HIGH PLAINS AG
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FARMING ON THE HIGH PLAINS OF TEXAS • MARCH 2015 • ISSUE 5, VOLUME 1 HIGHPLAINSAG.COM
The
Future Farming of
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INSIDE: HIGH PLAINS AG MAGAZINE Efficient.Effective.Proven
Page
The Future of Farming
Sorghum
Peanuts
Corn
Grapes
Cotton
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High Plains Ag Magazine, based in Lubbock, Texas, is proud to feature local articles about farming and ranching on the High Plains of Texas. For more information, please contact one of the representatives below:
Rowdy Bolen - Publisher, 806-687-4814, rowdy@texasautoguide.com Anthony Maye - Sales, 806-687-4814, anthony@highplainsag.com Elaine Witherspoon - Sales, 806-687-4814, elaine@texasautoguide.com High Plains Ag Magazine Po Box 16381 Lubbock, Texas 79490 http://www.HighPlainsAg.com
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COTTON
COTTON ACREAGE PROJECTED DOWN FOR 2015 Producers across the Cotton Belt will plant less upland cotton in 2015, according to a survey conducted by the National Cotton Council.
Results from the NCC’s annual Early Season Planting Intentions Survey, which were revealed at their Annual Meeting in early February, suggested that cotton growers in the United States will plant about 9.2 million acres of upland cotton in 2015, down 15.2 percent from 2014. The largest decreases were in the West, primarily in Arizona and California. Texas growers, according to the NCC survey, could plant about 5.34 million acres of upland cotton in 2015, down 13.8 percent from 2014 and the least since 2009. The acres shifting from cotton in West Texas are split between wheat, corn, and grain sorghum, the NCC reported. “We were not surprised by the National Cotton Council’s report,” PCG Executive Vice President Steve Verett said. “We are in challenging times right now, and our growers are trying to determine what crop mix will work best for their operation. We expect some temporary shifts away from cotton here on the High Plains, but we certainly don’t anticipate a drastic decrease in acreage anytime soon. It also is important to remember that these numbers are an early-season snapshot, and the market and weather will be key factors as producers make their planting decisions.” Although it is almost guaranteed that less High Plains acres will go into cotton this year, that doesn’t necessarily mean less production, especially if Mother Nature plays nice. Growers report excellent soil moisture in some areas, with a few saying they’re in the best shape they’ve been in, at this point, in the last several years. However, as of press time, some parts of the PCG service
Page 6 \ March 2015 \ www.HighPlainsAg.com
area remain in drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. In other news from the NCC’s Annual Meeting, Ropesville cotton grower Dahlen Hancock was named president of Cotton Council International for 2015. CCI is the export promotion arm of the NCC and is dedicated to increasing U.S. exports of cotton, cottonseed and their products. “I know that these are difficult times for the cotton industry with such a large surplus of cotton globally,” Hancock said in a news release from the NCC. “CCI, working for the U.S. cotton industry, will continue to do a great job of promoting and sourcing our quality cotton into export markets around the world. I look forward to leading CCI as we address this challenge.” Hancock, who moves up from CCI first vice president, succeeds Jordan Lea, a merchant with Eastern Trading Company in Greenville, S.C., who becomes CCI board chairman. Hancock is a fourth generation farmer following in the footsteps of his father, grandfather and great-grandfather, who also chose farming as their professions. Hancock serves as chairman of New Home Coop Gin, as well as a delegate and marketing pool representative at Plains Cotton Cooperative Association in Lubbock. “Dahlen will do a tremendous job representing the cotton industry as president of CCI,” Verett said. “We’re proud to have one of our own leading their efforts and we know that Dahlen is a true cotton advocate.” _________________________________________________
Mary Jane Buerkle, Plains Cotton Growers, Inc. 806-792-4904 - maryjane@plainscotton.org Lubbock, Texas
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2014 / Page 7
SORGHUM
