Issue 46 of Ag Mag by THEAGMAG

Michelle Martin

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

Psalms 139:14 “ I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”

A Letter from the Editor There are times when I think to myself, maybe I am too much. I’ve had people tell me I am too much energy, I am too loud, I am too unfiltered, I am crazy, and I always reply with, “That’s because I am.” I am all of those things. But you know what? That’s me and that’s who I am. I am never going to fit everyone’s puzzler, and I am OK with that. I know that is easier said than done. There are, and will continue to be, days where I will think, “maybe that person is right, I should change.” But, then I wake up and think, no! I am exactly who God created me to be. I cannot live this one life for other people. I am uniquely made. I do things out of the normal, I am defiant, I have a huge heart, I am clumsy, I am always cracking jokes, but all these traits are what make me. Has there ever been a time in your life when you questioned where you were going, who you were, if you were liked, accepted, etc…I think as we get older we realize a couple of things.

• You can’t make real friends with fake people. • The older you are, the less you feel the need to be included, understood, or accepted. • You sit back and observe and realize not everyone needs a reaction. • You learn to trust your intuition. There was a time in my life where I strived to be the perfect mold just to appease everyone. I wanted everyone to like me; the ultimate people pleaser, if you will. After my mom died and I had no immediate family left minus a cousin, I had the awakening moment that life is so precious. No day is ever guaranteed, so why am I trying to live it for other people? These people who have opinions about me, certainly don’t lay their heads on their pillows at night thinking about changing me, so why should I lay my head down thinking how I can change to make them happy? No one has lived your life. You are the only person living it. Someone may have a similar story or experience with similar emotions, but they haven’t, and aren’t, living your life. As my career has grown throughout the years, social media has become crucial, influential and even beneficial for me, but at a cost. As most of us are aware of, there are keyboard warriors out there. At first, it took its toll on me. I thought I had to change my appearance, my demeanor, all of it. Then after about a day, I stopped myself. There are billions of people in the world, and not everyone will be pleased. We all bring something to the table that impacts the world in a different way. We all make the world a diverse place. Embrace your weirdness, embrace yourself and who God made you to be. I promise you will feel such weight lifted off your shoulders. Your social circle may become much smaller, yet stronger. The people who love you will love every little thing about you, and will accept your flaws. Just remember, trying to please everyone is impossible. Seeking validation from people is not why God put you on Earth. Jesus was not accepted by everyone, yet he remained true to himself and he kept true to the plan God had set before him. In the same aspect, God has a plan for you. In order to receive the full blessings, we must remain true to ourselves and the big man upstairs. Go live that life, do what makes you happy, go make a difference out in the world and spread goodness in a dark time. God loves you and he wants you to love yourself. GO LIVE THE ONE LIFE YOU’RE GIVEN and MAKE IT COUNT. You are blessed, you are loved, and you are AMAZING just the way you are.

Owner/Creator of AG MAG

Al Benavides Graphic Designer (956) 492-6407

In This Issue: 6. Weeds To Watch Out for in 2022 8. FIRE and FAITH 10. BROADVIEW AGRICULTURE is Climate Smart 12. The Fertilizer Cost and Availability Crisis 16. VIVA FRESH SHOW Event Photos 18. Using Plant Tissue Tests To Aid In Navigating High Fertilizer Prices 22. Texas Citrus...Surviving The Storms 26. A Helping Hand From A Shining Star 28. Recipes: Baja Style Shrimp Tacos/Spicy Gulf Shrimp 32. Farmers, Consumers Feel The Squeeze Of Inflation 44. Pest Forecast For The LRGV 2022 Growing Season 48. Texas A&M AgriLife Tick Research Gets $1 Million Boost 50. 2022 STAR GALA at LA MUNECA Event Photos 54. Feed & Fuel Prices Aren’t The Only Thing Rising 56. BUSINESS MATTERS 58. Cont. 2022 STAR GALA at LA MUNECA Event Photos 59. 2022 RGV LIVESTOCK SHOW Event Photos 64. Local Santa Gertrudis Middle School Student Places In National Poster Contest 68. Callie Welty

Cover photo by: Alexandra Rae Year 8, Issue 46

May/June 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

Pigweed in the foreground, horse purslane below

Weeds To Watch Out for In 2022 BY JOSH MCGINTY, PH.D.

Extension Agronomist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Corpus Christi, TX

iven the recent rains received in the Rio Grande Valley, weed management will soon be a concern for many cotton and grain producers. Of particular importance are weeds that have become resistant to commonly applied herbicides. Herbicide resistant weeds develop over time in response to repeated applications of the same or similar herbicides. This occurs due to the natural genetic diversity that exists in weed populations. A good example of how quickly this problem can develop is glyphosate (Roundup) resistant pigweed. If even a tiny fraction of the hundreds of thousands or millions of pigweed plants in a single field are resistant to that herbicide, they will continue to produce seed if not controlled by other means. In the case of pigweed, each individual female plant can easily produce hundreds of thousands of seed which will also be resistant to that herbicide and will become a much larger issue the next season. If corrective action isn’t taken soon, the weed population of that field can become dominated by resistant types in just a few years. One of the best methods

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for managing against herbicide resistance is the use of diverse herbicides with different modes of action and regular crop rotation (which allows for and often forces the use of different herbicides). Below are two of the most concerning herbicide resistant weed issues that you may encounter in the Valley.

Pigweed/Palmer Amaranth Pigweed is a warm-season annual broadleaf weed that needs a fair amount of heat before it begins to emerge, so it often starts to appear near cotton planting. It is very common across the state and can often be differentiated from other closely related species by its broad leaves and the presence of white chevrons on the leaf (see photo). In Texas, pigweed resistance to glyphosate, atrazine, and pyrithiobac (Staple) has been documented at many locations. Our weed science team at Texas A&M conducted surveys of pigweed populations statewide from 2014 to 2016 and examined these populations for resistance to various herbicides. Of the populations sampled in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, 13% were resistant to glyphosate and 3% were resistant

to atrazine. Given that these surveys were conducted several years ago, I would expect these resistance issues to have become more widespread since then. They found no resistance to Staple, fomesafen (Reflex), tembotrione (Laudis), or dicamba at that time. It’s worth noting however, that 96% of pigweed populations in the Valley were found to be “less sensitive” to Staple (meaning that applications of this herbicide caused only 50 to 89% injury to pigweed). In recent years, I’ve personally observed a fair amount of pigweed that is no longer responsive to Staple in the Corpus Christi area, and it is possible for this biotype to spread to the Valley.

pigweed or false ragweed in cotton, glufosinate (Liberty) has been very effective on both species as long as it is applied in a timely manner to small weeds. Weed control with Liberty is highly influenced by spray volume, so make sure to apply with at least 15 gallons per acre total spray volume.

False Ragweed/Ragweed Parthenium

If you have any questions, please contact your local county agent or reach out to me at Joshua.mcginty@ ag.tamu.edu.

Another annual broadleaf, this species will germinate over a wide range of temperatures and is often present in south Texas 10-11 months out of the year. It’s not uncommon to see false ragweed emerging in mid- to late January and persisting through mid-December. Early on, this species forms a basal rosette of deeply lobed leaves. As it matures, it will “bolt,” becoming 24-36 inches tall and produce many small white flowers. In south Texas, this species has developed resistance to glyphosate, atrazine, and paraquat (Gramoxone), and it’s not uncommon to encounter resistance to all three in the same population.

In any situation, when you notice that weeds have escaped an herbicide application that should have controlled them, remedial action is critical to prevent them from producing seed. This may include the use of an alternative herbicide, cultivation, or hand chopping.

Management As noted above, the best protection against resistant weeds is the use of diverse herbicide modes of action. Of particular importance is the use of soil-applied residual herbicides such as Cotoran, Caparol, Dual Magnum, or Warrant in cotton and Dual Magnum, Warrant, or Outlook tankmixed with atrazine in grain sorghum. In Texas, we have not observed any weed resistance to the above herbicides. As always, pay close attention to any label restrictions on soil texture as some herbicides (such as Caparol) can cause severe crop injury on lighter textured soils. Also, always make sure to check the label for crop rotation restrictions. For postemergence control of glyphosate resistant Mature false ragweed

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FIRE and FAITH 8

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BY JEAN LONIE

arch weather comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb, or so the saying goes. Whomever coined that phrase clearly hasn’t ex perienced spring in Texas. I’m not sure what animal/animals we were dealing with this year, but it felt far more dangerous than a lion for a bit.

worry about where the fire was going next. As smaller fires broke out locally, that blend of heartbreak and worry became sharper.

Weather aside, March is a big month for our family – seven birthdays to celebrate including my husband, mother-in-law, and daughter in successive weeks. This year we had two big ones, a 1st birthday and a 70th birthday, so mid-March found us back in north central Texas near the family ranch.

When the fire trucks were dispatched, the local network got moving. Everyone knows who has what acreage and where the livestock are. Staying connected brought important resources when there were hot spots and gave at least some peace of mind to folks who may have been away from home or had to drive to get to the herd.

As we arrived, the hot, dry weather was met with an ill wind and some sparks. You know or can guess the rest. Fires in Eastland, Ranger, and Brownwood. The Borrega fire in Kleberg County. The Crittenberg Complex fire. I’ve heard the stories about fires that hit different parts of the family ranch and have seen the scorched earth left behind after smaller fires have been contained and put out. A few years ago, I drove through wildfires in Australia and marveled at both the devastation and resiliency they created. The personal testimonials of that bring to life the devastation these fires bring to cattle, wildlife, and land – and the impact it has to the humans who care for them continually bring me to tears. As do the stories of the communities who come together to help those who lost everything get back up and start to rebuild their life. Yet, when you are in it, it feels different. There’s a strange sense of detachment as you try to go about ‘normal’ activities – even as you can pick up wisps of smoke when the wind shifts – combined with a hyper awareness that there’s no telling what the next big gust might mean. My husband’s work includes emergency response activities on the agricultural side of things; how to handle the aftermath of moving, feeding, and caring for livestock that were evacuated and relocated. He was in Eastland while the fire was still raging and carried news back of what was happening. The general response was heartbreak for the folks impacted and

As we heard the fire engines go out on calls all weekend long and everyone held their breath for the rain that was projected for the coming Monday, the vast majority of the population did two things: watched and prayed.

At one family meal, my husband stepped out of the restaurant to track the sirens as they approached the town square. A left turn meant a small breath of relief and prayers for wherever they were going. A right turn meant tightened breath and prayers as you either called or drove to figure out if the ranch was safe and who was impacted. Sunday morning, we gathered for church. I leaned over at one point and commented that it felt like we were trying to set a new record for fastest service. The response I got was a quick nod and a short answer: “the fires.” The town fire station is just a block from the church, and we knew every time they were called out. Each time the alarm sounded, everyone tensed. And prayed. The March fires are a shadowy memory for those not impacted and ever-present in the stark new reality for those who lost livestock, homes, and livelihoods. We will face fires again. We will worry. We will check on each other. We will prepare as best we can to keep herds, property, and loved ones safe. And we will pray. Because somehow it seems that in our industry and in this state, fire and faith are more intertwined than I knew.

