Issue 44 of the Ag Mag by THEAGMAG

1 Peter 5:7

“ Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” Michelle Martin

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

Al Benavides

A Letter from the Editor Have you ever had something traumatic happen to you in life that literally shakes you to the core, or changes your perspective on things, or maybe even changes you as a person? I have had 3 major things happen in my life that have done just this! One of which recently happened. I won’t get to much into detail about what happened, but it was a moment that made me take a step back and evaluate life. When something traumatic happens we as humans tend to flight or fight. But when do we flight and when do we fight? I am the type of person that usually with fight, not physically but for what I believe is right and sometimes I tend to let my emotions control instead of a logical approach. I never like to flight or runaway from problems, I am a problem solver. Have been most my life. But, that comes with a cost at times. I sometimes say some harsh things and react quickly to later feel remorse for my words or actions. It’s something I am learning how to do better. I know that when times get tough I tend to pray about it and entrust God will direct me. It’s a hard thing to do when all you want to do is fix the problem right then and there. However, sometimes when times get tough I tend to fight mode and have to gently remind myself, GOD has the best answers. He solves problems a lot better than I can. Although he may not fix it the way I want- he does provide me with the tools to do so. If you are going through something tough and maybe a life altering event, remember to breathe, pray, and although you might not have the answers at that moment or feel the best, it will all work itself out in the end and most the times for the better. For example, I had to recently move Knox to a new school because some awful acts were taking place at his current one. I was so confused how this could happen to my sweet boy, but in the end we ended up at a wonderful school, and my son is so much happier than I could have imagined. Had this event not happened he wouldn’t be enjoying school as much. Another example a family member passing may bring a family closer together that has drifted apart. There is always something positive that can come from a trauma. Healing is hard to do when faced with something traumatic, but remember to breathe and pray to the big man upstairs. He never gives you more than you can handle and you’re so much stronger than you think. I can promise you that!

Owner/Creator of AG MAG

In This Issue:

Graphic Designer (956) 492-6407

6. Increasing Expenses More of a Challenge This Year 8. Main Takeaways As Phase One Concludes 10. Free Soil Testing Campaign in the Arroyo Colorado Watershed 12. Commissioner Miller Announces Global Market Assessments to Benefit Texas Agriculture Commodities 18. U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol joins the Cotton 2040’s Platform and Sustainability Guide 22. Integrated Pest Management in the LRGV 26. Citrus & Vegetable Show Photos 32. Biden Administration Appoints Benacio Cano to Serve as State Executive Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Texas 38. RGVLS 2022 Calendar of Events 40. SulemanaWins TFB Young Farmer & Rancher Discussion Meet 44. Industry Leaders to be Honored at Texas International Produce Hall of Fame Banquet 48. Start Em Young 54. 2F Awards 57. John Deere Aims To Revolutionize Agriculture Through Autonomy 60. INFLATION Hurts November Retail Produce Volume 62. New Research Takes Aim at Devastating Citrus Greening 64. Bioenergy Sorghum’s Roots Replenish Carbon In Soil 70. TSSWCB Announces 2021 Conservation Award Winners Cover photo by: Michelle Martin Year 8, Issue 44 January/February 2022. 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 ©2022. To advertise in Ag Mag, call (956) 330-8870 or email michelle@theagmag.org

Increasing Expenses More of a Challenge This Year BY JOHN MILLER

ver the past two years we have all noticed the rising cost of just about everything we use in daily living. It is absolutely the case that over the past couple of years Covid related issues across the globe have played a huge role in market disruptions. The nature of this disease led governments around the world to be very proactive to prevent further spread. Government led sanctions on travel and commerce sent shockwaves through most commodity and equity markets. In addition, the civilian population has been required to make personal decisions about how to live out daily life with less risk to catching this disease, and for many this includes cutting out travel and face-to-face commerce. Merely the chance for further spread of Covid related sanctions or impact on the civilian mindset about how to carry out daily life has created extreme price volatility in the marketplace.

most closely with the highest inflationary areas across Europe which in this case are Eastern European countries. One could spend pages debating all the causes and possible cures for our current inflation and include topics like national debt, trade policies, federal reserve monetary policy, taxation and regulatory measures and the like. The bottom line however is the fact that prolonged inflation coupled with the uncertainty of commodity prices add tremendous risk to farming. And at this time US agriculture, while experiencing better than average prices for their products as illustrated by Figure 3 which is the corn futures price for next summer, is struggling under the weight of rapidly rising input costs. This is nowhere being more revealed than in fertilizer products which are so vital to crop productivity and can comprise anywhere from a quarter to a third of the annual budget.

One measure of the economy that affects us all is the consumer price index charted in Figure 1 below. I don’t have to mention that prices for just about all consumer goods has gone up, and many are very limited in supply. Try buying a new vehicle to drive, or some common food items. Figure 1 goes back to the early 1970’s, and you can clearly see how our current situation is starting to resemble the much-remembered inflation of the late 1970’s. Something to keep in mind is that the high inflationary period of the late 1970’s was followed by a recession that was strongly felt across Texas since this was very painful period for the oilfield.

For a closer look at the US inflationary situation see Figure 2 which shows how we compare to Europe. It may surprise you that it is the middle US that has the highest inflation here at home and compares

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Over the past year, the increasingly tight supplies and rising prices of fertilizer has been related to North American production problems, largely related to Hurricane Ida that hit the MS delta so hard, the skyrocketing natural gas prices in Europe that all but halted production there, and Chinese and Russian government policies limiting exports from the world’s main suppliers. Across Europe, natural gas values over the past few months have risen from less than ten dollars risen from less than ten dollars per mmbtu to over 40. This has been a game changer for nitrogen production since natural gas is a major price component. The extreme val-

we are experiencing 2022 commodity prices that suggest that their cotton and grain prices could meet or beat this past season. But we all understand that commodities such as cotton and corn and sorghum can see prices rise or fall dramatically in a short period of time. Figure 5 provided by StoneX is interesting since it shows a comparison of the current ratio of this same UAN product to the price of corn. In this Midwest example, you can see where this ratio in the heavy red line has skyrocketed from approximately 35 bushels of corn to cover 1 ton of UAN to over 100 bushels to cover 1 ton of UAN. While the valley will not be this extreme, it does show the 2021 trend versus the past few years of relatively little change.

ues of natural gas led to facilities slowing down, or in many cases shutting down completely. What is interesting is that industry professionals have indicated that even plants that had pre-purchased lower prices for needed natural gas, it was more profitable to resell those supplies rather than operate the plant. It is also the case that European production will likely not return to normal until they see lower natural gas prices. As referred to above, part of the problem is a Russia that is using tight supplies to gain political leverage for building their network of pipelines to Western Europe. And it does not help that Europe has become so dependent on renewables such and wind and solar, both of which have not met expectations. Using the Port of New Orleans for perspective, prices for UAN (32% nitrogen by weight), has increased by $ 235 dollars per ton over the past three months, or 75 %. Over the past year, this product has increased by over $ 400, or 300 percent. This creates a challenge for farmers that must decide on which crop to plant, and how strongly to hold to time-proven applications. At a minimum, farmers need the price of natural gas to fall so that the cost of producing fertilizer can decline otherwise fertilizer production is unlikely to increase. Figure 4 shows January Natural Gas futures, and while we recently saw some correction to the downside, prices are again rising as we head into increased wintertime use.

For nitrogen-based products like the popular UAN, experts suggests it would be natural gas prices falling back to $ 10 or less in Europe that would encourage fertilizer manufacturers to drop prices rather than face competition from competing products such as urea or ammonia. For now, about the only saving grace for farmers is that

Other fertilizer products such as Phosphates and Urea also seem destined for strong prices into spring. China continues to all but totally restrict the export of phosphate and urea despite some optimism that the government there would have reversed that decision by now. This is of critical importance since China is practically the largest exporter of phosphate worldwide. Experts agree that until China relaxes this policy and allows a free market to operate, supplies here in the US will likely remain tight enough to keep prices higher than we are used to seeing. China’s system of communism allows them to artificially stop the movement of fertilizer to the ports that would normally ship to largely the US and Brazil. It has been reported that China controls up to 40 percent of world phosphate supplies so it is hard to imagine that world supplies will become more balanced until this situation changes. We have to hope that the old adage of ‘high prices lead to a cure for high prices’ will prevail. The US Midwest will be an interesting study this spring as we find out if farmers there will pursue alternative crops that require less fertilizer, or simply apply less fertilizer. Other possibilities include lower natural gas prices if trade politics between Russia and broader Europe change, or some yet to be seen marketplace or political change that would abruptly change the price landscape. For now, most fertilizer traders seem to be more in favor of a continuation of high fertilizer prices into spring. When you see crops growing across the Valley this season, remember that a lot of financial planning and risk taking is involved in seeing a crop through to harvest. We so often only talk about what prices are received by famers for their cotton or grain or sugar or cattle and often pass over the consideration of how much time and effort it takes to control cost in the face of uncertain yield and price received at harvest. The good new is that we are seeing some good prices for 2021 at this time, and technology has provided some measure of opportunity, but we need Mother Nature to help in paying for it as much as ever before. J A N U A RY / F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 2

MAIN TAKEAWAYS AS PHASE ONE CONCLUDES BY PATRICK WADE | Policy Director, Texas Grain Sorghum Producers

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or over two years, one of the most talked - about stories in agriculture has been the Phase One agreement with China. From speculation in late 2019 about its potential provisions, to thorough breakdowns of its official text, to honest debates evaluating its efficacy, this one-of-a-kind agreement has sparked near-endless amounts of discussion from the coffee shop to the board room.

should be satisfactory for broad characterizations.

December 31, 2021, however, marks the final day of the agreement’s two-year window. The grain sorghum industry has contributed to the Phase One discourse as much as any commodity, given the importance of the Chinese market to our producers. Throughout the term of the agreement, we asked some important questions: Can this agreement really drive more U.S. sorghum to be sold to China? Will China meet its purchase commitments?

