Issue 40 of the Ag Mag by THEAGMAG

Michelle Martin

Owner/Editor michelle@theagmag.org (956) 330-8870

Proverbs 16:9 “ In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

Al Benavides

Graphic Designer (956) 492-6407

A Letter from the Editor Have you ever gotten lost? Maybe you remember back in the days when all we had was paper maps to get us to our locations, or word of mouth of someone giving us directions. Today, it is really hard to get lost with the GPS on our phones.. even though they fail us from time to time. But, in reality, it is much harder to get lost these days than it used to be. It seems everything has made our lives so much easier. Order food online, shop online, tractors drive themselves, open your garage on your phone.. the ways our life has been made easier is endless. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy everything being made easy, but at the same time I think sometimes things get so easy we tend to forget God when things get rough. Just like our GPS takes us to certain locations, so does God and the Bible. Yet, we tend to get lost more often even though the easy route is right in front of us. We can have the Bible on our cell phones these days, and open up to a scripture that can help us find our way.. Yet, how many times do we do it? I will be the first to admit I fall short more times than not finding my own way and not going God’s. I tend to think I have the answers when I don’t. I pretend I know the way, when I am lost. Our life is like a map, each phase in our life we are met with challenges, we have moments we enjoy, and moments that are hard. I want to focus on the tough times in this letter from the editor. What do you do when times get tough? I recently spread myself too thin and was on the verge of a mental breakdown I like to say. My husband walked into the bathroom to see me crying my eyes out. I was tired, I was frustrated, and honestly I felt helpless. Typically, I would go into damage control and start trying to pretend I knew my way, but this time I felt lost really lost. Sometimes, God has to break us in order for us to see we still need Him. No matter how easy our accessibility has become we still need God. It was in that moment I knew I had fallen off the beaten path and I needed to pull out my map aka: God. I needed Him to lead the way, because I was obviously not doing a good job. No matter what you’re going through, or whatever path you are on, whether it be smooth sailing or a rocky road, we always need God.

Owner/Creator of AG MAG

In This Issue: 6. Guinea Grass and the Licorice Jellybean 8. Safer, Less Expensive Biological Control May Be Right Under Our Feet 10. Cotton Insect Control Suggestions 12. Be on the Lookout for Early Season Insect Pests 16. China Continues Focus On U.S. Sorghum 20. Texas Gulf Shrimp Food For Thought... 22. 100 Kids That Give A Darn In The Barn 26. Impacts Last A Lifetime 28. A Cover Crop Mindset 38. FEATURED FARMER: The Ranch Way 46. USDA Projects Hot Growth in Produce Imports Over Next Decade 50. Correcting Iron Deficiencies in Grain Sorghum 54. Commisioner Miller asks Governor Abbott to utilize unspent cares funding 59. Avoid the Pests of Tank-Mixing Pesticides 60. Texans Helping Texans 68. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Reaching Every Texan

Year 7, Issue 40 March/April 2021. 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. Ag Mag is published bi-monthly ©2021. To advertise in Ag Mag, call (956) 330-8870 or email michelle@theagmag.org

Guinea grass and the Licorice JellybeaN BY DR. MEGAN CLAYTON AND DR. BARRON RECTOR, Extension Range Specialists, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

s we find ourselves in the Easter season, my mind often goes to one of my favorite kind of forages, jellybeans! These colorful small beans look great in a candy jar and offer many fun flavors that may even take you back to a certain place or family gathering. I enjoy all but one – the licorice jellybean. It’s hard for me to see why someone would prefer licorice to all the other fruity flavors, although we all know a small handful of people who claim to love licorice or have learned to tolerate it in the jellybean mix. I liken Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maxima) to licorice jellybeans. Although there are a handful of people who may wish for more Guinea grass or consider it to be one of their premier livestock forages because it works well for their operation, many people would either like to eliminate it from the “jellybean” mix or have learned to live with it. Far from its homeland of Africa, this tall, awkward grass with straight stems adorned all the way up with weeping leaves thrives in our drought-prone lands of South Texas. Experimental plantings of the grass have been documented in Kingsville during the mid-70’s, although its presence was noted in Hitchcock’s Manual of the Grasses of the United States in 1935. Could this silent creeper be the cattle forage or hay producer

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that keeps our livestock operations profitable, as much of tropical America has discovered? Alternatively, will this grass eventually spread throughout native rangelands, decreasing plant diversity necessary for wildlife species to thrive? There is a good chance you have run into the subject of this story, whether in an open field or underneath a shade tree of a service station. Guinea grass has adapted to many different environments, especially southern Texas. In Shaw’s Guide to Texas Grasses, he documents Guinea grass occurrence in 23 counties, Dallas being the furthest north, although its cold tolerance is not completely understood. Not only can the grass grow up to 8 feet tall, but it also uses rhizomes, or underground stems, to create new plants and quickly dominate an area. A leafy, highly competitive grass could easily be viewed as a hero, especially to those ranchers who face many challenges when trying to produce forage for livestock in dry regions. Like many grasses, livestock prefer Guinea grass when it is regularly grazed to maintain high digestibility. Some ranchers hay it, creating a lasting resource for their cattle when the rain stops or when other grasses in South Texas lose their nutritional value. Other ranchers have noted Guinea grass to encroach on areas previously established with buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris), another introduced South Texas forage grass for cattle native to India and Africa.

As is the case with many introduced grasses, Guinea grass aggressively outcompetes other native vegetation leaving less plant diversity in the area. Wildlife managers in the sand plains of South Texas have indicated a harsh reduction of valuable forbs for quail, such as cowpen daisy, woolly croton, and annual sunflowers, in areas where Guinea grass has invaded. How much can be tolerated before land becomes essentially useless for many wildlife species? Unlike the characteristically black licorice jellybean that is easy to recognize in a mix, Guinea grass can be very difficult to tell apart from other grass species, especially Kleingrass (Panicum coloratum; introduced from Africa) and Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum; native to Texas). Switchgrass can grow as tall as Guinea grass, if not taller, although you will rarely see Kleingrass over six feet. Guinea grass stems are very thin like Kleingrass, but they grow straight up and do not fall down right away. Switchgrass has very stout, hollow stems that grow straight up. Guinea grass usually has the shortest leaf that “weep” over towards the ground with many short hairs on the sheath collar, the area where the leaf attaches to the stem. Kleingrass has a white midvein on the lower part of the leaf and small glands or pimples on the side of the leaf and are sharply pointed. Switchgrass leaves are often a yellow-green color and taper at the ends. Guinea grass has seeds that are bigger than Kleingrass, but equal to or bigger than switchgrass seeds.

spraying with glyphosate, a broad-spectrum herbicide, to control small colonies or heavily grazing the grass if that is practical without overgrazing other beneficial forages. So, what is Guinea grass’s weakness? Reports indicate that the grass does not like to be waterlogged. Unfortunately, South Texas is not often under standing water and even then, we would have to balance the desire to control the grass with the impacts on other plant species and the flush of mosquitos this would no doubt bring! Our week of abnormally low temperatures in late February may have killed the tops of these grasses, but they can be expected to recover with the onset of warming spring temperatures or be reborn from seeds in the soil from past year’s flowering and seed-set. Although there are differing opinions on Guinea grass and licorice jellybeans, we can likely all agree that this spring season offers us a time of renewal in many forms. It is a great time to rethink land management practices to move us towards our land goals and be better stewards for the long-term health of rangelands.

Table summarizing differences between Guinea grass and lookalikes, Kleingrass and Switchgrass.

GRASS

HEIGHT

STEMS

LEAF

SEEDS

Guinea Grass

Up to 8’

Thin, grow straight up

Shortest, weep over, hairs on sheath collar

Large seed

White midvein on Thin, tend lower part of to fall over leaf, small glands on side, sharply pointed

Large seed

Kleingrass

Up to 4.5-6’

1650 – Guinea grass regrowth after mowing on the side of Highway 281 in Hidalgo County. Photo credit: Barron Rector

Large, Yellow- comparable 3-8, can Stout, grow Switchgrass be over 10’ straight up, green, taper to Guinea at ends hollow grass

Traditional management with prescribed fire may alter the plant community as Guinea grass increases the natural fuel load, creating a hotter fire and one that may more readily burn up into the brush canopy. Winter burns are typically found to favor Guinea grass, with the plants potentially reaching 7 feet tall within a few months of the burn. Research has shown that summer prescribed fire can reduce the presence of Guinea grass and increase the diversity of native plants in the shortterm, especially when combined with patch grazing by cattle.

Guinea grass after fire – Guinea grass seedlings (left) and resprouts (right) less than three months after a February wildfire in the sand plains of South Texas. Photo credit: Barron Rector

However, varying conditions and post-burn precipitation may alter the results. Other management options might include spot MARCH/APRIL 2021

Safer, less expensive biological control may be right under our feeT BY VERONICA ANCONA, Associate Professor Citrus Center, Texas A&M University Kingsville

merging diseases and pathogens continue to be the main cause of yield reduction in agriculture worldwide. Unfortunately, this is also the case for citrus growers in South Texas, especially in the Lower Rio Grande Valley where incidence of Phytophthora foot rot disease is widely spread. The disease, caused by the soil-borne pathogen Phytophthora nicotianae, reduces tree vigor, fruit yield and can even cause tree death over time. Depending on the severity of the infection, affected trees produce less and smaller fruit, reducing tree productivity and overall yield. To combat Phytophthora infections, fungicides are used as controlling agents. Effective chemical products reduce P. nicotianae levels in the soil, resulting in root recovery and increased fruit size. But effective chemical products can be expensive and require reapplication each growing season.

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Percent yield loss per grapefruit tree depending on Phytophthora foot rot disease severity rating Excessive use of fungicides can also increase the likelihood of pathogen resistance buildup after being preexposed to these chemicals. To avoid pathogen resistance

At the Texas A&M Kingsville Citrus Center, several Trichoderma species have been isolated from soils collected in commercial citrus orchards throughout the Texas citrus producing region. The Trichoderma isolates collected show strong competition and inhibition to fungal pathogen growth in vitro, including Phytophthora, Alternaria and Fusarium. Besides the ability of Trichoderma to inhibit growth, some of the isolates tested were able to reduce Phytophthora spore viability to the same level as commercial fungicides. Field studies at the Citrus Center have also shown that soil applications of Trichoderma within the drip zone of citrus trees reduce Phytophthora propagules in the soil. The antifungal activity of Trichoderma spp. makes this group of fungi viable candidates as biocontrol agents in citrus. Organic producers can also use Trichoderma to manage fungal diseases. At the Citrus Center, research is currently being conducted on the application of Trichoderma as part of an Integrated Disease Management program for citrus. Based on the results from the research, the Citrus Center will develop guidelines for effective integration of disease management strategies to make recommendations to Rio Grande Valley growers.

Typical symptoms of Phytophthora foot rot on the tree trunk of a grapefruit tree Photo: V. Ancona

Support for this research was provided by the Texas Citrus Producers Board.

development, growers need to remeber to rotate products with different forms of action, apply only when necessary, minimize the number of treatments per season and always apply the doses recommended by the manufacturer. Fortunately, integrated disease management practices can also incorporate the use of biological control agents such as Trichoderma. Trichoderma spp. is a common fungus found within the microbial communities from cultivated soils and possesses antifungal activity. Trichoderma species have long been used as biological control agents and have shown to be particularly effective in controlling phytopathogenic fungi.

