West Texas Rangelands
West Texas RangelandsWe hope to provide a variety of science-based rangeland information and current research on prescribed fire, wildfires, brush management, and grazing management!

100 Years at Sonora

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In case you haven’t heard, Sonora is having a party! Well, technically, Field Day first and party afterwards.  Dr. Butch Taylor has decided to retire and go out with a bang at the Sonora Celebration.

This Saturday we celebrate one individual and one Experiment Station that have been inseparable for 44 years.  One man.  One Career.  One location.  Pretty amazing and definitely not something you see everyday.  The Sonora Experiment Station is a magical place to start with.  This is probably the only place in the United States where producers advocated and helped purchase land and facilities to be solely utilized for applied research that producers NEED.  Match that research station with a very dedicated and determined individual and you have the perfect combination of research and outreach.  Here you will find an invitation to the Celebration and all the information you need to know to attend, including directions and a list of hotels.

If you have only heard of Dr. Butch Taylor, please come to the Sonora Celebration and shake the man’s hand.  Butch has done more for Texas rangelands and for Fire Ecology than any other scientist or Aggie for that matter.  But, you would never know that just by talking to him.  He is humble, gracious, kind, and truly in the business of education. I promise to keep a straight face, tear free, on Saturday, and can’t wait to applaud one hell of an amazing man. To learn more about Dr. Taylor’s story and tenure at Texas A&M University click here.

 

Please come celebrate Sonora with me this Saturday, April 23rd.  More importantly, come meet the man behind the station.

Who Started That Fire — Embracing a Fire Culture in 2016

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Fire is fire.  That said, I can tell you fire is the answer, but the problem is in the questions.  Is it a wildfire or prescribed burn?  The biggest question for range managers, is how does fire (planned or unplanned) fit into your ranch plan?  Fire is a naturally occurring process that is not centered on if, but when it will happen on rangeland.  As rangeland managers we have the choice as to the type of fire that occurs in our pastures.  Waiting for a wildfire is neither a good offense nor a good defense, similar to the old Marine philosophy, which mountain do you want to die on? It boils simply down to proactive vs. reactive attitudes and perspectives. Check out Who started that fire – Embracing a fire culture in 2016 for more of the story featured in the Progressive Cattleman.