Ag mag pages by THEAGMAG

Issue 1 Vol. 1

A Letter from the Editor Welcome to the Ag Mag! I’m Michelle Martin, a Valley Native and graduate of Texas A&M Class of 2009 (I took a victory lap as many would say), WHOOP! Upon my graduation I had a couple jobs all which were wonderful stepping stones, but I never felt as if I was fulfilling what God had put me on this earth to do. I never found a state of contentment. With much prayer, tears, support, and a whole lot of brainstorming, I found a need for a publication in the agricultural market place that focuses on local farmers, and the pressing issues they face on a daily basis. I researched and found there was no local publication recognizing the agricultural lifestyle and all the hardworking people. I decided to do something about this. That is how Ag Mag was born. Ag Mag’s purpose is provide you with up-to-date information that the agricultural industry of South Texas will find important. The voice of agriculture needs to be heard. It needs to be heard louder and clearer than it is now. The Rio Grande Valley is full of tremendously talented individuals who dedicate the majority of their lives working in agriculture to make life easier for others. My objective is for the community to greater understand that agriculture plays a huge part in every aspect of daily life. The hard working individuals of agriculture make it possible for America’s people to have clothes on their back, food on their plate and several other qualities of life that we seem to take for granted. Agriculture is much more than tangible objects. It’s a way of life. I have seen the countless hours the agricultural families sacrifice to provide for the needs of others, while placing their own needs on the back burner. That selflessness and lifestyle is extremely rare in today’s world and not many understand. The support I have received from this magazine thus far has been overwhelming. To everyone, thank you for helping me make this magazine possible. I hope you find the Ag Mag beneficial and will join me as an active reader as this magazine will grow.

What’s Inside... Sugarcane Aphid in the Rio Grande Valley Page 6

Valley Grain Sorghum Finds A Way Page 10

Yes, there really is a Big John’s Bar B Que Page 12

Helping People Help the Land Page 14

A Mutual Family Endeavor

Schuster Family Farm Page 16

Mexico’s Water Debt Page 19

Texas cattlemen pass Texas Beef Checkoff Referendum Page 20

Growing into the Future Page 26

Email me with story ideas or thoughts - be active. There are so many great stories and important information out there to share. In a way, this is your magazine - lets make it the best it can be.

Staff

2 Timothy 2:6 The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.

Publisher michelle@theagmag.org (956) 330-8870

Volume 1, Issue 1. September 2014. 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 publication become the property of Ag Mag.

Al Benavides

Special thanks to all who contributed their efforts and writings to this publication.

Michelle Martin

Graphic Designer

Sugarcane Aphid in the

Rio Grande Valley

Written by: Danielle Ortiz

The Sugarcane aphid is an invasive pest that we saw for the first time in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) on sorghum in October of 2013. Right away my colleague Dr. Raul Villanueva an Extension Entomologist and I thought that this pest was a potential threat to our spring sorghum crop, so we began learning what we could about it. We did an initial insecticide trial evaluating different registered pesticides: Lorsban, Asana, Dimethoate in sorghum along with Transform in November 2013. Other colleagues involved throughout this state and in Louisiana and Oklahoma were evaluating Transform and we were all working together to be able to get the data to support an emergency Section 18 to use Transform in sorghum. The label was approved allowing Transform use on grain sorghum from April 26, 2014 until October 31, 2014. 6 Ag Mag

Since the sugarcane aphid was new to this region it was important to start monitoring it and studying the phonology of the pest and how it would adapt to this region. In the first months of 2014 before the sorghum was planted, we were finding sugarcane aphids in Johnson grass, hay grazer and with volunteers growing sorghum from seed lost during harvest last year. We monitored 11 sorghum fields from the time the sorghum seedlings emerged in mid-February and early March to harvest in July. Sugarcane aphid populations first established in sorghum in late April when the sorghum plant was already maturing and starting to boot. Populations of sugarcane aphids soared the first week of May as sorghum plants were producing heads in some fields,

and the crop was in the dough stage in others. Within a few days, sugarcane aphids moved from feeding on the lower leaves to feeding on the sorghum heads. Sugarcane aphid feeding and damage was inevitable if the growers had not sprayed. Many growers, about 80% in the RGV, sprayed their sorghum for sugarcane aphids. There was a drastic decrease in the sugarcane aphidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s population around May 21st. Reasons for the crash are not specifically known, but may have been associated with the area wide spraying, the influence of higher temperatures during several especially hot days, or a buildup of natural enemies after fields were treated. We completed several other insecticide trials this spring. We repeated another trial testing Transform against

