Land and Livestock Post

January January2015 2015——Issue Issue11

Proper Planting

Ways to help soil retain moisture PAGE 12

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BRYAN, TX 77802 PERMIT # 23

JAMES THOMPSON MASTERING MEAT

JAMES LOW COTTON THOMPSON

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PAGE 3 7

JAMES PREVENTING THOMPSON FIRE CREEP

JAMES BETTERTHOMPSON RELATIONS

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PAGE PAGES310 and 11

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Straight Monitorfrom thatch thewhen horse's burning. mouth.

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January 2015 — Issue 1

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The Land & Livestock Post

News Texas A&M introduces master’s of agriculture degree with an emphasis on the meat industry Special to The Post

COLLEGE STATION — Students seeking a master’s degree of agriculture in animal science at Texas A&M University now have the ability to choose to follow a curriculum specifically designed to emphasize the meat industry, A&M officials announced.

The new emphasis for the degree plan provides students who have a bachelor’s degree and supplemental coursework and practical experience through internships to prepare for a variety of careers in, and for future leadership of, the U.S. meat industry.

“The meat science program at Texas A&M is one of the leading programs of its kind in the nation. As such, we have a proven record of success focusing on the preparation of young scientists to conduct research, perform food quality, safety functions and initiate product development efforts,” said Russell Cross, head of animal science.

“By expanding the existing master’s of agriculture in animal science to include an emphasis on the meat industry, the meat science program is broadening and enhancing the knowledge of young people who wish to enter the professional workforce of the U.S. meat production, processing and sales industry as supervisory or middle-management personnel,” Cross said.

The master of agriculture with an emphasis on the meat industry program will focus on the process of accelerating the climb up the corporate management ladder by exposing students to the tutelage of veteran industry experts with records of previous industry suc-

cess, said Gary Smith, visiting professor and chair of the new degree program’s executive committee.

Students will be required to complete 36 hours of coursework in meat science, management, marketing, communication and leadership, and two short-term professional internships within the meat industry customized to meet specific student career interests. Students can complete a graduate certificate in meat science as a component of this degree plan.

“Through collaboration with our colleagues in the departments of agricultural economics, agricultural leadership, management, marketing and poultry science, students will be fundamentally exposed to interpersonal communication and employee management skills development. This will enhance their ability to relate to and supervise employees under their direction upon achieving full-time employment.”

In addition to being a continuation of a bachelor’s degree education emphasizing meat, animal or food science, the master of agriculture with an emphasis on the meat industry could be used as a refresher or retooling option for individuals who have industry experience wanting to advance their careers in the meat industry, Smith said.

For additional information regarding the new master’s program, contact David Forrest at d-forrest@tamu.edu or Smith at gary.smith@ag.tamu.edu or 979845-1541. The degree plan may be viewed at animalscience.tamu. edu.

From the General Manager

W

elcome to a new year with the Land & Livestock Post! As I am writing this it is still 2014, but by the time you read it, I’ll probably already have broken a resolution or two.

I always set a few real resolutions and then a few that I know I can stick to. I gave up spicy mustard one year JESSE WRIGHT — that worked out so well I broke the resolution on purpose in the spring just so I could give it up again for Lent.

I always resolve to try to lose weight, and that rarely happens, but I once resolved not to get any taller and so far that one is going strong.

We have some great stories on the schedule for this year, and if you ever have anything you’d like to read about, just drop me a line and I’ll see if we can squeeze it in.

We also have some information about upcoming programs and events, as well as other news from around the industry.

Hope you enjoy it, and as always, thanks for reading.

Oh, and happy New Year! ’Til Next time,

The first story of the year is about keeping your soil healthy.

Every rancher is a farmer in some respect, and every farmer needs good soil, so it seemed a good way to kick off the year.

• For more information about content or advertising, contact Jesse Wright at jesse.wright@theeagle. com.

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January 2015 — Issue 1

3

News

Monitoring thatch helps to prevent fire creep

Photos courtesy of The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation

Above, previously mowed thatch that has settled next to the soil. Right, recently mowed thatch that has not completely settled next to the soil.

Steps to keep burns from spreading

By Frank Motal The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation

Prescribed fire is a practice many landowners use in managing their properties to improve forage quality, improve wildlife habitat or control brush encroachment. Conducting safe burns is important, but issues can arise while burning.

One such issue is fire creep.

Fire creep in the context of burning can be defined as unnoticed smoldering of plant material (e.g., thatch) that is thought to be extinguished. The buildup of thatch along the fireline can cause fire to “creep” across the firebreak, which can result in an escaped fire.

Thatch is a mat of undecomposed, accumulated plant material next to the soil. Thatch in firebreaks is caused by mowing; mashing down tall, dense vegetation; and weather conditions that are unfavorable for proper decomposition of plant mate-

4

rial. Dry soil aids fire creep because drier soils heat up more easily and will remain hotter than moist soils, keeping thatch nearest the soil surface warm and dry.

When using mowed firebreaks, water most often is applied (creating a wet line) along the fireline to keep fire in its designated area.

When thatch is abundant, water may not penetrate thoroughly, leaving a dry layer next to the soil which can remain dry and warm after ignition and initial wet line application has occurred.

When conditions become favorable, it begins smoldering and slowly begins “creeping” across the firebreak until it reaches and ignites unburned fuel outside of the burn unit, resulting in an escaped fire.

This can happen later in the day when weather conditions change, the burn crew is further along the firebreak, or when the burn unit is thought to be contained and extinguished, and everyone has gone home.

This is why it is important to have a backup suppression crew following behind the ignition crew, monitoring the fireline all the way back to the starting point.

Preventing fire creep can be accomplished with different techniques, including: • Mowing at least twice prior to burning, with intervals between mowings, to reduce the amount of thatch and give the plant material time to break down.

• Raking thatch away from the burn unit, exposing bare soil for a wet line.

• Thoroughly wetting the thatch down to the soil.

• Using a leaf blower ahead of ignition to blow thatch away from the burn unit.

• Where practical, using a lawnmower to blow thatch away from the burn unit.

• Where practical, creating a bare soil firebreak by disking.

See SAFETY, Page 21

January 2015 — Issue 1

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The Land & Livestock Post

News Beef Symposium to address emerging big-picture issues

By Kay LedBetter Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

AMARILLO — Big-picture emerging issues in the beef and ranching industries will be addressed at the Southwest Beef Symposium, jointly hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service.

