Articles - Pitchstone Waters (Page 45)

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All our thoughts, opinions and discussions.

Return of La Niña?

”A weak and emerging La Niña could reduce precipitation, especially across Texas and New Mexico later this winter through next spring. Long-term trends towards warmer temperatures will dominate into 2018 which could point towards a higher-than-normal possibility of a prolonged reduction in soil moisture and subsequent reduced summertime rainfall.” Year-in-and-year-out,

Circle Ranch Wildlife Cameras - Summer 2017

"Invasion Biology"

Circle Ranch Wildlife Cameras - Summer 2017

Every month we review 5,000 pictures and post a few of the most interesting. What is pictured here is biodiversity. Multiple species are complimentary – not competitive. Ranges need keystone grazers like bison or cattle, lots of predators and lots of prey species. Without all these, the systems come apart.

circle_ranch_drough_busters_101

Grasslands and Red Mountain

Summer and Winter at Circle Ranch. Note: This was originally posted May, 2010.

wolves_in_texas

"Invasion Biology"

Are Wolves the Pronghorn's Best Friend?

Let’s look for a holistic solution to pronghorn decline in far-West Texas. As discussed in the article below, pronghorn fawn survival triples when wolves are present because wolves control the coyotes which otherwise kill the pronghorn fawns. Cattle removals, predator removals and so-called invasive species removals have drastically altered

Desert Mule Deer "Management": Does Culling Low-Point Desert Mule Deer Bucks Help or Harm the Herd and Its Genetics?

"Invasion Biology"

Desert Mule Deer "Management": Does Culling Low-Point Desert Mule Deer Bucks Help or Harm the Herd and Its Genetics?

Culling Mule Deer – or whitetail – is scientifically unjustifiable, and does not improve herd genetics. Note: This post originally appeared on this blog in November 2014 Approach #1: Remove Cull Bucks to Improve Herd Genetics …Jerad Wayne Zachary, Deer Guide Dear Mr. Gill, I hope you are doing well. I just

vultures_san_antonio_zoo

Uninvited Vultures Coexist with Animals at San Antonio Zoo

These vultures are neither “invasive” nor “invaders.” They’re just wild animals filling empty niches created by human impact. It’s nature’s way—and they should be left alone. NOTE: This post initially appeared on SAExpressNews.com on September 15, 2017 They weren’t invited, but they’ve made

Why Are Florida’s Orange Trees Dying?

Why Are Florida’s Orange Trees Dying?

“It is not the overpowering invader we must fear, but the weakened condition of the victim.” …William A. Albrecht (1888-1974), Ph.D., Chairman of the Department of Soils at the University of Missouri Other Albrecht quotes: * “Plants that have access to soil that contains the nutrients needed to develop its

condor_californa_feature

"Invasion Biology"

California Condor Takes Flight in Wild After Near Extinction

The condor “once patrolled the sky from Mexico to British Columbia,” including far-West Texas. Perhaps someday soon they will again. While the majestic sight of a condor in flight makes it obvious why we should support national efforts to save endangered species, it is equally important to save less charismatic

Richard Teague et al. on Benefits of Planned Grazing

"Invasion Biology"

Richard Teague et al. on Benefits of Planned Grazing

Here is peer reviewed, hard science from Texas A&M on the topic of holistic planned grazing. This paper by Texas A&M range scientists Richard Teague, Fred Provenza et al. studied the benefits of concentrated, rapidly moving cattle herds on rangeland health. Their peer-reviewed findings contradicted the

Rare Big Bend Grass Added to Federal Endangered Species List

"Invasion Biology"

Rare Big Bend Grass Added to Federal Endangered Species List

Most agencies, universities and conservationists continue to blame cattle grazing for grassland decline. The biodiversity loss described in this article is real but the blame is misplaced. The real cause of grassland decline is lack of animal impact from periodic grazing of bison or cattle and abundant wild species. The

Ranches for Free: Birdwell Creek - Planned Grazing

"Invasion Biology"

Ranches for Free: Birdwell Creek - Planned Grazing

Here is a Texas example of high density planned grazing, which means the owners greatly increased cattle numbers and animal density, improving habitat and forage production. The increase in productivity per acre is like getting a ranch (or two) for free. These results directly contradict the agency-university biases against cattle

Dr. David Briske et al. Synthesis Paper

Dr. David Briske et al. Synthesis Paper

This paper was published in 2008. Texas A&M range scientist David Briske and several academic colleagues concluded that planned grazing is ineffective and has been disproved as a grazing method, and that low-density set-stocking, which means keeping fewer cattle in one place all the time, is the best

Legislation Reclassifying Elk as 'Exotic'

"Invasion Biology"

Legislation Reclassifying Elk as 'Exotic'

Here is the legislation that changed Texas’ native elk from treasured, protected game animals to vermin that are shot on sight at all state-managed lands in far-West Texas. The legislative declaration that elk are not native is scientifically incorrect and meaningless. This legislation was introduced under the normal “radar,” declaring

reuters_soybeans

Scant Oversight, Corporate Secrecy Preceded U.S. Weed Killer Crisis

Collusion between regulators and the companies they are supposed to regulate is as pervasive in food production as in every industry where power and control is concentrated in a few hands. NOTE: This article was originally published to Reuters.com on August 9, 2017 NEW YORK (Reuters) – As the U.

