Articles

All our thoughts, opinions and discussions.

Aoudad

Circle Ranch Game Cameras: March 15, 2014

Here are links to some great pictures of many species sharing water and habitat at the Circle Ranch.  Several, like aoudad and bighorn, are thought to be hostile to each other, and incompatible:  That belief is wrong, as these photos show. Diablo Peak:   Sheep Tank:   Tres Papalotes:   Bezos Fenceline:   Oncie

"Invasion Biology"

The Feral Pig "Problem" Part V

The Feral Pig Problem – Part V: Sources and Comments In addition to the specific links included in each installment, which I have not repeated, I have included a list of books below and remarked on what I found important about them. Across the board, they have informed my thinking on

"Invasion Biology"

The Feral Pig “Problem” - Part IV

Part I: Background Part II: A Brief History of Pigs, Pork and People Part III: The Growth of “Efficient” Factory Farms Part IV: Meat Factory Pollution and Public Health *   Meat Factory Pollution and Water Pollution *   Comparative Wholesomeness *   Free Range Pork Compared *   Mad at Our Money: Economic Value of Free Range

"Invasion Biology"

The Feral Pig “Problem” - Part III

Part I: Background Part II: A Brief History of Pigs, Pork and People Part III: The Growth of “Efficient” Factory Farms *  Animal Cruelty *  Big Pig’s Version *  The “Rest of the Story” from Forbes Magazine *  Pig Factories are Filthy  Part IV: Meat Factory Pollution and Public Health Part V: References

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The Feral Pig “Problem” - Part II

Part I: Background Part II: A Brief History of Pigs, Pork and People * Free-Range Pigs in Texas * The Garbage Pig * Pig Prejudice * Big Food and the Garbage Pig Part III: The Growth of “Efficient” Factory Farms Part IV: Meat Factory Pollution and Public Health Part V: References and Comments Author’

"Invasion Biology"

The Feral Pig “Problem” - Part 1

Background *  The Pig “Problem” and “Solution” According to Big Wildlife *  The Root Problem: Hogging the Profits II:  A Brief History of Pigs, Pork and People III: The Growth of “Efficient” Factory Farms IV:  Meat Factory Pollution and Public Health V:   References and Comments Author’s Note: Of the many wildlife

"Invasion Biology"

The Feral Pig “Problem” - Introduction

Of the many wildlife problems we struggle with in Texas, feral pigs are one of the most difficult. This five-part series examines this pig “problem.”  It asks some common sense questions, offers plain talk about the pig raising ethics, pork safety, and feral pig eradications and suggests solutions that in

"Invasion Biology"

Reversing Wildlife Extinctions? The Mammoth Cometh

Here is an example of a desirable form of genetic manipulation: repairing some of the damage humans have done to biodiversity, backfilling empty niches that make “species invasion” inevitable. There are many ways this could go wrong, but wouldn’t it be wonderful to restore some of what has been

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Swan Song: New York's Wildlife Bureaucrats Intend to Eradicate Wild Swans

NOTE: this article originally appeared online at WSJ.com on January 20, 2014 New York wildlife officials are proposing to eliminate wild populations of non-native mute swans under a 10-year management plan that calls for shooting the birds, sterilizing them and destroying their eggs. But culling programs have drawn criticism.

Animal Growth

The Forgotten Quail Decline: Plight of the Scaled Quail

When it comes to the quail decline in Texas, the northern bobwhite often dominates the spotlight. Much of this focus probably is due to the long-standing tradition and relative ease of bobwhite hunting. Unfortunately, the bobwhite decline often overshadows the decline of another important quail species in Texas—the scaled

"Invasion Biology"

Panel Says Federal Wolf Plan Used Unproven Wildlife Science

It’s not that agencies intentionally misrepresent their science. They sincerely believe opinions shared within the agency are scientific by definition.   NOTE: Article originally appeared in San Antonio Express News on February 7, 2014 (via Associated Press)   BILLINGS, Mont. — A proposal to lift federal protections for gray wolves across most

"Invasion Biology"

Bad News for Range and Wildlife Science: An “F” Grade for America’s Elite Colleges

American Council of Trustees and Alumni vice president of policy Michael Poliakoff on the state of the country’s most prestigious liberal arts colleges. NOTE: this originally appeared on WSJ Live Online on 1/28/2014       America’s Colleges Flunk Out   If we wonder why our wildlife management practices have

Bio-Diversity

Another Danger Sign for Texas Wildlife: Monarch Numbers in Mexico Hit Record Low

The existence of Monarch butterflies, shown in Mexico, is threatened, scientists say, by manmade changes in their main food source and protective habitat. MEXICO CITY — The stunning and little-understood annual migration of millions of Monarch butterflies to spend the winter in this country is in danger of disappearing, experts said

