Consumers who interacted with the Portland store should carefully monitor bank, credit card and any similar statements for evidence of theft. Customers should also consider obtaining free copies of their credit reports.

Consumers who wish to file a complaint may contact the Office of the Attorney General at (800) 252-8011 or file a complaint online at www.oag.state.tx.us. Consumers can also obtain information on how to detect and prevent identity theft.

Today’s legal action against RadioShack is the third identity theft enforcement action by the Office of the Attorney General in the last two weeks. On March 13, Attorney General Abbott took legal action against On Track Modeling, a North Carolina-based talent agency that abruptly shut down its Grand Prairie office and abandoned more than 60 boxes containing hundreds of confidential client records. On March 14, the Attorney General took legal action against Jones Beauty College in Dallas for improperly discarding student financial aid forms containing Social Security numbers and other personal information.

CARONA CALLS FOR GAS TAX INDEXING

Senator John Carona talks about the rising cost of transportation construction and why Texas needs to index its gas tax.

(AUSTIN) -- The state could soon find itself without enough money for new highway construction, said Senator John Carona of Dallas Monday, unless it turns to new options for generating infrastructure revenue. Carona called on House members to consider legislation to increase the state gas tax, which has stayed at 20 cents per gallon since 1991. The Texas Constitution mandates that any bills addressing tax issues originate in the House, and Carona says many House members aren't eager to vote for another tax bill after passing last session's business tax. "I understand their aversion to taking up another tax bill," he said, "but we're behind the curve with transportation funding. I'm convinced that the political repercussions of doing nothing are far greater than addressing this problem head on."

Carona, who chairs the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee, says that the current transportation funding system means that most, if not all, future road construction would be toll roads. That cost, in terms of toll rates, would be higher for the average commuter than a modest gas tax increase. Carona wants to index state gas tax increases to increases in the Highway Cost Index. This would translate to an increase of about $21 per month for most commuters by 2030, Carona estimated, far less than the financial impact of new toll roads. He added that the current system of public/private partnerships that offer up-front concessions for road construction are both short-term in scope and increasingly odious for taxpayers.

Carona believes a gas tax indexing bill has enough support to pass the Senate, and he asked his colleagues in the House to consider some legislation that ties the state gas tax to the rate of inflation. Otherwise, he worries that the state might face a significant transportation crisis in the near future. "We're at a crossroads," he said. "We can either continue along our current, haphazard transportation policy for which the public has shown an increasing distaste, or we can give ourselves an essential tool to create a long-term, responsive transportation plan that will best serve Texas now and in the years to come."

The Senate will reconvene Tuesday, April 3, at 11 a.m.

Session video and all other webcast recordings can be accessed from the Senate website's audio and video archive pages.

First West Texas Beef 2010 Session Set for April 26 in San Angelo

April 2, 2007
Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576,s-byrns@tamu.edu
Contact: Marvin Ensor, 325-653-4576,m-ensor@tamu.edu

SAN ANGELO - Texas Cooperative Extension, Angelo State University and the Texas Beef Council have teamed up to present the first ever "West Texas Beef 2010" program, a four-part series on beef quality management of market cattle and cows.

Dr. Dan Hale, Extension meats specialist in College Station, said the series is designed to help producers maximize profits from their calves and cull cows.

"We've had tremendous success with the Beef 706 programs, but they focus only on market cattle," Hale said. "We will do that here too, but we have also added cull cattle management to the program. Cull cows and bulls typically make up about 20 percent of an operation's income. Our aim is to help producers learn what to do to maximize profits from their cull cows."

The sessions are:

- Session 1, "Feeder Calf Evaluation and Management," will begin at 5:30 p.m. April 26 at Producers Livestock Auction in San Angelo. The session will cover genetics, nutrition and health factors affecting the worth of feeder cattle. Participants will evaluate feeder cattle and follow their progress through the feeding period and slaughter.

- Session 2, "Cull Cow Management Dollars and Sense," will begin at 5:30 p.m. July 12 at the Angelo State University Meat Lab. The session will address best cull cow management practices. Participants will tour San Angelo Beef Processors and observe cattle from the holding pens through the fabrication of beef cuts.