This year’s conference, themed “Looking to the Future,” is set for Jan. 14-15 at the Wyndham Garden Hotel, 3100 Interstate 40 West in Amarillo.

“After some very rough years of drought, we will address issues of concern to the industry at large, but also at the ranch level,” said Ted McCollum, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist in Amarillo. “Hopefully, we have turned the corner and are beginning to stabilize the national cow inventory.”

Registration is $80 and includes a steak dinner on Jan. 14, lunch on Jan. 15, refreshments and symposium proceedings.

Registration is required by Jan. 9 and seating is limited to 150, McCollum said, advising participants to register early. Others will be put on a waiting list.

Register online at agriliferegister.tamu. edu or by phone at 979-845-2604.

The opening session from 1-5 p.m. on Jan. 14 will include: • The Beef Industry: What’s in Store Over the Next Five Years and Next 10 Years?, Darrell Peel, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma.

• Ranching Strategies for the Long Term, Clint Richardson, Triangle Ranch, Paducah.

• Regulatory Issues Facing the New Mexico and Texas Cattle Industry, Karen Cowen, New Mexico Cattle Growers Association, Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Ross Wilson, Texas Cattle Feeders Association, Amarillo.

• Where Do I Go to Get Help with Regulatory and Legal Issues on My Property?, Tiffany Dowell, AgriLife Extension agricultural law specialist, Amarillo.

Jan. 15 issues and speakers will be: • Rangeland Resource Management in the Panhandle: A Long-Term Perspective, Andrew Bivins, JA Ranch, Amarillo.

• Tipping Points for Juniper and Mesquite Control: Canopy Cover and Forage Production, Jim Ansley, Texas A&M AgriLife Research rangeland ecologist, Vernon.

• Evaluating the Current Costs and Future Value of Rangeland Improvement Practices, Richard Connor, rangeland economist, Texas A&M University, College Station.

• Climate and Weather Outlook: Better Days Ahead?, Brian Bledsoe, chief meteorologist, KKTV, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

• Heifer Development Strategies, Andy Roberts, U.S. Department of AgricultureAgricultural Research Service Livestock and Range Research Laboratory, Fort Keogh, Montana.

• Genetic Management Tools for Commercial Cow-Calf Producers, Joe Paschal,

AgriLife Extension livestock specialist, Corpus Christi.

• Bull Performance in the Pasture: What We Know; What We Are Learning, Bruce Carpenter, AgriLife Extension livestock specialist,Ft. Stockton.

For more information, go to the symposium website aces.nmsu.edu/ces/swbeef/ or contact McCollum at 806-677-5600 or ftmccollum@tamu.edu.

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January 2015 — Issue 1

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The Land & Livestock Post

News

Cotton prices will remain flat heading into 2015 he said. “The end of the year carryover is projected to be more than 4 million bales. That’s more than enough cotton to fulfill demand.”

The 2015 outlook has projections of 15 million to 16 million bales produced in the U.S., he said.

“We will still plant plenty of acres despite projections of fewer planted acres,” Robinson said. “At least 15 million bales of production is projected for 2015. I don’t see any reason for new crop prices to be higher than old crop prices.”

Meanwhile, during the association’s awards luncheon, the Norman Borlaug Lifetime Achievement Award was given posthumously to Tom Cothren, a longtime Texas A&M AgriLife plant physiologist. Cothren

came to Texas A&M in 1982 after serving on the faculty at the University of Arkansas. He received many honors during his years of teaching and research, including Fellow of American Society of Agronomy, Fellow of Crop Science Society of America, Outstanding Research Award in Cotton Physiology and the Special Achievement Award for Teaching from Texas A&M. He also served on the Faculty Senate at Texas A&M. Texas A&M students also were represented well in the poster competition. First place winner was graduate student Kate Harrell from the department of entomology. Graduate student Kevin Cox from the department of plant pathology and microbiology was second place winner, and third place went to Blake Baumann in

the department of soil and crop sciences. Josh McGinty and Silvano Ocheya received graduate student awards.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service horticultural specialist Joe Masabni received the association’s Academic-Agency Award. AgriLife Extension cotton program specialist Dale Mott, who served as association president for 2014, captured third place in the pest identification contest. Gary Bradshaw, consultant from Richmond, captured first place, while Webb Wallace, consultant from Harlingen, was awarded second place.

Larry McAnally received the TPPA Consultant Award. Donnie Dippel, president of the Texas Ag Industry Association, received the Ray Smith Leadership Award.

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Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin

John Robinson, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service cotton marketing economist, projects cotton prices will be surpressed in 2015 due to a world glut.

By BLAIR FANNIN Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Cotton prices are projected to remain flat heading into 2015 as China continues to hold large supplies of cotton and consumption rates remain low, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service cotton economist in College Station.

John Robinson gave a cotton outlook presentation at the 26th Texas Plant Protection Association Conference in Bryan recently.

“The cotton market is not booming as yarn prices remain flat,” Robinson said. “We’re not in a recession, but in a period of low growth and modest consumption. We don’t see anything

that would pull up cotton prices in the near term.”

Robinson said speculative funds have been swinging from net short to neutral, and cotton futures have just hung in there around 60 cents.

Consequently, cotton has been ranging in the mid to upper 60s, he said.

For now, Chinese policy is one of the major influencers of the market, Robinson said.

“That, and the fact that more of the Chinese new crop cotton and reserves are getting used by China rather than buying U.S. exports continues to weigh heavily on market prices,” he said.

“If you have cotton in the loan, I would think about selling it and maybe use a call option strategy,”

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News AgriLife Extension Brazos County office showcases programs to officials

By BLAIR FANNIN Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin

The Brazos County Interpretation Luncheon for Elected Officials was held recently at Traditions Country Club in Bryan.Attending the luncheon were members of the 2014 Brazos County Leadership Advisory Board serving the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Brazos County office, from left, Jim McCord; Wade Ross, chairman; Sara Mendez; Jessica Paul; Dusty Tittle; Devorah Yarborough; and Stacy Colvin.

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Highlights in agriculture and natural resources, family and consumer sciences, 4-H and youth development, and community economic development were showcased at the 2014 Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Brazos County Interpretation Luncheon for Elected Officials.

The recent event, attended by Brazos County officials as well as representatives from Bryan and College Station school districts, was held at Traditions Country Club in Bryan.

