Issue 42 of the Ag Mag by THEAGMAG

Matthew 6:34

Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Michelle Martin

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

Al Benavides

Graphic Designer (956) 492-6407

A Letter from the Editor I am pretty sure I’ve written about timing before.. but here I am writing about it again. I feel God screaming at my fingers to type and my brain: so here we go… We all know time doesn’t stop. The hours, days, years all go by and it doesn’t stop for anyone. And if we look at the BIG picture we can see how fast time goes. If you have children, I’m sure you ask yourself where the time wenthowever when your child was really small I’m sure you’re thinking the days and nights last forever. Someone once told me this, “the days are long, but the years are short.” I couldn’t agree more with that! Recently, one of my best friends lost her nine year old son- and when she got the news as well as myself I feel that time literally stopped, but it didn’t. When something traumatic happens such as that, it’s a harsh reminder of how short and precious life is. Life can end for you or a loved one in a blink of an eye. If you weren’t here tomorrow, but had the opportunity to look back on your last day of life- would you be proud of the way you lived it? Life isn’t easy, but it’s worth living. Not everyday will be full of sunshine and rainbows- but everyday is a gift and God wants us to make the best of it. Hug your loved ones tight, laugh when something is funny, cry when you’re sad, but most importantly see the beauty in every day. In loving memory of IKE Beauchamp. July 2012-July 2021

Owner/Creator of AG MAG

In This Issue: 4. Border Security Statement 8. Texas A&M AgriLife Team Seeking Holy Grail of Tomatoes 10. AgriLife Extension Brings New Experience To Texas’ Organic Production Scene 12. Rio Grande Farmers Have A Unique Relationship With Irrigation Technology 18. Hidalgo Co. FSA is Accepting Emergency Conservation Program Applications 22. A Growing Future 28. Montana Trapp - State Show Grand Champion 32. Retail Beef Prices Remain High 37. A Letter From The Editor 44. FEATURED FARMER: Texas A&M AgriLife Celebrates The Legacy of Joe Townsend 46. History of Hidalgo County 4-H Foundation 50. Creation of Water Supply Corporations in the RGV 52. Journey Map 56. Why We Switched To Fall Calving 62. Are You Creating Your Own Drought? 68. Tall Tales Of A Tiny Texan Cover photo by: Kelly Griggs Year 7, Issue 42 July/August 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

Border Security Statement BY WALTER NEGLEY, CHAIRMAN EMERITUS South Texans’ Property Rights Association

s members of the public who are most affected by our dysfunctional border security system, we, South Texas landowners, land managers, and owners of agricultural operations, strongly urge the Biden Administration to consider unintended consequences in pursuing significant changes to, or cessation of, the previous administration’s Migrant Protection Procedures (MPP), otherwise known as the “Remain in Mexico” policy. In their efforts to change MPP to address humanitarian concerns, the new administration’s announced review of the policy has already played into the hands of the cartels, even though the official border shut-down under current COVID-19 protection policies remains in place. In keeping with their standard exploitation procedures, the cartels have used the announced MPP review process and the 100-day moratorium on deportations to give false hope to migrants, leading them to pay the cartels exorbitant fees to be illegally and dangerously smuggled across the border. The net result in South Texas has currently been a significant rise in cartel-driven trespassing, inse6

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curity, and damage on open land. In the last few weeks, it has been widely reported that a caravan of 7,000 to 8,000 desperate but misguided Hondurans are clashing with law enforcement personnel in Guatemala, trying to push into the United States, though they will meet stiffer blockades in Mexico. There had been significant improvement over the past few years for landowners and agriculturalists in the South Texas region, both south and north of the interior Border Patrol Checkpoints. But in the last several months, the calm has again stirred to a mixture of daily and nightly incursions by smugglers with their victims, traversing by foot, but mostly by vehicle, through private property, causing human endangerment and high economic costs. There are even strong indications that the smugglers, known as “coyotes”, are now carrying firearms, which raises the threat level of possible deadly confrontations. The illegal immigrants have increasingly put themselves into harm’s way, at the hands of the cartels, which will all too often lead to their financial exploitation, incarceration, abuse, injury, rape, and even death. Meanwhile, South

Texas landowners and managers are forced into an increasingly untenable situation of trying to keep themselves and their families safe, repairing damaged gates and fences due to law enforcement pursuits and “bailouts”, and reporting and preventing trespasser injury and death. Our organization, the South Texans’ Property Rights Association, was formed in 2006 largely to address our broken immigration and border security system in a reasonable and rational way. Over the years, we have served as a conduit among landowners, policy-makers, and state, Federal, and local law enforcement officials to improve the safety and economic stability for those living and working in rural South Texas. Since our inception, we have consistently advocated for:

- A secure and tightly managed border using adequate personnel, equipment and technology and physical barriers wherever appropriate. - Providing expedited judicial review that negates the need for a “catch and release” policy. - Establishing a functional guest worker program that securely provides needed workers, while ensuring that no American loses a job as a result.

those illegally in the United States from obtaining citizenship, while providing a stringent process for persons who have not violated any other laws and are not public burdens to regularize their legal status. - Working with Mexico and Central American countries to significantly decrease and prevent illegal immigration through financial and local law enforcement assistance (We would add a call for the new administration to build upon earlier attempts to allow asylum-seekers to apply in their own countries, thereby minimizing their personal jeopardy.) We challenge the new administration and Congress to address the border security situation in a constructive way that will achieve the best possible outcome. Only a thoughtful and bold strategy, devoid of emotional and partisan political concerns, will yield such an outcome. South Texans’ Property Rights Association (STPRA), serves as a unifying force for South Texas by bringing the power of information and rational discourse to many of the issues that face our region, our state, and our nation. STPRA strives to be a catalyst for finding solutions to some of the important challenges that exist for South Texas property owners. More information about STPRA can be accessed at STPRA.org.

- Retaining current law that prohibits

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Texas A&M AgriLife team seeking ‘holy grail’ of tomatoes Goal is firm, flavorful, attractive, high-yield tomato with extended shelf life

proposed project involving the characterization of a new breeding line of tomatoes developed by the Texas A&M AgriLife breeding program at Weslaco could further enhance Texas’ rep utation for growing exceptional produce, according to Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists. The development of flavorful, nutritious and firm tomatoes with a long shelf life, good appearance and high yield is the “holy grail” of tomato improvement, said Carlos Avila, Ph.D., AgriLife Research vegetable breeder based at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Weslaco and principal investigator for the project. Co-principal investigators are Kevin Crosby, Ph.D., AgriLife Research vegetable breeder at Texas A&M University, Bryan-College Station, and Vijay Joshi, Ph.D., AgriLife Research vegetable system physiologist at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Uvalde.

New line developed from lessons learned Avila said tomato genes such as colorless non-ripening, NOR, and ripening inhibitor, RIN, have been used successfully in modulating fruit firmness and extending the shelf life of commercially available tomatoes, but have fallen short in other areas. “Unfortunately, besides the beneficial effect on delaying softening, these genes negatively affect fruit color, flavor and nutritional value,” Avila explained. “As a result, there is a general concern that most modern tomato cultivars have lost their flavor. This affects both consumption and supermarket sales.” He also noted most commercial cultivars are susceptible to tomato yellow shoulder, a disorder characterized by discolored regions under the fruit’s skin that reduce its quality and negatively impact consumer acceptance. “The disorder can range from very mild with some internal spotting to quite severe with large areas that are hardened and yellow to white,” Avila noted. The team’s goal is to produce a long-shelf-life tomato with all the positive traits and characteristics both the produce industry and consumers desire without negatively impacting taste and color. He said the new year-long project is a continuation of the 2019 project “Novel Tomato Fruit Firmness Trait: Breeding for Long Shelf Life While Conserving Flavor Is Now Possible.”

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Texas A&M AgriLife Research breeders are working toward developing the “holy grail” of tomatoes. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Kay Ledbetter)

“For the first year of this project, we evaluated and characterized fruit firmness for trait stability in three locations — Weslaco, Uvalde and Bryan-College Station,” Avila said. “We also developed F1 hybrids, evaluated their shelf life at different storage conditions and developed F2 mapping populations. Our successful accomplishment of these objectives and the very promising data we obtained directed us toward additional lines of investigation in this new project.” Avila said the firmness trait in the newly developed TAM-SP18-157 line is different from NOR- and RIN-gene-carrying commercial tomato cultivars in that it produces extraordinarily firm tomatoes while conserving both flavor and color. “It does this because the ripening process is not inhibited,” Avila said. “When used as a parental line, the resulting F1 hybrids have shown improved firmness, enhanced sugar and acid content, and higher amounts of dry matter and fruit yield.” The new line produces a firm tomato that does not “leak” when sliced or diced and has a uniformly red color – traits highly desired by both the industry and consumers, he said. “This second-year project will focus on production and multi-location testing, along with trait characterization for marker-assisted breeding and registration of the TAM-SP18-157,” Avila said.

Initial field testing yields promising results Field trials at Weslaco and Uvalde during the 2019 spring season demonstrated TAM-SP18-157 has an excellent combining ability when used as a parent for hybrid cultivar development. “When crossed as a male pollen donor with soft tomato lines, the resulting F1 hybrids increased fruit firmness in 30% of the tomatoes, dry matter in 15%, sugar content in 11%, and acidity in 10%, as compared to the soft tomato parents,” Avila said. “Additionally, F1 hybrids

showed a 67% increase in the yield, indicating TAM-SP18-157 can be used as a parent to improve both tomato quality and yield.” Joshi said one of the aspects of his work on the new project will be to analyze and quantify the amount of glutamic and aspartic acids in the new tomato line.

retaining flavor and improving dry matter, sugar content, acidity, shelf life and yield in fresh and specialty high-value heirloom tomato cultivars. “But to introduce these novel traits for continuous cultivar development, the genetic bases need to be understood and molecular markers linked to the trait need to be developed,” Avila explained. He said trait characterization will be performed on TAM-SP18-157, F1 hybrids and the developed F2 population to determine genetic versus environmental components and develop molecular markers linked to the traits.

Comparison of Zapotec tomato with yellow shoulder disease to the improved breeding line of tomato developed by Texas A&M AgriLife. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo)

“We have already harvested some of the tomatoes grown here at the Uvalde center for testing and will be checking them for these two aroma-active amino acids that are integral to tomato flavor,” he said. The fruit firmness in the TAM-SP18-157 breeding line is superior to what was expected. The tomatoes’ average compression peak indicates a fruit 70% firmer compared to the average firmness in the Texas A&M tomato breeding population. “This additional firmness provides for a longer shelf life, even when the tomato is harvested when completely ripe,” Avila said. “This allows the tomatoes to fully develop their flavor and nutritional content while staying fresh for a longer period.” Initial testing also showed TAM-SP18-157 is highly resistant to tomato yellow shoulder disorder. “Yellow shoulder is not a delayed ripening, but an actual disorder of the affected tissue in which green chlorophyll in these regions fails to develop red pigment,” Avila explained. “In this instance, the practice of letting the fruit remain on the vine longer so it can ‘color up’ does not work. Neither does increasing the quantity of potassium fertilizer once there is abundant fruit hanging due to the disorder showing up very shortly after fruit set.” Crosby said he will continue his first phase research by addressing flavor and heat stress aspects of tomato development as well as disease resistance. He said the initial research indicated early potassium applications can reduce symptoms of the yellow shoulder disorder, though it is necessary to apply a larger amount than what would normally sustain yield, which would increase production costs. “In this new project, fruit from 400 individual F2 plants will be collected to evaluate firmness and yellow-shoulder-resistance-traits inheritance using probability tests,” Crosby said.