- Session 3, "Factors That Impact Feedyard Performance and Finished Steer Evaluation," starts at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Angelo State University Meat Lab. The group will review the finished steers evaluated in Session 1 to learn how finished cattle are marketed and how specific traits impact their feedyard performance.

- Session 4, "Beef 706 - Finished Cattle and Carcass Value Wrap-up," is a day and a half workshop set for Oct. 9-10 at the Angelo State University Meat Lab. The Beef 706 portion of the workshop will be a hands-on exercise that takes the fed cattle from Session 1 through the harvest, grading and fabrication process. Their value will be discussed so participants will better understand grid vs. live marketing of cattle.

The Beef 2010 moniker came from the Texas Beef Council, according to Hale. He said the beef industry has a long range plan called Vision Beef 2010 whose aim is to create a U.S. beef industry that is profitable, growing and sustainable for future generations by the year 2010.

To pre-register, call Janice Alexander at the Extension office in Tom Green County at 325-659-6523. Individual registration is $45 due during Session 1 (April 26) registration. The fee is only a part of the $350 per person Hale estimates the program will cost; the Texas Beef Council is covering the balance.

Texas Wheat Crop Strengthened by Recent Rainfall

April 2, 2007

Writer: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259,b-fannin@tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. Gaylon Morgan, 979-845-1461,gmorgan@ag.tamu.edu

Photos and Graphics Click for larger images Facts About Texas Wheat About 6 million winter wheat acres have been planted as part of the 2007 crop, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture-National Agricultural Statistics Service. The value of the 2006 Texas wheat crop was $153 million compared to $330 million in 2005 and $362 million in 2004, according to USDA data. Source: Texas Cooperative Extension, USDA

COLLEGE STATION - The 2006 drought led to the smallest number of wheat acres harvested in Texas since 1925, but this year's crop is showing promise thanks to timely rains, a small grains expert said.

"(Rainfall) in the High Plains and other parts of the state over the past couple of weeks have increased yield expectations," said Dr. Gaylon Morgan, Texas Cooperative Extension small grains specialist. "Statewide, most of the wheat is considered to have good to excellent yield potential due to (available) soil moisture and relatively low disease pressure."

About 6 million winter wheat acres have been planted as part of the 2007 crop, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture-National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Texas producers have renewed optimism after the 2006 drought devastated wheat and other crops throughout the state, resulting in $2.5 billion in losses, according to Extension economists.

The value of the 2006 Texas wheat crop was $153 million compared to $330 million in 2005 and $362 million in 2004, according to USDA data. Last year's drought not only led to millions in losses in revenue for farmers, but sales proceeds from harvested wheat in 2006 led to just $42,000 in Texas Wheat Board allocations for research initiatives. About $211,000 was allotted in 2005 by comparison.

The only disappointments so far are the Southern Rolling Plains and the Concho Valley with late-planted wheat, Morgan said. Yield potential is expected to be low and much of the wheat "grazed-out or baled for hay, despite recent rains," he said.

Meanwhile, rain and warm weather is helping the crop to progress rapidly, Morgan said. In South Texas, the wheat crop is heading and flowering. In the Blacklands region, wheat is beyond the boot stage (the seedhead enclosed within the sheath of the flag leaf) to early flowering.

"In these areas, the crop ranges from late-jointing to early heading," he said. "Most of the wheat on the High Plains is at the jointing stage."

Meanwhile, weed management is another issue that needs attention from growers, Morgan said. Mustards and broadleaf weeds become a problem for some producers as the growing season progresses, he said.

"Late-season broadleaf weed options exist. However, no herbicides should be applied after boot stage," Morgan said.

Examples of herbicides that may be applied up to the boot stage include MCPA, 2,4-D, Ally, Buctril and Finesse.

"If your wheat crop is beyond the boot stage and heavy weed infestations will negatively affect harvest and grain quality, several harvest aids do exist," Morgan said. "However, the harvest aids can't be applied until after the wheat crop is in the hard-dough stage or beyond. If wheat for seed will be kept from a field receiving a harvest aid application, a seed germination test is strongly encouraged because harvest aids can negatively affect seed germination."

