ag mag issue 6

THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY - a Key location in the U.S. to Prevent Invasive Species

Page 10 - Biological Control Effort Helps Slow the Spread of Citrus Greening Disease

Page 16 - Featured Farmer Story - Land of Opportunity

Page 19 - New Hidalgo County horticulturist working her DREAM JOB

Page 21 - Moving from Conventional Farming to Organic Farming

Page 24 - The Amazing Resource BENEATH OUR FEET

Page 28 - Texas Coastal Agriculture Matters: From the Gulf to Your Plate

Page 31 - RGV Brahman & F-1 Field Day a Big Success

Page 33 - How 4H helped shaped me

Page 34 - Manage for soil health to improve your GRAZING land and productivity Page 38 - 2016 Soil Fertility Strategy

4 - RY Livestock a Standing Success

Page 48 - 10 reasons to join 4-H and FFA

StaffMichelle MartinOwner/Editor [email protected](956) 330-8870

Al Benavides Graphic Designer(956) 492-6407

In This Issue:

Can you believe this is the one-year anniversary edition of the Ag Mag?

I am so thankful to be able to provide this magazine for you. When I first started this magazine I took a complete leap of faith and trusted

that the good Lord had a plan - boy did He. I have met some of the most amaz-ing people who have done nothing but support this publication. It fills my heart.

I have learned a lot about myself during this past year, some good and some bad. What I learned the most was how to deal with challenges. We all encounter challenges. If you’re a cattle rancher I am sure you are grinning ear to ear, but if

you are a farmer I know you are not turning that frown upside down. I am praying for you through this difficult farming season.

Life isn’t fair and it never will be. Challenges will always arise, but we always end up making it through them and come out a stronger person with the help and faith in the good Lord. I hope the end of the season becomes less stressful and

we can all celebrate at the end.

Thank you for reading Ag Mag, watching it grow, and supporting me along the way. I thank GOD every day for this blessing and for getting to know all of you. I look forward to bringing you a bigger and better Ag Mag for its second year

Thank you for your support.

Volume 1, Issue 6. July 2015. No part of this publication can be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Ag Mag reserves the right to edit, rewrite or refuse editorial materials and assumes no responsibility for accuracy, errors, omissions or consequence arising from it. All correspondence to the publica-tion become the property of Ag Mag.

Ag Mag is published bi-monthly ©2015. To advertise in Ag Mag, call (956) 330-8870 or email [email protected]

Joshua 1:9 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you

wherever you go.”

Owner/Creator of AG MAG

A Letter from the Editor

6 Ag Mag THEAGMAG.ORG

W R I T T E N B Y : R A u l T. V I l l A N u E VA , Assistant Professor and Extension Entomologist Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service; 2401 East Highway 83, Weslaco, Texas, 78596

E-mail: [email protected]

THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY a Key location in

the U.S. to Prevent Invasive Species

T he Rio Grande Valley (RGV) is located in the southernmost part of Texas. This region is of high importance for the entire agriculture of the U.S. Several are the reasons for this state ment: 1st the RGV has a sub-tropical climate that enables the produc-tion of diverse agricultural crops the entire year; 2nd the 11 bridges (from Roma, Starr Co. to Brownsville = 114 miles) con-necting Mexico to the Rio Grande Valley, which are the most important ports of entry of vegetables from Mexico into the U.S.; and 3rd its geographical location bordering Mexico where insects, plants and diseases non-native to the U.S. can pass unnoticed. All these factors are important to empha-size the importance of the RGV on the detection of invasive species; and to take the initial steps to start with programs for eradication or damage reductions of invasive species. Invasive species is an organism (plant, animal, fungus, or bacte-rium) that is non-native to the ecosystem and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.

There are several historical and current examples of the above. Briefly, I will recall three of them. 1) the cotton boll weevil eradication program, this program is suc-cessful and almost completed across the different areas of the Cotton Belt. Howev-er, this insect is still endemic in our region due to the social instability of Mexico, thus Mexican fields across the border do not continue with control programs for this

pest. 2) The potato psyllid that trans-mits zebra chip disease, an insect that lives in the mountainous regions of Mexico and every year migrates to the northern areas. Experiments and populations recorded in the RGV from January to May are of high importance to anticipate the damages in many potato regions covering areas from the North of Texas to Montana, and the west north Pacific States. 3) The sugarcane aphid, a new invasive that first was recorded in fields near Beaumont and now is well established in the RGV, and Mexico (see Danielle Sekula article on the May issue). Although it is still early, the populations of the sugarcane aphid record-ed in the RGV may be an indicator of what can occur in northern areas of the U.S.

I arrived to the RGV in August 2009 to work as an extension entomologist. I started working with the Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS-USDA) in 2010 searching for invasive spe-cies. Since then, I have been searching for distinct insects that are considered to cause serious damage to the U.S. agricul-ture. At the same time, continuing with my duties as an extension entomologist for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, I was able to identify several insects and mites new to the region (see Table 1 for a list of these organisms).

Among these findings, the most important are: the South American Palm weevil found in 2012, Nesidiocoris tenuis or the tomato plant bug found in 2013, and the

detection of two new species of eriophyid mites (Table 1).

If the South American Palm weevil (Fig. 1) is established it can affect several palm species here in the RGV and also affect the palm industry. Additionally, the South American Palm weevil can be a vector of the red ring nematode that can cause a rapid mortality of palm trees.

Nesidiocoris tenuis (Fig. 2) or the tomato plant bug is used in the Mediterranean re-gion of Europe to control white flies and the tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta (an invasive species from South America that is now in Central America). Nesidiocoris tenuis is commercialized in Europe. How N. tenuis was introduced into the U.S. is unknown. This insect, in absence of prey can cause necrotic damages on the tomato stems and produce earlier flower drop.

Turk’s cap (Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii) is an ornamental widely used here in the RGV. During a visit to the Na-tional Butterfly Center, in Mission, Texas, I noticed some Turk’s cap plants with de-formations, after inspecting them I noticed the presence of eriophyid mites (Fig. 3). These mite species are similar on shape to the citrus rust mites that cause russeted fruit, however, in Turk’s cap these mite species induce leaf galls (Fig 4). Gall mites are anomalous growth of leaves or other parts of the plant due to the injection of substances that alter the regular growth of the leaf. A gall provides shelter and space where the mites can feed and reproduce

Figure 2. Nesidiocoris tenuis or the tomato plant bug can keep white fly populations low. (Photographed by Raul T. Villanueva)

2010 Nothopodini near New species Turk’s cap Floracarus (Acari: Eriophyidae) 2010 Aceriini New species Turk’s cap (Acari: Eriophyidae)

2012 Rhynchophorus South American Mexican palm palmarum palm weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

2011-2013 Rhynchophorus Red Palm Weevil – ferrugineous (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

2013-2015 Diabrotica speciosa Cucurbit beetle – (Coleoptera: Cicadellidae)

2013-2015 Helicoperva armigera Old world bollworm – (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

2013-2015 Spodoptera littoralis Egyptian cotton – (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) worm

2013-2015 Spodoptera litura Cotton cutworm – (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

2013-2015 Thaumatotibia leucotreta False codling moth – (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

2013 Philephedra tuberculosa n/a cotton (Hemiptera: Coccidae)

2013 Laevicaulis alte African black slug grass (Mollusca: Verocellidae)

2013 Nesidiocoris tenuis Tomato plant bug tomato (Hemiptera: Miridae)

2013 Melanaphis sacchari Sugarcane aphid sorghum (Hemptera: Aphididae)

2014 Dalbulus spp. n/a maize

2014 Duplachionaspis divergens n/a sugarcane (Hemiptera: Diaspididae)

2015 Pulvinaria iceryi First detection in USA sugarcane (Hemiptera: Coccidae)

2015 Bagrada hilaris Bagrada bug Sorghum, cabbage (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Years surveyed Scientific name Common name Host foundor found

TABLE 1. Organisms (insects, mites or molluscs) surveyed or found from 2010 to 2015 on sponsored CAPS - APHIS programs, supporting other institutions, or through the Texas A&M Extension entomology program in the Rio Grande Valley.

Figure 1. South American palm weevil affects many palm species

in the RGV. (Photographed by Raul T. Villanueva)

Figure 3. One of the eriophyid mites from Turks cap. Notice the size of the mites compare to the stomata and trichomes of the leaf. Picture was taken by Gary Bauchan (Director, Electron &

Confocal Microscopy Unit USDA-ARS) using a Stereo Electron Microscope Hitachi 4700 with

Quorum Cryo-Prep Chamber, Low Temp Hitachi 3700 Variable Pressure.

Figure 4. Turk’s cap leaf with galls caused by eriophyid mites, Turk’s cap flower in the insert.