“Texas A&M AgriLife Extension is committed to making a difference in the lives of those here in Brazos County,” said Wade Ross, chairman of the

January 2015 — Issue 1

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Brazos County Leadership Advisory Board. “It’s truly a blessing to have your support for these programs that help strengthen and improve the lives of many throughout our community. We appreciate your continued support.”

Program results and impacts were given by Jim McCord, agriculture and horticulture; Gia Yarbrough, Prairie View A&M University-Cooperative Extension; and Jessica Paul, family and consumer sciences.

Livestock, forage and horse production continue to be the three largest agricultural commodities in Brazos County, McCord said. Highlights included the 2014 O.D. Butler Forage Field Day, attended by 193 people fea-

See OFFICIALS, Page 16

The Land & Livestock Post

News

Scholars seek to help cattle industry combat drought SILAS ALLEN Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY — Several years of drought have forced many of Oklahoma’s ranchers to sell off cattle to stay in business.

Now, a group of animal researchers and climate scientists is looking at ways to make the state’s cattle industry more resistant during periods of drought.

Oklahoma State University received a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture earlier this year to help beef producers adapt to dry conditions, The Oklahoman (bit. ly/1BXJ1A2) reported.

Researchers there are working with the Oklahoma Mesonet weather network to look at how much water cattle consume and develop tools to help ranchers see how climate conditions are affecting their cattle.

Megan Rolf, an Oklahoma State animal scientist, said the purpose of the grant is two-fold: Researchers are looking at the amount of feed and water certain breeds of cattle consume, with the long-term goal of developing cattle that are more adaptable to certain climate conditions, including drought.

The group also is working to expand the Mesonet’s cattle comfort index, a tool that shows ranchers how climate conditions are affecting their herds.

The amount of feed and water cattle consume can vary widely depending on the breed, Rolf said.

Brahman and other cattle that were bred for tropical climates tend to do well on less water, she said. But those breeds haven’t gained favor among ranchers in the United States.

“We don’t really use those breeds very much here in the U.S., for a variety of reasons,” Rolf said.

Eventually, researchers hope to develop cattle that consume less water, while keeping the meat quality and other characteristics that have made breeds such as Angus and Hereford

Photo courtesy of noaa.com

Ponds such as this in Southwestern Oklahoma were unable to provide enoughwater to cattle during the recent drought. Oklahoma State University is developing cattle better able to survive future droughts. popular in the United States, Rolf said.

Albert Sutherland, the Oklahoma State Mesonet agricultural coordinator, said the group also hopes to expand the tools the weather network offers to farmers.

The network’s cattle comfort index shows ranchers how temperatures are affecting their herds. The group plans to expand the index to include other factors like relative humidity and wind speed, he said. Those tools are expected to go online in late 2016, he said.

The group also plans to expand the cattle comfort index to cover the entire United States, Sutherland said. As it exists now, the index covers only Oklahoma. That expansion could take place next year, he said.

Climate scientists say adapt-

The Land & Livestock Post

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ability will be key for farmers and ranchers as drought becomes more common due to climate change. In a national climate assessment released last year, scientists warned new agriculture and livestock practices would be needed to cope with drier, hotter conditions in the Great Plains.

Cattle represent the largest agricultural commodity in Oklahoma, with cash receipts totaling nearly $3 billion per year, according to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. But the industry has felt the impact of drought for the past four years. Cattle ponds in western Oklahoma have dried up, and ranchers have been forced to reduce their herds to stay in business.

Charlie Swanson, a rancher in the southwestern Oklahoma town of Roosevelt, said the

January 2015 — Issue 1

drought has left him in a difficult position. During normal conditions, most ranchers cull their herds a bit each year, he said. But Swanson said he’s had to cull his herd more severely over the past three years than he ever has in his three decades of ranching.

Most ranchers in the area are doing the same, Swanson said.

Southwestern Oklahoma has had some rain over the past few weeks, and more is expected.

That rain has helped replenish the grass, Swanson said, but it hasn’t been enough to turn things around completely.

“We’re still in drought,” he said. “We’re not out of it by any means.”

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News America’s growers eager for normalized relations with Cuba

By STEVE KARNOWSKI Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS — U.S. agriculture has a big appetite for freer trade with Cuba. From wheat to rice to beans, the industry stands to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of President Barack Obama’s plan to ease economic and travel restrictions imposed against the communistruled island.

Agricultural exports have been among the few exceptions to the half-century old U.S. trade embargo, though they’ve been subject to cumbersome rules — requiring cash payments up front before products are shipped, and that the payments go through banks in other countries that charge hefty fees for their services.

As a result, Latin American and Asian countries with fewer restrictions and easier financing have gained market share in recent years.

The removal of such trade barriers will make U.S. agricultural products “far more price competitive” in Cuba, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Dec. 17 as the Obama administration announced plans to restore diplomatic relations and to try to persuade Congress to lift the embargo.

Major U.S. farm groups, including the American Farm Bureau Federation and National Farmers Union, as well as leading agribusinesses such as Cargill Inc., long have advocated normalized trade relations with Cuba, a market of 11 million consumers just 90 miles off U.S. shores.

Sales of U.S. agricultural products to Cuba peaked at more than $710 million in 2008, before the recession, but fell to $350 million by 2013, according to the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council.

Frozen chicken, soybeans and soy products, and corn are the main products Cuba now buys from the United States.

It’s hard to quantify just how much of a boost the planned changes will give to U.S.-Cuban

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• See Improved, Page 11 agricultural trade, said C. Parr Rosson III, head of the agricultural economics department at Texas A&M University. But he predicted it could grow to $400 million to $450 million within a couple of years.

“That’s just a back-of-theenvelope estimate on my part ... but the market can make those swings very readily,” he said.

Cuba remains a poor, relatively small country, Rosson said.

Its economy shifts depending on remittances sent home by Cubans living abroad, tourism, and nickel exports, he said. But liberalized rules for remittances and tourism should provide an early boost in demand, he said, and easier banking rules will eventually make a difference too.

The boost would be even bigger if Congress ever dismantles the embargo, he said.

“We’re talking a monumental move to lift the embargo right now,” he said. “But things can change.”

Wheat growers in the Midwest expect new export opportunities since Cuba now buys nearly all its wheat from Canada and Europe. Cuba hasn’t bought U.S. wheat since 2011, but could import at least 500,000 metric tons of it annually, according to the National Association of Wheat Growers.

