Outdoors

This photo provided by USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service shows the north pasture on rancher Gary Price's 20,000 acres on his

[AP] Officials detail new water quality initiative

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

CORSICANA A national water quality initiative will provide $2.8 million in funding to farmers, ranchers and timberland owners along a major watershed of the Trinity River Basin to encourage conservation practices that will have a positive impact on...... Full story

CROP, WEATHER REPORT: May 15, 2012

NEWS RELEASE

Far West: Highs were in the upper 70s to lower 80s, with lows in the upper 50s. From 1.5 to 4 inches of rain was received, lowering the danger of wildfire. Cotton planting in some areas was halted due to the heavy rains, but was expected to continue...... Full story

Tagged cattle are gathered at Larson Farms/Midwest Feeders, one of the largest ranches in Illinois, Wednesday, April 25, 2012, in Maple Park, Ill.

[AP] Cattle prices jump as ranchers begins rebuilding

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

FRANKSTON A cow runs circles in a small pen, her baby close by her side. Ranchers, their brows wrinkled, scribble in a glossy catalog while high on a podium the auctioneer slams his gavel, taking bids as the price of the pair rises rapidly. The...... Full story

CROP, WEATHER REPORT: May 8, 2012

NEWS RELEASE

Far West: Highs were in the upper 90s, and lows in the mid to high 60s. A grass fire burned about 1,000 acres in Andrews County. In Pecos County, there were scattered rains, but any moisture gained was lost due to high temperatures and wind. Pecan...... Full story

CROP, WEATHER REPORT: May 1, 2012

The 'D-word' is being whispered in parts of the state, shouted in others

NEWS RELEASE

Far West: Most of the region remained hot and dry, and the risk of wildfire increased. Temperatures reached 105 degrees in some areas. Lightning in Brewster County started four fires, and burned more than 12,000 acres. There were also lightning-...... Full story

Sen. Kel Seliger, left, Sen. Carlos Uresti, center, and Rep. Tryon Lewis listen to testimony about the Dune Sagebrush Lizard during a legislative hearing Monday at UTPB.

Senate hearing to learn more about lizard

BY LYXAN TOLEDANES

As the decision on the dunes sagebrush lizard’s fate on the endangered species list looms closer, State Sen. Kel Seliger had a hearing at UTPB to learn more about the lizard and its potential listing. The Texas Senate Natural Resources...... Full story

Experts: Moths pesky but not harmful

BY JOHN CORRALES

Godzilla won’t be needed to fight off Odessa’s moth problem — yet. Entomologists and pest controllers say the problem will fix itself. “I’ve done a bunch of those (moth calls), and there’s nothing they can do...... Full story

Balmorhea State Park Closed indefinitely

ODESSA AMERICAN

Balmorhea State Park officials have closed the natural springs pool indefinitely due to swimmers’ mysterious rashes. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife’s website, swimmers at the pool have been acquiring itchy rashes caused by...... Full story

CROP, WEATHER REPORT: April 24, 2012

Cool-season grasses too much of a good thing for summer forages?

NEWS RELEASE

Far West: The region had highs in the mid-to-upper 80s and lows in the mid-to-upper 50s. Most of the area remained dry, with the exception of Brewster County, which reported very limited showers. Also, in that county, AgriLife Extension personnel...... Full story

In Cooke County, as in many parts of Texas, farmers took advantage of warm weather and plentiful cool-season grass growth to replenish depleted hay supplies.

CROP, WEATHER REPORT: April 17, 2012

NEWS RELEASE

Far West: The highs were in the upper 80s, with lows in the lower 50s. Many counties, including Glasscock and Brewster, had scattered thunderstorms that brought some moisture. However, much more moisture was needed. In Andrews County, pecan...... Full story

This Nov. 8, 2011 photograph provided by the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine shows a horse with 'pigeon fever,' a bacterial infection named for the 'pigeon-breasted' appearance given by large abscesses on the chest, at LSU Veterinary Hospital in Baton Rouge, La.

[AP] Drought brings outbreak of horse disease

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW ORLEANS Agriculture officials in Arkansas and Louisiana have warned veterinarians to watch for signs of a potentially fatal horse disease if there's another drought this year.The disease is often called pigeon fever because basketball-sized...... Full story

CROP, WEATHER REPORT: April 10, 2012

NEWS RELEASE

Far West: Most of the district had windy, dry conditions. Ector County reported isolated showers, with less than 0.1 inch of rain. Parts of Val Verde County received from 0.3 inch to 1.7 inches. Presidio County reported sprouting of toxic weeds....... Full story

In this April 6, 2012, photo provided by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Ronald Kyle Johnson, of Abilene, Texas, holds the largemouth bass he caught at O.H. Ivie Reservoir near San Angelo, Texas. The fish was 13.36 pounds 27.5 inches long and 20 inches in girth. Still-parched West Texas has one little lake from which a couple of fisherman lately have pulled some sizable fish.

[AP] Big fish found in low West Texas lake

BY BETSY BLANEY

LUBBOCK One desperately low lake in drought-stricken West Texas is producing some big fish. Wildlife officials say two Texas anglers have recently landed bass weighing more than 13 pounds apiece from the O.H. Ivie Reservoir. The lake 200 miles...... Full story

CROP, WEATHER REPORT: April 3, 2012

NEWS RELEASE

Far West: Highs were in the mid to upper 80s. Lows were in the mid to upper 50s. Pecos County received about 0.4 inch of rain. Presidio County had 0.2 inch. No other counties reported measurable moisture. Mesquite and pecan trees broke dormancy....... Full story

FILE - In this Oct. 11, 2011 file photo, two dama gazelles lie in the grass in their habitat at the Montgomery Zoo in Montgomery, Ala. Starting on Wednesday, April 4, 2012, the U.S. government will stop allowing anyone to hunt the dama gazelle or two other exotic antelopes native to Africa, the addax and the scimitar-horned oryx, giving the animals full protection under the federal Endangered Species Act. (AP Photo/Dave Martin, File)

[AP] Rule bans hunting of rare exotic antelopes

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

FORT WORTH For years, hundreds of Texas ranchers have made big money on exotic antelopes, with hunters paying up to $10,000 to bag just one dama gazelle, a rare animal with short horns curving outward. Starting Wednesday, however, the U.S....... Full story