Carlos Avila, Ph.D. Texas A&M AgriLife Research vegetable breeder. (Texas A&M Agrilife photo)

Juan Landivar, Ph.D., director of the Texas A&M AgriLife center in Weslaco, said the successful characterization and introduction of these traits into commercial cultivars has the potential to revolutionize fresh tomato consumption in a similar way as the Texas A&M mild jalapeño and sweet 1015 onion traits did for their respective commodities. “These peppers and onions that were developed previously brought a lot of attention and consumer interest, which translated to improved sales and greater awareness of Texas as an innovator in the development of new lines of produce,” Landivar said. “We expect the new tomato improvements will do much the same.” More important, he said, the development of flavorful and nutritious tomatoes with a long shelf life, good appearance and high yield would lead to healthy lives and livelihoods improved through ensuring an abundant supply of nutritious foods. Avila said he hopes new project results will lead to a publication of trait characterization and breeding line description for TAM-SP18-157 in a suitable scientific journal for public release, and the seed would ultimately be registered and made available through a material transfer agreement. The new TAM-SP18-157 line should benefit Texas producers in a similar way as other Texas A&M AgriLife-led vegetable improvements. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo)

Improved tomatoes should benefit Texas producers The valuable traits of TAM-SP18-157 can be used to substantially improve fruit firmness and resistance to yellow shoulder while also J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

Wheat is one of the organic crops experiencing a growing acreage. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo)

BY PAUL SCHATTENBERG

AgriLife Extension brings new experience to Texas’ organic production scene WHITNEY HAS WORLDWIDE AGRICULTURAL EXPERTISE

or Bob Whitney, the new Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service organic program specialist based at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Stephenville, agricul ture has been a “worldly” experience.

Whitney, who served as an AgriLife Extension agent and then retired after 28 years to helm his own consulting company, has provided his agricultural expertise in 26 countries. In May, he rejoined AgriLife Extension to take on his new specialist role. “In this new position, I provide guidance to people or operations seeking organic certification,” Whitney said. “I also serve as a liaison connecting operators to AgriLife Extension and Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists for guidance on general and sector-specific questions about organic production, as well as coordinate with the Texas Department of Agriculture and other organic certifiers to facilitate compliance with certification requirements.”

Going organic in Texas There are currently an estimated 372 certified organic crop and livestock operations in Texas, with most of them relatively smallto medium-size compared to their commercial counterparts. More than 260 of those producers are in the South Plains and High Plains, mostly involved in peanut and cotton production. Whitney said both his experience as an AgriLife Extension agent

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serving Parker, Tarrant, Comanche and Williamson counties, as well as his work in international agriculture have done much to prepare him for this new position. “As an agent, I did a lot of work with organic producers, especially dairy producers in Central Texas where Texas’ organic dairy production started, as well as others involved in organic agriculture,” he said. “I also worked with the Texas Peanut Board and with the wheat industry here in Texas. “There’s lot of organic wheat production going on, especially in the High Plains. And there’s a lot of organic cotton production that happens in rotation with organic peanut production.” Whitney said Texas has about 30,000 acres of organic peanut production and leads the world in that area. “This is a big deal since we produce 98% of the nation’s organic peanuts on the South Plains,” he said. Whitney said while he had not previously worked with rice producers in Texas, his agricultural experiences with that crop in Asia have prepared him to work with the 71 organic rice producers in the state. Texas is one of the largest organic rice producers in the nation. Texas also compares well to California and Wisconsin in organic milk production, but those numbers are harder to pin down, Whitney said. He said currently Texas producers can grow almost any crop organically as there are few serious plant diseases and insect pests that might impede them from doing so.

“However, there’s not a market for everything. If there’s a very large organic price difference – the consumer may not care if it is organic – then while you can grow it, there’s not a market that will pay the difference,” Whitney said. He noted it typically costs twice as much to produce anything organically. “Interest in organic farming has really increased over the years along with consumer interest in how and under what conditions food is produced,” Whitney said.

Bob Whitney is the new Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service organic program specialist. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo)

Whitney’s worldwide agricultural efforts In his most recent in-country effort, Whitney collaborated with the Norman Borlaug Institute of International Agriculture, part of the Texas A&M University System, to assist the Ukulima Farm Research Center in Limpopo Province, South Africa. “I was asked to be the farm manager at the center,” he explained. “The center is a partnership of the Howard G. Buffett Foundation and the Borlaug Institute, and its mission is to promote African agricultural research and education. The center supports the application of science to increase African agricultural production, enhance rural livelihoods and conserve natural resources.” Whitney’s additional experience with international agriculture projects included work in Iraq and Honduras, as well as helping faith-based organizations with agriculture projects throughout the world. “I have done lots of agriculture work in many countries developing training and demonstration projects focused on conserving soil, cropping systems, livestock production and marketing,” Whitney said. “While many of the subsistence farmers throughout the world are not technically organic producers, they do employ many of the practices associated with organic production.” In collaboration with the Borlaug Institute, Whitney served as chief of party and team leader for the Iraq Agricultural Extension Revitalization Project, IAER, active from 2006-2012. The project, a partnership of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the Foreign Agriculture Service, was funded by the U.S. Department of State. Additionally, as owner of the Whitney Consulting Group, he provided consulting and research services in agriculture and community development in the U.S. and other countries. This

included consultation with agricultural businesses, organizations and agencies in India, Honduras, Guatemala, Kenya, Cuba and China, as well as assistance to Christian mission groups and non-governmental organizations.

There are about 372 certified organic crop and livestock operations in Texas. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo)

Bringing it back home Whitney said he is eager to help expand the practice of organic farming in Texas and teach those interested in the requirements and practices that must be implemented to be granted organic certification. “I feel my combined experience in both Texas and internationally will be of use in helping farmers throughout the state,” he said. “We can apply many of the organic soil improvement techniques used, such as intercropping or planting cover crops in between main crops, the proper spacing of crops and organic composting.” He also said he will be involved in the practical application of research into the development of additional crops that may be grown organically in the state. “In addition to the organic crops we already grow here, such as cotton, wheat, peanuts, rice and vegetables, we are looking into specialty crops like sesame, cowpeas, lentils, indigo, guar and hemp. We’re also looking at any other vegetables or fruits that might be produced organically in the state. Currently we are evaluating organic raspberry production under shade cloth in controlled experiments.” He said his efforts will also include researching new crop varieties and investigating organically acceptable ways to improve their quality and yield. “Some ways this might be done would be through the use of microbial and biological seed treatments as well as plant selection and breeding,” he said. Whitney said the potential for organic production in Texas is great, and he feels it will continue to increase as long as consumer interest persists. Workers taking cobs of harvested corn grown on the Ukulima Farm to run through a hand combine to remove grain. (Photo courtesy of Bob Whitney)

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Rio Grande farmers have a unique relationship with irrigation technology

esearchers at the Texas Water Resources Institute, or TWRI, recent ly completed a phase of research in the Rio Grande Coordinated Agricul ture Project. The effort looked at area farmers’ use of scientific irrigation scheduling technology and what prevents some from adopting it. “Irrigation scheduling is a science where we try to find out how much water is required at what time to achieve a certain crop yield goal,” said Ali Ajaz, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension program specialist for TWRI and investigator on the project. Ajaz explained that few farmers use scientific irrigation scheduling technology. Instead, many farmers across the country, and in the Rio Grande region in particular, still use conventional ways of determining when to irrigate their crops. This can be anything from the feel of the soil, to visu-

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BY KERRY HALLADAY

ally assessing the condition of the crops to even irrigating when neighbors irrigate. By contrast, scientific irrigation scheduling technology can integrate the use of soil and plant moisture sensing devices, weather data, computer modeling and other integrations of data into decision making. Such technologies can help farmers target their irrigation to the needs of the crop and the soil, thereby making them much more water efficient.

Surveying unique irrigators The team — which included Allen Berthold, Ph.D., TWRI assistant director; Taylor Olsovsky, TWRI research associate; and Dhruva Kathuria, Ph.D., former TWRI graduate research assistant — sent surveys out to 1,500 Rio Grande irrigators in Texas and New Mexico. “The survey generally asked about their irrigation scheduling methods and tools,

what helps them decide when to irrigate and what factors influence their decision-making process,” Ajaz said. “We also wanted to see what the main barriers are that hinder the adoption of these modern tools to make irrigation decisions,” Ajaz said. While some of the recent findings line up with earlier findings about barriers to adoption of scientific irrigation technology broadly in the United States, the research specifically quantified the perspectives of Rio Grande farmers. “The Rio Grande region is quite unique,” Ajaz said. “The main reason is the majority of the area farmers rely on surface water supplies.” Reliance on the surface water from the Rio Grande means being at the mercy of Mother Nature — how much water is in the river — and the irrigation districts. Irrigation districts hold most of the water rights along the Rio Grande and work to distribute its limited water for both urban and agricultural needs. “If farmers want water, they have to ask the irrigation district. But the irrigation district can say, ‘No, it’s not your turn, and you have to wait for a couple days or a couple weeks before you can get the water.’”

Barriers to modern irrigation scheduling technology adoption While Rio Grande farmers’ lesser control over their irrigation timing impacts the adoption of scientific irrigation scheduling technology, the survey revealed other barriers that played a bigger role. “Some of the most important adoption barriers were the lack of access to weather data,” said Ajaz. He explained that most modern irrigation scheduling tools are usually coupled with weather data. If an area does not have reliable or varied sources of weather data or weather data networks, the value of the irrigation scheduling tools might be questionable in the eyes of area farmers. Other barriers to adoption cited by respondents included

concerns over the cost effectiveness of the technology, farmers’ lack of familiarity with modern irrigation scheduling tools, and associated concerns about potential reduced yields. “Another major barrier was the uncertainty of future water availability, especially in the Rio Grande region where people have seen several droughts and also the climate change projections are not very promising for the region,” Ajaz said. “Farmers are hesitant to invest in this technology because they are not sure what the water future looks like.”

Looking to the future of irrigation The survey also showed that some respondents have already adopted scientific irrigation scheduling technologies. Some of the reasons for adoption were very future-focused. “For a majority of growers, the biggest factor that pushed them to adopt some of this technology is to maintain the quality of their land,” Ajaz said. “They earn their livelihood from their land, so they are concerned for its quality.” Salinity is another issue that makes farming and irrigating in the Rio Grande unique. Surface water from the Rio Grande can be very saline. When that water is used on cropland, the salts in the water get deposited into the soil. This can build up over time, rendering soil unsuitable for growing without mitigation efforts. “If we can link crop-water-salinity production functions with scientific irrigation scheduling to help growers mitigate these issues, it is one big step forward for them and for us as Extension experts,” Ajaz said. Another encouraging motivator for adopting scientific irrigation scheduling technology that the survey suggested was the farmers’ idea of a duty to future generations. Ajaz called it sustainability awareness. “We did the survey, and people do think that they are responsible at least to make sure that future generations get the water,” he said. “And now we have quantifiable evidence of that.”