Wheat producers are also keeping a watchful eye on crop disease. South Texas wheat is heading with relatively low leaf rust pressure, Morgan said. In the Blacklands, leaf rust pressure is relatively low, "but powdery mildew is still present on susceptible hard wheat varieties."

"Leaf rust is being observed at concerning levels on very susceptible varieties, such as Cutter, Jagelene and 2145," he said. "However, varieties with moderate resistance, such as Coronado, only have low levels of leaf rust at this time."

Fannin County has maintained its resistance to leaf rust, he said, while stripe rust levels remain at very low levels throughout South Texas and the Blacklands regions.

"These low foliar disease levels may be the result of a very dry February and early March and fungal inoculum did not build up," Morgan said. "Nonetheless, as warm moist conditions have returned to much of the state, foliar diseases can increase quickly and warrant observation.

Producers with susceptible varieties to leaf rust and considering use of fungicide can review variety resistance ratings on the Web at http://varietytesting.tamu.edu/wheat/index.htm#diseases.

Rain Continues Friday

The weather continued to be a wet topic through Friday as severe weather moved through the West Central Texas area... but it all turned into a perfect weekend for just about anything.

I was coming home from work Friday after hearing about all the bad weather headed through the area. I had to work about half an hour late so I was hoping it would blow through before I headed home. About the time I got to Zephyr, all the Brownwood Radio stations came on with a Tornado Warning for Early. As I approached Early it got darker and darker and then it started getting lighter and greener until I realized I was right in the middle of it! Then the big, dark cloud burst at the bottom and the rain was all around me and the car. It diminished as I started up the Brownwood Hill and I think I actually drove out of it... I felt as if I was driving a boat up a big boat ramp!

As I topped the hill there was water everywhere. It was runnig or standing ten to fifty feet wide on both sides of the road all the way to Bangs. By the time I got home it was fairly calm and didn't seem too bad. My car was as clean as if I had been through a car wash. I checked my rain gauges on Saturday and dumped out another inch and a half or so of rain to make a total for last week of about five inches. I couldn't tell I had mowed the front yard only a couple of days ago but I sure could tell that I hadn't mowed the backyard yet!

I had heard that the SAHS Track Team had to find some shelter from the storm at the track meet in May and I don't think they ran very much. I don't think they ran Saturday either because the District UIL meet was held in Santa Anna. But they will get another shot in May this Thursday at the District Track Meet.

Tex Wright also reported another 1.8 inches for Friday.

2007 Texas Corn Acreage to Increase, Declines in Cotton Forecasted

March 30, 2007

Writer: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259,b-fannin@tamu.edu
Contacts: Dr. John Robinson, 979-845-8011,jrcr@tamu.edu
Dr. Mark Waller, 979-845-1751,mwaller@tamu.edu
Dr. Travis Miller, 979-845-4008,td-miller@tamu.edu

COLLEGE STATION – Fueled by ethanol demand and strong export sales, U.S. corn acreage is predicted to be the largest since 1944 with Texas plantings to increase by as much as a quarter of a million acres in 2007, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported Friday.

Cotton, the state's number one cash crop, is predicted to drop in acreage by 11 percent or more than 600,000 acres, according to the report. Cotton producers across the state are expected to plant just over 5.73 million acres compared to 6.43 million acres in 2006.

"The first thing to say about it is this is sort of a benchmark on acreage and nobody should take it as a final deal," said Dr. John Robinson, Texas Cooperative Extension cotton marketing economist.

Weather so far has not been a determining factor for agriculture production in Texas, but lack of rain could alter the number of crop acres planted and yields. State agriculture producers are hoping there isn't a repeat of 2006 when crops across the state were ravaged by drought.

"Things have already changed in the last 30 days (regarding weather)," Robinson said. "It's gotten drier in the mid-south. There's a whole lot of variables between now and the next (USDA acreage report) on June 30 when they go out and survey actual acreage."

Prospective corn plantings statewide are predicted to be 2 million acres compared to 1.76 million acres in 2006, according to estimates.

"If we get a good crop year, it could provide some good returns to producers," said Dr. Mark Waller, Extension economics program leader. "In terms of dryland production, we hope it gets the moisture it needs. The moisture situation has improved since last fall, but we don't have a lot of sub-soil reserves. It sounds like things are getting (planted) in the lower part of the state, but we still need good moisture."