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Reprint from USDA - NRCS

BROADVIEW AGRICULTURE

is Climate Smart

A NEW GENERATION OF FARMING: HEALING THE LAND THROUGH SOIL HEALTH PRINCIPLES

hen it comes to land management, Jeremy Brown, owner of Broadview Agriculture Inc. has a clear vision of what he hopes to accomplish that stretches well beyond his family’s 5,000-acre farm Dawson County, near Lamesa, Texas. “I don’t ever want to be a farmer who thinks he’s figured it out,” he says, standing tall among rows of young, newly planted cotton. “The person who created this is so much bigger than me. And I’m constantly trying to learn how He created it, how it functions, and what I can do to work alongside it.” A fourth-generation farmer, Brown grew up working the land with his grandad and his father but says that the way that he farms today is 100 percent opposite of the way they farmed back then. These days, he is more focused on conservation planning than on turning around crop after crop. Over the years, he’s worked closely with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to use multiple regenerative farming practices to raise cotton. “The NRCS has been a valued resource for me and my operation, both locally and nationally. There’s just so much good information out there that can help us farmers to grow and to learn.” Married now with four beautiful children, Brown shares that his son and three daughters work out in the field with him quite often. “One of the things I love about production agriculture is that it’s a family business. He says he hopes to teach his children about the importance of stewardship. Brown is introspective and reflective in everything he does. Even the name, Broadview, was carefully chosen for a good reason. “We named it Broadview for multiple reasons. As you can see, the view is very broad, but we also did that because we wanted to have a broad perspective on the way that we farm. We don’t want to be closed minded on ‘this is the way it’s always been done’ or ‘this is the only thing that grows here’ and so we try to have a very broad perspective in the things that we do and the crops that we grow.”

Getting to the Root of an Organic Farming Operation Although organic certified cotton and non-organic cotton is the family’s main crop, they also grow wheat, grain sorghum, and sesame. Brown explains they grow other crops to heal the land and bring rotation and diversity based on soil health principles that include limiting your disturbance, diversity, animal integration, always having a root in the soil, and maintaining cover. In 2013, Brown says he started reading the importance of Hairy Vetch, a cover crop that helps protect the soil from erosion, helps improve soil tilth, and provides weed control. The discovery opened his

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Jeremy Brown and his son look at the roots of a cotton seedling plant on one of their farms in Dawson County, Texas. A fourth-generation farmer, Jeremy Brown, owner and operator of Broadview Agriculture Inc., grew up working the land with his grandad and his father, but he says that the way he farms today is 100 percent opposite of the way they farmed back then.

mind to an entirely new way of farming. “I’m a big believer in cover crops,” he says. “When we first started doing it, we were mainly growing winter wheat to keep the wind from blowing [and causing] erosion.” Brown believes that having cover crops is the only way for his operation to remain sustainable into the future. “Our goal is always to have a grass, a legume and a brassica if we can,” he says. “Timing challenges and lack of rain plays into it, but that’s our goal.” Brown understands why some farmers are hesitant to try more conservative farming practices, with a desire to find that “quick fix,” solution instead, but he says restorative farming and growing cover crops is a five-year commitment, if not longer, to restore health and bring life back to the soil. “We use the cover crop to always have something growing to feed those microbes, bacteria and fungi. All the things we can’t see that need to live and root to survive.” “I’m really passionate about that and I’m seeing the benefits of that.” Quoting ecologist Allan Savory, Brown shares, “’Where we farm, it’s a brittle environment,’ and so sometimes, as much as you want to do all these things, you need those timely rains to help you and so you just gotta be flexible and understand that sometimes you’ll have some failure with that, and you’ll have to go to ‘all right what’s next?’” Brown says that when the rain comes in the southern part of the Great Plains, it comes heavy, the evaporation rate is often higher than rainfall amount, and the area can be very windy. One way he tries to work with and make the most of what nature gives him, good or bad, is to always have seed available, “And if there’s a timely rain, we’re gonna plant something if there’s nothing growing on that piece of land.” “We believe so passionately about having that living root and having diversity into the soil. We used to just be so monoculture and I just want as much diversity as we can. And so yeah, it’s a goal of ours that sometimes we achieve it and sometimes we don’t.”

“It’s a challenge and so that’s were resources like NRCS are really helpful.”

A Mutual Partnership in Technology and Knowledge NRCS Lamesa Resource Team Leader, Hal Rogers has worked with Brown on multiple projects for nearly a decade. “[Jeremy] was the one that kind of started the relationship by coming in the office and asking for some assistance and looking at different things he was looking at doing. We just kind of blossomed working with him from that point on through different practices and ideas,” says Rogers. “We learned a lot from each other moving into this new era of soil health.” Since discovering what the NRCS can help with, Brown has been quick to partner with them on a variety of conservation-based projects. “We’ve worked in many facets with Jeremy. We’re standing in a field of grass that we helped him in seeding, using different programs, including just grass planting and also pollinator habitat to try and help his organic operation.” Rogers says, while standing in a large field of mixed grasses, flowers, and other beneficial plants. Where Brown’s conventional till cropland is concerned, Rogers says the NRCS has worked closely with Brown by working to make his pivots more efficient and trying to utilize what irrigation water that is available in a more efficient way to benefit his crops and try to save as much water as they possibly can. “That’s been his goal – utilizing the newest technology and the best system to try to do that.” NRCS Agronomist Brandt Underwood describes Brown as an early adopter on conservation, explaining that he’s provided support to Brown on complex projects requiring his expertise on agronomy. Underwood explains that while it’s been gaining popularity across the United States, using mixed species cover crops—which consists of varying grasses, forbs, and legumes together—is a unique idea for this part of the world. “Jeremy has been implementing this practice on his farm over the last several years with good success,” he says pointing to the vast field behind him which is covered by a small grain crop that he says Brown plants on an annual basis to improve soil health, increase soil organic matter, and help control erosion. “Wind erosion is a major resource concern for the High Plains of Texas, and the farmers have to manage that quite diligently. Right here, we have an excellent example of one very successful farmer managing his wind erosion quite well.”

growers from the Texas High Plains—and even serves on the board of the Agriculture Texas Farm Credit and Texas Organic Marketing Cooperative. “Sometimes I think I need to learn to say no,” jokes Brown, “But to me, if I can add any input to help myself or other farmers, that’s what I’m there to serve. It’s not about me it’s about the community.” All kidding aside, Brown is grateful for the opportunity to share what he knows. “I enjoy serving on different boards in the community because it’s really important for me. Not just for my opportunity to be successful, but for all of the farmers to be successful.” Rogers acknowledges that he often uses the knowledge that Brown has shared with him, bringing it into what he relays to other producers, “Because, not every place is the same and not everything works the same way here as it does somewhere else. So local knowledge is key to what we do in talking with producers and understanding that ‘yes, I know the science says that works in that area, but through experience, we’ve found this.’” Because Brown is one of just a few farmers in the area who is implementing innovative and out-of-the-box practice like multi-species cover crops, he says he appreciates having the platforms to talk about the different things he is doing and the different ways he is doing them. He gets a lot of calls in the winter because it looks like he’s growing a cabbage or lettuce, which then leads into and allows for an opportunity to talk with his neighbors about what he’s actually doing. “I’m hoping over time the results will speak for themselves,” says Brown. “It’s a challenge, but it’s fun.”

The Future of Farming in Dawson County is Now Underwood describes Brown and Broadview Agriculture as “the new generation of farmer.” “Jeremy is an early adopter and he’s applying a lot of conservation practices. He has an education and he’s structured much more like a business, so to speak,” says Underwood. “He’s a family farm, but he’s developed a mission statement. Within that, he has specific conservation goals. Part of those goals is to be able to leave this land better than he found it. Therefore, if his children would like to continue to farm in the future, he realizes his responsibility to the land. I think also to the American public to support us with a safe and reliable source of food and fiber.” “Jeremy has taken that responsibility very seriously and does a very good job with farming,” says Underwood.

Educating the Farming Community Brown takes his role as a steward of the land seriously, making time to share what he knows and what he’s learned with other farmers interested in regenerative farming practices. “I think it’s important that we’re actively involved in organization in the community. As a farmer, we’ve stirred a lot of land and I believe that our business is one of the foundational life bloods of our area,” says Brown. Brown is the President of the Dawson County Farm Bureau, serves on the Executive Committee of the area’s Plains Cotton Growers—a non-profit producer organization composed of cotton M AY / J U N E 2 0 2 2

The Fertilizer-Cost-andAvailability Crisis Requires Farmers to Practice Precision Farming to Stay in Business

BY NOEL GARCIA, CCA – Chief Operating Officer & Senior Consultant, TPS Lab

ince the onset of 2020, fertilizer prices have been exploding. But now, simply the availability in addition to evermore outrageous cost of fertilizer due to a variety of well-publicized reasons has become very seriously problematic. Presently, there seems to be no ceiling to cost escalation or foreseeable end to limitations on supplies. This means that every pound or gallon of fertilizer applied must be utilized by the crop to the greatest extent possible. About “Precision Farming”: This term has implied mechanical means of precise seed and fertilizer placement, variable-rate fertilizer applications based on grid soil sampling and near-infrared ærial surveys, metered applications of fertilizers through irrigation systems and GPS guidance of tractors and sprayers. But realistically, these approaches address only a modest part of achieving maximum crop performance with the most efficient use of money and resources. Whether or not precision mechanical means are used, here some of the most important considerations when attempting to get the most out of the least:

“Traditional” practices have got to go! Here are the biggest mistakes I’ve seen farmers make over and over again during my 30-plus years with TPS Lab: ● The major application of fertilizer being made at the start of the growing season, expecting it to suffice for the entire season. ● The wrong fertilizer for the soil type or crop. ● Not keeping up with the latest advances and discoveries in crop nutrition. ● Not using bio-stimulants to improve crop performance and its resistance to disease and insects. ● Ignoring existing soil nutrients which are plant-unavailable, especially in calcareous, high-pH soils. ● Ignoring irrigation and spray water quality. ● Ignoring soil health/life.

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● Not planning beyond this year’s crop using the “Regenerative Agriculture” approach. The key issues in efficient crop production are: ● Timing and placement of fertilizer applications. ● The correct fertilizer for your soil type, the crop and its stage of development. ● Acceptable irrigation and spray water quality. ● The use of biological inoculants and bio-stimulants, such as amino acids, growth hormones and other beneficial products that may not be essential for plant growth.