Growth inhibition of Phytophthora by native Trichoderma isolates

There are many commercial formulations containing Trichoderma species as the active ingredient that are now being used in vegetable production in South Texas. MARCH/APRIL 2021

Reprint from Texas AgriLife

Cotton Insect Control Suggestions Integrated Pest Management An Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program designs compatible and ecologically sound combinations of pest suppression tactics, using both cultural practices and biological control methods. Cultural practices include manipulation of planting dates, stalk destruction, and variety selection, and biological control methods include conservation of existing natural enemies and application of insecticides when needed. The economic injury level (EIL) and the economic threshold (ET) are core IPM concepts. The EIL is the smallest level of pest population (or amount of injury) that will cause economic loss. The ET is the pest density or population level at which curative action should be taken to prevent pest populations from reaching economically damaging numbers. The ET is also referred to as the action threshold and is the practical rule used to determine when to take management action. Major factors to consider when using insecticides include:

Efficacy and residual activity of the product Protection of natural enemies of cotton pests Possible resurgence of primary and secondary pests after applications Development of insecticide resistance in pest populations

Pest Management Considerations Scouting

Regular field scouting is crucial to any pest management program. It is the only reliable way to determine whether pests have reached the economic threshold. More than just “checking bugs,” scouting determines insect density and damage levels by using standardized, repeatable sampling techniques. It also monitors beneficial insect activity, diseases, fruiting, plant growth, and weeds as well as the effects of pest suppression practices. Growers or crop consultants should check fields at least once and preferably twice a week to determine what species are present, their density, and the amount of damage. Most pests can be monitored visually by thoroughly checking whole plants or plant terminals. However, for some pests such as plant bugs (for example, the verde plant bug), a more reliable sampling method is to use a beat bucket, drop cloth, or sweep net.

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Insecticide Resistance Management The Insecticide Resistance Action Committee defines insecticide resistance as an inherited change in the sensitivity a pest population has to an insecticide, “reflected in the repeated failure of a product to achieve the expected level of control when used according to the label recommendation for that pest species.” Reliance on insecticides that act the same way can cause pests to develop resistance to the entire class of insecticides. This phenomenon applies to transgenic traits as well. To delay resistance, growers should use IPM principles and integrate other control tactics into their insect and mite control programs. One strategy to avoid or delay resistance development in pest populations is to rotate insecticide groups to take advantage of different modes of action. Tank-mixing products from the same insecticide class is not recommended. The combination of insecticide rotations and tank mixtures that have insecticides with different modes of action reduces the chance of selecting individual pests that are resistant to certain classes of insecticides. These practices may delay the development of resistance, provide better control of target pests, and enhance the long-term sustainability of cotton production systems.

Biological Control Weather, inadequate food sources, and natural enemies can hold insect and mite infestations below damaging levels. Biological control relies on parasites, pathogens, and predators to help control pests. Recognizing the impact of these natural control factors and, where possible, encouraging their action is a key IPM component. Natural enemies in cotton include assassin bugs, big-eyed bugs, collops beetles, damsel bugs, ground beetles, lacewing larvae, lady beetles (or ladybugs), minute pirate bugs, spiders, syrphid fly larvae, and a variety of tiny wasps that parasitize the eggs, larvae, and pupae of many cotton pests. Avoiding the use of broad-spectrum insecticides (such as pyrethroids) until they are needed helps conserve existing populations of natural enemies and prevents the development of economically damaging pest infestations. Selecting insecticides that are more toxic to the target pests than they are to natural enemies minimizes the impact insecticides have on natural enemies.

Cultural Control Cultural practices can influence insect pest infestations—some may increase the possibility of encountering damaging pests while others may reduce their likelihood. Some cultural practices include:

Controlling weeds – Destroying weed and cover crops at least 3 weeks prior to planting eliminates the green bridge that pests such as cutworms, wireworms, spider mites, and other pests use before moving onto cotton. Managing surrounding vegetation – Plant bugs, cotton fleahoppers, and spider mites often develop large populations along field borders or within adjacent fallow fields and pastures. Timely mowing of these habitats reduces these sources of pests. Guiding plant growth – Efficient use of plant growth regulators and avoiding excessive fertilizers helps maintain a manageable crop canopy. Rank growth cotton is more attractive to many pests such as plant bugs and bollworm. Additionally, adequate insecticide application coverage is easier to achieve in non-growthy cotton. Managing crop maturity/earliness – Timely planting and using early maturing varieties shortens the period that crops are susceptible to yield loss by insect pests.

Thrips Thrips attack leaves, leaf buds, and very small squares, causing silvering of the lower leaf surface, deformed or blackened leaves, and loss of the plant terminal. Thrips damage is most evident during cool, wet periods when seedling cotton plants grow slowly. Preventive in-furrow or seed treatments are an effective way to manage thrips. Under adverse growing conditions, a foliar treatment may be needed in addition to preventive in-furrow or seed treatment. The presence of immature thrips is a good indicator of loss of residual control by insecticide seed treatments. The action threshold is one thrips per true leaf. Foliar applications, when needed, provide the most benefit when applied at the first or second true leaf stage.

Bt Transgenic Cotton Bt cotton is genetically altered by inserting genes from a common soil bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis, to make proteins that are toxic to specific groups of insects. For example, currently available Bt traits in cotton specifically target caterpillar pests such as beet armyworm, cotton bollworm, and tobacco budworm. Conventional or non-Bt cotton does not produce such insecticidal proteins and is more vulnerable to worm damage.

Cotton varieties with three Bt genes have excellent activity against cotton leaf perforators, loopers, pink bollworm, and tobacco budworm, and good activity against beet armyworm, cotton bollworm, fall armyworm, and saltmarsh caterpillar. Some situations may require supplemental insecticide treatment for bollworm and fall armyworm.

MARCH/APRIL 2021

Be on the Lookout for Early Season Insect Pests BY HOLLY DAVIS

s planting gets underway for sor ghum, cotton and sesame, remember to keep an eye out for seed and seedling insect pests, including wireworms and cutworms. They can be tricky to recognize as they have a secretive lifestyle. The damaging immature stages remain on or under the soil surface thus it’s often the losses resulting from their feeding that alerts

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growers to their presence. Wireworms are not typically a major pest in the Lower Rio Grande Valley but may be an occasional problem when land taken out of fallow, there is significant crop residue, or where there was heavy weed pressure in previous years. These cylindrical, shiny, hard-bodied, yellowish to brown “worms” are the immature stages of click bee-

tles (true wireworms) or darkling beetles (false wireworms). They mainly feed on seeds, leading to large skips in the row where plants fail to emerge, but may also feed on seedling plants, reducing vigor. You can determine if you need to plan for wireworm management prior to planting. Sampling can be done by examining a one square-foot area of soil, four inches deep, in several locations throughout the field. Bait traps can also be set several weeks before planting using corn or sorghum seed. An average of one wireworm per sampling area or two per bait station may warrant the use of insecticide-treated seed or an at-plant insecticide application. In some cases, replanting areas with large skips due to wireworm feeding is the most economical option. For more information on wireworm sampling, please see Managing Insect and Mite Pests of Texas Sorghum, AG-085.

best controlled with rescue, post-emergence applications, applied where established stands are at risk or when above ground (foliar) feeding reaches 30% or more on seedling plants. Because larvae are active at night, insecticide applications made in the late afternoon or evening will be more effective.

FALSE WIREWORMS

Photo by Frank Peairs, Colorado State University, BugWood.org

Several cultural practices can help reduce wireworm and cutworm problems. These include destroying weeds and cultivating to reduce plant material 4-6 weeks before planting, preparing good seed beds and planting when soil moisture and temperatures will promote rapid germination and seedling growth.

TRUE WIREWORMS

Photo by Steve L. Brown, University of Georgia, BugWood.org

Several species of cutworms may attack seedling plants. The adults (moths) deposit eggs in weedy areas along field margins and/or on the stems or leaves of crops. Larvae emerge in 2-14 days and, depending on the species, may range in color from grayish white to grayish-black and reach 1-2 inches long, often curling into a c-shape when disturbed. They remain at the base of plant and feed, cutting plants off at, just above, or a little below, the soil surface. A few species, such as the variegated cutworm and army cutworm, will feed on foliage. When scouting for cutworms look for severed, dead and dying plants. Seed treatments will not provide good control of cutworms, but at-plant treatments may be warranted in areas with a history of heavy cutworm pressure, i.e. fields near banks, along tree lines and other weedy areas. Typically cutworms are

MARCH/APRIL 2021

China Continues Focus on U.S. Sorghum

BY JOHN MILLER

t about this time last year that it became apparent that China was returning to the US sor ghum market in a big way after several years of minimal purchasing. You may recall that starting in 2015 China imposed tariffs on imported sorghum to the point that sourcing from the US was no longer feasible. US retaliatory tariffs from 2018 made it even more difficult to find sorghum trading opportunities with China. By mid-summer of 2020 however, China was quoting the most competitive prices and buying the vast majority our US Sorghum crop, much as they did during the 20132014 crop years. A Chinese government decision to sidestep its own tariffs, growing dissatisfaction of the situation among Chinese feed and Baiju producers, and tightening world supplies all played a role in the increased trade. Fortunately, farmers across the Valley are once again seeing the first signs of another season with the potential for improved prices. The price chart below shows how the corn futures price, which helps establish the sorghum price, has in the past few months moved to levels not seen this time of year since 2014. The December corn futures price is trading approximately $4.80 per bushel. This new-crop price benchmark has helped the local sorghum price top $9.00 per hundred-

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weight recently, which would be almost $2.00 per hundredweight higher than this time last year. This price corn price increase is due in part to the general tightening of overall grain supplies worldwide. Sorghum, however, has benefited disproportionately to corn due to our Chinese export program. The US Milo Export Sales Progress chart very clearly illustrates how the current marketing year sales since this past September, seen from the blue bars, have far exceeded our governments estimate shown by the upper dashed line. The influence of China’s return to our market is even more sharply illus-

trated when those same sales are compared to the lower dashed line representing sales over the previous marketing year. Keep in mind that the vast majority of the sales shown by this chart, maybe as much as 90 %, is China. Adding to this same story, the Weekly US Milo Export Sales chart shows the weekly export sales compared to last year, and the 5-year average. It is normal for weekly export sales to vary week to week given the way sorghum is accumulated and sold. The key takeaway is that our weekly sales have been exceeding last year up until the past few weeks, and beating the 5-year average for the vast majority of the current marketing year. The US New Crop Milo Export Sales chart illustrates how the trend is continuing at a rapid pace. The blue line shows how China purchases have gotten us off to a quick start with foreign sales of the upcoming crop year. And as discussed above, the orange line clearly shows when

been an important summer market for several decades, is quickly accessed by river crossings such as Progresso. The Port of Brownsville has over the past two years also become an important market for Valley sorghum, especially since this location provides vessel access. If needed, the Port of Corpus Christi has also at times been important outlet given the long history of vessel loading there. The flexibility provided by having outlets such as these keeps sorghum an important cropping alternative. By being in the Valley, you know that farmers here could use more help in the form of rain. Since most of the Valley was able to be planted under current moisture conditions you may be starting to see crops emerge in the fields. We have to hope that additional moisture arrives in time for any final planting windows and timely assistance to the development of crops already in the ground. As you can see from the charts discussed, the potential for increased exports of sorghum, and cotton for that matter, sets the stage for prices that we don’t see that often. China will continue play a key role. Let’s hope that our talented farmers find enough rainfall to couple these price opportunities with a great crop.

(John Miller is the founder and owner of Southwest Ag Consulting that provides individualized risk management consulting services to farmers and ranchers across the south plains. Commodity trading is risky and Southwest Agribusiness Consulting, Inc. assumes no liability for the use of any information contained herein. Past financial results are not necessarily indicative of future performance. Information contained herein was obtained from sources believed to be reliable but is not guaranteed as to its accuracy. Neither the information, nor any opinion expressed, constitutes a solicitation to buy or sell futures or option thereon. This information is confidential and is intended to be reviewed by only the individual named above. If you are not the intended recipient, any review, dissemination or copying of this email or the information contained herein is prohibited.)

