Category: Health & Lifestyles

By Justin Welsh
America is facing a food system shortage. Livestock veterinarians are the new endangered species. Farmers are losing access to the experts they need to keep our food supply safe.
More than 500 U.S. counties across 46 states are federally designated veterinary shortage areas. Just 1.3% of registered veterinarians specialize in food animal practice. This frontline workforce is fraying at a time when U.S. farms produce over 94% of all red meat and poultry Americans consume.
Addressing this growing concern will require sustained industry investment in education that makes veterinary careers more accessible, in recruitment efforts that prioritize rural areas, and in hands-on training that adequately prepares the next generation.
Food animal veterinarians are the unsung heroes of American agriculture. They inspect livestock, administer vaccines, and provide critical guidance on herd health. They support the viability of family farms, local economies, and the safety of the food on our tables.
Yet the United States has lost 90% of food animal veterinarians since the 1950s. And the number of these critical vets continues to decline.
For one, the cost of veterinary education is prohibitive. New graduates leave school with an average debt load of about $150,000. For those called to food animal practice, that financial burden is often compounded by lower pay than they could expect to earn in clinics that focus on companion animals.
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Kayleen Holder, of Devine, with her son Tucker showing off the new books which arrived in the mail Monday. Holder’s story titled “A Cowgirl’s Best Friend” is one of 101 great stories featured in this book titled Chicken Soup for the Soul: Pets, Pets, Pets.

Oct. 31, 2025
AUSTIN — To hunters, springtime in Texas is often viewed as chasing turkeys through hot, humid weather, or hanging up the firearm for a fishing pole. For white-tailed deer, spring represents a time for growth: body growth, antler growth and population growth.
Texas began the growing season under widespread drought in March, but most of the state received much-needed rain in late spring. Where it rained, plant growth boosted antler development in bucks and allowed does to load up on calories for birth and nursing.
Rain came late to the Edwards Plateau and South Texas, but while summer rainfall helped lower temperatures and allowed for a late season green-up that benefited fawn survival, it was too late to greatly benefit antler development in those regions.
The general deer season kicks off Nov. 1 and runs through Jan. 4, 2026, in the North Zone and through Jan. 18, 2026, in the South Zone, giving folks plenty of chances to go from field to table with their harvest.
Hunters taking advantage of Texas public hunting lands must have an Annual Public Hunting Permit. It’s also important for public land hunters to consult the Public Hunting Lands Map Booklet to review regulations that may apply to specific areas. The Texas Hunt & Fish app can be used to complete on-site registration electronically at a public hunting area.

Ecoregion Highlights
The Cross Timbers in North Texas has the second highest deer population in the state and will offer hunters plenty of opportunities to harvest mature bucks.
Despite what seems like lasting spring drought conditions, the Edwards Plateau is a great deer hunting region for those looking for quality animals. It consistently has the highest hunter success rates in Texas. The catastrophic Hill Country floods may have had local impacts on fawns near river and stream channels, but most deer were able to reach higher ground.
Post Oak Savannah hunters can expect a great season of chasing mature bucks thanks to good fawn survival in previous years.
In the Pineywoods, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) biologists work with landowners and timber companies to restore and maintain quality deer habitat, which has helped sustain deer populations.
White-tailed deer population growth in the Rolling Plains in recent years has made the area a hotbed for mature bucks, and another great season is expected.
The South Texas Plains are known for mature bucks with above-average antlers. For hunters looking for a once-in-a-lifetime trophy, South Texas is often seen as the premier big buck destination.
For a detailed white-tailed deer forecast by ecological region, visit the White-tailed Deer Management page on the TPWD website.

Good Habitat Management Creates Harvest Opportunities
For many landowners and hunters, deer management doesn’t begin when the season opens. Healthy deer rely on good habitat and herd management, as well as spring rains from Mother Nature. By properly managing the land throughout the year, landowners are setting the stage for a successful deer season.
Antler growth is directly related to rainfall between April and June, and the improved habitat that follows. This year, hunters should see slightly above-average to average antler quality for most of the state. The Edwards Plateau and South Texas should expect slightly below-average to average antler quality since they missed out on spring rain. The Pineywoods, portions of the Post Oak Savannah and Cross Timbers received timely spring rains and should see above-average antler quality.
Much-needed summer rain and mild weather helped more fawns survive this year. Ranches that manage deer populations through hunting and improving native habitat will see steady improvements over time.

Protecting Texas Wildlife
Texans enjoying the outdoors are the first line of defense in protecting wildlife, livestock and humans from diseases that could have devastating effects.