Timing and Placement of Fertilizer Applications Is Crucial – Many farmers apply the bulk of their fertilizers at the onset of the season. This is colossally wasteful, as plants develop their appetites and tastes with growth, much of the fertilizer has been dissipated by the time the plants start needing it the most. This is particularly true with N. Remember that crop nutritional needs change throughout the growing season, so applying the wrong fertilizer at the wrong time for your particular crop wastes much of your money. As to placement, with row crops, side-dressing can require much less fertilizer and starter “pop-up” fertilizer is astonishingly effective in getting crops off to fast vigorous starts. After emergence, the use of foliar sprays is the most efficient method of getting nutrients into plants.

About Foliar Sprays – In some areas of the country, particularly the Corn Belt, foliar sprays of plant-beneficial and nutritional agents are typically seldom used, as this area of the country has been historically known as having the highest-producing capacity of corn and soybeans per acre. Unfortunately, the Midwest’s rich soil nutrient pool is declining due to reduction of soil organic matter (soil carbon) much like the rest of the country. This leads to nutrient deficiencies, especially micronutrients, that limit plant genetic potential resulting in reduced yields and quality. As a result, increased

disease and insect pressure increases input costs of additional fungicides and pesticides which reduces return on investment. Here, foliar sprays of bio-stimulants, micronutrients and trace elements can have big, faster and longer-term impacts on crop health, performance and economics.

mance, nutrient uptake efficiency and resistance to disease and insects - thus reducing or eliminating entirely the need for costly pesticides and fungicides. Encourage the plants, microbes and other soil life to do much of the heavy lifting!

Type of Fertilizer – Here is where a Soil Test is really

calcareous soils, many of the metal nutrients exist as carbonate and bicarbonate chemical compounds often in abundance – all very insoluble and therefore unavailable to plants. The standard soil treatment is sulfur but the latest method also includes the use of bio-stimulants. These break the chemical bond by chelating the nutrients into bioavailable forms. Humic/Fulvic Acids, Amino Acids, Enzymes and beneficial soil bacteria from additions of soil inoculants all play a vital role to access this nutrient pool. Additions of these bio-stimulants to your existing fertility program can increase your fertilizer efficiency by more than 20% in most cases, allowing you to cut back on fertilizer in times of high cost and limited availability, and have long-term cumulative benefits.

important! If you have calcareous soils and buy micronutrients in the oxide form, you have literally thrown money on the ground with no benefit at all. When it comes to nitrogen, there can be a huge difference between anhydrous ammonia, urea, ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate as to its longevity, its utilization by the plant and its impact on native soil chemistry and soil life. Is it nitrate nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen or organic nitrogen? The forms of other nutrients are equally important – for example, MAP or DAP? Choosing the best fertilizer for your specific soil conditions or foliar fertilizer for specific stage of growth can save huge amount of money and increase ROI. This is the reason why some have not seen much success from the use of foliar sprays. The wrong product, mixing incompatible or antagonistic products together, wrong application rates, missing critical stages of growth and inadequate water quality are quite common mistakes.

Plant Sap Tests at critical stages of crop develop-

ment during the season are crucial to determining the nutritional needs of the crop so that no more than necessary of what is applied, thus saving money and limited supplies. Plants eat and drink every day and their tastes and appetites change with time. Those changing needs (but no more than needs) must be accommodated to have some assurance of a profitable outcome.

Advances and Discoveries in crop nutrition and

health are being made all the time – particularly in the chelated forms of micronutrients, resulting in a much higher efficiency of plant uptake and utilization. This means using less to produce more. A fairly recent discovery is foliarly-applied water-soluble silicon. Si stiffens and hardens cell walls, thereby discouraging piercing and gnawing insects and resist disease – and lodging. Si forms a very thin hard layer that resists nematodes and soil pathogens on roots. A very recent tool is nanoparticles that encapsulates the inputs you already use into tiny nanoparticles that glide through foliar and root barriers, thereby improving efficiency and speed of uptake and reducing the energy required by the plant to get nutrients into its cells.

Bio-Stimulants – There is more to crop health and nutrition than just chemistry. These game-changers include organic acids, growth hormones and biological inoculants that can dramatically improve crop perfor-

Already Existing Soil Nutrients – Particularly in

Water Quality Test – Irrigating with hard or salty water can have dramatic impacts on soil chemistry and structure, because What’s In Your Water Becomes Part Of Your Soil ®. As aquifer levels fall, natural dissolved minerals become more concentrated. There are several methods to remediate soil. Using hard water for the spray mix can change the chemistries of spray agents to the extent of making them ineffective and possibly damaging plants. Appropriate water treatment is needed to offset or remediate these problems. Regenerative Agriculture – Planning beyond this

year to reduce costs and increase crop performance by regenerating soil structure and health/life, thereby increasing long-term nutrient availability and carbon sequestration, reducing future costs and resources. Reduction of soil disturbance and continuous vegetation cover on soil as much as possible increases the amount of diversity of organic residues to maximize nutrient and water use efficiency by plants. Restoring overall microbial life is essential to soil/plant health and biodiversity. This sustainable approach is a long road to travel but it must be initiated if farmers want to be successful over prolonged challenging times.

Bottom Line – Maintaining balanced nutrition and vigorous soil life at every stage of your plants’ life cycle will ensure that no matter what challenge Mother Nature sends, your crops will have the best chance of making you money. Soil, Water and Sap Testing is one of the best investments a grower can make, especially during these times of uncertainty with exorbitant fertilizer prices so you can apply only what your crop needs, where it needs it and when it needs it!

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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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Some highlights from the show were: 2200 attendees, 200 exhibitors, nearly 400 retail-foodservice-wholesaler buyers, 4 sold out hotels (Gaylord, Courtyard, TownePlace, & Hilton Garden), 2 sold out golf tournaments, 1 sold out wine tour, 4 jam packed receptions (19th hole, In Bloom, Y-TIPA, Welcome Reception), and just a heck of a great time!We were extremely pleased with the attendance and participation throughout the show. Participants had a level of excitement from start to finish, all 3 days. Education sessions got great feedback, the Keynote Luncheon meal was incredible but the Keynote Speaker was even better. Dave McGillvray’s talk on confidence, motivation, and healthy lifestyle was so moving throughout the expo, I was stopped by many people who not only complimented the quality of his presentation… but told me they were moved to do something more or new with their lives, like running or biking or supporting a good cause with a project or challenge they wanted to take-on. And from the perspective of a show-organizer, it is so very humbling and rewarding to hear that kind of feedback. It lets us know that we delivered the right, overall experiences to give all our attendees the best possible Viva Fresh.

Using plant tissue tests to aid in navigating high fertilizer prices BY DEREK EMERINE

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igh fertilizer input costs have resulted in many customers reducing the amount of commodity fertilizer applied, however commodity prices for corn, cotton, soybeans, rice, and wheat are also near record highs. This results in a balancing act to determine the sweet spot between cutting input costs too much at the detriment of yield vs. cutting some input costs without impacting yield potential significantly. It is completely understandable if producers decided to reduce fertilizer usage in 2022 because of the drastic increases in fertilizer costs. Plant tissue testing is a great tool to identify which nutrients may severely impact yield in a negative way if they are too low. Plant tissue samples at key growth stages (just prior to reproductive growth stages) can give a grade of what impact nutrient levels are having on yield potential. Although foliar in season applications of fertilizers will never completely replace dry or liquid commodity fertilizer applied in the spring or the fall, they can boost nutrient levels at key times to reduce negative yield impacts. Plant tissue testing can also be valuable for planning for the next crop season. Predicting what will happen to fertilizer costs in 2023 is difficult at best. Economic constraints probably have the largest impact on fertilizer spending. However, up to date soil tests and plant tissue test data from prior years can significantly aid in the decision making process. A consistent 20-30% reduction in all fertilizer based strictly on the price of fertilizer has the potential to negatively impact yield.

By looking at up to date soil tests, producers can look at specific nutrient levels. Many times it makes sense reduce some nutrients more than others based on soil test levels. Plant tissue test are also valuable indicators as well. If a producer made a consistent cut in fertilizer in 2022, plant tissue tests can be a report card of what impact a consistent cut in fertilizer had. For instance if someone cut both P and K fertilizer 20% in 2022 and their tissue test in 2022 consistently show K deficiency but never show P deficiency, then in 2023 it may not make sense to cut K fertilizer. There are several key nutrients that historically show up as problems in plant tissue data across multiple geographies, crops, and growth stages. These include potassium, zinc, nitrogen, sulfur, magnesium, and boron. Many factors such as health of the current crop, current yield potential, booked price of your harvested commodity, current weather patterns, and plant tissue test levels should all be considered before making an application. The key is to consult an agronomist that can provide relevant data to aid in the decision making process.

Derek Emerine

National Agronomist Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC

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Texas Citrus… Surviving the Storms

BY DALE MURDEN

he commercial citrus industry here in South Texas has certainly been tested the last few years. But so has all of agriculture down here. As a whole, growers, ranchers and farmers are a resilient bunch. Looking back just a few short years, remember Hurricane Hanna that hit in July 2020? Then follow that with Winter Storm Uri, the St. Valentines massacre, of February 2021. It’s amazing how far we have come back. The Texas citrus industry, despite many obstacles including greening and fruit fly invasions, was averaging 14,392,000 million cartons of grapefruit and orange production over a ten-year period prior to the 2020-2021 harvest. And then things got interesting. We have all been watching the lake levels fall for some time now, so when Tropical Storm, turned Hurricane Hanna, headed our way, many of us felt we needed a storm to replenish much needed water levels. What we didn’t need was what we actually ended up with. Hanna didn’t do much if anything to fill

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the lakes, but what she did do was ruin a cotton crop and a large amount of our citrus crop. Then it got even more interesting with a devastating freeze seven short months later. Our eventual 2020-2021 harvest came in at 6,796,000 million cartons, about 47% of our average production. What many folks outside of citrus don’t realize, is that depending on the timing of weather disasters, a storm like Uri hitting in February, actually affects two crops. The remaining crop on the tree that hasn’t been harvested, and the blooms that were forming for our next year’s crop. Most growers like me, that had been through the 1983 and 1989 freezes, were preparing for a scenario that would have kept us from harvesting any crop for a few years. But Uri was an odd freeze for us in relation to tree damage. Growers jumped in immediately and began rehabilitation measures of pruning and hedging. The even-

tual outcome of our current harvest, the 2020-2021 season did indeed see a disaster only bringing in 3,245,785 cartons or about 23% of average…but folks it could have been a zero. To date, the industry has seen about 3,600 acres of citrus removed, of what was a nearly 30,000-acre industry. But the good news is we have also seen over 2,500 acres of new trees planted. Many growers can’t get nursery trees, which are always in short supply after a disaster. So, we expect many more acres to be replanted in the coming two years. But this story isn’t just about weathering storms of the natural disaster nature. Storms for growers, farmers and ranchers can also come in the form of government. Remember that many in agriculture had weather disasters in 2020 and 2021. Congress acted to fund those disasters in the form of a disaster bill now called the WHIP program for both years. WHIP stands for Wildfire Hurricane Indemnity Program and now also includes freezes. However, USDA has yet to implement funding to eligible growers. It’s now the middle of 2022 and growers have still not seen the support that congress intended. USDA delivered another blow to those of us in the citrus industry this year when they suddenly and with-