Though Texas corn acreage is on the increase, Waller advises producers not to rest on their laurels if they're anticipating high returns on a large crop.

"While it looks like we'll be planting more corn this year and we've got some good potential in prices, producers need to be thinking about what to do in terms of production and price insurance," he said. "If you've planted a lot more corn, don't just sit back and think (prices) will keep going up. Watch the market. When you get some decent pricing opportunities, take advantage of them."

Texas produced more than $561 million worth of corn for grain in 2006, according to agriculture department data. That figure could increase dramatically in 2007 with the potential for larger yields and record-high corn prices.

"I expect to see a corn crop we haven't seen in a while," said Dr. Travis Miller, Extension program leader for soil and crop sciences. "There's rains in the Plains (region) today and the (Central Texas) Blacklands. If people have got it planted, that's perfect timing."

U.S. corn growers intend to plant 90.5 million acres of corn in 2007, up 15 percent from 2006 and 11 percent higher than 2005, the agriculture department reports. By comparison, it would mark the highest number of acres since 1944 when 95.5 million acres were planted. Expected acreage is up in nearly all states as high corn prices are encouraging farmers to plant more acres in corn.

Nationally, Illinois farmers are predicted to plant a record-high 12.9 million acres of corn this spring, up 1.6 million acres from a year ago, while North Dakota (increased 910,000 acres) and Minnesota (increased 600,000 acres) as growers are expected to plant a record number of corn acres.

The drop in Texas cotton acres is in response to the change in corn acreage and the trickle effect on other planted commodities including sorghum and soybeans, economists said.

Some Texas farmers are shifting cotton acreage to corn acreage in the Central Texas Blacklands, Wharton and Lower Rio Grande Valley regions to take advantage of the prices, Robinson said.

"But mainly, it's a question of shifting to grain sorghum or wheat," said Robinson, noting the demand for corn is altering the number of planted acres for other commodities, thus changing the supply-demand equation. Electronic cotton market contracts were trading above 60 cents early Friday.

"The market is still going to grind on and in the short term, there could be a price rally," Robinson said. "If someone were forward-pricing, they may be able to lock something in. To my way of thinking, we need a rally of up to three to four cents for it to be a meaningful opportunity."

U.S. cotton plantings for 2007 are expected to total 12.1 million acres, 20 percent below 2006 levels and the lowest since 1989, the agriculture department reports. Growers intend to decrease planted area in all states with the largest acreage declines in Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Carolina, Mississippi and Texas.

School Attracts the Novices and Experienced Ranchers Alike

March 30, 2007

Writer: Robert Burns 903-834-6191,rd-burns@tamu.edu
Contacts: Dr. Jason Cleere 979-845-6931,jjcleere@ag.tamu.edu
Dr. Monte Rouquette, 903-834-6191,m-rouquette@tamu.edu

Photos and Graphics Click for larger images

OVERTON -- Libby Stephens said that she told her husband that when their kids were grown and out on their own, she wanted to live her dream.

That dream, she admits unabashedly, was to be "a cowgirl in training."

Stephens was one of 47 students, whose combined land ownership totaled more than 10,000 acres, attending this year's Grazing School for Novices at the Texas A&M University System Agricultural Research and Extension Center at Overton. Stephens, who retired as a substitute school teacher and stay-at-home mom just a couple of years ago, bought 100 acres near Mabank. She grew up in Dallas, but always wanted to be in the ranching business, she said.

"The first thing I learned was I need a plan," Stephens said, laughing.

The grazing school differs from other beef and forage educational courses in that it is aimed not at the seasoned, experienced producers but at beginners. Taught by Texas Agricultural Experiment Station researchers and Texas Cooperative Extension specialists, the course is designed for people who have little or no experience with raising beef or growing forages, said Dr. Jason Cleere, Extension beef specialist.

Like Stephens, most of the students know little about the beef business except they want to be in it, and they're "a joy to teach," Cleere said.

"They are often professionals at the top of their careers, but they realize they don't know anything about the beef industry, and they're willing to learn," he said.

The beef industry in Texas is big business. Total receipts were $17 billion in 2006, a amount that includes cow-calf, stocker and feedlot sales, Cleere said.