“If Cuba resumes purchases of U.S. wheat, we believe our market share there could grow from its current level of zero to around 80-90 percent, as it is in other Caribbean nations,” Alan Tracy, president of U.S. Wheat Associates, said in a statement.

Dry beans, dry peas, lentils and potatoes are also big parts of the Cuban diet. That creates more opportunities for farmers in colder states such as North Dakota, though they’ll still have to compete with cheaper Chinese beans, said Bill Thoreson, president of the U.S. Dry Bean Council.

“If we have normalized trade relations with them and are able to do away with some of the bank-

Photo courtesy of www.greatbendpost.com

America’s wheat growers hope to benefit from stronger relations with Cuba. ing regulations, I believe there’s some real potential to do business with Cuba,” Thoreson said.

Rice producers in southern states and California are hoping to resume exports to Cuba for the first time since 2008, according to the USA Rice Federation.

“It’s an enormous rice market,” said Dwight Roberts, CEO of the U.S. Rice Producers Association. Roberts said believes imports of U.S. rice could someday reach the levels Cubans bought before the revolution.

• Associated Press writer Blake Nicholson in Bismarck, North Dakota, contributed to this report.

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January 2015 — Issue 1

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The Land & Livestock Post

News Improved relations with Cuba will benefit Texas producers

By BLAIR FANNIN Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Efforts to normalize U.S. and Cuba diplomatic relations will have potential positive implications for Texas agriculture, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economist.

Parr Rosson, who heads the agricultural economics department at Texas A&M University in College Station, said there will be immediate increases in the amount of U.S. food exported to Cuba.

“Within a year to two years, we should see U.S. exports to Cuba return to the $400 million to $450 million range.

“The combination of allowing up to a four-fold increase in remittances along with an increased role for U.S. banks may lead to a 15 to 30 percent increase in U.S. food exports,” Rosson said.

Currently, Cuban-Americans and others are limited to remittance of no more than $500 per quarter to persons in Cuba.

Rosson said under the new program, that limit would increase to $2,000.

Texas supplies Cuba with several export items, including chicken leg quarters and corn.

Pork, cotton and d a i r y products produced in Texas also are exported there.

More rice exports also are expected. ROSSON A growing tourism market in Cuba also has sparked demand for items such as condiments, bottled water, beer, wine and spirits.

“These are products that we are seeing more interest in due to the growing tourism market in Cuba.”

Rosson said in addition to allowing U.S. and other travelers to use credit cards, this will boost demand for foods.

“Also expect to see the market for used agricultural equipment to increase,” Rosson said.

Workshops previously have been conducted to assist educating producers on export trade with Cuba, partnering with the Texas-Cuba Trade Alliance and Free Trade Alliance, he said.

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January 2015 — Issue 1

11

News

Healthy ground Future generations depend on us to keep soil healthy

By RoBeRt FeaRs Special to The Eagle

N

ow that we’re finally receiving moisture in some parts of the state, it’s time to assess condition of our soil and determine if our current land management practices improve soil health or cause it to deteriorate. Soil health is directly related to ranch productivity and has a tremendous influence on the future life style of our children and grandchildren.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, world population is projected to increase from 7 billion in 2013 to more than 9 billion in 2050.

Fourteen million acres of prime farmland in the United States was lost to development from 1982 through 2007. Improving soil health is a key requirement for long-term, sustainable agricultural production and soil conservation is not just the farmer’s job. We all are responsibile for maintaining soil in good condition, regardless of how we use the land.

Soil Health Key Points, a fact sheet published by NRCS lists “four ways to begin your path to healthy soils” lists:

Keep it covered

A covered soil holds more water by binding it to organic matter and loses less water to runoff and evaporation.

The amount of organic matter increases in soil when it is covered by vegetation and dead plant material residue.

Organic matter holds 18 to 20 times its weight in water and recycles nutrients for plants to use. One percent organic matter in the top six inches of soil holds approximately 27,000 gallons of water per acre.

If we have bare spots in our pastures,

12

Photos by Robert Fears

This unhealthy soil has bare spots and has been grazed too close to the ground. A consistant ground cover will hwlp soil absorb and retain moisture.

On the cover: Pastures should be planted through existing vegetation with a drill to avoid soil disturbance. we have unhealthy soil and need to do something about it. We commonly say that when we feed a cow, we actually are feeding her rumen bacteria. The same is for soil. If we keep the soil microorganism populations healthy, we will have healthy soil.

“Soil microorganisms exist in large numbers as long as there is a carbon source for energy,” said James Hoorman, cover crops and water quality assistant professor at The Ohio State University.

“Bacteria, due to their large numbers

January 2015 — Issue 1

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yet small size, tend to dominate in most soils. This is especially true in tilled soils. Fungus may be a factor of 50 times smaller in number, but due to their large size, they are similar in biomass to bac-

See SOIL, Page 13

The Land & Livestock Post

News Table 1. Suggested forage residue levels for maintaining soil stablity and plant vigor Vegetation type Pounds/acre Stubble height Tallgrass

1,200-1,500

12-14 inches

Midgrass

750-1,100

6-8 inches

Shortgrass

300-500

2-3 inches

Taken from Stocking Rate: The Key Grazing Management Decision by Robert K. Lyons and Richard V. Machen, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension bulletin L-5400 published in June 2001.

Soil, from Page 12 teria if the soil is undisturbed.

“Fungus decompose the hard to digest organic compounds such as lignin while bacteria break down the readily available and easy to digest organic compounds such as sugars and proteins. There are more microbes in a teaspoon of soil than there are people on the earth,” Hoorman said.

“A cover crop is needed on the soil 24 hours a day, seven days a week to build organic matter, hold water and stop erosion,” said Ray Archuleta, Resource Conservation Service agronomist. “Continuous live or dead cover helps maintain soil health and protects it from heat and raindrop impact. Soil needs armor.”

“Organic matter retains soil nutrients and when there is little or no organic matter, nitrogen is leached from the soil as nitrate,” said Willie Durham, Resource Conservation Service agronomist. “The nitrates are leached into ground water or

carried into ponds, lakes and streams by run-off water.”

“Nutrients as well as soil water are retained by organic matter,” Archuleta said. “For every 1 percent organic matter added to soil, water is increased by 19,000 gallons.”