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North Alamo Water Supply Corp. contributes to success of rural Rio Grande Valley by providing potable water and sewage services for generations to come BY NORA N. GARZA

istoric may sometimes feel like an overused label to describe 2020 and the early part of 2021, but his toric it was. A global Covid 19 pandemic and Hanna, the first hurricane of an active 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, brought misery and created economic and personal challenges for the Rio Grande Valley. Then a freeze on Valentine’s Day devastated crops and shut down the electrical grid. Through it all, North Alamo Water Supply continued to make good on its mission to provide water and wastewater service to rural parts of Hidalgo, Willacy and Cameron counties. Clean, safe and reliable drinking water and wastewater services are important for the health and safety of the community, especially, during a pandemic when handwashing is stressed to prevent the spread of disease. From early lessons learned from power plant failures, NAWSC had been installing generators in all its treatment plants. The generator at the business office on Doolittle Road in Edinburg kept business running smoothly while much of the community was without lights and heat during the freeze. These weather-related disasters created conditions that were anything but a typical day on the job. During Hurricane Hanna in July 2020 NAWSC plant operators were fighting against fierce winds and torrential rains to keep a second story wall from blowing out. During the February freeze, crews were scrambling to identify and fix leaks on system waterlines and the home owners’ side to prevent a reduction in water pressure. These climatic events disrupted the power source water and wastewater treatment plants rely on. NAWSC had enough generators on hand to move around the system to keep service

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Standing in front of Mid Valley Agriculture, located north of La Feria, during a ribbon cutting for the Kansas City Road pipeline are, from left, Josh Ruiz, Maria Ruiz, Sandra Garza, Benita Galan, Omar Galan and Sam Ruiz.

running as smoothly as possible during power outages, said Steven P. Sanchez, general manager. Sanchez heads the largest rural water utility in Texas and the third largest in the Rio Grande Valley. At the end of 2020, NAWSC had more than 51,000 connections for potable water and a little more than 4,700 connections on the wastewater side. This represents a population of well over 200,000. NAWSC is a leader in South Texas in reverse osmosis, a process that removes solids and contaminants from water by using pressure to push it through specialized membranes. According to Sanchez, NAWSC mines brackish groundwater, which it purifies through reverse osmosis, and then mixes it with water from the Rio Grande. As a regional water system, NAWSC services 973.4 square miles and partners with 16 public water systems. Water production comprises five reverse osmosis water treatment plants and six surface water treatment plants with a daily combined production capacity of 36.6 million gallons. And through all of Mother Nature’s fury and the ongoing drought, NAWSC kept expanding and building new infrastructure to keep up with an ever-growing population. Demand for both potable water and wastewater services grew at a rate of slightly more than 4 percent. This summer, two events were conducted to celebrate the completion of two major projects and according to Sanchez, to welcome area residents into the family. Public and safety officials attending the event were in agreement of the importance of working collaboratively with city, county, state and federal agencies to benefit rural residents, who live in some of the poorest communities in Texas.

The first ribbon cutting was held May 6 north of La Feria to mark the completion of the Kansas City waterline. The 14,100 feet of 8-inch waterline is bringing first-time water service to residents in the rural communities of La Feria and Santa Rosa. The event was held on the grounds of Mid Valley Agriculture, located north of La Feria. Owners and brothers Josh and Sam Ruiz will be hooking up to the waterline at both their business and their homes. Sam Ruiz said the water from their well was hard, and they had to install a water softener system. Now he is grateful to have a reliable water source from NAWSC. In addition to providing safe, clean drinking water, NAWSC provides sewage services through six wastewater treatment facilities. The startup of the newest one was recognized at a June 17 ribbon cutting. At a cost of $13 million, the wastewater treatment plant and sewage system is providing first-time wastewater service to eight colonias north of Weslaco at Mile 12½ North Road and FM 1015. The facility can handle 700,000 gallons of sewage a day. The project was partially funded by the Economically Depressed Areas Program of the Texas Water Development Board. As an honored guest at the ribbon cutting held at the new plant, Kathleen Jackson, director for the Texas Water Development Board, lauded the accomplishments of NAWSC under Sanchez’s helm. She congratulated Sanchez for speaking at an event for young leaders in Texas. “People see what you do here and replicate it in other parts of the state,” she said. She said her mother used to say that people make the most important decisions “not with their heads, but with their hearts.” They consider the future

Officials, guests and staff of North Alamo Water Supply Corp. cheer the ceremonial opening of a valve connected to the new Kansas City Road pipeline, located north of La Feria.

generations, Jackson said. As Jackson mentioned, infrastructure is planned for the next generation. For instance, the land for the wastewater treatment was bought from Tommy Bradford nearly 20 years ago. When funds are issued by the state Clean Water Revolving Fund and the Economically Distressed Areas Program, NAWSC has proven to be a sound investment, she said. The Rio Grande Valley is the place to come, she said, adding, it has clean water, clean air, paths to get products to the market and a workforce. “You’re doing all the things to be successful,” Jackson said. Jackson ended by presenting Sanchez with a special certificate in recognition of the successful completion and startup of the North Weslaco Wastewater Treatment Plant. David Fuentes, Hidalgo County Commissioner precinct 1, thanked Jackson for supporting drainage and other water projects. These projects make a difference in people’s lives, he said. “Thanks for having the vision for a project such as this. Please continue to work with us. Consider us a partner,” he said. “For future growth, people will continue to migrate where they feel safe and welcome.” After thanking the funders of the project, Sanchez said NAWSC works with the community by donating water for fire hydrants. It also acts as a conduit to collect fees for city brush collection and city sewage. Concluding his address, Sanchez encouraged residents to talk to state legislators to put money back into the Economically Distressed Areas Program. “People get sick from contaminated standing wastewater,” Sanchez said. “Electricity is a big issue. Water is more important.”

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Hidalgo County FSA is Accepting Emergency Conservation Program Applications Farm Service Agency (FSA) is accepting applications in Hidalgo County for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) to address damages from February 2021 Freeze. ECP signup began on July 6, 2021 and end on August 6, 2021. The approved ECP practices include Practice EC-1, Debris Removal. ECP helps you with the cost to restore the farmland to pre-disaster conditions. You may receive up to 75 percent of the cost of approved restoration activity. Limited resource, socially disadvantaged and beginning farmers and ranchers may receive up to 90 percent cost-share. A 25 percent advance payment will be allowed for repair or replacement of fencing. The payment limitation for ECP is $500,000 per disaster, and the funds are limited to activities to return the land to the relative pre-disaster condition. You must apply for assistance prior to beginning reconstructive work. FSA’s National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and environmental compliance review process is required to be completed before any actions are taken. Submitting an application after reconstructive work has been completed may not qualify for ECP. Conservation concerns that were present on the land prior to the disaster are not eligible for ECP assistance. FSA county committees will evaluate applications based on an on-site inspection of the damaged land, taking into consideration the type and extent of the damage. An on-site inspection does not guarantee that cost-share funding will be provided. For more information on ECP, contact the Hidalgo County USDA Service Center at (956) 381-0916 or visit farmers.gov/recover.

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QUESTIONS FOR AG MAG Tell us a little bit about the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol - history Brief Summary: The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is a program for the U.S. cotton industry that underpins and verifies sustainability progress through sophisticated data collection and independent third-party verification. Aligned with the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, the Trust Protocol brings quantifiable and verifiable goals and measurement to more sustainable cotton production and drives continuous improvement in six key sustainability metrics – land use, soil carbon, water management, soil loss, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy efficiency. The Trust Protocol was designed to help U.S. growers meet the changing demands from their end customer while also helping better document and verify the sustainability practices and advances they’ve already incorporated into their farms.

History of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol: Attitudes towards sustainability are changing and brands are under tremendous pressure from multiple stakeholders as consumers and governments alike want to know that the products they buy are not harming the environment. In fact, 50% of brands and retailers expect to see an increase in consumer spending on sustainable apparel over the next 12 months according to a recent survey by the Trust Protocol of 1,000 sustainability leads in the fashion industry. Preferred fiber lists have also been created among almost all brands and retailers. The Trust Protocol is a program that better evidences growers’ sustainability efforts and helps ensure U.S. cotton can be on those lists. The Trust Protocol also builds off growers’ hard work and investment to produce high yielding cotton, while continuing to reduce inputs, improve soil health, and preserve the environment for future generations. 20

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What is the goal for the Protocol ? The Trust Protocol’s overarching goal is to provide brands and retailers with the critical assurances they need to source U.S. cotton. Brands and retailers need the data from their sourcing partners that will help better track and report their sustainability measurements. While the U.S. cotton industry has a tremendous story to tell when it comes to growing more sustainable cotton, they did not have a verified system that evidences their story effectively to the end customers. Until now. The Trust Protocol also strives to help our growers better illustrate the many advances and innovations they have implemented to improve sustainability and yield.

How does one become involved ? To begin the enrollment process, growers can visit our website, www.trustuscotton.org, and click the Join Now button. Growers will then need to follow six steps to successfully complete their registration: • Review and sign the privacy statement. • Select their gin and marketer. This information can be added later if their gin and marketer is unknown. • Complete their farming profile. • Complete their self-assessment. Growers will answer 120 questions on their sustainable production practices in soil health, tillage operations, water use and pesticide management, among others. • Commit to continuous improvements that the Trust Protocol has developed and confirm to have their data verified, if randomly selected. • Enter data into the Fieldprint Analysis throughout the season and complete your Fieldprint Analysis after harvest. Only 10% of your cotton acreage should be input.

All data collected by the Trust Protocol is used in aggregate form only. All individual data is maintained as confidential and cannot be shared outside of the Trust Protocol Platform.

What benefits do members get and what does it entail ? Growers play a role in maintaining and increasing market opportunities for U.S. cotton while demonstrating that their cotton is more responsibly grown, and that the U.S. is a leader in sustainable growing practices. For growers benefits include: • The option for recognition on the Trust Protocol website as a program member. • Receive data that will enable growers to anonymously compare their operation on key sustainability measurements against their state, region, and the Cotton Belt. • Use of the Trust Protocol logo on their farm’s letterhead, cards, etc. • Gain insights on best management practices from across the industry. • Receive regular communications of Trust Protocol news and other information.

When was it started and by whom ? The Trust Protocol was launched in 2020 and is affiliated with the following organizations: National Cotton Council, Cotton Council International (CCI) and Cotton USA™, Cotton Incorporated. Led by President Dr. Gary Adams, the Trust Protocol is based in Memphis, Tennessee and governed by a multi-stakeholder Board of Directors.

greenhouse gas emissions, 38% less energy used, and 42% greater yields. The adoption of practices such as minimal tillage, GPS and sensor-driven precision agriculture, and the growing of winter cover crops have further improved soil health, reducing loss and erosion by 37% per acre and increasing soil carbon levels. The Trust Protocol is also aligned with the following national goals set for 2025 for U.S. cotton:

• 13% increase in land use efficiency • 50% soil loss reduction • 18% water reduction • 30% soil increase • 39% GHG reduction • 15% energy use decrease The Trust Protocol advances industry practices in providing its members access to aggregate sustainability metrics based on self-assessment questionnaires of participating growers. This data-based approach, backed up by independent, third-party verification from Control Union Certifications North America, gives brands and retailers the critical assurances that the cotton fiber element of their supply chain is more sustainably grown with lower environmental and social risk.