CHROMATIN FIRST TO TENANT TECH RESEARCH PARK Chromatin, an agbiotech company singularly focused on sorghum research, will be the first tenant to move into the new Texas Tech Innovation Hub and Research Park located in Lubbock, Texas. Chromatin’s mission is to provide high quality sorghum hybrids to growers in traditional agricultural areas including food, feed and ethanol. They focus their efforts on targeting solutions for global issues facing agriculture through state-ofthe-art research and development in the sorghum industry. The company’s molecular development team, currently residing in Champaign, Ill., will be relocating to Lubbock. The move will effectively bring Chromatin’s entire research and development team to the area to join its agronomy and breeding programs, which are already established in the area. Kenneth G. Davenport, Ph.D., chief technology officer of Chromatin, said the collaborative Lubbock-concentrated relationship with Texas Tech University will offer many great research opportunities. “Sorghum is a high plains, south plains endeavor, and many of the leading sorghum companies operate here in Lubbock. We really want to leverage the resources and markets here in the heart of sorghum country,” said Davenport. “We feel this is the place to be from both a research and development standpoint as well as the commercial side of this planting seed business.” Texas Tech’s Research Park and Innovation Hub, expected to be open in the summer of 2015, will be a center for both innovation and entrepreneurialism. The 40,000 square foot, $29 million facility will serve as a resource for both Texas Tech students and faculty as well as individuals, groups and
businesses interested in leasing space. The new facility will bridge a partnership between the business and the academic community in the West Texas area. “We’re extremely pleased to have Chromatin as the first tenant in our research park,” said Robert Duncan, Texas Tech University system chancellor. “Sorghum is an important crop in this part of the country because of its water efficiency, and Chromatin is an industry leader in terms of identifying and developing solutions for global agricultural issues. They are a perfect fit here where agribusiness is such a vital economic driver.” Chromatin sells high-quality seed under their primary brand Sorghum Partners, which is an industry partner with the National Sorghum Producers headquartered in Lubbock. “Chromatin’s leadership and scientific commitment to sorghum is critical to the genetic advancement of the crop. We are pleased to see the newly coined partnership with the Texas Tech Innovation Hub and Research Park and have confidence in the leveraging of a strong plant science platform offered by Texas Tech University,” said Tim Lust, chief executive officer of the National Sorghum Producers and Sorghum Checkoff. “We look forward to seeing the fruitful results of this partnership and the start of a new chapter in developing more sustainable and profitable sorghum genetics.” ________________________________________________ Megan Skiles, National Sorghum Producers United Sorghum Checkoff Program, Lubbock, Texas
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PEANUTS
ONE-TIME DEADLINE EXTENSIONS OFFERED Farmers get a one-time deadline extension to update base acres and yield history for farm programs Farmers can take advantage of another month to determine how they would like to update base acres and yield history for the new farm programs. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a one-time extension will be provided to farmers for the new farm programs established by the 2014 farm bill, known as Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC). The final day to update yield history or reallocate base acres has been extended one additional month, from Feb. 27, 2015 until March 31, 2015. The final day for farm owners and farmers to choose ARC or PLC coverage also remains March 31, 2015. Farmers are encouraged to use tools available to them through Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. The National Association
of Agricultural and Food Policy, led by the Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M University and the Agricultural Policy Research Institute at the University of Missouri have released its farm bill and insurance decision aid tool for farmers. The tool is now available online at https://usda.afpc.tamu.edu/. Additional information and resources can be accessed from the Texas Peanut Producers website at www. TexasPeanutBoard.com. _____________________________________
Stephanie Pruitt, Communications Director Texas Corn Producers Board, Corn Producers Association of Texas Lubbock, Texas
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CORN
TEXAS CORN FARMERS YIELD BIG! While everything might not actually be bigger in Texas, the state’s corn farmers are striving for bigger yields every year. Texas farmers fared well in the 2014 National Corn Yield Contest held by the National Corn Growers Association.
