Tag: Texas A&M AgriLife

Animal science student finds new passion working at swine center

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Newswise — What started with an eagerness for a hands-on learning experience in the Department of Animal Science in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences ended with a new passion and opportunity for Carlie Rogers ’24, a first-generation college student from Diana.

In April 2021, Rogers began a student worker position at the department’s swine center unit and now her sights are set on a career as a sow farm manager.

Rogers is no stranger to the livestock industry. She grew up around livestock and companion animals and wanted to become a veterinarian. But after realizing the endless opportunities available in the animal science field, Rogers shifted her perspective on a career path.

This shift led her to the swine center, an animal unit located on the grounds of the O.D. Butler Jr. Animal Science Teaching, Research and Extension Complex, a 580-acre center near the main Texas A&M campus in College Station comprised of five unique facilities supporting various areas in animal agriculture.

Even though she had no prior experience working with swine, her agricultural background made her want to grow in a new area of animal agriculture. As a student worker, Rogers helped with the day-to-day operations of feeding and general care of swine, gaining a wealth of experience to support her in a future career in the swine industry.

“I was interested in this opportunity because I wanted to learn from hands-on experiences and make connections with animal science faculty and industry stakeholders,” Rogers said.

Immersive learning experience

One of the best opportunities for students to directly apply the knowledge and skills learned in their animal science courses is to work at a department animal unit, said Jeffrey Wiegert, Ph.D., instructional assistant professor and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service swine specialist, Bryan-College Station.

“Immersing in the day-to-day aspects of animal care exposes our student workers to thought-provoking challenges and realities of animal husbandry that are difficult to recreate in a classroom setting,” Wiegert said.

Beyond putting their knowledge to practice while working at an animal unit, students are introduced to potential career paths from both the production and research sides of the industry. Wiegert recruits student workers from the swine center for research projects before opening the opportunity to others because the student workers are already familiar with the farm and how the animals are managed.

“Our student workers gain a broader and deeper learning experience because they’re the ones at the farm with the animals really living it,” Wiegert said. “This is perhaps most valuable for the students who did not grow up around production agriculture or showing livestock, but who have a strong interest in science and an intense motivation to do something within the field.”

A typical work shift includes keeping the pens and overall facility clean, feeding the animals, monitoring health and recording any observations on a daily log, Rogers said. If treatments are needed, Rogers helps administer the treatment and records the information. Other tasks involve moving pigs as needed and assisting with heat checking, artificial insemination, ultrasound for pregnancy diagnosis and piglet processing.

“I had to go back to the basics and learn new terminology, as well as remember the techniques that were taught in the introduction classes,” Rogers said. “I also established a routine for my job responsibilities that helped ensure that every animal was well cared for.”

Rogers said Wiegert, other student workers and the swine center manager warmly welcomed her and graciously acclimated her into the role.

“I am thankful for all of the people I have met and everything I learned from them,” she said. “They truly made this job enjoyable. Never in a million years would I have imagined that I would have this experience and connection at a large university.”

Strong work ethic and passion

Wiegert said Rogers showed her intelligence, dependability, strong communication skills and a dedication to doing the right thing on the farm, which quickly earned his trust.

“Carlie’s best attribute is that she genuinely cares for the pigs,” he said. “She always went above and beyond to ensure the animals were healthy and comfortable because she cares.”

Rogers fed and checked the pigs before her 8 a.m. classes and returned later in the day between classes to complete other chores. During the summer, Rogers arrived at the farm at dawn to help breed sows before it became too hot. When the sows gave birth, she routinely checked the sows and piglets into the night hours and over the weekends.

Much of the work was routine and necessary, but Rogers found a sense of accomplishment and purpose she believes will resonate beyond her time at the center.

“I realized that, through my work at the swine center, I was making contributions that directly benefitted the pork industry,” she said.

Outlook for the future

Rogers graduated with a bachelor’s degree in animal science on Dec. 14, and has multiple opportunities to continue down a path in swine production.

Her experience working at the swine center shaped her future career aspirations and provided her with both technical knowledge and leadership skills that will benefit her in any role she decides to pursue. On the technical side, Rogers said she gained resources and knowledge to handle management responsibilities and feels confident that the lessons learned can be applied to other species.

In addition, Rogers said she learned about the importance of working as a team and how to care for people.

“It takes a team of good people to make a system work,” Rogers said. “As a leader, it is important to make sure everyone working with you is heard and cared for. We were one big work family that understood each other, and I will miss everyone.”

Wiegert said it won’t be the same at the swine center without Rogers, but he knows the next students to take advantage of this learning experience will also deeply care for the animals. The experience will open doors for them in more ways than one.

“Students, like Carlie, will learn about the dedication pig producers have for their animals and how we use science to improve pig health and welfare to increase the sustainability and profitability of pork production,” Wiegert said. “This knowledge will help our graduates apply science similarly to their chosen fields, in addition to becoming educated consumers who are lifelong advocates of animal agriculture.”