Trump Picks Susan Combs For Interior Post

Trump Picks Susan Combs For Interior Post

A terrific choice for America, for Texas, and, for Western ranchers, wildlife & habitat. NOTE: This article initially appeared on SAExpressNews.com on July 11, 2017 WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate former Texas Agriculture Commissioner and Comptroller Susan Combs to be assistant secretary of policy management

iowa_state_fair_cow_kid_nap

"Invasion Biology"

Iowa State Fair Cow and Boy Taking Nap Wins the Internet After Photo Goes Viral

This touching photo evokes the ancient connection between humans and livestock. Sadly, modern industrial agriculture – including much dairy and meat production – breaks this connection and increasingly disregards humane animal husbandry. NOTE: This post originally appeared on FOXNews.com on August 14, 2017 This here is a little story about a

drought_california

"Invasion Biology"

To Fight Climate Change, Heal the Ground

Soil health and soil fertility should be the goal of every farmer and rancher. Imagine the changes in habitat and wildlife practices if every action and every inaction – such as using fertilizers and pesticides, or removing animals – were tested according to how that action would affect soil health and fertility.

high_plains_grapes

Dying Vines: How Herbicides are Damaging, and Destroying, High Plains Vineyards That Supply Much of the Hill Country Grapes

The agrochemical giants effectively control our agencies, legislatures, universities and conservation organizations. Their latest poison – which EPE rubber-stamped for general use – is 2,4-D, a primary component of Agent Orange, the infamous Vietnam poison. Agent Orange caused about 2-million birth defects in Cambodia and Vietnam. Over 60,000 American vets

circle_ranch_chronic_wasting_texas

TPWD Provides CWD Monitoring Results from 2016-2017

CWD could prove a disaster for far-West Texas mule deer and elk. High fences, artificial feeding and predator removals will accelerate the spread of CWD, as they have in South Texas. NOTE: This article was printed by Livestock Weekly and contributed to by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. It is

russian_thistle

"Invasion Biology"

Gone With the Wind - Russian Thistle

Thistle is a great rescue plant for desertified ranges. Quail love thistle seeds and the bugs it hosts, and many wild and domestic animals use it when it is young and tender. NOTE: This article appeared in the June 2017 edition of Texas Wildlife Magazine. The article is posted with

Re-wolving the West

In far-West Texas as at Yellowstone National Park, it is a physiological fact that (Mexican) wolves would improve habitat for wild and domestic animals. But, community feelings towards wolves are very negative. NOTE: This article initially appeared on WSJ.com on May 12, 2017 Bringing back wild predators has provoked

"Invasion Biology"

Allan Savory: How to Green the World's Deserts and Reverse Climate Change

Desertification is a fancy word for land that is turning to desert,” begins Allan Savory in this quietly powerful talk (now viewed by 4-million). And terrifyingly, it’s happening to about two-thirds of the world’s grasslands, accelerating climate change and causing traditional grazing societies to descend into social chaos.

tangleweed_west_texas

"Invasion Biology"

Tanglehead in South Texas - Changes and Challenges

The so-called “invasion” of Tanglehead grass is a symptom of cattle removals on South Texas rangeland. This excellent article contains insights and facts that point to this. The facts: * Tanglehead is a native grass. * Tanglehead was not ‘invasive’ so long as the ranges were being grazed. * With reduced grazing, it

circle_ranch_texas_fall_flowers_feature

Out Here in the Middle - Summer at Circle Ranch in far-West Texas

“Out Here in The Middle” Is about summer at the Circle Ranch in the high-desert mountains of far-West Texas. Wildlife, great scenery, ranching, cattle and family. “Out Here in The Middle” is performed by James McMurtry. Note: This was originally posted on the Circle Ranch blog summer 2015.

Book Review: Baker Morrow - Best Plants for New Mexico Gardens and Landscapes

Book Review: Baker Morrow - Best Plants for New Mexico Gardens and Landscapes

It’s difficult to find good advice on suitable plants for the deserts of Northern Mexico, far-West Texas and New Mexico, because such advice is geographically generalized, which doesn’t address the actual situation in the desert. Within short distances in the desert, the temperature, rainfall and elevation can change