New World Screwworm
New World screwworms (NWS) are parasitic flies that lay eggs in open wounds or moist body parts, such as those located in the nostrils, eyes or mouths, of live warm-blooded animals. These eggs hatch into a type of parasitic larvae (maggots) that only feed on living tissue, while other species of fly larvae prefer dead or rotting tissue. NWS larvae burrow or “screw” into living tissue with sharp mouth hooks, giving them a screw-like appearance. Infested wounds quickly become infected and, if left untreated, will kill the animal.
If you see LIVE animals with maggots, report it to your local TPWD wildlife biologist. Early detection is key. Do not delay if you suspect an NWS infestation. Reporting is crucial to response efforts and the eradication of NWS.
For more information, visit https://tpwd.texas.gov/screwworm.

Chronic Wasting Disease update
Landowners and hunters play an important role in managing Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and can reduce its impact by managing populations, properly discarding unused carcass parts, reporting sick deer and voluntarily testing.
Hunters are reminded to review the TPWD website and Outdoor Annual app to review this year’s season dates, bag limits and information about proper carcass disposal. Hunters following these regulations are allowed to debone carcasses to help prevent the accidental spread of wildlife diseases.
More information about carcass disposal regulations, voluntary sampling, check station dates and hours of operations can be found on TPWD’s CWD web page.

Per pound price for whole turkeys up 70% compared to last year

By Adam Russell
Prices for centerpiece turkeys are up, but overall consumers are likely to see a mixed bag of price increases and decreases as they shop for traditional Thanksgiving holiday meals.
While recent price trends for whole turkeys were much higher than last year, the cost of other traditional fare like hams and potatoes, as well as baking items like eggs and butter were lower, said David Anderson, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economist and professor in the Texas A&M Department of Agricultural Economics, Bryan-College Station.
Anderson said overall prices and seasonal specials indicate opportunities for shoppers to find value as the holiday approaches.
“You may see higher prices on some items but remember that grocery stores always have a strategy for Thanksgiving,” he said. “Typically, it’s built around a special feature on the turkey to get people into the store, and I suspect this year will be no different.”
Turkey production down, prices up
Anderson said wholesale prices for whole turkeys were $1.68 per pound compared to 99 cents per pound this time last year – a 70% increase. Two factors – the resurgence of highly pathogenic avian influenza, HPAI, and lower overall turkey production – have reduced supplies that have triggered higher prices.
Turkey and egg production were hit hardest during previous outbreaks of the disease, and turkey supplies are still recovering from losses that continued into late spring. Commercially raised turkey hens take 15-18 weeks to reach maturity while larger toms take 20 weeks or more to reach harvest weights.
“Turkey production takes time, and so even the recovery from avian flu in the spring is impacting supplies,” he said. “The buildup on whole turkeys for Thanksgiving happens throughout the year as birds are held back to meet that holiday demand.”
Anderson said turkey production is down more than 8% year over year as the industry continues to grapple with low prices, increased input and labor costs, and shifting consumer demand. Aside from whole birds for the holiday season, most turkey ends up as deli meats in grocery stores and sandwich shops.
While Americans are eating double the amount of turkey they did in 1970, the 14.8 pounds per person consumed in 2023 is 18% lower than the 18.1 pounds per capita consumed in 1996.
Finding fewer specials so far
Many grocers set contracts with turkey wholesalers long before the holiday to lock in prices and the number of birds to meet expected demand, Anderson said. This can present opportunities for grocers to offer special prices or buying incentives to shoppers.
The retail outlet survey data shows grocers have been offering fewer specials compared to last year, he said. Prices may be lower in some cases, but there are fewer items being featured with special prices.
Anderson said it would be difficult to speculate on what triggered this retail trend, but he’s curious to see if special offers trend upward in the next few weeks.
He suggests shopping early for turkeys if size and brand are a consideration but that shoppers could find deals on centerpiece birds by shopping late as well.
“Even at the higher price, turkeys always seem like a good value relative to other meats when you consider leftovers and secondary meals that we get out of them,” he said. “As an economist we tend to focus on price, but in this case, I have to consider value.”
Mixed bag of prices on other items
Meanwhile, shoppers are also likely to find lower prices on some items like baking pumpkins, potatoes, milk and eggs, and higher prices on other meats like hams and steaks.
Eggs were $1.60 per large dozen compared to $3.30 for the same dozen last year, a 51.5% decline, Anderson said.
Dairy products like milk, butter and cheddar cheese have also experienced a sharp price decline because of higher production, he said. The U.S. dairy herd hit its highest number since the 1990s, and the nation’s 9.5 million milk cows are producing 28 pounds more milk per cow per year than they did last year.
On the other hand, potatoes like russets for baking and yellow gold for mashed potatoes have gone up slightly. Anderson said. Russets were 98 cents per pound compared to 84 cents per pound last year while yellow gold potatoes were 87 cents per pound compared to 74 cents last year.
Prices on another popular holiday item – cranberries – were also up – $2.45 per 12-ounce bag versus $2.37 last year, Anderson said.
At the retail level, prices for sliced boneless hams were relatively static $5.54 per pound compared to $5.53 per pound last year. The cost of spiral sliced hams was up – $3.17 per pound compared to $2.88 per pound last year.
“I think consumers are feeling the pressure at grocery stores with higher prices overall,” Anderson said. “But I also think there will be opportunities to find deals on those go-to items we buy to create traditional Thanksgiving Day meals.”