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Would you like more information from Texas A&M AgriLife?

Visit AgriLife Today, the news hub for Texas A&M AgriLife, which brings together a college and four state agencies focused on agriculture and life sciences within The Texas A&M University System, or sign up for our Texas A&M AgriLife E-Newsletter.

For more resources including photo repository, logo downloads and style guidelines, please visit the Resources for Press and Media.

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December 24, 2023
Research looks to transform manure into protein

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Newswise — Can you turn manure into a cow, chicken or fish? Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists are looking to do just that, in a roundabout, circular economy, kind of way.

A three-year, $618,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute for Food and Agriculture is funding a study by scientists in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Science Department of Entomology and Mississippi State University to explore dairy manure clean-up via black soldier flies. The team would then examine the flies’ value as a potential ingredient in livestock, poultry and aquaculture feed.

The project will concentrate on both environmental health and economic benefits of converting dairy waste into protein that could be used for feed. Early data indicate probiotics could be used to accelerate the digestive process in fed animals, increase conversion of waste to insect biomass, decrease greenhouse gases and noxious odors, and reduce concerns about pathogens that might be present in the manure.

The study will be led by Jeff Tomberlin, Ph.D., professor, AgriLife Research Fellow, Presidential Impact Fellow and Center for Environmental Sustainability through Insect Farming director, and Anjel Helms, Ph.D., an assistant professor and chemical ecologist, both in the Department of Entomology.

Heather Jordan, Ph.D., associate professor and microbiologist at Mississippi State University, will examine the resulting larvae and frass, which is the material remaining after larvae digest manure, for microbial diversity and feed safety. Helms’ postdoctoral research associate Amber MacInnis, Ph.D., will lead the day-to-day data collection with the help of students.

“We’re testing the limits of black soldier fly production in conjunction with probiotics to see how efficient they could be for large animal production facilities, in this case dairies,” Helms said. “Manure management is an expense to these producers, and we are testing to see if this is a way to manage that waste and turn it into a productive feed source.”

Turning an expense into a resource

Black soldier fly larvae consume their weight in organic waste daily for a two-week period – around 1 gram or the weight of a single raisin per larva. That may sound insignificant, but those amounts add up when multiplied by millions of black soldier fly larvae.

For example, existing facilities in Europe, Asia and North America can digest 100 tons of waste daily using black soldier fly larvae.

MacInnis’ experiments are done in plastic containers filled with around 18 pounds of manure where 10,000 black soldier fly eggs are placed. The larvae hatch, consume the dairy manure for two weeks and then are harvested, and then the process is repeated.

An important part of the project is to determine how safe harvested larvae are when converted into ingredients for feed. Little is known about pathogen diversity in larvae that consume manure that in turn could impact feed safety. Helms suspects larvae consuming manure are safe for livestock consumption, but the end-product must be certified.

“This is an exciting study to be a part of because it is problem-solving at its core,” MacInnis said. “These dairies produce an enormous amount of waste. If black soldier flies can be an efficient part of their management process and provide other benefits, that could be a big breakthrough across the industry.”

Layers of potential benefits from waste conversion

Black soldier flies consume organic waste, including manure, but the process of waste conversion leaves room for efficiency improvements.

The study will utilize probiotics to enhance black soldier fly waste conversion of dairy manure and remove more than 50% of nitrogen and potassium from the waste. Helms said the team is working with Jordan to study the probiotic impacts.

Manure conversion by black soldier flies is also expected to provide an environmental benefit beyond reducing reliance on traditional manure management methods like waste storage lagoons.

“There is potential for layers of economic and environmental benefits to incorporating black soldier flies in manure management,” Helms said. “Turning waste into a resource sounds too good to be true, but we are understanding more and more about the ways black soldier flies can solve a lot of problems.”

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Would you like more information from Texas A&M AgriLife?

Visit AgriLife Today, the news hub for Texas A&M AgriLife, which brings together a college and four state agencies focused on agriculture and life sciences within The Texas A&M University System, or sign up for our Texas A&M AgriLife E-Newsletter.

For more resources including photo repository, logo downloads and style guidelines, please visit the Resources for Press and Media.

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November 24, 2023
Texas A&M begins construction on Animal Reproductive Biotechnology Center

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Newswise — Texas A&M AgriLife Research hosted leaders from across The Texas A&M University System in a groundbreaking ceremony of the new Animal Reproductive Biotechnology Center at Texas A&M-RELLIS, a 2,400-acre applied research campus in Bryan.

The $13 million facility is a joint construction project of AgriLife Research and the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Animal Science, with completion expected in 2025.

The center will be integral to new opportunities for advancing collaborative research, teaching and outreach in the department while supporting an overarching vision of leading the science around animal pregnancy and development.