US growers was a 260% increase in Mexican imports, of which 88% would have failed the standards of domestic grapefruit. Just for Texas growers alone this was well over a $70 million-dollar economic loss due to the flood of cheap, inferior imports. Florida’s’ economic losses are likely even larger. The citrus industry works tirelessly on these two issues, but the damage is already done. I started this article reminding folks how resilient folks in agriculture are. And make no mistake, we seem to be able to do more with less than any industry anywhere. While we can’t control natural disasters, you’d think our own government would be behind us in support. I’m not going to leave this article on a sour note. I recently was asked to attend a meeting up in Falfurrias, Texas about an hour north of the RGV. Once upon a time that area had a thriving commercial citrus industry and many in the area look to revive it. I was impressed by the sincerity and desire that group had and look forward to trying to help them with their vision. As for the existing commercial citrus industry here in South Texas, we always come back. We take disasters as our opportunity to improve moving forward. Whether that’s in planting techniques, irrigation meth ods or variety changes. And we are seeing it now in groves being replanted. For next season’s harvest, we expect to be at 80% of average and look forward to being on supermarket shelves and in your kitch ens, so please support domestic agriculture. We work hard to give our consumers a safe and high-quality product.

out warning decided to discontinue quality inspections on Mexican grapefruit coming into the United States. U.S. growers uphold our quality and grade standards, but inspectors this year turned a blind eye on our counterparts across the river. The result for

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A HELPING HAND FROM

A SHINING STAR

BY PATRICK DUDLEY Program Director for Agriculture Commodity Boards and Producer Relations Texas Department of Agriculture

arming and ranching in Texas has never been accused of being easy. Everyday business decisions are compounded by some of the most volatile conditions farms and ranches have seen in decades; ever rising inflation; global supply chain and geopolitical issues; severe drought and weather. It’s enough to test even the most resilient of our state’s 408,000 plus producers. When I asked a colleague in the wheat industry how the year was shaping up, he commented, “Well….we have twelve-dollar wheat, but no wheat.” His statement could sum up how

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everyone in the ag industry is feeling in a nutshell. Texas farmers and ranchers have always been known to be a tough breed, but sometimes it takes a little extra grit to get through it. Doing everything in the world to keep your head above water and then just like that, the waves get choppier and larger. Hurricanes. Winter storms. Wildfires. Drought. Springtime in Texas has already dealt us a tough hand. By the end of April 2022, the governor had declared a Drought Disaster Declaration for 164 of the 254 counties of Texas; a Wildfire Disaster Declaration in 72 counties; and a Severe Weather Declaration in 16 counties. In March it seemed most of Texas was in a state of conflagration. More than five hundred head of livestock were killed by wildfires, and as of April 27, 2022 local fire departments and Texas A&M Forest Service had reported 3,895 fires burning 425,964 acres of Texas land. Just as soon as the fires were being extinguished, tornados began tearing apart other areas of the state. These natural disasters take a toll on not just a person’s lively hood, but their soul as well. It’s in the face of disaster that I am proud to have been reared in agriculture. Neighbors don’t think twice about coming to one another’s aide, and the definition of neighbor is broadened by a significant number of miles. Producers from all over Texas come together to help each other rebuild and the Texas Department of Agriculture steps up to lend a hand to those who produce the food and fiber that sustains our citizenry and communities. When a natural disaster strikes, TDA is able to lend support to our farmers and ranchers through the State of Texas Agriculture Relief Fund (or STAR fund). The STAR Fund was created for one sole purpose: provide relief to our agricultural producers in the wake of natural disasters. Charitable donations from individuals and businesses are what sustain the STAR Fund, and the dollars raised go straight back to those in need. The STAR Fund goes to work once an official disaster declaration has been made by the governor for the county or counties impacted by a natural disaster. Eligible farmers, ranchers, producers, and agribusinesses can submit an application for cost reimbursements to TDA. Applications are accepted 90 days after the date of the Disaster Declaration. Assistance from the STAR Fund is offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so getting applications in early is important. Money from the STAR Fund may be used to assist in rebuilding fences, restoring operations and paying for other agricultural disaster relief costs needed to rebuild agricultural operations. In the past the STAR fund has assisted with the replacement cost of barns, feed, debris removal, carcass removal, small pond/dam repair and

fences. If you or someone you know live in a county impacted by the Wildfire or Severe Weather Declarations issued in April, applications for the STAR Fund are being accepted now. The application deadline for those affected by wildfires is Wednesday, August 3, 2022. Application deadlines for those affected by the severe weather are Monday, August 8, 2022. TDA Commissioner Sid Miller urges anyone needing assistance to apply stating, “Every day, we depend on farmers and ranchers to provide our families with the healthy food and warm clothes that sustains our lives, and now is the time for Texas producers to lean on us.” A farmer and rancher himself, Commissioner Miller knows what it is like to be hit by severe weather and natural disasters. “This is not a handout, rather it’s a helping hand. I hope people will take advantage of these funds if you need them.” There is a critical way all of us who rely on farmers and ranchers can support our state’s producers recovering from this year’s natural disasters; donate to the STAR Fund. The private dollars funding this vital support system jumpstarts our agriculture industry after a natural disaster. Since 93% of all Texas farms and ranches are family owned, donations go directly to the families working hard each day that provide our food and fiber. Texas still has the summer storm season to go through and with hurricane season right around the corner, having a healthy fund available for relief efforts is incredibly important. “The STAR Fund is a great way to give back to our agriculture community,” shared Commissioner Miller. “All donations are tax deductible and 100% of all donations will be distributed those who were impacted by natural disasters.” Commissioner Miller specifically noted his thanks to Cavender’s and the Tractor Supply Company for their generous donations to the STAR Fund this year. “The contributions from these industry partners are so important to recovery efforts and the local communities. These donations are going to help a lot of farmers and ranchers.” If you or your company would like to make a tax-deductible donation to the STAR Fund, or if you would like to see if your county was included in the declarations and apply, visit the TDA website at TexasAgriculture.gov or go directly to: https://www.texasagriculture.gov/ Home/ProductionAgriculture/DisasterAssistance/STARFund.aspx You may also contact our Grants office by phone at (512) 463-6695 or by email at STARFund@Texas Agriculture.gov

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Ag Mag RECIPES

Baja Style Shrimp Street Tacos These tacos combine shrimp with the tropical flavors of the region and are served in the traditional form with a double corn tortilla wrap.

Serves 4

Ingredients 1½ POUNDS medium size Texas Wild Caught Shrimp, peeled and deveined ½ TEASPOON dried oregano leaf 1 TEASPOON kosher salt ½ TEASPOON chili powder ½ TEASPOON black pepper 1 TABLESPOON olive oil 16 small corn tortillas ½ CUP cherry tomatoes, quartered ½ CUP avocado, peeled and diced ½ CUP pineapple, diced ½ CUP pickled red onions (see recipe) ¼ CUP radish, thinly sliced 1 serrano chile, very thinly sliced ¼ CUP fresh cilantro leaves, chopped ½ CUP crema Mexicana *optional (or sour cream thinned with a little water or lime juice) ½ CUP salsa

Quick Pickled Red Onions Ingredients

½ CUP cider vinegar 1 TEASPOON salt 1 TABLESPOON sugar 1 red onion, peeled/sliced A SMALL PINCH dried oregano leaf 1 TEASPOON lime juice ½ CUP pickled red onions (see recipe)

PREPARATION • In a small sauce-pan, heat the vinegar, sugar, oregano and salt to a boil and immediately remove from the heat. • Place the onions in a jar or glass bowl and pour the hot liquid over the red onions. Add in the lime juice, stir and allow to sit for at least one hour.

Preparation • Peel and devein the shrimp and place in a small bowl. Toss the shrimp with the oregano, salt, chili powder and pepper. Allow the shrimp to sit for ten minutes for flavors to develop. • Heat a charbroil grill to medium high. Brush the grill with a little olive oil to keep the shrimp from sticking. • Place the shrimp on the grill and cook for three to four minutes per side turning once, or until the shrimp curls and turns pink, and the center is no longer translucent. • Remove the shrimp from the grill and keep warm. • Heat the corn tortillas on the grill turning over once, until they are pliable. Remove them from the grill and wrap in a towel to keep warm. • Stack two corn tortillas and top with three or four shrimp each. Then allow your guests to assemble their own tacos by garnishing as desired with the remaining ingredients.

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Spicy Texas Gulf Shrimp & Rice Noodle Bowl Serves 4

Ingredients 1 POUND large sized Texas Wild Caught Shrimp, peeled and deveined spicy shrimp marinade (see below) 1 TABLESPOON vegetable oil 1 (8 OZ PKG) dry vermicelli rice noodles 1 CUP nuoc cham sauce (see below) 8 green leaf lettuce leaves, washed and torn 1 CUP cucumber, sliced 3/4 cup carrot, shaved ½ CUP red cabbage, shredded ½ CUP red bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced ½ CUP salted peanuts, chopped ½ CUP mint leaves, torn ¼ CUP cilantro leaves, torn 1 jalapeno, sliced thinly (optional)

Preparation • Place the shrimp in a medium size bowl and toss with the spicy shrimp marinade. Let them sit for about ten minutes for the flavors to meld. • Pre-heat a charbroil grill to medium high and brush the grates with a little oil to keep the shrimp from sticking. • Grill the shrimp for three minutes on each side or until they turn pink and curl and the center is no longer translucent. • Remove the shrimp from the grill and keep warm. • Cook the rice noodles according to the package directions, after they are cooked drain the water completely and rinse to cool. • Divide the noodles between four serving bowls and drizzle each with a quarter cup of nouc cham sauce. • Divide the remaining ingredients between each of the four bowls by placing the garnishes on top of the noodles. • Finish the bowls by topping with the reserved warm grilled shrimp divided evenly between the bowls.

Spicy Shrimp Marinade

Nuoc Cham Sauce

Ingredients

2 TABLESPOONS sambal 1 TABLESPOON honey 1 TEASPOON kosher salt ½ TEASPOON ground black pepper

2 CLOVES fresh garlic, peeled and minced

PREPARATION • Mix all ingredients together in small bowl.