China started making an appearance in about May of last year. The Valley is in a unique position of being able to access a variety of sorghum markets. Mexico, which has

MARCH/APRIL 2021

THREE LESSONS FROM THE FARMER ABOUT FAITH BY CHRISTINE HOOVER

My brother-in-law Travis, a farmer, daily dips his hands in the fertile south Texas soil that is his family’s very provision. In the current season, the realized hope of summer harvest has past, and the remnants of harvested crops have been destroyed, and now the soil he sifts in his hands has once again taken center stage. He, along with his farmer-father and his farmer-uncles, has already turned, tilled, leveled, and molded the soil into neat rows and borders, preparing ready receptacles for seeds. These February days are for fertilizing — acres and acres must be covered, and then acres and acres must be implanted with various species of seeds: sorghum, sugar cane, cotton, sesame, or cabbage. Their work — the daily wrestling with the soil — is circadian and perennial yet has only ever just begun. After planting, they will scrupulously monitor the soil, coaxing it with aeration, searching it for even the smallest of weeds, scrutinizing it for signs of pests or worms. And then they will wait, giving time and space for the sun and the rain and the mysterious and miraculous work of seeds becoming sprouts becoming stalks. A farmer, perhaps more than most, knows something about faith.

Lessons from the Farmer It’s no wonder that Scripture encourages us to look to the farmer as an example. When Paul tells Timothy to be strong in the grace of Christ, he points specifically toward the hard-working farmer (2 Timothy 2:6). When he exhorts the Galatian churches toward endurance, he speaks of perennial planting and patient waiting for an inevitable harvest (Galatians 6:9). In my own life, I recognize my need to look to the farmer. I find myself more often growing weary in doing good as I plant and wait for growth and harvest. My husband and I have been married and in ministry for 16 years. We have parented for 13, with 14 years of intense parenting left to go. We’re completing our eighth year of planting and growing a church, and I’m staring ahead at years of more cultivating, weeding, and watering. I feel like a farmer who has enjoyed a good crop but who is looking at bare fields, preparing to start the planting cycle all over again. At times, I feel trapped by the everydayness of life and how much work there is yet to do. I stand with the soil cupped in my hands, wondering if my labor matters or will amount to anything in the end. How do I continue in all God has called me to do without growing weary, especially when the work is demanding and the harvest appears so far into the future? I look to the farmer for answers.

A Farmer Has an Unwavering Commitment to the Harvest Travis tells me that farming is a way of life, a lifelong commitment. It’s not a typical job, he says, where you can give your two weeks notice and walk away. When you farm, you’re connected to a specific land, and you’ve invested in expensive equipment, a community, and oftentimes to previous generations of your family who have farmed before you. In other words, there is a deep-roots, big picture perspective required. The big picture is this: The farmer is covenanted to his work for a lifetime, and he works his land with the yearly harvest ever before him. Every investment in equipment, every decision regarding the precise planting time, every weed uprooted — all of it is done with the harvest in mind. This reminds me that I too am called to a lifelong commitment to the harvest, and this lifelong commitment is played out in everyday small acts of devotion. A lifelong commitment entails unrelenting hard work with brief moments of harvest. I’ve believed the opposite about the Christian life — that short-term hard work would produce an unending harvest. I suppose I prefer a simpler, more glamorous way, but Scripture never portrays the Christian life this way. At its very center is a commitment to self-death — to a deep-root, big picture where instant growth, instant fruit, instant reward can never be the goal but rather a steady pace over the long haul.

A Farmer Lives and Works by Faith Farming is backbreaking work, dirty work, detailed work, and, most of all, it is risky work. There aren’t any guarantees. A few years ago, Travis reminds me, when the crop stood beautiful and bountiful in the fields, ready for harvest, a hurricane blew through the Rio Grande Valley and wiped it away entirely. All that labor, all that

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grime, all that waiting, for nothing. What is the point? Why would we invest everything in a risky venture? We might ask this, thinking of our own lives and our own efforts to produce a spiritual harvest and have seemingly harvested nothing or been wiped out entirely. The farmer looks at his failed crop as a tangible reminder that the harvest inevitably belongs to the Lord. The farmer must be faithful to lay the groundwork for the harvest, but the harvest cannot be forced; it can only happen through the Lord’s providence. Travis tells me of his cautious optimism as the harvest approaches each year, how at the last minute the weather can change, and how there is nothing he can do to protect his crop. He draws the connection for me to the Christian life: It’s like parenting. I’m parenting my kids over a long period of time, and there are little moments that show me I’m on the right track, but I know I won’t see the full reward until the end. Even then, I may not see the reward that I want to see. As in farming, however, there are steps you have to faithfully take to get to the harvest. There are things that pop up in the growing season that aren’t helpful or what you want to see. We get rain that we don’t want on the crops. I’ve learned not to go look at the crops on the day it rains, because that’s when it looks the worst. It’s never as bad as we thought after we come through it, though, and even what doesn’t look good is working toward the end goal of the harvest. In the end, no matter what the crop looks like, we have to trust God that he’s going to take care of us. To focus on fruitfulness is a frustrating endeavor; to work in faith is all we are asked to do. And it’s really all we can do. Our lives, like the farmer’s, are ongoing and various exercises in learning to trust God despite what we can see today.

A Farmer Enjoys a Unique Reward I ask Travis if he thinks about the harvest every day. He says most days he does. On the days when you’re knee-deep in manure? “Yes.” When the irrigation line bursts? “Yes.” When you’re working sun-up to sun-down in the summer? “Yes, especially then. It’s the time of the year that we work the hardest, but it’s the most satisfying. You’ve made it another year, you’ve grown another crop. It’s financially rewarding, but it’s also the satisfaction of knowing that you’ve put it into the ground and you’ve harvested it.” The reward is always in sight. There is joy in the harvest, and the greatest satisfaction belongs to the one who carefully cultivated it all along the way. The hard-working farmer, as Paul says in 2 Timothy 2:6, is the one “who ought to have the first share of the crops.” I’ve taken that to mean that the farmer eats of his labor, but, in talking to Travis, I see that it means so much more. Joy results from his long-term faithfulness. He is content in his work and in seeing what it’s produced over the years. He has learned the secret joy of trusting in God’s providence and experiencing his constant goodness. But there is also joy for Travis in what he cannot see. He explains how one tiny seed becomes a huge plant that produces a thousandfold of seeds. The harvest multiplies itself and goes out into the world in a way that he will never see with his own eyes. But because he can’t see it doesn’t mean it isn’t happening. In our work and in our weariness, let us look to the farmer. Let us keep the deep-root, big picture in mind. If we don’t give up, one day we will enjoy the final harvest and its bountiful rewards. Unlike our farming friends, this harvest, one cultivated by faith, is absolutely guaranteed.

Your business is our priority! Locally grown

HANKA SOD 32054 Weaver Road, San Benito, Texas

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Texas Gulf Shrimp Food for Thought…

W BY ANDREA HANCE

hen you choose wild caught shrimp from the Lone Star State, you are buying more than a delicious nutritious meal — you are investing in a way of life. You are also supporting thousands of Texas fishermen who brave the waters of the Gulf each year to feed their families and put the freshest products in the market and onto your table. You are also helping our environment. Texas shrimpers, along with state and federal agencies, university systems and industry partners, carefully monitor the shrimp supply to prevent overfishing. Together, these partners ensure that this safe, sustainable resource remains an abundant part of our waters for decades to come. 20

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dered But have you ever won as who is driving the Tex shrimp industry?

If you guessed the Texas Shrimp Association, you are right! The Texas Shrimp Association (TSA) is a non-profit organization located in the Brownsville Shrimp Basin. Charged with promoting and educating the public about the Texas shrimp industry, this impactful organization literally does it all and manages every aspect of this renewable state resource. Thanks to its active Executive Director, Andrea Hance, TSA continues to push its coastal boundaries by continuously developing new strategies and initiatives that help promote (and sell) as much Texas Gulf shrimp as possible. If you are a Texas shrimp-loving consumer, thank you for your support. But more importantly, Andrea and TSA truly care for each coastal constituent she helps represent. How you ask? Well below are five ways TSA, under Andreas leadership, work for you.

Economic Development

From coastal job opportunities to how you can process, sell, and find the best-tasting Texas Gulf shrimp around, stay connected with TSA for insightful news you can use.

Marketing and Promotion

Looking for ways to see and be seen? Just hop on one of

TSA’s popular traditional, digital, and social media marketing platforms. It is easy, fun, and great exposure.

Safety and Sustainability

TSA supports all Texas shrimpers who adhere to high-quality control standards and seafood safety practices for getting Lone Star shrimp from our state to your plate.

Coastal Collaboration

From Texas Parks and Wildlife, Sea Grant and the Coast Guard to NOAA, various State Agencies, and other Coastal Organizations (including Chambers, CVB and event planners), TSA is well connected support your needs.

Political Efforts

TSA is actively involved with several state and federal issues that directly affect the Texas shrimping industry. Remember, TSA is always fighting for you and has your best political interest in mind.

As you can see, shrimping is big business in the Lone Star State. Nearly every Texas port harbors a shrimp fleet. These locations have become popular attractions for coastal visitors and so much more to the locals who depend on these hard-working Texans. The next time you visit the Brownsville Shrimp Basin, Freeport Port Isabel, Galveston, Palacios, Port Lavaca, Port Arthur, or any town in between, thank a Texas shrimper but don’t forget who’s helping them navigate a course for their success from behind the curtain! For more information about the Texas Shrimp Association, please visit https://www.texas

shrimpassociation.org/

MARCH/APRIL 2021

BY LILI FORD

Tell me a little about “Give a Darn”: 100 Kids That Give a Darn in the Barn was founded to allow kids across the Rio Grande Valley to give back and support the hard working exhibitors of the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show. Each year around 100 kids each give $100 so that we can give back over $10,000 by buying projects at the RGVLS Sale of Champions and Toasting Texas Talent Sales. This year we decided to put on a prospect show to give exhibitors a chance to show their projects, and raise more money to give back at RGVLS. 22

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Why did you start it? The main reason for starting 100 Kids That Give a Darn in the Barn was to give back and allow kids to make a difference by coming together.

How important is it to you to have this show? The 100 Kids That Give a Darn in the Barn Show allowed us to raise over $14,000 to give back at the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show.

How many participants have you had?

Our show had over 200 entries across the pig, goat, and lamb shows.

What has been your biggest accomplishment?

What is some advice you can give to young kids involved in showing?

Our biggest accomplishment to me was in our first year when we spent over $10,000 at RGVLS.

To all the young kids who are new to showing my best advice is to reach out to others and try your best to learn and grow each time you’re in the show ring.

How many years has this been going on? 100 Kids was founded in 2019 and our first prospect show was this January.

What is your biggest challenge you have encountered? One of the biggest challenges that we have faced with 100 Kids is working through COVID-19 and trying to stay safe as well as doing our part and raising as much money as possible.

How has Covid affected your show? It has been a little more difficult to reach out and get donations, but we have been able to transfer our platform more virtual and promote it over social media.

What and where do the proceeds go? All the proceeds are used to buy projects at the RGVLS Sale of Champions and Toasting Texas Talent Sales.

What makes Give a Barn so different from the other shows? The main difference is that 100 Kids’ main goal is to give back and make a difference in our community.

Tell us a little about yourselves. Howdy, my name is Lily Ford, I founded 100 Kids That Give a Darn in the Barn back in 2019 after I heard about the organization 100 Women Who Give a Damn, and thought it would be great to do something similar for the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show. I couldn’t have done it without all of our steering committee that have helped spread the word and raise money to take back to the Sale of Champions and Toasting Texas Talent sales. Our steering committee this year consists of Cooper Ford, Avery Fohn, Thalia Ochoa, Carlos Guerra, Cora Ford, and Kylie Mitchell.