“The beginning of this construction is another step in carrying out the land-grant mission across The Texas A&M University System,” said Chancellor John Sharp. “This technologically advanced facility will keep Texas A&M at the forefront in advancements in animal expertise and propel innovative, science-based solutions that lead the industry in overcoming challenges.”

“Innovations in livestock reproduction are crucial to agriculture in Texas, and this building will be an important part of the big ‘ecosystem’ of agriculture and life sciences at Texas A&M,” said Jeffrey W. Savell, Ph.D., vice chancellor and dean for Agriculture and Life Sciences. “This new facility will move research forward and will help train producers and students to carry on this work into the future.”

Anticipated impacts on livestock reproduction

The new center will be fundamental to increased understanding of ruminant reproduction at molecular, cellular and whole-animal levels while continuing work to address known reproductive issues. It will serve to advance innovation and collaboration through industry-partnered research focusing on the latest techniques and technologies that optimize reproductive efficiency and minimize economic loss for producers.

G. Cliff Lamb, Ph.D., director of AgriLife Research, said the new center dovetails with a string of advancements across the state research agency that contributed to a near doubling of competitive awards in fiscal year 2023. He also cited the establishment of several interdisciplinary initiatives to solve overarching challenges facing Texas commodities.

“This facility will be a major boost to translational research for sustainable livestock systems,” Lamb said. “It is critically important that we generate science our partners can trust and apply, and which nourish healthy lives, livelihoods and economies.”

A technologically advanced campus

The center will house labs, educational spaces, office space, and animal holding and handling areas separated by size and ruminant type. Designated areas for each group will include chutes for specimen collection, stanchion space for hands-on instruction, and preparation and recovery spaces for small ruminants. These workspaces will be supported by load-out areas, holding pens and alleyway circulation.

“It is exciting to envision what we can discover, and the lives we will improve, as a result of the work at this new facility,” said Clay Mathis, Ph.D., head of the Department of Animal Science. “This facility will further empower our exceptional team of experts to make new discoveries and open up new experiences for students.”

“It’s an exciting day to be an Aggie, a faculty member and a student at Texas A&M,” said Ky Pohler, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Animal Science. “This one-of-a-kind space brings together the latest reproductive technologies under one roof to support research and hands-on teaching. There is no other space like this that exists in the U.S.”

Giving to the Animal Reproductive Biotechnology Center

Gifts from industry members have helped transition the center from an idea to reality.

The Texas A&M Foundation is a nonprofit organization that exists to the benefit of Texas A&M University. The Foundation works with former students, corporations and other Texas A&M supporters to match their charitable interests with the university’s priorities. Gifts create scholarships, advance faculty endeavors, enhance student programs and fund new buildings, ultimately creating a brighter future for Texas A&M, one relationship at a time.

To donate to the new Animal Reproductive Biotechnology Center, go to http://give.am/ANSCConstructionFund or contact Jansen Merrill, director of development, at 979-845-7594.

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Would you like more information from Texas A&M AgriLife?

Visit AgriLife Today, the news hub for Texas A&M AgriLife, which brings together a college and four state agencies focused on agriculture and life sciences within The Texas A&M University System, or sign up for our Texas A&M AgriLife E-Newsletter.

For more resources including photo repository, logo downloads and style guidelines, please visit the Resources for Press and Media.

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November 18, 2023
Tips for setting, reaching financial goals
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Whatever a person’s individual dreams, setting clear financial goals is a vital step toward making them a reality.

Nathan Harness, Ph.D., director of the Financial Planning Program in the Department of Agricultural Economics in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, offered his perspective on why setting financial goals is important as well as the most effective way to identify, prioritize and meet those goals.

Why setting financial goals is important

Whatever your dreams – large or small – setting realistic financial goals is critical for achieving whatever matters most to you. And understanding how to set these goals is essential for creating a financial framework that works for you by reflecting your personal priorities and values.

“When you set financial goals, you bring specific direction and purpose to your money,” Harness said. “Financial goals help you build a vision for the future for yourself and others. Specific and measurable goals help bring accountability and coordination to your financial life.”

Harness said it’s important to reflect on your motivations and intentions, as well as your dreams and desires.

“It’s not just about creating a checklist, it’s a powerful tool to bring together what you deeply value with your daily actions. This can bring alignment between your core values and life aspirations.”

Guidelines for developing financial goals

Realistic financial goal setting is an initial step on a path that can help lead to a more secure and purposeful future, Harness said, adding a realistic goal should be:
- Achievable. Base goals on actual or reasonably anticipated income. Don’t count on a surprise inheritance or winning the lottery.
- Specific. A specific goal might be to buy a new car within 12 months or to save enough for a down payment on a house in less than four years.
- Measurable. Each goal should have a deadline, which might be the age at which you want to retire or the timeline for affording the once-in-a-lifetime vacation you’ve been dreaming about.
Harness said, as with many other personal goals, it’s important to know and understand the motivation behind them.

“Ask yourself about the real purpose of your goals,” he said. “Think about what motivates your decision and what you hope to benefit by reaching that goal.”