(Photographed by Raul T. Villanueva)

J u l Y / A u G u S T 2 0 1 5 7

MOndAy - FRidAy, 8:00 AM-5:00 pM Saturday, 7:00 am-12:00 pm • CloSed on Sunday

It Is a requIrement that all cattle and/or equIne must be Inspected and treated before movement InsIde or out of

the temporary preventatIve quarantIne area .

For more information about fever ticks and/or to view past news releases, visit http://www.tahc.texas.gov/animal_health/fevertick/fevertick.html

MOndAy - FRidAy, 8:00 AM-5:00 pM Saturday, 7:00 am-12:00 pm • CloSed on Sunday

AS A remInder the LozAno VAt hoUrS Are AS foLLowS:

the LozAno VAt IS LocAted At 30934 fm 1561, SAn BenIto, tX 78586.the LozAno VAt Phone nUmBer: 512-800-2521.


The Texas Citrus Industry is waging war against Citrus Greening Disease, also known as Huanglongbing. Citrus Greening Disease is a bacterial disease that affects all citrus plants. Once a tree is infected the disease will ultimately destroy the tree. The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), a very small insect that feeds on young citrus tree leaves, is a major way that this disease is spread.

The Asian citrus psyllid, originally from Asia, was first found in the United States in 1998 in Florida and is now established through-out the state’s citrus-growing region. Citrus greening disease was found in southern Florida in August 2005 and has since been detected at many locations across the citrus growing region. The

psyllid was not found in Texas until 2001 and citrus greening disease was found in 2012.

One way to slow the spread of this disease is to control the Asian citrus psyllid. Currently, there is a biological control program that is underway in South Texas that is making great strides in doing just that. Let’s take a look back at how this program started and where it is now. In 2009, the USDA - CPHST (United States Department of Ag-riculture – Center for Plant Health Science and Technology) lab in Mission, Texas decided to explore the possibility of importing

BIoLogIcAL controL effort heLPS SLow the SPreAd of

Citrus GreeninG Disease

W R I T T E N B Y : E l E I S H A E N S I G N

J u l Y / A u G u S T 2 0 1 5 11

BIoLogIcAL controL effort heLPS SLow the SPreAd of

Citrus GreeninG Disease

beneficial insects from the ACP’s native origin to help suppress psyllid populations and ultimately minimize the spread of citrus greening disease in Texas.

To do this, foreign scientists explored Southeast Asia in search of the ACP’s natural enemy. Tamarixia radiata was identified by the scientists in Multan, Pakistan in August 2009. Tamarixia radiata is a tiny, stingless wasp that is no bigger than the period at the end of this sentence.

This beneficial insect is harmless to humans, pets, plants and other insects. It only feeds on young ACP preventing them from reaching adulthood and reduces their population. Several hundred of these insects were shipped to the CPHST Mission Lab’s Quar-antine Facility and were inspected and released to Dr. Dan Flores.

Once at the Lab, the Tamarixia underwent strict testing to ensure their identity, purity, and specificity to ACP. This was completed two years later and in September 2011 the USDA PPQ Permitting Unit issued a permit to allow for the field release of Tamarixia to help manage the ACP populations in South Texas. Initially, Tamarixia were only reared in greenhouses and released on their mission to hunt down ACP in small quantities. This pro-cess limits the amount of beneficial insects that can be distributed at one time. Dr. Flores and his team developed a novel approach using field insectary cages to mass produce Tamarixia in the residential environment. Select lemon or lime trees are hedged to induce new growth. The new growth attracts Asian citrus psyllids, which in turn begin to lay thousands of eggs.

Once heavily infested, the tree is covered with a mesh screen and the beneficial insects are introduced to reproduce on immature life stages of the ACP. After a period of weeks, the mesh screen is removed and roughly 12 thousand beneficial insects are released into the surrounding area on their mission to seek out ACP and reduce their population.

In 2013, twenty-eight field insectary cages were installed in neigh-borhoods across the RGV and twenty were installed in 2014. These cages released over 570,000 beneficial insects in south Texas. The goal this year is to double this production level through a combined effort between USDA - CPHST and the Texas Citrus Pest and Disease Management Corporation. The benefits of these biological control efforts include a sustain-able environmentally safe alternative to pesticide use that helps reduce the Asian citrus psyllid population and slow the spread of citrus greening disease in RGV residential backyards and in nearby commercial citrus production areas. Everyone must work together to save Valley citrus.

To learn more, visit www.citrusalert.com. If you have a lemon or lime tree and would like to participate in this program, contact Greg Miller at (956) 968-8067 or [email protected].

J u l Y / A u G u S T 2 0 1 5 13

• Perennial vegetation replenishes depleted soil organic matter and sequesters carbon • Diversifying the landscape • Increasing wildlife populations and diversity by providing more and varied food and water, as well as protection from predators• Perennial vegetation reduces soil erosion and runoff by creating an open soil structure that lets water in more easily • Helping connect fragmented habitat remnants • Providing exceptional opportunities for hunting deer, ducks, etc. as well as birding and wildlife watching and nature photography, which can provide extra income.• Agricultural or wildlife tax exemptions• Possibly enhancing pest control on nearby crops by protecting the habitat of natural predators • Protecting pollinator habitats, such as bees, which many crops rely upon for fertilization and production• Reducing inputs such as fuel, fertilizer and pesticide to maintain than crops on marginal land • Passing the land onto future generations for their enjoyment

For more information about improving your farm or ranch through conservation planning, contact the local USDA-NRCS office or visit www.tx.nrcs.usda.gov. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

W R I T T E N B Y : M E l I S S A B l A I R , Zone 3 Public Affairs Specialist, USDA-NRCS, Corpus Christi

Enhancing Agriculture Production and Wildlife

Habitats through Conservation

A conservation plan is a written record of a producers management decisions that are based on specific resource inventories and conservation alternatives presented by NRCS planners. Conservation plans are dynamic and flexible. Plans, can and do, change as a producers goals and objectives vary. Farm Bill programs are a source of financial assistance available to landowners to ensure implementation

For anyone who has enjoyed watching a deer in an opening in the woods or a red-tailed hawk glide across the sky, it’s easy to understand why wildlife enriches our lives. Texas landowners play an important role in providing the critical habitats upon which this state’s diverse and incredible wildlife depend.

For most landowners, conservation of the land and its natural resources is a top pri-ority. Conservation ensures the continued success of the farming or ranching opera-tion through improvements in the natural ecosystems and wildlife species present. Many landowners voluntarily work with the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to develop confidential conservation plans specific to their op-eration. These plans are consistent with the needs of the land and the goals and objectives of the landowner. NRCS has a full complement of conservation prac-tices available that enables a landowner to achieve their land, livestock and wildlife management goals.

Since about 90 percent of land in Texas is privately owned, private lands and land-owners are the key to effective wildlife habitat management. By taking advan-tage of technical and financial assistance programs offered by NRCS, landowners have been able to increase their crop and livestock production, decrease farm/ranch input costs and create wildlife habitat for personal enjoyment. These conservation efforts also helps improve the environment on and off the property.

of needed conservation plans. A contract is only signed when the landowner applies and receives financial assistance for imple-menting conservation practices in his or her conservation plan.

No matter what type of agricultural opera-tion one has, there are many environmental and practical benefits to restoring and man-aging the land for wildlife habitat including:


Family is everything.” In the Swanberg family this famil-iar saying could not be more true. The Swanbergs have a long history that traces back to the early 1900s. In 1929, looking for a new start, parents Emil and Hildagarde traveled from Minnesota to the “Magic Valley” as it was called by many of their friends and family. They settled south of Pharr in the Las Milpas area and began their new life in the citrus industry. A hurricane in 1933 decimated their orchard and the family was forced to look for opportunities elsewhere in the valley. Upon settling down and establishing a farming operation, Emil and Hildagarde had eight children. Soon after expanding their family they purchased land, and soon thereafter, moved to Willacy County to continue on with their farming endeavors.

Emil retired in 1956, after many years of hard labor. Sons – and identical twins - Virgil and Vernon started farming together in

1957 after both finished overseas tours in the Army. They both actively purchased and rented land throughout Willacy County, eventually establishing Rancho Los Cuates and Swanberg Twins Inc.

The twins continued to farm together until 1989 when the farms split, thus the birth of Swanco farms. Swanco Farms is now owned by Marshall and Lance Swanberg after Virgil’s retirement in 1996. The first years of their partnership, they farmed primar-ily dry land cotton and grain sorghum. After Virgil’s retirement Marshall and Lance then began the search for irrigated land where they could expand their farming operations. They found their gold. Their first irrigated land came from the estate of the late Ralph Hutchins Sr. (Marshall’s wife - Kathleene’s grandfather) They began growing sugarcane and now farm a wide variety of crops such as cotton, grain sorghum, corn, soybeans, sesame,

“OPPORTUNITY land of

Ag Mag Featured Farmer

W R I T T E N B Y : M I C H E l l E M A RT I N

J u l Y / A u G u S T 2 0 1 5 17

as well as a commercial hay operation. Even with such a diverse growing operation, the family agrees cotton is the most rewarding and favorite crop to grow due to the potential yields they are now seeing with modern day technologies and variety traits that allow them to grow 4 bale plus/acre- Marshall noted his goal this year is to grow his first 5 bale crop.