But many people who attend the grazing school are not that much interested in the bottom line – at least, not at first, Cleere said. But as their start-up enterprise matures, they often realize they need to have a business plan and more knowledge in order to cut costs, he said.

The grazing school classes, each two-and-a-half days long, begin with an economic overview of the basics of putting together a business plan, said Dr. Monte Rouquette, Experiment Station researcher and one of the course instructors.

The business plan instruction is quickly followed by lessons on growing better forage, pastures and hay – for that's the basis of beef production in Texas, Cleere said. Forage talks are followed by presentations on all aspects of beef production, Rouquette said.

Also covered is calibrating sprayers, inoculating legume seed, vaccinating and de-horning calves, keeping proper records, evaluating alternative agricultural enterprises, setting the correct stocking rates, choosing the appropriate cattle breeds, picking the optimum animal breeding and calving seasons, and marketing cattle.

"I've been to some (beef) workshops but none as valuable as this one," Stephens said.

Most of the other workshops were too specialized, designed for people who already knew a lot of the basics, she said.

"They were a little too vague for me," she said. "The most valuable thing I've learned so far is that I was starting supplemental feeding too soon."

Stephens said the money she'll save by that suggestion alone should easily pay for the cost of the course.

Paris Gibbs of Caldwell is the exception to the "novice" rule, he said.

Gibbs, who worked in banking most of his life, bought his first farm land in 1965.

"I was a 'weekender' for years. Then when I retired in 1995, I went full time."

Gibbs now runs cattle on about 700 acres. Though he has had years of experience in the beef business, Gibbs still finds the course a valuable experience. The 2007 class is the second one he's attended, he said.

"Every 15 minutes or so, I learn something new that will pay for this course," he said.

The first class of 2007 was held March 27-29. Cleere noted there are still openings for the second class, set Apri1 3-5.

Cost of registration for either class is $350 per person, which includes two evening meals, two lunches, break refreshments and educational materials, including a nearly 400-page workbook written by the Overton center faculty.

Detailed information on the grazing school and the Overton center can be found at http://overton.tamu.edu/grazingschool.htm . Those wanting registration information may also contact Jennifer Lloyd at 903-834-6191 or by e-mail:jllloyd@ag.tamu.edu .

Waxahachie Nursing Home Office Manager Indicted in Medicaid Fraud Case

Friday, March 30, 2007

Judy Putman of Navarro County charged with diverting patients’ funds

WAXAHACHIE – An Ellis County grand jury indicted a Waxahachie nursing home office manager for stealing money from more than 100 nursing home residents. Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, which investigated the case, is jointly prosecuting with the Ellis County District Attorney’s office.

The grand jury charged Judy C. Putman, 55, of Blooming Grove in Navarro County, with diverting money belonging to the residents.

“Texans will not tolerate criminals who exploit senior citizens,” said Attorney General Abbott. “Our Medicaid Fraud Control Unit will continue cracking down on nursing homes and their employees who take advantage of their residents. The elderly must be treated with dignity and protected from harm.

Attorney General Abbott added, “We are grateful to Ellis County District Attorney Joe Grubbs for his tremendous assistance with the prosecution of this case.”

The Attorney General’s investigation found that Putman, who worked at Renfro Health Care Center in Waxahachie, diverted funds belonging to 110 residents into a trust fund bank account. She then forged 145 checks written on that account for a total of $356,650, a first-degree felony. Putman also controlled a single resident’s personal checkbook and wrote checks on that account totaling more than $34,000, a second-degree felony.

Ellis County Assistant District Attorney Patrick Wilson and Assistant Attorney General Rodney Boyles will prosecute the case.

In 2005 the Medicaid program in Texas cost more than $17 billion. As the state’s chief law enforcement official, Attorney General Abbott has dramatically expanded the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit to save more taxpayer dollars and increase protection for Texas seniors. The unit, which handles criminal cases of fraud and abuse, has established field offices in Corpus Christi, Dallas, El Paso, Houston, Lubbock, McAllen, San Antonio and Tyler. It works with federal, state and local agencies across the state to identify and prosecute those who defraud the Medicaid program.