Steven Albracht of Hart, Texas, came in second in the contest’s irrigated division with a superb yield of 459.4484 bushels per acre! Albracht joined just six other entrants who surpassed the 400-plus bushels per acre mark. His entry was beat out by Randy Dowdy of Valdosta, Ga., whose field yielded a contest all-time high yield of 503.7190 bushels per acre. “While this contest provides individual growers a chance for good-natured competition with their peers, it also advances farming as a whole,” Don Glenn, chairman of NCGA’s Production and Stewardship Action Team, said in a statement from NCGA. “The techniques and practices contest winners develop provide the basis for widely used advances that help farmers across the country excel in a variety of situations, including drought. This contest highlights how innovation, from both growers and technology providers, allows us to meet the growing demand for food, feed, fuel and fiber.”
Rank Entrant Name
Winners received national recognition in publications such as the NCYC Corn Yield Guide, as well as cash trips or other awards from participating sponsoring seed, chemical and crop protection companies. In Phoenix, Ariz., during the 2015 Commodity Classic, winners were honored during the NCGA Awards Banquet and the NCYC State Winners Breakfast. For half of a century, NCGA’s National Corn Yield Contest has provided corn growers the opportunity to compete with their colleagues to grow the most corn per acre, helping feed and fuel the world. This has given participants not only the recognition they deserved, but the opportunity to learn from their peers.
Interested in entering in the 2015 National Corn Yield Contest? Visit www.ncga.com/for-farmers/national-cornyield-contest for more information and details. Congratulations to all the Texas corn farmers who participated in the 2014 contest! _____________________________________________ Stephanie Pruitt, Communications Director Texas Corn Producers Board, Corn Producers Association of Texas Lubbock, Texas
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WINE GRAPES
From Left to Right: Belinda Maye, Rowdy Bolen and Lester Ball plant Anthony Maye’s winegrape vineyard in Smyer, Texas.
PLANTING GRAPES ON THE HIGH PLAINS Long gone are the days of using a tractor with an auger to plant winegrapes on the High Plains. It’s still a common practice in other parts of the state where shallow rocky soils are prevalent, but on the High Plains, we do things much different. My first year as a winegrower, we augered 1,024 holes for our first acre. We could auger 64 holes in one hour and it took two full days to complete that one acre. This month, I’ll be helping a neighbor plant an acre of Petit Verdot and it will take us probably an hour to plant, thanks to mechanization. After our first year, I watched another vineyard being planted with a vineyard planter. This one was a homemade unit with a 4” bar - square platform with a 24” big ox shank, a planting box and some broken busters to cover the ditch we were creating. It was so awesome, I hit up a farm auction a few months later and purchased all the materials to make my own for the next planting. Here’s what happens, a 100+HP tractor pulls this planter at a low rate of speed, creating a deep trench. In the trench, a person places a grape plant at 4 feet spacings and the busters on the back cover the trench. The spacings are pre-determined by a GPS tractor creating lines or as we did, a very long cable spray painted every 4ft to show us where the plants should be placed. As the tractor rolls along, we view the 4ft spacing marks and stick a plant in the ground. The big shank allow us to put the plant about 18-24” in the ground, which helps get the plant maximum moisture and
prevents it from drying out. We try to leave 2 buds above the ground so the plant can grow properly.
In the picture above, Lester, the gentleman on the front by the cardboard box is handing me a plant. I’ll stick the plant in the ground at the mark and Belinda on the back will make sure the plant doesn’t get covered up by the dirt being pushed back into the trench. I know it looks crazy but this method of planting allows us to plant up to 10 acres per day. Not shown, we added a drip tape reel to the planter, allowing us to put subsurface irrigation next to the plant. Obviously, grapes need water but not as much as you’d think. We use about 1/4 the water a traditional row crop would use on a yearly basis. It can be a dirty job, but man it’s a whole lot better than digging holes.