The Board is comprised of brands and retailers, non-governmental organizations such as the World Wildlife Federation and the Nature Conservancy, as well as growers, ginners, merchants, marketing cooperatives, spinning mills and cottonseed handlers. Board advisors include independent sustainability experts.

How many members are involved ?

The Trust Protocol has over 500 members throughout the supply chain including mills, manufacturers, brands and retailers. This includes industry giants such as Levi Strauss & Co., Gap Inc., and Gildan. In 2020 the Trust Protocol also welcomed over 350 grower members who enrolled roughly 1.5 million bales of cotton into the program. Our goal is to enroll 50% of U.S. cotton in the program by 2025.

What changes have you seen in the cotton industry as an organization and what steps are you taking ? Over the past 35 years, cotton production in America has resulted in 82% less water, 44% less soil loss, 30% fewer J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

A Growing Future

o many, bio stimulants are the future of farming, and, recently, we learned of a new one in the marketplace that is creating great promise through research and real-world applications. The early validated successes Gorton’s Solution with Humic & Fulvic Acids is showing is impressive, and looks to have great value in plant health, growth, production, and increased revenues for growers, as well as positive regenerative effects for soil and the environment. But first, what are bio stimulants? According to the 2018 Farm Bill, they are “a substance or microorganism that, when applied to seeds, plants, or in the rhizosphere, stimulates natural processes to enhance or benefit nutrient uptake, nutrient use efficiency, tolerance to abiotic stress, or crop quality and yield.” In everyday terms, their general purpose is to stimulate plant growth and optimize plant health, and ideal plant health leads to less stresses and possibly more resistance to pests and diseases. According to an online UMass Extension Greenhouse Floriculture Program article, there are many new products in the market so look for one that has been tested by a relevant 3rd party and on a crop type most beneficial to each grower and with the desired outcomes each seek. Then buy some of the product and test it for potential large-scale use. Gorton’s Solution with Humic & Fulvic Acids first showed up to us in the Rio Grande Valley where we learned first-hand of the new, bio stimulant product. And much like the UMass recommendation, it is backed up with numerous impressive studies and successful 3rd party test applications. The product was created in 2020 and is the third generation created by Santa Fe Resource Development and Mr. Stephen Gorton. Mr. Gorton holds a Master’s in Science degree from Iowa State University and spent many years in agricultural food safety and science. By happenstance and wonderment, knowing that iron is good for plants and life in general, Mr. Gorton dissolved an old iron railroad spike with phosphoric acid and treated his garden with the resulting soluble mix. According to Mr. Gorton, iron acts as an oxygen carrier and is an essential micronutrient critical in cell division, growth, and chlorophyll formation. Seeing positive results versus non-treated plants, he dissolved other essential metal micronutrients into a product now forming the basis for Gorton’s Solution (first generation). Mr. Gorton patented the product, and then started

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developing and advancing its science that has now led to today’s third generation product. The enhanced product includes nutrients, micronutrients, humins, and carbon, plus natural polymers for increased water retention. The all-natural ingredients are conservation positive and are regenerative to soil, all the while stimulating plant health and growth. He believes many new bio stimulants focus on Humic & Fulvic Acids or micronutrients as the main catalyst, but that his new product significantly achieves both. Early real-world research and application visuals took place at Bent Tree Country Club in Dallas, TX, on turf grasses. Bent Tree quickly saw positive greening results, and then soon also realized the increased plant health led to the ability to water less (up to one-third) while still receiving similar results, providing them with water conservation and lucrative savings. With increased savings in mind, Bent Tree further experimented cutting down on fertilizer use (up to two-thirds less) and also still believed they maintained previous conditions but at substantial conservation and dollar savings. Recently, on July 6, the Greens & Grounds Superintendent for the club wrote “The grass is bluer than I have ever seen it, and it’s very cool to see the definition versus areas we did not treat.” The Dallas Arboretum was next to trial Gorton’s Solution, and they, too, noticed positive results. For the Arboretum, they were especially impressed with product benefits during hot, dry months when many non-treated plants showed heat distress. They noticed azaleas and other plants treated with Gorton’s did not wilt during hot, summer afternoons. As an ornamental garden, displaying perfect looking plants is of utmost importance. To validate plant growth and health, Santa Fe Resource Development (manufacturer of Gorton’s Solution with Humic & Fulvic Acids) commissioned Penn State University, ranked as the #1 Agronomy college in the US, to conduct a research study on bent grass. The results of this complex 2020 study showed, when coupled with a nitrogen source (fertilizer), Gorton’s Solution with Humic & Fulvic Acids produced the absolute longest root in the 16-plot study, 22% longer than the control group, and it had the longest average root length, 17% longer than

control. School of thought is that longer and larger root mass provides increased storage and advantages against drought and other plant stresses. The test grasses were then dried and sent directly to Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension in College Station, TX, for a nutrient forage data analysis. Texas A&M results showed the dried grasses applied with Gorton’s bio stimulant product provided the highest plant nutrient uptake profile in the study with ALL nutrient levels increasing versus the control (watering and fertilizer). Further, micronutrient uptake met or exceeded all upper range levels contributing to plant health, chlorophyll production, plant sugar increase (Brix/ taste), and growth. And sulfur, iron, zinc, copper and manganese levels, in particular, were outstanding, all teetering at the top of their range for bent grass. In a separate forage analysis, also conducted by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, St. Augustine grass treated with Gorton’s Solution with Humic and Fulvic Acids had 13% higher protein levels than that of untreated St. Augustine. Bermuda grass showed even higher results at a 59% gain in protein levels

versus untreated. Both grass levels were achieved after just 3 applications at 1 time per week over a 3-week span. Each weekly application increased protein levels starting with just the first week’s application. Also, over the 3-week period, overall grass and carbon mass each increased at least by 50% - 99%.

Most relevant to our farming com munity are two key agricultural studies that either just concluded or is still in the process of finalization, with each showing positive performance v. control. The first study has concluded and it’s on watermelons here in the Rio Grande Valley. The study was conducted under the leadership of Dr. Juan Anciso, a PhD with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, specializing in vegetables and turf. The second study underway is on corn in Nebraska, and it is being conducted by Dr. Dan Davidson, a PhD and consultant with Davidson Agronomics. In the Texas A&M AgriLife Valley study, versus control, the use of Gorton’s Solution with Humic & Fulvic Acids successful increased the total crop harvest production of watermelons in

pounds, though not necessarily statistically significant. Also, importantly, Gorton’s increased valuable sugar content known as Brix (to 11.6), providing sweeter tasting watermelons for growers, retailers, and consumers. Finally, according to the researchers, the foliage throughout the full growth process seemed to be deeper green which possibly leads to healthier, more stress tolerant plants. Once finalized, results of the corn study in Nebraska will be provided. Dr. Davidson says, “Visually, everything is looking good so far.” To quote “real world” farmers, bloggers, and co-owners of Old World Garden Farms in OH, Jim Competti and his wife Mary, “We have been using Gorton’s Solution with Humic and Fulvic Acids on our seedlings, garden transplants, as well as on our hanging baskets and container plants, and the results have truly been impressive!” Many commercial, non-agricultural growers have also tried Gorton’s and the verbal “success” rate is over 80%. A tester for Proven Winner’s branded plants tried the product on about 15 various garden and ornamental plants. Via that success, Proven Winner’s recommended many of their “Certified Proven Winners Professional Landscapers” across the country try the product and consider using it on plants for faster plant growth, better health, and enriched soils. And, most recently, a very large-scale commercial wholesale nursery grower for Walmart, Target, Costco, and Lowe’s Home Improvement ornamentals tried the product stating afterwards, “we saw really good results with a significant difference in root quality and mass, and foliage. We think this faster start will lead to continual quicker crop time and heartier plants translating to increased sales.” In total, Santa Fe Resource Development has conducted enough studies and shown enough real-world experience to believe their bio stimulant product can help agricultural growers produce more sellable crop pounds, with a significantly higher brix count potentially commanding premium branding and pricing, and healthier plants leading to higher stress tolerance levels. Other benefits for Ag growers include conservation efforts, potential cost savings related to less water and fertilizer usage, and regenerative effects on soil. For ag grower use and application, Mr. Gorton recommends soaking seeds for faster germination and/or weekly maintenance applications depending on each farmer’s needs. Gorton’s Solution with Humic & Fulvic Acids is highly concentrated mixing with water for a large area application yield. For a great crop planting start, the mixed solution should be sprayed once a week in a regular maintenance application program for up to 3-4 weeks. According to the Penn State research, the product works best when used in conjunction with low levels of nitrogen (fertilizer). Versus competition, Santa Fe Resource Development believes the product to be low cost per acre. According to UMass Extension, David Agronomics, and others, bio stimulants are proving their place, and the more use of these conservation positive products, the better, providing richer soils and harvests for growers. This seems to be a nice story for all. Bio stimulants, like Gorton’s Solution with Humic & Fulvic Acids, look to be the future. And the goal of Gorton’s Solution is simply to “help ALL growers grow!” For more information on Gorton’s Solution and their products, visit www.gortonsolution.com or contact Paul Studebaker at pdstude@gortonsolution.com or (214)-263-6422 cell. Gorton’s Solution can even customize product blends for individual grower conditions and needs. J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

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CERTIS BIOLOGICALS BRAND TRANSITION/20TH

Certis Biologicals Cements Bio Leadership with New Name, Milestone

oday, growers have more choices than ever for the inputs they use to protect their crops from insects, disease and weeds. What once was a market driven only by synthetic chemistry now has evolved into a wide range of methods and products. For Certis Biologicals, choice is a principle they’ve long stood behind. “We believe the more opportunity that growers have to protect their investment, the better their operations and end-use products will be for it,” says Amy O’Shea, President and CEO. While Certis Biologicals spends 2021 celebrating a 20-year history of providing biological crop protection solutions, their legacy companies date back farther. As the market for bio-based solutions is rapidly growing, driven by consumer demand, focus on sustainability, registration setbacks for traditional chemistries and resistance management, Certis Biologicals is cementing its leadership in that market.

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“We have transitioned our brand from Certis USA to Certis Biologicals because we wanted our grower and distributor partners and potential partners to understand that we squarely lead in biologicals,” O’Shea says. “We have decades of experience and expertise needed to manufacture and bring to market the biological solutions that growers need right now.” With the most extensive portfolio of biological solutions, Certis Biologicals has a fit for most every crop protection need. Legacy biofungicide Double Nickel and bioinsecticides Deliver and Javelin have paved the way for innovations including the introduction of LifeGard® WG with plant activator technology, which blazed the trail for a new mode of action category-microbial elicitors. A new LifeGard® LC formulation is planned for launch in 2021. Through a partnership with OmniLytics, Certis Biologicals continued its dedication to innovation with the introduction of bacteriophage technology to combat plant diseases, such as Fire Blight, Citrus Canker and Tomato Speck and Spot along with providing an effective tool for resistance management.

and growers in this region are beginning to rely upon the biologicals in Certis’ portfolio to help them address some of their most pressing concerns,” says Jody Gomez, Regional Manager-Southwest. “When there are many options in the market, growers are turning more and more to Certis products and that means our expertise, training and dedication to biologicals is giving back to the agriculture industry. That’s a great feeling when you are out in the field with the people who are feeding the world.”

If you are interested in incorporating any of Certis Biologicals’ products into your IPM, you can learn more at www.Certis Bio.com or by follow ing the leader on social media.

