2016

April 2016

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June 2016

July 2016

ELDORADO – As triple-digit heat and dry weather return to West Texas, the importance of rainwater harvesting will take center stage during a special workshop from 9 a.m.-noon Aug. 11 in Eldorado.

The Rainwater Harvesting program, conducted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service offices in Schleicher and Irion counties, will be held at the Eldorado Community Center located a mile south of Eldorado on U.S. Highway 277.

Tait Cooper, AgriLife Extension agent in Schleicher County, said Billy Kniffen, retired AgriLife Extension water resource associate from Menard, will teach the class.

"Mr. Kniffen is well-known throughout our area for his knowledge on all aspects of rainwater harvesting," Cooper said. "He has planned and constructed a wide range of systems ranging from small units for wildlife to large residential and commercial installations. So if there are questions about any facet of rainwater harvesting, chances are Mr. Kniffen will have the answer."

Laci Kennedy, AgriLife Extension agent in Irion County, said Kniffen will cover topics ranging from the basics of rainwater harvesting to systems for livestock, home use and landscaping.

"He will also demonstrate an in-home system and offer tips for creating a rain barrel," she said.

"Conserving rainwater is seen as an important issue within both our counties," Cooper said. "Although we have been blessed with great rainfall this year, it is still important to conserve what we have. This program will provide the tips and demonstrations to successfully collect and conserve this often scarce resource."

One Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education unit in the general category will be offered.

Individual registration is 15ドル by Aug. 5 and 25ドル thereafter. The fee includes lunch.

For more information and to register, contact Cooper at 325-853-2132, tait.cooper@ag.tamu.edu, or Kennedy at 325-853-2711, laci.kennedy@ag.tamu.edu.

Texas A&M Agrilife Water Education Network

Website provides information regarding using water efficiently, managing water resources, and plans to further water conservation in the future. Website has information for homeowners, businesses, and farmers.

Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Aquaculture, Fisheries, and Pond Management Website

The web address is http://fisheries.tamu.edu/. Website contains information that will be helpful for Texas Residents. Viewers will be able to find information related to aquaculture and farm pond management.

Drinking Water Standards

What’s In My Water

Lawn Water Management

Chemical Weed and Brush Control Suggestions for Rangeland (pdf)

Rangeland Risk Management for Texans Common Brush and Weed Management Mistakes (pdf)

Brush Control

Brush Management Methods (pdf)

Brush Busters Mixing Guide (pdf)

Brush Control for Small Acreages (pdf)

Controlling Brush with Herbicides to Increase Ranch Profits (pdf)

• Brush Busters How to Take Care of Pricklypear and Other Cacti (pdf)
• Brush Busters How to Estimate Costs for Controlling Pricklypear (pdf)
• Brush Busters How to Beat Mesquite (pdf)
• Brush Busters How to Estimate Costs for Controlling Small Mesquite (pdf)
• Brush Busters How to Master Cedar (pdf)
• Brush Busters How to Estimate Costs for Controlling Small Cedar (pdf)
• Brush Busters How to Put a Halt to Saltcedar (pdf)

Weed Control

Sprayer Calibration Guide (pdf)

Weed Identification Using Plant Structures as a Key (pdf)

• Weed Busters: How to Control Common (Annual) Broomweed (pdf)
• Weed Busters: How to Sweep Out Perennial Broomweed (pdf)
• Weed Busters: How to Get Drummond’s and Common Goldenweed (pdf)
• Weed Busters: How to Neutralize Silverleaf Nightshade (pdf)
• Weed Busters: How to Pound Threadleaf Groundsel (pdf)

Predator Control as a Tool in Wildlife Management (pdf)

Deer

• Chronic Wasting Disease (pdf)
• A Guide To Chronic Wasting Disease in Texas Cervids (pdf)
• White-tailed Deer Management in the Texas Hill Country (pdf)
• Texas Parks and Wildlife – A Guide to Age Determination of White-tailed Deer(pdf)
• How to Keep Accurate Deer Harvest Records (pdf)
• Learn About Whitetails (pdf)
• Brush Management Effects on Deer Habitats (pdf)
• Integrating deer, quail, and turkey habitat (pdf)
• Factors Affecting Deer Diets and Nutrition (pdf)

Coyotes

• Coping with Coyotes – Management Alternatives for Minimizing Livestock Losses (pdf)
• Managing Coyotes with Snares (pdf)
• Trapping Coyotes (pdf)

