Bowie County Ag and Natural Resources-Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

06/04/2026

Emerald ash borer has been detected in three additional Texas counties: Young, Montague and Clay.

The invasive insect was confirmed after adult beetles were captured in Texas A&M Forest Service monitoring traps. These detections help us track the spread of emerald ash borer and better understand where it is present across the state.

Emerald ash borer attacks and kills ash trees. Signs of infestation may include canopy thinning, increased woodpecker activity, bark splitting and D-shaped exit holes.

One of the best ways to help slow the spread of invasive insects is to buy and burn firewood locally and avoid moving untreated wood long distances.

06/04/2026

On June 3, 2026, the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) received confirmation of a detection of New World screwworm (NWS) in Zavala County, Texas. The best thing that livestock producers and animal owners can do to prevent infestation is to put eyes on their animals as often as possible, remain vigilant by implementing enhanced management practices to avoid creating wounds, and promptly report suspicious wounds.

Find real-time updates here: https://bit.ly/USDA-NWSCurrentStatus
Find Texas-specific resources here: https://bit.ly/TAHC-NWS

06/03/2026

https://foragefax.tamu.edu/w**d-of-the-week-broadleaf-marshelder/

Broadleaf Marshedler (Iva annua L.) is a warm season annual in the Sunflower family. Also called broadleaf sump w**d. The leaves are situated in pairs across from each other on the stem. Marshelder grows in wet, moist areas, disturbed areas, and roadsides. This plant germinates in the early spring i...

06/01/2026

Here is a good refresher on Nitrogen sources and management for pastures.

TAM-AAMM
Texas A&M—AgriLife Agronomic Monday Memo (May 11, 2026)
Dr. Vanessa Corriher-Olson, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Forage Agronomist, Overton
(903) 834-6191 (O), [email protected]

Nitrogen and Texas Perennial Forages
Producers have several nitrogen choices, including Bermudagrass, plus application tips.

Nitrogen Fertilizer Sources for Perennial Forages
Nitrogen is the first limiting nutrient of perennial forage production. When plants are N deficient, leaves appear yellow. The loss of protein N from chloroplasts in older leaves produces yellowing, or chlorosis, indicating N deficiency. Chlorosis usually appears first on lower (older) leaves, the upper leaves remain green. Under severe N deficiency, lower leaves turn brown and die. Newer growth remains green as the lower leaves yellow or die indicating N is mobile within the plant. When roots are unable to absorb sufficient N, protein in the older plant parts is converted to soluble N. This N is then translocated to active growing tissues and reused in the synthesis of new protein.

Common N fertilizers are anhydrous ammonia (82% N, 82-0-0), urea (45-46% N, 46-0,0), liquid nitrogen (28-32% N, e.g. 32-0-0), ammonium sulfate (21% N, 21-0-0-24S) and ammonium nitrate (34% N, 34-0-0). {The three-digit analysis of fertilizers is for nitrogen—phosphorus (as P2O5, not P)—potassium (as K2O, not K). A fertilizer labeled 18-6-12 contains N, P, and K.}
• Anhydrous ammonia (82%) fully converts more slowly (due to high N content) to nitrate N (NO3--N) than any other N fertilizer. Thus, it has the least chance of N loss to leaching or denitrification. (Denitrification is an undesirable bacteria-mediated conversion of nitrate to gas forms of N like nitrous oxides, NO then N2O, or even N2. These N molecules are then lost to the air from the cropping system. Warm, wet anaerobic conditions favor this.) Anhydrous ammonia must be injected into the soil. Therefore, it would have no gaseous N loss due to volatilization from the soil surface. The disadvantage of anhydrous ammonia is that it is hazardous to handle.
• Urea (45-46%) converts to nitrate-N quickly, usually less than two weeks. Denitrification on wet or compacted soils can be serious. Leaching can be a problem in coarse soils. In no-till situations, surface volatilization of N can be a problem if the urea is not soon moved into the soil by rain or irrigation if it is dry for several days after application.
• Liquid nitrogen solutions (28-32% N) usually consist of urea and ammonium nitrate. The nitrate in this product is subject to leaching and denitrification from the time it is placed in the field. The urea components are subject to the same loss mechanisms as urea. N solutions can be banded on the soil surface easily by dribbling. This method of application minimizes the amount that sticks to the residue or the forage crop. It reduces surface volatilization, but rain or irrigation is still needed to move the N into the root zone.
• Ammonium sulfate (21%) is a nitrogen source with little or no surface volatilization loss when applied to most soils. Ammonium sulfate is a good source of sulfur when it is needed. Its disadvantage is it is the most acidifying form of N fertilizer—it requires 2 to 3 times as much lime (CaCO3, calcium carbonate, which is alkaline) to neutralize the same amount of acidity formed by the same amount of N from other common N fertilizers.
• Ammonium nitrate (34%) is 50% ammonium N and 50% nitrate N when applied to the soil. The ammonium N quickly converts to nitrate N. For soil subject to leaching or denitrification, ammonium nitrate would not be preferred. Ammonium nitrate has no urea in it. Therefore, surface application would be a good choice where volatilization of urea is expected.

