AgriLife Extension: Burial is best for animal mortalities from fire
Animal deaths occurring during the wildfires that swept through much of the Rolling Plains and Central Texas over the Easter weekend may best be handled by burial, according to a Texas AgriLife Extension Service engineer. AgriLife Extension personnel are working with county judges and Farm Service Agency personnel to get an accurate estimate of the agricultural losses. In the meantime, on-ranch or on-farm burial is the quickest way to dispose of non-diseased animal mortalities. more

Cattle escaping fire death may have secondary injuries
Analyzing injuries to cattle following a wildfire is important to minimize lossess. "It might look like they've made it and there was no visible physical damage," said Dr. Floron "Buddy" Faries, AgriLife Extension program leader for veterinary medicine. "However, it's important to have them looked at by a veterinarian as soon as possible because there could be secondary problems that lead to infections and further problems." Health disorders such as burned eyes, feet, udders, sheaths and testicles, as well as smoke inhalation with lung inflammation and edema, are the most common problems. more

Texas' recent rains help but more needed
Recent rains across most of Texas the past week gave agricultural producers a glimmer of hope for greening pastures and soil wet enough for planting. In the past seven days, every part of the state except South Texas got some rain. Northeast Texas benefited the most, with some places receiving as much as 2 inches. The rains also helped hundreds of firefighters extinguish wind-whipped grassfires that have killed three people and scorched thousands of acres since igniting Thursday in counties along the Oklahoma border near Wichita Falls. A lot of fencing burned in the fires but the rain also brought life to parched pastures. more

TDA Market Recap, 4-13-09
For the week ending April 11, feeder cattle prices at Texas auctions were mostly steady to $4 higher per hundredweight, with some as much as $10 higher. Fed cattle prices also increased in response to higher beef prices. more

TDA Disaster Resource Information Packet available online
To assist agricultural producers during and after drought or any natural disaster, the Texas Department of Agricultures' (TDA) Disaster Resource Information Packet (DRIP) provides current information and contacts for state, federal and private agricultural disaster assistance programs. TDA's Hay Hotline is also available at 877/429-1998. more

Operation Cow Thief
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