Major
Focus:
The Uvalde
Center serves southwest Texas, an area distinguished
by rechargeable water resources and unique opportunities for wildlife-based
tourism enterprises. Thus, the research focuses on conservation
of regional aquifers/rivers and the development of tourism through
sustainable, ecologically-sound systems of management designed to
improve the economic viability of the region. Although the focus
is on the dominant, emerging commodities of water and wildlife,
other distinctive consumer-oriented products are developed as integral
parts of the process including tender, juicy, flavorful lean beef
and vegetables for health.
Mission:
Develop and
integrate into systems the principles involved in wildlife habitat
management and in aquifer augmentation and management, with the
integral goal of synthesizing systems for producing consistent quality
and distinctive products needed by consumers.
Special
Initiatives:
Efficient Irrigation
for Water Conservation in the Rio Grande Basin;
Joe Skeen Institute for Rangeland Restoration; Beef Industry Initiative,
Foods for Health
Research
Programs:
Range Shrub
Management to Increase Aquifer Recharge, Fire for Brush Control,
Toxicosis in Rangeland Brush Species, Adapted Cattle for Stressful
Climates and Product Consistency, Intensive Grazing Systems for
Beef/Goat Production, Irrigation Efficiency, Beef Cattle Efficiency
on Pastures, Extensive Grazing Management and Patch Disturbance
for Rangeland Restoration, Implications of Supplementing Wildlife
on Non-Target Species, Integrating Wildlife
and Livestock Enterprises, Control of Spread of Disease in Animal
Populations, South Texas Covey Connection (Discovery of Necessary
Elements of Quail Habitat), South Texas Deer Project (Factors Influencing
Development of Antlers), Seedling Establishment of Vegetable Crops,
Integrated Vegetable Culture Systems for Healthful Vegetables, Transplant
Technology for Seedling Establishment of Vegetables, Drip Irrigation
Systems for Vegetables and Intensive Pastures, Plastic Mulches and
Drip Irrigation for Efficient Water Use in Vegetables, Genotype
x Level of Irrigation Interactions for Row Crops and Vegetables,
Irrigation
Scheduling Based on Plant Water Use, Near Infrared Photography for
Identification of Biotic and Abiotic Stress, Precision Irrigators
Network.
Resident Director:
Dr. Bill Holloway
1619 Garner Field Road
Uvalde, TX 78801.
Phone: (830) 278-9151,
Fax: (830) 278-1570.
E-mail: jw-holloway@tamu.edu
Research
Expenditures (FY 2004):
State/Federal
-
$1,200,000
Grants and Sales
- $800,000
Personnel
(FTE):
39
TAES, 17 TCE
Established:
Since 1887, the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station (TAES) has
been an integral part of the Texas A&M University System. TAES
is the state’s only agency dedicated to research and technology
development in food, agriculture and natural resources. There are
13 TAES centers serving the specific research needs of each region
and for agricultural and urban citizens across the state. The Uvalde
Center was established in 1974.
Facilities:
Two main buildings (offices, shop, laboratories, auditorium, two
greenhouses, research animal facility, student housing) on 50 acres
of land with 142 acres of leased irrigated land, 800 acres of leased
dryland farmland and 15,200 acres of leased rangeland (Harris Ranch).