Now, commodity-specific targets for the agreement were not made public, so the only metric we have to evaluate U.S. sorghum’s success in meeting Phase One’s purchasing requirements involves extrapolating from the 2017 baseline using the annual targets for total agricultural exports.

As I reflect on where we were two years ago, however, one question we all asked in February 2020 looms larger than others. Will Phase One restore a normal, robust trading relationship with China? Or will trade evaporate after the two-year window expires? I cannot see the future, but I do feel confident asserting that China’s massive demand for U.S. sorghum is driven more by pure market factors than any statutory provisions in a trade agreement. For example, In November, after months of low prices, Chinese domestic corn surged back past imported U.S. sorghum prices and Chinese buyers responded by purchasing 85 million bushels of U.S. sorghum in the final two months of 2021 – an unprecedented run since China entered the market in 2013. As long as U.S. sorghum remains unhindered by retaliatory tariffs or tariff-rate quotas like China has on corn, rice, and wheat imports, we’re confident its access to the Chinese market will remain a matter of basic economics. So while we remain optimistic about what’s coming after Phase One, it’s still important to answer questions about the successes and shortcomings of the agreement. Did purchase requirements drive China to buy more sorghum than the base year of 2017, and how much U.S. sorghum they end up purchasing? These sorghum trade totals were generated by tallying each USDA Weekly Export Sales Report in weekly updates we send to our membership. For previous years, we’ll pull from USDA FAS’s Global Agricultural Trade System (GATS), which aggregates calendar year export volume and values, but uses a slightly different methodology. Therefore, the app-roach we’ll use here may not be what the U.S. and Chinese governments implement to precisely gauge the success of the agreement, but it

First off, let’s review 2017, the baseline calendar year for the agreement. That year saw $24 billion in U.S. agricultural sales to China - $838 million of which was contributed by U.S. sorghum. Per Phase One, China would be required to purchase $12.5 billion over that total in 2020 ($36.5 billion) and $19.5 billion over the 2017 total in 2021 ($43.5 billion). According to GATS, China purchased 4.6 MMT (181 million bushels) in 2017.

So how did the last two years stack up to these estimated targets? While neither year officially reached the targets extrapolated from the 2017 baseline, the value of exports in 2021 has nearly hit the target with two months (November and December) not yet counted. As I mentioned above, the China market caught fire again in those months, with 85 million bushels in new sales and 50 million bushels in exports. We won’t have the official GATS numbers for a few more months, but there’s a good chance U.S. sorghum does end up hitting its 2021 targets. Regardless if those arbitrary metrics are met, these last two years of the sorghum trade with China have been excellent by any standard. Leaving behind Phase One’s approach of measuring calendar years, the 20/21 marketing year stacks up with the very best marketing years since China entered the market in 2013: In terms of dollar value for those exports, it’s second only to the 14/15 marketing year, reflecting the strong prices many sorghum farmers received over the last year (note these marketing year totals are different than the calendar year totals in the above tables). No matter how you measure it, the U.S.- Chinese sorghum trade benefitted greatly from the last two years. By all accounts, the Biden administration has no intentions of pursuing a Phase Two deal, but that shouldn’t come as any concern for U.S. sorghum producers. Economics, not trade policy, drives this trading relationship and, if the last two months are any indication, Chinese demand for affordable, reliable U.S. sorghum isn’t going anywhere now that Phase One is in the books.

J A N U A RY / F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 2

Free Soil Testing Campaign in the Arroyo Colorado Watershed BY LUCAS GREGORY

oil testing is a simple, effect ive tool that helps agricul tural producers manage fertilizer application. Basic soil tests provide information about current nutrient content and planned crop needs. This can help save money and maximize production potential. Local water resources are also protected through nutrient management which minimizes nutrient losses in surface runoff and groundwater recharge. In the Lower Rio Grande Valley, the Arroyo Colorado is currently impaired with elevated levels of bacteria and excess nutrients that can lead to low levels of dissolved oxygen. Nutrient sources contributing to these problems include agriculture runoff, failing on-site sewage facilities, illegal dumping and urban stormwater runoff. Conducting soil tests and 10

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following their recommendations can reduce potential nutrient runoff from agricultural fields. A free soil testing campaign is being offered to agricultural producers in the Lower Rio Grande Valley by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas Water Resources Institute to implement the Arroyo Colorado Watershed Protection Plan and minimize nutrient loading potential. Producers are eligible for multiple soil tests. Sampling instructions and sample bags can be picked up at the Hidalgo, Cameron, and Willacy County AgriLife Extension offices, the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) Harlingen regional office, or U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) service centers in those three counties. Once soil samples are collected, they can be dropped off at those locations for shipping to the Soil, Water and Forage Testing Lab-

oratory at Texas A&M University in College Station. Test results will be sent directly to growers via the email address provided on the sample form. This soil testing campaign is funded by a State Nonpoint Source Grant from the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board. Samples will be accepted and analyzed free of charge for agricultural producers from now until the spring of 2023 or until grant funds are expended.

Hidalgo Co. AgriLife Extension Office 410 N 13th Ave, Edinburg (956) 383-1026

Hidalgo Co. USDA NRCS Office 2514 S Veterans Blvd, Edinburg (956) 381-0916

To learn more about the soil testing campaign, please contact Mr. Jaime Flores at: jjflores@ag.tamu.edu or your local Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and TSSWCB offices at:

Cameron Co. AgriLife Extension Office 1390 W Expressway 83, San Benito (956) 361-8236

Cameron Co. USDA NRCS Office 2315 W Expressway 83 #103, San Benito (956) 399-2522

Willacy Co. AgriLife Extension Office 170 N 3rd St, Raymondville (956) 689-2412

Willacy Co. USDA NRCS Office

255 FM 3168 Ste 2, Raymondville (956) 689-2542

District 12 AgriLife Extension Office 2401 E. Hwy 83, Weslaco (956) 968-5581

TSSWCB Regional Office

1824 W Jefferson Ave Ste A, Harlingen (956) 421-5841 J A N U A RY / F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 2

COMMISSIONER MILLER ANNOUNCES GLOBAL MARKET ASSESSMENTS TO BENEFIT TEXAS AGRICULTURE COMMODITIES

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AUSTIN - Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) has partnered with the Center for North American Studies (CNAS) at Texas A&M AgriLife Research to provide global market assessments for more than a dozen Texas agricultural commodities. These assessments meet high-priority national needs by offering detailed insight on U.S. export market activity and allows Texas producers to have a competitive advantage on the trade front. For over a year, the world has seen significant change, forcing agriculture producers to adjust the way they market agricultural and food products. As part of TDA’s continued commitment to Texas agriculture, Commissioner Miller called on the CNAS to develop global market assessments. “As the market evolves- so do we,” Commissioner Miller said. “The demand for Texas agricultural products continues to grow and it is important to understand market conditions in a rapidly changing global marketplace. I applaud the folks at CNAS and Texas A&M AgriLife for providing Texas producers with the information needed to make strategic decisions regarding their trade activities.” A total of 15 reports will be completed by the CNAS team. Final versions will be distributed to commodity boards, state agriculture organizations, and related international trade professionals.

The following 15 Texas commodities will be included: • Cabbage • Catfish • Forest Products • Grapefruit • Melons • Mohair • Oranges • Onions • Peanuts • Pecans • Potatoes • Rice • Shrimp • Spinach • Wool

“While working with TDA to develop research activities, Commissioner Miller requested we explore not only the challenges facing agricultural commodity exports, but also the opportunities,” shared CNAS Director Dr. Luis Ribera. “This research allows us to provide the industry with objective analyses. We are able to reflect on market activity from the past 5 to 10 years and can anticipate opportunities for future growth.” “I want to make sure that our Texas farmers and ranchers have the tools they need to successfully take their products worldwide,” Miller stated. “We are the 4th largest agricultural exporter in the nation and have a unique opportunity to promote Texas products. We must continue to cultivate relationships abroad to help support our family farms and ranches right here in the Lone Star State.”

J A N U A RY / F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 2

BY AVRA LORRIMER Reprint from US Cotton Protocol

Mobile drip irrigation results in high yields, saves water in watermelon research AgriLife Research project compares types of irrigation for producing high-quality vegetables. Higher biomass, less water and more fruit are the results of the first year in a Texas A&M AgriLife Research study comparing mobile drip irrigation, MDI, to low-elevation sprinkler application, LESA, irrigation systems. The project comparing types of irrigation and irrigation scheduling is led by Charlie Rush, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Research plant pathologist and a faculty member in the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology within Texas A&M University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Amarillo. Funding is provided by a grant from the Irrigation Innovation Consortium at Colorado State University. Rush is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service faculty at Bushland and industry partners to investigate the potential of producing high-quality vegetables under irrigation for fresh market sales.

Adhikari said there was no difference in the sugar content and fruit size of the watermelons between the treatments. But there were significant differences in other areas, including:

• Much higher biomass — 35% more — and ground coverage appeared under MDI compared to LESA. • Vegetation difference started to show 40-45 days after trans planting. • MDI led to a longer vegetative and fruit-growth period. The plants under LESA started to die earlier than those under MDI. • The number of fruit and total fruit yield was much higher with MDI — almost 30% higher — compared to LESA. • LESA used more water for the same amount of production. So, MDI had higher water-use efficiency.

Irrigation systems in the study

With mobile drip irrigation, a center pivot system pulls long dragging drip irrigation hoses through a field of tomatoes, directing the water application to the plants. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Qingwu Xue)

Most vegetable farmers use stationary drip irrigation, either subsurface or surface. In contrast, most crop growers in the High Plains grow traditional crops and use center pivots for sprinkler irrigation. “We want to look for options for Texas High Plains producers to use specialty crops to diversify their operation and have the potential to get higher returns for their water,” he said. “We know high-value crops do best under drip irrigation. However, most producers have already invested in center pivot systems, so we feel this study will let them see if it will be worth their time to retrofit those with draglines.” The two-year study compares MDI and LESA irrigation systems against the traditional subsurface drip irrigation.

