Proceeds from the sales benefit the society, officials said. The traditional red holiday plants are available for pick-up starting Dec. 1 at the Department of Plant and Soil Science’s greenhouse complex located on the corner of Main and Hartford, just north of the United Spirit Arena.

E-Mail Orders. Campus delivery is available by prior arrangement for orders of five or more. E-mail orders can be made at ttupoinsettia@yahoo.com and an order confirmation will be returned. Officials indicate that all orders must be received by Dec. 4 at 5:00 pm.

According to the Society of American Florists, more people buy floral gifts for others and themselves at Christmas than any other time of the year. More than 80 percent of flowering plants purchased now are poinsettias, primarily the traditional red variety.

First Cultivation. The Aztecs in Mexico first cultivated the flowering native evergreen shrub as a symbol of purity and for its reddish purple dye and medicinal latex. But it wasn’t until the 17th century that poinsettias started to be associated with Christmas.

In 1825, Joel Robert Poinsett - botanist, first American ambassador to Mexico and the poinsettia’s namesake - introduced the shrub to the United States. It took another century before they started to be sold as potted plants in the U.S. and Canada during the holiday season. Today, poinsettias come in more than 100 varieties, with many shapes and sizes.

Written by Sean Cleveland

CONTACT: Thayne Montague, Associate Professor of Horticulture with joint appointment with Texas AgriLife Research, Department of Plant and Soil Science, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-3012 or thayne.montague@ttu.edu

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The hi-tech gear is used to estimate the plant’s biophysical characteristics, including ground cover, leaf area, biomass and yield.

“Improved monitoring of peanut crops could one day help growers have a healthier crop through improved irrigation practices and pinpoint application of fungicides,” said Stephan Maas, a Texas Tech professor of agricultural microclimatology with joint appointment with Texas AgriLife Research. Maas is a participant in the project, along with Texas Tech Postdoctoral Research Associate Nithya Rajan.

Remote sensing describes the science of identifying, observing and measuring an object without making direct contact with it. The process involves the detection and measurement of light in different wavelengths reflected by the object.

In this instance, the remote sensing system contains high-resolution digital cameras fitted with narrow band-pass filters that allow the cameras to acquire imagery in specific wavelengths of light related to plant growth. The cameras are carried by a single-engine Cessna 172 aircraft operated by Plainview-based South Plains Precision Ag, Inc.

It’s the first year Texas Tech remote sensing experts and peanut breeding specialists from New Mexico State University have used the method on peanuts and, so far, both are excited about the results.

“Development of relationships between biophysical characteristics and remote sensing data could allow routine monitoring of peanut crop growth and yield potential in producers’ fields,” said Naveen Puppala, a peanut breeder with New Mexico State University’s Agricultural Science Center at Clovis. “With more research on remote sensing, it will help the growers to identify the correct time to irrigate their crops.”

Digital data taken from Tech’s remote sensing imagery has already been used to calculate vegetation values – including what’s technically called the normalized difference vegetation index and the perpendicular vegetation index – for the peanut canopies growing in test plots. The two indicators are used to measure the peanut plant’s growth and leaf canopy density.

“Growing the most cost efficient peanut possible is vital to the survival of Texas peanut production,” said Shelly Nutt, executive director at the Texas Peanut Producers Board. “Maximizing irrigation efficiency is key to peanut production profitability.”

Georgia leads the nation in peanut production, followed by the next-largest grower, Texas. Last year’s peanut production was record breaking with the largest crop on record along with the highest average yield on record. Total U.S. peanut production for 2008 was estimated at 5.1 billion pounds.

Written by Norman Martin

CONTACT: Stephan Maas, Professor of Agricultural Microclimatology with joint appointment with Texas AgriLife Research, Department of Plant and Soil Science, Texas Tech University at (806) 723-5235 or stephen.maas@ttu.edu

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Posting a stunning total team score of 4,653 points, the Red Raiders were followed in the championship battle by Texas A&M University, the University of Nebraska, Western Illinois University and Oklahoma State University.