½ CUP hot water 3 TABLESPOONS fish sauce ¼ CUP sugar 6 TABLESPOONS fresh squeezed lime juice 1 clove fresh garlic, minced PREPARATION • Mix all ingredients together in small bowl. 1 serrano chile, minced M AY / J U N E 2 0 2 2

England’s Expanding

aving something special is nice. Realizing it, using it and bringing something to fruition because of that is an amazing trip, as the England family will more than likely attest to. In 2020, when the world shut down during COVID, the England Cattle Co. Beef got creative to stay in business. It was a necessity. “We had several calls from friends/family looking for a fat steer to harvest and fill their freezer. When the general public found us online and started calling, that got us thinking that there was something here,” Brooke England said. “The freezer-beef concept was not new to us … however, the customer base was very different. In our first year, we sold mostly steers ‘on the hoof’ in quarters and halves to our

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customers who would then work directly with a local butcher to process the beef. “ That something they had, and saw was special, once they created their plan and worked it. “Throughout this time, we had the public calling almost daily looking to just buy a few cuts at a time,” Brooke said. “We hated turning people away, thus began the search for a USDA-certified processor which would allow us to sell retail cuts.” Mike and Elizabeth “Crickett” England founded the England Cattle Co. in 1984 on 40 acres of the “Crickett’s” family homestead in Mercedes. There they raised commercial Brahman-influenced cattle. The home place, built in 1907, was settled by Crickett’s grandparents and has since had three generations of Brahman breeders living on the ranch.

In 2021, the Englands went into partnership with their son, Benton, and daughter-in-law Brooke to form England Cattle Company, LLC. Two things inspired the family to start a farm-to-table beef program. The COVID-19 pandemic was the first. The second was financial-based.

Those interested can find more information at Englandcattleco.com. To place a beef order, email beef@ shopenglandcattleco.com or call (956) 514-4991.

“Brahman steers take a huge hit at the sale barn, bringing on average 40 cents to sometimes even up to 60 cents lower than commercial steers. With the demand for our beef at a high, this prompted us to get creative and start to feed out our own steers to supply our ranch-raised beef program,” Brooke said. “As a result, we were able to increase the profit margin on our purebred steers and still provide a quality product to our customers.” England Cattle Co. and Benton began raising registered, Polled, Grey Brahman cattle in 2011. “The decision to focus our efforts on Polled, Grey Brahman genetics has allowed us to tap into a niche market, giving our business a competitive advantage within the Brahman breed,” Brooke said. “Since building our registered, Polled Brahman herd, we now utilize innovative and progressive technologies including embryo transfer, artificial insemination and in-vitro fertilization to produce top-quality replacement females, herd sires and show prospects for cattle producers across the world. “Since 2017, we have held the No. 1 spot as the largest breeder of Polled Brahman cattle in the USA.” The Englands have faced hurdles, the biggest being distance. To sell retail, animals must be harvested at a USDA-certified facility, the closest processing plant three hours away from their headquarters, which presents a scheduling challenge and increases both fuel and labor costs. However, the successes outweigh it all. “We have the best customers,” Brooke said. “Support from the local community has been wonderful. Most of our beef is sold by word of mouth and at Farmers’ Markets.”

The family expects, however, to grow their company by creating multiple podiums and making it easier for consumers to purchase England Cattle Co. products. It’s all about having a plan, and working the plan. Those future plans are broken into three phases. The first phase includes expanding their office space to include a retail store for their beef. They hope to have the store completed within the year. “Next, our goal is to build an online store and offer door-to-door shipping to expand our sales outside of the RGV,” Brooke said. “In the next 5-10 years, we set the goal to have our beef in local stores and restaurants.” “With God’s will, the dream will come to fruition.”

Customers can purchase custom-cut sides of beef, beef quarters and individual retail cuts. During certain times of the year, beef boxes are also available.

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FARMERS, CONSUMERS FEEL THE SQUEEZE OF INFLATION BY RUSSELL BOENING Texas Farm Bureau President

Russell Boening of Poth grows feed grains, cotton, watermelons and wheat, as well as operating a 450-cow dairy with his brother and father and a beef cattle operation.

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Texas farmers and ranchers are paying more at the grocery store, just like everyone else. We see the higher cost of food. The numbers tell the story. The price for groceries jumped 1.4% in February and 8.6% over the past year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. The increases seem a bit high? They were. The monthly increase was the largest in about two years, but the 12-month increase was the biggest since the period ending April 1981.

true nearly 60 years later, “The farmer is the only man in our economy who buys everything at retail, sells everything at wholesale, and pays the freight both ways.” It’s a perilous time for U.S. agriculture. Production expenses are forecast to increase 5.1% this year. This follows a 9.4% increase in nominal expenses in 2021. Some production inputs, such as fertilizer, are

It all helped drive an overall hike in the Consumer Price Index of 7.9% over the past 12 months, also the largest in 40 years. Dollars are being stretched. It’s not an easy time for anybody. The common assumption is that farmers and ranchers must be benefitting from the higher prices at the grocery store. Not so much. For every dollar American consumers spend on food, U.S. farmers and ranchers earn just 14.3 cents, according to the most recent report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service. The farm share of the food dollar is the share received by farmers from the sales of raw food commodities. The marketing share (85.7 cents) is the remainder accruing to food supply chain industries involved in all post-farm activities that culminate in final market food dollar sales. The increase in food prices we’re seeing now at the grocery store are reflections of higher expenses in the food supply chain beyond the farm and ranch gate. The increased costs range from energy to labor to raw materials. Always remember that entities beyond the farm and ranch can pass their higher costs of business to the consumer. Farmers and ranchers cannot. The higher costs for fuel, fertilizer, water, equipment, seed and crop protection chemicals being paid by the farmer and rancher are absorbed by the farmer and rancher. The slim margins of profit shrink as each price increase is absorbed.

RUSSELL BOENING Texas Farm Bureau President

200-300% higher in price than a year ago. The extremely high costs are not sustainable. How many businesses can absorb these types of increases? As an agricultural economics graduate of Texas A&M University, I understand the financial dynamics and risks of modern agriculture. It doesn’t make it any easier, though, to withstand the headwinds of today’s economy.

The quote from President John F. Kennedy still holds

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ERNANDO

EREZ

Tell me something about yourself? Where did you grow up, family history, etc.? I am Fernando Perez, retiring Ag Teacher from Mission Veterans Memorial. I have taught a total of 25 year in the Mission CISD School District. Seventeen years in elementary education (2-6) and eight years in high school agricultural FFA. We teach students across the curriculum no matter the various differences and similarities. I grew up in northern Starr County in a small rural and agrion community of San Isidro. La Reforma Ranch to be exact. I attended elementary and part of junior high school at San Isidro and when I passed to 8th grade, our family moved into Edinburg for allowing my siblings to attend college. Since, I am the youngest of my family, number ten; Yes, we were a dozen. I did not adjust well to city life, so every weekend or any opportunity to return back to the ranch, I took advantage on lining up rides to and from locations. My dad was a farm worker and mom took care of the household with occasional chores to add to the income and necessities. Undoubtedly, life was tough, but we managed. I recall a few occasions of traveling to California as migrates in the 50’s and 60’s as a few pictures surfaced sometime back. Needless to say, it was an interesting finding. Today, I am a college graduate - Texas A&M University-College Station. Class of ’88. Recently, we love to travel during the week off every year, to destinations like Colorado and Montana. Hopefully, Wyoming will be on radar. Pure savings and investments to enjoy.

Tell me how long you were an ag teacher? By TEA title; eight. But, if you ask me, the ag objectives are embedded into science, math, reading and history courses in many lessons and activities throughout the timelines of learning. I recall many topics such as the water cycle, life cycles of plants and animals it’s kingdoms and all the living organisms in the soil. Studying the weather was my favorite by recording and making weather instruments to collect date and apply the principles of nature we adjust to daily. Growing a garden and growing plants in a plastic bag and napkin were a great lesson. Obviously, in high school Ag Classes it is more structured and exciting. The hands on approach is always best for learning.

Where did your love for Ag start? That must have started way back in my childhood days… perhaps, first or second grade. This may have been when my dad took me with him to plant, cultivate and/or harvest the crops that were ripe. Spent many days on the tractor with my dad and occasionally would be allowed to take the wheel and with his guidance

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drove the machinery very carefully. This only transpired during the weekends and/or the holidays because they knew that my education mattered. I will always continue to be art of the agricultural sector is some form or fashion.

What was a lesson a student taught you? Although, we may not like to admit it openly; we are lifelong learners, and I would say we both learn from one another both directly and indirectly. Yes, we say that planning is key to the teaching process and the delivery must be taught in a certain manner as it should. However, sometimes it may be learned off script and yet professionally. The one that sticks on my mind is AirDrop? A simple phone application that transfers a photo or document to another electronic device by Bluetooth. These kids know too much on their handheld devices that I may never know in a lifetime. Technologies are everywhere and aren’t going nowhere.

What was a lesson you always tried to teach your students? As stated before, on technology and the advancement there of, the ones I stress or convey to students is that moral values and life’s virtues these are important to believe. Honesty, hard work ethics and perseverance are part of their life’s encounters. Believing and committing to meeting and/or exceeding personal goals are critical throughout life. Animo y Ganas are a must and are stressed throughout any application of daily life. Managing of personal time and getting assistance to accomplish the goal or task on hand is necessary at time and we must not be fearful to use it if need be.

What was the most challenging thing? As teachers there it’s always a time factor. The planning and preparation for the piece of the lessons to come together. As Ag Science Teacher that task is tenfold as a faraway location or planning months

ahead of the event and travel approvals in place to prepare and acquire the funding for such in a timely manner. It must be done for the safety of all district personnel and students. Most recent with covid19 protocols and such. WE must make time to get much of our chores done no matter the circumstances.

What was the most rewarding? Every day is an opportunity for learning. Yes, we learn much from books, lessons and presentations but, the ones that are the most rewarding would be the one you strive to learn from within. That’s the Animo affect, going through the desire outcome to a solution comes from the Ganas or the drive. Students need to be empowered to create their own ownership or accountability from within. Students must believe that they can achieve anything to succeed their goals in school and in life. They must understand that their desired outcome may or may not be obtainable unless it is carefully monitored and adjusted. Even if it proves to be unsuccessful, one can still find the learning from that experience. – To me seeing the student work diligently by applying themselves to the process and reaping their reward is my reward. Academic excellence, creation of a welding project and getting accepted to the college of their choice has been my reward. It is always great to hear that one of our students is doing great or graduated from college. I see many former students making a productive living on jobs they like.