other insecticides Lorsban, Dimethoate, Asana, and Sivanto. In this trial, Transform and Sivanto proved that after 11 days they were providing better overall control than the other insecticides. It also showed that Lorsban and Dimethoate caused the sugarcane aphid populations to flare. We also did an insecticide trial comparing different rates of Transform to see which was more effective. All the while we were evaluating three growersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; fields where they each used different methods of application(ground and plane) with different rates of Transform applied. We concluded that ground spray with drop booms and hollow cone nozzles using a rate of 1oz Transform per acre plus a high volume of water (greater than 10 gallons) was highly effective. Other methods were also effective as long as an application rate of Transform used was no less than 1 oz per acre. As harvest time approached in early July, the population of sugarcane aphids was starting to return, but growers were able to stay ahead of them and get their sorghum harvested. This fall

we will continue to conduct studies on the sugarcane aphid. We would like to offer many thanks to the Texas Grain Sorghum Board, and United Sorghum Checkoff for their encouragement and support in addressing this pest. Thanks is also offered to all the sorghum growers and the Cotton and Grain Producers of the Lower Rio Grande Valley for inviting us to their fields. Beto Garza and all Texas A&M Agrilife Research also are providing great support for this program.

Our colleagues up north: Drs. S. Armstrong, M. Brewer, M.Way, B. Rooney, and D. Kerns were all collaborators in this program. Also a special thanks to Gabriela Esparza-Diaz, Postdoctoral Extension Associate in Entomology and all the interns gathering data for these studies.

Research done by:

Raul T. Villanueva, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor and Extension Entomologist rtvillanueva@ag.tamu.edu

Danielle Ortiz

Extension Agent- Integrated pest management danielle.sekula@ag.tamu.edu

Dr. Raul Villanueva and Danielle Sekula-Ortiz, entomologists at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Weslaco, say growers averted major crop losses by following the AgriLife Extension area-wide spray program to successfully reduce high populations of sugarcane aphids. Texas A&M AgriLife Communications photo by Rod Santa Ana

Valley Grain Sorghum

Finds A Way

Written by: John Miller Owner, Southwest Agribusiness Consulting, Inc.

cross the Rio Grande Valley (RGV), grain sorghum plays a vital role in most farming opera tions. Modern grain sorghum was specifically developed for increasing feed supplies across the South Plains since it is not uncommon to have prolonged dry periods that adversely affect the development of substitute crop. So the sometimes arid South Plains had difficulty developing substitute crops such as corn, especially on acres that cannot be irrigated. Sorghum crops helps to mediate this problem. Grain sorghum was found to be a beneficial rotational crop for cotton, as well, since it would break cycles of soil based diseases. A desirable rotational crop like corn will not yield as much of a desirable financial outcome for the farmer on non-irrigated acreage like grain sorghum will. The economic importance of row-crop agriculture across the RGV makes it critical for now that both the production and marketing of grain sorghum maintain sustainable pathways. This is mainly because of the dependence of this area on drought tolerant crops. The current season provides an interesting look at the ability of sorghumâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;whether it will find a way even in the face of potentially adverse situations on the horizon. The nice looking grain crop that you saw as you drove around the RGV between March and June took more care than you might have realized. There was the benefit of an unexpected boon of rainfall than has been experienced in the last few years. However, it was not a very wet fall and so lacked deep moisture of the kind of frequent rains which

10 Ag Mag

were needed to enable a bumper crop. While not all farms saw rains to support a RGV-wide bumper crop, most farmers experienced an average to above-average yields this year. As in, with 3,500 to 4,000 pounds of grain sorghum in a semi-dry year being satisfactory, many fields yielded in the 5,000 to 6,000 pound range if not more! If not for the unwanted appearance of the sugarcane aphid creating extra work and expense, more top-end yields may have been experienced. The harvest was large enough, however, that the availability of trucks to bring the crop to market was limited. The space needed to store the crop, too, was very tight. The potential space limitation and market concerns for a while had the potential to slow harvest and limit pricing opportunities. Fortunately, some new and interesting things happened to help address these issues. For many years, the RGV has been a dependable supplier of grain sorghum to the livestock feeding industry both locally and across the border in Mexico. The tremendous growth of the livestock industry in Mexico over the past several decades, coupled with numerous droughts there in recent years, has resulted in the majority of RGV grain sorghum crop eventually moving South across the border. The dependable demand from Mexican livestock feeders, and the steady prices that relationship has provided, have helped farmers here be more sustainable despite the up and down grain sorghum and cotton yields (due to drought and sometimes relatively weaker prices for cotton crop). Over the