Bighorn

Mountain Wildlife - February 2014

The Circle Ranch contains the southeast corner of the Sierra Diablo Mountains. These rise 2,500-feet from the floor of the Chihuahuan Desert to an elevation of 6,500-feet. Here are photos of pronghorn, bighorn and mule deer in the high elevations.  These were taken in February, 2014. A buck

Bio-Diversity

Chihuahuan Desert Grassland Restoration in Northern Mexico

Much of the best ecological thinking about desert grassland restoration is coming from Northern Mexico.      These folks are way ahead of Texas in their understanding of habitats and restoration practices, including the vital role played by livestock as substitutes for the missing herds of nomadic animals.     Late summer, Circle Ranch,

"Invasion Biology"

Attacking Biodiversity on Texas' Public Lands: Wild Longhorns May be Nearing the End of the Trail in Park

NOTE: Story originally appeared in the SA Express News,authored by John MacCormack,  October 23, 2013. PRESIDIO — When the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department bought the Big Bend Ranch from Houston oilman Robert Anderson in 1988, it acquired 215,000 acres of high desert wilderness complete with an extinct volcano,

Erosion Control

Restoring Water Function: What is Keyline Contouring?

We are currently completing 1,000-acres of subsoiling in one of our northern pastures at the Circle Ranch. This is a very effective tool for us, when used in conjunction with planned grazing. Many people ask: * What is Yeomans Keyline? * What is Keyline Contouring? Here is how its inventor, the

"Invasion Biology"

New Danger to Wildlife: USDA Gives Green Light to 2,4-D Resistant GM Crops

NOTE: this post originally appeared on SustainablePulse.com – January 3rd, 2014 The USDA has issued a draft statement essentially giving the green light to the marketing, sale and planting of GM corn and soybeans resistant to the hazardous herbicide 2,4-D. Dow Chemical’s GM corn will trigger a huge

"Invasion Biology"

Petition Targets ‘Rogue’ Killings by Wildlife Services

NOTE: Article initially appeared in the Washington Post on December 15th, 2013. Darryl Fears They say U.S. critter assassins work in secret, quietly laying traps, lacing food with poison, sniping at targets from helicopters. Few people know exactly how the hits go down; the methods are largely hidden. What’

"Invasion Biology"

Good News for Wildlife and Habitat: Non-GMO Corn Hybrids Smash GMO Varieties in Illinois Trials

NOTE: Post Originally appeared on Sustainable Pulse November 21, 2013 Corn hybrid trials in Illinois have been harvested, and results are showing Non-GMO corn hybrids performing as well or better than GMO corn hybrids. Spectrum Premium Non-GMO hybrids, used in the testing, produced 3 to 10 more bushels per acre

Conservation

Increasing Danger to Wildlife and Habitat: Biotech Industry Starts New Era of Pesticide-Promoting Agriculture

NOTE: Post initially appeared on SustainablePulse.com on August 30, 2013. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has quietly approved the first of a new generation of GE crops resistant to more toxic herbicides. The first crop to pass the low regulatory bar was a Bayer soybean variety genetically engineered

"Invasion Biology"

Aoudad, The Bogus Boogeyman

Eradication Science or Eradication Snake Oil?   This piece asks common sense questions about the increasing use of wild animal eradication as a primary conservation tool, and about the foundations on which these practices rest: Why have eradications become so prevalent? Do eradications advance conservation? Are eradications based on science or

Bio-Diversity

Healing the Carbon Cycle with Cattle

Rancher Tom Sidwell on the JX’s restored grasslands. © Courtney White   JX Ranch, Tucumcari, New Mexico In 2004, Tom and Mimi Sidwell bought the 7,000-acre JX Ranch, south of Tucumcari, New Mexico, and set about doing what they know best: earning a profit by restoring the land to health

"Invasion Biology"

New Bison War: Should Buffalo Be Reintroduced to the West?

Our neighbor Dr. Jimmy Labaume passed along this piece on bison.  Circle had a great little herd which escaped, got involved in a wreck, and got shot up!  It all wound up in a lawsuit.  Bison are cool but uncontrollable!  Laura says “No more buffalo!”   “This is a bit long

Bio-Diversity

Differences Between Conventional Cattle Placment and Placing to Graze As a Herd

Here is an interesting piece by our friend “Cowboy” Bob Kinford, discussing cattle placement on a Nothern Mexico ranch where he was training recently.  If you can get it done, “loose-herding” is the way to manage herds. In conventional placing, we hold the cattle in one place until they are