Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Recommendations For The Garden In March
Mar01

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Recommendations For The Garden In March

Often, tomato and pepper plants started outdoors from seed will grow so quickly they will catch up with commercial plants in size within a few weeks. For many gardeners, this is the only way to obtain rare or heirloom varieties. But, because this has been a winter with erratic weather patterns, it’s best to keep an eye on young tomato transplants so that they may be covered if the threat of a late frost occurs. Don’t be in...

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2022 In Review: 4-H Agricultural Plan — Hopkins County
Dec21

2022 In Review: 4-H Agricultural Plan — Hopkins County

Mario Villarino By Dr. Mario Villarino, Hopkins County Extension Agent, Agriculture and Natural Resources, [email protected] RELEVANCE 4-H Agriculture and Natural Resources projects are an important component of the county 4-H program in Texas. Currently, 63% of Texas 4-H members are enrolled in a livestock project. These projects provide youth with subject matter education, as well as valuable learning experiences ,...

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5 Private Applicator CEUs Available Nov. 2
Sep27

5 Private Applicator CEUs Available Nov. 2

Mario Villarino By Dr. Mario Villarino, Texas AgriLife Extension Office, Hopkins County Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, [email protected] Private applicator licenses and certificates are valid for five years, and the applicator must obtain 15 CEUs during that time to renew, including two credits in laws and regulations and two credits in integrated pest management (IPM). To partially satisfy CEU requirements for...

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Planting Summer Annual Grasses Can Help Farmers Overcome Forage Shortages
Aug23

Planting Summer Annual Grasses Can Help Farmers Overcome Forage Shortages

Mario Villarino, DVM, Ph.D. By Mario Villarino, Hopkins County Extension Agent for Agriculture & Natural Resources, [email protected] The recent dry period followed by torrential rain lately has put many ranchers and farmers needing to make hard decisions quickly. Planting summer annual grasses can help you overcome summer forage shortages. According to Dr. Vanessa Corriher-Olson, Texas AgriLife Extension in Overton,...

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What Is A Livestock Breed?
Jul05

What Is A Livestock Breed?

By Mario A. Villarino, Texas AgriLife Extension Agent for Natural Resources and Agriculture, Hopkins County, [email protected] As animals got domesticated, their use and purpose became more specific. The term “livestock breed” became used as a way to describe attributes similar in a group of animals. Sometimes, these attributes are visible (color, size, etc), but sometimes they are not. Many commercial breeds are identified...

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New Landowners Seminar Series 2022
May10

New Landowners Seminar Series 2022

By Dr. Mario Villarino, Texas AgriLife Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Hopkins County, [email protected] The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Hopkins County has developed a series of educational programs to assist new landowners with the concept of agriculture production and rural living.  The New Landowner Seminar Series is designed with you in mind, providing opportunities to hear...

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That Silk Weaving On Your Favorite Tree Is A Bagworm Infestation, Not Ornamentation
Mar30

That Silk Weaving On Your Favorite Tree Is A Bagworm Infestation, Not Ornamentation

The small, silk weaving that resembles a Christmas tree ornament on your favorite tree or shrub is not decoration but an insect infestation on the trees. These bags protect the caterpillars, or larvae, pupae, female adults and eggs of bagworms (Order Lepidoptera Family Psychidae). Bagworms attack trees and shrubs including evergreens such as arborvitae, cedars, cypress, junipers, pines and spruce and broadleaved plants such as apple,...

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State Fair  Of Texas Goat And Lamb Validation Tag Orders Due March 28, 2022
Mar21

State Fair Of Texas Goat And Lamb Validation Tag Orders Due March 28, 2022

By Dr. Mario A. Villarino, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Hopkins County Agent, Agriculture and Natural Resources, [email protected] Mario Villarino, Hopkins County Extension Agent Officials of major livestock shows in Texas are participating in a program supported by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and the Texas Education Agency, Department of Agricultural Education, whereby all 4-H and FFA lambs and goats exhibited...

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APHIS: Avian Flu Detected In Wild Birds In 3 States Not Immediate Public Health Emergency
Feb24

APHIS: Avian Flu Detected In Wild Birds In 3 States Not Immediate Public Health Emergency

Mario Villarino DVM, Ph.D. Hopkins County Extension Agent None Found In Texas, But Implementation, Strengthening Of Biosecurity Practices Strongly Recommended By THAC By Dr. Mario A. Villarino, Hopkins County AgriLife Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, [email protected] The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the presence of...

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4-H Livestock Program Enhance Youth Development Using Animals, Educational Projects
Feb15

4-H Livestock Program Enhance Youth Development Using Animals, Educational Projects

NETLA’s 2022 Hopkins County Junior Market Livestock Show and Sale Slated Feb. 24-26 at the Civic Center. By Dr. Mario Villarino, Texas AgriLife Extension Agent for Agriculture/Natural Resources, Hopkins County, [email protected] The 4-H Livestock Program is a unique opportunity to use animals and educational projects to enhance youth development. The main objectives of the program deal with the young people, not the...

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