Long Day of Planting
__________________________________________________
Rowdy Bolen is Publisher of High Plains Ag magazine and grows wine grapes in his vineyard at Smyer. He is also on the board of the High Plains Winegrowers association. Visit www.highplainswinegrowers.org to learn more about growing wine grapes
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www.HighPlainsAg.com / December
2014 / Page 13
FEATURE FARMER
The
Future of Farming Austen Rexrode
Photos By: Belinda Maye In generations past, a family farm seemed to have an “unending-like” value to it. Usually, directions given around the county were predicated on the names of these family farms. For instance, “Keep going ‘til you’re past the Neal’s farm and then when you get to the Ayers’ farm take a right!” Today we are seeing less and less of this across the country. Small family farms are combining with larger commercial farming operations, usually due to the younger generations of the farm not interested in continuing the family’s legacy. On the High Plains of Texas, it is clear that this is a growing movement. Small family farms fading as the next generation moves to larger cities and are involved more and more in non-agriculture related industries. But, on a cold snowy morning in February, we find a family refusing to head in that direction, a family ready to continue the farming traits that settled this area long ago. We find a 14 year old, son of a farmer, ready to take on the future of his family’s farm. In Lockney, TX, a small town East of Plainview, the number written on the population sign does not indicate the full worth and value of this community. Like many Page 14 \ March 2015 \ www.HighPlainsAg.com
small communities around the High Plains, Lockney was established on agriculture and railroad. Today, Lockney is still an agriculture based community, with positive highlights on their school and people. “It’s really a great town, with reliable people,” said Austen Rexrode, a 14 year old freshman at Lockney High School. Austen, is part of the Rexrode Family Farm, a farm that is in its 4th generation of operation. The Rexrode family currently farms 3,400 acres that combines dry land and pivot irrigated land. Heath Rexrode, father of Austen, says that Austen has been a big part of their farm even in his youth. Starting at 12, Austen was driving his first tractor and helping with the harvest. “Austen is my right hand man,” Heath said. “He helps with all aspects of our operations from planting to harvesting.” Austen represents Lockney in sports as well as showing with the Lockney FFA. He just returned from San Antonio with a 13th place in his class showing a cross barrow. Austen says he has a strong desire to be involved with the judging team and other aspects of Ag related activities.
One of his favorite things to do is to listen to music while plowing, and his least favorite is changing tires on a pivot. Austen, at an early age, already recognizes that farming is going to be tough; it is going to be challenging; but clearly stated that farming is the route he wants to go. “No doubt about it, I enjoy it,” Austen said. “I’m looking forward to it; I know it will be hard, but I am going to try my best to stay in it.” Austen and his father Heath obviously have a close relationship, especially after spending so much time working together on the farm. Some of Heath’s advice to his son regarding their farm was, “Do not be afraid to try new things, seek advice from other farmers and sometimes it’s a lot of trial and error.” Austen’s mother Jeri Rexrode also commented, “Other than to make sure he gets his college degree first; really, I don’t think I have to give him that much advice because he spends so much time with his dad. Even from very early he has always gone to work with his dad. He observes him, and listens to not only his dad but his granddad as well. He listens carefully to their decisions and helps in making future plans. He has had so much training already that I really don’t worry about him being able to do it at all.”
Austen is surrounded by a great family with his two younger siblings Audrey and Aaren. Growing up in an Ag committed community like Lockney has huge character benefits that are very evident in the way Austen and his family live their lives. While it’s still early for Austen, he plans on attending Texas Tech in Ag Mechanics after graduating from Lockney but then return to the family farm. The Texas High Plains was settled by farmers that depended on each other to cultivate the land and create an incredible atmosphere of hard work and family values. The High Plains farmer has also had to adapt to economic and weather challenges to continue to produce at a high level for an international market. Austen and the Rexrode family are great examples of how this will continue to be the case here on the High Plains. _____________________________ Anthony Maye, High Plains Ag Magazine Smyer, Texas
www.HighPlainsAg.com / March 2015 / Page 15
AGRICULTURE IN SCHOOLS
FOR FFA STUDENTS...THE FUN IS IN THE JUDGING
Spring is a busy time for FFA students and advisors. There are many activities happening such as livestock shows, career development events, scholastic events, and mechanical projects. Monterey High School Ag Teacher Roger Green says the most popular of the activities is judging, a career development event.
