Monthly Archives: November 2011

Grassburs

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Ag Biz News Column By: Chad Gulley County Extension Agent–Ag/NR Smith County   Controlling Grassburs              Ah, the grassbur, everyone’s favorite grassy weed species right?  The grassbur is referred to as field sandbur, sandbur, or just plain grassbur.  When you get one of these in your clothes or socks, it does not take long before you realize it and you immediately stop and remove this painful little problem. The field sandbur (grassbur) is a summer annual grassy weed that can be found in home lawns, sports fields, parks,… Read More →

Controlling Tree Squirrels in Urban Areas

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Ag Biz News Column By: Chad Gulley County Extension Agent–Ag/NR Smith County Controlling Squirrel Damage in Urban Areas             Tree squirrels inhabit many parts of Texas both rural and urban.  Some people enjoy feeding squirrels and watching them scamper around their landscape.  They are interesting animals, but in some instances they can become pests. There are three types of tree squirrels found in Texas which are the gray squirrel, the fox squirrel, and the flying squirrel.  Fox squirrels are the most common and are found in east and… Read More →

Renovating the Farm Pond

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Ag Biz News Column Chad Gulley County Extension Agent—Ag/NR Smith County Stocking the Farm Pond             With the dry conditions we have had in 2011, many people are busy renovating farm ponds.  It is becoming a common site around East Texas right now to see dozers and heavy equipment cleaning out farm ponds.  Once these farm ponds are cleaned out, what should landowners do to prepare to restock these ponds with fish, once they fill back up? In farm ponds, pH and alkalinity are two things that need… Read More →

Small Acreage not just for Livestock

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  Ag Biz News Column By: Chad Gulley County Extension Agent–Ag/NR    Livestock is not the Only Thing for Small Acreage Landowners             A couple of weeks ago, I had an article on livestock for small acreage landowners.  Small acreage landowners also have interests in horticulture, fruits and vegetable production, wildlife, aquiculture, bee keeping, and other agricultural ventures. According to the 2002 Census of Agriculture, in Texas, 33% of all farms and ranches are 50 acres or less.  This 33% accounts for over 111,685 farms with over 38,210… Read More →