He said it also helps to establish financial goals with a general time frame in mind.

“Short-term financial goals are usually those you hope to achieve within the next one to three years, while medium-term goals are those three to five years in the future and long-term goals are typically seven or more years in the future.”

He said short-term goals typically require investments with short-term maturity dates or savings vehicles that provide safe interest, if possible, and protection from a loss of principal.

“For medium-term investments or savings, you need to make sure you can access your funds without incurring a penalty,” he said. “And for long-term goals, you’ll want to consider investments that are more likely to yield better returns over time, such as the stock market. Of course, a financial planner can help you with making such investment decisions.”

Listing and prioritizing

After identifying your goals, it’s important to prioritize them, Harness said.

“Write down your goals in the priority you want to give them, making sure they are clear and realistic,” he said. “And check on your goals from time to time to make sure you are on track and see how you are progressing.”

Harness said to note specific details about each goal, including a desired time frame to reach them, the amount of money needed and how much has been saved to date.

“These priorities can be different from person to person, so make sure these priorities reflect your values and what’s important to you and not someone else,” he said. “Prioritize short-, medium- and long-term goals, but do not forget that it is often possible to work toward more than one goal at a time.”

For example, he said, it’s possible to save for a vacation or to buy a new vehicle while also putting money aside for retirement.

“You can determine how much attention to give each of these goals based on your personal evaluation of their importance and adjust them if something changes.”

Money management basics to help achieve financial goals

Harness said after identifying goals, you need to put some financial basics in place to provide a strong foundation for pursuing your goals.

These basics include:
- Paying off debts. Paying off outstanding debts, especially any high-interest credit card debts, is a good start toward freeing up some of the money you need to save so you can contribute more resources toward your financial goals.
- Having an emergency fund. While it may seem like putting money aside for emergencies is a financial “detour” from saving for your goals, it is actually a vital safety net for preserving your net worth.
“It’s important to set funds aside for unexpected and potentially costly situations, such as losing a job or incurring substantial medical expenses,” Harness said. “A good rule of thumb is to have enough money stashed away in an easily accessible savings account for covering three to six months of normal living expenses.”

Changing or modifying financial goals

“After you have identified your financial goals, it’s important that you realize these may need to change or evolve based on various life changes or circumstances,” he said. “While you should generally revisit your financial goals at least once a year, you should also revisit them when a significant change impacts your life or financial status. It can also be helpful to share your goals with a trusted partner or establish a relationship with a certified financial planner.”

Financial goals should be flexible enough to account for changes in one’s life or view of what is most important, he said.

“Financial goals help you clarify your priorities and prepare for a future in which you have accomplished those things you have determined are the most important to you,” he said. “But it is not entirely static, and you need to be open to the possibility that these goals may need to be modified.”

Harness said to keep in mind the original motivation behind a particular financial goal and ask yourself if that motivation has changed for any reason.

“Be honest with yourself about your financial goals and your ability and desire to meet them,” he said. “Having realistic, purposeful and well-thought-out goals makes it more likely that you will feel confident about those goals and will stay on track to achieve them.”
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October 4, 2023
Texas A&M AgriLife extends beef cattle expertise internationally

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BYLINE: Gabe Saldana

Newswise — Texas A&M AgriLife has expanded the reach of its beef cattle expertise with two international initiatives led by a professor in the Department of Animal Science in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Reinaldo Cooke, Ph.D., the Burkhart Endowed Professor for Beef Cattle Research, leads the 44 Farms-Texas A&M International Beef Cattle Academy, which has expanded beyond online courses to offer live training events in participating host countries.

Cooke has also taken a leadership role in organizing a major international beef cattle conference in Brazil. The conference’s Portuguese title translates to New Focuses on Cattle Production and Reproduction. It draws more than 2,000 participants annually from among the world’s major cattle producers, scientists and technology leaders.

Meeting international demands for live beef cattle instruction

The first international live course of the academy, now in its sixth year of operation, was a one-day training event that took place in Campeche, Mexico, in June. More than 500 participants attended.

The next event is slated for October in Guatemala.

“There was a massive response to our online international offerings,” Cooke said. “After six years, people from all over the world are aware of these courses as well as the annual short course in College Station, and they are eager to partner with us to offer these events in their countries.”

The single-day international courses are adapted from the three-day Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course, which drew more than 1,900 participants to College Station this year. Texas A&M University faculty experts in beef cattle production, led by Cooke, speak at the international live courses.

The course schedule covers about a dozen new and fundamental beef cattle production concepts. They span forage and grazing, nutrition, health, reproduction, genetics, beef quality and new advances in each area. A review of the Mexico event by The Brahman Journal called it exemplary, well organized and professionally executed.

“Taking this event international also advances our mandate as a U.S. land-grant institution to extend agricultural expertise far and wide,” Cooke said.