“The judging is the most popular of all out of any event they do,” said Green. “The [Leadership Development Events] are alright and they enjoy that a little bit but nothing like the judging trips and the judging.” Green said his school’s teams are comprised of students who show interest in judging. “[A student] has to be a real good student through the year. If they’ve been a good student the first semester, then they’re considered for [the team],” Green said. “But if they’ve had any disciplinary problems, they’ve failed a class, or they’re just borderline students and don’t need to be borderline students then they’re not [considered for the team].” Monterey senior Rachel Rush said she is excited for her final judging season. She competes on the Dairy Cattle judging team and the Livestock judging team. Rush has been high point individual several times at several different contests. Rush said she had never heard about judging before high school. Green said she has learned and excelled.
The Dairy Cattle team Rush competes on has three team members who have competed together since freshman year. “We’re really good together,” said Rush. “So that’s my favorite team and contest.” Rush said she and her teammates prepare for contests by studying videos and pictures of animals. “I make note cards, too,” said Rush. “People make fun of me for making note cards but they really help.” Despite her teammates’ teasing, Rush said they often ask to borrow her note cards. “I think a lot of people don’t understand what it takes in judging,” said Rush. “It’s a lot of studying. We really know what we’re working with. It’s not just a show-up event.” Already this season, Monterey’s Dairy Cattle Judging Team has competed at a contest in San Antonio. The team won 16th place out of 91 teams. The Dairy Cattle Judging Team, as well as Monterey’s Horse Judging, Livestock Judging, and Wool Judging Teams will all continue to compete throughout the spring semester. “It’s the most enjoyable part of teaching,” Green said about judging. “And the most enjoyable part for the students.” ______________________________ Peyton Waldrip, Agricultural Communications Student Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
“I have absolutely loved it,” Rush said about judging. “It’s been a lot of fun to get to take trips and meet so many people, too.”
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ALTERNATIVE CROPS
MIXING IT UP WITH THESE CROPS
Sometimes diversity can mean the difference between a good year and a bad year for crop producers. To achieve diversification, producers look to alternative crops. For many producers on the High Plains, alternative crops are most often planted after a failed cotton crop. Lubbock County Extension Agent Mark Brown said grain sorghum is the most common crop producers choose to replant with. “Sorghum is a crop that is a good fit for Lubbock County,” Brown said. “There are multiple reasons for this, but one advantage sorghum provides is weed management.” With China turning to sorghum, opportunities with this grain are endless in 2015. According the United Sorghum Checkoff Program website, sorghum exports are at an all time high, surpassing last year’s total just four months into the marketing year.
Another alternative rotational crop to consider is sesame. According to a 2014 report by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, the best quality of sesame in the country has historically been grown in the Caprock region. However, newer varieties have been even more successful. Brown said there has been a lot of headway in sesame breading. Newer varieties have improved shatter resistance, which makes for an easier harvest with higher yields. For a late-season option, producers often turn to sunflowers. This plant is early maturing, and some varieties can be planted as late as early July, Brown said. Sunflowers have deep roots, so they can take advantage of deep ground moisture and Page 18 \ March 2015 \ www.HighPlainsAg.com
nutrients within the soil. Sunflowers are an excellent crop to rotate with cotton, as they are relatively easy to grow and use the same herbicides as cotton. However, one disadvantage is that producers often encounter pest problems with sunflowers. Another crop suitable to the South Plains is guar. According to the AgriLife study, there are five varieties of guar available, which are suited well for dryland production in areas that have few weed problems. There has been a lot of interest in guar as it has grown well in areas of the South Plains, Brown said, but the production is in transition because of contracting payment issues experienced in 2013. Another option for producers, Brown said he expects some drought-tolerant corn to pop up around Lubbock in 2015. Improved genetic traits have allowed some varieties to become more herbicide tolerant. “I don’t anticipate a huge amount,” he said. “but maybe a few thousand acres. We don’t have the water capability to support a lot. It’s not a forgiving crop.” Any time producers look to alternative crops, they need to look at how it will affect their future crops down the line. Herbicide use, nutrients, profitability and water usage all play an important role. “We have a number of alternative crops available,” he said. “You just have to put a pencil to it.” _______________________________________________________ Michelle Hochstein Agricultural Communications Student Texas Tech University Lubbock, Texas
IN THE FIELD
OH, SO I’M A FARMER NOW?