MARCH/APRIL 2021

Impacts Last a Lifetime

y name is Joseph Romeo Ozuna I was born and raised in Rio Grande City, Texas. I grad uated from Rio Grande City High School in 2000 and received my degree from Texas A&M University Kings ville in 2006. My father and mother are both retired educators for RGCCISD where they served the youth in the district for 40 + years. I have a younger brother Luis Aaron Ozuna who is a Customs and Border Protection Officer and who is my best friend. I have two children that have been the most absolute blessing in my life my son Joseph Paul and daughter Keirsten Alexa. My great grandfather Sabas Ozuna was the foreman for Las Islas Ranch back in the late 1890’s which was later named as the Vannie Cook Foundation. My grandfather and his brothers dropped out of school to become cowboys and help

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their father manage the ranch and this is where it all started. My grandmother was born and raised in Las Escobas Ranch which is about 27 North West of Rio Grande City, Tx. So, as you can see both my grandparents came from ranching backgrounds. My grandfather was a work horse working from sun up to sun down teaching my dad and his brothers the values of hard work ethics, responsibly, and always instilling that when a man gives his word and shakes your hand you always follow though no matter the good, the bad, or the ugly and that if you stood by those values your reputation would make you or break you. In 1960 my grandfather leased 640 acres and along with my dad and uncles operated 125 head of commercial cattle and in 1962 he was given the opportunity to purchase the land for $17.00 an acre. Being that he was the only bread winner in the family the bank would only loan him enough for 200 acres, so he bought them. In 1978 my

grandmother inherited 658 acres from her father and together they combined 858 acres that is still being managed to this day. Being my dad had two sons he knew he had to teach us those values as his father taught him and the day I was potty trained was the day I started going to the ranch with my dad and grandfather and that’s where my love for agriculture began. By the age of 6 I had shot my first deer and by 8 I was driving a truck with a small trailer and my brother and I were learning to rope, knock down calves, ear tag, and brand cattle. I lost my grandpa on March 31st 1992, I was going to be 10 years old. He was my hero and still is my hero watching over us from heaven and I thank him for his values and work ethics and teaching us to be men and that nothing in this world is given to you everything is earned through hard work, dedication, perseverance and never ever giving up. Fast forward to today, my father, brother and I operate our registered herd of Beefmaster cattle along with a White-tailed deer hunting operation where we continue to honor and follow all the values that we were taught to us by grandpa and dad.

What role does Agriculture play in your life? The role that agriculture plays in my life is very simple without agriculture we cannot survive. Agriculture provides a way of life to all. Farmer and ranchers all over the world dedicate their lives and sacrifice to raise and produce livestock and crops for us to be able to provide for our families. In my view it plays a role where I raise cattle to have a producing herd of momma cows that give me a calf every year to be raised and grown and later sent to a feedlot where they are finished and sent to a packer to provide food to other families. Knowing that not just me but others that do this I feel blessed that we all can play a significant role in agricukture.

What is one lesson the kids have taught you throughout your career? The one lesson that the kids have taught me throughout my career was perseverance. The kids never gave up and always gave it their all even when the odds were against them. Every time there was a hurdle to over come or a bump in road their attitude was always IT’S OK, we will get them next time. To me that is lesson I’ll never forget. Like the Tim McGraw song they know how to be “Humble and Kind” and they always knew how to “Make the Best Better”

What is something you try to teach the children?

The most important thing I try to teach is the kids a saying that my dad has always instilled in me which is “What’s the difference between success and failure. The difference is you tried one more time. That can be utilized in everything that you do weather it be in the ring, a job interview, or a test. Moral of the story behind this when you put your mind to something don’t give up and keep moving forward.

What is one thing that keeps you going everyday? The one thing that keeps me going every day is my faith in God and knowing that he is always there guiding me and blessing me to do the best I can and to help where I can.

What is your most memorable thing about being an extension agent ? The most memorable thing about being an Extension Agent was working with the kids and the volunteers and parents. Seeing the faces of the 4-Her’s when they competed in contests in the show ring and in all that they did was the best and especially getting phone calls and telling you thank you Mr. Ozuna for being there for us I knew I was doing my job.

What was your largest accomplishment? My largest accomplishment was graduating with my degree from college because of 13 grandchildren that my grandparents on both sides of the family I was the first grandchild to graduate with a college degree and that set a path for the rest to follow and get an education to become successful in life.

What is next? As Agriculture and Natural Resource Agent for Prairie View Cooperative Extension Program servicing both Hidalgo and Starr County my plan is to continue to support and provide quality educational program for farmers and ranchers. I want to thank the 4-H Program, 4-H members, parents, volunteers, FFA advisors, and Agents for the all the support.

MARCH/APRIL 2021

A Cover Crop Mindset BY PHILLIP FRANK

over crops are not a new concept. Farmers have long known about the importance of crop rotations, using certain crops to build the soil, and the added benefits those crops could create for their livestock enterprises. However, those farmers and ranchers of old didn’t truly know the power of the tool they held, nor did they have an exact understanding of how to apply the tool at their fingertips. Today, farmers have come leaps and bounds in our knowledge of cover crops, and the power they have in building soil and providing a better environment for our cash crops. We have figured out the power of diversity in our soil, the ability of cover crops to scavenge nutrients and make them available to our cash crops, and the true potential that can be unlocked by grazing them with livestock. Along with that though, farmers have found a few pieces of the equation that are absolutely essential to making cover crops work for you. I like to call that the cover crop mindset. It is a totally different way of thinking, and one that frustrates many farmers when they try cover crops, because they don’t see the

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whole picture of what it takes to make cover crops work for you. For today, I have boiled the cover crop mindset down to five pieces.

• Keep something growing at all times!

This is a huge pit fall for farmers who are used to having their fields sit fallow from the time they harvest a crop until that fall or the following spring. In the cover crop world, a fallow field is just wasted potential for capturing carbon and using free sunlight! The key to this mindset change is to think of planting a cover crop as an essential part of your harvest. Follow your harvesting equipment with your cover crop! This does two things for you. First, it continues to feed the biology under the soil, rather than letting it starve for months while your field is fallow. Second, it allows your cover crop to grow and do it’s job for as long as possible before you terminate it. In short, it maximizes your investment! Whether you are grazing your covers, haying them, or terminating them to plant into, you better get as much out of your investment as possible!

• Don’t underestimate your growing season!

So many farmers give up on their growing season too early. When they hear the previous mindset shift, they immediately think, “Well that’s great but we have too long of a winter.” They underestimate their growing season drastically! For example, cereal rye will germinate, grow, and push roots through the soil at 34 degrees or above. That means that right up until the soil starts to freeze, cereal rye is working for you! This is huge when you start to consider that long period of time in the spring when fields are too soft to be in with equipment, cash crops can’t grow, weeds are getting started, and you could still be capturing carbon and building your soil!

itable cash crop for a couple years and plant something else. I have also seen many quietly ignore the crazy ideas of planting sixteen different plants in their barren fields. How do you think they would feel if they knew the power of diversity and realized that they could introduce four times as many species to their soil in part of a growing season as they had planted in the last ten years?? This has the power to speed up the system like nothing else can! When all those plants are allowed to work together, I think they can do far more than sixteen years of monoculture crops could ever do!

• Fight problems with life.

The excitement this mindset shift gives me is huge. It is all about noticing the lifecycles plants. I’m not just talking about your cash crop. I’m talking about everything that is growing in your fields. I’m talking about the weeds along the edge of your fields, and the plants growing in the neighbors’ fields! Notice when they come up, and what conditions they like! For most people in a conventional mindset, they all the sudden notice a weed, rush out and spray for it, and go on along their merry way. A cover crop mindset though notices that weed, makes a mental note, and the next year plans a cover crop to break that cycle. If that weed thrives on excess nitrogen, plant a grass cover crop that uses that extra nitrogen in a way that helps you! It is amazingly simple to get rid of weeds when you realize that they are trying to fix a problem with the soil, and if we just work ahead to have a healthy plant already established when that weed wants to come, our problem disappears! Similarly, if a person with a conventional mindset sees a bad insect, they rush to spray it. A cover crop mindset says, how can I use life to get rid of this insect? Can I plant pollinator species that bring in lady bugs to kill an aphid? The results are truly exciting once you fall into that mindset!

• Use your cover crops to benefit your cash crops!

This can be taken so many different ways. For many, a cover crop is used as protection for a delicate new seeding cash crop. This is a huge benefit as it can eliminate soil crusting, help alleviate frost risk or heat risk, and provide wind protection. However, this is only part of what cover crops can do! When planning a cover crop, think a few cash crops out! Are you going to be heavy on grass crops that need lots of nitrogen? Go heavy on legumes to set nitrogen naturally. Are you going into a crop that needs more phosphorous soon? Use species that reach down deep and put phosphorous into an available form for your cover crop. The ideas go on and on. A cover crop is a powerful tool when aimed directly at helping your cash crops!

• Diversity = Crop Rotations.

Now this could be a stretch to a scientist, and I don’t pretend to be anything of the kind myself. However, I have found this to be a key in my own cover crop mindset. Most people have heard of the diverse 16-way cover crop mixtures, and I am a complete believer IWA Wetlandinto - photo by:crop! Iowa I in them, because I think of it as packing 16 rotations one Flood have seen farmers moan and cry over having to Center rotate out of a prof-

It’s a stretch for some people, breaking out of old habits and reshaping their thought process. Tillage and chemicals have become a crutch, and an effective one in the short term! I will never deny that many farmers have seen success with those practices! But what if it can be better? What if we can shift our mindset and eliminate more costs, more disasters, and more labor? What if you plant cover crops for ten years, and just one of those years you get a massive rainstorm that floods out most fields, but your infiltration rate is high enough that your crop pulls through? Or you get a dust storm that zaps most seedlings but yours are protected by a terminated cover crop laid down on the ground? Or you get a driving rain right at germination, which crusts most farmers’ soil so that their crop never comes up, but yours climbs through like it’s nothing? When those kinds of disasters are averted, a shift in mindset sounds pretty cheap. A cover crop mindset can open doors you never knew existed! MARCH/APRIL 2021

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A Letter from the Editor Psalm 32:8

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” When plans are broken. How many of you out there reading this are planners? Do you plan your days, weeks, months, meals, schedules, etc? Ask yourself how many times did your plans go awry? How many times did those set in stone plans crumble? I’m sure all of us have experienced that at one point. When that happens, most of us simply adapt and move on, and do our best to get back on track or continue moving forward. I think planning starts at a young age. We plan what we want our future to look like. I know I wanted to be a marine biologist, a doctor, and a news reporter. All of which I am not. That is because God had a different plan for me. God’s plans are always so much greater than what we can think of. For example, how many of you have forgotten something at home and had to turn around and ended up being late? I am sure you were frustrated, but what if that happened for a reason? Maybe something was going to happen on that first trip so God allowed you to turn around to get that forgotten thing. Sure, that maybe a little far-fetched of an example, but it’s the logic behind it. God always knows what’s best for us and what time is right for us, no matter how hard we plan. Our plans always turn out a little different than His. The recent year and beginning of 2021 seems to be off to a rocky start to put it lightly. The hurricane, freeze, COVID-19, etc.. There were a lot of things that shifted our plans. I wish I had an answer to why all this is happening, but I know it’s part of God’s plan. God’s plan is always the best. Sometimes, the process is painful, and hard, but don’t forget that when God is silent, He’s doing something for you. Remember, you are where God wants you to be at this very moment -- whether it’s a moment of joy, or a moment of pain -- it’s all part of growing into who you are meant to be. His purpose is more important than our plans. MARCH/APRIL 2021

2021 World Cotton Outlook:

Recovery in World Cotton Demand as the U.S. and World Economies Rebound NCC economists point to a few key factors that will shape the U.S. cotton industry’s 2021 economic outlook.