Taking the reins of an international beef cattle conference

Cooke is now preparing to further extend the academy across international industry and academia in March in Brazil with his leadership role in organizing the 26th edition of New Focuses on Cattle Production and Reproduction.

He aims to grow the conference as the world’s premier forum for beef cattle and dairy idea exchange. It includes real-time translation in two 1,000-attendee halls, topically split between beef and dairy presentations. An industry trade show also takes place.

“This is one of the world’s largest and most influential cattle conferences, and it takes place in Brazil, the largest cattle industry in the world,” Cooke said. “Leading this conference and expanding our on-site live courses through the 44 Farms-Texas A&M International Beef Cattle Academy represents a major step by Texas A&M AgriLife to share our vast beef cattle expertise benefiting production, lives and livelihoods across the globe.”

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September 8, 2023
Texas Wine: Down to a science
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BYLINE: Adam Russell

Newswise — Did you know the “grape” State of Texas has changed wine as we know it?

Many grapes used across the world for wine, including those from centuries-old European vineyards, have Texas roots, literally.

Vineyards throughout France’s famed appellation system and beyond boast distinct regional features and terroir, the environmental conditions that give wine grapes their taste. But they could not grow without rootstocks from native Texas grapes identified and studied by T.V. Munson, a 19th century Texas scientist and horticulturist.

Munson’s work with several native Texas grapes eventually saved European wines from the pest insect phylloxera. This pest devastated millions of acres of European grapes, causing enormous losses in the European wine industry.

The solution was grafting European grapes like Merlot, Sangiovese and even thousand-year-old varieties like Pinot Noir on top of phylloxera-resistant Texas grape rootstocks collected and studied by Munson. Munson’s efforts saved and continues to protect wine production in Europe and around the world.

To this day, Texas A&M AgriLife carries on Munson’s belief that study and science provide solutions. Scientists and educators continue to build comprehensive research, education and outreach programs to guide and support the expansion of Texas horticulture and the wine industry as it continues to grow in output and reputation.

[VIDEO: The Grape State of Texas]

Wine science leads the way

Amit Dhingra, Ph.D., head of the Department of Horticultural Sciences in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, said Texas A&M horticulturists and scientists across Texas are following and expanding on the principles that led to Munson’s historic influence on global wine. Even today, science continues to fuel the wine industry, significantly bolstering the Texas wine industry’s recent and rapid expansion.

We can safely say that “wine science” will continue to lead vineyards, winemakers and wine drinkers into the future, Dhingra said.

Dhingra was appointed by the Texas Department of Agriculture to lead the scientific delegation to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine, an intergovernmental organization that deals with technical and scientific aspects of viticulture and winemaking.

Furthermore, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has expanded its expertise over the last decade to provide support for vineyards and winemakers as the industry expanded, Dhingra said. The agency now has 13 specialists and researchers dedicated to viticulture and enology on campus and regions across the state, including the Gulf Coast, Hill Country, North Texas and High Plains.

Additionally, the Department of Horticultural Sciences is expanding its faculty and curriculum to provide expertise and education to next-generation vine and wine professionals, he said.

“We are very excited about where the Texas wine industry is today and our position to serve our growers and winemakers and to help the industry continue to grow and evolve,” Dhingra said. “We want to embrace the legacy of T.V. Munson because of the impact his work has had over the globe and because we believe Texas A&M is the natural place to develop the next generation of solutions and problem solvers.”

Texas wine boom

Although the Texas wine industry has a long legacy within the state, it is relatively young in the wine world, Dhingra said.

In Texas, wine grapes are an agricultural crop that directly impacts every part of the state. In total, the Texas wine industry has a $20.35 billion economic impact, from tourism to more than 100,000 jobs that inject around $1 billion in taxes to localities.

Texas has more than 1,300 soil types in a range of distinct regions with quality wines that feature regional characteristics based on localized microclimates. All in all, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau of the U.S. Department of Treasury has designated eight American Viticultural Areas in the state so far, with two new AVA’s pending final approval.

The Texas Hill Country is already among the most-visited winemaking region in the U.S., drawing over 1 million visitors annually. And while the Texas Hill Country may be the most toured wine and viticulture area in the state, 80% of the state’s wine grape production occurs in the higher elevations and drier air of the Texas High Plains.

Areas within these designated American Viticultural Areas, like Fredericksburg in the Texas Hill Country, are known for their distinct production qualities. Other areas with more localized climactic and soil characteristics, like the Llano Uplift in Blanco, Burnet, Gillespie, Llano, Mason, McCulloch and San Saba counties, are not yet official viticulture areas but are quickly becoming known for microclimates that produce award-winning wines.

“People ask, ‘What will be the grape variety that will define Texas?’” Dhingra said. “But Texas is as large as France, with 11 different growing regions and even more subregions. Texas has an incredible potential to develop unique varietals and terroir that wine lovers can only experience with Texas wine grapes and wines.”

