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Texas panhandle wildfire sets historic record

By Farms.com

The Texas Panhandle is facing an unprecedented challenge as a historic wildfire engulfs over 1 million acres, marking it as the largest wildfire in Texas history. This catastrophic event has resulted in the loss of two lives and significant agricultural damage, with up to 10,000 head of cattle lost to the flames. 

With property losses estimated at $23 million, the disaster has mobilized a variety of resources and relief efforts, including the STAR Fund and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, to aid those impacted. The USDA's Emergency Relief Program also offers support, as detailed on relevant websites. 

As the region braces for more challenging fire conditions, the Texas A&M Forest Service has issued warnings about the increased risk of wildfires due to the upcoming warmer, drier, and windier weather. This situation underscores the critical need for vigilance and preparedness in the face of natural disasters. 

Community and state efforts are focused on providing immediate relief and support to those affected, while emphasizing the importance of safety precautions for all residents. The ongoing situation in the Texas Panhandle is a sobering reminder of the power of nature and the resilience required to rebuild and recover from such devastating events.


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Stress as a Nutrient Thief - Dr. Sarah Pearce

Video: Stress as a Nutrient Thief - Dr. Sarah Pearce


In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Sarah Pearce, Research Animal Physiologist with USDA ARS, explains why stress can act as a nutrient thief in pigs. She discusses gastrointestinal health, barrier integrity, inflammation, feed efficiency, stress interactions, and emerging biomarkers that may help predict performance challenges before they occur. Listen now on all major platforms!

Click here to read the full research article: https://academic.oup.com/af/article/1...

"Stress can steal calories and nutrients because energy normally used for growth is redirected toward immune activation, gut repair, and other costly survival responses."

Meet the guest: Dr. Sarah Pearce / sarah-pearce-phd-3a5881a5 earned her M.S. and Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences from Iowa State University and currently serves as a Research Animal Physiologist with the USDA Agricultural Research Service. Her research focuses on gastrointestinal physiology, nutrition, stress biology, immune function, and productivity in pigs and poultry. Learn more from Dr. Sarah Pearce on the Swine Nutrition Black Belt Podcast, available on all major platforms.