BY T. COTTON NELSON

ational Cotton Council economists point to a few key factors that will shape the U.S. cotton industry’s 2021 economic outlook. This past year was characterized by significant uncertainty and volatility in both the global economy and the world cotton market. The most challenging issue facing the global cotton market in 2020 was the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic caused unprecedented disruptions in the supply chains and markets for the U.S. and world cotton and textile industries during the first half of 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic devastated textile supply chains as retail outlets shuttered their doors for months. As the collapse in cotton demand persisted throughout 2020, the negative impacts were felt across the U.S. cotton industry. Now, in the early weeks of 2021, while the pandemic is still creating disruptions in various parts of the world, the overall economy is recovering at a much faster pace than originally expected. However, current economic projections for the U.S. and global economies should be viewed with caution given the lack of clarity regarding the potential impacts of the ongoing pandemic. The distribution of vaccines has created optimism for world economic conditions, yet some uncertainty is still present due to increased infections and

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new virus strains in some parts of the world along with renewed restrictions. In her analysis of the NCC Annual Planting Intentions survey results, Campiche said the NCC projects 2021 U.S. cotton acreage to be 11.5 million acres, 5.2 percent less than 2020. The expected drop in acreage is primarily the result of strong competing crop prices. With abandonment assumed at 18.1 percent for the United States, Cotton Belt harvested area totals 9.4 million acres. Using an average 2021 U.S. yield per harvested acre of 855 pounds generates a cotton crop of 16.7 million bales, with 16.3 million upland bales and 431,000 extra-long staple bales. U.S. cottonseed production is projected to increase to 5.2 million tons in 2021. Regarding domestic mill cotton use, the NCC is projecting a partial recovery in U.S. mill use at 2.8 million bales during the 2021 crop year. U.S. mills were severely impacted by the COVID-19 shutdowns in 2020. As one of largest markets for U.S. cotton, U.S. mills continue to be critically important to the health of the cotton industry. World trade is estimated to be higher in the 2020 marketing year as consumption recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on sales and shipments for the year-to-date,

U.S. exports are projected to reach 15.8 million bales in the 2020 marketing year. As a result of a large carryover sales from the 2019 crop year and increased purchases from China, U.S. export commitments and shipments have been very strong for the 2020 crop year. As of February 4, total commitments reached 14.1 million bales while 7.8 million bales have been shipped. Current commitments are at the highest level at this point in the marketing year since the 2010 crop year. While export competition from Brazil remains strong, the United States was able to regain market share in China in 2020 as a result of the Phase I agreement. The United States also had increased opportunities for higher export sales to other markets in the 2020 crop year due to lower production in Australia, Pakistan, and Turkey. U.S. exports are projected to drop slightly to 15.4 million bales in the 2021 marketing year. With large stocks in other major exporting countries and a partial recovery in Australia’s production, the United States will continue to face strong export competition in 2021. When combined with U.S. mill use, total offtake exceeds expected production, and ending stocks are projected to fall to 2.6 million bales. If realized, U.S. stocks represent one of the lowest levels in the last 20 years.

Campiche said world production is estimated to increase by 1.5 million bales in 2021 to 115.6 million due to a slight increase in acreage. World mill use is projected to increase to 120.9 million bales in 2021. Ending stocks are projected to decline by 5.4 million bales in the 2021 marketing year to 90.4 million bales, resulting in a stocks-to-use ratio of 74.8 percent. Although global stocks remain high, a tighter U.S. balance sheet, low supply chain inventories, increased purchases from China, speculative money flow, weaker U.S. dollar, higher grain and oilseed prices, and post-COVID demand expectations are contributing to bullish sentiment for cotton prices. However, additional restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, large stocks outside of China, and low man-made fiber prices could put downward pressure on cotton prices in 2021. On the NCC’s website are additional details of the 2021 Cotton Economic Outlook.

MARCH/APRIL 2021

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w ww.te xa s f ar m bur eau.c o m J A N U A RY / F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 9

Ag Mag Featured Farmer

The

Ranch Way

ragedy is never alone. It can be often accompanied by grief, fear or a multitude of sidekicks. The reactions to it can be far-reaching, from losing to finding hope and inspiration, and a myriad of emotions in between.

When a fire in her parents’ auto electric shop and auto sports store in Roma, on Oct. 23, 1999, took not only the shop, but the lives of Giovana Benitez’s mother and younger brother, Giovana’s father decided to follow her mother’s dream of owning and operating a self-sufficient and vertically integrated cattle operation. “It was at that time that my father decided to follow my mother’s dream and start a cattle operation in north central Hidalgo County,” Giovana said. Thus the seeds were planted for the Jemar Ranch, located in Edinburg. But ranching wasn’t something new Giovana, or her father, Jesus Armando Benitez. When she was 9 years old, her father purchased a 700-acre farm in central Hidalgo County. When Armando took possession of the farm, it was a row-crop operation.

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“We started growing watermelon, corn and milo for starters.” Giovana said. During this time, I started to realize I had a passion for agriculture. I spent many days operating equipment alongside my father and learning the ins and outs of agriculture production. At that time there were many changes in watermelon and commodity prices where it made it hard to make a profit. My father decided to diversify the farm into a cow-calf operation. “When the decision was made to get into the cattle business, we did not know what aspect of the industry to get into. We started as a momma cow operation and realized that with the amount of acres we had, we could not sustain the large number of cattle that we wanted to raise” As it so often happens, times changed and the operation turned into one of preconditioning. Giovana, eagerly working alongside her father, was hands on and learned to sort cattle, ride hours, mix feed rations and keep records, among other things. As the farm grew, however, and the changes in the industry kept coming, Giovana’s duties diversified and “grew exponentially,” she recalled. “I was having to prepare invoices, dispatch trucks, order feed ingredients, keep up with accounts receivable and accounts

“At TCU I learned different practices of cattle management, analyzing and forecasting commodity and beef markets, animal health, pasture management, cattle breed selection and lastly the most important I developed relationships of a lifetime,” said Giovana, who was one of the first in her family to attend college. “I completed the program in May of 2018 and joined my father in co-managing our current operation.”

“When the decision was made to get into the cattle business, we did not know what aspect of the industry to get into. We started as a momma cow operation and realized that with the amount of acres we had, we could not sustain the large number of cattle that we wanted to raise”

“I am very blessed to be a proud sister of a 6-year-old little boy and I feel it is my job to be able to keep our operation sustainable and profitable for his sake. I also want to guarantee that my father’s legacy continues and that my brother will experience the same upbringing I did.”

As it so often happens, times changed and the operation turned into one of preconditioning. Giovana, eagerly working alongside her father, was hands on and learned to sort cattle, ride hours, mix feed rations and keep records, among other things.

Giovana, just 27, said that one of the major challenges facing young farmers today is increased land prices, which makes land hard to acquire. Plus inflation has left the market unstable. Being a young, and successful, woman it can make things doubly challenging. But already with more experience than most her age, Giovana has a solid perspective on overcoming challenges.

As the farm grew, however, and the changes in the industry kept coming, Giovana’s duties diversified and “grew exponentially,” she recalled. “I was having to prepare invoices, dispatch trucks, order feed ingredients, keep up with accounts receivable and accounts payable, prepare balance sheets and secure financing”, she said. “During this time period, my father and I decided to construct a 1,000 HD feeding parlor to feed out cattle when the markets allowed. I quickly realized that in order to follow my passion and remain in the cattle industry there were a lot of things that I needed to learn and experience.” She attended college, earning a double major in Finance and Economics, while still maintaining her responsibilities at the office. Not one to ever shy from a challenge or obstacle, Giovana then, in 2017, entered the TCU Ranch Management Program.

“Along the years I have had to work extremely hard to develop valuable relationships and prepared myself to be able to hold my own when it comes with dealing with different people and different cultures,” she said. Currently, Giovana is continuing her education, working on a master’s degree with a focus in International Agriculture from Oklahoma State University. “I hope one day I could make a difference in young children’s lives. The industry is currently changing if it’s not prices in beef cattle its prices in commodities. As the time is going by it is getting tougher and tougher to make a good margin and sometimes a profit,” she said. “I believe our industry has to change with the times to become more efficient, sustainable and diversified. Every day brings a new challenge.”

“The greatest motivation I have is knowing that every day I go to work knowing that I’m living my mother’s dream.”

MARCH/APRIL 2021

BY S. D. LIVINGSTON AND C. R. STICHLER Professor and Extension Specialist, Agronomy, and Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, Agronomy, respectively, Texas A&M University

Correcting Nitrogen Deficiencies in Cotton with Urea-Based Products Delayed Fertilization and Stress Periods.

Nitrogen Requirements A credible soilnutrient, soil-moisture-monitoring, and petioletesting program is the foundation to accurate nitrogen applications. Both nitrogen quantity and timing requirements and the relationship to water uptake are well known for cotton. The demand for water and nitrogen is not high until fruiting and seed development is initiated at the onset of boll filling. Most fields in South Texas, are fertilized in the winter months (November through January) with the majority of producers fertilizing cotton land in January. If preplant fertilization is missed, there is usually adequate carryover of nitrogen and organic matter conversion (mineralization) to support early growth. Any side-dress applications should be made as soon as practical, to avoid nitrogen deficiencies, loosening the soil, and losing important soil moisture. Soil nitrogen applications should be made to meet expected or historic yield goals. Excessive nitrogen applications increase the potential for rank plant growth and increased mepiquat chloride use. In addition, liberal nitrogen inputs lower profits and increase the risks of nitrogen losses through soil run-off or leaching. Excessive rates of N promote later maturity, larger leaves, and shading which, in turn, increase boll shedding, boll rot, delayed boll opening, and immature fibers. Because of the perennial growth habit of cotton, nitrogen management is increasingly important as the yield expectation increases. Adequacy, balance of nutrients, and timing are important to creating a high yield potential. The need to build sufficient plant structure and root system to support high yields underlies every successful growing season. Cotton will effectively use 0.1 pound of nitrogen for every pound of lint produced per acre. Failure to ensure that adequate nitrogen is available during the square development period will eventually result in decreased yields. If deprived of nitrogen, plants will produce fewer and shorter internodes and a small plant canopy. Too few leaves on the plant will reduce photosynthesis and formation of sugars for boll set and maturation. Plant height is drastically shortened, as is feeder root branching. Foliar fertilization offers a means of increasing late-season plant nitrogen levels if growing conditions increase yield potential over what was planned.

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Soil-applied nitrogen (both preplant and side-dress) is the most cost-effective and efficient way to meet seasonal nitrogen needs. It is the “meat and potatoes” of crop fertilization. Foliar fertilization should only be considered a “snack” to supplement soil applications. When problems occur with the application of the soil applications, such as excessive rainfall preceding the planting season and fields not drying well, growers may defer fertilization in hopes of getting cotton planted on time and growing. The option to side-dress later may be even further delayed by extended poor weather. Managing weed and insect control through aerial applicators and adding some foliar nitrogen to these products may provide enough nitrogen to keep the cotton growing through a temporary stress period. (Because of reduced uptake, it is possible that a nitrogen deficit can occur on waterlogged soils even when the field has been fertilized according to soil test.)

Denitrification These fields have been fertilized, but so much rainfall or irrigation is received that denitrification has reduced the supply of nitrogen. Without a soil test, fields should be side-dressed with 20 to 30 pounds of nitrogen and cultivated as soon as ground equipment can safely reenter fields. This will open the soil to oxygen necessary for new root growth.