The spray pattern on the typical center pivot system with LESA hoses is much broader. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Qingwu Xue)

Additionally, the study uses neutron probes to measure soil moisture and help determine irrigation timing. The MDI system attaches to existing center pivot irrigation systems and applies water directly to the soil surface as the driplines are dragged across the field to provide uniform wetness. The LESA irrigation system is representative of traditional irrigation in most fields. It includes spray nozzles that hang from the center pivot and place the water application about 2 feet from the soil surface.

Growth of watermelon plants under the low-elevation sprinkler application irrigation system. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo)

First-year study shows differences Ranjeeta Adhikari, Ph.D., a post-doctoral researcher in Rush’s program, ran the trials using two spans of a traditional LESA center pivot system, retrofitted with MDI on the AgriLife Research facilities at Bushland. The study included four replications of each MDI and LESA, with 10-foot row spacings and 26 inches between plants. Production was compared to that using traditional stationary drip as a control. While the plan was to use both tomatoes and watermelons, herbicide drift damaged the tomatoes. So, the same variety of watermelon was planted across the entire test. The team transplanted the watermelon plants from the greenhouse on May 27. Harvests were Sept. 1, Sept. 15, Oct. 1 and Oct. 15. During the second and third harvests, they selected an equal amount of fruit for quality analysis. The LESA tests did not make it to the fourth harvest, as the plants had died back by then.

Watermelon plant growth under mobile drip irrigation. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo)

U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol joins the Cotton 2040’s platform and sustainability guide BY COTTON NELSON

Trust Protocol recognized for its verified farm-level data and constant improvement as Cotton 2040 aims to encourage the use of sustainable cotton

The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is a new system for responsibly-grown cotton that provides annual data for six areas of sustainability aligned with the U.N. Sustainability Goals. This year-over-year data, available for the first time, allows brands and retailers to better measure progress towards meeting sustainability commitments.

The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol has been invited to join Cotton 2040. Convened by sustainability nonprofit Forum for the Future, the Cotton 2040 coalition is a unique partnership that brings together representatives from standards, producers, brands and retailers, and existing industry initiatives specifically to build on and accelerate collective action to scale up and overcome barriers to sustainable cotton uptake across multiple standards.

The Trust Protocol also will be included in Cotton 2040’s CottonUP guide, a toolkit to help sourcing directors make sustainable decisions. The CottonUP guide to sourcing sustainable cotton seeks to address one of the main barriers for companies looking to start sourcing or increase the amount of sustainable cotton they source: the time and resource required to research and implement the most appropriate sourcing approach for their organization’s sustainability

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priorities. The guide highlights the business case and main sourcing options for sustainable cotton, provides guidance on creating a sourcing strategy and on working with suppliers, and shares case studies from companies that have already navigated the complex challenges of sourcing more sustainable cotton. “We are pleased to see the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol recognized by Cotton 2040 and listed on their CottonUp guide,” said Dr. Gary Adams, president of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. “The Trust Protocol is a unique tool for brands and retailers, and we will continue to partner with them in their efforts to demonstrate progress toward sustainability goals.” “The apparel sector is under huge pressure to reduce its social and environmental impact, and increasing demand for more sustainable fibres is key to securing future supply. The CottonUP guide addresses a long-standing need in the industry for clarity around cotton sourcing options, providing brands and retailers with the resources to help them go further, faster. It can be a key enabler for systemic change in the industry, and could be a blueprint for other commodities in the future,” said Sally Uren, CEO at Forum for the Future. “We’re happy to include the Trust Protocol as a new sustainability standard.” Cotton 2040’s interactive CottonUp guide recognizes the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol as a sustainable cotton standard alongside BCI, CmiA, Fairtrade, myBMP, organic and recycled cotton. The CottonUp toolkit is a compressive guide to help stakeholders within the cotton sector to navigate thecomplexity, and better understand the major sustainable cotton standards they could adopt, how they work, and select the best options for their business. Facilitated by sustainability nonprofit Forum for the Future, with funding support from the Laudes Foundation, the Cotton 2040 envisages a sustainable global cotton industry which is resilient in a changing climate;uses business models that support sustainable production and livelihoods, and where sustainably-produced cotton is the norm.

via the Fieldprint Calculator and verified with Control Union Certifications. The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is overseen by a multi-stakeholder Board of Directors comprised of representatives from brands and retailers, civil society and independent sustainability experts as well as the cotton-growing industry, including growers, ginners, merchants, wholesalers and cooperatives, mills and cottonseed handlers. The Trust Protocol is also on the Textile Exchange’s list of 36 preferred fibers and materials from which more than 170 participating brands and retailers can select from as part of Textile Exchange’s Material Change Index program.

About Cotton 2040 Cotton 2040 is a pre-competitive multi-stakeholder initiative which exists to support the shift to a sustainable global cotton industry, Cotton 2040 aims to accelerate progress and maximise the impact of existing sustainability initiatives acrossthe global cotton industry, by bringing together leading international brands and retailers, sustainable cotton standards, existing industry initiatives and other stakeholders across the value chain. The CottonUP Guide is a practical resource to inform and guide business leaders and sourcing teams on the issues, benefits and options for sourcing more sustainable cotton. The guide has been produced through the Cotton 2040initiative, a multi-stakeholder initiative to significantly increase the use of sustainable cotton internationally.

About the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol In a period of ever greater supply chain scrutiny and a growing demand for transparency, the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol will set a standard for more sustainably grown cotton. It brings quantifiable and verifiable goals and measurement to the issue of responsibly-grown cotton production and drives continuous improvement in key sustainability metrics. The Trust Protocol underpins and verifies U.S. cotton’s progress through sophisticated data collection and independent third-party verification. Choosing Trust Protocol cotton will give brands and retailers the critical assurances they need that the cotton fiber element of their supply chain is more sustainably grown with lower environmental and social risk. Brands and retailers will gain access to U.S. cotton with sustainability credentials proven via Field to Market, measured

Contact: Avra Lorrimer +1-347-685-5745 Visit us online at: TrustUSCotton.org Follow us at: https://twitter.com/trustuscotton https://www.facebook.com/trustuscotton/ https://www.instagram.com/trustuscotton/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/trustuscotton/ J A N U A RY / F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 2

Your business is our priority! Locally grown

HANKA SOD 32054 Weaver Road, San Benito, Texas

956-207-9004

Harvesting year ‘round Delivery Available TIFT 419, Bermuda, Floratam & St. Augustine

Deeply Connected to the Land from Texas Agricultural Land Trust BY JACLYN ROBERTS Texas Ag Land Trust | Director of Communications and Strategic Partnerships cell: 806.893.4950

From the very first time he hunted with his dad on his family’s JTW Ranch in South Texas, Andrew Walker felt a deep and immediate connection to the land. “My dad loved to quail hunt in Texas, and on our very first hunt after he purchased the ranch in 1988, we walked for hours following our bird dogs,” recalled Walker. “We stopped to rest on the banks of Pena Creek and I noticed an arrowhead on the sand between my boots. It is one of the few arrowheads I have ever found, and it was just an incredible coincidence that we stopped there. It was as if God himself, the Great Spirit, had placed it there for me to find.” Since then, Walker has worn that arrowhead on a necklace when he is in the field enjoying outdoor adventures. “Whenever I put it on, I feel connected to my father, this land, and God himself,” he said. Walker’s love of the land is deeply rooted. He grew up near Shreveport, on land that has been in his family since the1860’s. As the land changed hands from generation to generation, parts of it were sold until only a few hundred acres remained. “Now it is completely surrounded by development, and the same thing is happening in South Texas,” said Walker. Walker’s father, James Tigner Walker, passed away in 2014. Since then, his son has spent as much time on the ranch as he can with family and friends, traveling there for several weeks each month during hunting season. In the off season, Walker does what his dad used to do. “When my dad bought this property, he immediately became obsessed with improving it. From clearing invasive mesquite, to planting food plots for wildlife, to building and enlarging tanks to provide water, he poured a lot of work into it,” he said. “His efforts not only enhanced the hunting and fishing adventures we shared with friends, but also benefitted the cattle and the many non-game species of wildlife. Now, that’s what I do. There’s always another project waiting to be done on the ranch.” In recent years, Walker noticed increasing development pressure around the Dimmit County ranch and began to worry about what would happen to the land he loves after he is gone. In 2017, he learned about conservation easements and the Texas Agricultural Land Trust (TALT) and reached out to learn more. “I really didn’t know anything about conservation easements, except for the fact that a lot of people were skeptical and said it’s like the government’s trying to take over your land,” said Walker.

“I didn’t necessarily buy into that, and the more I learned about it, I realized an easement might be something that could help keep the JTW Ranch from ever being developed.” It was a somewhat complicated journey to get from exploring the idea to closing the easement transaction. While some landowners are in a position to donate an easement, many need financial assistance to make the transaction work. Walker was able to access funds from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Program and the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, known as ACEP. The legal documents associated with an easement can also be a little overwhelming, and Walker worked through several issues he was concerned about with TALT’s Land Team. “They are straight shooters at TALT, and we were able to work through some of the issues that I was concerned about,” he said. “It’s not a one-size-fits all approach, and that’s a good thing.” Thanks to Walker’s perseverance and a little help from his friends at TALT, TPWD and NRCS, the easement closed in November 2021, forever protecting 433 acres of the South Texas ranchland he cherishes. “This is a great example of how we can leverage private funds to amplify public funding for conservation easements,” said Darren Clark, TALT’s Director of Land Conservation. “These federal and state programs along with private funding are having a real impact on the ground. There’s a lot of different ways to protect private land, but as I like to tell landowners, a conservation easement is the biggest bang for the buck. It’s perpetual and the land will be protected forever.” It was a somewhat complicated journey to get from exploring the idea to closing the easement transaction. While some landowners are in a position to donate an easement, many need financial assistance to make the transaction work. J A N U A RY / F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 2

Integrated Pest Manag

Pest Forecasts & Alerts in real

f you are a grower or consultant in the LRGV you can be alerted of potential pest threats in cotton and grain and other row crops by simply signing up to receive the Pest Cast & South Texas IPM audio updates. When you sign up for these you will receive timely information on pest activity in that crop as well as their biology, how to scout for them and also control methods. It’s easy to sign up!

