I have accepted another position with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.  Effective Monday, November 16th I will be working in Bexar County (San Antonio) as the Agriculture and Natural Resources agent.

I have enjoyed the past four years in Bandera.  This experience has allowed me to grow both personally and professionally.  I’m thankful for the networks and relationships built in addition to the program basis.  I’ve met several wonderful people that I plan to remain in touch with.

In closing, thanks to the Bandera County Commissioners Court for their continued leadership and support of Extension and 4-H.

Best Wishes,

Sam

This program is free of charge and open to the public.  To RSVP, please contact the Bandera County Extension Office at 830-796-7755.

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Areas of Texas have received very little rainfall since the end of June. As we begin the month of October many of us are questioning whether to plant cool season annual forages (such as ryegrass, small grains or legumes). Many are optimistic about the wetter-than-normal winter that most likely will come because of an exceptionally strong El Nino this year. However, for many of us that hope is not enough as we look at the cost associated with planting.

Ideally we would like to plant to soil moisture. Summer pastures should be overseeded in October and early November depending on location. Delaying planting may give us an opportunity to plant to soil moisture depending on rainfall. Delaying planting too late (late November or December) will decrease overall forage production as well as result in a shorter grazing period.

If predictions are true and we do have a wetter-than-normal winter be prepared to manage any winter forages planted, especially those overseeded into existing warm season perennial sods (bermudagrass, bahiagrass, etc). Late (April/May) ryegrass or legume forage production can slow down the spring recovery of our warm season perennial grasses. Be prepared to increase stocking rate or harvest excess forage at that time to allow for warm season perennials to break dormancy.

For information on cool season annual forage options as well as planting methods please review the following publications:

Establishing Cool-Season Annual Grasses

Cool-Season Forage Legume Management Guide

Annual Winter Pasture Establishment Management

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Here’s a quick forecast breakdown…

October – We will likely remain near normal conditions for the Hill Country temperature wise.  The rainfall forecast models don’t look especially good for our area although it doesn’t show us being drier than normal.

November – Here comes the rain, we hope!  According to the models, November looks to be normal to warmer than normal temperatures and wetter than normal.

December – Don’t break out those sweaters just yet!  The models show our area of Texas much warmer than normal with rainfall likely.

In closing, Bledsoe says El Nino will remain with us through the fall and winter, before weakening this spring.  “Post El Nino dryness is something I remain concerned about in the late spring and summer of 2016”.

11-30-15 Olive Production & Mgmt

“Chronic Wasting Disease is a condition that affects the nervous system of deer, elk and moose,” said Dr. John Tomecek, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Wildlife Specialist at San Angelo and one of the evening presenters. “It is similar to diseases such as scrapie in sheep and goats and bovine spongiform encephalopathy or BSE in cattle. There is no evidence chronic wasting disease can be transmitted to sheep, goats, cattle or humans.”

The disease was first detected in 1967 in a captive mule deer herd in Colorado. Since then, it has been detected in 22 US states and two Canadian provinces. The disease was detected in far west Texas in 2012, which was the first instance in the state until the Medina County confirmation earlier this summer.

Attendees will learn all about Chronic Wasting Disease from the history to clinical signs to prevention techniques. Whether you are a landowner, hunter or deer enthusiast this program is sure to spark conversation.

Speakers include Dr. John Tomecek, Assistant Professor and Wildlife Specialist from San Angelo and Mitch Lockwood, Big Game Program Director, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

The program is free to the public and refreshments will be provided. To plan accordingly, please RSVP to the Bandera County Extension Office at 830-796-7755 by Friday, October 9^th.