High Yield Potential In some years cotton sets bolls at nearly every fruiting position, and there is a potential for more cotton than fertilizer was applied. Since predicting the future is impossible, the cotton may be too large to side-dress or the late application of soil nitrogen could increase the risk of late growth. Soils may be very dry and the risk of pruning roots with applicator knives could be as detrimental as opening the soil for further moisture loss. Again, these conditions support making an amendment of 5 to 10 pounds or more urea-N with at least 2 to 3 subsequent foliar applications. To obtain significant yield increases the cotton must be able to use the added nitrogen. If the cotton is drought-stressed, foliar fertilizer will not magically cause the cotton to grow and set fruit. Foliar nitrogen can be used to supplement root absorption to help set and fill late season fruiting forms. It usually requires at least 3 applications totaling 15+ pounds of actual N. Such

applications can be applied every 7 to10 days providing the cotton is not under stress. As much as 50 to 70 percent of the urea deposited on the leaves is taken up by the plants. Urea that misses the leaves may ultimately be recovered if it is washed into the soil by rainfall.

Typical Rates of Foliar Urea Used

Biuret is an impurity in urea. For soil applications, it causes no problem. However, when used as a foliar spray, it may cause some injury. Feed-grade urea or low-biuret urea contains very low amounts of biuret and is only slightly more expensive. Three pounds of dry urea can be readily dissolved in one gallon of water. Feed-grade urea concentrations as high as 3 pounds of urea per gallon of water have been used on irrigated cotton in West Texas without leaf burn. (This equals 1.38 lb. N/gal. or 4.14 lb. N/3 gal./acre if aerial application is desired or must be used because fields are not accessible with ground equipment.) Feed-grade urea concentrations equal to 1.83 pounds of urea per gallon of water (0.84 lb. N/gal.) have been successfully used on dryland cotton in Central Texas. (Dissolve 22 lb. of feed-grade urea in 12 gallons of water/acre to deliver 10 lb. N/acre to cotton acreage.) Several companies are marketing a 21 percent N urea solutions which should be diluted with water before application as the following examples indicate: For Aerial Application: Dilute 2.5 gallons of the 21 percent N urea solution to 5 gallons with water. (4.8 lb. N/5 gal.) Apply at 3 to 5 gallons per acre. For Ground Application: Dilute 5 gallons of the 21 percent N urea solution to 15 gallons with water (9.6 lb. N/15 gal.). Apply at 15 gallons per acre.

Urea as an N-Source Although urea is readily absorbed by the cotton leaf (30% during the first hour after application) a major drawback is the need to make multiple applications of relatively dilute solutions to get enough into the plant. To be profitable, yield increases must be sufficient to offset added costs. As a small organic compound, urea moves rapidly into the plant and urea-N can be detected in bolls within 6 hours. Most of the urea-N taken up by the leaf will have moved into the bolls within 24 hours. If a urea-based product is on the leaves 3 to 4 hours, most of the product will be rain-fast (up to 70%). Cotton will store N in leaves as protein during periods of greater availability for later use during the peak demands of boll setting. Materials like Coran and Trisert contain altered low-biuret urea that minimizes leaf injury.

Total Nitrogen Management

From 10 to 20 percent of the cotton plants’ total nitrogen requirement is needed pre-bloom. During the boll development period (60 to 75 days after emergence), ensure sufficient soil and foliar N to supply adequate nitrogen to the plant. It is important to lint yields that the remaining 78 percent of the total nitrogen requirement be available from boll set to maturity. Ideally as bolls begin to open, the soil should be depleted of most remaining N. Low plant nitrogen at the time of harvest aid applications will increase the plant’s response to chemicals, defoliate faster and more uniformly, and reduce the chances of regrowth.

Important Considerations

Moisture-stressed cotton will usually not benefit from foliar nitrogen. Low-biuret, low-salt index materials may even cause yield reductions when applied under marginal drought conditions. Foliar nitrogen does not “hold the plant” during a drought. Foliar nitrogen will only provide

additional nitrogen for additional fruit development. The first priority should be given to preplant and/or side-dress fertilizer applications recommended by soil test. Foliar application is a more expensive alternative to be used when conditions result in inadequate nitrogen supplies to the plant or the application of soil-applied nitrogen is not feasible. Weather conditions requiring foliar nitrogen feeding are usually present only two years in five. Under irrigated conditions, foliar nitrogen may be used most years. Twice as much foliar urea-N can be applied with a ground rig than with an airplane (due to the amount of water that can be carried). The first application should be made at early bloom or no later than the third or fourth week of bloom. Applications should be spaced 7 to 14 days apart to avoid an accumulation of nitrogen salts on the leaf. Unless the soil is waterlogged, there should be some nitrogen available to emerging or new cotton plants from crop residues, carry-over N, or soil water. Foliars are most useful as post-bloom treatments when larger quantities of nitrogen are needed. At least two applications are necessary to effect substantial yield increases. If trying to correct a serious deficit, applications should be 5 pounds N per acre (or 10 to12 lb. of urea) or more. One pound of absorbed N has the potential to produce 5 to 10 pounds of lint. If 20 pounds of urea-N can be applied in four applications (and it is needed), 100 to 150 pounds of lint should result. Ten pounds would produce 50 to 75 pounds of lint per acre in two applications. In these Texas Coastal Bend tests two applications totalling 10.6 pounds of foliar N were applied. Theoretically 106 pounds of cotton would have resulted, but only a 68-pound average was realized. Foliar feeding alone cannot sustain the nitrogen needs of a cotton crop. Some soil-applied N has to be applied preplant or shortly after emergence. Foliar N is a corrective tool to fix or avoid nutritional problems. Recommendation to guide foliar N applications to irrigated cotton can be made through a phased petiole testing program (see the Extension publication “Guide to Petiole and Tissue Testing.”)

1991-92 County Location Calhoun 1 Calhourn 2 Nueces 1 San Patricio Nueces 3 Nueces 2 Nueces 4 Victoria 1 Average Lint

Lint lb./ac. Trt

UTC

1043 1000 870 632 221 925 802 870

927 885 777 558 160 878 777 854

Lint 116 115 93 74 61 47 25 13 68

MARCH/APRIL 2021

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MARCH/APRIL 2021

USDA NRCS

offers technical, financial assistance in response to Texas winter storm damage

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Temple, Texas, Feb. 24, 2021 — In response to the winter storms that hit Texas in February 2021, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering farmers and ranchers technical and financial assistance to repair and replace certain damaged conservation practices. NRCS is accepting applications for its Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for the recovery measures listed below:

• • • • • • • • • •

Animal Mortality and Animal Mortality Facility High Tunnel Systems Irrigation System and Irrigation Pipeline Livestock Pipeline Obstruction Removal Pumping Plant Roofs and Covers Waste Storage Facility Water Well Watering facility

NRCS accepts conservation program applications year-round; however, applications for 2021 winter storm recovery funding must be submitted by one of three deadlines: March 5, March 19, or April 2, 2021. After each deadline, applications will be ranked and approved as soon as possible so conservation work can begin. Producers must submit a separate application by one of the ranking deadlines for this disaster sign-up to be considered. Farmers and ranchers negatively impacted by winter weather are encouraged to contact their local NRCS office to seek assistance. Find contact information for local NRCS offices at www.farmers.gov/service-center-locator. Contact: Lori Ziehr, (254) 742-9881, lori.ziehr@usda.gov Follow us on Twitter @NRCSTexas. Find this story on the Texas NRCS News Releases webpage.

MARCH/APRIL 2021

USDA projects hot growth in produce imports over next decade Reprint from the Packer

BY TOM KARST

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rojections through 2030 for U.S. fruit and vegetable production and trade call for slight increases in domestic vegetable and fruit output but stronger increases in fresh produce imports. Called “Agricultural Projections to 2030” the U.S. Department of Agriculture report says the growth in U.S. agricultural imports will be fueled by fresh produce. U.S. imports of horticultural products are projected to grow by 5% per year over the next decade, the USDA said, largely driven by fresh fruits and vegetables.

pounds in 2020;

The USDA said U.S. fresh fruit and vegetable exports will grow from $7.1 billion in 2019 to $9.6 billion by 2030, a gain of 35% over 11 years.

• In recent years the USDA said there has been a rapid rise of import volume across many fresh and processed vegetables, and the USDA said their new projection assumes imports continue to rise;

By contrast, the USDA said U.S. fresh fruit and vegetable imports will jump from $22.9 billion in 2019 to $36.6 billion in 2030, an increase in value of 60% over the 11-year span.

Economic outlook The USDA projects the U.S. and world economy will recover from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 and beyond, but the report said there is still a large degree of uncertainty. “While cyclical declines in global economic activity are not uncommon, the scope and degree of the pandemic’s impact is unprecedented in recent history,” the report said. “The path to control of the pandemic and economic recovery cannot be known with certainty. Although the assumptions underlying the projections call for widespread economic recovery beginning in 2021, the pace may vary across countries based on the success of pandemic control measures, as well as policies that support business recovery.” U.S. real gross domestic product is forecast to decline 5.8% in 2020 with a recovery to 4% growth in 2021. During the USDA forecast period of 2021-2030, the U.S. post-pandemic real GDP growth is projected at 2.4% annually, the report said.

Highlights from the USDA’s long-term projections are:

• By 2030, the USDA said fruit will contribute nearly 27% of total domestic output, tree nuts approximately 4.5% and vegetable and pulse crops roughly 68.5%; • Vegetable and pulse crop production will grow “only slightly” to 2030. The USDA said there is rapid growth of the protected culture sub-sector (mostly greenhouses and urban vertical farms) which the agency said is slowly replacing field-grown production for several major fresh vegetables;

• Buoyed in-part by increasing production of higher-priced organic vegetables, the USDA forecast the value of fresh-market vegetable production will rise by one-third between 2018-20 and 2028-30; • The value of production for fresh market vegetables will account for about 60% of all vegetable and pulse receipts by 2030, up from an estimated 57% in 2020; • Within the lettuce sub-sector, the USDA said growth is projected in romaine and leaf production, while iceberg output will continue its decline; • Production of sweet potatoes will continue to trend upward based primarily on rising exports, the USDA said; • Production of potatoes will rise slightly over the next 10 years as both domestic and foreign demand remains sluggish, the USDA said. A downward trend in acres harvested will be more than offset by a gain in yields; • U.S. fruit and tree nut production (pounds) will grow 0.35% annually throughout the projection period, reaching roughly 59 billion pounds by 2030, the USDA said. Citrus output will decline 0.65% annually, while fruit production will grow due to gains in non-citrus production; and • The farm value of fruit and tree nuts will grow 2.7% annually over the next ten years, with tree nuts growing 3%, citrus at 2.9% and non-citrus at 2.5%.