• To receive the Pest Cast simply email Danielle.sekula@ ag.tamu.edu and you will be put on the list and will receive a newsletter every Friday during the growing season. They are also posted online at https://southtexas. tamu.edu/programs-and-services/ipm/ • To receive the South Texas IPM audio updates simply go to: https://www.texasinsects.org/south-texas.html Next, Signup for South Texas IPM Updates, by entering your cell number and input if you are a PRODUCER, CONSULTANT, AG INDUSTRY, AGRILIFE OR OTHER. For other Pest concerns or questions please do not hesitate to contact your local LRGV IPM agent.

Ag Mag THEAGMAG.ORG

ement in the

LRGV

time for Growing Season 2022: BY DANIELLE SEKULA

Danielle Sekula – Extension Agent- IPM

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension/ District 12 2401 East Highway 83/ Weslaco, TX 78596 Tel. 956. 968.5581 Danielle.Sekula@ag.tamu.edu J A N U A RY / F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 2

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Citrus Vegetable Show

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NOW SERVICING

CANOLA THANK YOU FOR YOUR BUSINESS!

García Grain Trading 956-464-6000 SERVING THE VALLEY FOR OVER 20 YEARS ALAMO, TX MCCOOK, TX

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EDCOUCH, TX SANTA ROSA, TX

A reprint from Texas Farm Bureau

Farmers, ranchers establish policy goals at TFB annual meeting (CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas)—Texas farmers and ranchers established policy to help guide the agricultural advocacy efforts of Texas Farm Bureau (TFB), the state’s largest general farm and ranch organization. Policies regarding livestock, private property rights and foreign ownership of agricultural land were among the policies approved by the nearly 700 voting delegates gathered at the organization’s 88th annual meeting’s business session Dec. 5 in Corpus Christi. “Our business session provides Farm Bureau leaders from across the state an opportunity to set the policy goals of the organization for the coming year,” said TFB President Russell Boening, who was re-elected TFB president at the conclusion of the business session. Boening was first elected president of the organization in Dec. 2014. Delegates approved several resolutions related to animal welfare. They supported a resolution that would require livestock health evaluation training for animal control and law enforcement personnel. Delegates supported a resolution that would establish an assistance program for full or partial reimbursement to landowners for property damages due to illegal bailouts and chases. Other resolutions approved by delegates pertained to eminent domain. Delegates supported requirements for companies with easements to install and maintain erosion control methods where the easement crosses a stream, creek, river or other erosion-prone areas identified by the property owner. Delegates also supported a resolution that opposes the use of eminent domain to acquire private property for renewable energy projects. Farm Bureau leaders approved policy supporting financial compensation to farmers, ranchers and individuals for contamination of groundwater wells, surface water for nearby farms, livestock and irrigation water sources in a farm or ranch is adversely impacted by hazardous or toxic waste.

purchases of land would also need to be registered at closing. State resolutions adopted at the TFB annual meeting become policies that guide the organization in 2022. National resolutions adopted by the voting delegates are sent to the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) for consideration in its resolutions process. Resolutions approved by AFBF delegates in January provide a roadmap for the national organization. In other action, Pat McDowell of Wheeler County, Mark Daniel of Baylor County, Kevin Wilkerson of Van Zandt County, Sam Snyder of Callahan-Shackelford County, John Griffith of Cherokee County and Allen Kaminski of Austin County were re-elected to two-year terms on the state board of directors. McDowell was elected vice president, and Pete Pawelek of Atascosa County was elected secretary-treasurer. One new director was also elected. Brian Jones of Edcouch is the new District 13 state director. He grows irrigated cotton, corn, grain sorghum and soybeans in Hidalgo County. Jones has served several years in numerous roles, including president and vice president, on the Hidalgo County Farm Bureau board of directors. He participated in TFB’s leadership program, AgLead, and served on TFB’s Feed Grains Advisory Committee. Jones also served as the state Young Farmer & Rancher Advisory Committee chair, as well as served on the advisory committee for three years. He was a member of TFB’s 2020 Vision Committee and participated in the Food Dialogues panels to help foster communication between consumers and farmers. He and his wife, Lisa, have two grown children and one granddaughter. For more information about Texas Farm Bureau, visit https://texasfarmbureau.org.

Texas Farm Bureau voting delegates considered state and national policy resolutions at the organization’s 88th Annual Meeting in Corpus Christi.

On the national level, delegates approved policy supporting the creation and enforcement of a registry of all lands currently owned by foreign interests or foreign individuals. Any future

MORE THAN JUST INSURANCE! J A N U A RY / F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 2

Biden Administration Appoints Benancio Cano to Serve as State Executive Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Texas

he Biden Administration recently appointed Benancio Cano, Jr. as the new State Executive Director (SED) for the USDA Texas Farm Service Agency (FSA). Cano joined the Texas FSA team on Jan. 3, 2022. Cano is a native of Pharr, Texas in the Rio Grande Valley. He graduated from Texas A&M University Kingsville in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics. Cano began his FSA career in October of 1994 as a County

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Operations Trainee, in 1995 he served as the Starr County CED until 2002 when he became the District Director for the southern area of Texas overseeing 14 county offices and two farm loan offices. As SED, Cano will be responsible for overseeing the delivery of FSA programs to agricultural producers in Texas. These commodity, conservation, credit, and disaster assistance programs ensure a safe, affordable, abundant, and nutritious food, fiber, and fuel supply for consumers.

Farm Service Agency serves farmers, ranchers, foresters, and agricultural partners through the effective, efficient, and equitable delivery of federal agricultural programs. The Agency offers producers a strong safety net through the administration of farm commodity and disaster programs. Additionally, through conservation programs, FSA continues to preserve and protect natural resources and provides credit to agricultural producers who are unable to receive private, commercial credit, including targeted loan funds for beginning, underserved, women and military veterans involved in production agriculture. USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America.

To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.

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IN MEMORY OF

Daniel “Danny” E. Arnold Jan 8, 1949 - Jan 7, 2022 J A N U A RY / F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 2

RGV LIVESTO

2022 Calenda

RGVLS 2022 SIFTING

Saturday – March 5 Youth Roping

Check in RGVLS Open/Youth Horse Show Speed Events

Delivery & check in of Photography & Western Art Projects Event Center – Drive Thru Drop Off 9am–11am

8am Payne Auto Group Rodeo Arena

8am Rodeo Arena

Cover Girl Revue Event Center Upstairs Open to the public 7:30pm

Wednesday – March 9 Arrival of Open and Jr. Breeding Cattle (Beefmaster, Santa Gertrudis, Commercial Cattle, Longhorn,Simmental, Mini -Hereford and All Other Breeds (AOB) 8am–6pm

Breeding & Commercial Cattle Check In & Classification 1pm–6pm Event Center Arena

Weight card turn in for Commercial Cattle time deadline 6pm Event Center Arena

Jr. Santa Gertrudis Futurity Show 7pm Event Center Arena (Pending) 38

Thursday – March 10

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Judging of Jr. Santa Gertrudis 8am Event Center Arena

Delivery of 4-H & FFA Shop Project 9am–6pm Youth Center

Judging of Jr. Beefmaster 1pm Event Center Arena

Early delivery of Jr. Breeding Sheep, Jr. Breeding Goats, Open Boer Goats & Dairy Goats 4pm–8pm

Judging of Jr. Simmental 4pm Event Center Arena

Judging of Jr. Commercial Heifers 5pm Event Center Arena

Friday – March 11

Check in RGVLS Open & Youth Horse Show Performance Events 8am Payne Auto Group Rodeo Arena

Judging of 4-H & FFA Shop Projects 8am Youth Center

OCK SHOW

ar OF EVENTS

G & JUDGING SCHEDULE

Delivery of Jr. Breeding Sheep, Jr. Breeding Goats, Open Boer Goats & Jr. Dairy Goats 8am–5pm

Judging of Open Longhorn Show

Judging of Jr. AOB Heifers

8am–10am

9am Event Center Arena

Delivery of Jr. Breeding Gilts

Judging of Jr. Longhorn Show

8am–12pm

11am Event Center Arena

Delivery & Check in of Jr. Breeding Sheep 8am–12pm

Judging of Jr. Mini Hereford Show

8am Event Center Arena

Check in Jr. Breeding Goats

1pm Event Center Arena

Judging of Open Simmental Show

Judging of Open Beefmaster Show

9am Event Center Arena

2pm Event Center Arena

Early delivery of Jr. Breeding Gilts 3pm–7pm

Delivery & Classification of Horticulture Entries 4pm–8pm Greenhouse Judging of Open Commercial Heifers

Judging of Horticulture Entries 9am Greenhouse

Judging of Open AOB Show 10am Event Center Arena

Delivery of garments and information forms for the All Valley Cotton Style Show

4pm Event Center Arena

10am –12pm Event Center Upstairs

Check in Open Boer Goats & Dairy Goats 8pm North Barn

Swine Skillathon On-site Registration

Saturday – March 12

Swine Skillathon

Judging of 4-H & FFA Shop Projects

10:30am Event Center 11am Event Center

8am Event Center Arena J A N U A RY / F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 2

SULEMANA WINS TFB YOUNG FARMER & RANCHER DISCUSSION MEET Isaac Sulemana is the winner of the 2021 Texas Farm Bureau Young Farmer & Rancher Discussion Meet.