Feral Hogs

Click here to access the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension website with over 50 articles, 100 Frequently Asked Questions, Webinars, Videos, and Ask an Expert regarding feral hogs. The website address is: http://www.extension.org/feral_hogs

• Recognizing Feral Hog Signs (pdf)
• Feral Hog Laws and Regulations in Texas (pdf)
• Feral Hog Transportation Regulations (pdf)
• Feral Hogs and Disease Concerns (pdf)
• Feral Hog Approved Holding Facility Guidelines in Texas (pdf)
• Training Wild Pigs to Bait (pdf)
• How to Build a Pig Trap Gate for less than 115ドル (pdf)
• Selecting a Manual Pig Trap Trigger (pdf)
• Using Fences to Exclude Feral Hogs from Wildlife Feeding Stations (pdf)
• Managing Feral Hog Damage (pdf)

Rodents

• Managing Nutria Damage (pdf)

Bees

• Carpenter Bees (pdf)
• Honey Bees in and Around Buildings (pdf)

Additional publications and information can be found by visiting the online Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service Bookstore. You can type in the topics that you are looking for in the search box.

*NOTE: Publications from the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service are copyrighted. You may download it for your personal, noncommercial use only. Any other use (including but not limited to any commercial use, making multiple copies, displaying publicly, placing on a web page, or redistributing) requires express written permission from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. By downloading this document, you agree to all of the above. To request written permission, please contact:

Holly Jarvis, Ph.D.
2112 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-2112
979-458-5911
hollydjarvis@tamu.edu

Pesticide Private Applicator Training

For detailed information regarding the Pesticide Private Applicator License, click here to visit the Texas Department of Agriculture’s webpage. You can find information on licensing requirements, training, testing, and recertification.

Online Texas Private Applicator Training Course

To access the online Texas Private Applicator Training Course, please visithttps://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/index.cfm/productDetails/ProductID/1730/.

General Information on the TDA Private Pesticide Applicator License

If you have misplaced your renewal notice you can contact TDA and ask them to resend another invoice by calling (877) 542-2474. Your license will expire on the 5 year anniversary of when you received your license. During the 5 years you must get 15 hours of continuing education units of which 2 hours must be in laws and regulations and 2 hours in integrated pest management. The remaining 11 hours can be in general or any category including IPM or L&R.

You must maintain the CEU certificates on file for one year following renewal of your license, in case of an audit by TDA. License renewal fees increase after 90 days and 120 days following renewal. 2015 renewal fees are (0-90days – 60,ドル 90-120 days 90,ドル 120-365 days – 120ドル). If your license is expired for over one year you must contact TDA to get renewed.

If you would like to know of CEU opportunities outside of your county, you may contact the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension offices in neighboring counties or go to the TDA website at: http://ceusearch.texasagriculture.gov/ . Individuals may receive up to 10 hours of CEU’s online.

Record Keeping Requirements

Private Pesticide Applicator Recordkeeping Requirements (pdf)

Record Keeping Forms

Pesticide Applicator Record Form (pdf)

Livestock

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Gardening

Hill Country Master Gardeners

• Planning a Garden (pdf)
• Soil Preparation (pdf)
• Planting (pdf)
• Fertilizing (pdf)
• Composting (pdf)
• Growing Herbs in Texas (pdf)
• Texas Home Vegetable Gardening Guide (pdf)
• Vegetable Gardening in Containers (pdf)
• Managing Insect and Mite Pests in Vegetable Gardens (pdf)
• A Key to Common Caterpillar Pests of Vegetables (pdf)
• Building a Raised Bed Garden (pdf)
• Insect Control (pdf)
• Managing Insect and Mite Pests in Vegetable Gardens (pdf)
• Non-Chemical Control of Plant Diseases in the Home Garden (pdf)
• Lantana and Verbena: How to Combat Insect and Mite Pests (pdf)

Lawn

• Keep Your Lawn Alive During Drought (pdf)
• Turfgrass Selection for Texas (pdf)
• Turfgrass Establishment for Texas (pdf)
• Maintaining Bermudagrass (pdf)
• Bermudagrass Varieties, Hybrids, and Blends for Texas (pdf)
• Maintaining St. Augustinegrass (pdf)
• Fertilizing Texas Lawns (pdf)
• Lawn Fertilization_Environmental Impact (pdf)
• Protecting the Environment – Using Integrated Weed Management in Lawns(pdf)
• Thatch Management for Home Lawns (pdf)
• Take-All Root Rot (pdf)
• Lawn Water Management (pdf)
• White Grubs in Texas Turfgrass (pdf)

Cactus

• Pricklypear Biology & Management (pdf)
• Brush Busters: How to Take Care of Pricklypear and Other Cacti (pdf)

Additional publications can be found by visiting the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension online bookstore. You can type in the topics that you are looking for in the search field.