The Swanberg’s have encountered many changes with the ranch and the farm. Zach (Marshall’s son) returned home to work full-time alongside his father. Zach says, “getting to work with his family is big within itself.” Zach said he enjoys learning how deci-sions are made from a family standpoint and not strictly a busi-ness standpoint.

Zach values the time spent together with family and says “it is worth more than any other job. The value and knowledge you receive from those who have years and years in the field is ab-sorbed better when a family member versus a boss teaching you somewhere else.”

Farming isn’t the only area the Swanberg’s have worked – they diversified their efforts, in 2009. Lance now manages the Pair ‘O Dice Ranch in eastern Cameron County east of Rio Hondo where they have wildlife of all kinds including cattle and offer opportuni-ties for day-hunting for whitetail deer, wild hogs, alligators, buffalo and exotics such as axis deer and black buck.

Pair ’O Dice is a special ranch for many reasons. One being it is an officially designated “Texas Conservation Partner” commit-ted to voluntary conservation of endangered species on private property for the future of all Texans.

Pair ‘O Dice Ranch has partnered with The Nature Conservancy, Texas Parks & Wildlife, Partners for Fish and Wildlife, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interiors. It uses grants to re-establish thousands of native plantings, pro-viding more habitat for Texas wildlife. Pair ‘O Dice is also moving toward opportunities as a bed and breakfast, and nature tours.

As many of you know 2015 has been quite a year in the farming and ranching world. The Swanberg’s have, however, held true to their core values, which stem from relying on the good Lord and believing in one another. With the death of their mother this past year and mother nature’s games, be rest assured they can endure any obstacle with family by their side.

“It is worth more than any other job. The value and knowledge you receive from

those who have years and years in the field is absorbed

better when a family member versus a boss teaching you

somewhere else.”

OPPORTUNITY

new hidalgo county horticulturist working her dreAm JoB

www.boggusford.com

J u l Y / A u G u S T 2 0 1 5 19

new hidalgo county horticulturist working her dreAm JoB

When Ashley Gregory attended Master Gardener classes in South Texas, she came away from the instruction with much more than the ability to garden -- she decided to grow a career.

“I was just out of college and I was so impressed with the class instructor, Barbara Storz,” Gregory said. “She was so full of passion and energy. I decided right then and there that I wanted to have that job one day. I wanted to be a horticulturist with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, so I started looking for positions with AgriLife Extension to get my foot in the door.”

Six years later, she is just that. After Storz retired late last year, Gregory applied for and landed the position. She assumed her duties April 1, but getting there was not just a matter of waiting for Storz to step down; Gregory knew she had to prepare herself to fill the huge shoes Storz would leave behind.

“Barbara is such a legend in South Texas horticulture,” she said. “She has a newspaper column, a radio show, a farmers market and a huge following. She’s very popular, but I knew if I wanted to become a horticulturist like her, I’d have to grow into the position.”

After Storz hinted to Gregory that she would be retiring in the coming years, Gregory began her preparations by getting her foot in the door.

“Dr. Juan Anciso was kind enough to offer me a huge opportunity to work with AgriLife Extension,” Gregory said. “I worked in diff-

erent capacities on various grant-funded projects during the six years I worked in Weslaco. I started with on-farm food safety and ended up working with water quality issues in the Arroyo Colo-rado Watershed.”

Gregory said she was inspired by Storz and Anciso, the fruit and vegetable specialist at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Weslaco.

“Those six years gave me a chance to prepare for being a horti-culturist. I worked with growers, conducted research field trials, led water-related programs and so forth. I feel lucky to have received such a varied experience. I’m impressed by those that graduate from college and start working with AgriLife without experience. It’s a challenge, but they manage to learn quickly and do well.”

A native of Edinburg, Gregory earned a degree in agricultural business with an emphasis on horticulture from Texas State University in San Marcos in 2007. While working with AgriLife Extension, she managed to earn a master’s degree in plant and soil science at Texas A&M University- Kingsville. To begin her new job as a horticulturist, Gregory decided to focus on the relatively large and popu lar Master Gardener program, but beyond that to discern from community members which way her horticultural program should go.

“The timing of my hiring was really good because AgriLife Exten-sion was conducting the Texas Community Futures Forum, an outreach effort conducted every five years by AgriLife Extension agents to determine from citizens their individual county issues and needs,” she said.

At the end of that exercise, three local issues rose to the top in the category of Horticulture/Urban Agriculture:

– Water quality and quantity, regardless of drought events.– Sustainable food systems to increase the availability of healthy food to all, and– Urbanization, to find a good balance of managing popula tion growth while maintaining green spaces and agriculture.

“I also worked alongside horticultural agents in San Antonio, Austin and Cameron County to get a feel for the job,” Gregory said. “What I found was that each agent does their job differently, depending on the needs of their individual areas. That tells me that I will also develop a unique horticulture program for my area.”

Other than Master Gardeners, who learn horticulture from experts and commit to share their knowledge with the community, Gregory said she is looking at starting a Backyard Basics program.

“That’s an AgriLife Extension program that teaches, among other things, how to start a garden, grow fruits and vegetables, pre-serve them, raise rabbits or chickens and other self-reliant activi-ties. It’s an inter-disciplinary program, and I am very fortunate to be able to call upon the many experts at the Texas A&M AgriLife Center in Weslaco to help teach these classes.”

Gregory can be contacted at 956-383-1026 or [email protected].

W R I T T E N B Y : RO D S A N TA A N AR o D . S A N t A A N A @ A G N E t . t A M u . E D u

moving from conventional farming to farmingorganic

J u l Y / A u G u S T 2 0 1 5 21

moving from conventional farming to farming

I moved to the Rio Grande Valley over 8 years ago from California. A friend asked me recently if I miss home and if I wanted to return. After some thought I said I miss the memories of California much like one may miss their childhood.

The adjustment and change of living in the Valley is always a topic for conversation for locals and new imports. I always tell those new to the valley you will go through a few emotions. The first 6 weeks things are new and fresh and then you say why I am here. Then you go 6 months and you think the traffic is horrible, I don’t fit in and I should go home. If you make it past 6 months you start to make friends then like me you start to call the Valley home.

I write this to make an analogy of switching from Conventional farming to Organic farming. When you start out farming organi-cally you feel like a babe in the woods. All of the tools you have used, perfected and studied are now gone. You have to search out new solutions. When you apply for Organic Certification they want to know what products you will use to control mildew, weeds, insects and fertilize. They want a list prior to you using them to verify they are actual approved for organic use. Ques-tions that go through your mind at this point are, “How do I know what I will need in 6 months” and “I barely know what I am doing tomorrow and you want a list of items I may or may not use”.

In the end what you do is get your hands on an organics supply list and you include every item in your application. That way you are preapproved without knowing what you are going to use. There are many useful items certified for organic use that work

well in a conventional program. I have used Dipel to control worms conventionally but it is an organic approved item. Oxidate is another item that is used to control mildew organically that works conventionally. The days to harvest is zero.But the basics of farming organically are the same as conven-

tional. You have to walk your fields, test your soils, observe your product and most important search out experts and read or listen to what they have to say.

Making the switch to organics can be scary but so can moving half way across the nation. Given time you will adjust and start to enjoy your new way of farming and it will become as routine as your current farming practices.

W R I T T E N B Y : J E D M u R R AYorganic

AENDuRINg LEgACY: PLAntIng the SeedW R I T T E N B Y : Kurt Schuster AgMag Columnist

number of different publications ranging from Progressive Farmer to The Produce News, and The Packer have all done surveys at some point in the recent past to gauge the demographic nature of their readers. One of the results of what they found should put a pause in most in the agri business community in that the majority of active farmers have an average age well in the mid-60s. I personally know of a cabbage farmers in his 80s that can outwork everyone around him, but in what is becoming a sad trend has no one to pick up the mantle if and when he chooses to retire. Even in the greater industry as a whole including pack-ing, shipping, etc. the average age hovers above the mid-40s. The sales portion of our business seems to be one of the few areas in which there are consistent inflows of new generations, in addition to larger corporations receiving the lion’s share of younger employees overall. This article started out as a general how to design, plan, or start thinking about the legacy of your business whether it be a family farm or a large corporation. However, since realizing the scope and complexity of the issue I’ve planned on breaking down the larger aspects of this issue into their individual parts. To that end, I would be remiss first off if I did not include an article for young and beginning farmers and agribusiness inclined individu-als so that we can realize ways and means in which we can encourage the newer generation into our business with my specific focus on the business/financing side of the equation. As I have touched upon the variety of legal issues previously I plan to focus extensively on involvement and obtaining capital in this column.