past year or so, declining livestock numbers in Mexico, and better grain crops there, have temporarily interrupted this typically stable relationship. Some Valley grain sorghum has been sold to Mexican livestock feeders this year, but the volume was very low compared to past years. To begin with, Mexico had a very strong corn crop in their Central Highland region last fall. Additionally the Mexican government created programs that have encouraged more corn production there, and the weather there was very favorable for growing corn. The more direct impact for us, however, is the fact that Northeastern Mexico (primarily Tamaulipas) recently had a bumper grain sorghum crop, as well, which will greatly delay the Mexican livestock feeders need for our crop. Thankfully, a new and interesting player steps in. Last year was the first time as far as anyone recalled that China began importing grain sorghum. It may be that China is experimenting with substitute feed commodities given the greater variation in both world corn supplies and prices in recent years. In addition to livestock feed, China is known to use sorghum in some consumer products like beer. Whatever the reason, we are fortunate that the Chinese found Texas grain sorghum economical. Of course there are other factors at work when dealing with China. For

instance, corn imports into China have a 13 percent import tax charged whereas sorghum does not. Also, ocean freight rates from the Texas Gulf are increasingly competitive with the combination of rail and ocean freight it takes to move corn from the Midwest to China via the West Coast. Once China became involved, the orders picked up in a big way with over a dozen vessels being purchased! The multi-national grain companies that operate at both the Port of Houston and Port of Corpus Christi began to put the word out that the upcoming grain sorghum crop would be needed right away to satisfy vessel loading agreements. We saw a similar situation in 2007 when a decent grain sorghum crop in Mexico coincided with a dismal wheat crop in Europe where they depend on that crop for feed. At that time, however, it was more of a case that European buyers were willing to outspend Mexican buyers for our grain sorghum. This time around, the Chinese demand has come at a time when Mexico was barely participating in the market nullifying competitiveness and magnifies the importance of this new market participation. Managers of local grain elevator facilities reacted quickly to help local farmers take advantage of this unique marketing opportunity. With the booming Texas oilfield currently taking

a significant number of heavy trucks away from agriculture, it has been no easy task to line up the transportation needed to get Valley grain sorghum to Corpus Christi in time to capture the premium price being paid for quick shipment, and to avoid harvest delays due to a potential lack of local storage space needed to put away the harvested crop. Until the end of the harvest season, RGV farmers had opportunities to sell their grain sorghum locally in the $ 7.00 to $ 8.00 per hundredweight range. Without the new Chinese demand at our Gulf port facilities, it is not hard to imagine that prices could have been a dollar or more lower during that same time period. Those are dollars that end up contributing to the local RGV economy. Whether or not China will become a permanent player in the Texas grain sorghum market is hard to predict. For that to happen at all, however, we need to maintain a dependable supply achieved with a strong and sustainable agricultural community. So the next time you are driving around the Valley during the late spring and notice the quiet scene of a darkening grain sorghum field, you will understand better all that goes into getting that soon-to-be harvested crop from a seed bag to its best market.

SOUTHWEST AGRIBUSINESS CONSULTING, INC. Risk Management Consulting â&#x20AC;˘ Commodity Brokerage

John Miller, PH.D. Local: 979-272-0539 Fax: 979-272-0549 Toll Free: 877-697-8944 Cell: 979-219-1864

2122 FM 50 Caldwell, TX 77836 jmiller@agconsult.net www.agconsult.net

Yes, there really is a

f you were to ask any farmer in or around the Harlingen area where to get a good plate of home cooking, chances are they will say Big John’s BBQ. Big John’s restaurant always provides a downto-earth, family atmosphere with a distinguished menu. You may have heard John started out as a produce grower, and then the infamous “white fly” paid him a visit two years in a row! The banker told John he had to make a business move quick, and that is how Big John’s BBQ began. John transformed the produce shed into a popular restaurant. Upon the opening of Big John’s BBQ restaurant, John met Peg and ended up having a heated conversation over who was the better pit master—and the rest is, as they say, history.

prevents him from being at the restaurant as much as he would like to be. This is where Peg stepped up to “the plate” and put her cuisine onto your plate. Peg has an extensive background in the culinary arts, so often she can make anything your little heart desires. Peg’s special talent makes everything

Amidst this feel of at home ambiance, one of the most common questions at Big John’s is, “where is Big John?” Well, Big John is around, but you are more likely to see Big John’s better half Peg at the restaurant.You see, shortly after their relationship blossomed John was faced with some health issues, which

at the restaurant, from the BBQ sauce to the battered fried shrimp, skillfully homemade. Some more of Big John’s BBQ crowd pleasers are the corn balls, prime rib, and cobblers—yum! Peg has recently been busy collaborating with John to introduce a bigger, better menu that offers an array of

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food selections for beef and vegetable lovers. This new menu will be making its debut very soon. It promises to provide good ole’ food with more for your buck! Finally, if you are having a large event and want to serve Big John’s food, you are in luck! Big John’s caters to the whole of the Rio Grande Valley with affordable prices. All you have to do is pick up the phone and give them a quick call at: Story and Interview by: Michelle Martin