“It was a thrilling victory,” said Ryan Rathmann, coach of the team and an assistant professor with Tech’s Department of Animal and Food Sciences. “We thought we were too far behind, but the team won reasons by such a large margin that they narrowly pulled it off.”

Ultimately, Tech’s livestock judging team won overall reasons, beef cattle, beef reasons, and performance beef cattle divisions. They were second in the sheep division. Individually, Tech’s Josh Flohr, a senior from Emmitsburg, Md., won fourth high individual overall, in addition to winning the swine and overall reasons divisions. Ben Cammack, a senior from Seguin, took the cattle reasons divisions.

Other team members participating in the events were:
• Micah Dorsey, a senior from Strasburg, Colo.
• Paige Futrell, a senior from Midland
• Cade Halfmann, a senior from Garden City
• CA Jones, a senior from Sunray
• Drew Perez, a senior from Nara Vista, N.M.
• Drew Schmidt, a senior from Taneytown, Md.
• Trae Simmons, a senior from Tipton, Ind.
• Olivia Tilly, a senior from Hawley
• Austin Voyles, a senior from Hale Center
• Curtis Williams, a senior from Clovis, N.M.

The team was coached by Rathmann, Josh Campbell and Bryan Bernhard.

“Consistency in winning national championships is rare,” said Kevin Pond, chairman of Tech’s Department of Animal and Food Sciences. ”Having three consecutive national championship teams is the result of great coaching, a strong work ethic and attracting the best students to Texas Tech University.”

Rathmann’s livestock judging teams have garnered six national championships in each of the six years he has coached, three at Texas A&M and three at Texas Tech. The accomplishment makes him the most winning coach in livestock judging history.

“I’ve been blessed with outstanding students on our judging teams, and I’ve been extremely proud of their accomplishments,” Rathmann said. “This win proved to these students that there is nothing in life that they will not be able to take head-on and defeat with hard work and determination.”

Written by Norman Martin

CONTACT: Moriah Beyers, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2805, ext. 248 or moriah.beyers@ttu.edu

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“This team has worked extremely hard to accomplish their goal,” said Mark Miller, professor and San Antonio Livestock Show Distinguished Chair in Meat Science. “They were blessed with the national championship, and I couldn’t be more proud of their efforts.”

The Texas Tech team, which won six of seven national contests during the season, took the top spot by an 18-point margin and an overall team score of 4,052 points. Program officials reported that the Red Raiders won the beef judging, specifications and reasons divisions, and finished second in total beef.

Rounding out the ‘Top 5’ teams were South Dakota State University, Oklahoma State University, University of Illinois and Kansas State University. Individually, Collin Corbin, a Texas Tech junior from League City, placed third overall in the competition, and Josh McCann, a junior from Newport, Va., won high individual in the alternate division.

Four other Tech students joined McCann in the ‘Top 10’ of the alternate division. Adam Copeland, a junior from Katy; Henry Ruiz, a senior from Eagle Pass; Josh Hasty, a senior from Cleburne; and Brandon O’Quinn, a junior from League City, finished second, third, fourth and sixth, respectively.

Other members of Tech’s team were Matt Bruton, a junior from Throckmorton; Sarah Calhoun, a junior from Weatherford; Tate Corliss, a senior from Estancia, N.M.; Kelsey Fletcher, a junior from Universal City; Kelly Hutton, a junior from Castle Rock, Colo.; Meagan Igo, a junior from Plainview; Amber Krause, a junior from Florence; and Abby Long, a junior from Boerne. The team was coached by graduate student Travis O’Quinn and Miller.

Separately, Corbin and Igo were named 2009 First Team All American team members. Long and Bruton were named 2009 Second Team All American team members. Members of the All American Teams are selected based upon scholastic achievement and competition performance. The Rachel Hamilton Spirit Award was presented to Corliss in recognition of his commitment, dedication and teamwork.