Low HANgINg FRuITOne of the easiest and most basic of course is to get the word out and get involved in your community. Talking to not only your kids but giving educa-tional presentations, sponsoring and participating with 4-H or FFA groups, hosting visiting college students, donating your time or resources: these are all methods in which I’ve been personally involved, and the dividends from that involvement do come back to your firm. Beyond the basics you can get more detailed like coming up with projects that quality for youth loans through the USDA, or by bringing in high school or college interns into your operation. We’ve hosted summer internships before in our operations that resulted in not only good work during the interim that helped us implement improved efficiency projects, but which resulted in a full time job for our intern. As an aside though, please realize that interns should not be consid-ered free labor; pay your people for their hard work and watch how much more you get out of them.

wE’RE FRom THE govERNmENT AND wE’RE HERE To HELP

This phrase has been known to strike fear into the hearts of most men, but every once in a while these guys can try to make good. User experience however, may vary. The USDA has a few programs out there to encourage and develop beginning farmers, however their definition of farming is very broad and can encompass everything from produce to fisheries so it would be more correct to regard these as agribusiness funding opportunities. The firs to mention is the beginning farmer loan packages. To qualify for such fi-nancing, an individual must: 1)Not have operated a farm for 10 years, 2)Will be involved in operating the farm “materially and substantially”, 3)Agrees to go through FSA finance training, 4)Come up with an income producing plan, and 5)Does not own a farm in excess of 30% of the county’s average. The devil though is always in the details, so check with our local FSA office for all the inevitable onerous paperwork and practice your hoop jumping. Another program the USDA has through the FSA is the Direct Farm Ownership Loan Program. This program is essentially a way in which

applicants can get up to $300,000 in low interest loans from the govern-ment to fund such things as land purchase, building repairs, irrigation projects, etc. This program specifically isn’t for young or beginning farmers, but in the application process those individuals are given a greater weight towards funding approval. This program again has copious paperwork requirements but in general has more flexibility than that of previously mentioned beginning farmer program towards obtaining operating capital to begin your agribusiness venture. The one thing that the government does have a preponderance of though is data. I would be remiss to mention that both the USDA and the FSA, along with other entities like county extension offices, have absolute reams and reams of data in which new participants to the agribusiness industry can get relevant help in many areas. Beyond just the information though there are agents and officers there ready and willing to help with any and all questions they can handle. As the government has a mandate to help young and beginning farmers, you should find the ability to get the help you need quite easy, even if you can get more information than you ever know what to do with!

THE PRIvATE SECToR AND BEYoND Out in the private sector there is less of a mandate to help the young and beginning in the industry, however those in this area know that without an infusion of fresh faces in the industry that their business will grind to a halt as well. One of the best strategies for obtaining private financing would be to show that you can get it already! As it bears repeating, most banks only want to lend you money when you don’t actually need it. If you can line up some of the government programs mentioned previously you should have an easier time obtaining private capital. A big and resounding however though, a lot of government and private loans have covenants that would make it difficult if not almost impossible to get both. It can be done, but do your homework first before you waste your time. Agriculture based lending services typically have areas in which they focus on young and beginning individuals, however these programs are still subject to internal controls. While you may be fast tracked you could be limited to a certain borrowing limit, or be stuck with higher rates. This may sound unfair, but if you’re hard up for funding the old adage of beggars cannot be choosers holds true. Private training programs and charitable funding opportunities do still exist out there to a degree, but for the most part they’ve been eclipsed by university level education programs and a focus on charities for the youth programs that involved those still in high school. If you can find a good program in your area, take advantage of it or let others know. A good example of this is our local community college is offering training course in various technical aspects (welding, diesel machinery, etc.) through a grant program, but which again has specific requirements. The aid and help is out there, you might just have to look hard for it.

gRowINg FoRwARD As my editor always tells me, I’m a bit verbose when writing and fill up my column quickly. However, as I mentioned in the beginning the development of an enduring legacy of agribusiness is something that encompasses a myriad number of dilemmas and business aspects. To that end I could go on and on about each of the subjects I want to cover, but I believe that I’m only able to give the bare bones as of now. This article, as most others I’ve written should be consider a primer and starting point for further research and discussion by you readers, and I encourage you all strongly to follow up if any of these topics has sparked an interest, question, or thought on how to start on encourage others to start in the agribusiness industry.

J u l Y / A u G u S T 2 0 1 5 23


hatever our accomplishments, our sophistication, our art- istic pretensions. We owe our very existence to a six-inch layer of top soil - and the fact that it rains.” - Anonymous. This living and dynamic resource that we call soil is taken for granted each and every day of our lives. Without soil, what would we have?

Soil is formed over time by the interaction of organisms, parent material, climate, and topography of the land. Depending where you are on this earth, it takes from 300 to 1,000 years to form one inch of topsoil. It is imperative that we take care of our soils for future generations, especially with the world population estimated to be 9.1 billion by 2050. It is estimated that food production will need to rise by 70 percent to sustain this increase in population. There are over 23,000 soil series in the U.S. alone.

A typical soil is made up of 45% mineral matter, 25% air, 25% water and 5% organic matter. Soils perform vital functions including sustaining plant and animal life below and above the surface, regulating and partitioning water, filtering, buffering, degrading, immobilizing, and detoxifying, storing and cycling nutrients, and providing support for structures.

Many soils in South Texas are made up of less than 1% organic matter. Soil organic matter is simply the de-composing plant and animal tissue, microbes (protozoa, nematodes, fungi, and bacteria), and carbon associ-ated with soil minerals. Organic matter is 58% carbon, a critical element in the functioning of soil.

Each pound of organic matter holds 20 pounds of water and for every 1% increase in organic matter results in about 25,000 gallons of water per acre and up to 30 pounds of available nitrogen per acre. Soil organic matter improves soil structure, infiltration rate and water and nutrient holding capacity in the soil. It is estimated that 50% of the organic matter has been lost in the United States over the past 100 years, most since the 1950’s.

t h e A m A z I n g r e S o U r c e

BeneatH Our Feet ‘‘W

W R I T T E N B Y : RO B E RT S C H M I D T

t h e A m A z I n g r e S o U r c e

BeneatH Our Feet

For the longest time, erosion was the major emphasis in the man-agement of soils. Erosion by wind and water is still a resource con-cern but now the health of our soils has become a dominant topic in conservation circles. Soil health is defined as the continued ca-pacity of the soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals and humans. Besides nutrient cycling, it is the habi-tat for biodiversity in the soil. It is a diverse mix of organisms below our feet that we never think about in our daily lives.

The soil is home to micro-organisms, known as microbes. Bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, and algae make up anywhere from 2,500 pounds to more than 5,000 pounds in the top six inches of soil over one acre of land. In fact, you can fit 40 million bacteria on the end of one pin. There are more microbes in a teaspoonful of soil than there are people on the earth. Yet, they make up only 1/2 of 1% of the total soil mass. These tiny creatures process soil into rich, dark, stable humus. Soil bacteria helps to form aggregates in the soil which in-creases water hold-ing capacity. The fungi in the soil on the other hand se-crete enzymes to digest organic mat-ter and they break down large mol-ecules into smaller ones. Fungi exist primarily as filamen-tous hyphae and a mass of hyphae is called a mycelium.

Hyphae of fungi pro-duce glomalin, which is glyprotein (sugar protein). Glomalin is resistant to decay and stabilize carbon in the soil. Plants provide sugar and the fungi obtain nu-trients from the soil for plant growth.

There is a unique association between roots of plants and the my-corrhizal fungi in the soil. Biotic glues are developed from the fungi hyphae and glomalin, which hold the soil aggregates together. As these mycorrhizal fungi form, they release glues. The hyphae en-tangle soil particles and squeeze the particles together. The stable soil aggregates are increased, which helps with water infiltration and water holding capacity. The result is a healthier soil. Other microbes include protozoa which are single celled. Also, nematodes occur which control disease, cycle nutrients and dis-perse bacteria and fungi.

There are also many different animals that live in the soil includ-ing earthworms, nature’s residue managers. Poor soils contain 250,000 earthworms per acre while good soils contain 1,750,000 per acre. 1 or less per shovel indicates a poor soil, while 10 or more

is indicative of a good soil. Earthworms burrow through lubricated tunnels, forcing air in and out of the soil. These tunnels provide an avenue for water infiltration, also. Earthworm casts contain 11% of the humus, 7 times more nitrogen, 11 times more phosphorus, and 9 times more potash than surrounding soil. Yes indeed, earth-worms are the natural tillers of the earth.

Let us view the soil as habitat for microorganisms, just as you might view forests or fields as habitat for animals. If we want to encour-age a diverse and healthy habitat for microorganisms we must pro-vide food, nutrients, proper aeration, pH, water, etc. Organisms live in the microscale environments within and between soil particles.