The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit was honored in 2004 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services with the Inspector General’s State Fraud Award for effectiveness and efficiency during federal fiscal year 2003 in combating fraud, patient abuse and neglect in the Medicaid program.

Gov. Perry Awards $600,000 in Emerging Tech Funds To Quantum Logic Devices

Mar. 30, 2007

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today awarded $600,000 to Quantum Logic Devices of Austin for the commercialization of its patented nanoelectronic platforms, which allow hospitals, clinics, physicians and consumers to perform simple medical tests to immediately identify possible illnesses. The grants are awarded through the Texas Emerging Technology Fund (TETF), a $200 million initiative created by the Texas Legislature in 2005 at the governor’s request.

“These funds allow Texas to invest in technologically innovative companies which are key to driving competition and advancement not only in our state’s robust economy, but also the global marketplace,” Perry said. “Continued investment in emerging technology creates more jobs and generates substantial capital investments, diversifying and enriching our economy.”

Quantum Logic Devices anticipate working closely with the University of Texas and the Advanced Technology Development Facility for further development of this prototype.

A 17-member advisory committee of high-tech leaders, entrepreneurs and research experts reviews potential TETF projects and recommends funding for projects to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the House.

To date, the TETF has allocated $74 million in grant funds to Texas companies and universities in areas promoting:

• Increasing research collaboration between public and private sector entities through new Regional Centers of Innovation and Commercialization where the seeds of an idea can take root in a university lab and eventually grow into a new product marketed by a new or expanding firm;
• Matching research grants provided by both federal and private sponsors to help innovators acquire the capital they need to bring their idea to life; and
• Attracting more top-notch research teams from other universities around the nation that will help put Texas universities on the cutting edge of technology research and development.

For more information on the TETF, please visit
www.emergingtechfund.com.

HOUSE PASSES HB 1, BUDGET FOR 2008-09 BIENNIUM

Friday, March 30, 2007
(AUSTIN) - Early Friday morning, the Texas House of Representatives passed House Bill 1 (HB1), the Appropriations Bill for the 2009-2010 biennium. HB 1 presents a fiscally conservative and responsible budget that funds the state's responsibilities while saving revenue for future appropriations.


The budget totals just over $150 billion, an increase of 5.4 percent from the previous biennium. Compared to the state's population growth and the rate of inflation since that time, this increase represents a fiscally conservative use of taxpayers' money. This amount also leaves $4.2 billion unappropriated, which will be carried forward to the following biennium.


In addition, the state's Rainy Day fund is expected to accumulate $4.3 billion by the end of the 2009 fiscal year. The combined $8.5 billion ensures that homeowners will continue to enjoy property tax reductions enacted during the 79th Legislature.


"I'm thrilled that we were able to accomplish so many goals at once with this budget," Speaker Tom Craddick (Midland) said. "We have met the state's funding obligations, put away revenue for future appropriations and protected tax cuts for Texas homeowners."


Several key programs saw increased general revenue funding with HB 1. When compared to FY06-07 funding, education received a $3.6 billion increase, covering the Teachers' Retirement System, financial aid and additional funding for public schools and higher education. More than $2.5 billion was added to health and human services for increased Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program costs, improved provider rates for physicians and other healthcare professionals, increased trauma funding for hospitals, and a new mental health crisis stabilization program. Additionally, corrections received nearly $600 million to meet projected inmate population growth and increase border security.


Before debating HB 1 on the House floor, members voted to require that any new spending item added to the budget must be accompanied by removing another item of equal value. In this way, representatives worked to ensure that they maintained fiscal responsibility in crafting the budget for the 2009-10 biennium.

Pecan Growers Can Get Casebearer Pest Prediction at Upgraded Web Site

March 29, 2007
Contact: Dr. Marvin Harris, 979-845-9757,m-harris@tamu.edu

COLLEGE STATION – A real-time prediction map for the pecan nut pest called the casebearer is now available at a newly upgraded Web site.

Dr. Marvin Harris, professor of entomology at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, and Bill Ree, Texas Cooperative Extension program specialist, were co-developers of the program, which can be found at http://pecankernel.tamu.edu/ .

The prediction map was launched in 2006 and will be continued this year, Harris said.