*NOTE: Publications from the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service are copyrighted. You may download it for your personal, noncommercial use only. Any other use (including but not limited to any commercial use, making multiple copies, displaying publicly, placing on a web page, or redistributing) requires express written permission from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. By downloading this document, you agree to all of the above. To request written permission, please contact:

Holly Jarvis, Ph.D.
2112 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-2112
979-458-5911
hollydjarvis@tamu.edu

[画像:http://agrilifecdn.tamu.edu/communications/files/2012/08/TAMAgEXT.png]

The Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service Soil, Water, and Forage Testing Laboratory offers soil testing. You can print off a submittal form below, or you may pick one up from the Irion County Extension Office. We have soil sample bags at the Extension Office that you may use to submit your samples to the laboratory. Once you collect your sample, you will need to ship it to the laboratory for testing. There are instructions on how to collect the soil sample attached to the submittal form.

2016 Pasture & Field Soil Sample Submittal Form (pdf)

2016 Garden & Yard Soil Sample Submittal Form (pdf)

Soil Testing Lab Credit Card form (pdf)

The Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service Soil, Water, and Forage Testing Laboratory’s website has soil fertility recommendations and fertilizer calculators that you can use one you have the results. If you want to visit their website, please click here.

What is a Recordbook?

4-H recordbooks are a tool in learning record keeping skills that will last a lifetime. In the 4-H record book, 4-H members record information about participation and accomplishments in all 4-H projects and activities. There are many categories in which to enter a 4-H record book; from beef to breads; from fashion to foods; from poultry to public speaking.

Texas 4-H Recordbook Webpage: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/recordbooks/

2015-2016 Updates and Family Guide to 4H Recordbooks – this document explains how to do the Recordbook project.

CHANGES FOR 2015-2016

Record Books submitted for judging in 2016 are to be completed using the Microsoft Word forms found at texas4-h.tamu.edu

Member categories

• Junior (grades 3-5)
• Intermediate (grades 6-8)
• Senior (grades 9-12)

Clarification on reporting of learning experiences. Activities that occur in non-4-H settings such as other community or youth organizations, or in a self-directed project may be reported in the Junior Diary, Intermediate Personal Journal or Senior Section I as learning experiences.

All competitive events outside of 4-H are to be reporteded as non-4-H.

4-H members winning first place in a record book category may enter that same category again.

NEW!!

• Livestock Judging can be reported as a 4-H project. Other judging contest activities will continue to be reported within the 4-H Project it supports. (Whereas Horse Judging supports the Horse Project, Livestock judging involves multiple species; thus it can be reported as a stand-alone project.)
• Recordkeeping Tool available Please see Appendix F of the Family Guide to the Texas 4-H Recordbook to learn about an online recordkeeping system created by Claire Godwin, Williamson County 4-H member. This is a TOOL and is not an online Record Book.

CATEGORIES:

ADDED: Agriculture Sciences

REMOVED: Dairy, Housing & Home Environment and Safety.
Please see category descriptions, efforts have been made to ensure the books in the eliminated categories have a place to enter.

Other items to note:

• Personal Information Page (required, but not judged) available as a fillable PDF
• Junior Books – current year’s report form only
• Intermediate books – include prior year’s report forms as part of the overall evaluation

Senior books – include three year’s prior report forms as part of the overall evaluation.

Competitive Recordbook Categories:

A description of information to include about the specific projects listed above can be found on this pdf document

2015-2016 Recordbook Category Descriptions (pdf)

Online 4-H Recordkeeping – uses Google docs, is a tool for recordkeeping and not an official recordbook

• online recordkeeping system (pdf)

Recordbook Report Forms

The Recordbook Checksheet – should be the first page of the recordbook for senior, intermediate, and junior 4H Members

2015-2016 Recordbook Checksheet (pdf)

Personal Information Page – this form should be the second page in each recordbook for juniors, intermediates, and seniors

2015-2016 Personal Information Page (pdf)

Texas 4-H Age Categories:

• Junior: 3rd – 5th graders
• Intermediate: 6th-8th graders
• Senior: 9th – 12th graders

(Information below taken from the 2015-2016 Updates and Family Guide to 4H Recordbooks (pdf))

FOR ALL AGE DIVISIONS, ONLY INCLUDE ONE YEAR’S WORTH OF INFORMATION ON THE CURRENT YEAR’S FORM.