In 2020, Certis Biologicals launched Homeplate®, an OMRI-Listed® biological herbicide, BoteGHA® an OMRI-Listed® bioinsecticide, and received OMRI-Listing® for OSO® biofungicide. All of the Certis Biologicals products are backed by more than 500 field trials, proving their efficacy and value for growers. “There are many benefits that biologicals offer growers, including low PHIs and REIs and low residues but flexibility is a primary driver of adoption,” says Mike Allan, Certis Biologicals Vice-President, North America. “Biologicals can be incorporat ed into diverse IPMs to enhance efficacy, many can be used in con ventional or organic acreage and can often be tank-mixed to reduce the number of appli cations needed.”

Biologicals saw early adoption in fruit, vegetable, tree nut, citrus and other specialty crops. In Texas and in the Southwest U.S. growers are increasingly seeing the benefits on tomato, strawberry, citrus, potato and leafy vegetables.

“Our distribution channel partners

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Montanna Trapp

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owdy My name is Mon tanna Trapp and I am 14 years old. I have been a member of 4H for eight years, I am currently a part of the Willacy 4H club. My family has always been involved in 4H and FFA for generations. I always knew that I would be involved one way or another. When I was little I went up and down the highway with my cousin and participated in every peewee showmanship that I could whether that was a pig or a heifer. I’ve always had a passion for the industry and I knew that I would and could do so much more if I was in 4H. As soon as I was able to show in 4H I was out in the pasture practicing or in a show ring showing cattle. I started with Miniature Herefords and I’ve stuck with it and now we have our own business called Trapped In Time Miniature Herefords. A few years ago I got the opportunity to show a Red Brahman female for Molly Smith and I absolutely fell in love with not only her but the Red Brahman breed. The next year Mr. Smith and Molly gave me a Red Brahman to show named Wynona. About 2 years later the England Family gave me the opportunity to start showing Grey Brahman cattle and I took it. I now show Miniature Herefords, Grey Brahman, Big Herefords and Steers. 4H has turned me into a person that is more outgoing and willing to do more things in the agriculture industry. Some of my favorite things about 4H are the environments that it has to offer, the people and the endless assortment of opportunities to choose from. One of my biggest accomplishments is winning the Bred & Owned show at the 2021 Original Miniature Hereford JR. Nationals. By winning the Bred & Owned show it taught me that if you work hard enough and put the time into it you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. This is an industry that I won’t ever leave because I will be in it forever because in my future I plan on being a large and small animal veterinarian. 4H has taught me self confidence in working with other people and it has helped me learn to be more responsible. One of my biggest challenges was speaking in front of the TJPHA junior members for my election speech and from that I learned that if I just wing my speech I do better because I’m not constantly scaring myself on what to say.

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INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES

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Consumers are seeing high prices at grocers. High demand, tight supplies and high production costs mean prices are likely to remain higher than normal. (Stock photo)

BY PAUL SCHATTENBERG

Retail beef prices remain high TEXAS CROP AND WEATHER REPORT – JUNE 29, 2021

Consumers can expect higher beef prices at grocery stores despite a recent dip after the typical seasonal peak around Memorial Day, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.

avid Anderson, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension economist, Bryan-College Station, said retail beef prices remain above the five year average, as supply and demand factors continue to contribute to higher than-normal prices. Retail beef prices are lower than this time last year at the height of the pandemic, when panic buying and packing plant closures drove prices upward, Anderson said. Choice retail beef prices were $6.96 per pound compared to $7.59 per pound a year ago during the pandemic. While prices are lower than a year ago, they have been on the rise this year. Choice average beef prices have increased from $6.41 to $6.96 per pound since the first of the year. The recent price changes for beef are consistent with historic seasonal peaks and valleys, but prices remain above the five-year average of $5.82 per pound. Anderson said he expects market conditions to keep prices up. Cuts like rib-eye steaks skyrocketed this spring through Memorial Day weekend, which typically marks the kickoff to grilling season and the annual seasonal peak for retail beef prices, Anderson said. Rib-eye cuts were $13.18 per pound wholesale heading into the holiday and settled at $10.36 per pound this week. “We’re seeing tighter supplies across the board on all proteins as there continues to be strong

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demand here at home and booming exports,” he said. “Beef cuts calmed down a little after the typical season price spike around Memorial Day, but it looks like higher prices at grocery stores are here for the foreseeable future.”

Extraordinary demand for retail beef Anderson said the economic recovery continues to drive strong demand for beef. Restaurant demand for beef has put increasing pressure on supplies – especially higher-value cuts like rib-eye and tenderloin – as people look for opportunities to dine out. Demand for beef at grocery stores has not waned as restaurant capacities rise, he said. “There is extraordinary demand right now,” Anderson said. “We’re coming out of the pandemic, and people want to get out, and restaurants are meeting that pent up demand. But purchases at grocery stores hasn’t slacked off, even with the reopening. The combination is fueling higher retail prices as a result.” But higher costs to produce beef and move it through the supply chain to grocers and restaurants are also feeding higher costs for consumers, he said. The same market factors are affecting other proteins like chicken and pork. Feed, fuel and labor costs are all higher on the supply end as lower unemployment and economic growth push demand higher, Anderson said.

“I would argue that the problem is still a lingering bottleneck in terms of a shrinking herd, packing capacity, trucking capacity to move product around the country, and all the moving parts that get us from the farm to the plate,” he said. “Part of that is the turmoil we’ve experienced during the pandemic and the volatility it introduced to the market. I think this is the latest round of volatility that we’re working through after a year and a half.”

Calf prices, high production costs At the supply end of the chain, beef producers have seen calf prices rise some, especially in certain weight classes, but prices remain below the five-year average. Anderson said high feed prices – mainly corn and soybean meal – have stymied price gains at local sale barns across the state. Feedlots are willing to pay more per pound for higher weight calves – 700-800 pounds – that do not require as much feed to finish out, while calves 400-600 pounds or lower are not fetching top dollar. “Gains from grass cost less than corn right now, and so feedlots are willing to pay a little bit more for heavier calves,” he said. The fact that most cow-calf operations have better grazing conditions than a month ago has also settled the market some as well, Anderson said. Producers were culling their herds deep and selling calves early when they were looking toward severe drought and a hotter, drier summer forecasted ahead. “A couple months ago, there were no buyers and a lot of sellers, and prices went down,” he said. “Now there’s more grass, so nobody is under pressure to sell and there are more buyers looking to restock or take advantage of good grazing.” The rainfall that reduced drought levels across Texas likely steadied the market a bit for producers. But Anderson said contraction of the Texas beef cattle herd was expected to continue due to feed costs, continued threat of drought and the fall seasonal dip in demand that triggers reduced beef production. “We are producing a lot of beef, but we could see less production year over year,” he said. “I think we’ll continue to see retail prices come down from peaks overall, but not below last year or even 2019. Consumers will get some relief, but it’s hard to say that we’ll see overall prices decline.” “There is extraordinary demand right now,” Anderson said. “We’re coming out of the pandemic, and people want to get out, and restaurants are meeting that pent up demand. But purchases at grocery stores hasn’t slacked off, even with the reopening. The combination is fueling higher retail prices as a result.” But higher costs to produce beef and move it through the supply chain to grocers and restaurants are also feeding higher costs for consumers, he said. The same market factors are affecting other proteins like chicken and pork. Feed, fuel and labor costs are all higher on the supply end as lower unemployment and economic growth push demand higher, Anderson said. “I would argue that the problem is still a lingering bottleneck in terms of a shrinking herd, packing capacity, trucking capacity to move product around the country, and all the moving parts that get us from the farm to the plate,” he said. “Part of that is the turmoil we’ve experienced during the pandemic and the volatility it introduced to the market. I think this is the latest round of volatility that we’re working through after a year and a half.”

TEXAS CROP AND WEATHER REPORT JUNE 29, 2021 CENTRAL

Temperatures and humidity were above normal. Rivers and streams were high and running muddy. Some corn crops were showing signs of fertilizer shortages, likely attributed to a combination of rapid growth, some soil saturation stresses and denitrification. Cotton stands were variable and recovering from soil saturation and were now reaching first bloom. A large second hay cutting was near completion with producers racing to bale forages before the next rainfall. Winter wheat harvest was finally nearing completion. Unfortunately, the crop was weathered somewhat and will likely be downgraded. Sorghum looked excellent and was now at coloring stage. Field checks were showing very few pests with some aphids and an occasional stinkbug. Producers were also finding the occasional fall armyworm. Livestock were doing well, and body conditions were good on pasture. A slightly cooler, wetter weather trend was in the forecast.

ROLLING PLAINS

Another round of storms delivered 2-3 inches of rainfall to Baylor County, while Motley County reported 4 inches in two days and many fields under water. Other areas reported scattered showers. Wheat harvest was still way behind with plenty of wet spots in fields, downed wheat and weed issues. Cotton producers were also trying to catch up with only a quarter of the crop planted so far in wetter areas. Producers were busy harvesting wheat and planting cotton in drier areas. Knox County reported cotton plantings were complete. Coastal Bermuda grass pastures looked good, with a second cutting nearing harvest time. Corn and sorghum looked good, with corn in several different stages due to delayed plantings. Sorghum was mostly in the boot stage. Pastures and rangelands looked good following good rain events. Cattle were in good condition, and calves were making good gains. Most fall-born calves were weaned and sold.

COASTAL BEND

Weather was hot, humid and dry with little to no rain reported. Crops continued to progress, and corn and sorghum were drying down. Small amounts of grain sorghum were harvested, but there was a reluctance to apply spray herbicides due to rain in the forecast. Cotton was setting bolls, and some stunted cotton recovered but was way behind. Rice was starting to head out. Rangelands and pastures were lush, and livestock were in good condition. Hay was cut and baled with good yields reported.

EAST

Hay production was in full swing. Producers worked fast to cut and bale in between pop-up showers. Sabine County reported producers were finally able to get hay harvesting equipment into bottomlands. Smith County reported a need for more rainfall. Pasture and rangeland conditions were fair to excellent. Subsoil and topsoil conditions were adequate. Temperatures and humidity were on the rise. Livestock were in fair to good condition. Fly populations were outrageous in Houston County, with both house flies and horn flies causing problems. Producers reported the armyworm invasion had begun. Most counties in the district were having issues with armyworms. Wild pig control continued.

SOUTH PLAINS

Soil moisture levels were poor to fair, but rain was in the forecast. Cotton conditions ranged from seed in the ground to the squaring stage. This wide crop progress range was reflective of weather and soil conditions. Peanuts were generally doing well with many fields beginning to bloom. Grain sorghum was being replanted in some areas. Cattle were in good condition.

PANHANDLE

Weather was hot and dry, and all crops were starting to suffer from dry conditions. Soil moisture levels were short to adequate. Pasture and rangeland conditions were in fair to good condition. Winter wheat and oat harvests continued. Corn and cotton were in fair to excellent condition. Sorghum conditions were fair to good, and peanuts were in good condition.

NORTH

Soil moisture remained short to adequate for most counties. Winds and temperatures in the 90s dried up most of the soil moisture. About half an inch of rain fell in areas, but more was needed to sustain hay and crop production. Hay producers finished removing the first cutting. The consistent heat allowed for good harvesting conditions for wheat and oats. Some corn was damaged during the excessive rainfall a few weeks ago, but was expected to be replanted soon. Cotton, grain sorghum and soybeans were doing better with sunshine. Livestock were in good condition, and spring-born calves were doing well.