A dedicated group of homeschooled high school students from Medina, Uvalde, Atascosa, and Bexar counties are working hard to make a big dream come true. These 11th-graders from the Classical Conversations Challenge III program will host a series of fundraisers to help cover the cost of an upcoming educational trip to England this spring.
For the past two years, the class has immersed themselves in British literature, European art, Shakespearean plays, and historical studies. They’ve memorized thirty lines from five different Shakespeare plays, written essays connecting faith and culture, and held countless class discussions—all pointing toward the moment when they can finally walk the same cobblestone streets they’ve studied.
From Yard Work to Community Service
The students have already been out in the community across South Texas, offering to do yard work, clean church grounds, and assist with local projects—all for donations. Their work ethic has earned praise from residents who admire their initiative, politeness, and willingness to serve.
The town of Utopia has been especially gracious, welcoming the students to complete projects for Living Waters Church, the Utopia Food Bank, several local residents, and even the beautification areas at the town’s entrance. Their generosity has not only provided valuable fundraising opportunities but also strengthened the students’ appreciation for community support and service.
Upcoming Drawing and Market Day Fundraisers
Next on their fundraising list is a ticket drawing featuring a lineup of exciting prizes, including:
A TurtleBox speaker, generously donated by Mummee’s
Two tickets to Cirque Musica – Holiday Wonderland at the Tobin Center
A box of Wagyu beef, assorted premium cuts
The drawing will take place on December 6, and details on ticket prices will be announced soon.
In addition to the drawing, the students will have booths set up at several local market days, including:
Sabinal Market Day – October 25
Utopia Market Days – November 1
Vintage in Verdi – December 5–6
Community members and business owners can get involved in several ways:
Donate a prize to be added to the raffle ticket,
Contribute a lump-sum donation toward the group’s travel expenses, or
Hire the students for community or yard work projects.
Every contribution helps these South Texas students continue learning, serving, and representing their communities with excellence as they prepare for this once-in-a-lifetime educational experience.
About Classical Conversations
Classical Conversations is a homeschool program that uses the classical model of education—teaching students how to think, not just what to think. Through rigorous academics, Socratic discussion, and a biblical worldview, students learn to connect knowledge across subjects and apply it to real life.

Contact Information
For more information, to schedule work, or to make a donation:
Brandi Gutierrez: 210-535-2545 | b_gutierrez80@yahoo.com
Skye Richey: 830-890-8854 | skyehomeschool2025@gmail.com

AUSTIN – As of today, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has suspended the issuance of certain commercial driver licenses (CDLs) in compliance with an emergency rule change by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
The department is now suspending the issuance of non-domicile CDLs and all CDLs to non-citizens who are refugees, asylees or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients as of today, Sept. 29, 2025. This suspension also impacts the issuance of non-domicile commercial learners permits (CLPs) and CLPs for non-citizen refugees, asylees and DACA recipients. The department has never issued any type of license to asylum seekers who have not been approved for lawful presence.
Effective immediately, CDL/CLPs will not be issued, renewed or reissued if a customer falls under the non-domicile, refugee, asylee or DACA categories. Customers with a pending issuance will not be allowed to continue any written or skills testing until the services for non-domicile CDL/CLP are reinstated.
The department will continue to update license holders and Texans as it works with FMCSA to comply with the new rules. More information will be posted on the DPS website, https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/commercial-driver-license.
This action is a part of the department’s ongoing commitment to keeping Texas roads safe. Earlier this month, Governor Abbott directed DPS Commercial Vehicle Enforcement (CVE) Troopers and inspectors to begin conducting English Language Proficiency reviews for commercial vehicle drivers on Texas roads.

