Author Archives: smithcountyagriculture

Emergency Preparedness for Farms and Ranches

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Ag Biz News Column Chad Gulley County Extension Agent—Ag/NR Smith County   Emergency Preparation for Farmers and Ranchers Disasters come in many forms.  Disasters can be caused from hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, accidents, terrorism, ice storms, and wildfires to name a few.   Texas is home to more than 247,000 farms and ranches where agriculture contributes to more than $100 million annually to the state’s economy.   Are you prepared for a disaster on your farm? All disaster plans on the farm or ranch should address three major types of potential… Read More →

Blackberries

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Natchez blackberries are very large, averaging a third of an ounce each. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Dr. Larry Stein)   Ag Biz News Column Chad Gulley County Extension Agent—Ag/NR Smith County  Blackberries Blackberries are an excellent fruit plant for the home landscape.  The blackberry grows in small areas, bears nice fruit, and even provides some opportunity to market the fruit commercially or in a pick-your-own operation. Blackberries are a biennial plant.  Blackberries have two types of canes:  primocanes and floricanes.  Primocanes are current season canes… Read More →

Backyard Chicken Program–June 1

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(Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo) Flyer – Backyard Chicken Program Please click on the above link to access the program flyer.

Top 10 Mistakes Farm Pond Owners Make (5-1)

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Ag Biz News Column Chad Gulley County Extension Agent—Ag/NR Smith County   Top Ten Mistakes Pond Owners Make (5 through 1) In this article, we will count down the top ten mistakes pond owners make in regards to managing their farm pond.   This is part two of a two part series on the top ten mistakes farm pond owners make. The number 5 mistake, stocking hybrid sunfish as bass forage. Hybrid sunfish are the result of crossing two sunfish species, usually bluegill and redear sunfish or green sunfish…. Read More →

Top 10 Mistakes Farm Pond Owners Make (10-6)

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Ag Biz News Column Chad Gulley County Extension Agent—Ag/NR Smith County   Top Ten Mistakes Pond Owners Make (10 through 6) In this article, we will count down the top ten mistakes pond owners make in regards to managing their farm pond. Are you guilty of any of these infractions? If we try to eliminate these mistakes, we can have better fishing in our farm ponds.  This will be a two part series. Part one is mistakes 10 through 6.  Part two will be mistakes 5 through 1…. Read More →