FAR WEST

Temperatures reached 110 degrees with lows in the mid-60s. There were scattered showers in parts of the district and rainfall amounts around 3 inches areas. High temperatures were expected to evaporate much of the precipitation rapidly. Rangeland conditions were improving slightly in areas that received larger amounts of rainfall, however conditions remained poor for most of the district. Continuous triple digit temperatures were good for cotton growth. Some irrigated cotton fields were squaring. Alfalfa fields looked good as well with most farmers irrigating once, rather than twice between cuts. The pecan crop looked good as well, with small clusters visible. Watermelon and cantaloupe were harvested and sold at farmers markets.

WEST CENTRAL

Conditions were hot and dry. Wheat harvest was wrapping up, and hay cutting and baling continued. Cotton planting resumed but some areas were too wet, and producers were hoping to finish planting before the deadline. Grasshoppers, cutworms and other insect pests were increasing in numbers. Pastures were in fair condition. Livestock were in good condition.

SOUTHEAST

Chambers County received heavy rains and more rainfall was in the forecast. Many pastures were holding water. In Jefferson County, rice was progressing, but the pastures were too wet to cut hay. In The first and second hay cuttings were harvested in Grimes County. Rangeland and pasture ratings were very poor to excellent. Soil moisture levels ranged from adequate to surplus.

SOUTHWEST

There were scattered showers across the district with some areas not receiving any moisture. Soil moisture was declining due to warm and windy conditions. Rangelands and pastures were fairly green. Cotton was in good condition. Corn and sorghum continued to mature. Hay harvest continued across much of the district. Travis County reported that wheat harvest was progressing slower than expected. Caldwell County reported cattle, sheep and goat prices remained steady with the prices of pairs slightly increasing. Livestock were in fair to good condition. Wildlife were in good condition.

SOUTH

Temperatures continued to rise throughout the district, and conditions were dry other than a few light-to-moderate showers. Jim Hogg County reported temperatures above 100 degrees. Kleberg and Kenedy counties reported up to 2.5 inches of rainfall. All crops were under irrigation. Peanut planting continued and should be completed soon. Corn fields were in dent stage, and sorghum was turning color. Sunflower and grain sorghum harvests were starting. Corn harvest should begin soon. Midge continued to be an issue in sorghum. Cotton was blooming and improving with good heat units. Bermuda grass and hay grazer were being cut and baled. Rangelands and pastures were beginning to show drought stress, but some areas continued to improve with additional moisture. Beef cattle conditions were improving, and market volumes remained low. Some producers were providing supplemental feed to livestock and wildlife. Feed prices continued to increase at local feed stores, and producers were cutting and baling as much hay as possible. Round bales were averaging $85. Stock tanks were holding up well. Watermelon and cantaloupe harvests continued. Sesame fields were emerging. Many citrus orchards were being taken out of production. J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

A Letter from the Editor Philippians 4:11

Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

Have you ever heard the saying, “you write your own story,” or “The life you live is your story you write and tell.” I’m sure you’ve heard something along those lines. And while I believe it to be true, I also believe there are circumstances that God allows in our lives. As much as we want to write our own story, I think the “writing” so to speak comes from how we handle the unexpected. For example, I had my whole life planned, when I was younger. I was going to be a marine biologist hands down. There was no changing my mind- then when I failed my first biology class that soon changed. I was clueless on where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do. To be honest, in college I was just trying to make ends meet. Then God gave me the idea for my magazine and the show after a couple of jobs. I had several people who came in and out of my life- all whom have served some kind of purpose. The circumstances and people that come into our lives are entering your life for a reason. They happen to teach you a lesson. To make you a better person whether the circumstances and people are good or bad. The way I look at life is like a roller coaster. One day we are riding high and everything is freeing and fun and others we are all the way at the bottom struggling to get to the top. Our life will never be a happy medium so buckle up and enjoy the ride. Enjoy the life God gave you and learn something new everyday. Trust me I’ve been at the bottom plenty and it’s in those times I grow the most. I know you’re probably thinking this is easier said than done. And you’re right it is. It is always a challenge to face adversity, but everyone can find the strength in Jesus. That’s what he is there for! God Bless, Michelle Martin J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board Releases 2020 Annual Report on Non-point Source Pollution Management in Texas

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he Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) is announcing the release of the 2020 Annual Report. The Nonpoint Source Pollution Management in Texas – 2020 Annual Report is a jointly published report by the TSSWCB and the Texas Com mission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). This report is a culmination of the State’s efforts to ensure and improve the quality of water in Texas. The 2020 report highlights annual load reductions of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment, and includes success stories achieved in various waterbodies across the state. Each year, Congress appropriates federal funds to States through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Water Act §319(h) Nonpoint Source Grant Program. These funds are used to administer and implement the Texas Nonpoint Source Management Program, and in order to continue receiving these federal funds, the State of Texas must report annually on successes in achieving the goals and objectives of the Program. Efforts during fiscal year 2020 focused on collecting data, assessing water quality, and implementing projects in order to prevent or reduce the effects of nonpoint source pollution as well as educating the public. Many local, regional, state, and federal agencies play an integral part in managing nonpoint source pollution, especially at the watershed level. By coordinating with these partners to share information and resources and to develop and implement strategies together, the State can more effectively focus its water quality protection and restoration efforts. The report is available for download at https://www. tsswcb.texas.gov/programs/texas-nonpoint-source-management-program. For more information about the report, Nonpoint Source Pollution Management in Texas – 2020 Annual Report, please contact Jana Lloyd at 254-773-2250 or jlloyd@tsswcb.texas.gov.

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2315 W. Expressway 83 #102, San Benito, Texas 78586 www.cropguardinsurance.com

956-688-8485 Thanks for 11 Years!

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MORE THAN JUST INSURANCE! H We award $8,500 scholarships a year

to graduating seniors that are Cameron County Farm Bureau members.

We spent over $11,000 at the Livestock Show on animal bids

H We donated $7,500 to the Cameron

H Texas Farm Bureau has a mobile learning barn.

H We donate to Sunny Glen Children’s Home in San Benito.

H Your Farm Bureau membership provides a lot of services to youth and community

County Fair & Livestock Show to build a new barn.

Why you should join your Cameron County Farm Bureau

Anyone can become a member and take advantage of all these services for only

$49.00 a year

Membership Discounts: ADT Home Monitoring System Hotel Discounts Grainger Industrial Supply Discounts CAT and John Deere Amusement Park Tickets Insurance Services Defensive Driving Course Discounts on Polaris, ATV and UTV $500 Discount on new 2016,2017,2018 Ford Vehicles Case IH Discounts

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335 N. Oscar Williams Rd. San Benito, TX 78586 (956) 399-8183 National voice of agriculture, working through our grassroots organizations to enhance and strengthen the lives of rural Americans and to build strong, prosperous agricultural communities.

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Ag Mag Featured Farmer

Texas A&M AgriLife celebrates the legacy of Joe Townsend ‘DR. JOE’ LONGTIME ADVOCATE OF AGRICULTURE, LEADERSHIP

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences family grieve the passing of Joe Townsend, Ph.D., but share in the joy of remembering the lasting impact he left in Aggieland. Townsend had a passion for developing students into advocates and one of the guiding leaders who helped develop an agricultural leadership degree in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University. For more than 30 years, Townsend, known as “Dr. Joe” to many students, served as associate vice president for student development and as associate dean for student development in addition to teaching in the College. He touched the lives of countless current students and former students, often helping them become leaders in agriculture. His career culminated with the establishment of the Dr. Joe Townsend ’67 Leadership Fellows Program in 2008, which supports the advancement of undergraduate study in leadership theory through the activities of a select cohort of students. “Our department mourns the loss of a close faculty colleague who exuded positivity and the core values of Texas A&M,” said Matt Baker, Ph.D., head of the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications. “Dr. Joe directed literally thousands of students to the caring faculty and staff in ALEC.”

Making the classroom ‘feel like home’ “My first class at Texas A&M was AGLS 101 with Dr. Joe,” said Jennifer Strong, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications and faculty director for the Dr. Joe Townsend ’67 Leadership Fellows Program. “He had the amazing ability to make even our largest classes and 44

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classrooms feel like home. Each student knew how much Joe cared about them, and his teaching style captivated and inspired us. Joe was the master of giving you a hug at the exact right time and a good kick in the pants when you needed it.” Throughout her time in graduate school and as an academic advisor, she witnessed Townsend interacting with

new freshmen at new student conferences.

Texas A&M University Former Students Association.

“He put the parents’ minds at ease, made everyone laugh and taught me how to care for students,” she said. “When I returned to Texas A&M as a faculty member, I was blessed with the opportunity to be the faculty director for the Fellows program. We have had several hundred students complete the program and get to interact with Joe during the process. The world is a better place because of Joe Townsend.”

“Our hearts are with Dr. Chris, another dear faculty colleague, during this difficult time,” said Baker. “Dr. Joe’s legacy will continue through his Townsend leadershipendowment program and through the many students and their families that Joe touched.”

‘Educational visionary’

Funds for this program are used to enhance student learning by funding activities that support advanced undergraduate study in leadership.

“Dr. Joe is an educational visionary,” wrote Leroy “Shafe” Shafer, chief operating officer emeritus of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in Townsend’s Outstanding Alumni Award nomination in 2017. “He is a consummate educator and administrator. The agriculture industry has benefitted greatly from his advice and the outstanding leaders he sent their way.” Both Townsend and his wife Christine Townsend, Ph.D., who was often called Dr. Chris, were faculty members in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Christine Townsend is a former head in the Department of Agriculture Leadership, Education and Communications. Both were honored with a proclamation from the 81st Texas Legislature for their agricultural advocacy and leadership. The proclamation recognized the couple “as role models for educators, mentors and advocates for young people across Texas and that they be extended our sincerest appreciation for their service to our state through their efforts.”

A lifelong Aggie

Joe Townsend earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M in 1967 with an agricultural education major and emphasis in teaching, student development and leadership. He was a Squadron 6 member of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets and served as president of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Student Council. Following graduation, he began his teaching career at the high school level, then later in college while earning a doctoral degree at Iowa State University in 1981. He returned to Texas A&M in 1984, where he began teaching. In 1996, Joe Townsend received the Texas A&M John Koldus Student Services Award. Both Joe and Christine Townsend were selected to the Hall of Honor for the Texas A&M Letterman’s Association in 2011.

To give in honor of “Dr. Joe” and continue impacting the lives of students, you can give online to the Dr. Joe D. Townsend ’67 ALEC Leadership Fellows Program Endowment or contact Trace Roller ’00 at troller@txamfoundation.com

He received numerous teaching awards throughout his career, including University Distinguished Teaching, Student Relations and Administration awards from the J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

History of Hidalgo County 4-H Foundation

he Hidalgo County 4-H Youth Development Found ation was organized in November 1967 for the purpose of developing sup port and in the expansion of the 4-H program. It was anticipated that the Foundation would be able to help 4-H youth to participate in leadership training programs at county, state, and national levels.

was no longer as effective as it had been in the past. In 1990 the Foundation began conducting the “4-H Hoedown”, which consisted of an auction and dinner, as a means of raising funds. Since that time they continue to conduct this event on an annual basis.