What was your favorite part of being an Ag Teacher? Obviously, the classroom and shop on a daily basis. The key is to find the balance of holding the 3 Component Model; 1. Classroom, 2. Leadership and 3. Supervised Agricultural Experience for a solid school based agricultural education as its nucleus. Teaching the students at various events or categories such as CDE, LDEs and Speaking events have been rewarding over the years. It’s the preparation of those events and livestock shows that allow students to learn outside the classroom and compete with their projects at a different level as it develops and grows. Livestock shows are more exciting and competitive. There are no short cuts to hard work and performed ethically. This profession will take you places, you will meet new people with the same interests and/or goals. The industry has dynamically changed over the most recent years with the technologies and research for our sustainability of agriculture to meet or exceed the global population. Attending the National FFA Convention in Lexington, Kentucky was an event my students and myself shall never forget as it was a lifetime experience.

What is one of the biggest changes you’ve seen in children vs when you started? The students overall are more resilient with their efforts to get the work done. I mean that in a good way. They have the ability to or have access to the assignments via google classroom and online mediums. The pandemic sped up the online learning process due to necessity. Prior to the pandemic a few online courses were being developed or used at a minimum. However, after March 2020 until now, much have been online, hybrid in some form or fashion. Granted, this past year, we have gained the student back to in person with a few exceptions. Our Ag Science classes were performed online and shall continue to do so. There were struggles during the pandemic however, now that the student are back in our classrooms, the learning is much better. Students still need to be held accountable for their actions and learning responsibilities. Here is where parents and/or guardians may assist to the improve the equation. It really does take a village to educate a child. The students are amazing…

they just need to be structured, dealt with respect and care on a daily basis. Every child is important, and the relationship is build in respect of self and one another. Easier said, than done, but it can be done on a one-to-one basis.

Who is your mentor? I have had the privilege to have or have met many people that have helped guide, encouraged and put me on the right road that I need to be or stay on. Starting with my parents, who simply asked me to do right, stay the course and get educated for the betterment of me and my future. Furthermore, that everything else shall fall into place thereof. My brothers and sisters cultivated that master plan as I was guided by them as well. Professionally my supervisors and colleagues throughout the years. It was a fine journey. I typically reach out to two individuals in this industry because of their wisdom and know how to deal with any topic with dignity, poise and professionalism. Way beyond my high school days in which I was able to work half day during my senior year and after graduating high school, Mr. Carlos X. Guerra has been there. Stemming back to growing up at their historic La Reforma Ranch, my personal goal was achieved by working in some capacity in my years during and post college years. I truly believe in what he and his family has been able to do for 4-H and FFA students at the local, state and national level for getting a college education. I am living proof of such otherwise there is no way of knowing how my life would have turned out. Another mentor that “I drank the kool aid” is Aaron Alejandro. I recall hearing his name is certain circles at the state level of the FFA organization. I remember hearing him speak of his life and the hardship he had endured with great resilience and a purpose for the FFA Foundation. It was something called emotional intelligence and the power of leadership by influence. The enormous number of resources and sponsorship incorporation to all us stake-holders as students, teachers and FFA enthusiasts are amazing. His leadership skills and professional development programs and events are top notched. The weeklong tour LEAD Experience was an eye-opener for me by gaining valuable knowledge of our state agricultural commodities and resources such as job opportunities for our students in our classrooms. I strongly encourage any AST to take advantage of this experience by investing in self. It’s an awesome and rewarding that will be a great investment of time and knowledge and most of all… it is free !

Favorite quote? Change… In our chosen profession, change is inevitable. Many issues in the global scope have brought about the need to change. We must be able to compete and instruct our students to meet and/or exceed those challenges. We must adapt to the changes now and in the future.

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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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‘ F

Respected actor Denzel Washington once said – this is the abbreviated version –

“ If you hang around five millionaires, you will be the sixth. If you hang around five idiots, you will be the sixth.”

Jennifer Winans has similar advice – but also specific to entering into the cattle business.

Hang around successful ranchers and you could be next.

ind a mentor and pick their brain, ask lots of questions,” said Jennifer who, along with her husband Nick, own and operate Hayhook Ranch, a cow calf operation in Brazoria County. “Visit ranches and see what it’s all about. Have a plan, but be flexible and willing to adjust and try new things. It’s a process that takes time, a process that involves uncontroll able fluctuations, so learn to adjust and save as you go. “Take care of what God has given you and He will take care of you.” The results have been both tangible and intangible, direct and indirect. But, by following a path similar to her advice, the outcome has been blessing upon blessing. Some of those successes, according to Jennifer, include a larger, and healthy, herd, increased acreage and the ability to keep top heifers from calf crop to put back into the herd. They’ve “raised a family with three children and taught them how to work for what they need and/or want, in an honest way, with integrity and character. “God always provides and we have a son who wants to continue the operation one day. Along the way we’ve met lots of great people too.” Nick and Jennifer married in July, 1999. He had a few cows “and I jumped in head first, helping in anything he needed,” she said. “I had a job in my field of study (Marine Biology), but have always had a love for animals, so I enjoyed the cattle from Day 1.”

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Jennifer married into the business. Nick was interested in cattle at an early age, mainly starting in FFA and was following his extended family interests. “He has taught me all I know about cattle,” said Jennifer, the couple being in the business together for 23 years. “Nick had cattle for about 10 years before that, but it was a very minimal herd, since he had a full-time job. He has been in full-time ranching for 17 years now, with no other job outside the ranch.” Days typically are long, but those in the business know this, accept this and do what’s necessary to thrive.“A typical day this time of year is up early, feeding bottle calves at the house (my sole duty with minimal help from others), then checking any animals that may be across at the pens for growth needs or closer observation, plus tending to the feeding of our ranch horses,” Jennifer said. “ Then it’s off to the pastures to check water and cattle, making sure everything is where it should be. Bulls are out for breeding now so we must put our eyes on them as well. “Fences are checked often year round, fixing as needed. Calves are growing well by now and soon to be vaccinated and castrated, as necessary. “We end our days with evening feeding and closing all external gates for the night.” Of course, as times have changed, so has the business from breeding seasons changing from two to one season, to a difference in equipment and produc-

tion needs. “We once owned our own hay equipment and produced all our own hay, plus did custom hay jobs, locally. As we have increased the herd, it was more beneficial to spend more time on the cattle and hire out the hay production side of the operation,” she said. “We also went from owning bulls, to leasing bulls, and now back to owning them again. A major shift is from taking calves to the sale barn at weaning age to private buyers purchasing them and hauling them off in 18-wheelers. We have sold our calves to the same ranch for over 10 years.” There are, of course, also challenges – it’s what makes the successes so previous. Land prices have dramatically increased as well as operating costs, fuel prices and hay production costs.

“Plus, the more you have, the more there is to do, and not all people do things the way the owners want things done, or take care of equipment as if it were their own,” Jennifer said. In the long run, however, the positives outweigh the negative and every day brings about more opportunities. That’s something not lost on Jennifer nor Nick. Rewards such as calving season and being able to see the entire process from breeding to new life being born is “amazing and it never gets old.” “We know that God has given us what we have and gives us daily the energy to take care of it all,” Jennifer said. “It is also an honor to grow food for people locally and people across the U.S.”

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Crop Marketing Programs Fixed Price Acreage Contract Standard acreage contract with the commodity price fixed at the time the contract is signed. The best option to eliminate both production and market risk. • Price and acres fixed at contracting • No volume guarantee • Producer agrees to sell 100% of production from a specified acreage at a fixed price • Standard Act of God Clauses

Market Price New Acreage Contract NEW Acreage contract with a market price component. The Act of God clause protects against production risk and the flexible price enables the producer to take more control over the timing on when a price is set. When combined with the price boundary option, downside price risk is protected • At producer’s option, price fixed anytime between planting & up to 2 weeks after harvest • Acres fixed at contracting • No volume guarantee • Producer agrees to sell 100% of production from a specified acreage at price to be determined • Standard Act of God Clauses • Price Boundary Option

Cash Bid NEW Modeled after the traditional grain cash bid system, this provides the producer the most flexibility in how and when to market the crop. • Price fixed in accordance with current bid • No acre guarantee • Volume fixed • Producer agrees to deliver fixed volume at fixed price in accordance with fixed delivery period • No Act of God Clause, but possible to extend delivery period or roll- over contract to following crop year for a fee to be determined

Planting Seed Programs Seed Price NEW

With Sesaco Marketing Agreement

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Seed Treatment Best in class seed protection featuring 4 combined treatments (Fortenza, Apron XL, Vibrance, and Maxim)

Replant Policy Seed purchased for qualified replant is 1/2 price

PEST FORECAST FOR THE LRGV 2022 GROWING SEASON BY DANIELLE SEKULA Cotton Aphids

COTTON

Cotton aphids - We just had a significant peak in cotton

aphids feeding in cotton this first week of May and many growers across the Valley had to control overwhelming populations of cotton aphids feeding heavily on the leaves, stems and squares causing plant leaves to curl and turn yellow and lots of glistening from the honey dew secreted by the cotton aphids. 40-70 cotton aphids per leaf is the threshold to spray prior to cracked boll. After the bolls crack open and your lint is exposed cotton aphid treatment threshold goes down to just 10 aphids per leaf to avoid having them feed heavily that they excrete honey dew in which black sooty mold might grow and potentially stain the cotton lint. Generally, though aphids are an early season pest in the LRGV causing most damage during seedling and squaring stages and rarely become a problem in mature open boll cotton.

Fleahopper

Fleahoppers - We have cotton that will be squaring for the next 3 weeks in the LRGV. Fleahoppers feed on the young squares drying them up and causing them to fall off (this is called blasted squares) and cotton can lose potential yield the first 3 weeks of squaring from their feeding. Fleahopper adults have long antennae and are a ghostly green in color while the nymphs are a bright neon green. So far, we have seen very little to no fleahoppers present and hopefully it will continue to be like that. Whiteflies -

Along the river I believe we will start to pick up on whiteflies sometime in June and will have to be cautious to keep pressure down. Whiteflies excrete a sugary substance called honey dew as they feed and it is the black sooty mold that grows on this that causes staining in the cotton lint once bolls open and especially after a rain degrading the fiber quality.

Verde plant bugs & tarnished plant bugs -

Whiteflies Verde Plant Bug

Tarnished Plant Bug

Along the coast in the Rio Hondo, Los Fresnos, Bayview and then further inland to Harlingen, Combs, and Santa Rosa areas we will have to be monitoring for Verde plant bugs & tarnished plant bugs in June. It’s a general rule of thumb that we will find Verde plant bugs & tarnished plant bugs present in mature sorghum. Once sorghum is harvested, they will migrate into nearby cotton fields and infest them to feed on young soft cotton bolls. This year we have lots of sorghum growing and as it matures and senesces in late June, we will have to be on the lookout for Verde & tarnished plant bugs migrating into cotton. Verde plant bugs and tarnished plant bugs when feeding will pierce immature bolls and squares with their mouth parts causing boll malformation to complete fruit loss.