• Combined production of fruit, tree nuts, vegetable, and pulses will grow slightly over the next decade, reaching 189 billion pounds by 2030, up from 186 billion

MARCH/APRIL 2021

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Correcting Iron Deficiencies in Grain Sorghum BY S. D. LIVINGSTON, C. G. COMAN, AND L. G. UNRUH* *Professor and Extension Specialists, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, and Extension Specialist, Agronomists and Soil Fertility Specialist, respectively, Texas A&M University

Understanding the Problem Until grain sorghum develops an extensive root system, young plants may not be able to obtain enough ferrous iron to maintain normal growth on some Texas soils. Although iron is not a part of the chlorophyll molecule, it is required to supply enough chlorophyll to support the growth of new leaf tissue. High-pH, calcareous soils not only reduce the availability of soluble iron in the soil; they also change the soil’s cation-exchange capacity so that less iron is present and available for exchange overall. The result is a more slowly growing plant and subsequent uneven flowering dates. This not only delays ripening of grain and harvest, but the uneven pollination undermines an effective insecticide spray program for controlling sorghum midge. The distribution of soils having a potential for iron chlorosis is shown in Figure 1.

or yellow-green in strips, or irregularly shaped areas of the field. Fields may have intermittent blotches of chlorotic plants scattered in a salt-and-pepper (random) arrangement. Iron chlorosis is often sporadic throughout the field, or it may be associated with some land-moving event. Often the higher ground in a field will exhibit greater chlorosis, while terracing and land leveling may also result in new chlorotic zones. Since available ferrous iron is responsible for this anomaly, both pH change and available soil moisture influence the iron concentration in soil solution. If not treated with ferrous sulfate, some hybrids may yield less grain. Losses result from both uneven midge control and lost yield potential. Severe chlorosis occurs when tissue develops a very pale yellow to almost white coloration. Some hybrids are more sensitive than others. Leaves of affected plants are thinner and narrower and tend to injure more easily. Shallow, calcareous outcrops; sandy lenses of high-pH soil (8.0+); and shells of land snails are usually associated with these sites. By the time severe chlorosis is observed, it may already be too late to restore even-flowering dates, or to escape some yield reductions. The earlier the treatments are made, the greater the effect of the applications. Treatments with ferrous sulfate could result in yield differences of 800 to 2,000 pounds per acre with some chlorosis-sensitive hybrids. Severe chlorosis may kill young sorghum plants or cause stunting so severe that flowering is prevented.

Diagnosis of Problem Visual symptoms are often the best indicator of whether or not to treat chlorotic fields or parts of fields for iron chlorosis. A simple test area treated with an application of soluble iron in a hand sprayer is sufficient. One of the simplest methods for confirming iron deficiency is to apply a 1- to 21/2-percent solution of iron sulfate (copperas) on some chlorotic leaves. This solution may be prepared by dissolving 1 tablespoonful of iron sulfate and 1/2 teaspoonful of detergent in 1 gallon of water. Apply the solution by spraying, dipping individual leaves in the solution, or painting a portion of the chlorotic leaf.

Visual Symptoms Mild chlorosis ranges from a lighter green leaf color that progresses to increasing interveinal striping, to almost no visual symptoms. New leaves may appear normal as the sorghum outgrows the deciency. In some cases, the rate of growth may be so close to normal that no difference in flowering date is observed; while in other deficient plants treated sorghum may flower 2 to 3 days earlier than untreated plants. Moderate chlorosis seen where sorghum plants s are yellow

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If the chlorosis is caused by iron deficiency, a darker green color should be noticeable on treated plants in 4 to 7 days under favorable growing conditions. Young or recently matured leaves should be used for this test since old, severely chlorotic leaves tend to lack the ability to form chlorophyll, even when supplied with iron.

Correcting Iron Deficiency Several products are available for field use to correct iron chlorosis. While a number of attempts have been made with iron-containing slags and acidic byproducts to supply iron to the soil, these have never proven effective because of an almost immediate oxidation of the soluble ferrous iron, converting it to the less-soluble ferric state.

Attempts to correct iron deficiency by applying acidifying materials to calcareous soils generally have not been successful or practical on a field basis because of the large amount of acidifying material required. For example, it would take 5 tons of sulfuric acid per acre to neutralize 1 percent calcium carbonate in a 6-inch layer of soil. Many irondeficient soils contain as much as 10 percent free calcium carbonate, which represents 50 tons of sulfuric acid. If elemental sulfur were used, it would require one-third that amount to give the equivalent acidifying effect. Products of acidifying reactions may greatly increase soil salinity. Localized acidification through banding or using pelleted sulfur has been successful in some situations. For the past several decades, producers have had to rely on foliar amendments to place available iron into the plant. If early deficiency symptoms are observed or occur every year on certain fields, banded foliar treatments should begin as early as sufficient leaf area is present to intercept the material used. This is usually 10 to 14 days after the sorghum has emerged. A common mistake is not starting ferrous applications soon enough and then failing to follow-up with subsequent needed applications. A spray solution can be prepared using 20 pounds of iron sulfate (copperas) in 100 gallons of water, plus a spreader sticker, and spraying the solution over the crop row at 5 gallons per acre (10 to 14 days after emergence). After the first treatment, products should be applied as required at 7 to 10 day intervals using the same solution concentration, but increasing application rates to 10 to 15 gallons per acre.

Potential for Damage If sorghum is under stress, foliar applications of ferrous sulfate can result in a net yield reduction. Applications made early in the morning or late in the afternoon may reduce risks, but ferrous applications in hot, dry weather may only aggravate an already failing yield potential. This is more likely to occur on plants that really had no need for additional iron. Some iron-chlorosis-tolerant hybrids have been observed to produce less grain when normal plants were sprayed with chlorotic ones. Because entire sorghum fields seldom require iron applications, some producers have installed solenoid valves with a pressure switch to selectively apply ferrous iron while cultivating. Iron sprays require a spreader-sticker or detergent in order to be effective. If a commercial spreader sticker is not available, ordinary household detergent may be used at rates of 1/4 to 1/2 pint per 50 gallons of solution. Thorough coverage and wetting of the entire leaf surface is necessary for good results. Avoid too much detergent to minimize the chances of leaf burn. Yield reductions can also occur if foliar iron is sprayed directly onto large sorghum as the heads are exposed. Application should be discontinued when the sorghum plants reach boot stage. Flowering parts of any exposed heads will be damaged if the iron product is applied at this time.

Other Conditions Causing Chlorosis Large phosphorus corrections banded next to the seed row may also intensify iron deficiencies. Since iron phosphate is one of the lesssoluble phosphates, already low levels of iron in soil solution may become worse during dry, wet, or cold weather when root uptake is less or root systems are damaged. If phosphorus applications greater than 30 pounds per acre are planned on potentially chlorotic fields, growers should be prepared to apply foliar iron as required.

3 percent ammoniacal N and 1 percent chelated iron from ferrous sulfate and citric acid. It is slightly more expensive than the copperas. PenGreen iron is a highly soluble, 5 percent iron sulfate that is easy to handle and requires no agitation. PenGreen II contain an addition of 3 percent N. Several manufacturers of foliar products have constructed iron materials that also contain nitrogen, phosphorous, zinc, magnesium, and manganese, as well as other micronutrients. These additions are usually not recommended by soil or tissue test, and while they do not injure the sorghum and may be needed occasionally, they may increase product cost. Since nitrogen can also effect plant color, ureabased nitrogen may also be added. This small nitrogen addition is useful in that it corrects chlorosis that might have been due to low N levels. Iron reactions will be observed as dark green blotches on leaves where spray droplets fell. Except on low-fertility or sandy soils, the addition of micronutrients may neither help nor hurt sorghum, but provide insurance against possible deficiencies. The manganese is particularly prone to precipitate from solution with time. Unless the overall pH of the product is kept low enough to maintain solubility, settling occurs to where shelf life seldom spans more than two growing seasons. The pH and salt content of the amendment has much to do with its potential for foliar burn and subsequent leaf damage. In selecting foliar iron products, consider product efficacy, safety from leaf burn, cost, ease of application, and shelf life.

Soil Testing Concerns If a soil test is being requested for iron considerations, air drying of the sample should be specified and the iron should be determined by atomic absorption or a method that best indicates available iron in production fields. The ICAP (Inductive Coupled Argon Plasma) method of analysis is prone to evaluate some of the iron on the clay structure as well as suspended iron. Therefore, adequate (but false) values are sometimes reported. One way to avoid this problem is to air-dry the samples instead of oven-drying them. Oven Drying shrinks the clays, drives off the water, and sometimes doubles the iron and potassium values. For iron testing, the soil samples should be evaluated by atomic absorption spectrometry. Laboratories using the DTPH method of analysis, developed at Colorado State University, will encounter problems in obtaining accurate iron levels on soils with recent phosphorous amendments. The phosphorus will precipitate the low amounts of available iron. While some laboratories suggest adequacy with iron levels of 4.5 ppm or higher, the level should be moved to 10 or 15 where high levels of phosphorous were added recently.

Formulations Available Dry ferrous products have a long shelf life so long as they are stored properly. Copperas is the least expensive form of ferrous sulfate, but contains sand and impurities that must be filtered. Otherwise, copperas is very abrasive to nozzles. Vitatone is a dry product containing MARCH/APRIL 2021

Tell us a little bit about the Ag Center The Ag Center is California’s one-stop-shop for agriculture. Our goal is to connect farmers and growers with hard-working and ethical businesses. With over 20 different ag service companies, The Ag Center has the resources to help solve nearly any issue farmers may run into while farming.

When did it originate? The concept of The Ag Center originated through friendships and business relationships years before the first location opened in Merced, California in April of 2018. We have recently expanded the Ag Center’s reach farther south into the Central Valley with a new office and companies in Tulare, California!

What is the goal for the Ag Center? The goal of The Ag Center is to become a go-to for farmers and growers for all of their service needs. Rather than go through a bidding process between multiple companies, customers can come to us for a reputable Ag service company to fulfill their needs.

How does Ag Center help farmers? The Ag Center helps farmers by creating and supporting the connections between farmers and quality service companies. The Ag Center spends the time researching and meeting with companies in the agriculture industry, and selects the best of the best. This saves farmers their most valuable resource, TIME.

How important is the Ag Center for the Agriculture Community AGC is a great resource for the agriculture community. The Ag Center is made up of a group of talented people, under one platform, with the same mission of serving the ag industry as best as we possibly can. It is a place where farmers can come and get information and gain knowledge at any time, about nearly anything related to farming.

Tell us a little history of The Ag Center and its owners “The Ag Center is deeper than a piece of property-its concept was built long before its structure took shape on Highway 59.” Doug Brunner, Keith Yamamoto, Chris Morgner, and Stephanie Steelman joined forces and combined their knowledge of farming, irrigation, agronomy, and marketing to create a one-stop-shop for all things agriculture.

What are some challenges that California Farmers face - and what does the Ag Center do to help them ? Some of the biggest challenges that California farmers face are: Water - The water experts that are at the Ag Center realize the importance of conservation as well as water compliance. Companies such as Water and Land Solutions, Ceres Imaging, SWIIM Systems, and Central Irrigation all help to manage and maximize their clients water while at the same time, complying with the new regulations being created around the california water supply (SGMA). These companies keep in mind that water is expensive, scarce, and unreliable in this state.

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Labor - One of the Ag Center’s newest and most exciting affiliates is solving one of the biggest issues in CA agriculture, labor. Pacific Farm Management takes care of the HR and employment side of your business, so that the farmer can focus on what they know best, farming. Aging Ag Population -At the end of the day,The Ag Center is here to remind the young people that agriculture is cool, it is important, and it is absolutely necessary. In CA, the agriculture industry is nearly impossible to get into due to expensive inputs like land, equipment, labor, etc., The Ag Center is making it possible. Time Management - One of the most common difficulties that farmers face is their lack of time. Between actually getting the work done, and making sure it is done correctly, farmers spend a lot of time searching for the right companies to do business with. The Ag Center spends hundreds of hours researching and meeting with companies, making sure that we are affiliated with the best of the best, hard-working, and ethical companies that can get the job done right.

How many employees does the Ag Center consist of? The Ag Center currently has 6 program coordinators and over 20 affiliate companies! Between those 20 affiliate companies, there are over 3,000 hard-working employees in the agriculture industry in California.

Throughout the Ag Center’s longevity, what hasbeen the greatest accomplishment and challenge? Accomplishment: The people... “I’m surrounded by wonderful people that I work with daily. We all have the same mission, that of one to create a fun and hard working atmosphere. We support people to be successful in their craft. One of the greatest fulfillments in creating the Ag Center is watching the incredible people around me become so successful at what they do. It brings me great joy.” - Doug Brunner Challenge As I’m sure with many other companies, COVID has been one of the most challenging obstacles to navigate for The Ag Center. A big part of The Ag Center is hosting fun events, and bringing together our affiliate companies for face - face marketing and networking opportunities, and this year/ last, we obviously weren’t able to do so. Like so many other businesses, we have adapted to the challenges of COVID and can’t wait for what’s in store for the new year.