Benefits of a healthy soil include: less runoff, which means less erosion, greater water infiltration and less evaporation, improved

water quality, greater water holding capacity, better nutrient/carbon/energy cycling, more filtering and buffering, providing physical sta-bility and habitat for diversity. Soil is indeed a living and dynamic resource that needs to be protected, improved and sustained for future generations. Soil is the foundation of all life.

The United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

J u l Y / A u G u S T 2 0 1 5 25


W R I T T E N B Y : B O B B Y C H A M P I O N J R .t E x A S D E PA Rt M E N t o F A G R i C u Lt u R E

teXAS coAStAL AgrIcULtUre mAtterS :

from the gULf to YoUr PLAte

If you close your eyes and envision Texas agriculture, most of us will have a similar vision: longhorns grazing on open pastures, endless fields of cotton and sun-drenched ruby red grapefruits at the peak of freshness. For many native Texans, these images are deeply ingrained in their perceptions of Lone Star State agriculture.

It’s time to expand that vision to the sea. A true Lone Star trea-sure, the Texas shrimp industry is a powerful force in the agricul-ture industry. Behind the scenes, you will find hardworking Tex-ans who operate large boats and navigate miles of clean, coastal waters along the Gulf of Mexico. The Texas shrimp industry plays a critical role in Texas agriculture and the economic success of the state.

The unpredictable and alluring waters of the Gulf of Mexico have provided a diverse and distinctive lifestyle for our brave, com-mercial fishermen for generations. It is an industry fueled by hard work and a gracious but sometimes unforgiving sea. Together, Texas’ shrimp industry helps feed a nation hungry for tender, premium, wild-caught seafood.

Pride runs deeper than our Lone Star waters in the hearts of Texas fishermen. Saltwater runs through their veins. Their un-paralleled commitment to providing consumers with the freshest, best-tasting shrimp is always evident. As with all facets of Texas agriculture, the Texas shrimp industry is ever-changing, yet it continues to be a story of innovation and preservation that carries on to this very day.

The fact is Texas Gulf shrimp are highly coveted by consumers and professional chefs alike. Who can blame them? With miles of clean, sustainable coastline lining the Gulf of Mexico, why buy, serve or eat shrimp from anywhere else? Simply put, Texas is

teXAS coAStAL AgrIcULtUre mAtterS :

from the gULf to YoUr PLAte

home to an abundance of seafood op-tions for consumers across the globe. These delicious catches are locally harvested throughout the year and a favorite choice among health-minded individuals. Don’t just ask for Texas Gulf shrimp, insist on it!

So, why should you cast your nets in Lone Star waters? Texas Gulf shrimpers are responsible for approximately one-third of all shrimp harvested from the Gulf of Mexico each year. Plus, you are helping your fellow Texans. Think about it: When you look for, ask for and buy Texas Gulf shrimp, more of your money remains in the state. By supporting Texas commercial fishermen, you are boosting local businesses and helping sustain thousands of Lone Star jobs.

Texas Gulf shrimpers also lead by example and adhere to sound conser-vation practices. Through high-quality control standards and seafood safety requirements, our coastal environment is being preserved and protected for future generations.

Did you know that July marks the start of something tasty? It is the official

opening of the Texas commercial shrimp season. Why July, you ask? Texas takes the unique step of closing its coastal waters between May 15 and July 15 each year to allow various shrimp species to migrate from the bays into the Gulf of Mexico and grow into a larger, more valuable and market-ready size. The waters reopen in mid- July and the shrimp season begins.

So, whether your herding cattle in Amarillo, picking fruit and veg-etables in the Rio Grande Valley, shelling pecans in San Saba, harvesting grapes in Plains or trawling shrimp nets off Port Isabel, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller knows one thing is for certain, Texas Agriculture Matters!

J u l Y / A u G u S T 2 0 1 5 29

rgV Brahman & f-1fIeLd dAY A BIg SUcceSS


Congratulations and continued blessings to all Seniors and Award Winners!

J u l Y / A u G u S T 2 0 1 5 31

T he RGV Brahman & F-1 Assocation recently held our 3rd Annual Field Day at the Flores LPJ Ranch. It was very well attended with over 100 Brah-man enthusiasts on hand to listen to a great set of speak-ers headed up by ABBA President. Bubba Sartwelle speaking on the Future of ABBA. Another very inter-esting speaker was ABBA’s Executive VP Chris Shivers speaking on ABBA’s Perfor-mance Programs and other ABBA opportunities” stated RGV Brahman President Mike England.

Other speakers included Leandra Flores, President of the Jr. RGV Brahman & F-1 Association and MIke England speaking on all of the recent accomplishments of both the Jr and RGV Brahman Association activities from our 3rd Annual Showmanhsip Clinic & Show, to supporting our 3rd Annual RGV Registered Brahman Steer Show to our new $6,000 RGV Brahman Associa-tion Heifer Futurity. reports RGVB & FI VP Carlos X. Guerra Jr. “Speaking on Why You Should Adver-tise was Michelle Martin, owner of The AgMag. Roy Cruz from Floresville won the Polled Raffle Heifer donated by Louie Flores that made over $10,000 for our scholarship fund. Winners of $1,000 RGV Brahman Association Scholarships were Daniel Bustamante, Adrianna de los Santos and Abel Garcia” stated RGV Brahman treasurer Javier Moreno.

ABBA President Bubba Sartwelle was quoted as saying “Enjoyed much attending the RGV meeting and so impressed with your group…….a good group with lots of enthusiasm and leadership……RGV sets the pace for all of our ABBA Affiliate orga-nizations. I do believe that strengthening our affiliates and strengthening bonds with ABBA is perhaps the best way to grow our breed and expand its use in the commer-cial world….Keep up the good work and encourage others to do the same.” “Our next big event will be co-hosted with UTRGV and Team Mario. We are bringing the great Dr. Temple Grandin to speak on Autism Awareness and also on How to Handle Cattle More Efficiently on October 26th & 27th at UTRGV in Edinburg, Texas” reports RGVB & F-1 Chaplain Louie Flores. For more information, please contact Mike England at [email protected] - 956 330 0916 or Carlos X. Guerra Jr. at [email protected] - 956 330 1963.

rgV Brahman & f-1fIeLd dAY A BIg SUcceSS

32054 Weaver Road, San Benito, Texas

956-207-9004

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TIFT 419, Bermuda,Floratam & St. Augustine

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how 4h helped shape me

Nowhere else can you find an environment of competition, chal-lenge, and adventure while also finding a family away from your parents and siblings, who will prove to care for you and love you just as much. The 4-H organization accepts all kids and grants them a chance to explore their skills, their interests and tests them in order to help them grow and progress. In a world where specialization and focus on a vocational skill is key in finding success, and remembering the values of agriculture and the impact it has on our everyday lives is important in building strong character, the 4-H organization has established themselves as a youth organization set on truly helping the youth of America, especially in the State of Texas.

Nowhere else can a young adult come out of high school more prepared, or more excited for the world of opportunity and challenge that awaits them. The drive for success and making the world a stronger, better place holds steady as the greatest impact 4-H has on its members, and I know for myself that drive will fuel me for my life to come and no one could have helped me more than the 4-H organization of Texas.

I came into 4-H in the 6th grade, primarily interested in Shot-gun Shooting Sports I took on that project full speed and made practices, competed often and even volunteered at the range on occasion. Throughout my first year I took on a few other minor projects that helped me interact with other 4-Hers and quickly through grass i.d., horticulture, and photography and even in involvement at County Council meetings, I saw the value in leading especially within this organization and I was determined to find my chance to lead. I ran for club council and managed to complete the next year efficiently as a reporter. Going into my third year I decided to take on county council and push myself to experience 4-H at a higher level. Each step up the chain brought me to an even more exciting kind of involvement in 4-H.

Being able to plan and execute events, run council meetings, and volunteer and county wide events, all gave me the chance to interact with an array of people, hearing all kinds of stories, finding so many other kinds of lives and experiences and sharing with others my own knowledge and experiences.

By my sophomore year in High School I had made the leap to District 12 officer and in my senior year I was fortunate enough to be a Texas 4-H Council member and officer. The year spent,

dedicated to working in 4-H and making the program and the experiences one for other members to enjoy helped me find a positive outlet for my energy and focus. In planning and executing camps, setting up for, and cleaning up at banquets like the Annual Hi-dalgo County Foundation Hoedown, or the STAR Gala, and spending countless hours in meetings setting up community service projects or planning agendas, I managed to find a place where I could make a positive impact as I grew and learned how to work efficiently and appropriately.