Intercollegiate meat judging has been a serious business since it started more than eight decades ago. About 40 colleges normally compete in six sanctioned competitions a year, culminating in the international championship in Dakota City, Neb., in November.

At contests, students spend most of a day examining whole and dismembered carcasses. They score meat quality, leanness and butchering technique in detail; then, meat experts grade their work. Intercollegiate judging is a prime training ground for U.S. meat companies.

Written by Norman Martin

CONTACT: Moriah Beyers, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2805, ext. 248 or moriah.beyers@ttu.edu

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Ohio State University professor Robert Birkenholz published the study, titled “Characteristics of Distinguished Programs of Agricultural Education” in the American Association for Agricultural Education Research Conference Proceedings.

University of Florida claimed the top spot based on weighted responses. Texas A&M University, Ohio State, the University of Missouri, Iowa State University, Oklahoma State University, North Carolina State University, Pennsylvania State University and the University of Arizona completed the list of schools claiming distinguished programs.

“It was unique that we were the only non-land grant institution in the top 10,” said Steve Fraze, Department of Agricultural Education and Communications chairman and Garrison Professor of Agricultural Education and Communications.

“It is a great compliment to the faculty in our department for their dedication to teaching and research,” he said. “We reached an all-time high of graduate students enrolled this fall, with students coming from 11 states as well as from Canada and Greece. We are receiving inquiries from potential graduate students on a daily basis. It’s obvious to everyone here that this recognition is being noticed by numerous people.”

Texas Tech students with an interest in agricultural education major in interdisciplinary agriculture in the Department of Agricultural Education and Communications. Interdisciplinary agriculture has two tracks: teacher certification and agricultural leadership.

Written by Cory Chandler

CONTACT: Steve Fraze, Chairman, Department of Agricultural Education and Communications, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2816 or steven.fraze@ttu.edu

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Thomas Knight, a professor in Tech’s Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, was among five faculty members from across the university recognized for their achievements this year. As part of the award, Knight was honored at a special reception at the Merket Alumni Center and during halftime ceremonies at the Oct. 31 Texas Tech-Kansas football game in Lubbock.

Prior to joining the Texas Tech faculty in 2002, Knight served as an assistant, associate and full professor at Texas A&M University. Knight received a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in agricultural economics from Oklahoma State University. His doctorate in agricultural economics is from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Awards for Knight include the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Research Award (2009); Texas A&M’s Department of Agricultural Economics Graduate Student Association Faculty Appreciation Award (1996); and Texas A&M’s Deputy Chancellor Award for Excellence in Team Research (1988).

Omicron Delta Kappa, founded in 1914, is a national leadership honor society. The society recognizes achievement in the five areas of scholarship; athletics; campus-community service, social-religious activities, and campus government; journalism, speech and the mass media; and creative and performing arts.

Separately, Mortar Board is a national honor society that recognizes college seniors for excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership and service. Its members represent the top scholars and leaders on their campuses, officials claim. Since its establishment in 1918, nearly a quarter of a million members have been initiated at 228 chartered chapters across the nation.

Written by Norman Martin

CONTACT: John Burns, Dean, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2808 or john.burns@ttu.edu

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The Bastrop native indicated that he’s particularly interested in continuing his research into the scientific validations of assumptions made in live animal evaluation across all species. In the past his research has focused on feedlot nutrition, carcass composition and muscle biology.

Critical Role. “Despite tremendous advancements in genetic technologies associated with the more precise selection of parent animals and the management and marketing of terminal animals, subjective live animal evaluation is always going to play a critical role in animal selection practices,” Rathmann said.

One of his goals is to provide a greater understanding of the bridge between these technologies and subjective evaluation principles in order to make animal breeders and marketers more precise in their decision making.

Separately, Rathmann continues his involvement with the university’s national championship livestock judging and meat animal evaluation teams, serving as a coach and faculty advisor for both teams.