BIG JOHN’S BBQ & CATERING 956-423-3240 3806 W. BUSINESS 83  HARLINGEN TEXAS 78552

11:00am-8:30pm Mon-Thurs 11:00am-9:00pm Friday/Saturday, Closed Sundays

Helping People

Help the Land Written by: Kathryn Brady - NRCS

Eight years ago, Cameron County farmer Mr. Ovidio Atkinson came to the San Benito Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) field office seeking advice and assistance to enhance his cropland production. NRCS made field visits and worked with Mr. Atkinson to discover his production goals and objectives for his 4500 acres of cropland and 1500 acres of pastureland. NRCS assisted the Atkinson farms with an irrigation pipeline and land leveling for improved irrigation water flows, leading to increased crop yields. NRCS also aided with cross fences and planting native grasses. The cross fencing helped Mr. Atkinson rotate the cattle into different pastures. This led to both healthier cattle and grass production decreasing the potential for overgrazing. The NRCS is a division of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). NRCS was formed in 1935 and was originally called the Soil Conservation Service (SCS). As a result of the devastation and loss of soil from the dust bowl, Hugh Hammond Bennett recognized a need to educate and awaken public concern for the problem of soil erosion. Bennet, dubbed “the father of soil conservation,” thus became the first chief of the SCS. This service was tasked with assisting landowners with teaching and assisting more effective farming techniques such as irrigation and drainage, crop rotation, and tillage. After World War II Congress passed appropriations to allow the SCS to assist with these conservation improvements by cost-sharing the installations, therefore offsetting the financial burden that could be incurred. Since that time, cost-share and incentive payments to landowners have been allocated through the Farm Bill (or Agriculture Act) which is renewed every four years by Congress. In the 1990’s the SCS changed its name to the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) to better recognize the devotion to improving all forms of natural resources. Natural resources targeted for conservation include: soil water, air, plants and animals. NRCS has recently empha-

sized the importance of human capital and energy, as well. The mission statement of the NRCS is for helping people help the land, and the service strives to reach this goal every day with every producer through the various programs like Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) and Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA). NRCS has an office and board of directors. There is a Soil and Water Conservation District in every county in the United States. For Mr. Atkinson the Southmost Soil and Water Conservation District Board Chairman, the hard work and conservation efforts have paid off. Mr. Atkinson has been able to improve his financial and economic lifestyle by increasing the crop production which would ultimately led to the ability to send his children to college. Atkinson looks forward to continuing to improve his farming and crop production working in conjunction with NRCS. For more information on how NRCS can assist you, simply visit the website or stop by your local office (a listing is posted below).

www.nrcs.usda.gov| NRCS San Benito NRCS office: 2315 W. Expwy 83 STE 3 San Benito, TX 78586 956-399-2522 x3 Edinburg NRCS Office: Rio 2514 S. Veterans BLVD STE 2 Edinburg, TX 78539 956-383-3002x3

Raymondville NRCS Office: 255 Farm RD STE 2 Raymondville, TX 78580 956-689-2542x3 Grande City NRCS Office: 708 W. Main STE 4 Rio Grande City, TX 78582 956-487-5598

HAPPY HOUR First Thursday of every month from 5:30-7:30pm AMCluboard@gmail.com October Event at:

El Divino at 5:30pm President: Jeff Taylor Social Chair: Melanie Schroedter

a Mutual Family Endeavor

Schuster Family Farm

Interview by: Michelle Martin Written by: Mary T.Walker

rank John Schuster started a farm in South Alamo which he passed onto his son and namesake the current Frank Schuster and President of the farm business. Like his father, President Frank has kept the farm in the family. He has his son Max Schuster as the current Vice President of Operations and his other son Kurt as the Chief Financial Officer. As Max says, “We love the business, but more importantly we love working together as a family for families .” The Schuster men seem to have always been about farming, but there is a little more to the story. How President Frank came to take over the farm was not just a simple acceptance of his father’s profession. He had actually been studying in law school when he received a call telling him of his father Frank senior’s first heart attack. His reaction, though, was definite: to leave pursuits of the legal profession and go home to take care of his father and the farm. President Frank took over the farm after Frank senior’s second heart attack took his life. Max Schuster, on the other hand, knew from childhood that he wanted to be a farmer like his father and grandfather. He believes it to be a profound professional calling and something in his blood. Kurt Schuster had worked in banking for a bit, but explains that was, “obviously not what I wanted to do.”

