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2013 Brings Bad Spring for Some Texas Farmers

Recent rains helped pull more of the state out of drought- but 92 percent of Texas is still experiencing at least a moderate drought and in some of the state drought has worsened. The U.S. Drought Monitor maps released Thursday morning show a slight decrease from last week in the percent of the state facing [...]

Texas Lawmakers Push For Lactose Tolerance

A new bill by several Republican state lawmakers would make it easier to buy and sell raw milk in Texas.

If a group of Texas lawmakers gets their way, buying and selling raw milk in the Lone Star Stare could become easier to digest. A bill introduced by Rep. Dan Flynn, R-Canton, would allow raw milk producers to sell in farmers markets or fairs. The bill also permits the delivery of raw milk directly to [...]

For Texas Lawns, It’s Not Easy Staying Green (But It Is Possible)

Drought doesn’t have to kill your lawn, say Texas A&M Agrilife researchers. Though it may appear brown, the grass can stay alive during water-restricted months. Researchers say it’s a matter of watering with the right sprinklers and the right techniques. Texas A&M Agrilife researchers studied the best watering techniques during water restrictions by simulating drought-restrictions [...]

The State of Texas Irrigation: More Efficiency Amid Less Water

The A&M AgriLife Irrigation map shows large amounts of agricultural irrigation used in the Texas panhandle.

Texas irrigation is a big deal. The state is home to more than 10 percent of the irrigated acres in the country. Texas A&M’s AgriLife Extension looked into Texas’ agricultural water use in a recent report. It examines Texas’ economic dependence on irrigation, improvements in state-wide irrigation efficiency, and problems the state faces as water reserves dwindle. Urban [...]

After Drought, Some Texas Ranchers Wary of Rebuilding

Despite recent rains, Texas ranchers replenish herds with caution.

It’s been a tough couple of years for Texas ranchers, but as the rain falls, financial clouds are begining to clear. Increased rainfall has improved conditions for livestock production after ranches were devastated in the 2011 drought. But despite the improvement, ranchers remain hesitant to start replenishing their herds, according to the latest crop and [...]

How Texas Quail Is Making a Rebound, And Why It Might Not Be Enough

Quail are released as part of a Texas A&M Agrilife research program.

The Texas quail are back – sort of. Experts say the Texas quail population has notably increased this fall compared to last year’s dismal numbers. However, it seems this season’s increase won’t be enough to reverse the 5-year trend of diminishing quail numbers in Texas. According to Texas A&M Professor and Wildlife expert Dr. Dale [...]

Why Most Smart Irrigation Controllers Failed the Drought Test

A new report by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service says that only a few smart irrigation systems worked right during the drought. What’s a smart irrigation system? Normal sprinkler systems require their owners to manually set irrigation schedules. But, smart irrigation controllers use an array of sensors to determine just how much water is needed [...]

Texas’ Biggest Cash Crop, Cotton, Makes Gradual Rebound

Texas is cattle country, an image known the world over. What’s perhaps not so well known is the primacy of the other big C: Cotton. In fact, Texas has led the country in cotton production for over a century. The fate of the state’s cattle industry as it recovers from last year’s drought is well [...]

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