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(CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas)—Isaac Sulemana of Hidalgo County won the 2021 Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) Young Farmer & Rancher (YF&R) Discussion Meet during the organization’s 88th annual meeting. Sulemana’s family raises cattle and grows, hay, corn, grain sorghum and cotton. He is the chief of staff for Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez. “Through the Discussion Meet, young Farm Bureau members talk about some of the current challenges facing agriculture,” TFB President Russell Boening said. “They are able to talk through possible solutions or develop goals for improvement. Their ideas and thoughts are important as agriculture continues to change and adapt.” The YF&R Discussion Meet is designed to simulate a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each contestant. During the final round, the four finalists discussed sustainable agriculture and green energy opportunities. During the discussion meet, the contestants build basic discussion skills, develop a deeper understanding of agricultural issues and explore how groups can pool knowledge to reach consensus and solve problems through discussion. Sulemana will receive an ATV, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company, and a $5,000 cash award, courtesy of Farm Credit. The Young Farmer & Rancher Discussion Meet finalists were Grant Davis of Rusk County, Victor Salazar of Madison County and Ellisa Tiscareno of Erath County. The three finalists will receive a $1,000 cash award, courtesy of Farm Bureau Bank, and a $500 cash award, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company.

Sulemana will represent Texas in the national Young Farmer & Rancher Discussion Meet hosted by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) in January 2022. The winner of the national Excellence in Agriculture award will receive a new Ford vehicle up to a value of $35,000 and paid registration to the Farm Bureau YF&R Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, courtesy of Ford. The national runner-up will receive a Case IH Farmall 50A tractor, courtesy of Case IH. Third place in the national EIA competition will receive a Case IH 40” Combination Roll Cabinet & Top Chest and a $500 Case IH parts card, courtesy of Case IH; a $2,500 Investing in Your Future cash prize, courtesy of American Agricultural Insurance Company; and $1,850 worth of Stanley Black & Decker merchandise, courtesy of Stanley Black & Decker. The fourth-place national finalist will receive a Case IH 40” Combination Roll Cabinet & Top Chest and a $500 Case IH parts card, courtesy of Case IH.

For more information on young farmer and rancher activities for members ages 18 to 35,

visit www.texasfarmbureau.org/YFR.

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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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MADE YOU

Industry Leaders to be Honored at Texas International Produce Hall of Fame Banquet

TIPA NEWS

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Mission, Texas: Leaders of the Texas produce industry will be honored January 24th, 2022 at the Texas International Produce Association’s Hall of Fame Banquet. The Texas Produce Hall of Fame was established in 1988, and has since presented 150 living and posthumous awards and 24 Scott Toothaker Awards to men and women who have contributed a large part of their lives to the betterment of the produce industry throughout Texas. The inductees to be honored as leaders among the farming or sales industry of fresh produce in Texas will be the Wiesehan Family, including: John F, Raymond, Richard, Kenneth, George, John & Roger. A posthumous award will also be given to Abel Salazar of Salazar Farms. Scott Fletcher and Harold Wilkins will be honored as the 2022 recipients of the Scott Toothaker Award for their dedication and service as partners to the industry. The Scott Toothaker Award was established in 1989 for those individuals who are not directly involved in production agriculture, but who have made immense contributions nonetheless.

please contact the Texas International Produce Association offices at 956-581-8632.

About the Texas International Produce Association The Texas International Produce Association (TIPA) was created in 1942 by a group of industry leaders who shared a vision to expand the Texas produce industry. These industry pioneers understood that by working together they would be able to reap greater benefits, thus TIPA was formed to represent the business, economic, and political interests of Texas-grown fruits and vegetables. In 2012, in response to the rapidly evolving needs of its members, TIPA’s mission was further expanded to address the issues and opportunities surrounding the importation and marketing of foreign grown produce that was being shipped through Texas ports.

Visit TIPA at www.texipa.org or Contact us at info@texipa.org.

The Hall of Fame is considered one of the most treasured events, and is held every other year by the Texas International Produce Association for the last 34 years. This banquet provides the opportunity for today’s industry members to pay tribute to the leaders and role models who paved the way for future generations in the produce industry. In addition, the banquet also serves as a fundraiser for the William E. Weeks Agricultural Scholarship; established to encourage future generations to carry on the hard work of our past leaders and pursue education in the field of specialty crop agriculture. If you are interested in more information regarding the Texas Produce Hall of Fame,

J A N U A RY / F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 2

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

to graduating seniors that are Cameron County Farm Bureau members.

H 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

Farm Bureau promotes today’s farmers and ranchers!

Support us today!

Cameron Co. Farm Bureau

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.

Meeting your needs as they grow

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Want to Advertise Contact Michelle Martin at the Ag Mag

(956) 330-8870 michelle@theagmag.org

START ‘EM YOUNG

Ag Mag THEAGMAG.ORG

Howdy y’all! My name is Carlos Guerra but better known as “Pops”, I am 15 and I am currently a freshmen at Edinburg North High school. I’m a 6th generation cattle rancher, born and raised on my family’s ranching operation in Linn Texas. I think when I sit back and break down the term agriculture, it is so much more than an industry, it’s a way of life. To me, Agriculture is not only an industry that feeds and clothes Americans and others around the world but also a lifestyle of hard work, dedication, responsibility, integrity, and lessons. I’ve been fortunate enough to have grown up in the agricultural industry and through the many situations I’ve been in, Agriculture has simply taught me that you learn from anything and everything. Wether its something as complex as a loss of a successful show animal or something literally made for learning like an Ag class, maybe for you its even talking to a stranger at the grocery store, but no matter what try and learn from everything you do. While I was often present at 4-H and FFA events as a young child I became an active member in 4-H as a 2nd grader and have continued to be a member coming up on my 8th year as a 4-H member, this is my first year as a FFA member and I look forward as to what is to come out of both organizations.

me to one day give back to the organizations that continue to help shape me the same way he has done and continues to do. My biggest accomplishment throughout the years would have to be my effort to be the best Agvocate I can be. I’ll never forget when I heard Dr. Chris Boeman speaking on the agricultural industry at the TJLA summer camp and show, he said “2.5 million people visit the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo annually and that it is our job to help share our knowledge with those every day people. ” Thats when it hit me that it is not only my job but every American agriculturist’s job to help AGvocate for every farmer, rancher, and American Agriculturist out there. My biggest challenge throughout the years would have to be that accepting not everyone is like me. In a world with a population of 7 billion we can’t all be alike and I think throughout the years once I was able to see our differences and how they can unite us, I have gained lifelong relationships with people who continue to help me better my life.

God always has a plan, a lesson that was tough to learn but has since become the most crucial to how I live my life. I’ll never forget when I lost my most successful and prized show cow, the pain I felt was tough and I didn’t handle it well but when I sat back and decided maybe this is what God intended, is when I truly discovered the power our good lord above holds and the path he has planned for us. I participate in a wide variety of contest including showing of beef cattle, public speaking, livestock judging, Ag ID, food show and food challenge, as well as creed speaking through FFA. Through the breed associations I am involved with I have also competed in contests such as Sales talk, Cattleman’s Quiz, Skillathon, Geter Sold, and Herdsman Quiz. Agriculture has prepared me for the future by allowing me the platform to practice responsibility on a daily basis, whether its through my family’s cattle operation or the youth organizations I’m involved with such as 4-H and FFA. I’ve been allowed the ability to see how I can handle work and what ways I interact best with others. If you’ve ever met my Papo I’m sure he’s told you “ if it is to be it is up to me” as one of his favorite quotes, it wasn’t until I got older and really started breaking these simple two letter words down and applying the message to my daily life that I found the power that we ourselves have. If you want to change the world you have to get out and start by accomplishing goals yourself and setting the bar for not only yourself but also others. My greatest mentor would have to be my Tio Victor, his involvement with several organizations from not only the state but also the national level is not what blows me away, but my Tio’s passion for making every kid he comes across feel special amazes me. My Tio Vic has always taken time to not only teach myself and my sister about show cattle but about everything from mannerisms to tips on speaking or even the best fast food places on the road depending how hungry he his. His leadership inspires J A N U A RY / F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 2

Don’t Introduce

TRICHOMONIASIS to Your Herd

One infected cow can infect the entire herd What is Cattle Trichomoniasis? Cattle Trichomoniasis or “trich” is a sexually transmitted disease of cattle caused by the organism Tritrichomonas foetus.

Transmission The trich organism is found on the surface of an infected bull’s penis and on the inside of the prepuce. An infected bull will not show symptoms but will physically transmit the organism to female cattle during the breeding process. In a 1976 study, 19 out of 20 (95%) heifers became infected with trich after a single breeding process with a 3 year-old naturally infected bull.1

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How Trichomoniasis Affects Female Cattle Clinical indications of the presence of trich in female cattle include reduced pregnancy rates, changes in pregnancy pattern (shift towards more late calving cows), pus in the uterus (pyometras)2 and higher rates of abortion throughout the pregnancy. While it is commonly stated that most cows and heifers can clear trich infections with 120 or more days of sexual rest, recent studies have shown trich infected female cattle can become pregnant and have abortions 120 days after conception.3,4

Female Immunity and Clearing the Disease Unlike bulls, trich infected females will show an immune response to the presence of the trich organism in their reproductive tract. Antibodies are produced both within the reproductive tract and blood which helps in the clearance of the infection in many exposed females.5 The immunity to trich is short-lived and cattle that have previously cleared the infection can become re- infected if exposed to trich during a following breeding. It is important to note, infected female cattle can remain infected throughout their pregnancy, deliver a live calf6 and be a potential threat in spreading the disease in the next breeding season.

Trichomoniasis Testing for Female Cattle No blood test is commercially available for trich infected cattle, however female cattle can be sampled using similar collection materials as are used in bulls. Sampling of cervicovaginal mucus (clear) and purulent vaginal discharges (cloudy or white) are considered to be the samples of choice.2 The diagnostic sensitivity of these samples is less than that found in testing preputial smegma samples from bulls.7,8

Herd Management Since testing is not found to be the most accurate way of identifying trich in female cattle, reliance on clinical indications of the presence of trich is needed. The best method of surveillance is to know the disease status of the bulls in each breeding pasture group (trich test bulls before and immediately following the breeding season). While there is no approved treatment for trich, there is currently one vaccine available that has been proven to reduce the shedding of T. foetus. Studies have shown that vaccinating cattle prior to breeding increases calf crop in trich infected herds. Producers interested in vaccination consultation or testing their herd are encouraged to contact their private veterinarian or a veterinarian on the TAHC Bovine Trichomoniasis Certified Veterinarian list. Herds that exhibit high levels of biosecurity, keep excellent pasture records, while monitoring reproduc-

tion rates are not as likely to be severely impacted by bovine trichomoniasis.