Chilli thrips - Another potential pest that we may see infest cotton again this year are chilli thrips. These thrips were noted 44

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Cotton defoiated by Thrips

for the first time in cotton in 2020 in June and populations significantly increased by July causing heavy defoliation of leaves prior to harvest in many locations across valley in 2020. Chilli thrips populations were very low in 2021 last year being found only along the river and hopefully that will be the case for this year. We will just have to wait and see what happens, but it is noted as we have been monitoring them all year that they seem to become present during extremely hot weather late in the season (late June into July). Like other thrips species, they have piercing-sucking mouthparts used to extract contents from individual plant cells. This feeding causes characteristic bronzing and may also lead to cupping or other distortion of leaves. Severe feeding causes bronzed leaves to become brittle and drop from the plant.

SORGHUM

Midge - Midge in sorghum is also a major concern for the month of June. We are barely the beginning of May, and we are just beginning to see some flowering sorghum and have only picked up on a couple of midge. We have many sorghum fields that have yet to bloom and are still in the pre booting stages but hopefully many will be ahead of midge pressure once midge do become abundant. Checking sorghum daily during flowering in the month of June is key to avoid damaging yield losses. When sorghum is flowering the female midge will lay ≈ 50 light yellow eggs in the flowering spikelets. Larvae emerge in 2-3 days and feed on the undeveloped kernel, and they have a generation every 14-16 days after that. Midge’s 1-day adult life span means daily monitoring - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. If midge numbers exceed 1 per head while sampling throughout field, consider control. In the Valley we start really monitoring for midge after May 10th and potential for midge pressure increases as we head into June. Armyworms & headworms - We are the first week of May and have not seen any significant armyworm pressure in the Valley’s sorghum which is good because in 2021 we had lots of armyworms feeding in the early foliage and then saw significant populations in the soft dough stage. Corn earworm have been reported feeding heavily in non-bt corn this year so will need to be on lookout for potential corn earworms feeding from bloom to soft dough stage in the sorghum. When scouting for headworms in your blooming -soft dough sorghum its always best to take a white 5-gallon bucket to the field and bang heads in bucket to see what kind of headworm pressure you have and if you have 1-2 worms per head you are seeing that justifies treatment. Sugarcane aphids – We are barely starting to see some sugarcane aphids in the sorghum this first week of May. Last year in 2021 we had very low numbers all throughout season up until late June where we had very high sugarcane aphid pressure right at harvest time. The good thing is we have many tolerant/resistant varieties growing and will just have to be vigilant monitoring in the month of June to keep sorghum clean of sugarcane aphids and the honey dew they produce prior to harvest so as to not clogged up the combines. Rice Stinkbugs - Last year in 2021 rice stinkbug pressure was significantly high in mid-May. Hopefully that won’t be the case this year. Rice stinkbugs like to feed on the soft dough stage, and you scout for them the same way you would headworms by beating the heads in a bucket and counting how many you got averaging how many per # of heads you banged. Economic threshold for rice stinkbugs if you figure you have a sorghum field with seeding rate of 65,000 heads/acre is about 0.47/

head economic threshold to control. So generally, if I’m seeing about 1 per head that warrants treatment.

SESAME Sesame leafroller -

Sesame leafroller was a significant pest in 2020 and was especially damaging to later planted sesame. Sesame leafroller larva are yellow-green to green in color with black spots and a black head capsule. Larvae are tiny when they hatch (0.1cm long) and are feeding machines for the next 10-12 days as they go thru 5 instars (molts) and reach 1 – 1 ½ cm at maturity. Larvae feed on tender foliage, capsules, and shoots. When they feed, they web together leaves and feed in protected “housing” making them a difficult pest to control. As the sesame blooms this growing season we will need to be diligently scouting and monitoring for potential sesame leafroller outbreaks. Earlier planted sesame will likely have lower leafroller pressure and controlling your pigweed (Amaranthus spp.) in and around your sesame fields is important as sesame leafroller like to feed on pigweed as well and we noticed in 2020 that in fields where they were higher in populations there was an abundance of pigweed.

Pest Forecasts & Alerts in real time: 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 link below and follow sign up instructions: https://www.texasinsects.org/south-texas.html For other Pest concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to contact your local Texas AgriLife IPM agent.

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

Rice Stinkbugs

Sesame Leafroller

Midge

M AY / J U N E 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.

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

w ww.te x as f ar m bur ea u .c o m J A N U A RY / F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 9

Reprint from Agri-Life

TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE TICK RESEARCH GETS $1 MILLION BOOST Federal grant seeks novel acaricide, vaccine in fight against cattle fever tick

wo projects by Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists aim to protect the U.S. cattle industry from the emerging threat of pesticide-resistant cattle fever ticks.

Adela Chavez, Ph.D., AgriLife Research entomologist and assistant professor, and Patricia Pietrantonio, Ph.D., an AgriLife Research Fellow and professor, both in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Entomology, each received a U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture grant directed at creating new ways to prevent tick infestations and protect Texas cattle from the diseases spread by cattle fever ticks. Cattle fever ticks represent one of the greatest threats to the U.S. cattle industry. The ticks carry parasites and bacteria that cause deadly diseases, including bovine babesiosis and anaplasmosis. A few treatments but no effective vaccines exist for these diseases. The Texas cattle industry urgently needs new technologies to combat these ticks, and the grant-funded research at AgriLife Research responds to the needs of the industry, said Phillip Kaufman, Ph.D., head of the Department of Entomology. Pietrantonio received $625,000 for a three-year study to identify synthetic molecules that can be developed into treatments that kill cattle fever ticks but are nontoxic for livestock or humans. Chavez received $530,405 for a two-year study focused on creating vaccines for cattle. “These studies have enormous implications not only for the cattle industry, but also for our overall biological understanding of ticks,” Kaufman said. “Novel research like this is challenging, but it is vitally important for the future of animal and human health.”

Cattle fever ticks threat reemerging Ticks and tick-borne diseases significantly affect livestock globally. Tick feeding can reduce milk production and weight gain, damage hides, and cause anemia or even death. Beef cattle and calf sales are Texas’ No. 1 agricultural commodity and generate about $8.5 billion annually. Worldwide, ticks cause an estimated $18.7 billion in economic losses each year. Cattle fever tick eradication efforts began in 1906 and were officially eradicated in the U.S. in the early 1940s. But cattle fever ticks are still common in Mexico. They are an increasing threat to cattle producers because they are developing resistance to acaricides, the primary method to control them. Ticks with resistance to permethrin, an acaricide not used against cattle fever tick in Texas but used

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widely in Mexico, has been found in Texas, despite tick quarantine efforts. However, the ticks have been shown to be resistant to many other acaricides outside the U.S., raising the threat to the cattle industry. Cattle fever ticks also infest wildlife, such as white-tailed deer and other exotic animals, including nilgai antelopes present in South Texas. The movement of animals carrying ticks across the U.S.-Mexico border is a constant menace, as cattle ticks could become established and possibly transmit disease-causing pathogens to cattle herds. Tick resistance to acaricides makes it imperative to develop both anti-tick vaccines and new anti-tick treatments that are safe for vertebrate animals.

Vaccines to protect cattle Although some vaccines have shown partial protection, Chavez said genetic differences between tick populations reduce the vaccines’ efficiency. Her project will examine the potential use of substances from tick salivary glands and midguts as vaccine candidates. Specifically, the study will focus on small particles, called extracellular vesicles, in the salivary glands and midguts of ticks. The team will examine the extracellular vesicles for proteins that cause immune responses in cattle and deer. The team will conduct these studies on two very different tick species, the cattle fever tick and the lone star tick. Proteins that cause immune responses will then be used to generate artificial vesicles that can be mass-produced and commercialized to create a vaccine protective against different tick species. Effective tick vaccines will decrease the impact of ticks and tickborne disease on cattle, Chavez said. She added that the study could also provide information applicable to other delivery systems, potentially impacting both animal and human health.

“We’re creating something new,” Chavez said. “Everything we are doing is experimental – extracting the molecules, identifying the proteins in ticks to exploit, and creating artificial vesicles to then produce a vaccine to validate. It is exciting to think about the potential, but there is much work to be done.” This project also involves Tammi Johnson, Ph.D., assistant professor of wildlife disease ecology in Texas A&M’s Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management, and Don Thomas with the USDA-Agricultural Research Service.

Acaricides to disrupt ticks As cattle fever ticks blood-feed on host animals, they transmit bacteria and parasites in their saliva. Pietrantonio said her project focuses on producing chemical molecules that selectively disrupt ticks’ ability to bite and feed.

In addition to Pietrantonio, the project includes three USDAAgricultural Research Service collaborators working on cattle ticks: Perot Saelao, Ph.D., Kevin Temeyer, Ph.D., and Don Thomas, Ph.D. The team also includes Dwight Baker, Ph.D., senior research scientist in the laboratory of James Sacchettini, Ph.D., in the Texas A&M Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. The team members have complementary expertise in tick toxicology, physiology, genomics and chemistry. “There is so much we do not know about ticks or their physiological and biological processes at the molecular level,” Pietrantonio said. “These are long-haul experiments to identify genes and receptors and critical tick processes we can disrupt and novel molecules that we can use safely.”

This multidisciplinary project will evaluate small molecules discovered in Pietrantonio’s lab that act against a tick-specific protein and are not toxic to vertebrate cells. Researchers will also investigate tick physiology to identify tick hormone receptors that could be interfered with by small synthetic molecules that will be deadly, but only to ticks. Pietrantonio’s team will screen thousands of synthetic molecules using state-of-the-art technologies to identify molecules that may be deadly to ticks. The project will produce new molecular knowledge of tick physiology and endocrinology with the goal of killing ticks or reducing the number of eggs the females produce, which in turn will decrease population size.

Adela Chavez, Ph.D., is expanding her tick research to seek a vaccine to treat cattle infected by cattle fever ticks. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Laura McKenzie)

Cattle fever tick populations with resistance to acaricides are a growing concern within the Texas cattle industry. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo)

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2022 STAR GALA at LA MUNECA

NRCS District Conservationist, Chris Morgan, presents a NRCS partner sign to Alex and Casey for Moon Dog Farms.

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reprint from The Packer

BY MORGAN THOMAS

FEED & FUEL PRICES AREN’T THE ONLY THING RISING… What the rise in the average age of US Farm Producers means for the future of production agriculture.