By Ashley Vargo
A handheld sensor and innovative technique developed by Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists could one day offer a noninvasive alternative to food diaries and blood tests when monitoring diet and health.
Using a light-based device, researchers demonstrated that diet, biological age, sex and select nutrient deficiencies could be detected through the skin of live animal models with up to 90% accuracy. The findings, published in Analytical Chemistry, signal a breakthrough in noninvasive health monitoring, including the potential for wearable sensors to provide real-time nutritional and metabolic information.
The researchers believe the technology could help monitor for emerging health concerns and advance personalized dietary recommendations, a key focus of the Texas A&M AgriLife Institute for Advancing Health through Agriculture, IHA.
“Right now, dietary assessments mostly rely on self-reporting, which is often inaccurate,” said Dmitry Kurouski, Ph.D., IHA member and associate professor in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. “But with this technology the size of a keychain, we can look directly at how diet changes the body and learn what is and isn’t working at the individual level.”
Diet detection with 90% accuracy
The collaborative project was conducted by Isaac Juárez, a doctoral student in Kurouski’s lab. It builds on findings from David Threadgill, Ph.D., University Distinguished Professor and head of the Department of Nutrition. Threadgill previously performed research on the health impacts of common eating styles, revealing significant differences across diet types.
“We primarily focused on trying to understand how individuals respond to different diets,” Threadgill said. “A lot of data suggests that certain diets are healthier than others, but we don’t know how that translates to the individual level.”
Together, the team repeated Threadgill’s experiment to see if Raman spectroscopy, a light-based sensing technology that Kurouski has used extensively in areas from plant diseases to forensic analysis, could be used to analyze effects of different diets on body composition.
The team fed live animal models one of six common diets, such as vegan, ketogenic and Mediterranean diets, then scanned their skin with Raman spectroscopy to generate a biochemical pattern. The scans identified distinct chemical signatures of key biomolecules, particularly lipids and collagen, linked to each dietary pattern present in the skin.
The result: they found they could distinguish diet type with nearly 90% accuracy.
“For biological systems, anything above 80% is strong,” Kurouski said. “Hitting 90% means this tool could seriously guide nutrition decisions.”
A window into age and nutrient levels
Beyond diet, the scans also revealed age, which they found had a clear relationship to certain chemical markers in the skin, particularly collagen levels.
In further analysis of the scans, the researchers were able to detect folate deficiencies. They  collaborated with Michael Polymenis, Ph.D., professor and associate head of graduate programs in the biochemistry department, and Heidi Blank, Ph.D., research scientist, who have extensively explored the impact of folate on metabolism.
“Folate deficiency is linked to birth defects and poor metabolic outcomes, but it’s hard to detect early,” Polymenis said. “Easy access to information on nutrient levels could help guide dietary interventions even before symptoms begin, especially as nutrient needs shift with age.”
Wearables on the horizon
While the current device is handheld, the researchers believe the technology could be miniaturized further and potentially incorporated into wearable technology. Eventually, such sensors could continuously monitor diet and nutrient levels, empowering users with immediate feedback on nutritional status and patterns.
As chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes continue to rise, they hope the technology could offer a proactive tool for improving public health and preventing nutrition-related health conditions.
“This is the beginning of a very exciting journey,” Kurouski said. “Diet and nutrition are critical to overall health and wellbeing. With this technology, we’re essentially able to read metabolism in real time, and someday soon, people might be able to carry this insight in their daily lives.”

Texas beekeepers lost 61% of their honey bee colonies — nearly 60,000 hives over the past year, according to the most recent statewide survey of more than 400 beekeepers.
This was one of the steepest declines in beehives ever recorded in Texas, said Garett Slater, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service honey bee specialist and assistant professor in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Entomology based at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Overton.
“This isn’t just a beekeeping problem, it’s an agriculture and food security challenge,” Slater said. “When we lose bees at this scale, the ripple effects touch every Texan, from farm to table.”
Strategies and solutions-oriented webinar
Recognizing the urgency, AgriLife Extension hosted a free webinar for Texas beekeepers, growers, educators and the public — What’s Happening to Our Bees? Exploring Honey Bee Declines — at 6 p.m. Aug. 29.
Slater explained the statewide survey data and explore possible solutions. The session will blend scientific findings with practical strategies to strengthen colony survival and pollinator resilience.
AgriLife Extension aids in U.S. Beekeeping Survey
AgriLife Extension’s apiculture program worked closely with the Apiary Inspectors of America and Auburn University to review and refine this year’s survey, ensuring it captures critical data on colony losses, management practices and challenges facing beekeepers.
Bees pollinate one-third of the food we eat, including high-value Texas crops like melons, berries, nuts and vegetables. A sustained decline in pollinator health could upend agricultural productivity, rural economies and ecosystem balance, Slater said.
About the webinar
Slater explained the colony loss data, highlight where declines have been most severe and how trends vary across Texas. He addressed the complex factors driving these losses, from parasitic varroa mites and problems with queen performance to other stressors like nutrition and pesticides.
A recent study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service was discussed, which reveals an increased varroa mite resistance to the commonly used treatment amitraz, along with the rise of new viral threats.
The session provided research updates on efforts to breed virus- and mite-resistant bees, an approach aimed at reducing dependence on broad-spectrum chemical treatments and building long-term colony resilience. “Part of the solution is combining cutting-edge research with widespread public engagement,” Slater said. “By equipping beekeepers and growers with data-driven tools and resilient bee genetics, we can safeguard pollinators for the next generation.”