The greatest of my experiences came from being a State 4-H officer and becoming a part of a 34 person family who all worked to reach the goals of the Agrilife extension service when it came to our responsibili-ties at events like the State Fair of Texas, 4-H Day at the Capital, or our Annual Texas 4-H Roundup held in College Sta-tion. Being around such strong minded people so similar to myself proved to be an experience of a lifetime that showed me when to lead and when to assist oth-ers on their ideas and take care of others in order to help the entire council. I know that I will always hold onto the values, and strength that Texas 4-H has instilled in me, I will always pos-sess the courage to seek out greater opportunity and challenge because of what 4-H laid out in front of me to experience.

To leave now and say goodbye to 4-H and all of my friends and family, it hurts, it’s hard to look back on everything I have seen, worked on, or laughed about and just make the next step. But despite how scary it is, I could not be more prepared because 4-H gave me everything I needed to succeed. I can look forward to my future and everything it has in store because of 4-H and I don’t think any youth or parent could ask for better.

Remi Hargett – 2nd Vice President Texas 4-H Council

Thank YouJ u l Y / A u G u S T 2 0 1 5 33

W R I T T E N B Y : R E M I H A R G E T T


mAnAge for SoIL heALth to ImProVe YoUr grAzIng LAnd And ProdUctIVItY

W R I T T E N B Y : K AT H RY N B R A DY

I n a 1938 essay entitled Conservation, father of conservation, Aldo Leopold tells us that “the most important part of the native prairie is the soil. The prairie soil was built by plants; a hundred distinctive species of grasses, herbs and shrubs; by the prairie fungi, insects and bacteria; by prairie mammals and birds, all interlocked in one humming community of co-operations and competitions; one biota.”

“Scientifically prairie soil is characterized by a very high organic matter content. And this organic matter also known as soil carbon is what sustains life within the soil” says Steve Nelle, retired NRCS biologist and private consultant. In grassland, organic material comes primarily from normal annual death and decomposition of grass roots and from the litter layer which forms a soil mulch that gradually breaks down into soil compost by the micro-organisms present in the soil. Most of the time we think of deep south Texas and the Rio Grande Valley as farmland, but even the most productive cropland was at one time a productive prairie. And as we all know south Texas is home to some of the biggest ranches in the world and soil health is directly related to ranch productivity.

One way to take care of prairie soils is by proper grazing management, this can be accomplished by maintaining a continuous vegetative cover on pastures. This vegeta-tive cover provides armor to protect the soil. The simple way of managing soil health and vegetative cover through grazing management is to keep stocking rates in balance with the available forage and to avoid overgrazing. Over time, heavy stocking causes the more palatable and productive forage species to disappear. These desirable for-ages are replaced by less productive, palatable plants that capture less rainfall, thus lowering the capacity of the soil to store moisture and increasing erosion.

A major goal in grazing management must be to leave enough forage in a pasture to protect the soil and maintain plant vigor. A covered soil holds more water by binding it to organic matter and loses less water to runoff and evaporation. The amount of or-ganic matter increases in soil when it is covered by vegetation and dead plant material residue. Vegetation also protects soil from heat, reducing water evaporation. Water is vital for plant growth. When soil loses water to evaporation it can halt the nutrient cycle, preventing nourishment and nitrogen from becoming available to plants. Another im-

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mAnAge for SoIL heALth to ImProVe YoUr grAzIng LAnd And ProdUctIVItY

portant aspect to remember is that plant residue armors the soil by holding in the water, plant residues also minimize erosion, buf-fers soil temperatures and allows for air circulation. A critical part of soil organic matter is that of live roots. So, it’s important to be cognizant of not only the plant above ground, but also the roots below the soil surface.

Roots can make all the difference in the world concerning the health and production of the soil and land. And it is possible to manage roots. This can be done by grazing management. This means only allowing cattle to graze to a level in which the roots will recover. Keep in mind that if the roots don’t recover then nei-ther will the plant tops. In other words, “leaving more than half of the forage any time a plant is grazed during the growing season allows the roots to continue to grow” says Jim Johnson in The Cattlemen article “Grazing Affect Plant Growth”.

If the roots keep growing so will the forage. Living roots enhance soil health by sharing nutrients between vegetation, bacteria, fungi and protozoans. And they can also help re-duce soil compaction. Roots also keep the plant alive and can re-grow the plant after a dormant season; this happens by way of the grasses sending up new shoots and tillers from the basal crown. If cattle graze the grass too short, they damage the plant’s crown, mak-ing it difficult to grow back.

“When you defoliate more than half the plant, the roots stop growing” said Charles Kneuper Rangeland Management Special-ist of the NRCS. A key to remember is that if the grass isn’t growing above ground then it’s not feeding the below ground herd (the soil biology). By imple-menting the “take half, leave half method” along with a rotational grazing allows root growth to continue uninterrupted. The more the roots grow then the more the forage grows. In the end more forage will come from the half that is grazed.

Plant diversity is not only a key to healthy pastures and rangelands, but is also the key to a healthy animal. This can be accomplished by actively managing brush, keeping a conservative stocking rate and encouraging a wide variety of cool and warm season grasses as well as forbs. This variety mimics nature and enriches the soil by keeping the soil bacteria and protozoans happy and fed. Fur-thermore the cattle eat a more balanced diet and meet their pro-tein requirements from the younger, greener vegetation. This is not to downplay the monoculture pastureland fields of buffelgrass and bermudagrass. These fields are an excellent addition to any grazing system that allows for grazing during rest and recovery periods of your native rangeland fields.The benefits of a rotational grazing system are profound on range-

lands; they keep the grass from being overgrazed and growing even through dry and dormant seasons. Rotational grazing also minimizes disturbance and compaction of the soil by maximizing the rest of the acres not being grazed. Another aspect of rotational grazing is the distribution of manure which helps feed the biology of the soil. Cattle more uniformly utilize the forage, because they can’t be as selective under a quick rotational system.

When making management decisions on your rangeland it is im-portant to remember that almost every aspect of rangelands and rangeland management has some sort of impact on the soil; there-fore it is important to take steps to minimize disturbances. Distur-bances include: drought, rainfall, grass fires or even prescribed fire, cattle feeding and watering even grazing and wildlife popula-tions. Always plan for the future and be aware of the health of your soil, plants and animals by keeping an active eye on the land.

When planning of the future; mark a point on the calendar where certain milestones or triggers need to occur in order to decide

whether to rotate, rest, defer, add sup-plemental feeding, or to move or sell the cattle. This can be based on the produc-tion of the grass and the amount of rainfall needed during the growing seasons. Always be willing to be flexible and adapt to changes.

Charles Kneuper re-minds us that “every management deci-sion ranchers make has an impact on the soil; transitioning from uncovered soil to lush green pasture even after a severe drought is possible when you are aware of the principles of soil health. Practice

range management with patience, creativity and active manage-ment.” “The solution is simple, maintain adequate ground cover and soil moisture. Remember that the annual forage production in Texas occurs in May through July when rainfall is traditionally occurring” said Dr. Cody Scott, president of the Texas Section Society for Range Management.

Again in Aldo Leopolds essay Conservation he states that “the chemistry, biology and hydrology which take place in the soil is one of the most complex and least understood parts of nature. Our food sup-plies, water supplies and wildlife populations are dependent on healthy, functional soils”. Our role is to keep the soil covered maintain a healthy, living and productive soil. May we all strive to be responsible caretak-ers of the resources entrusted to us- the soils, waters, plants and animals.

J u l Y / A u G u S T 2 0 1 5 37

The 2015 growing season has been filled with multiple challenges. There have been excessive rainfall events, dimin-ished commodity prices, and static to higher input costs. It is more important than ever to make sure soil fertility is managed as well as possible.

Utilizing an accurate soil sample is the best place to start. Precision soil sam-pling is the best strategy to determine in-field variability and to help prioritize where fertilizer dollars should be spent. Economics is also a huge player.

It is essential to understand that utilizing precision soil sampling does not neces-sarily mean more money has to be spent on fertilizer. Shifting where fertilizer dollars are spent can be an economical and agronomic way to improve fertilizer efficiency and profit.

Historically, a majority of the fertilizer budget has been spent on nitrogen and phosphorus. Ignoring the other essential plant nutrients can prevent reaching the full yield potential. Liebig’s law of the minimum developed by Carl Sprengel and popularized by Justus von Leibig visually explains the importance of all essential plant nutrients.

The “barrel” illustration explains this logic very well. The maximum amount of water (yield) the barrel can hold is determined by the shortest barrel stave.

Most growers have multiple yield limiting factors. In the example above, spending the entire fertilizer budget on nitrogen and phosphorus will not necessarily

improve the yield potential because zinc, iron, sulfur, and potassium have not been addressed. The good news is that addressing multiple soil fertility issues doesn’t have to break the bank.