Texas wine production, reputation growing

Justin Scheiner, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Horticultural Sciences and AgriLife Extension viticulture specialist, Bryan-College Station, said the Texas wine industry has rapidly expanded in recent decades.

In 2000, there were 40 licensed vineyards, and by 2010, there were 200. Today, there are 806 active winery permits for operations around the state, which now ranks second behind California for wine grape and wine production. More than half of the 254 Texas counties boast a commercial vineyard.

Quantity is one thing, but wine is about quality, Scheiner said, and Texas consistently ranks high in national and international blind-taste competitions. However, Texas vineyards and winemakers may be lesser known at the national level because the industry is relatively young, but its reputation is growing.

Growth is good for vineyards, winemakers and consumers, he said. Most wineries in Texas are small and sell directly to consumers, emphasizing tasting rooms and restaurants.

“We have more than 800 wineries, and every winery produces a minimum of 10 wines,” Scheiner said. “Texas produces 10,000 different wines every year using around 80 different grape varieties. We have endless opportunities for wine lovers to explore the state and experience these wines.”

“We are the world’s laboratory for any kind of research because we have the microclimates and the soil types. You can see how the puzzle is coming together, where all the pieces are in place. This really puts Texas wine in a unique position globally.”

Amit Dhingra, Ph.D.
Head, Department of Horticultural Sciences

Looking long-term for Texas wine

This massive boom within the Texas wine industry required a lot of expertise and knowledge-sharing to maintain its momentum in a lasting, sustainable way. Texas A&M viticulturists have been ever-present partners with Texas vineyards and winemakers for decades, working hand-in-hand to identify research-backed solutions and opportunities.

Much of what Scheiner and other specialists have done over the past decade is provide guidance to prospective wine grape producers and work with established vineyards to mitigate production challenges and conduct research that has propelled the industry forward.

Because Texas is so geographically and climatically diverse, Scheiner said producers face a range of challenges, including plant diseases, insect pests, and extreme weather and drought, that are distinct to their location. For example, a vineyard in the Texas Hill Country will face a drastically different climate than a Gulf Coast vineyard. By design of AgriLife Extension, these grape and wine specialists are available to help growers in all corners of the state, with science-based recommendations and options.

AgriLife Extension specialists played significant roles in helping wine grape growers overcome major production hurdles like Pierce’s disease. Viticulture and enology specialists continue to seek new ways to improve wine grape production, from protecting fruit from drought, hailstorms and other extreme weather, to eliminating cork taint, a global problem for winemakers.

“We are the direct contact with grape growers, especially those who are just beginning to grow, but also with experienced growers who collaborate with us on applied site research or demonstration projects,” he said. “Texas boasts a lot of smart, savvy growers who are finding solutions. Vineyards are a serious investment, and there are a lot of mistakes that can be made along the way. We’re there to pass along knowledge and trade tips to save growers a lot of money and heartache.”

Wine expertise across the state

Texas is big. Because of the state’s wide range of microclimates, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has experts embedded around the state.
- Gulf Coast Wine Region
- High Plains Wine Region
- North Texas Wine Region
- Hill County Wine Region
- West Texas Wine Region
The Texas Wine & Grape Growers Association offers more information on these distinct regions.

What’s in a label? Everything

With the arrival of more and more vineyards across the state, Scheiner said they are also helping vineyards create unique identities that separate them according to the microclimate where their grapes are grown. AgriLife Extension is working with vineyards and the Texas Wine Growers to petition for more American Viticultural Areas around the state with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.

Labeled viticulture areas help identify and promote specific regions and better inform consumers, Scheiner said. This information builds brand and label trust and is directed toward the ascendance and long-term reputation of Texas wines globally in the same ways that wines from Napa Valley, California, or Bordeaux, France, are celebrated and revered.

“You can always tie what we do back to farming because wine is literally one step from the field to the consumer,” Scheiner said. “But the thing that sets wine apart is that the grapes and where they are grown have such a huge impact on the wine. I don’t know another food crop that we can so easily tie the taste to the region it came from.”

“There is a unique community within this industry because wine is about fellowship. It’s a product of nature that has brought people together for thousands of years. Yes, we want to focus on environmental and economic sustainability, human health and food security, but all of it feeds the community and our overall wellness. We hope to bring all those critical pieces together here.”

Amit Dhingra, Ph.D.
Head, Department of Horticultural Sciences

Cultivating community through education, outreach

Growth of the Texas wine industry has a direct economic impact, but its development over the coming decades will spawn a range of social, cultural and environmental benefits that tie to wine’s millennia-old role in communities. Dhingra said horticulture is a discipline that has a strong opportunity to impact overall human health and wellness in a multi-faceted way, especially as it brings people together from vine to pour.

“There is a unique community within this industry because wine is about fellowship,” he said. “It’s a product of nature that has brought people together for thousands of years. Yes, we want to focus on environmental and economic sustainability, human health and food security, but all of it feeds the community and our overall wellness. We hope to bring all those critical pieces together here.”