16 Ag Mag

Now firmly in position as Schuster farmers, they shared their excitement over their profession despite the challenges that they inevitably face. President Frank shared the pressure of keeping up with changing technology and science, but also his excitement of those same changes allowing him to grow cotton in two varieties and to be able to keep the corn crops insect free without harming the plants. Max mentions working outdoors as a strong advantage over a desk job and added, “There is something about farming. I never get bored.” Kurt commented that he is content working with family. He also explains how complex the farming profession is,

“A lot of people think that farming is something easy like placing a seed into the ground and watching it grow. That is far from the truth. It takes a lot of physics, biology, and technological skills.” Indeed when the Schusters were asked about the challenges that face farmers, issues related to the complexity of the profession arose. Max brought up the timeless challenge of farming: the weather. He points out that even in a region like the Rio Grande Valley where the climate is generally hot and dry; weather still randomly surprises crop growers. Kurt mentions the regulations from the various governmental agencies to ensure food safety are yet another

The business, then, is comprised of two parts: El Sabino Family Farms and Val Verde Vegetable and has worked with various locales. In the United States, the Schusters had for a time participated with New Mexico and Colorado in addition to Texas for product sourcing in order to satisfy customer want. The nation of Mexico, too, had experienced the Schuster reach in almost every one of its states working with growers. Currently,

though product sourcing has been concentrated mainly to the state of Texas except for the limes they still acquire from Mexico. The Texas areas associated with the family business reported on their Val Verde Vegetable website are: the lower Rio Grande Valley, the Winter Garden, and West Texas. In all parts where their farm’s work extends or extended in the past, President Frank points out that skilled, trustworthy laborers are a much valued advantage for keeping the business running smoothly to produce healthy crops. Primary commodities of the farm include cabbage and mixed greens; in the off-season they cultivate cotton and corn. Their mixed greens include cilantro, parsley, collards, kale, and mustard. The Schusters are expanding into the oriental market of produce and have started growing daikon radish, napa cabbage, and bok choy. Max shared that his favorite thing to grow are beets, “There are so many different varieties of beets. I love to drive around and see the colors. I am drawn to the smell, the taste, the

‘‘

process!” When President Frank Schuster reflected on leaving law school to care for his father and the farm, he shares about taking on the farmer profession, “I am proud to follow in my father’s footsteps.”

A lot of people think that farming is something easy like placing a seed into the ground and watching it grow. That is far from the truth. It takes a lot of physics, biology, and technological skills.

‘‘

responsibility to meet. Despite the challenge of keeping up with food safety regulations, though, the Schusters’ Val Verde Vegetable website lists in a tab labeled Our Pride their “commitment to the safest product environment.” With his sons’ increasing responsibility and excitement over the family business, President Frank conceded to their recent change of a portion of the business name that had been called Frank Schuster Farms. Still recognizing their grandfather Frank John Schuster, Kurt and Max replaced the name to what had been Grandfather Frank’s favorite tree, el sabino, which Max says means the cypress tree.

Ag Mag 17

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Not just looking for a gun? 18 Ag Mag

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Eddie Lucio III

Mexico’s Water Debt

failed to treat Texas as a water user and set aside and deliver water on an annual basis for Treaty compliance. In previous cycles, Mexico’s debt was eliminated by natural rain occurrences like storms when Mexico could not capture this water in Mexican reservoirs for their own use. With few exceptions, namely the debt resolution agreement of 2005, Mexico has failed to make a conscious effort to set aside water to exhaust previous debts.

