Applications will be taken from June 1-30 for the next two-year series leading to a professional certification in viticulture. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo)

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.09 billion pounds in April, up 6 percent from the 3.86 billion pounds produced in April 2012.

Dr. Dan Hale, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service meat specialist, discusses cuts of beef at the 2012 grass-fed beef conference. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin)

May 23, 2013 -- 313 head. Because of much-needed rain, Thursday’s receipts were shorter than normal.

The Cody Horton Memorial Heifer Show and the Ivey League Prospect Steer Show

April hired workers down over 2 percent, wage rates increase over 4 percent from previous year

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently published a Notice of Solicitation for Nominations for its Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers for 2-year membership terms in the Federal Register dated April 30, 2013.

The National Weather Service is predicting continuing drought for the western half of Texas this summer, with some improvement for the rest of the state by the end of August. (Graphic courtesy of the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center)

This is a great opportunity for riders of any experience level to participate in an instructor driven two-day horsemanship clinic. Participants receive instruction on basic, intermediate, and advanced horsemanship skills and maneuvers and have the opportunity to practice them with guided instructors. Only accepting 30 riders. Minimum age is 8. Cost $60. For more information call Chuck Jones, 903-813-4202.

“We understand that producers have gotten busy, but they can’t forget to visit their county office and sign up for DCP or ACRE,” said USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Juan M. Garcia. “Just as farmers and ranchers plan their spring plantings, producers should plan to schedule an appointment to visit their USDA Service Center at the earliest possible time. It’s best to complete the paperwork now rather than to stand in line the day before the deadline,” advised Garcia.

Cattle can become infected with bovine anaplasmosis through transfer of red blood cells. (Texas A&M AgriLife Research photo by Blair Fannin)