Farm & Ranch
New publication explains ‘grape expectations’ for Texas vineyard owners
By: Kathleen Phillips
Writer: Kathleen Phillips, 979-845-2872, [email protected]
Contact: Dr. Jim Kamas, 830-990-4046, [email protected]
FREDERICKSBURG — Before planting grapes in Texas, every potential grower needs to answer one essential question, according to Jim Kamas: “Why do you want to plant a vineyard?”
Kamas, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service fruit specialist in Fredericksburg, begins with that question in his new book, “Growing Grapes in Texas: From the Commercial Vineyard to the Backyard Vine.”
This manual on grape growing in Texas was published by the Texas A&M University Press and is available at http://bit.ly/texasgrapebook for $25.
“After encountering hundreds of people interested in planting a vineyard over the past 35 years, the list of questions and misconceptions seemed to repeat themselves,” Kamas said. “So, I decided it was worth my time to sit down and respond to the multitude of choices and decisions every prospective grape grower faces. Most people do not comprehend the extent to which grape growing is a risky business, and while it is not ‘rocket science,’ it is indeed science.”
Kamas describes the different grape growing regions in Texas, while providing information for both a commercial venture and an at-home plot to help growers achieve the highest yields.
The 264-page book includes more than 160 color photos as Kamas discusses site choice and design, rootstock and fruiting varieties, pruning and training strategies, canopy and floor management, disease and pest control, water needs and nutrition requirements for grapes.
For those interested in commercial aspects of grape production, Kamas also provides information about vineyard-winery relations.
“The book seeks to relay to the reader not just instruction on how to establish a vineyard but to help the reader gain understanding of the scientific reasons behind why decisions are made,” Kamas said.
Grape and wine lovers from all parts of the country will find this book a valuable resource, according to the publisher.
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By Barry Whitworth, DVM, MPH
With the prolonged drought, most pastures in Oklahoma end up in poor condition. With the lack of available forage, animals may go in search of alternative foods.
If oak trees are in the pastures, acorns may be a favorite meal for some livestock in the fall. This may result in oak poisoning.
Oak leaves, twigs, buds, and acorns may be toxic to some animals when consumed.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By: Tony Dean
There are a handful of grasses on North Texas grazing lands ranchers need to know, not because they are highly desirable, but rather because they are not of much value. I call them “decom” plants, which is am acronym for “Don’t Ever Count On Me.” Silver bluestem is a “decom” grass.
Silver bluestem is a perennial which grows in all areas of Texas. It can survive in almost all soil types, and in full sun conditions or in semi shade. It grows up to three feet tall and is easily recognized with the presence of the white fuzzy seed head. Also, one of the identifying characteristics of Silver bluestem is a bend in the stems at each node, causing the plants to take on a rounded shape as they mature.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By: Rayford Pullen
Fall is here which means winter is closing in on us and before we officially get into winter, we need to make sure our factories are either producing or will be producing in a few months.
We have been pregnancy testing our cows this fall and if they are not bred or nursing a calf, we are bidding them adios. With annual costs somewhere between $900.00 and $1,000.00 per cow, those cows not producing a live weaned calf are costing us quite a bit.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
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