Nitrogen in Perennial Forages & Soil Testing

Any fertilizer rate should be based on soil test recommendations. The recommendation for nitrogen is to apply no more than 100 pounds of actual N per acre at a time.
Actual N is the amount of N in the fertilizer, not the amount of fertilizer product. For example, if a forage grower wants to apply 60 lbs. of N using urea, which is 46% N, then the calculation is:
60 lbs. of N per acre to apply / decimal concentration of N in fertilizer = lbs. of fertilizer to apply
60 lbs. N per acre / 0.46 (urea) = 130 lbs. of urea to apply per acre

Nitrogen Fertilizer Application Tips in Perennial Forages
If greater forage production is desired, then required N fertilizer increases. Thus, additional nitrogen may be applied (for example, after the first hay cutting) or any time through the growing season when adequate soil moisture is available to warrant a forage response.

Following this recommendation for perennial forages will not only improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), but it will also improve forage nutritive value. Here in east and northeast Texas, if a grower plans on splitting the nitrogen fertilizer into multiple applications through the growing season, use ammonium nitrate on pastures after May 15. Urea fertilizer sources can be used, but a minimum of one-quarter inch of rainfall is required within three to five days of application to negate the risk of nitrogen loss. Prior to May 15, any nitrogen source can be used since rainfall is more likely. For Texas regions beyond east, central, and northeast Texas, suggested difference in timing may be earlier in south Texas, and later in the Texas High Plains. Typically, urea is cheaper than ammonium nitrate per unit nitrogen (not per ton fertilizer) and is the best buy for late April to early May application.

For information specific to Bermudagrass production in Texas, consult:
AgriLife Learn (https://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/s/)
Bermudagrass varieties, hybrids, and blends for Texas. Vannessa Corriher-Olson & Larry Redmon. 2011. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension (SCSC-PU023).
Forage Bermudagrass: Selection, establishment and management. Charles Stichler & David Bade. 2003. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension (SCSC-PU-015).
Oklahoma State University Extension (principles relevant to much of Texas)
Fertilizing Bermudagrass Hay and Pasture. D. Redfearn, B. Arnall, H. Zhang & C. Rice. Year? Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, PSS-2263.https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/print-publications/pss/fertilizing-bermudagrass-hay-and-pasture-pss-2263.pdf

05/29/2026

05/22/2026

Cull cow prices are on the rise. 📈

Dr. David Anderson, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension economist, explains how strong lean beef demand and tighter cow supplies are driving higher prices, with Southern Plains auction values climbing to nearly $180 per hundredweight this spring.

Learn more about what’s behind the market shift from RFD-TV: https://www.rfdtv.com/cull-cow-prices-keep-climbing-on-lean-beef

05/15/2026

https://foragefax.tamu.edu/poultry-litter/

Poultry litter has become a common alternative source of plant nutrients in Central and East Texas. Especially as the poultry industry grows in parts of Central and East Texas. Broiler litter is a mixture of poultry manure, bedding, feathers, and spilled feed. The actual nutrient content of a manure...

05/13/2026

Beef carcass quality information from Oklahoma State University Extension.