Do not disturb

“Do not disturb” means to avoid tillage. When planting Photo by Robert Fears winter pastures or other supple- Overgrazing is a primary factor in deterioration of soil health. mental forage, use a sod seeder instead of plowing the soil.

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News Mown grass smell sends SOS for help in resisting insect attacks

By Kathleen PhilliPs Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

COLLEGE STATION — The smell of cut grass in recent years has been identified as the plant’s way of signalling distress, but new research says the aroma also summons beneficial insects to the rescue.

“When there is need for protection, the plant signals the environment via the emission of volatile organic compounds, which are recognized as a feeding queue for parasitic wasps to come to the plant that is being eaten and lay eggs in the pest insect,” said Michael Kolomiets, Texas A&M AgriLife Research plant pathologist in College Station.

The research stems from a look at the function of a large family of lipid-derived molecular signals that regulate differential processes in humans, animals and plants, according to Kolomiets, whose research was published in The Plant Journal.

In an effort to better understand these signals, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is granting Kolomiets $490,000 in 2015 to study how the signals also may impact drought tolerance.

The molecular signals are less understood in plants than in animals and humans, he noted.

“People take certain drugs such as aspirin to suppress the activity of these signals, because overproduction of these molecules may lead to headaches and pain and all sorts of disorders,” Kolomiets said.

“It’s the same group of metabolites that are produced by the plants, but we know so little about them.”

Yet a plant does “communicate” when attacked — whether by blade of a mower or jaws of a predatory insect — by producing defensive proteins and secondary metabolites either to repel the pest or make itself less appetizing, he said. What happens next is what scientists have been trying

to figure out.

The best characterized molecule of the fatty acid-derived signals is called jasmonic acid, because it was first isolated as a volatile produced by jasmine, Kolomiets said. Jasmonic acid, one of perhaps 600 oxylipin molecules identified in plants, is known to have diverse functions.

Another volatile group derived from fatty acid is known as the green leaf volatiles.

To test how it functions in plants during insect attacks, Kolomiets and his team used a mutant corn plant that could not produce the green leaf volatiles, mown-grass smell when cut or torn.

And that’s when they observed that the parasitic wasps didn’t pay attention to plants without the green leaf volatile.

“There are actually two roles for this molecule,” he said.

“First, it activates the jasmonate hormone, which involves activation of defenses against insects on the plant. Then this molecule, since it is a volatile, attracts parasitic wasps. They come to the plant that is being chewed up by insect herbivores and lay eggs in the caterpillar’s body.

“We have proven that when you delete these volatiles, parasitic wasps are no longer attracted to that plant, even when an insect chews on the leaf. So this volatile is required to attract parasitoids.

We have provided genetic evidence that green leafy volatiles have this dual function — in the plant they activate production of insecticidal compounds, but also they have indirect defense capability because they send an SOS-type signal that results in attraction of parasitic wasps.”

Kolomiets tested the phenomena both in the lab and in the field.

“We did not have to do any artificial infestation, because we had plenty of insects,” he said. “We have discovered that even under the field conditions when there’s enough insect pressure, then the

The Land & Livestock Post



Texas A&M AgriLife Research photo by Kathleen Phillips

The smell of cut grass in recent years has been identified as the plant’s way of signalling distress,but new research says the aroma also summons beneficial insects to the rescue, according to Michael Kolomiets, Texas A&M AgriLife Research plant pathologist in College Station. plants are more susceptible to insect damage when they lack the green leaf volatiles.”

Kolomiets hopes to continue the research by testing the impact of the presence of jasmonates and green leaf volatiles in other grassy crops such as sorghum.

“This is just a tip of the iceberg.

We have found that this gene is required for many, many different physiological processes, such as drought tolerance,” he said.

“We observed that mutant plants are drought susceptible as well as susceptible to insect feeding.

We are trying to identify the exact function of green leafy volatiles in drought tolerance and how it works.”

Such findings may help plant breeders know how to develop new varieties that are more resistant to insects and drought, he noted.

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News LIVESTOCK MARKET REPORT Milano

Results of the Milano Livestock Exchange’s Dec. 16 sale: Steers: 300-400 lbs., $280$365; 400-500 lbs., $274-$323; 500-600 lbs., $247-$267; 600-700 lbs., $226-$233.

Heifers: 300-400 lbs., $236$257; 400-500 lbs., $230-$281; 500-600 lbs., $209-$297; 600-700 lbs., $193-$257.

Slaughter bulls: $120-$132.

Slaughter cows: $81-$116.

Bred cows: $1,550-$2,900.

Cow/calf pairs: $!,650-$3,175.

Brazos Valley

Results of the Brazos Valley Livestock Commission’s Dec. 16 sale: Head: 827 Steers: 200-300 lbs., $3350$390; 300-400 lbs., $295-$375;

Officials, from Page 8 turing five demonstration plots on sandbur, Yaupon control, as well as new technology in weed control and forage management.

The Youth Commercial Heifer Program had 32 youth participating and raising a pen of heifers.

The project included workshops, reproduction, recordkeeping and interviews.

T he pro g ram brought in $249,600 in total sales given directly to youth participants.

In horticulture, 85 Master Gardeners gave 5,084 service hours to AgriLife Extension programs, the equivalent of a $110,780 gift to Brazos County.

They also earned 534 hours of continuing education.

The family and consumer sciences division hosted a MultiCounty All Star Childcare Provider Conference, which was open to Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Lee, Milam, Walker and Waller counties.

It was offered to 121 providers, resulting in 847 hours credit. An additional 110 providers were trained beyond the conference, resulting in 110 hours credit.

16

400-500 lbs., $255-$320; 500-600 lbs., $235-$290; 600-700 lbs., $210-$239; 700-800 lbs., $205$215.

Heifers: 200-300 lbs., $285$355; 300-400 lbs., $245-$295; 400-500 lbs., $225-$280; 500-600 lbs., $217-$250; 600-700 lbs., $195-$225; 700-800 lbs., $185$200.

Slaughter bulls: $116-$140.

Slaughter cows: $80-$118.

Bred cows: $1,175-$2,225.

Cow/calf pairs: $1,850-$2,850.

Caldwell Results of the Caldwell Livestock Commission’s Dec. 17 sale: Head: 425 Steers: 200-300 lbs., $325-$410; 300-400 lbs., $300-$350; 400-500 lbs., $250-$310; 500-600 lbs.,

$225-$260; 600-700 lbs., $210$230; 700-800 lbs., $210-$250.