For most of my life, I’ve been a rancher’s kid. We raised sheep and goats on our ranches near Rankin, Texas. So when a farmer buddy of mine says “you are a farmer”, I just shake my head in disbelief. I’ve never considered myself to be a farmer. That’s because for the last 4 years, I’ve been involved in a much different form of farming, winegrape growing. When you think of winegrapes, you think of a beautiful sunset, deep purple grapes and two lovers walking handin-hand, enjoying a glass of wine.
After 4 years, the romantic side of growing winegrapes is gone. I’ve learned to treat this farm like any of my other businesses. And this business is just like any other farm where we grow and sell a crop.
I plant a vine, water it, inject fertilizer, spray weeds, spray for insects, spray for mildew, spray a foliar fertilizer, harvest my crop, prune for next year and fight battles with freezing temperatures and late season hail storms. When it’s harvest time, I’m ready to see what all this hard work turns in to. I’m ready to see the fruit come off the vine and know that all those long hours and hot summer days were worth it. What I do isn’t traditional to the High Plains. But what I do and what I AM doing is something that will be HUGE in the coming years. This area grows the best grapes in Texas and farmers are looking at this crop for their future. Winegrape growing may be smaller in scale, but with high demand for wine grapes, limited water and a need to produce a profitable crop every year, every farmer should consider this crop as part of their farming portfolio. ____________________________________________ Rowdy Bolen - Publisher, High Plains Ag
FIELD TO FORK - EASIEST ENCHILADAS IN THE WORLD! Do you think Chicken Enchiladas is a difficult, time consuming meal? I used to! But, not anymore. This Chicken Enchilada recipe is so easy that you will wonder why you haven’t fixed them before! I normally cook a whole chicken covered with water in the crock pot for 4 hours on high, allow it to cool and separate the meat from the bones. Use the water the chicken cooked in for broth. Don’t forget to use the bones for bone broth! If you are on a gluten-free diet, you can still enjoy the great taste of Chicken Enchiladas - just substitute corn tortillas for the flour tortillas and white rice flour for the flour. ________________________________
Dina-Marie Oswald is the author of Cultured Palate blog and lives with her family in Brownfield where they work their family vineyard.
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INSTRUCTIONS: In a small saucepan, mix chicken broth and milk or coconut milk over medium heat. Once heated thoroughly, whisk in the flour and allow to thicken. Add salt and pepper to taste.
INGREDIENTS: 4 c. shredded chicken, cooked 2 c. sour cream or yogurt 2 c. chicken broth 1 c. milk (or coconut milk) 4 Tbsp flour (or white rice flour) 1 1/2 c. Monterrey Jack cheese, shredded 1 1/2 c. Colby cheese, shredded 1 small onion, chopped 1 (4oz) can chopped green chilies salt and pepper to taste 10 tortilla wraps (10 inch) 1 cup Colby cheese, shredded for topping
Reserve about a cup for the topping. In a large mixing bowl combine the broth mixture, chicken, sour cream (or yogurt), 1 1/2 c. each Monterrey Jack and Colby cheeses, green chilies and onion. Mix well. Place 1/2 cup of the mixture on each tortilla; roll up and place seam side down in a 3 quart oblong baking dish. Spread the reserved broth mixture over the top thinly. Bake at 350 F for 20 - 25 min. Remove from heat and sprinkle with 1 cup Colby cheese and continue baking 5 minutes until the cheese is melted.
www.HighPlainsAg.com / March 2015 / Page 19 10/17/2014 4:33:06 PM
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