West Texas Rangelands

08/22/2026

The proof is in the data. Fire as a management tool serves multiple purposes. When prescribed fire is used with purpose the results speak for themselves.

How does prairie grass respond to multiple fires?

Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)

Root biomass, shoot biomass and flowering stalks ALL INCREASED with more fires.

Big Bluestem Flowering Stalks (after 10 years)
0 burns = 3 stalks/sq ft
2 burns = 3 stalks/sq ft
3 burns = 5 stalks/sq ft
4 burns = 12 stalks/sq ft

Big Bluestem Root Biomass (after 10 years)
0 burns = 8,000 lbs/ac
2 burns = 10,000 lbs/ac
3 burns = 11,200 lbs/ac
4 burns = 11,600 lbs/ac

Big Bluestem Shoot Biomass (after 10 years)
0 burns = 3,200 lbs/ac
2 burns = 3,200 lbs/ac
3 burns = 5,200 lbs/ac
4 burns = 12,100 lbs/ac

Data from Elmer et al. 1963 Productivity of Two Prairie Grasses in Relation to Fire Frequency
https://www.jstor.org/stable/1932186

08/22/2026

🌾Pasture Mealybug Update for Texas Producers

While pasture mealybug was first identified farther east, this issue matters to West Texas producers because healthy forage is the foundation of every livestock operation. As infestations continue to be identified farther north and west across the state, now is the time to learn how to identify this pest, monitor pastures, and understand available management options.

🏁Check out the latest updates from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Entomologists who have been in the field putting the science to work evaluating possible control options.

https://agrilifetoday.tamu.edu/2026/08/14/agrilife-extension-updates-fact-sheet-with-new-pasture-mealybug-treatment/

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service updates its pasture mealybug fact sheet with guidance on newly approved insecticide for Texas producers.

08/21/2026

Join us at the Bennett Land Stewardship Women's Conference! Come see us October 5-6, 2026, in Fredericksburg for one of our favorite events of the year!

👇Register today: Link in the post below.

Explore the topics shaping the future of land stewardship! 🌱

From soil health and water management to agriculture, conservation and ranching, the Bennett Land Stewardship Women's Conference brings together experts and ideas to help landowners make informed decisions and build a lasting impact.

📅 October 5–6
🔗 Register today: https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/scsc-ev-065

08/20/2026

August in Texas means heat, heat, and more heat! It also means its time to think about preparing for the winter and evaluating forage quality for the winter feeding program.

A forage test can help you understand the quality of your hay, stockpiled forage, and rangeland before winter arrives. Knowing your forage's protein, energy, and mineral content can lead to better supplementation decisions, lower feed costs, and improved livestock performance throughout the winter grazing season. Research has shown that nutrient levels in Texas forage species can vary significantly by plant type and season.

Join us as we focus on forage testing as one of the most valuable tools producers can use to prepare for winter and support both livestock and rangeland health.

📖 Read the full article: https://agrilife.org/westtexasrangelands/knowyourforage/

08/19/2026

Range Flash - Dr. Charlie Hart Rangeland Improvement Award Series Call for Nominations - https://mailchi.mp/104e20540772/range-flash-dr-charlie-hart-rangeland-improvement-award-series

08/19/2026

Beyond Barbed Wire!

Virtual fencing is generating a lot of interest across the West, and for good reason. In a region where rugged terrain, labor shortages, and rising infrastructure costs can make traditional fencing challenging, this technology offers new opportunities for managing grazing and responding to changing conditions.

Join this webinar to learn how virtual fencing is being used on working ranches, compare the collar systems currently available, and explore how producers are using GPS-based technology to improve grazing flexibility, protect sensitive areas, and adapt to forage and drought conditions. The webinar will also discuss cost-share opportunities that may help offset implementation costs.

Whether you're a producer, land manager, or natural resource professional, this webinar offers a chance to see how technology is shaping the future of rangeland management.

🗓️ August 20th
⏰ 10:00 AM CST
💻 Join Online!

👇Click the link in the comments below to register!

08/19/2026

Is there a downside to rotational grazing? Absolutely. Your gates are harder to open.

08/18/2026

Oh these summer days with fuel, temperature, and fire breaks. Let’s go hunt some trees in grasslands friends 🌱

08/18/2026

🔥Tomorrow's the day! Join us for Beyond Mowing 🌿

Managing vegetation in parks, trails, and natural areas takes more than a mower. From reducing wildfire risk to improving ecosystem function, prescribed grazing and prescribed fire are becoming valuable tools for creating healthier, more resilient landscapes.

If you're a land manager, parks professional, conservation practitioner, or simply interested in innovative approaches to land stewardship, there's still time to join us for a morning of learning and discussion.

📅August 19, 2026
⏰9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
📍Harris County - The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
📍4501 Woodway Drive, Houston, Texas 77024

Registration has closed but if you want to join us reach out and we will make a plan.

08/17/2026

🌾Plant of the Month🌱
Canada Wildrye (Elymus canadensis)

This month, we're highlighting Canada wildrye, a native cool-season perennial grass found across much of Texas. Often recognized by its distinctive seed heads with long awns, Canada wildrye provides valuable forage and plays an important role in maintaining healthy, diverse rangeland plant communities.

Canada wildrye commonly grows in prairies, bottomlands, and other productive sites where it contributes to soil stability, wildlife habitat, and early-season forage production. Its palatability makes it an important grazing resource for livestock, particularly during periods when warm-season grasses are less productive.

Understanding and recognizing native grasses like Canada wildrye helps landowners and managers evaluate rangeland condition, promote plant diversity, and make informed management decisions that support long-term land stewardship.

The Plant of the Month is proudly sponsored by Bamert Seed Company, a trusted source for high-quality native seed and restoration solutions across Texas.

To learn more about Canada wildrye, visit:
https://rangeplants.tamu.edu/

Explore Bamert Seed Company's native seed offerings at: https://bamertseed.com