Dominate Competition. Under Rathmann’s leadership his livestock judging teams have garnered five national championships in each of the five years he has coached, three at Texas A&M University and two here at Texas Tech. “I’ve been blessed with outstanding students on our judging teams and I’ve been extremely proud of their accomplishments,” he said.

Rathmann’s teams not only win national championships, they often dominate the competition with record-setting scores. For instance, his 2003 team won every national contest in which it was entered and earned the coveted national championship Spoor Trophy with a record breaking score, replacing a benchmark that had stood for more than 40 years.

Rathmann received his bachelor’s degree in animal science and master’s degree in beef cattle reproduction from Texas A&M. His doctorate in ruminant nutrition is from Texas Tech.

Written by Sean Cleveland

CONTACT: Ryan Rathmann, Assistant Professor, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2805 ext 233 or ryan.rathmann@ttu.edu.

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The competition hosted more than 20 teams from across the nation, including Kansas State University, Iowa State University, University of Illinois and Purdue University, officials said. Participants competed in oral and poster presentation events, as well as the Quiz Bowl.

Team members include:
• Justin Cave, a junior from Ackerly
• Ward McCown, a senior from Wolfforth
• Heath Reeves, a senior from Hale Center
• Galen Roberts , a senior from Brownfield

Tech’s Agronomy Club Team is coached by Craig Bednarz, a professor of crop physiology in the plant and soil science department with joint appointment with Texas AgriLife Research. The annual competition, which began in the 1960s, is held in conjunction with the American Society of Agronomy International Annual Meeting.

SASES, an undergraduate student organization of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America and Soil Science Society of America, is composed of chapters located at colleges and universities that provide a curriculum in agronomy, crops, soils and environmental sciences.

A variety of programs and activities are offered on the local and national level for students to become professionally involved and to prepare for their future careers, officials said.

Written by Norman Martin

CONTACT: Craig Bednarz, Professor of Crop Physiology with joint appointment with Texas AgriLife Research, Department of Plant and Soil Science, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-1631 or craig.bednarz@ttu.edu

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The annual awards recognize individuals for contributions to various areas of Texas agriculture. This year’s recipients (left-right) are Gordon Davis of Lubbock for agribusiness, Jimmie Ruth Evans of San Antonio for public service, and Dave Hopper of Hereford for agricultural production.

Gordon Davis - Agribusiness
Davis is founder and chairman of CEV Multimedia Ltd. Company officials note that agricultural education and agriculture teachers are the cornerstone of CEV’s customer base, contributing to more than 50 percent of CEV’s sales annually.
• Davis previously served as an assistant professor and associate professor at Texas Tech and currently works as an adjunct professor with CASNR’s Department of Animal and Food Sciences. In 1985, 1996 and 2005 Davis co-founded three endowments for meat science excellence administered by Texas Tech, including the Gordon W. Davis Regent’s Chair in Meat & Muscle Biology currently held by muscle biologist Bradley Johnson.
• He coached two national championship meat judging teams (Texas A&M University 1973; Texas Tech 1989) and was the recipient of Distinguished Master’s Graduate Student, Texas A&M (1975). He is the recipient of an outstanding teacher award and hall of fame distinguished service awards from the Department of Animal Science (Texas Tech 2004; Washington State University 2008); along with the Tom Glazier Award for Texas FFA (2008) and Passion for Excellence Award-Texas FFA Foundation (2008).