Additional Trich Resources Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: www.beef.tamu.edu TAHC Cattle Trichomoniasis Brochure: http://www. tahc.texas.gov/ news/brochures/TAHCBrochure_ Trichomoniasis.pdf TrichConsult: http://www.trichconsult.org

What can I do to keep my herd trich-free? • Develop a preventative herd health plan with your veterinarian that includes testing of bulls, record keeping and a vaccination schedule. • Educate yourself and others about the disease. • Know the breeding and calving history of your purchases. References 1. Parsonson IM, Clark BL, Dufty J. Early pathogenesis and pathology of Tritrichomonas foetus infection in virgin heifers. J Comp Path 1976; 86:59-66. 2. BonDurant RH. Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of trichomoniasis. Vet Clin North Am 1997; 13: 345-361. 3. Rhyan JC, Stackhouse LL, Quinn WJ. Fetal and placental lesions in bovine abortions due to Tritrichomonas foetus. Vet Pathol 1988; 25:350-355. 4. Yao C. Tritrichomonas foetus infection in female beef cattle with abortions in Wyoming. JMM Case Reports 2015; 2:1-5. 5. Ikeda JS, BonDurant RH, Corbeil LB. Bovine vaginal antibody responses to immunoaffinity-purified surface antigen of Tritrichomonas foetus. J Clin Micro 1995; 33: 1158-1163. 6. Skirrow S. Identification of trichomonad-carrier cows. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1987; 191: 553-4. 7. Goodger WJ, Skirrow SZ. Epidemiologic and economic analysis of an unusually long epizootic of trichomoniasis in a large California dairy herd. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1986; 189:772-776. 8. Kittel DR, Campero C, Van Hoosten KA, et al. Comparison of diagnostic methods for detection of active infection with Tritrichomonas foetus in beef heifers. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1998; 213:519-522

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Ag Mag Featured Farmer

• HISTORY ABOUT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY My name is Stephanie Shiba Martinez. I am a third generation Japanese American. I was Born and raised in Texas in the RGV. I am a graduate of the University of Texas in Austin and am a CPA. I was raised in an Agriculture Farming Family but I always had a passion for horses and cattle so I married my High School Sweetheart, Felo and we moved to his family ranch, Rancho Santa Fe, in 1988 where we have raised our children and lived for the past 33 years. My dream was to become a professional cowgirl cattlewoman. I have learned to ride a horse, rope and raise cattle and have become stewards of this Texas Land. Felo is a fourth generation Cattleman raising commercial and registered cattle. He inherited the 2F Brand passed down to him which was established in 1927 when his Grandfather Felix Flores Bought Rancho Santa Fe. We have worked hard to keep Rancho Santa Fe as a working Cattle ranch and will be celebrating its 100th Anniversary in 2027.

• HOW DID YOU GET STARTED? We have been raising commercial cattle since 1984 on Rancho Santa Fe. In 2010 we implemented certified Akaushi Wagyu genetics into our breeding program to improve the carcass merit to South Texas Beef. This Breed adds superior health benefits in addition to a rich buttery flavor. Akaushi Beef is higher in monounsaturated fat and contains more Omega-3s which lowers the risk of Diabetes, Cholesterol and High Blood Pressure. We opened a State Inspected Beef Processing Plant located on Rancho Santa Fe in 2018. We named our Beef Distributing Company Felito’s Finest LLC DBA 2F Akaushi Beef in memory of our first son, Felix Tadeo Martinez. It seemed fitting to have the 2F represent our ancestors and carry on the memory of our precious Angel Felito.

• BIGGEST CHALLENGE Felito’s Finest LLC DBA 2F Akaushi Beef holds both a State Inspected

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and a Federal Grant Inspection number. Our HACCP and Sanitation Programs are in compliance on the State and Federal level. We are the only facility in the RGV that holds both numbers. Our Ranch is totally integrated to produce, raise, feed, process and distribute our cattle from ranch to table but we do not have a Harvest Floor implemented in our program. Finding a Federal Facility close to us that can harvest our fat cattle is a Huge Challenge that we face today. The closest facility that operates under federal grant inspection is in Corpus Christi.

• BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS In August 2021 we won First Place in HEB Quest for Texas Best out of 1300 Contestants. We showcased our ground Beef. We are so Grateful, Thankful, and Honored to be recognized by HEB and cannot wait for our Heart Healthy Beef to be on their shelves across Texas. We are predicting that we will be launching our 2F Akaushi Beef in HEB at the end of February.

• WHAT MAKES YOUR OPERATION UNIQUE We are a family owned and operated Cattle Business where we are Totally Integrated producing, raising, feeding, processing and distributing our wagyu beef from our ranch to your table. We had to split up duties where Felo took charge of the cattle

Dubai to promote Texas 2F Akaushi Beef.

• HOW DOES 2F AKAUSHI BEEF DIFFER FROM OTHERS Akaushi is a Japanese Breed. It is one of the 4 Wagyu Breeds from Japan. Our 2F Akaushi beef contains a higher ratio of Monounsaturated fat lowering the risk of high blood pressure, cholesterol, and Diabetes. It has a rich buttery flavor from the consistent marbling content. All Cattle that we put into our beef program are born, raised and fed under our care where we personally oversee our entire operation from start to finish. We do not administer and antibiotics, hormones or feed any animal by products EVER. All our cattle are DNA Certified Akaushi where we guarantee all beef cuts are Certified Akaushi.

production and feeding and I run the processing facility under state and federal inspection and distribute our beef to local restaurants, households and online where you can shop at www.2FAkaushibeef.com. Our Daughter, Alyssa and son in law Jason play a big part of our operation on the production and marketing side. Alyssa and I still participate in the cattle roundups where I love being back in the saddle!

• WHAT INSPIRES YOU DO WHAT YOU DO For many years we have worked countless hours producing, raising, and backgrounding our cattle and as beef prices kept rising in grocery stores the cattle prices continued to go the opposite. They kept declining because they are being controlled by the large packers in the US. Unless you have outside income to support your cattle business you cannot make ends meet. We decided by totally integrating this ranch we can change a negative into a positive. The average producer is over 59 years old and we feel it is our duty to educate, encourage and provide the opportunity to our youth so that we can sustain Texas Land Producing Texas Products.

• WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR OPERATION IN THE FUTURE As our customer data base grows we are currently expanding our facility. We are currently getting ready for our HEB Launch which is going to a major impact on our numbers. We are also working with the Texas Agriculture Department to expand Texas Products Globally. We will be travelling to Cancun with TDA this coming week and together in February we will be attending Gulfood which is the world’s largest annual food and beverage trade exhibition in J A N U A RY / F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 2

JOHN DEERE AIMS TO REVOLUTIONIZE AGRICULTURE THROUGH AUTONOMY BY MARGY ECKELKAMP Reprint from The Packer

Introduced at the Consumer Electronics Show with nearly 5,000 watching the live stream introduction, John Deere introduces its full autonomy solution for tractors, which will be available to farmers later in 2022. “20 years ago, when self driving first made its way to the farm, it was transformational technology. Suddenly, farmers no longer had to focus their attention on steering the machine through the field. Instead, they were able to pay attention to the million and one other things they need to think about on their farm every day,” says Deanna Kovar, product strategy at John Deere. Kovar says farmers are presented with a the challenge of a highly dynamic environment, and they are constantly looking for ways to increase their output lower their costs and improve sustainability. Boiled down, she hones in on three large challenges: 1 Find skilled labor 2 Getting work done when it needs to be done 3 Doing it consistently to maximize crop yields John Deere is looking to provide solutions to all three in one package—a fully autonomous tractor. You can watch an intro video here. “Technology has been and will continue to be the answer to help farmers navigate through challenges like these,” Kovar says. Its tractors are outfitted with: • Six stereo cameras • 360 degree obstacle detection • Trained on 50 million images • AI and machine learning • Real time data sharing • Remote monitoring and management Farmers can monitor and control machines remotely via the JD Operations Center app on a phone, tablet or computer. They can access the app whether they are in a machine themselves or in their office, or anywhere else. Kovar points out that unlike autonomous cars, tractors need to be able to do much than just be a transport shuttle from point A to point B. “When tractors are going through the field, they have to follow a very precise path, and doing very specific job,” she says. “An autonomous 8R tractor is one giant robot. Within one inch of accuracy, it is able to perform its job without human intervention.” She highlights three benefits to autonomy: 1. Timeliness 2. Efficiency 3. Improves the quality of life for farmers “The road of today’s technology is paved with the technology of the past,” says John Deere’s Chief Technology Officer, Jahmy Hindman. “In 1918 John Deere introduced its first two tractors, and about 100 years later, we have robotic machines used on the farm to feed the world.” Hindman says artificial intelligence and machine learning are key technologies to John Deere’s vision for the future. In the past five years the company has acquired to Silicon Valley tech startups: Blue River Technology and Bear Flag Robotics. This specific autonomy product has been in development for at least three years as the John Deere team has collected the images for its machine learning library.