Micronutrients like zinc and manganese can be addressed with relatively cheap foliar applications in season. Sulfur can

2016StrAtegYSoIL fertILItY

PriOritizinG neeDs tO aDDress multiPle issues


W R I T T E N B Y : D E R E K E M E R I N ES o u t H E R N B u S i N E S S u N i t A G R o N o M i S t – H E L E N A C H E M i C A L C o M PA N y

2016StrAtegYSoIL fertILItY

PriOritizinG neeDs tO aDDress multiPle issues

be added to nitrogen applications. We are seeing an increased need for sulfur and sulfur must be present in adequate levels to convert nitrogen fertilizer into plant proteins. If there are budget con-cerns with adding sulfur, nitrogen rates can be reduced 10-15% to help pay for the additional sulfur.

Lastly, pay attention to potassium. Many Texas soils have high soil test potassium levels, but they have two issues that affect the plants’ ability to utilize the soil test potassium that is present. One is that many Texas soils have relatively high clay content. This results in a sizable amount of the soil test potassium getting tied up in the clay structure present in the soil.

The second issue is that many Texas soils also have high pH. High pH soils have large amounts of calcium and/or magnesium. Plants grown in soils with very high calcium or magnesium have a more difficult time taking up potassium present in the soil. We have seen signifi-cant yield responses to adding potash to many Texas soils and/or applying foliar potassium in season.

Soil fertility can be complicated. Utilizing

a soil test, whether it is a standard or pre-cision sampling, is the best place to start. Soil tests help determine which nutrients are yield limiting factors. As commodity prices fluctuate and profitability becomes more challenging, it will be imperative to have an open mind about where fertilizer

dollars should be spent.

Ask questions of your consultants and fertilizer dealers, and most importantly utilize soil test data to make an informed decision.

J u l Y / A u G u S T 2 0 1 5 39

Liebig Law Barrel

Yield Compared to Soil Test Zn

Want to advertise or submit an editorial piece?Contact Michelle Martin at the Ag Mag (956) 330-8870

[email protected]

Pursuant to the Texas Agriculture Code, Section 58.091, the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) administers the Young Farmer Grant program (YFGP). The YFGP is administered by TDA under the

direction of the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority (TAFA). The purpose of this program is to provide financial assistance in the form of dollar-for-dollar matching grant funds to young agricultural produc-

ers that are engaged or will be engaged in creating or expanding an agricultural business in Texas.


Who can apply?Grant applications will be accepted from any person who is at least 18 years of age but younger than 46 years of age at the time of grant award and engaged in creating or expanding agriculture in Texas. The applicant must be able to make dollar-for-dollar matching expenditures to sustain, create or expand the project.

• Grant awards range from $5,000 to $10,000• Grant program offered twice per year• Grant funds may not be used toward capital purchases that exceed $5,000• Applicant must be able to make dollar-for-dollar matching expenditures• Grant funds will be award on a cost reimbursement basis• Costs must be within the term of the grant award

Texas Department of Agriculture Texas Agricultural Finance Authority Young Farmer Grant (YFG) Program

Frequently Asked Questions COMMISSIONER SID MILLER

Q. What’s the YFG program?A. It is a program that provides grants to eligible young farmers to create or enhance agricultural enterprises in Texas.

Q. How do I apply?A. Applications are available twice a year. Fill out the application available online at the Texas Department of Agriculture’s website www.TexasAgriculture.gov and submit it to TAFA for consideration.

Q. Is it for me?A. Grant applications will be accepted from any person who is at least 18 years of age but younger than 46 years of age and engaged in creating or expanding agriculture in Texas. The applicant must be able to make dollar-for-dollar matching expenditures to sustain, create or expand the project.

Q. Are there grant limits?A. The TAFA Board can make awards ranging from $5,000 not to exceed $10,000.

Q. Will everyone get a grant?A. There are no guarantees. Grants are based on available funds, the proposed use of grant funds and other application material. The board may consider other factors, including:

• the quality of the application• applicant’s need for financial assistance • the project’s ability to create, enhance or sustain the applicant’s agricultural operation; improve overall agri cultural productivity in Texas and increase the number of agricultural enterprises in Texas that are owned and operated by young farmers.

Q. How often are grants awarded?A. The TAFA board will set two periods in each fiscal year (early winter and summer) in which the authority will receive and approve grant applications. You may also email [email protected] to add you email to receive notification when the application is available. Application deadlines will be posted at www.TexasAgriculture.gov.

Q. Any restrictions on grant money?A. Operating expenses for contract labor, seed, fertilizer, livestock, feed and fuel are all eligible expenses. Grants may not be used for capital expenditures with a cost of more than $5,000 or a useful life of more than one year.

Q. May I use a grant to reimburse for my own labor?A. Grant funds may not be used to reimburse the value of your personal labor or services. The costs of hired labor specific to your project may qualify for grant funding.

Q. If I’m selected to receive a grant, may I apply again? A. Yes! There is no limit.

For more information, contact: Grants Office(512) 463-6908 [email protected] www.TexasAgriculture.gov

TAFA’s Young Farmer Grant Program aims to:• Grow and support Texas agriculture - so as not to have to ship products from other states, including deficit commodities • Help meet a financial need that is otherwise not met• Help grow an operation that also impacts the community

RY LIvesTOck a Standing Success!

Mention Sam Rodriguez’s name to anyone in Rio Grande City and chances are they know him or know of him.

A Rio Grande City native and Rio Grande City high school gradu-ate, Rodriguez has been an active part of the area all of his life. After graduating high school and Universal Schools of Dallas he worked as an insurance claims adjuster in Rio Grande City while dabbling in the local livestock market.

He has played various roles on the Rio Grande City Legislative Committee, the Farm Service Agency’s Outreach Program, the Star and Zapata Counties Youth Fair Associations and Driscoll Children’s Hospital – along with a long list of many other services, committees and charities.

It was after more than 26 years as an insurance adjuster that Rodriguez and his wife Nedina found themselves with the oppor-tunity to operate the livestock auction market and purchased R.Y. Livestock Sales, Inc. They have owned the business – and dealt with the auction market’s high volatility – since 1993. Their busi-nesses include the auction market, an export business and raising Beefmaster and Charolais cattle in Starr and Zapata counties.

He has been honored many times with a variety of awards for his leadership, his volunteerism, fund-raising for community events and, of course, for the work within his industry.

He will say it comes from his love for people – something he stresses from the start. His theory is that while he may be owner of a business, he still is an employee for the ranchers and the pro-ducers, working hard to get the best prices for their product.Those ranchers and producers have gained much respect for Ro-driguez over the years. When asked, they all seem to describe

Rodriguez the same way – quick to mention going out of his way for others, being sincere, honest and truthful.

Reynaldo Alaniz, a San Isidro rancher and a director of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, has nothing but praise for Rodriguez. He said in a previous interview that Rodri-guez is “one in a million and so is his brother. They came from a poor family and have worked all their lives.”

“Sam goes out of his way to help ranchers. He’s the kind of guy that if you don’t have $10 to put gas in your truck, he’ll loan you the money,” Alaniz said.

Rodriguez goes deeper than just the auction market. He develops relationships with his ranchers and producers and tries to stay on top of the newest trends and health regimens – strongly encourag-ing producers on vaccinations, dehorning and other topics.

In the end, however, he readily admits that he’s been blessed to be involved in a business that he’s passionate about. He not only enjoys working with his producers but also educating and helping the younger generation. He sponsors many FFA trips and invites classes to learn the process of the auction market – from bringing the animals into the market until it is sold and shipped off.

“It’s just a way to educate them,” Rodriguez said. “Some of these kids may have never seen a livestock auction or show before.”More than likely if you asked who Sam Rodriguez is or was – even 50 years from now – people will still smile and remember his impor-tance and activity in the Rio Grande City and Starr County area.

Sam and Nedina have two children, Maggie R. Posas and Samuel Rodriguez III.


RY LIvesTOck


W R I T T E N B Y : M E l I S S A B l A I R , Zone 3 Public Affairs Specialist, USDA-NRCS, Corpus Christi

Conservation Assistance Available for Bobwhite Quail Habitat Improvements through Initiative

T he USDA-Natural Resources Conser- vation Service (NRCS) in Texas will be working with partners on the recently announced 2015 NRCS Texas Bobwhite Quail Initiative, aimed at increasing the amount of high-quality native grassland and savannah habitats by at least 255,000 acres over a four year period for bobwhite quail, and related declining wildlife species. The initiative targets more than 60 Texas counties.

Bobwhite quail populations have declined over the past 40 years, mainly due to the loss of rural lands and habitat fragmenta-tion. Private landowners have a great opportunity through this initiative to make desired habitat improvements on their land, which in turn will benefit and increase quail populations, as well as other wildlife species. Bobwhites play a valued role in the ecosystem cycle of life and are a barometer of changes in other grassland bird populations.

Conservation management that improves quail populations will also benefit a wide array of declining songbird species such as Loggerhead shrike, dickcissels, grass-hopper sparrow, and meadow larks to name a few.