The Foundation’s only means of funding 4-H events was from soliciting donations from local businesses, individuals, 4-H clubs, civic groups, memorial gifts and wills. Any individual, organization, group or business could become a member of the Foundation by making a contribution of $5.00 or more. A mailing list was maintained and each year a letter was sent requesting support for the 4-H program. All funds received were used to fund 4-H events such as Fashion Revue, Food Show, 4-H camp, Roundup, and Officer Trainings.

To date, there have been 475 Hidalgo County 4-H high school seniors awarded scholarships amounting to $1,158,000. In 2017, the Foundation started awarding Continuing Education scholarships for qualifying past recipients. The Foundation has also made it possible for well over a thousand 4-Hers to participate in many camps and leadership and citizenship training experiences.

By the year 1972 the Foundation had sufficient funds to award a scholarship. Mr. Rafael Guerra made the formal presentation of the first 4-H Foundation scholarship to Deborah Moseley of McAllen in the amount of $400.00. With financial assistance of the Foundation, the 4-H youth program in Hidalgo County expanded, as did its needs such as more 4-Hers eligible for scholarships. The method of fund raising by mail

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At the November, 1993 meeting, the board of directors voted to change the name of the Foundation from, “Hidalgo County 4-H Youth Development Foundation” to “Hidalgo County 4-H Foundation.”

This year the Hidalgo County 4-H Foundation Hoedown will be held on Saturday, September 25th at Las Palmas Race Park, Mission, Tx. Dinner will be catered by SALT New American Table and entertainment will be provided by Brady Honeycutt and Lauren Corzine. For more information about table sponsorships or to purchase tickets, please contact any board member or call 956-578-9786.

Creation of Water Supply Corporations in the Rio Grande Valley BY RICHARD WARD FRYER

hey are hard to miss, emerging and subsisting across the rural landscape like gigantic mushrooms. Unnoticed, they seem to have abided forever. But, to those that notice, and recall the days before they were there, they are a welcome sign of safe, clean drinking water. I’m referring to the water towers in the rural areas of Hidalgo, Cameron, and Willacy Counties. Many of these towers display a name which includes the letters “W.S.C.” for “water supply corporation”, a non-profit, member-owned, and member-controlled corporation governed by a board of directors elected by its members. Since their creation over 50 years ago, water supply corporations have made their mark on the lower Rio Grande Valley by providing clean and safe drinking water to rural residents. Water supply corporations were first authorized in the 1930’s under the federal Water Facilities Act. It wasn’t until the 1950’s and 60’s that water supply and development programs which were made available through the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA), now known

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as the United States Department of Agriculture- Rural Development (USDA-RD), began to gain momentum. They immediately improved the standard of living of the growing rural communities. The USDA-RD loans offered low-cost federal financing with forty-year terms and low interest rates and provided an affordable way for the water supply systems to grow responsibly while keeping water rates low for rural residents. These federally-insured loans also provided a degree of protection from encroaching municipalities pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 1926(b), which allowed the water supply corporations to plan for future growth and expansion without the threat of a municipality extracting critical customers from its service area. With the prospect of the initial grants and federally-insured, low-interest loans, rural residents met around kitchen tables and in coffee shops to form corporations for supplying retail water service to the rural communities that the neighboring municipalities wouldn’t serve. They went to work generating community interest and obtain-

ing easements for their planned infrastructure. These visionaries built a foundation of water treatment plants, pump stations, water towers, and pipelines to provide a safer alternative to the untreated canal water for their rural homes and communities. Before water supply corporations, rural residents used canal water piped into cisterns for their domestic needs. Drinking water was either obtained from shallow wells or brought in from a nearby town by the bottle or tank. The local Irrigation Districts provided this untreated domestic water to the farmsteads well into the 1970’s. By this time, the water rights in the Rio Grande had been adjudicated and the Irrigation Districts were given certain allocations of municipal, domestic, and industrial-use water rights to supply their rural customers. Recognizing that their primary purpose was to provide irrigation water to farmers, the Districts willingly contracted with the newly formed water supply corporations to receive the treated water and supply it to their rural residents. This treated water was safe for drinking and food preparation and was a welcome improvement to the quality of rural life. During the early years, North Alamo WSC, Mid Valley WSC, Stillman WSC, Mercedes Rural WSC, North Willacy WSC, Sunny Dew WSC, Sharyland WSC, East Rio Hondo WSC, Arroyo City WSC, Military Highway WSC, Olmito WSC, and El Jardin WSC were formed. Over the years, Mid Valley, Stillman, Mercedes Rural, North Willacy and Sunny Dew merged into North Alamo WSC, putting it on course to become the largest water supply corporation in Texas. In the early 2000’s, Arroyo City WSC merged with East Rio Hondo WSC. Today, North Alamo WSC, Sharyland WSC, East Rio Hondo WSC, Military Highway WSC, Olmito WSC, and El Jardin WSC continue to serve the rural residents in the lower Rio Grande Valley. One of the biggest challenges facing water supply corporations today is the rapid urbanization of rural areas,

particularly the areas along the boundaries of municipalities. Water supply corporations must provide a level of service and reliability equivalent to that of the municipalities while keeping overall costs low for their members. To meet this challenge, the water supply corporations must upgrade line sizes and add treatment and storage capacity. They have also expanded their services by building sewer treatment plants and collection systems to reduce their customers’ reliance on septic tanks in densely populated and low-lying areas. More recently, they have made significant investments in reverse osmosis plants to treat the plentiful source of brackish ground water and develop a source of water independent of the Rio Grande River. Water supply corporations that can’t keep up with the rapid growth are at risk of losing customers and valuable service area to the ever-expanding municipalities, which, in turn, endangers their ability to repay their federal debt without overburdening their membership. Water supply corporations were created for the sole purpose of providing safe and reliable drinking water to areas that municipalities wouldn’t serve. They have accomplished this by working behind the scenes and have gone largely unnoticed, except by the original rural residents, who for years did not have clean or adequate water service to their homes and farms. Their water towers serve as silent, yet visible monuments to the foresight and sacrifice of the rural communities to improve their standard of living. So, the next time you notice a water tower with the “W.S.C.” painted on its side, be sure to remember the rural residents who had the community-minded mentality for service that formed these corporations, and the individuals who continue to carry on their legacy of service today. Richard Ward Fryer is an attorney with Fryer & Hansen, PLLC. He represents many water supply corporations and water districts in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.

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JOURNEY MAP

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Why We Switched to Fall Calving BY ELLY STREMSTERFER

hange is hard. I am a creature of habit and thrive on routine. I love nothing more than getting my Erin Condren Life Planner and putting in all the expected due dates of our cows, goats and Jack Russells. I look back at the previous year to see when we AI’d our heifers and cattle, when we turned the buck in with the Does and then transfer them into the upcoming year…in pencil. With a big question mark two weeks prior to the turn in date. This gives me a buffer window to have a ‘meeting’ with husband to decide the plans moving forward. Just a few weeks ago, Wade and I were sitting down trying to figure out what to do with the goats. We were on the fence to be honest. We were burned out and just plain tired, I think. Our children are still young, but active. Sydney is 10 and going into 5th grade this fall. Jackson is 8 and going into 2nd grade this fall. Last year Sydney started talking about showing Cattle Pigs and Goats this year in her 1st year of 4-H. We told her we could but there will not be any spring/ summer sports as all of time we had available would have to be put toward working with her show critters. She was ok with that and this spring she has grown into quite a worker, and we don’t think she has regretted making that decision. As a family, we all had been pitching in helping with all the chores, all the washing and blowing, walking, and setting up. That decision on what to do with the goats ultimately rolled right on into another big decision on simplifying our small livestock operation. Like most couples, Wade and I are opposites. I decide at the time the problem is presented to me. No reason to sit and mull it over for days upon end, which is what he does. It drives me insane, but that is why God put us together, to balance us out, to work together as a team and keep each other

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At the Jefferson County Cattlemen’s Banquet. Pictured is Elly Stremsterfer, and her husband Wade with Trent Loos.

in check. So, the week before fair in big bold letters was “Ask Wade when we are turning the buck in”, showed up in my calendar. He still hadn’t made up his mind…. Imagine that. We talked about it briefly and selling all the goats came up as an option. From both of us. Even with all the changes the whole world has had over the last fifteen months, the agriculture industry has remained just as busy, if not busier. We typically kid the first two weeks of December and then again in the month of March. We had been calving in the spring as well, but over the last few years moved a few of our cows to fall for one reason or another. But the goats, yeesh.

Some days they are just so much more work. I told him to just sell them, but Wade insisted we needed to think it over for a few days. It was probably ten minutes after he left to go to work, I texted him my decision. I am sure he rolled his eyes. I am now just typing this. “We can’t sell the goats. They have been part of our farm for almost 10 years, from when we started this place with them. The kids learned to show when they were just toddlers on those goats, and it was who we were. They got to stay; how else can we change something to make things less chaotic in the spring?” He surprisingly quick with the response, “let’s just calve and kid in the fall”. Done. Simple as that. Now, that is not the only deciding factor, as we had been teetering on the fence for a few years. We live in southeast Iowa and the last five years have given us some challenges. When we started on our farm almost ten years ago, our goal and vision was unclear. We wanted to give our kids a life on the farm, and to us that included animals. We had started with a small herd of goats the first year and then added some cattle. We loved having ruminants eating the grass in the spring/summer/fall. Everything else came in routine from what Wade grew up with, Angus cows, calve in late winter/early spring, feed hay from October-April, show the nice heifers and sell feeder calves. dirty udders and wet feet. To top all this off, this year Wade realized that two weeks after we would breed for spring calving we would have heifers at the county fair for 5 days, not the best conditions to keep a heifer settled. Finally, with Sydney wanting to show three species at the fair in June, both of us taking on more responsibilities at our jobs and for some reason Spring being by far, the craziest of all seasons for us (and we aren’t even row crop farmers) we needed some simplicity to our lives, so we decided to move everything to fall calving starting around September 15. Looking at it now, there are still more advantages that we had not even thought of. Fewer times to get cattle worked through chute as only having 1 group now. More manageable sized calves for our young kids to learn to show and take care of (which is a huge factor right now in our operation). We utilize rotational grazing on our farm and now will be able to start rotating cattle through the pastures earlier when grass is growing like crazy instead of being “tied” to the grass by the barn incase a cow needs help calving.

As we continued to move forward, we shifted to what worked for our situation. We don’t have “cold weather” facilities to calve in, so the first shift was to have no calves before March 15. Too many of the commercial angus cows did not breed under our conditions, fescue grass and 45-day window are one heck of an equalizer who can be fertile, so we shifted to only keeping heifers that were crossbred and born from either the AI service or the bull’s first chance. Those steps made a big difference, but one thing remained as it had always, “we calve in spring because we always have”.

Each operation is different, and the possibilities are endless. One of our favorite scriptures that help guide us in our decisions comes from Proverbs 27:23, “Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds.” Do what works best for you, your family and your operation and sometimes, it is ok to decide to go in a completely different direction than the herd. To quote George Bernard Shaw, “Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.”

