VIRTUAL TEXAS A&M BEEF CATTLE SHORT COURSE SET FOR AUG. 3-5
The annual Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course is going virtual this year due to COVID-19 restrictions. While it may be hard to ‘virtually’ eat the famous prime rib dinner associated with the event, the educational aspect will still be provided as it has been for the past 65 years to ranchers who need basic beef cattle production information and the latest on hot issues concerning their operations.
NEWSMAKERS
44 FARMS INTERNATIONAL BEEF CATTLE ACADEMY APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
The 44 Farms International Beef Cattle Academy is accepting applications for its 2020-2021 online certification program. Applications for this comprehensive certificate program, through Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, open June 20 and are due August 15.
TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE STUDY TARGETS CONTAMINATION HOTSPOTS IN FOOD PROCESSING
Food safety through a greater understanding of the contamination “hotspots” in our food supply chain, particularly meat, is a priority for a new  Texas A&M AgriLife Research  study conducted by Dr. Sapna Chitlapilly Dass, an ANSC meat science research assistant professor.
TWO ANSC GRADUATES APPOINTED TO TEXAS ANIMAL HEALTH COMMISSION
Governor Greg Abbott reappointed two
ANSC department graduates as commissioners to the Texas Animal Health Commission: Kenneth “Ken” Jordan representing livestock markets & Barret J. Klein representing the swine industry.
AGGIE NAMED PRESIDENT & CEO OF HLSR
Chris Boleman ’96, a Bryan native
and Department of Animal Science
alumnus was recently named the
head of the Houston Livestock Show
and Rodeo.
MARKET CHANGES HURT TEXAS MILK PRODUCERS
Milk production remains steady despite COVID-19-related disruptions to the farm-to-market supply chains, said Jennifer Spencer, Ph.D.,  Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service  dairy specialist, Stephenville.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
THREE ANSC GRADUATE STUDENTS RECOGNIZED
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, like many other departments and groups, the Department of Animal Science was unable to hold our annual awards ceremony recognizing students, stakeholders and staff alike. Please help us recognize our 2020 outstanding graduate students: Luiz Fernando Dias Batista, Nicky Oosthuizenand Rafael Martinez.
OVER 160 ANSC STUDENTS AWARDED SCHOLARSHIPS
The Department of Animal Science awards numerous undergraduate and graduate students with scholarships yearly, thanks to the generosity of our stakeholders. Students are recognized at our awards banquet which we were unable to hold this year due to COVID-19. Please join us in recognizing these outstanding students & our generous donors.
FIVE ANSC SENIORS RECOGNIZED BY COALS
Senior Merit Awards have been presented by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences for over 50 years. The awards are designed to recognize the best of the best graduating seniors from the college in 2020. The Department of Animal Science is proud to have five students recognized this year.
TEXAS A&M FOUNDATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES ANNOUNCES OUTSTANDING STUDENT AWARD RECIPIENT
The award recognizes outstanding graduating Aggie seniors who succeeded in college despite experiencing personal or family financial challenges. Isolde Parrish, a May 2020 graduate of the department, was named this year's recipient. Parish will continue her education by attending the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences in the fall.
ANSC GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDED INAUGURAL CACTUS FEEDERS SCHOLARSHIP & INTERNSHIP
The Department of Animal Science is proud to recognize Genevieve D’Souza as the inaugural recipient of the 2020 Cactus Feeders Scholarship. As a recipient of this newly formed award, D’Souza will have the opportunity to complete an internship with Cactus Feeders. The department is excited about the possibilities that this new partnership with Cactus Feeders presents.
MEAT COUNTER
FOOD SAFETY TIPS WHEN GRILLING, COOKING OUTDOORS
Proper cleaning is key to avoiding foodborne illness from grate to plate.
Cleaning grill grates,
keeping a clean workspace, and properly storing and preparing meats are all important to
maintaining food quality
and avoiding foodborne illness, said  Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service  experts.
COLOR & FOOD WHEN SMOKING VS. GRILLING PATTIES
Ground beef is one of the most common beef products consumed. Because ground beef is so versatile, new recipes and cooking styles are constantly being featured and advertised through conventional as well as social media applications. Traditionally, patties would be grilled or pan fried, but lately some have taken to smoking patties.
FIRE DANGER WHEN GRILLING, COOKING OUTDOORS
Most grill-related fires occur during summer, especially in July while grilling and outdoor cooking are among the great pleasures of summer, they also pose fire dangers. The months of May, June, July and August are the most active for grill-related fires, with July topping the list, according to the National Fire Protection Association, or NFPA.
GROUND BEEF DEMAND SURGES DURING PANDEMIC
It’s safe to say that most of us have eaten more at home than normal during the outbreak of the coronavirus and that has been challenging for some folks that just don’t cook a lot. But, apparently ground meat doesn’t intimidate inexperienced cooks like some meat cuts do.
RISING DEMAND
FOR CUSTOM PROCESSING
Over the last few years there has been a rising demand among some consumers to buy locally produced food and that has given Farmers’ Markets and Farm Share programs a boost. The Covid-19 outbreak that slowed down the big meat processors in the U.S. has fueled even more demand for small local processors.
SO YOU WANT TO BUILD A SLAUGHTER PLANT?
In light of the recent increase in retail beef prices and decrease in cattle prices, many cattle producers have expressed interest in starting up small beef processing facilities that do not undercut the rancher and provide consistent prices for consumers.
PRODUCER'S CORNER
ANGUS VNR: ABOVE AND BEYOND NUTRITION
All living things need specific amino acids, but people can’t synthesize all of them. No worries—cattle provide them by upcycling proteins from rough forage into nutrious beef.
“If you try and consume all of your amino acids or meet your amino acid requirements from a grain source like corn or sorghum, you’re going to have to over consume calories," said Dr. Tryon Wickersham.
CATTLE FEVER TICK NUMBERS ON THE RISE
Texas A&M AgriLife Research and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are working to help thwart the spread of cattle fever.
An announcement from the Texas Animal Health Commission and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program, that cattle fever tick infestations have spread outside the permanent quarantine zone prompted concern from experts.
TEXAS CROP AND WEATHER REPORT: JUNE 30, 2020
Joe Paschal, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension livestock specialist, Corpus Christi, said livestock are entering a period he calls the “summer slump,” where weight gains and body condition scores can dip as animals deal with the heat and declining forage quality.
Paschal and Jason Banta, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist, Overton, said cattle in much of the state were experiencing typical summer conditions.
FENCING CONSIDERATIONS FOR GOATS
Goats with horns and wire hog panels don’t mix. Inevitably, the goat sticks its head through the panel to reach a tasty morsel on the other side, and when it pulls back, its horns prevent it from pulling its head out.
During a presentation on Keeping goats in and predators out, Reid Redden, Texas A&M extension sheep and goats specialist, offers some fencing tips for producers with goats.
DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES
BEEF CATTLE
DEVELOPMENT
MEAT SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CENTER
INTERNATIONAL PREGNANCY & DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAMMING
COMPETITIVE TEAMS DEVELOPMENT
INFORMATION CENTER
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