We are approaching the end of the 4th year in the current 5 year Treaty cycle. During this current cycle, Mexico’s debt has grown as high as approximately 480,000 acre-feet. To put this in perspective, this is nearly enough water to provide a two year supply for municipal users in the Region. Under the leadership of Chairman Carlos Rubinstein, from the Texas Water Develop“Eddie Lucio III is a lawyer with the Law Offices of Beatty Bangle Strama, ment Board, the state of Texas has engaged very early in this PC ., managing their Water Law Division. In 2006, Eddie Lucio III was debt cycle. Texas has worked with their congressional delegaelected to the Texas House of Representatives, District 38 and overwhelm- tion, specifically Senator John Cornyn and Congressman Filemon ingly re-elected in 2008, 2010 and 2012. Additionally, Eddie Lucio III Vela, to raise concern for this issue in Washington D.C. Texas currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Calendars Committee and is a water leaders have communicated their concerns to the U.S. member of the Special Purpose Districts Committee, Natural Resources Section of the International Water and Boundary Commission Committee and Federalism & Fiscal Committee” (“IBWC”) urging that they work with their Mexican counterparts towards Treaty compliance. The Texas Legislature has he Rio Grande River continues to remain the most weighed in on this important issue by passing a resolution (HCR important source of water in the Rio Grande Valley. 55 – Lucio III) during the last legislative session urging meaningful The River is an international waterway governed, and direct engagement on this issue by the highest levels of our from Ft. Quitman to the Gulf of Mexico, by a 1944 federal government. Stakeholders also traveled to Washington Treaty titled, “Utilization of Waters of the ColoD.C. to visit with the Department of State, the federal agency rado and Tijuana Rivers and the Rio Grande”. The Rio Grande with jurisdiction in this matter, in efforts to raise these concerns Valley Region almost exclusively relies on the River for its muand encourage their engagement as well. Various meetings have nicipal and agricultural needs. For the purpose of water plantaken place in both countries with Texas and Mexican officials ning, it is critical that there be a predictable supply of water in discussing possible compromise and settlement options. In addithe River that stakeholders can rely on and use. The Region is tion, members of the Texas delegation have secured language in expected to double in size in the next 50 years. The State of federal legislation that would require IBWC to annually report Texas has invested significant resources to develop and fund a to the U.S. Congress the status of Mexico’s compliance with destate water plan to meet the state’s water needs through the livers per the Treaty and the economic impact of water delivery year 2060. Mexico’s compliance, or lack thereof, greatly impacts deficiencies on the Region. This will be the first time Congress water planning and reliability and puts the Region’s water supply has real time information regarding Mexico’s delivery debts and in jeopardy. At greatest risk is the agricultural community whose the economic impact of these debts on the region, empowering water rights are junior to municipal rights. Studies have shown them to take action. that the Region suffers hundreds of millions of dollars in economic impact when agricultural water is put at risk and farmers Ultimately, the goal should be to have Mexico treat Texas as a cannot produce their crops. user included in Mexico’s annual delivery schedule, which will result in a fair allocation of water to Texas per the Treaty. Texas Water stakeholders in South Texas have been experiencing the is simply asking that Mexico honor their Treaty obligation to the impact of Mexico’s failure to comply with the 1944 Water Treaty Rio Grande in the same way the United States has consistently for many years. As per the Treaty, Mexico is to deliver a minihonored its obligation to Mexico on the Colorado. In order mum 350,000 acre-feet of water per year to the River for use to accomplish this goal it would require government-to-governby Texas water users on a five-year accounting cycle basis. One ment negotiation between the United States and Mexico, led by point of contention regarding Treaty interpretation is whether the highest ranking officials from either countries’ Department 350,000 acre-feet should be delivered by Mexico on an annual of State, or their equivalent. On its face, the Treaty is sufficiently basis or whether it can be delivered as a total sum within the 5 written to protect the interests of both countries. Building conyear accounting cycle. Article 4 of the Treaty stipulates that unsensus between Texas and Mexico less Mexico is suffering from extraordinary drought, it is required regarding the intent and spirit of to deliver the annual minimum of 350,000 acre-feet. Historically, the Treaty is the key to avoiding Mexico has interpreted the Treaty as a 5 year obligation and has debts in the future.

Texas cattlemen pass Texas Beef Checkoff Referendum

Bill Ward works cattle at his Limestone County ranch. By Jessica Domel – Field Editor Farm Bureau Publication

exas cattlemen will invest an additional $1 per head in their future following the passage of the Texas Beef Checkoff Referendum in early July. The measure was passed by a 67-33 percent margin, according to the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). “It’s good to see that the cattlewomen and men who are involved in the cattle industry in Texas saw the need for this additional checkoff dollar to continue promoting beef in Texas, nationally and internationally,” Dave Edmiston, vice chairman of the Texas Beef Council and a Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) state director, said. “ It’s a big win for the cattle industry in Texas .” Cattle industry organizations requested that TDA create a producer-funded and managed, state-level checkoff program financed through a refundable assessment at each point cattle are sold in Texas. The refundable dollarper-head assessment will allow Texas

20 Ag Mag

beef producers to conduct promotion, marketing, research and education programs for consumers. For ranchers like Bill Ward of Coolidge, it means hope that the ranching legacy passed down to him by his father can be passed down to his own children. “I think it’s good for Texas beef ,” Ward, who is also president of the Limestone County Farm Bureau, said. “I feel that we will get more advertising for selling our Texas beef nationally and internationally. I think that one dollar per head for cattle that we sell during the year is going to be a cheap investment for us.” The funds will be managed by Texas beef producers on the Beef Promotion and Research Council of Texas. “These are cattle producers throughout the industry, from the packers, cow/calf individuals to the feeders to cattlewomen and men,” Edmiston said. “They sit on this board and have one goal—to promote the beef and also bring value back to the beef industry in Texas .”

TFB and other agricultural organizations in Texas worked together to promote the referendum and provide accurate information to those eligible to vote. “All the (beef) organizations came together, saw the need and worked together as a team ,” Edmiston said. TFB activated its grassroots network, and volunteers across the state took the time to talk to their friends and neighbors about the importance of the extra dollar. “We took some brochures around. We took them to the sale barns, the feed stores and talked to them and just asked them to vote their conscience ,” Ward said. “It turned out two to one. I’m glad of that.” Beef producers, regardless of age, who owned cattle in Texas between June 6, 2013 and June 6, 2014 were eligible to vote in the referendum in early June. The collection of the voter-approved assessment will begin Oct. 1.

USFRA and Texas Farm Bureau to host Food Dialogues By Julie Vrazel – Assistant Editor

“We are partnering with USFRA® to help farmers and ranchers connect with our consumers and to answer their questions, including the tough ones,” Dierschke said. With the general public being several generations removed from the farm, this event looks to create dialogues to help bridge the gap.