Texas A&M AgriLife is preparing to expand its already comprehensive and interconnected support system to provide an even more balanced and sustainable approach for the industry and Texans, he said. Texas wine and the community it provides Texans will be supported by a commitment to education, training and outreach.

The industry needs expertise and trained professionals, Dhingra said, and Texas A&M AgriLife is buttressing the professional pipeline to meet that demand. The Department of Horticultural Sciences is adding new faculty positions, focusing on breeding, physiology and secondary metabolism of horticultural crops and grapes, who will expand the current horticulture curriculum to cover additional topics in viticulture and enology, or what Dhingra calls “wine science.”

The department is also creating a flexible, non-academic certificate program that addresses the educational needs identified within the industry. Initiatives like Spirited Learning, an interactive experience for students to learn about Texas horticulture, offer a glimpse into possible career paths for students majoring in horticultural sciences.

“This new infusion of faculty and a new degree program in this area will really help the entire horticulture industry because discoveries that solve problems in wine production may apply to fruit and vegetables or commodities like corn,” he said. “Horticulture is the No. 2 industry in Texas and has a $60 billion economic impact across the state from nurseries to orchards. We want to realize the Texas wine industry’s potential, but we also want to be aware of the broader implications of our efforts.”

Puzzle pieces make a picture

Texas A&M AgriLife will continue to expand its outreach and training programs to engage Texans with the industry. For instance, the agency is engaged in programs that provide innovative Texas Education Agency-approved viticulture curriculum for high school students around the state. Scheiner said those classes are very popular and school districts are eager for more programming. An online course for high school students is expected to be ready this fall.

Dhingra also believes collaborations with other departments, including the Department of Hospitality, Hotel and Tourism Management and the Aplin Center will enhance education and outreach programming. The collaboration will uniquely meld horticulture, entrepreneurship, business practices and problem-solving alongside industry professionals and producers to benefit students.

Innovation is rapidly evolving the horticultural sciences, he said. Technology like controlled environment and precision agriculture, robotics and artificial intelligence are pushing the discipline in new and exciting ways. The department is preparing horticulture students for that future.

Dhingra said there is a bevy of activity within multiple departments in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences that will ultimately contribute to the sustainability and long-term success of the Texas wine industry.

“We are the world’s laboratory for any kind of research because we do have microclimates and the soil types, we do have the extreme weather conditions and varietal options,” he said. “You can see how the puzzle is coming together, where all the pieces are in place. This really puts Texas wine in a unique position globally.”

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Texas A&M AgriLife

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August 16, 2023
Five common money management mistakes

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Newswise — Many people gain their expertise in money management by trial and error. However, carefully monitoring your finances and giving them proper consideration can help avoid some common financial missteps, according to two Texas A&M University financial planners.

Nathan Harness, Ph.D., director of the Financial Planning Program, and Nick Kilmer, lecturer, both in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, discuss five of the most common mistakes when managing money and offer advice on how to avoid them.

No. 1 — Being unaware of personal wealth

Wealth is perhaps the most important financial figure in an individual’s life. It has a tremendous influence on a person’s financial security and freedom of choice. However, many Americans do not know how to calculate their own personal wealth.

“Information is an incredibly valuable asset, often referred to as one of the most potent currencies available to individuals,” Harness said. “Financial freedom starts with the basics, such as understanding budgeting, saving, investing and debt management.”

Kilmer suggests starting the process by considering the scenario of losing your job and having to sell assets to pay off your debts. However, he challenges you to think about needing to do that while still having money to sustain yourself until you find new employment.

“This is too significant of a potentially life-changing situation to ignore until it happens,” Kilmer added. “You should update your budget and balance sheets on a regular basis to accurately reflect the current values of your assets and debts. You need to know for sure if you have a firm financial foundation to weather a sudden financial jolt and to be sure your wealth is trending in the right direction.”

Harness suggested shaking yourself out of financial complacency by reading and learning more about personal finance, networking in personal finance forums and finding professionals like financial advisers who are able to provide you with both information and guidance.

No. 2 — Not setting financial goals

An important step toward financial well-being – and one which many people ignore – is putting pen to paper and writing down financial goals. Financial goal setting adds purpose and drive to create wealth.

“Financial goals are the roadmap for your financial journey,” Harness said. “One of the key benefits of having financial goals is they bring clarity to your aspirations. And when these are clearly defined, motivation can more easily exist now that something tangible is identified that you can work toward.”

Kilmer said it is much harder to achieve goals if we don’t know specifically what we want to accomplish, so the details are crucial.

“Ask yourself, ‘what is my financial goal?’” he said. “If it’s to buy a house, then ask yourself ‘when do I want to accomplish that?’ Next, ask how much money you’ll need for a down payment and closing costs, then calculate how much you need to set aside monthly to accomplish this goal in your timeframe. If it does not fit into your monthly budget, then you need to adjust your financial goal to where it can be attainable.”