March in Iowa equals’ mud. A lot of mud. We would struggle through it every year. We would get the newborn calf and cow in the barn for few days then wish them good luck with J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

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South Texans’ Property Rights Association (STPRA) Supports Governor Abbott’s Border Initiative BROOKS COUNTY - The South Texans’ Property Rights Association (STPRA) supports Gov. Greg Abbott’s criticism of the Biden Administration’s failed executive and administrative actions and inactions that have only exacerbated the crisis of illegal immigration and trespassing in our southern border region. The federal government’s failure to fulfill its Constitutional mandate to establish and maintain our sovereign border with a foreign country has necessitated Gov. Abbott’s efforts to honor his constitutional duty of protecting the safety and security of the people of the State of Texas. While some of the Governor’s proposals need to be vetted and fleshed out in consideration of possible consequences for South Texas stakeholders, the most important aspect of his initiative is that he realizes, unlike those in Washington D.C., that massive efforts are needed to address the untenable situation that Texas landowners are now experiencing on their properties in these United States of America. “We commend him for taking the time to meet with the South Texas stakeholders individually: local law enforcement, elected officials, and landowners, business owners, and the public

at-large, at his recent border summit in Del Rio where he explained his executive actions and additional proposals and listened to their ideas, concerns, and comments,” said Whit Jones, STPRA Board Chair. STPRA also commends Gov. Abbott for his support of a recently passed state law that will enhance local prosecutors’ abilities to prosecute human traffickers when they engage in reckless and dangerous behaviors. We are heartened and encouraged that Gov. Abbott is working with some notable leaders in both political parties in South Texas that are now coming together to discuss remedies to a crisis they all agree is intolerable and unsustainable. “We are committed to working with Governor Abbott to help him make his border initiative successful,” said Mr. Jones.

For more information visit the STPRA website: www.stpra.org, or call Susan Kibbe at 361-522- 5194

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Are You Creating Your Own Drought?

and management can have a significant effect on how the land responds to rain, or the lack thereof. The trip a raindrop takes from the cloud to the soil can be highly impacted by grazing management. Raindrops that fall on unprotected soil cause tiny explosions, dislodging microscopic soil particles in every direction. This dislodging of soil matter is the beginning step to erosion. Rain that falls on hard, bare ground will likely run off before it infiltrates. In this case, the land is no better off after a rain than it was before; because no water has infiltrated into the soil profile where it can be used to grow grass and other forage species. With no roots to hold it together, fertile topsoil will be washed away, further degrading the potential for that land to be productive. Raindrops can be intercepted by vegetative matter, in the rancher’s case, primarily grass. The more forage matter, or grass, that is present on the ground, the more likely the raindrop will be intercepted and slow its’ impact with the soil. This will protect the soil below from disruption. The slower the raindrop, the higher the likelihood it will be absorbed into the ground, where it can be used for greater forage production. High stocking rates, or number of cattle on a given area of land for a given period, can

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BY SHELBY PARKER, NRCS GONZALES

lead to a decrease in forage productivity and increase in bare ground without providing adequate rest and recovery. This bare ground will be subject to erosion and will not aid in capturing rain that falls on your land. Grasses slow rainfall impact above ground and their roots create channels for rain to infiltrate into the soil. Dead plant material will become part of the soil profile, known as organic material. The higher the proportion of organic material in the soil, the more water it can hold. While it may seem like a waste to leave plant material un-grazed, it is helping your grass production in the long run. Good rangeland management cannot be bought in a 50-pound bag or a lick tub. If your property is experiencing bare ground and low drought resiliency, strongly consider reducing cattle numbers and look at a good rotational grazing program to help your property become more productive. Healthier rangelands produce healthier cows, which wean heavier calves. While lower cattle numbers will reduce gross income from a reduced calf crop, your feed bill will also likely be reduced. If you feel like your property is constantly undergoing repeated small droughts, it could be a result of degraded soil. Help your soil help you by reducing cattle numbers. Your soil will thank you, your cattle will thank you, and your wallet will thank you.

W W

with the FBI.

ill Steele chose the law enforcement life and became a police officer with aspirations of serving

The produce industry, however, chose Will Steele, who had grown up around Rio Grande Valley agriculture. Less than a year after his dad, Jim Steele, created Frontera Produce in 1993, he jumped on board – after some persistent convincing from his father, of course. Will, currently the Chief Executive Office at Frontera Produce in Edinburg, said in an article on wellnowyouknow.com, “I feel there is something to be said to still be working with our original growers, and continuing to add to our grower-partner base year after year. This is a testament to the outstanding commitment of the employees at Frontera Produce.” Just like the city of Edinburg has grown, so has Frontera Produce. Will’s reputation of being a fair-minded business partner has attracted many new growers and opportunities to Frontera, creating a blend of roots and extending branches as the company’s grower base continues to expand year after year.” A major reason for that growth is Will. His father worked in the produce packaging business before founding Frontera and his grandfather worked in the citrus and vegetable industry. “Will Steele works as hard as anyone at Frontera Produce and follows

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a classic American management style of leadership by example and from the front,” says a statement on the company website.

“For Will, the coolest this is that he is mainly involved with the Agricultural end of the business and spends his time meeting new farmers and producers in the US and abroad to expand Frontera’s established net-work and supply chain to potential new business partners.” The company started out as a small mom and pop produce shed in Edinburg and has grown into a national produce distributor. Frontera now grows and partners with more than 20 farmers to distribute more than 70 different commodities.

ment to their growth based on their quality of product and quality of customer service. Frontera’s headquarters on Frontera Road in Edinburg consist of 83,534 square feet of partially refrigerated office-warehouse building and a 20,000-square-foot covered packing shed, located on 13.76 acres and leased from a related party. They also have facilities for their business named Crescent where, in 2012, Jim and Will purchased 450 acres of land and a 100,000 square foot building to run the onion and watermelon operation.

Will’s dad, Jim, developed a relationship with Walmart, Inc., one of the Company’s first retail contracts and has diversified its customer base to more than 10 other retail chains, yet another testa-

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BY JEAN LONIE

Tall Tales of a Tiny Texan

loaded down pick-up truck. Cowboy hats. Smokey and the Bandit soundtrack. And … an infant in a car seat. Literally east bound and down, heading from Texas to the Adirondack Mountains of New York via stops at the New Jersey shore and in Pennsylvania. This isn’t a new trip for us. We both have family in these states and have made the trip at least once every year for the past few years. Normally it’s about 2.5 days to get from the Austin area to the north, knowing the first day is just getting out of Texas! We’ve found some fun places to eat, some cool agritourism spots to visit, and play the usual game of “just one more exit” for everything from gas 68

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to rest stops to hotels. And yet this year this very usual trip had a new boss, one who just turned four months old today. For anyone who has traveled extensively with an infant, you know well the difference between estimated drive time and how long it really takes you to go from start to finish. Hint for those who haven’t had this experience yet: when in doubt add a few hours for bottles, diaper changes, and stretch time! While this has been a more planned drive than our usual “let’s see how fast we can make it” journey, it has also been the most amazing trip yet. Because it is an excursion full of firsts: a first dip in the ocean; first trip to the lake;

first meeting of many extended family members. That seems fitting, because we are now in a season of “firsts” as we work to raise our tiny Texan. First rodeo. First time seeing the sheep and cattle. First interaction with the cats and dogs. On the cusp of the first unaided rollover. First agricultural meeting. And as she makes all these big firsts, we can’t help but mentally fast forward to wonder about what she might do in a few years and a few decades. Will she love agriculture like we do? Might she wear Clover and White and/or National Blue and Corn Gold as she grows up? Will the calendar fill up with stock shows and sports schedules? And how do we check our interests to let her grow and explore and become her own person? But as importantly, our girl’s firsts incorporate and reflect our individual and joint histories. The beach time was on the small island where her maternal grandparents met and married and where I grew up swimming and playing. The lake trip is to the same house where her paternal grandparents went for their honeymoon and where her daddy spent many of his childhood summer days.

While I was pregnant, I read Stephen Harrigan’s sweeping epic about the state, “Big Wonderful Thing: A History of Texas”, and it reminded me in ways big and small that I have an added duty. This wonderful girl going through all of her firsts in life right now also gets to be part of something bigger and greater than herself; being part of the next generation of a family ranch. It sometimes feels weird to worry so much about a history that isn’t exactly my own, but that I am now contributing to. Yet it is amazing to have the privilege of helping this new human understand that her life will be impacted by and impact a ranch that has been around longer than some of my family has been in this country. Agriculture is a business and a lifestyle. It is an industry where family suppers may double as business meetings. And it comes with many unique complications related to succession planning, balancing tradition and innovation, and dealing with complex conversations about the future. Yet right now, in this season of firsts, those challenges aren’t my focus. Right now, I get to introduce this tiny Texan to her world, one mile, one experience, and one bull at a time.

History, her history in particular, weighs on me as I think about raising not just a good person but raising someone born into an agriculture family – and a multi-generational Texas agriculture family at that! I am from a place with a lot of history; my hometown is literally the birthplace of America, and I was a member of an agricultural society with ties back to George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. But I, along with all the Texans I know, will admit … it’s different here.

J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

Farm Bureaus urge swift action by federal government to address border crisis Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) spearheaded a national Farm Bureau effort urging top Biden administration officials to recognize the border crisis and take swift action to help farm and ranch families impacted by the surge of illegal immigration. A letter sent to Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Secretary Tom Vilsack of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Secretary Deb Haaland of the U.S. Department of the Interior was signed by TFB, 49 other state Farm Bureau, the Puerto Rico Farm Bureau and the American Farm Bureau Federation.

“The current situation should not be acceptable to you or to any American. People are being treated as a disposable source of income, and landowners are living in fear while Coyotes reap a windfall from leaving people destitute. You must not allow this to continue,” the letter stated. Farmers and ranchers along the border continue to share stories of financial hardship and disruption from the surge of illegal immigrants. View their stories on Texas Farm Bureau’s Border Crisis Impacts webpage. Read the full letter.

“We have been listening to the concerns of our members and hearing how their livelihoods are being affected by the surge on the border. Farm and ranch families, many of whom have owned land for generations, are bearing the brunt of this unprecedented influx and have never seen a more dire situation,” the groups wrote in the June 3 letter. The Farm Bureaus said while illegal immigration is often perceived primarily as a southern border issue, communities across the country are being negatively impacted. If not properly addressed, these issues will only continue to multiply and escalate, according to the Farm Bureaus. “They shared how their crops and property are being damaged, which in turn has caused financial hardship. For example, these landowners are experiencing cut fences, destroyed crops, compromised water sources, vandalism, litter on their property and more. Most importantly, the security and safety of these families are at stake given the current circumstances,” stated the letter. The Farm Bureaus said local and state border security resources have been exhausted, leaving little help for farmers and ranchers. The organizations requested federal authorities work promptly to provide additional resources and enforce legal immigration to secure U.S. borders. The groups say human smugglers (Coyotes) are making false promises and doing whatever it takes to get paid and get away, including jeopardizing lives and property. In their desperation to evade law enforcement, Coyotes abandon people, steal vehicles, vandalize property and threaten the safety and livelihoods of farmers and ranchers, according to the Farm Bureaus. The groups noted Coyotes are often criminals who smuggle drugs and firearms into the country, frequently leaving them on property, causing unrest for farm and ranch families.

MORE THAN JUST INSURANCE!

Unaccompanied or abandoned children are being found on Texas farms and ranches near the southern border during the current crisis. Photo courtesy Kate Hobbs.