"The real-time predictions rely on a large number of Texas Pecan Growers Association member/cooperators and non-traditional cooperators that include Master Gardeners in Texas," he said.

Many cooperators work with Extension agents and the Texas A&M University System regional research and Extension centers across the state.

The cooperators gather data -- often daily -- from pecan nut casebearer pheromone traps from April through June and send it by e-mail to Harris or Ree, who analyze, consolidate and map the information for posting on the Web site, Harris said.

"The real-time map estimates the ‘decision date' when producers will need to inspect their pecans for eggs, larvae and nut entry and decide whether or not they will need an insecticide treatment to protect the crop," he said.

The decision date is determined by the male pecan nut casebearer moths' first appearance in the traps at each cooperator's site.

The decision map on the Web site allows producers to see what is happening across the state and decide whether and when to treat, Ree said.

This pest can ruin an entire crop in some years and cause little damage in others, so vigilance is needed, he said.

The pest was very early in most areas in 2006 and severe in some areas. Producers who consulted this map avoided being blind-sided by the unusually early onset of this pest in 2006, he said.

"We don't know yet what the situation will be in 2007, but we will be watching and quickly reporting what we find via the Web site," Ree said.

Further information on the prediction map is available from http://agnews.tamu.edu/dailynews/stories/ENTO/May1106a.htm .

Brenham Man Arrested Twice by Cyber Crimes Unit Pleads Guilty, Receives 10-Year Prison Sentence

Thursday, March 29, 2007

John David Payne solicited sex online and traveled to Bastrop for meeting

BASTROP – A former Brenham Water Department employee was sentenced to 10 years in prison for using the Internet to solicit a child for sex. In a case prosecuted by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s Cyber Crimes Unit, John David Payne, 28, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Bastrop County District Court to one count of attempted sexual performance by a child, a third-degree felony.

The sentence handed down today will run concurrent with a 12-year sentence he received in February 2007 in Washington County. Payne pled guilty to criminal online solicitation of a minor in that related case.

“Texans will not tolerate criminals who prey upon our children,” Attorney General Abbott said. “Twice arrested for preying on children, this offender is a prime example of the dangerous, incorrigible nature of these predators. Our Cyber Crimes Unit will continue its aggressive crackdown on criminals who target young Texans. We are grateful to Bastrop County District Attorney Bryan Goertz for his assistance with this case.”

Cyber Crimes Unit officers arrested Payne in December 2005 after he traveled from Brenham to Bastrop to meet a child he solicited for sex. When he arrived, Payne discovered the “child” was a Cyber Crimes Unit investigator posing as an underage girl.

While Payne was out on bond in the Bastrop County case, Cyber Crimes Unit officers arrested him again for propositioning an undercover investigator in a MySpace.com chat room. Payne was charged with online solicitation of a minor.

Attorney General Abbott’s top priority is protecting children. His Cyber Crimes and Fugitive units have arrested more than 500 sexual predators since he took office in December 2002. The Fugitive Unit locates convicted child sex offenders who have violated the terms of their parole and could be stalking children.

Ethanol, Corn to Weigh Heavily on Future of Livestock Industry

March 27, 2007
Writer: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259,b-fannin@tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. David Anderson, 979-845-4351,danderson@tamu.edu

Dr. David Anderson, Texas Cooperative Extension livestock marketing economist, discusses the implications of ethanol and corn production pertaining to the livestock industry at the 2007 Texas Ag Forum in Austin. (Texas Agricultural Experiment Station photo by Blair Fannin)

COLLEGE STATION – Future ethanol production and demand for distiller's grains will leave cattle prices lower and lead to higher consumer meat prices, a Texas Cooperative Extension economist said.

Dr. David Anderson, Extension livestock marketing economist, gave an overview of the interaction between renewable energy production and the livestock industry at the recent 2007 Texas Ag Forum in Austin.

Livestock producers should keep these possibilities in mind as ethanol production grows across the country, Anderson said:

- Higher feed costs.

- Feeder cattle and calf prices adjusted to the price of corn.

- Reduced production in terms of cattle weights and profitability.

- A livestock industry that is less competitive in the world market.

The boom in the number of ethanol plants is primarily centered in the Corn Belt, Anderson said, leading to large supplies of distiller's grains, the byproduct which is used primarily as livestock feed.