Food.

It’s a topic of growing concern among consumers. More than one-in-four Americans has questions about the food they are purchasing, according to U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance® (USFRA®) consumer messaging research. Now, more than ever, Americans are hungry for information about how their food is grown and raised. To continue the conversation on some of today’s most pressing issues concerning food, Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) is partnering with USFRA® to hold The Food DialoguesSM: Austin Sept. 18, 2014 at the AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center. “Our urban neighbors have questions and concerns about their food.The Food DialoguesSM: Austin will create a place where agricultural experts can share their knowledge and personal experiences about animal welfare and food production with consumers,” TFB President Kenneth Dierschke said. “We all have a vested interest in knowing more about our food, how it’s grown and raised and how it impacts our lifestyles. It’s a dialogue we need to have more often.” The event will feature two distinct panel discussions focused on animal welfare and conventional and organic growing practices. Additional details, including the event moderator and other speakers, will be announced in the next several weeks.

“Since its public launch in 2011, USFRA® has dem onstrated the ability to bring farmers, ranchers, experts and academics together for robust conversations about how food is grown and raised,” said Bob Stallman, chairman of USFRA® and president of the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF). “Everyone deserves to get honest answers to the questions they have about where our food comes from. We are excited to be partnering with Texas Farm Bureau to further our outreach to consumers and influencers.” USFRA® is a farmer and rancher led organization working to build trust in today’s food production system. The organization is committed to continuous improvement and supporting U.S. farmers’ and ranchers’ efforts to increase confidence and trust in today’s agriculture. USFRA® was created to lead the dialogue and answer questions consumers have about food production through events, social media, access to farmers and ranchers and content on its website, www.fooddialogues.com.

To learn more about this event, USFRA® or its signature event series,The Food Dialogues SM , visit www.fooddialogues.com. Follow the conversations on Twitter using hashtag #FoodD.

Ag Mag 21

Look for Ag Mag at: Co-Ops Feed Stores Restaurants Hardware stores 4H and FFA events and many more valley locations. Ag Mag will be distributed in all four counties of the Rio Grande Valley!

Benefits of

Extracurricular Activities By Kaci Major, Texas FFA State Vice President

s I look back on my high school career, the memo ries that really come to the forefront of my mind are the extracurricular events that I participated in. I was active in the National Honor Society, Student Council, and very active in my high school’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter. I would highly encourage any and all students to get involved in extracurricular activities, the benefits and memories that you make will last a lot longer than your four years in high school. For instance, while attending Burleson High School I was active in the Burleson FFA chapter where I was a chapter officer, a district officer, an Area VIII officer, and am now proudly serving the Texas FFA as a state officer. For anyone reading this article that is not familiar with the FFA, it is the largest led youth organization in the world! There are FFA chapters in all 50 states, as well as in Guam, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. One of the biggest misconceptions comes from the name though; we are not all about farming. The FFA adjusted its name in 1988 from Future Farmers of America to the National FFA Organization to symbolize the skills learned by participating in the agricultural organization (e.g., leadership, speaking, career development, interview, and record keeping skills).

24 Ag Mag

Whether it’s the FFA, football, band, or other organizations the point is that there are benefits students will gain by participating in an extracurricular activity. One of the first benefits I gained was learning to keep up with my studies/grades. I got to participate in the fun activities that were being offered, but to do so I was required to keep my grades up in each class. All extracurricular events related to high school are subject to the “no pass no play law.” Students have to keep their grades above a 70 in order to complete/play. I understand and agree that school and grades should be up kept, and the rule to keep grades up helps a lot of students become successful in and out of the classroom. Research has shown that students who are active in extracurricular events in high school have a lower dropout rate, higher GPA, and are more successful in standardize testing. The second benefit I gained from being active was the time requirement. Let me explain, for me high school flew by and the four years did not seem to be

but a blink of an eye. I did not have a whole lot of extra time for TV, video games, or social media which I think contributed to my success in high school. Students who are involved also learn a lifelong lesson in time management. I had to manage my time to get course work, home work, and practice in every day. Some students also have a job on top of all that, too. This is a time management lesson that will help throughout life and prepare students for a career and a family in the future. The third benefit of being active is the skills learned. For me, public speaking, job interviewing, research, and writing skills were gained through the FFA. These skills will help me with my career which I hope will be in public relations, law, or as an educator. Athletics, band, and other organizations also teach students skills that will help prepare them for the rest of their lives like those I gained from FFA. The fourth benefit of being involved in extracurricular activities that I want to touch on is the scholarship opportunities that students can take advantage

