Livestock producers devastated by wildfire can receive help through North Texas Cattlemen's Relief Fund
In response to the devastating wildfires in North Texas, Chisholm Trail RC&D and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) have teamed up to establish the "North Texas Cattlemen's Relief Fund." Livestock producers in Wichita, Archer, Young, Clay, Jack and Montague counties can apply to receive funds to help with damages caused by recent wildfires. This organization will accept applications from cattlemen who experienced any loss during the wildfires including livestock, feed, equipment, fencing, etc. more

Questions and answers about H1N1 (Swine) Flu from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
With all the information circulating about the flu, it's hard to know who and what to believe. The experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have made available easy-to-understand tips and information to alleviate fears and answer questions. They also offer a few guidelines on how to protect yourself against contracting the flu: First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. This flu cannot be contracted by eating properly cooked pork products. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus and void close contact with people who are sick.
To read the CDC's information on Swine Flu and You, click here: go
To read the CDC's key facts about the situation, click here: go

AgriLife Extension cancels regional 4-H activities until May 11
In light of the uncertainty surrounding the current flu situation, the Texas AgriLife Extension Service is postponing all district and multi-district 4-H contests and events scheduled through May 11. "Suspending these activities is a matter of doing our part to avoid the risk of spreading this flu," said Dr. Ed Smith, AgriLife Extension director. "We are acting in concert with other state agencies, organizations, school districts and county health departments." more

Landowner survey deals with predator losses
The AgriLife Extension Service is currently polling producers and landowners in a seven-county area by questionnaire to determine what impact predation and increased deer and feral hog numbers are having on agricultural operations and the local and regional economies they support. The seven West Central Texas counties involved in the survey are Fisher, Concho, Lampasas, Runnels, Coleman, Mills and Tom Green. If you receive a survey please take time to complete it and return it in the postage-paid envelope. more

It's what's for dinner: Cucumber ranch steaks
Refreshing cucumber makes this steak irresistable. more