The team highlights the engineering work that went into the final product to deliver consistency and help build trust with farmers to get the job done. “We are basically asking the farmer to hand over a task that needs to be done to their high standards of quality. Otherwise it’ll impact their crop, and ultimately their livelihood. All of this tech is ultimately intended to earn, and to keep that trust,” says Julian Sanchez, director emerging technology. Users have access to live video and images via the app. The real-time delivery of performance information is key, John Deere highlights, to building the trust of the system’s performance. For example, Willy Pell, senior director of autonomous systems, explains even if the tractor encounters an anomaly and an undetectable object, the team built in safety measures to stop the machine. And the company expects the technology to be able to deliver 24-hour operations to farmers. One beta tester said this technology is going to be a “life-changer” and help him run his farming business better. While the initial introduction of the fully autonomous tractor showed a tillage application, Jorge Heraud, Vice President Automation & Autonomy, John Deere, shares three other examples of how the company is bringing forward new solutions with technologies. He says it’s key to be using the best, most accurate and more real-time data in each. First, he shares in planning, John Deere has automated the path of the tractor for very straight, consistent rows. “And that’s not all. We also automate the placement of every single seed, so every single seed is raised in exactly the same distance regardless of the speed at which the farmer drives. This allows every single plant to have exactly the space that it needs,” he says. The second example is advancements in the spray applications of crop protection products. “Throughout the year, it’s very important for the farmer to apply its product only where it’s needed and then find out farmers do this. We added cameras on sprayers and placed these cameras on the boom so they can tell exactly where each plant is and apply the product as needed, and only where it’s needed. Doing this can save about 80% of the amount product for the farmer,” he says. And the third example is with the combine at harvest. “We use cameras inside that the combine to tell us the crop conditions and adjust the settings of the combine perfectly so that the harvester is doing the best job it absolutely can.” The leaders at John Deere say the road to the future is continuing to be expanded with new technologies on the horizon. J A N U A RY / F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 2

Inflation

BY TOM KARST

Hurts November Retail Produce Volume

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ith holiday buying and inflationary pressures coming together, the produce department in November experi-

enced both the stresses of the pandemic and new factors, as well. “The market has yet to find a new and consistent level of balance,” said the latest report on retail fresh produce sales by the IRI, 210 Analytics and the Produce Marketing Association.

The report said retail produce sales in November were $5.3 billion, up 4% from a year ago and up 16% from two years ago. That is similar to the performance of all perishables, which showed total sales of $25 billion, up 4.7% from a year ago and up 15.4% from two years ago, according to the report. Despite that recent increase, the report said only 4% of survey respondents believe they will buy all their groceries online in the next month, with 19% indicating they only buy some or a little online. While shopping in person, fewer people browsed for new items or ideas and 17% spent less time in the store than pre-pandemic, the report said. “This underscores the importance of cross-merchandising, eye-catching displays, suggestive selling and more to make sure fresh produce remains on the consumer radar,” said Jonna Parker, principal of the IRI’s Fresh Center of Excellence. Fresh produce sales were very consistent, with November levels between $1.2 and $1.4 billion each week, according to the report. “Both the week before the holiday and Thanksgiving week itself were big for fresh produce,” Joe Watson, vice president of member engagement for the Produce Marketing Association, said in the release. “As we have been seeing since the start of the pandemic, consumers started holiday purchases earlier — making the week prior to the holiday the bigger of the two. I noticed a lot of consumer media coverage about potential shortages, resulting in some consumers being surprised to find certain items in stock. We have an opportunity to clearly communicate about supply chain availability and provide substitution suggestions where needed.”

• Apples: up 6.7% • Grapes: up 10.6% • Bananas: up 1.8% • Avocados: up 9.5% • Mandarins: up 2.4% • Melons: up 19.4% • Oranges: up 3% • Mixed fruit: up 28.5% • Pineapples: up 9.4% Source: IRI Integrated Fresh, Total U.S., multi-outlet, % change versus a year ago

November vegetable retail sales compared with a year ago:

• Fresh vegetables: up 0.1% • Potatoes: up 0.3% • Tomatoes: down 2.6% • Packaged salad: up 7.1% • Onions: up 2.8% • Lettuce: up 1.2% • Peppers: down 1.7% • Carrots; up 1.9% •Mushrooms: down 6.1% • Broccoli: up 9.5% • Celery: up 1.5% Source: IRI Integrated Fresh, Total U.S., multi-outlet, % change versus a year ago

“On the fruit side, all top 10 items gained versus (a) year ago,” said Parker. “Berries are by far the biggest fruit, yet still growing nearly 9% year on year.”

November retail fruit sales compared with a year ago:

• Fresh fruit: up 8.5% • Berries: up 8.5%

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TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE LEADS MULTISTATE COLLABORATION AGAINST HUANGLONGBING DISEASE

New research takes aim at devastating citrus greening

itrus greening, or Huanglongbing disease, HLB, is the most devastating disease for orange and grapefruit trees in the U.S. Prevention and treatment methods have proven elusive, and a definitive cure does not exist. Since HLB was detected in Florida in 2005, Florida’s citrus production has fallen by 80%. The disease also threatens other citrus producing states. Now, a public-private collaboration across Texas, Florida, California and Indiana will draw on prior successes in research and innovation to advance new, environmentally friendly and commercially viable control strategies for citrus greening. Leading the work are scientists from Texas A&M AgriLife Research.

$7 million USDA project The $7 million, four-year AgriLife Research project is part of an $11 million suite of grantsfrom the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture, NIFA, to combat HLB. The coordinated agricultural project is also a NIFA Center of Excellence. “Through multistate, interdisciplinary collaborations among universities, regulatory affairs consultants, state and federal agencies, and the citrus industry, we will pursue advanced testing and commercialization of promising therapies and extend outcomes to stakeholders,” said lead investigator Kranthi Mandadi, Ph.D., an AgriLife Research scientist at Weslaco and associate professor in the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology at the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. In addition to Texas A&M AgriLife, other institutions on the team include Texas A&M University-Kingsville Citrus Center, University of Florida, Southern Gardens Citrus, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, Purdue University, and USDA Agricultural Research Service. “This collaboration is an inspiring example of how research, industry, extension and outreach can create solutions that benefit everyone,” said Patrick J. Stover, Ph.D., vice chancellor of Texas A&M AgriLife, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and director of Texas A&M AgriLife Research.

Industry leaders stress the urgent need for solutions. “As a grower myself, and looking into the future of our citrus industry, we see lots of uncertainty because of the devastation that HLB has

A healthy grapefruit compared to one affected by citrus greening (Texas A&M AgriLife photo)

caused the Florida citrus industry,” said Dale Murden, president of Texas Citrus Mutual and Pest and Disease Management Corporation. “We need to look into real and practical solutions for the HLB threat. I believe this project is timely and essential.”

HLB solutions must overcome known challenges An effective HLB treatment must avoid numerous pitfalls, Mandadi explained. One major problem is getting a treatment to the infected inner parts of the tree. The disease-causing bacteria only infect a network of cells called the phloem, which distributes nutrients throughout a tree. Starved of nutrients, infected trees bear low-quality fruits and have shortened lifespans. Treatments must reach the phloem to kill the bacteria. So, spraying treatments on leaves has little chance of success because citrus leaves’ waxy coating usually prevents the treatments from penetrating. Second, while the bacteria thrive in phloem, they do not grow in a petri dish. Until recently, scientists wishing to test treatments could only do so in living trees, in a slow and laborious process. Third, orange and grapefruit trees are quite susceptible to the disease-causing bacteria and do not build immunity on their own. Strict quarantines are in place. Treatments must be tested in groves that are already infected.

Two types of potential citrus greening therapies will be tested using novel technologies The teams will be working to advance two main types of treatment, employing technologies they’ve developed in the past to overcome the problems mentioned above.

First, a few years ago, Mandadi and his colleagues discovered a way to propagate the HLB-causing bacteria in the lab. This method involves growing the bacteria in tiny, root-like structures developed from infected trees. The team will use this so called “hairy roots” method to screen treatments much faster than would be possible in citrus trees. In these hairy roots, the team will test short chains of amino acids— peptides—that make spinach naturally resistant to HLB. After initial testing, the most promising spinach peptides will undergo testing in field trees. To get these peptides to the phloem of a tree, their gene sequences will be engineered into a special, benign citrus tristeza virus vector developed at the University of Florida. The citrus tristeza virus naturally resides in the phloem and can deliver the peptides where they can be effective. “Even though a particular peptide may have efficacy in the lab, we won’t know if it will be expressed in sufficient levels in a tree and for enough time to kill the bacteria,” Mandadi said. “Viruses are smart, and sometimes they throw the peptide out. Field trials are crucial.” The second type of treatment to undergo testing is synthetic or naturally occurring small molecules that may kill HLB-causing bacteria. Again, Mandadi’s team will screen the molecules in hairy roots. A multistate team will further test the efficacy of the most promising molecules by injecting them into trunks of infected trees in the field.

greening,” said Mike Irey, director of research and business development at Southern Gardens Citrus. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with Texas A&M AgriLife and other scientists and hope to bring an effective product to market one day soon.”