Junior Report Form – 2015-2016 Junior Report Form (pdf)

A completed Junior level recordbook consists of:

• Check Sheet
• Personal Information Page
• Junior Report Form (consists of Goals, Diary, 4-H Story, and Awards/Community Service/Leadership sections)
• Up to 3 pages of photos
• Prior year’s report forms (not judged)
• Additional Photo Pages (for those entering photography category only; up to 6 pages maximum)

For Juniors, the report form consists of 4 main sections:

• Goals (main project; current year only)
• Diary (all projects; current year only; no page limit; summarize as much as possible)
• 4-H Story (all projects; all years)
• Awards/Community Service/Leadership (all projects; current year only)

Intermediate Report Form – 2015-2016 Intermediate Report Form (pdf)

A completed Intermediate level recordbook consists of:

• Check Sheet
• Personal Information Page
• Story and Photo Portfolio (10 page max.; 3-page min. text; 3-page min. photos)
• Intermediate Report Form (consists of Goals, Personal Journal, Summary of Accomplishments, & Community Service, Leadership, and Project Summary sections)
• Prior year’s report forms (prior year to be judged)
• Additional Photo Pages (for those entering photography category only; up to 6 pages maximum)

Intermediate report forms include:

• Goals (main project; current year)
• Personal Journal (all projects; current year; no page limit; summarize as much as possible)
• Summary of Accomplishments (all projects; current year)
• Community Service, Leadership, and Project Summary (all projects; current year only)

Senior Report Form – 2015-2016 Senior Report Form (pdf)

A completed Senior level recordbook consists of:

• Check Sheet
• Personal Information Page
• Story and Photo Portfolio (10 page max.; 3-page min. text; 3-page min. photos)
• Senior Report Forms I-VII (sections are listed below)
• Prior year’s report forms (previous 3 years to be judged)
• Additional Photo Pages (for those entering photography category only; up to 6 pages maximum)

The Senior report forms consist of the following sections (current year’s information only):

• Section I: 4-H Project Experiences
• Section II: 4-H Leadership Experiences
• Section III: 4-H Community Service
• Section IV: Other 4-H Projects
• Section V: 4-H Recognition and Awards
• Section VI: Non 4-H Activities
• Section VII: College and Career Exploration

Keep in mind, the following rules will apply for judging:

• Juniors will only be judged for the current year
• Intermediates will be judged for the current and previous year
• Seniors will be judged for the current and previous 3 years

What is Quality Counts?

Quality Counts is an online program designed to teach youth to have high standards in caring for their livestock. The program focuses on displaying good character while working with livestock. Once the program is completed by passing either the junior level or senior level exam, the participant will receive a Quality Counts verification number. This number is required for ALL stock show entries (county AND major stock shows).

How do I prepare for the exam questions?

You can review this PowerPoint presentation as a pdf document to see the topics that the Quality Counts program emphasizes. Reviewing this document carefully should help you a great deal in being able to answer the questions on the Quality Counts Exam.

Quality Counts Program Guide (pdf)

Where do I go to take the Quality Counts Exam?

The link is agrilife.org/qualitycounts/. Once you are on the website, go to the "Verification" tab and click on "Take the test and become Verified". If you are only showing through 4-H, then click on "4-H" icon.If you are showing through 4-H and FFA, then click on the "4-H and FFA" icon. Enter your basic information, and make sure that you enter that you are showing in Irion County! If you do not enter Irion County, we will not be able to retrieve your Quality Counts Number! Then, begin answering each question on the test and submit your exam when finished. We will be able to see if you have completed the exam, and it will not be necessary for you to bring in a copy of your quality counts certificate.

My 4-H member has taken the quality counts exam previously, does he/she have to take it again?

It depends on the exhibitor’s age. Exhibitors must take and pass the the junior level exam once until age 14 (as of August 31, 2015). Once an exhibitor turns 14, then he/she must take and pass the senior level exam one time. It is not necessary to take the exam again each year unless the member is moving from the junior level to the senior level.