Jimmie Ruth Evans - Public Service
Evans is a native of San Antonio. Raised on the Wittenburg Ranch near Rocksprings, Evans graduated from Texas Tech with a bachelor’s degree in 1971. Her major was elementary education and her minor was American history. She began her career as a fifth grade teacher at Randolph Air Force Base following graduation from Texas Tech. She is a life member and volunteer for the San Antonio Livestock Exposition. She has served as president and senior vice president for the organization in the past.
• Evans has served on Texas Tech’s Range, Wildlife and Fisheries Management Advisory Board, Agrifood Education Council and the 4-H Foundation Board. She also has worked with the 4-H Scholarship Advisory Committee, International Agritech Center, and the West Texas Boys Ranch Foundation Board. She is a member of the Texas Sheep & Goat Raisers Association, and currently is co-chairman of the Girl Scouts Capital Campaign.
• She is the recipient of the Freeman Award for commitment and support of Texas Agribusiness, Texas Tech’s Distinguished Alumni Award, the Appreciation Award for Area III from the Career and Technology Administrators of Texas, an honorary FFA degree and the Texas 4-H Alumni Award. Evans has been inducted into the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame in Agriculture, and been recognized for her lifetime of exemplary volunteer work by the Texas Senate.

Dave Hopper - Agricultural Production
Hopper received a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from Texas Tech in 1955 and a Bachelor of Science in agricultural education in 1957. He was a member of the Texas Tech National Intercollegiate Championship Rodeo Team in 1955 and was the 1957 National Intercollegiate Bareback Riding Champion.
• He traveled the rodeo circuit for 14 years as a professional rodeo cowboy. In 1967, he began working as a mill manager for Easley Feedyard in Hereford. After two years he moved to Fort Worth to become a buyer and sales representative for the Vann-Roach Cattle Company. He moved back to Hereford where he served as president and partner of Champion Feeders for more than three decades.
• Hopper has served on the board of directors for the Texas Cattle Feeders Association and the National Cattlemen’s Association, as well as working on a variety of committees for the Texas Cattle Feeders Association. His community service includes working with the Hereford Lion’s Club, Deaf Smith County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Whiteface Booster Club Board of Directors, and the Hereford YMCA Board of Directors. Hopper served on the board of directors and as president of the Texas Tech Red Raider Club, as well as receiving CASNR’s Natural Resources Distinguished Alumnus Award (2000).

Written by Norman Martin

CONTACT: Memory Bennett, Coordinator of Alumni Relations Tech University College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, (806)742-2802 or memory.bennett@ttu.edu

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Officials indicated that $148,000 of the grant will go directly to the Texas Water Science Center field station at Texas Tech. The entire project is one of only 18 selected for Geological Survey funding from nearly 200 proposals this year.

“This is a first for a project of this nature to be conducted in Texas, and I’m excited about potential benefits this project may offer to conservation and management of aquatic natural resources in the state,” said Reynaldo Patino, a professor with Texas Tech’s Department of Natural Resources Management with a joint appointment at the Geological Survey.

Patino and fellow scientists, Katharine Hayhoe from the university’s geosciences department, Chris Taylor from Texas Tech’s natural resources management department, and William Asquith from the Geological Survey’s Texas Water Science Center, have identified four specific objectives. They include:
• Assemble an electronic database of observed historical water temperatures and other relevant water quality information for a number of the state’s reservoirs with significant fisheries resource status.
• Combine historical data with projected changes in air temperatures as reflected in leading extant climate simulation models.
• Assess impact of predicted changes in water temperature on the physical and chemical environments of the state’s aquatic biotic resources.
• And, ultimately, conduct a retrospective analysis of relationships that may exist between historical changes in water quality, and the relatively recent spread of golden algae throughout the region.

Golden algae are a harmful invasive species that have recently caused considerable damage to the state’s aquatic resources, as well as those of a number of other states in the region. First appearing in Texas in 1985 in the Pecos River, golden algae or Prymnesium parvum have since surfaced in many river systems throughout Texas.

Although it can exist in waters without being harmful, the algae have caused major fish kills in five of the state’s major river systems. When this algae has explosive increases in its population, called blooms, it secretes toxic chemicals into the water. These toxins kill fish and other gill-breathing animals.

Written by Sean Cleveland

CONTACT: Reynaldo Patino, unit leader and professor, Department of Natural Resources Management, Texas Tech University and U.S. Geological Survey – Texas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, (806) 742-2851 ext. 261 or reynaldo.patino@ttu.edu

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