A feasible citrus greening treatment is effective and profitable Another hurdle to overcome is ensuring that growers and consumers accept the products the team develops. “We have to convince producers that the use of therapies is profitable and consumers that the fruit from treated trees would be safe to eat,” Mandadi said. Therefore, a multistate economics and marketing team will conduct studies to determine the extent of economic benefits to citrus growers. In addition, a multistate extension and outreach team will use diverse outlets to disseminate project information to stakeholders. This team will also survey growers to gauge how likely they are to try the treatments. “The research team will be informed by those surveys,” Mandadi said. “We will also engage a project advisory board of representatives from academia, universities, state and federal agencies, industry, and growers. While we are doing the science, the advisory board will provide guidance on both the technical and practical aspects the project.” The most important things, Mandadi said, are to help citrus growers across the country to lower their economic losses resulting from HLB, and to allow consumers to keep enjoying citrus fruits. “We all love oranges and especially grapefruits in Texas, and every year we look forward to our harvest,” Mandadi said. “Red grapefruits and oranges are our beloved state fruits in Texas and Florida. We have to safeguard them for the next generations.” Kranthi Mandadi, Ph.D., picks fruit from a tree afflicted by citrus greening or Huanglongbing disease. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo)

‘Hairy roots’ assay used to help speed screening in development of therapies. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo)

Essential work with an industry partner So, any treatments that pass Mandadi’s tests in the lab will undergo rigorous multilocation, multiyear field evaluations of both the therapies and delivery systems. Southern Gardens Citrus, a wholly owned subsidiary of U.S. Sugar and a collaborator on the project, maintains citrus groves in Florida that are affected by HLB. The company has been at the forefront of the fight against HLB and has worked with members of the research team for several years. For example, in a previous project, the company partnered with the Texas A&M team to test the efficacy of spinach peptides in genetically engineered citrus trees. This approach could still be a long-term solution. For the short term, Southern Gardens Citrus is focusing on testing the peptide therapies in field trees via the citrus tristeza virus delivery system. The company will independently collect data for any regulatory approvals, including impacts of treatments on the environment. “This public-private consortium project brings us one step closer to developing an effective therapy and delivery strategy to control citrus

Project team members Kranthi Mandadi, Ph.D., AgriLife Research. Mike Irey, Southern Gardens Citrus, Florida. Choaa El-Mohtar, Ph.D., University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, IFAS, Citrus Research and Education Center. Ray Yokomi, Ph.D., USDA-ARS, Parlier, California. Ute Albrecht, Ph.D., University of Florida IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center. Veronica Ancona, Ph.D., Texas A&M University-Kingsville Citrus Center. Freddy Ibanez-Carrasco, Ph.D., AgriLife Research, Department of Entomology, Weslaco. Sonia Irigoyen, Ph.D., AgriLife Research, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Ctr at Weslaco. Ariel Singerman, Ph.D., University of Florida IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center. Jinha Jung, Ph.D., Purdue University, Indiana. Juan Enciso, Ph.D., AgriLife Research, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Weslaco. Samuel Zapata, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension, Department of Agricultural Economics, Weslaco. Olufemi Alabi, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Weslaco. Sonia Rios, University of California Cooperative Extension, Riverside and San Diego counties. Ben Faber, Ph.D., University of California Cooperative Extension, Ventura, Santa Barbra and San Luis Obispo counties. Greg Douhan, University of California Cooperative Extension, Tulare and Fresno counties.

Bioenergy sorghum’s roots can replenish carbon in soil TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE STUDY SHOWS THE ANNUAL CROP CAN SEQUESTER ATMOSPHERIC CARBON DIOXIDE BY PATRICK DUDLEY

Bioenergy Sorghum (Texas A&M AgriLife photo)

he world faces an increasing amount of carbon dioxide in the atmo sphere and a shortage of carbon in the soil. However, bioenergy sorghum can provide meaningful relief from both prob lems, according to a new study by Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists. The study, “Bioenergy sorghum’s deep roots: A key to sustainable biomass production on annual cropland,” was recently published in GCB Bioenergy. According to the research, bioenergy sorghum hybrids capture and sequester significant amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide in soil. The crop can improve soil fertility and potentially earn carbon credits to offset greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, the study shows that bioenergy sorghum’s unusually deep root system can reach sources of water and nutrients untapped by other annual crops. These results suggest the crop can help manage fertilizer runoff from other annuals in a crop rotation.

Texas A&M-bred annual bioenergy crop

John Mullet Ph.D. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo)

The senior investigator for the work is John Mullet, Ph.D., professor and Perry L. Adkisson Chair in Agricultural Biology in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. A key collaborator is Bill Rooney, Ph.D., professor and Borlaug-Monsanto Chair for Plant Breeding and International Crop Improvement, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences. Both are in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Bryan-College Station.

Mullet is an expert in bioenergy crops’ genomics, genetics and gene regulatory networks. Rooney spearheaded the development of bioenergy sorghum hybrids over the past 20 years. For the past 15 years, Rooney and Mullet have collaborated to develop bioenergy sorghum.

The U.S. Department of Energy Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center and the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy funded the project.

In fact, Mullet and Rooney have been working to improve bioenergy sorghum varieties to produce an ideal annual bioenergy crop. The hybrid used in the recent study creates high yields of biomass for fuel,

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power and bioproduct generation. The crop also has excellent drought resilience, good nitrogen-use efficiency and a deep root system.

carbon requires sophisticated modeling. The restoration process is likely to take many decades.

“There is an assumption that the most sustainable bioenergy crops are perennial because they require fewer inputs and can sequester more biomass than annuals,” Rooney said. “Those statements are true, but U.S. agriculture always requires annual cropping varieties and options as well.”

“For modeling, they need to have a realistic number to start with,” Rooney said. “We haven’t historically had enough info to do that, but this study provides a benchmark for scientists and policymakers.”

New benchmark for carbon credit modeling, soil fertility

A need for further research In this study, Rooney and his team managed the field trials and helped with phenotyping. Mullet and his team characterized the root system and the genes expressed within. Over multiple years, the study considered in-depth how one bioenergy sorghum hybrid interacts with two soil types, Rooney said. He stresses the need to conduct further research. “In this study, we didn’t sample the genetic diversity of bioenergy sorghum at all, except for one standard type,” Rooney said. “And looking at multiple environments and expanding the range of we are evaluating is essential.”

Bioenergy sorghum as part of a sustainable bioenergy production system

Bill Rooney, Ph.D., stands in a grain sorghum field (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Kay Ledbetter)

The study shows that an acre planted with a bioenergy sorghum hybrid accumulates about 3.1 tons of dry root biomass over the crop’s 155day growing season. Bioenergy sorghum roots also grew to over 6.5 feet deep over their growing season. These new metrics make it easier to predict how much atmospheric carbon dioxide might be captured inside roots. The numbers can also shed light on how many carbon credits a planted field might earn. “Frankly, the numbers are quite favorable,” Rooney said. The numbers are also important for understanding the crop’s potential to improve soil fertility and water-holding capacity by replenishing soil organic carbon. However, previous research has shown that in the U.S., soil organic carbon levels have fallen by 50% over the past 100 years in land planted with annual crops. This drop in soil carbon levels could be due to cropping practices, microbial activity and changing land use, Rooney said. These complex factors mean that predicting how long it might take to replenish lost

Modeling studies estimate that millions of acres of abandoned and marginal cropland in the U.S. are available for planting. Many of those acres are in the Gulf Coast region. The region is ideal for bioenergy sorghum production because of ample rainfall, long growing seasons and low competition with grain crops, Mullet said. Furthermore, the crop has improved over the years in terms of productivity, resilience and composition, thanks to Mullet’s and Rooney’s efforts. “Recently, I’ve decided the most important thing we can do is continue research on bioenergy sorghum optimization, but also to help design and build biorefineries that will process materials from the crop in a way that’s optimal,” Mullet said. Carbon captured in biofuels and bioproducts at biorefineries, and by bioenergy sorghum roots could generate carbon credits, potentially benefiting producers and industry. Yet despite the Gulf Coast’s excellent potential for biofuels production, there are no bioenergy research centers and very few biorefineries in the region, Mullet said. Therefore, Mullet is now working to attract industry and government funding to help build the next generation of biorefineries designed to use bioenergy sorghum biomass for the production of biofuels, bioproducts and biopower. “The project has expanded to not just producing biofuels and bioproducts, but also directly capturing carbon and sequestering it,” he said.

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

THE HANGOVER FROM THE FALL RUNS IS OVER AND THE BUYERS ARE HERE TO… BY EDDIE GARCIA

he hangover from the fall runs is over and the buyers are here to party. Chugging them good quality calves one after another, spitting dip and blowing smoke on the plainer types. There’s just enough cattle out there right now to keep their whistle wet, buy not enough to quench their thirst. Keep Serving Quality... A 500lb quality steer/ bull calf is worth 12 to 20 cents higher now than October through December 2020. Excellent beef demand coupled with higher than ever exports is really driving the market. Futures market is enabling these buyers to hedge their purchases at a high clip which equates to better prices in the ring. We hear a lot of debate about how to fix the broken cattle market in relation to what the meat versus the cattle are worth. Lots of talk about government intervention, mandates, and all sorts of stop gaps and fixes. One tried and true fundamental for true price discovery is supply vs demand. This year the overall national cowherd is expected to be drastically less which in turn has signaled the market to move higher. Look for there to be lighter numbers and higher prices this year. The boogie man continues to be the higher input cost that can rob you of higher returns. Feed cost being number one on the list especially in the corn sector. High cost of gains especially in the feedlot can be an impediment to higher calf prices. Couple that with the volatility that comes with the

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ongoing pandemics, political climate, and lack of available resources and it adds to the complexities of our business. Packer cows and bulls are off to a good start as well, we’re heading into a time of year that cull numbers are lighter. Higher yielding carcasses are always at a premium, it is important to keep your herd efficient and identify animals that need to be sold before they become physically depleted. Unproductive females and sires must always be addressed. Stocker cows and pairs should trade progressively higher this year, due to the market signals of higher calf prices. Albeit moisture and pasture conditions remain favorable going forward which is always a gamble here in our area. 3-6 year old cows are usually in the highest demand with cows 7+ in age deprecate more rapidly in price. Good quality herd sites remain in the 2500 to 5000 range. I ask that everybody get their “Bull-Fit” together this year, and buy a premium sire that is compatible with your herd. Something that will mark the buyers card after he charges it on that #1 order. Take some simple cows and make them profit centers by putting money making bulls on them. Invest in an asset, forget the liabilities of lesser quality calves. See you at the Gate! “Bull-Fit” GCLA Eddie Garcia

Issue 44 of the Ag Mag

Articles inside

New Research Takes Aim at Devastating Citrus Greening

TSSWCB Announces 2021 Conservation Award Winners

Bioenergy Sorghum’s Roots Replenish Carbon In Soil

INFLATION Hurts November Retail Produce Volume

John Deere Aims To Revolutionize Agriculture

Commissioner Miller Announces Global Market Assess ments to Benefit Texas Agriculture Commodities

Main Takeaways As Phase One Concludes

Biden Administration Appoints Benacio Cano to Serve as State Executive Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Texas

2F Awards

Increasing Expenses More of a Challenge This Year

Citrus & Vegetable Show Photos

Free Soil Testing Campaign in the Arroyo Colorado