Heifers: 268-330 lbs., $325$395; 300-400 lbs., $270-$370; 400-500 lbs., $240-$280; 500-600 lbs., $225-$255; 600-700 lbs., $215-$270; 700-800 lbs., $200$210.

Slaughter bulls: $85-$122.

Slaughter cows: $110-$136.

Stocker cows: $1,400-$2,500.

Buffalo

Results of Buffalo Marketing’s Dec. 13 sale: Head: 1,246 Steers: 300-400 lbs., $315-$390; 400-500 lbs., $275-$345; 500-600 lbs., $250-$310; 600-700 lbs., $220-$260; 700-800 lbs., $210$220.

Heifers: 300-400 lbs., $245$355; 400-500 lbs., $230-$310;

500-600 lbs., $220-$285; 600-700 lbs., $195-$255; 700-800 lbs., $175-$210.

Slaughter bulls: $105-$133.

Slaughter cows: $65-$119.

Bred cows: $1,450-$2,475.

Cow/calf pairs: $1,100-$1,900.

Jordan

Results of the Jordan Cattle Auction’s Dec. 18 sale: Head: 2,065 Steers: 200-300 lbs., $320-$370; 300-400 lbs., $300-$372.50; 400500 lbs., $270-$340; 500-600 lbs., $250-$302.50; 600-700 lbs., $230$260; 700-800 lbs, $220-$242.

Heifers: 200-300 lbs.,$280-$350; 300-400 lbs., $260-$390; 400-500 lbs., $240-$307.50; 500-600 lbs., $220-$280; 600-700 lbs., $215$270; 700-800 lbs., $210-$233.

Slaughter bulls: $126-$141.

Slaughter cows: $103-$127.

Crops Conference set for Jan. 27-28

By Kay LedBetter Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

CHILDRESS — Texas and Oklahoma officials along the Red River will address the issues of importance to regional farmers and ranchers on both sides of the state line at the annual Red River Crops Conference on Jan 27-28.

The two-day event is designed to provide crop production information for Southwest Oklahoma and the Texas Rolling Plains, said Stan Bevers, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agricultural economist in Vernon.

The event will begin with registration from 7:45-8:15 a.m. on Jan. 27 and continue through 4:15 p.m. each day at the Fair Park Auditorium, 1000 Commerce St. in Childress.

Preregistration by Jan. 23 is encouraged, Bevers said. The fee is $25 for one or both days. To register, print the form at agrisk. tamu.edu/.

Make checks payable to the Red River Crops Conference and

mail to 100 N.W. Ave. E, Courthouse Box 9, Childress, TX 792012351.

In-season and summer crops will be featured on Jan. 27.

Discussion topics will include a long-term weather forecast, canola and other specialty crops, a discussion of the 2014 farm bill decisions, wheat management, stocker cattle and a market outlook.

Cotton will be featured on Jan. 28, with topics including market outlook, variety discussions, herbicide options, seed treatments and disease management, irrigation and new technology from industry representatives.

The conference alternates between Oklahoma and Texas.

In the Red River region, obstacles can include limited water and land resources, and weather extremes, such as hot and dry summers and bitterly cold winters, he said.

For more information, contact a local Extension office in either Texas or Oklahoma, or call Bevers at 940-552-9941, extension 225.

Navasota Results of the Navasota Livestock Auction Co.’s Dec. 13sale: Head: 1,940 Steers: 150-300 lbs., $225$460; 300-400 lbs., $225-$400; 400-500 lbs., $185-$350; 500600 lbs., $175-$285; 600-700 lbs., $170-$242.50.

Heifers: 150-300 lbs., $195$385; 300-400 lbs., $185-$335; 400-500 lbs., $185-$320; 500600 lbs., $175-$285; 600-700 lbs., $170-$250.

Slaughter bulls: $100-$141.

Slaughter cows: $85-$113.

Stocker cows: $1,300-$3,500.

Cow/calf pairs: $1,800-$3,500.

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News

Consequences of Texas drought continue to linger

By BLAIR FANNIN Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Texas agriculture industry experts discussed the future of water and its impact on crop production before 287 attendees at the 26th Texas Plant Protection Association Conference held recently at the Brazos Center in Bryan Bill Dugas, acting vice chancellor for agriculture and life sciences and acting dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences for The Texas A&M University System, opened the conference with welcoming remarks.

“Your efforts are to be commended in bringing together everyone in this setting to discuss these important issues,” Dugas said. “Though we’ve received rain, drought is still an issue in Texas and will continue to be an issue in Texas as 35 percent of the state is still in extreme or exceptional drought status.”

“Looking at a 50-year horizon, by 2060 there will be 80 percent more Texans living here in the state,” said Carlos Rubinstein, chairman of the Texas Water Development Board and one of the general session speakers.

“That’s more than 57 million people needing water here in Texas.”

Rubinstein said by 2060, Texas will be short 8.3 million acre feet of water if current water plan goals are not met.

“We all remember 2009 and how dry it was,” he said. “In 2011, Texas used 18 million acre feet of

water. So, where is the water going to come from?”

Rubinstein said a state water plan, which serves as a model to others, aims to solve the challenges. He said about one-third of the water needed will be met by conservation and reuse.

“To me, that’s the cheapest water we can have because it’s water we already have,” he said.

Another third will come from proposed new water sources and infrastructure, such as incentivizing seawater and desalination.

Rubinstein said “there’s no magic bullet” to solving Texas’ future water needs, but the agency does have dedicated financing to fund local water projects, something that wasn’t available in the past. The funding is a result of Texas voters passing an amendment in 2013 authorizing $2 billion from the Rainy Day Fund to create the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas or SWIFT. SWIFT funds will be used to leverage loans to develop approved water projects. The water development board currently is accepting applications until Feb. 3.

Loans are not made to for-profit entities.

Water districts also will play an important role, Rubinstein said.

Not fewer than 20 percent of the funds will be used for conservation and not fewer than 10 percent will be used for agriculture and rural water, he noted.

“That’s a floor, not a ceiling,

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Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin

Carlos Rubinstein, chairman of the Texas Water Development Board and one of the general session speakers at the 2014 Texas Plant Protection Association Conference. and I hope we can go above that.”