of. Football is popular here in Texas, and a few students will move on to play college football on a scholarship, and a few of those will go on to play in the NFL. Football is not the only scholarship sport offered. I have known fellow classmates that have gotten partial financial aid, or, in a few cases, full scholarship opportunities to play soccer, golf, bowling, softball, and volleyball while attending the university/college. Scholarship opportunities are out there for students not only for sports

but with various other extracurricular activities, as well. There are students who have received scholarships/ financial aid through other organizations like band, choir, dance, and cheer. Another example this summer comes from the Texas FFA that will be awarding over 1 million dollars in scholarships at their annual State Convention to members who have been involved for 4 years. In my case, I will be attending Clarendon College on a livestock judging scholarship because of my high

school involvement in FFA. So, when asked what the one piece of advice I would give to an incoming high school freshman, my response without hesitation is to get involved! The benefits exceed anything you could imagine. Getting involved in any extracurricular activity will make a high school career more enjoyable by relaying skills and helping with a successful high school career.

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Call 956-330-8870 or email: michelle@theagmag.org

Ag Mag 25

Growing into the Future It is my distinct pleasure to welcome you to the inaugural issue of AgMag, an agricultural news magazine that seeks to fill a very important and underserved area of information here in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV). The agriculture industry in the RGV has undergone significant and fundamental transformations recently. As the existing network of local farmers, shippers, and importers is growing into ones based in larger worldwide corporations, the need for a means to keep a tab on the pulse of agribusiness in the RGV is necessary. As such, I am going to endeavor as your columnist to keep abreast of the business side of the agriculture industry as a whole with an eye on the bigger economic environment of agribusiness in the RGV. Thanks for coming

along for the ride!

From what was once an industry based solely around local farmers, packers, shippers, and importers to a multimillion dollar industry, it has become important to understand the infrastructure in both Mexico and our own surrounding region of the RGV. We can thank important changes in both the growing and transportation infrastructure in Mexico and our own surrounding region for this financial upsurge. As time has progressed, though, the consideration of agriculture by the RGV population has been one that I would characterize as “nostalgic neglect”. Many people who come from a past of farmers remember their fathers and grandfathers before them having significance in the agriculture industry. They seem to believe that as the RGV has developed to a point that leaves these days as just a bygone past. This is understandable as the diversity, scope, and scale of the economy of the RGV has grown significantly in areas outside of agribusiness. These areas include the service sector and the duty/tariff free manufacturing system called “maquiladoras.” While this is true and also that the sheer number of acres being farmed down here have diminished, the importance of the agriculture industry cannot be understated and definitely should not be relegated to just a memory. In the last five years, we have had a number of multi-national corporations arrive in the RGV to set up operations that span both their Mexico base and their growing U.S. operations. A lot of national companies (many of which come from California), too, are expanding into Mexico and are using the RGV as a business area. All this has changed the nature of the agriculture industry. For instance, other national and international firms are pouring millions of dollars into constructing cold storage infrastructure, processing and packing sheds, and other agriculture related industrial sites helping to spur our local economy while developing the nature and direction of our industry. All those factors have helped to develop agribusiness in the RGV. Another reason is our unique geographic location which affords us the ability to be in season with certain agricultural commodities while the rest of the nation is not. We have easy access to the growing regions of Mexico that also serve to feed our hungry nation. Overall, the comparatively cheap land, water, labor, and living expenses that can be found here have acted as fertile soil attracting investment from various businesses as a new area with which they can grow and expand. On the Mexican side, there have been rumors of a transnational highway nearing completion, creating hopeful anticipation in the agriculture business here of this additional way to get produce into the U.S. The agriculture industry in the RGV is transforming itself into an industry that is receiving wide recognition in the U.S. markets of what we can offer. As an industry, though, there still are and will always be growing pains associated with transition to any new phase in agribusiness for the RGV. From various bureaucratic morasses to labor availability, and, honestly, the natural limitations in the RGV, we have got our work cut out for us. Every challenge aside, readers, the future is bright for agriculture in the RGV! 26 Ag Mag

Kurt Schuster

AgMag Columnist

We support Valley Agriculture in the field H in the classroom H in the home, at the livestock show H online H in the courts at the statehouse H etc. etc.

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FFA Events Saturday, September 13

Saturday, October 11

STAR STEER VALIDATION

RATTLER ROUND UP PROSPECT SHOW MERCEDES

Monday, September 22

HOG VALIDATION DEADLINE

Saturday, October 18

Tuesday, September 23

HILL COUNTRY CLASSIC PROSPECT SHOW RIO GRANDE CITY

RGV DISTRICT FFA PLANT ID CONTEST

Tuesday, October 21

Saturday, September 27

RGV DISTRICT FFA GREENHAND CAMP

LAMB/GOAT VALIDATION WESLACO AG FARM

Saturday, October 4

LA MUNECA FIELD DAY Tuesday, October 7

RGV AG TEACHERS PLANNING MTG 28 Ag Mag