Quail can also provide an opportunity for revenue for landowners and rural commu-nities through hunting, recreation and eco-tourism. Their presence not only increases

the aesthetics of the land, but may also increase the real estate value. Wildlife tax exemptions might also be attained through the county tax appraisal office by having a conservation or wildlife plan.

“For many, the enjoyment of hearing and seeing wildlife is one of the many reasons people own land,”

said Salvador Salinas, Texas NRCS state conservationist. “For others, it may be the enjoyment of a rural lifestyle where hunt-ing or wildlife photography is important or being able to pass the land onto future generations in better condition than when it was acquired. Whatever the reason, with more than 83 percent of Texas land privately-owned, the landowner is in the driver’s seat when it comes to taking ac-tion to conserve, enhance and beautify their land for wildlife.”

The NRCS will provide technical as-sistance to those desiring a blueprint to follow aimed at conserving, protecting and improving their land and natural resources.

The blueprint is a conservation plan that is developed with a landowner free of charge and can be tailored to the development of Bobwhite quail habitat on their place.

A conservation plan will increase your ranking for funding when applications are requested. Applications are taken year round, but certain funding deadlines are announced throughout the year.

Conservation plans can include: • Aerial photo, map or diagram of your land• Soil map and soil descriptions that are site specific to your land • Insightful resource inventory data of your land, which can include potential

forage or crop production estimates, livestock carrying capacity estimates, plant identification, and recommended seeding rates • Recorded list of your objectives and a conservation plan and schedule for achieving those objectives

All plans are confidential. Their purpose is to provide a roadmap to help you achieve your goals as well as your farm or ranch objectives. The bonus of improving your land through conservation stewardship benefits not only you, your family and future generations, but also the community with cleaner air, water, improved water quantity and quality, enhanced wildlife habitats and populations, and an overall a healthier place to live.

The initiative is a result of a partnership effort with various conservation-minded groups. Along with NRCS, partners in-clude the Texas Parks and Wildlife Depart-ment (TPWD), Oaks and Prairies Joint Venture’s Grassland Restoration Initiative Program (GRIP), University of North Texas Quail Program (UNT Quail), Western Navarro County Bobwhite Quail Restora-tion Initiative (WNBRI), Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute (CKWRI) and the Rio Grande Joint Venture (RGJV), and Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs).

For assistance on developing a conservation plan or infor-mation, visit the USDA-NRCS office or visit www.tx.nrcs.usda.gov.

10 reasons to join 4-H & FFa

To develop skills to succeed in the workplace.To improve goal-setting and decision-making skills.

To become a school or community leader.To discover how our government works.

To learn To care for and proTecT The environmenT.

To have lots of fun while learning by doing.

To get to attend 4-H Citizen Washington Focus or to make lasting friendships.To develop talents and skills that benefit them throughout life.

To help solve issues and problems facing youth today.

LEADERSHIP SKILLS

KNOWLEDGE OF AGRICULTURE

HEALTHY LIVING

CONFIDENCEGood Sportsmanship

Work Ethic

Community Service

lifelong frienships

Scholarship Opportunities

A n d m a n y o t h e r s k i l l s

4-H & FFa CalendarCOMING SOON


HEALTHY LIVING

Work Ethic

fArm BUreAU reLeASeS detAILed AnALYSIS of

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WASHINGTON, DC., June 11, 2015 – The American Farm Bureau Federation released documents outlin-ing how the EPA’s Waters of the U.S. rule will give the agency sweeping powers to regulate land use despite a body of law clearly prohibiting such overreach.

The Farm Bureau analysis, now available online, makes available to the public details the EPA has refused to ad-dress in public meetings over the past year. The docu-ments are available as PDF attachments.

“Our analysis shows yet again how unwise, extreme and unlawful this rule is,” American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman said. “Our public affairs specialists and legal team have assembled the best analysis available anywhere, and their conclusions are sober-ing: Despite months of comments and innu-

merable complaints, the Waters of the U.S. proposal is even worse than before.”

The WOTUS rule, first released in draft form in April, 2014, has garnered fierce opposition from farmers, ranchers and land owners of all kinds. Dozens of states and countless municipalities oppose the measure since it would federalize regulation already handled at the local level. Just as important is the rule’s radical view of “water” which, in its view, should encompass the vast majority of land in the United States since it surrounds actual water that may or may not be protected under the Clean Water Act.

Alarmed by the agency’s actions, the House of Repre-sentatives recently voted to prohibit the EPA from enact-ing the rule. A similar bill is moving through the Senate and could come to a floor vote within weeks.

a farm bureau publication

fArm BUreAU reLeASeS detAILed AnALYSIS of

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wAterShed dAmS SAVed teXAnS An eStImAted $40 mILLIon In fLood dAmAge coStS

Continued on page 54

TEMPLE, TEXAS – The month of May was one for the Texas record books. It will go down in history as the wettest May on record, shattering all previous records. Rainfall totals of 15 to 20 inches were documented across the state with many areas receiving more than their average annual rainfall in May alone. According to the National Weather Service in Fort Worth, over 35 trillion gallons of rain fell across Texas in May, which is enough water to cover the entire state of Texas in eight inches of water. While the rains did bring much need-ed drought relief across the state, it fell in such torrential downpours in many instances that roads and bridges were washed out, stranding motorists and sadly costing the lives of a reported 27 Texans. The story that hasn’t been told is about the damage that didn’t hap-pen thanks to 2,041 watershed dams across the state that quietly func-tioned as they were designed to do. “The more than 2,000 dam sites across the state that were affected by the rainfall provided at least $40 million in estimated damage reduction

benefits from storms through-out the month of May,” says NRCS Landscape Conservation and Planning Leader Lori Ziehr. “Savings include road and bridge damage reduction, reduced loss of crops and livestock and damages to homes.” Additionally, the structures also provide improved recreation, water supplies and wildlife habitat. Texas watershed dams annually provide over $140 million in benefits to the state. According to Ziehr, in addition to the existing 2,041 watershed dam sites, the state would have realized an additional $20 million in damage reduction savings if the 266 planned dams awaiting funding had been constructed. These watershed dams often ap-pear to be very large stock ponds or fishing and recreation sites scat-tered across the countryside, but in a heavy rainfall event their specific design and function is critical. They capture raging floodwaters and hold it, releasing it slowly downstream. Slowing the water’s velocity greatly reduces flood damage.

Protection and Flood Prevention Act to construct these watershed dams, or flood control structures, in an effort to protect homes and property during flooding events.

“These structures continue to reduce the impacts of flood-ing, and they are compliment-ed by conservation practices within the watershed that reduce erosion and improve water quality,” says John Mueller, NRCS State Conservation Engi-neer. “These watershed dams are an important part of our state’s infrastructure – millions of people depend on them for protection from floods and for providing clean drinking water.” All of the NRCS assisted flood con-trol dams are inspected on a regular basis to ensure they are operating as designed. As dams approach their designed life expectancy, they are evaluated and rehabilitation repairs and upgrades are implemented as funding is made available. In addition to the Federal govern-ment, the State of Texas recognizes the importance of these structures

wAterShed dAmS SAVed teXAnS An eStImAted $40 mILLIon In fLood dAmAge coStS


Continued from page 52

and has made great efforts to help maintain them for the safety of all Texans. In 2010 the Texas Legisla-ture approved funding for the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) to assist these watershed dam sponsors in caring for the structures. “Since then, the TSSWCB Flood Control Program has provided local watershed sponsors $8 million for main-tenance, and $22 million for repair and rehabilitation of the watershed program dams,” states John Foster, TSSWCB pro-gram officer. “The State Flood Control Program has played an important role to ensure that the dams function prop-erly during extreme condi-tions, such as those we have recently experienced.” “It is important to remember, that while all of our sites func-tioned as designed during the recent heavy rainfall, historic events will result in flood flows through the auxiliary spillways of the flood control structure,” Mueller adds. “Extreme caution should always be taken in flood zones.” In addition to the structures, pri-vate landowners across the state also played a part in the network of conservation systems designed to reduce flood damage during rain events like Texas just experienced. For example, Texas landowners have more than 8 million acres of the state voluntarily applying a con-

servation plan with the NRCS. Most of these plans include implementing conservation practices that reduce areas of bare soil by increasing the amount of grass and plants that cover the ground.

During flooding events, the ground cover serves to slow the water down and trap sediment and debris before entering waterways. Terraces, buf-fer strips and grassed waterways are also effective conservation or management practices that reduce erosion, improve water conservation and create wildlife habitat. “It is in these historic rainfall events that we can really val-ue the benefit of these flood control structures,” says Mueller. “Combined with the conser-vation practices landowners have established, damage to infrastructure such as roads, bridges and railroad tracks is greatly reduced. For more information on the NRCS watershed program, or for information on installing conser-vation practices on your land to help prevent erosion and reduce flooding, contact your local NRCS office located in the USDA Service Center, or learn more at www.tx.nrcs.usda.gov

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).

ag mag issue 6

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