"Supply of distiller's grains is expected to increase to well over 30 million tons per year," he said. "At that rate of growth, supplies will exceed demand, leading to lower distiller grains relative to corn."

For each 56-pound bushel of corn used to make ethanol, about 17 pounds of distiller's grains is produced, Anderson said.

"While the starch is taken out of the corn to make ethanol, the remaining nutrients are concentrated in the distiller's grains," he said. "It has more protein and energy than corn, per pound. The energy comes from the fat that was in the corn."

Portions of phosphorus, potassium and sulfur are increased as well, he said, noting if the corn used to make ethanol had aflatoxin, "it too is concentrated three times in the resulting distiller's grains."

Thus, distiller's grains "presents a number of management issues related to handling and storing," Anderson said.

"It's a highly variable product," he said. "At that rate of growth, supplies will exceed demand, leading to lower distiller grains prices relative to corn."

Overall, Anderson predicts livestock producers will see higher-priced feed and "lower returns and reduced profitability."

"It results in a less competitive livestock industry in world markets and regionally in the U.S. It will also result in higher food prices for consumers," Anderson said.

Editor's Note: The following are some facts about corn as it relates to ethanol production and livestock feeding. This information can be used in a breakout box:

- Products of wet corn milling: One bushel of corn can equal up to 31.5 pounds of starch, which can be further processed into 33 pounds of sweetener or 2.5 gallons of ethanol; 13.5 pounds of gluten feed, 2.5 pounds of gluten meal, 1.6 pounds of corn meal.

- Corn gluten can be wet or dry with moderate crude protein between 16 percent and 23 percent; it looks like oatmeal.

- Products of dry corn milling: One bushel of corn yields 2.75 gallons of ethanol; 17-18 pounds of distillers grains and solubles; distiller's grains are one-third the weight of the corn and all but the starch is concentrated into this one-third.

Source: Dr. David Anderson, Texas Cooperative Extension

Spring Goat Management Meeting Set April 12 in Brownwood

March 27, 2007
Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576,s-byrns@tamu.edu
Contact: Scott Anderson, 325-646-0386,s-anderson@tamu.edu

BROWNWOOD – Texas Cooperative Extension's Brown County office is sponsoring the Spring Goat Management Meeting at 6 p.m. April 12 at the Brown County Fairgrounds, U.S. Highway 377 South.

"Spring has sprung, but unfortunately, many parts of Texas still need rain," said Scott Anderson, Extension agent in Brown County. "This program will be a ‘where are we' look at goat production, as far as getting through the drought without spending all the profit made from your kid goats on feed. We'll also be looking at marketing strategies and spring goat management chores producers need to be thinking about and doing."

Dr. Frank Craddock, Extension sheep and goat specialist at San Angelo, will be the keynote speaker.

The meeting is free and open to the public.

For more information, call Anderson at 325-646-0386.

Central Texas Pecan Short Course

Submitted by: Tom Guthrie, CEA-Ag , Mills County
Contributed by: Debbie Hailey, CEA-FCS , Coleman County

Central Texas Pecan Short Course
April 10, 2007
CEU's offered

It is once again time for the Central Texas Pecan Short Course. This year's program will be held on Tuesday, April 10 at the Mills County Civic Center in Goldthwaite. Registration will begin at 8:15 a.m. and the program portion will begin at 9:00 a.m. and run until approximately 3:00 p.m.

This is an annual event and always draws a considerable crowd of pecan producers and enthusiast. Cost for this program will be $10 if you pre-register to the Mills County Extension Office by Tuesday, April 3rd at 5:00 p.m. If you do not pre-register it will be $15 at the door. You do not have to pay your registration fee until you arrive at the program. The registration fee includes a noon catered lunch.

Four (4) Continuing Education Units have been requested for those participants holding a commercial or private applicators license. These will include two general, one IPM, and one law's and regulations.

This year's program promises to provide an excellent lineup of speakers. Dr. Jose Pena, Texas Cooperative Extension Economist - Uvalde, will be providing an update on pecan marketing and what to expect after five seasons of improved prices. Once again, Mr. Bill Ree, Texas Cooperative Extension Entomology Specialist out of Col