Increased Beef Carcass Quality
Mark Z. Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension Beef Cattle Breeding Specialist

The percentages of USDA Select and Prime grade beef carcasses continue to shift in the direction of higher quality, more marbling-rich beef. Through the early part of 2026, Select grade percentages dropped into the single digits, while the percentage of Prime is reaching new highs. During the month of March the percentage of carcasses grading USDA Select was approximately 8% of the harvest mix, down about 4% from a year ago. The percentage of Prime advanced to 15%, up roughly 4% from March, 2025. The 73 – 74% of carcasses grading Choice are basically unchanged from last year and the previous five year average. Quality grades lower than Select have declined to less than 3% of the harvest mix.

As recently as 2010, Select grading beef represented 30% of the quality grade mix. While Prime and Choice accounted for less than 65% that year. In 2025, Select was down to 13% of all graded beef carcasses, while Prime and Choice exceeded 84%.

Why?
Increased additive genetic potential for marbling is the foundation of the increase in beef carcass quality. Without question, increased days on feed and pushing cattle to historically higher finished weights contribute to tapping this genetic potential for marbling.

What is the Impact?
Consumers have responded favorably to improving beef quality. Since the turn of the century, beef demand has continued upward. The Cattle-Fax Beef Demand Index hit another record in 2025, up roughly 50% compared to 1998-1999. The beef industry is experiencing greater demand for Prime and the upper two-thirds of Choice. Greater supply of Prime and upper two-thirds of Choice has allowed more consumers to try the higher quality product. Consumers like it and are willing to spend more to enjoy it. The phenomenon has increased demand across the entire beef industry.

05/12/2026

Bowie County Soil and Water Conservation District Local Work Group Meeting June 1st at the USDA Service Center in New Boston. The public is invited to attend.

05/11/2026

Good calf management information to consider from Oklahoma State University Extension.

Making the Cut: Why Timing and Method Matter in Castrating Bull Calves
Paul Vining and Paul Beck, OSU Cooperative Extension Service

Castration remains one of the most important management practices in beef production, yet the timing and method continue to generate discussion among producers. Castration is a key component of calf preconditioning programs, which are designed to reduce stress, improve health, and enhance performance after calves leave the ranch of origin. Allowing adequate healing time following castration and other procedures is essential to realizing the benefits of preconditioning.

One consistent recommendation across research and veterinary guidance is to castrate calves as early in life as practical. Younger calves generally experience less stress, fewer complications, and recover more quickly than older, heavier animals. Early castration is also associated with reduced risk of sickness, less shrink, and improved overall health during the receiving and backgrounding phases. In addition, performing the procedure when calves are small typically requires less labor and reduces safety risks for both cattle and handlers. From both an animal welfare and management standpoint, earlier is better.

Bulls typically grow slightly faster and produce leaner carcasses than steers due to the effects of testosterone after the bull reaches puberty. However, those advantages come after the normal weaning time and with tradeoffs. Bull carcasses generally exhibit increased toughness, less marbling and are more likely to result in dark cutters. The quality advantages of steers drives market demand for steers and consistent premiums compared to bulls.

Recent data suggest steers commonly sell for $6 to $15 per hundredweight more than comparable bull calves. For a fresh weaned calf, that can be a difference of $50 to 100 per head or more, which quickly adds up across a calf crop.

Selecting the appropriate castration method depends largely on calf size, labor availability, and management preferences. Surgical castration is fast and reliable, but it creates an open wound and carries risk of bleeding or infection. Elastrator banding uses a small latex band for young light bull calves and other banding methods that use a larger robust bands for bigger calves are bloodless alternatives to surgery. These banding methods restrict blood flow but require careful technique to avoid incomplete castration and may increase the risk of tetanus if proper vaccination protocols are not followed.

Pain management is another consideration receiving increasing attention from both producers and consumers. Surgical castration causes more immediate, short-term pain, while banding results in less acute but longer-lasting discomfort. Veterinary-approved pain mitigation strategies, such as anti-inflammatory medications or local anesthetics, can help reduce stress and improve animal welfare when feasible.

Ultimately, there is no single “best” method for every operation. The most successful programs match the castration method to calf size, perform the procedure early in life whenever possible, and allow adequate recovery time before marketing. Done correctly, castration remains a foundational management practice that supports calf health, carcass quality, and long-term profitability in the beef industry.

Reference: P. Vining, P. Beck, and K. R***r. 2026. A beef cattle producer’s guide to castration methods. OSU fact sheet. AFS-3176.