Travis Miller, interim director for state operations for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in College Station, discussed the historical and economic implications of drought to Texas.

“It’s very important that you are here and part of this dialogue, as this is a very important issue,” Miller said. “We’re not talking about water, but the lack of water.”

Miller said during the Dust-

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News Healthy, from Page 18 contains organic matter. Earthworms are major decomposers of dead organic matter and derive their nutrition from bacteria and fungi that grow on it.

“Earthworms dramatically alter soil structure, water movement, nutrient dynamics and plant growth,” said Clive Edwards of The Ohio State University. “They are not essential to all healthy soils, but their presence is usually an indicator of a healthy system.

Earthworms perform several beneficial functions: • Mix and aggregate soil.

• Stimulate microbial activity.

• Increase infiltration.

• Improve water-holding capacity.

• Provide channels for root growth.

• Bury and shred plant residue.

“Under normal no-till soil conditions, certain types of bacteria decompose plant residue material, organic matter and manure,” Archuleta said.

“These bacteria are part of the natural decomposition process.

They convert organic material

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into available plant nutrients.

Tillage exposes organic matter and the biotic cementing agents and causes them to consume bacteria.

“These bacteria have incredible ability to digest lots of carbon and multiply rapidly.

“It is decomposition gone wrong, just like cancer devours the human body and causes it to malfunction. Tillage stimulates the soil bacteria to feed on the body (the soil structure) and aggregation is diminished.

When this happens, soils do not store water and nutrients efficiently and function is diminished.”

Use cover, rotation

Maintaining a continuous vegetative cover on pastures provides armor to protect the soil. This can be accomplished by keeping stocking rates in balance with available forage and avoiding overgrazing.

“Heavy stocking rates are detrimental to both land resources and livestock performance,” said Robert Lyons of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. “Over time, heavy stocking causes the more palatable and productive forage species to disappear. These desirable forages are replaced by less productive, less palatable plants that capture less rainfall, thus lowering the capacity of the soil to store moisture and increasing the risk of erosion.”

“Over the short term, a heavy

stocking rate may lower forage quality by removing green foliage and forcing animals to consume dead, standing forage,” Lyons said.

“Over the long term, a heavy stocking rate removes almost all edible forage so that only immature plants remain. While this immature forage is high quality, there isn’t enough of it.

“A major goal in grazing management must be to leave enough forage in a pasture to protect the soil and maintain plant vigor (Table 1). In grazing, both forage quality and quantity are important, and both affect livestock productivity and net profits.”

Develop a soil health management plan

According to the fact sheet, a soil management plan is a roadmap to soil health, which is best developed with help from the Natural Resource Conservation Service.

The plan outlines a system of practices needed to enhance forage production and soil function, and improve or sustain water quality, air quality, energy efficiency and wildlife habitat. In addition, it provides environmental, economic, health, and societal benefits.

Implementation of a soil health plan saves energy by using less fuel for tillage and nutrient cycling is maximized. It also saves water and increases drought tolerance of the ranch

Photo by Robert Fears

Soil needs to be continually covered with vegetation to provide armor. by improving infiltration and water holding capacity as soil organic matter increases.

There are less disease and pest problems when soil is

healthy. As soil health is improved, plants become healthier which increases income sustainability for farms and ranches.

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landandlivestockpost.com Water, from Page 17 bowl of the 1930s, Texas and Oklahoma were hardest hit. More than 3.5 million people were displaced as result of the drought, relocating to California and other states, Miller said.

“The whole population was affected, not just agriculture,” he said.

During the 1950s drought, 25 percent of Texas’ rural population moved to urban areas.

Economic losses have been staggering to Texas agriculture, Miller said. The 2011 drought led to $7.6 billion in agricultural losses, which were on top of $3.6 billion in losses in 2009 and $4.1 billion in 2006. In 1998, drought losses were put at $2.4 billion.

Hardest hit has been Texas’ beef cattle industry, Miller said.

Texas beef cow numbers were 5.35 million head in 2005. In 2014, that number was cut to 3.91 mil-

lion head.

“Beef cattle are our most valuable, marketable commodity in Texas,” Miller said. “That decline was due to loss of forage base, the resources to stock and restock cattle, and prices became too high to restock. We’ve seen a 27 percent decrease in the number of mother cows and statewide. That’s been a huge loss of resource as far as cattle are concerned.”

As a result of fewer mother cows and calves to market, it’s also led to closures of packing plants. Miller noted the closure of San Angelo Packing Inc. in April 2013 and the Plainview Excel plant in February 2013, eliminating 2,000 jobs.

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News

Scoring helps assess Bovine Respiratory Disease

By Bryan nichols The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation

The Bovine Respiratory Disease Symposium was held July 30-31, 2014, in Denver, Colorado.

This meeting is held once every five years to discuss strides that have been made in dealing with Bovine Respiratory Disease. The agenda, among other topics, included discussion on current experiences in the beef and dairy industries, subclinical effects of BRD, and new research on identifying genetic markers that will hopefully aid in identifying cattle susceptible to Bovine Respiratory Disease.

One topic was discussed that cattlemen always are trying to improve upon – how to decide whether or not to pull and treat a calf. The acronym that many use as a guide is “DART,” which stands for depression, appetite, respiration and temperature. If cattle are exhibiting symptoms related to these attributes, they may require treatment, but what magnitude and combination of these symptoms warrants treatment? To start, all producers should form a relationship with a veterinarian to help answer these questions. Below is some information gathered from veterinarians, other professionals and personal experience.

One system presented at the symposium was designed for diagnosing and treating dairy calves. This system uses six clin-

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L A R G E S T

Photo courtesy of The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation

Using a system to determine treatment of diseases such as Bovine Respiratory Disease introduces more objectivity into decision-making. ical signs, which are classified as either normal or abnormal.

The symptoms of cough, eye discharge, respiration and fever (above 102.5° Fahrenheit) are assigned a score of 2 each if present. Nasal discharge is assigned 4 points. Calves exhibiting ear droop or head tilt are assigned 5 points. If a calf has a cumulative score of 5 or higher, he is classified as having Bovine Respiratory Disease and is treated. For example, a calf exhibits eye discharge (2 points) and nasal discharge (4 points). This calf has a cumulative score of 6 and therefore is treated. If the calf exhibits nasal discharge only (4 points), then he would be pulled and his temperature would be measured. If the temperature is greater than 102.5° F, he would be treated.