Both Harness and Kilmer said being unaware of where your money is spent can reflect a lack of ownership and control over your money, which can often lead to unwanted financial outcomes like excessive debt.

“When you don’t set financial priorities and goals, a lot of money can be spent on frivolous or insignificant items that do nothing for your net worth,” Harness said.

Kilmer said a good mental exercise is to project yourself into the future and set financial goals for that future self, such as buying a home, putting children through college, taking a dream vacation or preparing for retirement.

No. 3 — Not using a budget to monitor your net income

While not many people would consider it fun to build a budget, a plan for your income and expenses is the cornerstone to growing wealth.

“Making a plan to grow your monthly income and, where necessary, cut back on your monthly expenses, will allow you a greater chance to grow your monthly net income,” Kilmer said. He explained monthly net income can be defined as the amount of money left over at the end of the month once all your bills have been paid.

He said when you don’t track your spending, it can hinder your ability to save and know how much extra you have to invest at the end of the month. Without that clear picture of how much you can save and where your money is going, you would not be able to make informed financial decisions.

“Taking control of your money by deciding where each dollar will be spent is key in winning financially,” he said.

Kilmer said monthly savings can be used to buy income-bearing assets or pay down debts, growing your wealth and generating even higher net income for the next month, creating a wealth cycle.

“If we allow lifestyle creep, or just poor planning, to cause our monthly spending to get out of control, our income may not be enough, forcing us to sell assets or take on new debts to cover our unpaid bills,” he said. “Don’t let this happen; find a budgeting method that works for you and stick with it.”

Kilmer suggested tracking your spending for a month without changing the way you usually spend, then analyze where you can make corrections in how you budget and spend your money.

Both experts also suggested that budgeting should include making accommodations for an emergency fund of up to $10,000 in the event of an unexpected financial setback, such as a hospital stay, vehicle accident or job loss.

No. 4 — Paying interest versus earning interest

“You want your money to work for you instead of you having to work just to pay off your debts,” Harness said. “Understanding how you can be earning interest instead of paying it is important to your financial freedom and future wealth.”

Debt and interest on money owed are the enemy of positive wealth, so it’s important to be in a financial position where you are earning interest instead of paying it. However, financial experts agree it is important to build your credit since a good credit score can potentially save you thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars in future interest.

“Many young adults are naturally, and rightly, afraid of credit cards, but they are effective credit building tools when used correctly,” Kilmer said.

He said long before purchasing a first car or home, people with low to no credit should obtain a credit card and use it to build their credit for at least one to two years.

“Improved credit scores can provide better loan rates for such large loan balance items,” he said. “The trick with credit cards is to use them every month, wait for the credit card statement, then pay the statement balance in full — not just the minimum — before the billing due date. Repeating this process every month for a few years will build a solid credit history without charging you a dime in credit card interest.”

On the subject of earning interest, Harness said consider investment accounts such as certificates of deposit, mutual funds, stocks and bonds.

“Each person has to determine what investments are best for them and fit their investing style and comfort with risk,” Harness said. “With all investments, be sure to weigh the risk versus the potential benefit that comes with it. If you choose the right type of investment, your money will be working for you, building your net worth.

No. 5 — Postponing retirement planning

Time is undeniably our most valuable asset, Harness said.

“As Benjamin Franklin famously noted ‘lost time is never found again,’” Harness said. “This truth holds a particular significance in the context of retirement planning.”

He said by starting retirement planning early, you can tap into the power of compounding, make necessary adjustments to your strategies and reduce financial stress in the long run.

“With the general replacement of pensions by defined contribution plans, such as the 401k, preparing for retirement has fallen squarely in the laps of future retirees,” Kilmer said. “In fact, according to a recent report from Fidelity, more than half of Americans are not on track to comfortably pay for their future retirement.”

Another major factor affecting retirement planning is the uncertainty of whether the Social Security Administration will have enough money to pay off scheduled benefits in the future.

“Relying on your workplace or the government for the bulk of your retirement income can be a risky bet,” Harness said. “If your workplace has a retirement plan where they match your contributions, then you can invest in a 401(k) or 403(b). If not, you can set up a retirement fund, such as a Roth individual retirement account, on your own.”

Kilmer said it is vital to identify and track which retirement funds you hope to utilize in retirement and start estimating how much money you’ll need to survive – or even thrive – every year in retirement.

“You need to figure out just how big of a nest egg you need to accumulate,” he said “These types of financial calculations can be daunting for some. If you’re one of those people, then seek out the help of a professional financial planner sooner rather than later. They can walk you through this process and possibly give you some financial peace of mind.”

Harness and Kilmer said avoiding these management mistakes will give you better control of your finances and help ensure a more financially stable future. They said it is vital to know as much as you can about your assets and debts so you can make corrections where necessary and stay on track toward financial freedom.

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Texas A&M AgriLife

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August 2, 2023