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Avoid the Pests of Tank-Mixing Pesticides BY MORGAN INGRAM

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ank-mixing pesticides is a rou tine procedure among farm ers. It is common for farmers to mix various combinations of pesticides, as well as mix ing them with other products such as fertilizers, plant amendments, and biologicals. With so many variables and compatibility to consider, it is easy to make mistakes. These mistakes can prove to be ineffective in the removal of pests, or even cause crop damage. Some mistakes commonly made are often simply failing to read and follow the directions on the label, combining products that have not been jar tested, not understanding mixing order, and using an insufficient amount of water in the sprayer tank. Here are a few tips to avoid these errors. Firstly, READ THE DIRECTIONS. The product labels usually have the information you need for mixing and handling the product, and some also include information on other products that may or may not also be added to the tank. The labels may also tell you how to do a compatibility test to see if some products that

have been specifically mentioned may be added to the mix. You cannot bake a cake with just an idea in your head, you have to know what ingredients you need, the measurements of those ingredients, and the order that they are added to the bowl. A jar test is a great way to test the compatibility of products, instead of mixing large volumes of products in the spray tank that could lead to a large amount of waste. Compatibility factors can be product formulation, water pH and hardness, the number of products being tank mixed, and the mixing order. Compatibility occurs physically and chemically. When a mix is not physically compatible the product fails to disperse or dissolve into the solution. Physical incompatibility is visible. Chemical incompatibility is harder to detect but not impossible. It may be seen as a color change, temperature change, and/or the production of an odor or gas. Jar tests are particularly helpful when mixing products with a liquid fertilizer, and when mixing more than two products in water. The product labels usually provide the instructions for a jar test, but Purdue University has a great guide on avoiding tank-mixing errors that includes detailed instructions. Mixing order is crucial for tank-mixing. Just like baking a cake. It is a science. If you add the ingredients out of order you will likely come out with a very dense, dry, crumbly cake. You may use all the right products, but adding them out of order can lead to disaster. The product labels often offer mixing order tips. Or you can use the acronym WALES. W - wettable powders and water-dispersible granules. A - agitate tank, mix thoroughly. L -liquid flowables and suspensions. E - emulsifiable concentrate formulations. S - surfactant/solution. Understand though that this is simply a guide and some products may need to be added in a different order, usually listed on the label. Ultimately, many mistakes can be avoided by simply reading the label. Most of the information necessary for testing compatibility and knowing the mixing order is written on the label of the product.

MARCH/APRIL 2021

WARMTH IN THE COLD:

TEXANS HELPING TEXANS

An Editorial by Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller - February 19, 2021 If 2020 was the year from hell, it looks like 2021 is the year hell froze over. This last week has been very tough on Texans as multiple winter storms swept across the Lone Star State, dropping over 29 million Texans in the deep freeze. Millions endured a “white out”, with historic, blistering cold, record snowfall, dangerous ice, closed schools, shuttered businesses and even closed churches. Over 4 million Texans lost power, many had no water, no natural gas and dwindling food supplies. All in the midst of a pandemic. Remember COVID-19? It’s been a tough week. But I have never been prouder to be a Texan. Here in Texas, when a neighbor is in need, Texans step up to help. We’re here for our neighbors, to offer a hand up or at least a shoulder they can lean on. Whether it’s a hurricane, a wildfire, a global pandemic, or a record-busting winter storm, Texans pull together and help each other out. How many images of looting have you seen from Texas this week? Here at the Texas Department of Agriculture, our folks have been doing our part, even as they struggled themselves. This week, my staff has been working relentlessly to help producers locate feed and hay for their livestock, find ways to get their products to market and locate agriculture processors that are open to try to keep the food chain moving. TDA field staff have been working directly with rural and urban food banks to help locate food for distribution, and with our rural hospitals making sure they have resources, equipment, 60

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and services open. Our school nutrition staff have worked to provide guidance to schools across the state serving as emergency warming centers or shelters. Additionally, we’ve fired up the State of Texas Agriculture Relief Fund or STAR Fund to assist farmers and ranchers with agricultural disaster relief efforts. I encourage everyone to visit the TDA website (www.texasagriculture.gov) if you’d like to make a donation. And make no mistake, Texas farmers and ranchers are struggling right now, and they need our help. Dairy farmers are dumping millions of dollars’ worth of milk every day due to lack of power and natural gas at processing plants. Trucks needed to move produce are stuck. Feed mills have been forced to shut down to conserve energy, so producers are desperate to find feed for their livestock. Poultry producers are facing a massive loss due to lack of energy needed to heat incubators and facilities. Without access to power, water and feed producers are fearful their livestock will die from exposure and lack of nutrition. That’s not mentioning the damage Texas citrus has encountered with the deep freeze. Citrus producers in the Rio Grande Valley have already seen a 60% loss in grapefruit and with temperatures below freezing ice buildup in the fruit is sure to cause continued crop loss. It has been over 30 years since the valley has seen a destructive freeze like this. As a rancher myself, I’ve struggled to keep my herd watered and fed in this icy weather.

Consequently, this week I issued a red alert about the state of our food supply chain here in Texas. Because of this unprecedented storm, consumers will see empty shelves once they return to the grocery store. If milk, butter or other agriculture products are available, they will likely be more expensive. Consumers will pay more, but farmers and ranchers will earn less.

after this devastating disaster. Rural Texas is the heart of this great state, and the food they provide feeds us all.

When supply chains back up, farmers and ranchers receive record low prices and consumers pay record prices- when they can least afford it.

Texans are tough. We’ll make it through this, just like every other challenge we have faced. But we’ll only do so if we work together, and we take care of what matters most -each other. An eighth-generation Texas farmer and rancher,

But right now, as so many Texans struggle to help others in need, the help we need the most is from our own Governor. Where I come from, we have a saying for Governor Abbot’s efforts during this crisis: he’s been “a day late and a dollar short”.

Sid Miller is the 12th Commissioner of the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). A ten-time world champion rodeo cowboy, he has devoted his life to promoting Texas agriculture, rural communities and the western heritage of Texas.

I have called repeatedly on Governor Abbott to step up to the plate and designate agriculture as a critical infrastructure and make it a priority for electrical power and gas. Right now, hospital workers, first responders, fire and police are the priority for power and that’s as it should be. But they all need to eat. And without Texas agriculture, food becomes as scarce as any other commodity.

In observance of social distancing, Commissioner Miller will be available for Zoom, FaceTime or phone interviews. To schedule, contact: Maddison Jaureguito at 512-463-7899

I am calling on the Governor and all other state officials to join me in providing resources that will assist producers and communities across the state navigate this difficult time. They must immediately address the energy crisis in rural Texas and prepare to help get producers back on their feet MARCH/APRIL 2021

THANK YOU FOR YOUR BUSINESS!

García Grain Trading 956-464-6000

SERVING THE VALLEY FOR OVER 20 YEARS ALAMO, TX MCCOOK, TX

DONNA, TX PROGRESO, TX

EDCOUCH, TX SANTA ROSA, TX

Governor Abbott Reappoints Polk to Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board 64

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TEMPLE – Governor Greg Abbott has reappointed Carl Ray Polk, Jr. to the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) for a term set to expire on February 1, 2023. Polk joined the TSSWCB in May of 2017. Polk is a resident of Lufkin and a partner at Corner Capitol Advisors, LLC. He is also an owner and operator of Polk Land & Cattle Co. in Angelina and Houston Counties. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of The George H. Henderson, Jr. Exposition Center, the Texas Wildlife Association, as well as Texas & Southwest Cattle Raisers Association, presently serving on the Executive Committee and as the second vice president. In addition, he serves on the Texas Parks and Wildlife’s Private Landowners Advisory Committee. Polk attended Kilgore College and The University of Texas at Austin and completed the Mergers and Acquisition Program through the Anderson School of Business at UCLA in Los Angeles, CA. Carl Ray and his wife, Romy have two children, Preston and Mary Grace. “We are privileged to have Mr. Polk serving on our board alongside a distinguished group of individuals pursuing the protection and enhancement of the natural resources of Texas. We will continue to work to provide our Soil Water Conservation Districts and producers across the state the tools they need to apply best management practices in order to put conservation efforts on the ground,” said Rex Isom, TSSWCB Executive Director. TSSWCB established in 1939, administers Texas’ soil and water conservation law and delivers coordinated natural resource conservation programs through the State’s 216 Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Additionally, TSSWCB is the lead agency for planning, implementing, and managing programs for preventing and abating agricultural and silvicultural nonpoint sources of water pollution. TSSWCB also works to ensure that the State’s network of 2,000 flood control dams are protecting lives and property by providing operation, maintenance, and structural repair grants to local government sponsors. Polk’s appointment by Governor Abbott is subject to confirmation by the Senate.

MARCH/APRIL 2021

Reprint from Texas AgriLife Extension

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Reaching Every TexaN

Challenges Farmers and ranchers across Texas face ongoing production-related challenges and economic risks. The supply of water and other natural resources in Texas is under tremendous stress from population growth and other factors. Rising health care costs are a burden to Texans ($239 billion annually). Youth need to develop essential behaviors of character, citizenship and leadership, and valuable life skills to prepare them for college and career opportunities.

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AgriLife Extension Response AgriLife Extension collaborates with public and private organizations to deliver impactful educational and applied research programs that address critical issues facing Texans. Offers wide-ranging educational programs in agriculture, focused on research-based production and management practices, evaluation of technologies, improved decision-making

and job training. Delivers researched-based educational resources on water quality and use, soil nutrient management, watershed protection, wildlife and fisheries practices, and ecosystem and parks management. Health and wellness programs focus on diabetes education, nutrition, exercise, food safety, child safety seat education and early cancer detection. Offers many state- and industry-accredited programs to meet continuing education and certification requirements for thousands of people who provide important community services. More than 550,000 youth participated in Texas 4-H through program areas in STEM, Natural Resources, Agricultural and Livestock, Leadership and Citizenship and Family and Community Health. Conducted 127,600 educational events and reached 18.4 million educational and other contacts in 2019.

Economic Impacts

Use of the Farm Bill decision aid to analyze 17,305 farm units showed an impact of improved decision-making valued at $216 million. The economic impact of selected diabetes education, physical activity and nutrition education programs was estimated at $79.8 million (in lifetime health care cost savings). Programs focused on water conservation and wildlife and ecosystem management led to $107 million in economic benefits by conserving 3.1 billion gallons of water, reducing wildlife property damage and adopting selected management practices on 1.3 million managed acres. Through its continuing education and certification programs, AgriLife Extension directly supports 79,450 jobs in Texas, with an estimated annual wage base of $1.5 billion. In 2019, AgriLife Extension engaged more than 93,600 volunteers who contributed a total of 5.5 million hours (2,633 FTEs) valued at an estimated $139.3 million.

Programs focused on agricultural production and management practices, evaluation of technologies, and improved decision-making led to economic gains of more than $486 million for agricultural producers in 2019.

MARCH/APRIL 2021

Issue 40 of the Ag Mag

Articles inside

unspent cares funding Avoid the Pests of Tank-Mixing Pesticides

Texans Helping Texans

Next Decade Correcting Iron Deficiencies in Grain Sorghum

Guinea Grass and the Licorice Jellybean

Impacts Last A Lifetime

USDA Projects Hot Growth in Produce Imports Over

Be on the Lookout for Early Season Insect Pests

Safer, Less Expensive Biological Control

FEATURED FARMER: The Ranch Way

Cotton Insect Control Suggestions

100 Kids That Give A Darn In The Barn