If the temperature is less than 102.5° F, he would not be treated.

When receiving cattle at the Noble Foundation, a similar system is used. Symptoms of Bovine Respiratory Disease include depression/lethargy, unwillingness to consume feed, gaunt appearance, isolation, labored breathing, coughing, nasal discharge, eye discharge, droopy head or ears, and weakness or “knuck-

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News Scoring, from Page 20 ling” of hind fetlocks. Cattle are scored as follows: 0 = no symptoms; 1 = mild exhibition of one or two symptoms; 2 = mild exhibition of more than two symptoms or severe exhibition of one or two symptoms; 3 = severe exhibition of more than two symptoms; 4 = very severe exhibition of several symptoms. If cattle score a 1 or 2, they are moved to the chute. If they exhibit a temperature of 104° F or greater, they are treated. If the temperature is less than 104° F, they are not treated. If cattle score a 3 or 4, they are treated regardless of their temperature.

Using a system such as one of these introduces more objectivity into decision-making. Used

in conjunction with adequate recordkeeping, it allows a producer to identify progress. For example, a producer follows the above protocol and does not treat calves that exhibit a score of 2 with no fever.

That producer’s records, however, indicate that 90 percent of those cattle are being pulled again within the next three days and requiring treatment.

This information may justify an adjustment to the protocol or scoring system.

At the heart of this discussion is the need to use data to assist in decision-making. Records help make objective decisions and monitor the success or failure of decisions that have been previously made.

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Disked strips work well as long as any grass or thatch is properly turned under. If not, fire can creep through the disked strip where plant material is contiguous, escaping outside of the designated burn unit.

Abundant thatch in firebreaks should be monitored throughout the day of the burn and addressed quickly if it begins smoldering.

Checking the amount of thatch prior to a burn and deciding in advance how you will deal with it will assist you in conducting a safe burn.

Earth-Kind Landscape Short Course

By Kathleen PhilliPs Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Professionals who manage and maintain urban green spaces are encouraged to attend the EarthKind Landscape Short Course Jan. 21-23 in College Station, according to organizer Mengmeng Gu, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service horticulture specialist.

The event will be at the Thomas G. Hildebrand Equine Complex, 3240 F&B Road. Registration is $375 before Jan. 9 and $435 after. Single-day registration is available for $135 prior to Jan. 9 or $150 thereafter. Register at agriliferegister.tamu.edu/horticulture.

“The course will benefit municipal, school and city water personnel, particularly those

interested in developing sustainable urban landscape conservation programs,” Gu said.

“Information about all urban green spaces – from residential to parks, commercial properties and golf courses – will be presented.”

The three-day course will feature a variety of AgriLife Extension specialists from throughout the state.

Continuing education units will be offered for Texas Nursery and Landscape Association certified professionals and for Texas Department of Agriculture licensed pesticide applicators.

A second three-day short course will be held at the Fort Worth Botanical Garden from Sept. 23-25, Gu said.

For more information, contact Gu at 979-845-8567 or mgu@tamu. edu.

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News Research shows ibuprofen may extend life in humans, animals

By Kathleen PhilliPs Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

COLLEGE STATION — A common over-the-counter drug that tackles pain and fever also may hold keys to a longer, healthier life, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientist. Regular doses of ibuprofen extended the lifespan of multiple species, according to research published in the journal Public Library of Science-Genetics.

“We first used baker’s yeast, which is an established aging model, and noticed that the yeast treated with ibuprofen lived longer,” said Michael Polymenis, an AgriLife Research biochemist in College Station.

“Then we tried the same process with worms and flies and saw the same extended lifespan.

Plus, these organisms not only lived longer, but also appeared healthy.”

He said the treatment, given at doses comparable to the recommended human dose, added about 15 percent more to the species lives. In humans, that would be equivalent to another dozen or so years of healthy living.

Polymenis, who also is a professor in the biochemistry and biophysics department at Texas A&M University, collaborated with Brian Kennedy, the president and CEO of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging in Novato, California, along with several researchers from Russia and the University of Washington.

Ibuprofen is a relatively safe drug that was created in the early 1960s in England. It first was made available by prescription and then, after widespread use, became available over-thecounter throughout the world in the 1980s.

The World Health Organization includes ibuprofen on its “List of Essential Medications”

Texas A&M AgriLife Research photo

by Kathleen Phillips

Ibuprofen, a common over-the-counter drug worldwide, added to the healthy lifespan of yeast, worms and flies in a recent study. needed in a basic health system.

Ibuprofen is described as a“nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used for relieving pain, helping with fever and reducing inflammation.”

Polymenis said the three-year project showed that ibuprofen in-

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terferes with the ability of yeast cells to pick up tryptophan, an amino acid found in every cell of every organism.

Tryptophan is essential for humans, who get it from protein sources in the diet.

“We are not sure why this works, but it’s worth exploring further.

“This study was a proof of principle to show that common, relatively safe drugs in humans can extend the lifespan of very diverse organisms.

“Therefore, it should be possible to find others like ibuprofen with even better ability to extend lifespan, with the aim of adding healthy years of life in people.”

“Dr. Polymenis approached me with this idea of seeing how his cell cycle analysis corresponded with our aging studies,” Kennedy said.

“He had identified some drugs that had some really unique properties, and we wanted to

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know if they might affect aging, so we did those studies in our lab.

We’re beginning to find not just ibuprofen, but other drugs that affect aging, so we’re really excited about it.

“Our institute is interested in finding out why people get sick when they get old.

“We think that by understanding those processes, we can intervene and find ways to extend human health span, keeping people healthier longer and slowing down aging. That’s our ultimate goal.”

Chong He, a postdoctoral fellow at Buck Institute and lead author on the paper, said looking deeper into the common drugs that target individual diseases might shed light on understanding the aging process.

“We have some preliminary

data on worms that showed that this drug also extended the health span in worms,” she said.

“It made them live not just longer but also more healthy.

“You can measure the thrashing of the worms. If they’re healthy, they do have a tendency to thrash a lot, and also we can measure the pumping as they swallow, because if they’re healthy, the pumping is faster.

“Ibuprofen is something that people have been taking for years, and no one actually knew that it can have some benefits for longevity and health span.”

The research was funded by the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the Ellison Medical Foundation and the Glenn Foundation for Medical Research.

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