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s a sixth generation south Texas cattle rancher, there was never a doubt in my mind that I wanted to continue to play a part in my family’s operation to ensure its prosperity for generations to come. But you would be surprised to know that this isn’t always the case in other scenarios. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2017 Census of Agriculture, the average age of US Farm Producers in 2017 was 57.5 years, an increase from 56.3 in 2012. This increase is one that should catch the attention of producers around the country. Why is that? With the rising average in the age of producers and the lack of new producers joining the scene- we run into a supply issue with simply not enough young blood to make up for those retiring from production agriculture. Although this statistic is relatively dated, the frightening thing about it is my guess is this number has only risen since 2017. With the increase in terms of modernization and individuals not wanting to return home to production agriculture or simply can’t afford to with the rising operational costs, producers are left with no option but to sell their operation with nobody left to pass it down to within their own family. But what can we do as the younger generation to help combat this?

Gone are the days of single income households or businesses, it is time to get creative. If the COVID-19 Pandemic taught us anything, it is that we literally have the world at our fingertips. Take a chance on that small business idea that you’ve been throwing around for years, start up a small marketing company- diversify your income portfolio. This in no means makes up for the multiple financial risks you take when involved in production agriculture, but it does give you some stability in terms of a consistent cash flow. Production agriculture is not for the faint of heart, but the opportunities and rewards that it gives those who stick with it- far outweigh the bad. Growing up, I remember hearing stories of hard times our ancestors faced, but they got through it. They stayed true to their roots and values for the betterment of this industry. So why aren’t younger generations returning back to production agriculture? Is it the operating costs? Too much liability? Too much work? Or simply too much responsibility? I’ll let you draw your own conclusion. Agriculture today doesn’t look the same as it did 25 years ago, so it definitely won’t look the same in 2050. Let’s embrace modern technology, embrace what challenges this world throws at us and embrace our heritage. Together, we can make tomorrow better than yesterday and help recruit and retain individuals in production agriculture.

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BUSINESS MATTERS BY EDDIE GARCIA

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n agriculture and in life, we all want the best price possible for the products we produce or the services we provide. We understand markets fluctuate, but at the end of the day we want a fair shake and to know that the basic business fundamentals are not being manipulated. The cattle industry finds itself divided over new legislation that is aimed at addressing the inequities within the fat cattle trade. The Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act is currently making its way through the Senate and House of Representatives. The bill is designed to mandate that a minimum threshold of all fat cattle be sold on a negotiated basis. It also implements a price contract library that makes more information regarding grid prices available to the general public. Proponents of the bill argue that the four large meat packers have to much leverage and are driving the cattle industry towards a vertical integration model with the use of “AMA’s” alternative marketing agreements. They fear the lack of negotiated trade that is currently taking place will hurt the future of the smaller mid-level feedlots and those independent cattle feeders. Both who are vital to our industry because they add value to the calves you produce.

These basic fundamentals that I witness every Tuesday should permeate through all facets of the cattle industry. They should be protected and championed at all cost no matter what method it takes to ensure their future. I write this piece not as someone who has all the answers or knows all the details, but to invoke your thought process regarding this important matter. Do some research, form an opinion, bring it up at the coffee shop, call your congressman, you can make a difference! Like my grandma always told me, “the only life you save is your own,” it is your responsibility to preserve your way of life, without the Producer this industry would cease to exist.

Come visit us up at Gulf Coast Livestock Auction in Alice, Tx Sale every Tuesday @ 10:30 See you at the Gate!

Those who oppose the legislation don’t want to see the government intervene in the cattle markets. Citing unintended consequences and overall distrust in the governments ability to do anything right. Many of the big trade organizations and bureaus are against the current bill as it stands. They understand there are issues that need to corrected but don’t think this the right coarse of action. I understand where both sides are coming from. There are pros and cons to every new piece of legislation. Personally I believe we need to do something, while the current situation maybe sustainable for some, I don’t believe it is for all. Owning the barn in Alice gives me a firsthand look at negotiated trade in the flesh, real-time bidding competition between all sectors of the cattle industry. A true forum where price transparency can be witnessed and attained in a public setting.

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2022

STAR GALA at LA MUNECA

NRCS District Conservationist, Chris Morgan, presents a NRCS partner sign to Alex and Casey for Moon Dog Farms.

2022 RGV LIVESTOCK SHOW All Photos taken by Sierra Franks

The Handy Bt Trait Table for U.S. Corn Production

An up-to-date version of the table is posted at www.texasinsects.org/bt-corn-trait-table.html Editor: Chris DiFonzo, Michigan State University, difonzo@msu.edu Web host: Pat Porter, Texas A&M University

The Handy Bt Trait Table provides a helpful list of trait names and details of trait packages to make it easier to understand company seed guides, sales materials, and bag tags. EPA proposes new rules: As Bt toxins continue to lose efficacy against various pest caterpillars, EPA has been gathering feedback for several years to update rules for reducing the risk of Lepidopteran resistance in Bt corn and cotton. The Agency is now negotiating with the seed industry on the changes that are proposed. Any that are adopted will be phased in gradually as new trait packages get released or current packages are re-registered.

A few highlights of EPA’s proposal are: ** An increase in the refuge in the bag from the current minimum of 5% to 10% nationwide. My coauthor Dr. Porter points out that an increase in refuge may be problematic in production areas with southwestern corn borer (this insect girdles and breaks stalks before harvest) or where mycotoxins are a concern (the southern US and Great Lakes region) ** Cases of unexpected damage to Bt corn by rootworm and European corn borer were always required to be reported by companies to EPA. Now, unexpected injury from earworm, fall armyworm, & western bean cutworm would also be reported. ** Growers who are out of compliance with refuge requirements will be monitored for TWO years, instead of one.

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Shout-outs for resources related to trapping corn insects: • Great Lakes & Maritimes Pest Management Network (GLMPMN), https://arcg.is/0Lry5a. With the increase in non-Bt corn and potentially earlier flight of southern species north, pheromone trapping is becoming more important. Volunteers enter pheromone trap catches of black cutworm, earworm, European corn borer, fall & true armyworm, and western bean cutworm. The site generates weekly maps. In 2021, there were 1560 locations across six Canadian provinces and four northern states. • Corn rootworm IPM website, rootwormipm.org. This web site is a one-stop shop for info on rootworm biology, efficacy trials, management recommendations, and new findings. It also hosts the CRW Adult Monitoring Network, a multistate project monitoring beetle populations in US and Canadian fields using sticky cards. See the website for how to volunteer in 2022.

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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

M AY / J U N E 2 0 2 2

LOCAL SANTA GERTRUDIS MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT PLACES IN NATIONAL POSTER CONTEST BY MOLLY CHRISTENSEN

ational Association of Conservation Districts (NACD), in partnership with the NACD Auxiliary, recently announced the winners of the 2021 Poster Contest during the 76th NACD Annual Meeting held in Orlando.

Cadence De La Rosa of Riviera won the 2021 Texas Conservation Awards Program Poster Contest put on by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) and the Association of Texas Soil and Water Conservation Districts (ATSWCD) qualifying him for the NACD Poster Contest. Each year the TSSWCB and the ATSWCD recognize and honor individuals that

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dedicate themselves to the conservation and management of renewable natural resources. De La Rosa representing Texas and the Kleberg-Kenedy Soil and Water Conservation District, competed against 21 other students to place 3rd in the 4th-6th grade division of the NACD poster contest. The poster contest celebrated the 2021 NACD Stewardship theme, “Healthy Forest, Healthy Life.” Twelve-year-old Cadence is the son of Gumecindo and Melissa De La Rosa, and the brother of Chloe. He is currently a 7th grader at Santa Gertrudis Middle School. Cadence enjoys spending time with his family and going on vacation. His hobbies include drawing, painting, reading and wood working.

Brooks County Ranchers recognized by Loma Blanca Soil and Water Conservation District #328 BY JESSICA PAREDES

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s we celebrate soil stewardship week the Loma Blanca Soil and Water Conservation District #328 recognizes Mr. David and Mrs. Viola Cantu for their exceptional management on their property in Brooks County and their devoted dedication and love of the land.

Mr. and Mrs. Cantu have been ranching since the beginning of their marriage and they have been married for 54 years! “We have a lot of fun together”, Mr. Cantu says laughingly as he talks to us about when they began with owning 10 acres from their grandmother and grew into leasing 137 acres from brothers and sisters. Reminiscing on the days when Mr. Cantu carried Mrs. Cantu on his back to go see the cows, because the ‘ramadero’ was full of water and they were worried about their herd. Also, when Mrs. Cantu roped a calf when she was 8 months pregnant to doctor it; management and the health of the grass through the soil health has always been a valuable factor in their success over the years for their herd. They share many similarities as a couple: raising their 5 beautiful children who are successful adults, a love for teaching children as professional educators in Donna, Texas for many years and their love for raising cattle in the deep sands of Brooks County has been their life’s passion. Their goals of growing sound and healthy herds has been reached and they began their dream with only 12 original Santa Gertrudis heifers. The Santa Gertrudis breed holds dear to Mrs. Cantu as one of her family members was involved in helping the King Ranch with developing those genetics. They have three herds throughout Duval and Brooks County and their management has proven to be successful with the droughts we have experienced in the past and are currently undergoing. They are constantly improving their genetics by selecting sound bulls that fit their goals. The bulls they have had in the past varied from Charolais, Beef Masters and ultimately their beloved Red Brangus. They have never had to bring in new heifers. They sell calves when calves need to be sold, they manage their cattle as a business and by doing that, they keep the most important factor alive, their grass! Grass growth is one of their keys aspects to keeping a sound herd. Drought is an inevitable condition that has never been overlooked or forgotten when managing the amount of grass growth on their land. Using rotational grazing is vital to the success of the health of the plants and without it, Mr. and Mrs. Cantu would not be leaders in the agriculture industry as they currently are. Learning to read the

land by having partners such as the Loma Blanca Soil and Water Conservation District, Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the USDA-NRCS has helped them improve their management successfully. By participating in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program through cross fences, water well, livestock pipelines and water troughs their management of rotational grazing has proven to be an anchor of success. Love of the land and the love of working cows together has proven that Mr. and Mrs. Cantu have an incredible commitment to each other, to the land that feeds us and the rest of the world. Thank you for being incredible stewards of the land and for teaching us how important management of soil health is. Mr. and Mrs. Cantu your efforts don’t go unnoticed!

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Callie Welty BY KYLIE SELLMAN

High school senior, Callie Welty, is arguably one of the most decorated public speakers in Texas 4-H and FFA. Her passion for public speaking sparked at just three years old when she saw her older friends giving 4-H presentations and immediately knew that she wanted to be like them. Callie was born with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, but she was not afraid of the challenges she faced. At just two months old, Callie’s parents started her sign and oral language therapy. As part of therapy in the years to come, Callie entered her first 4-H public speaking competition which ignited her passion for the contest. Years of delivering speeches across the state proved successful when Callie won the state champion title for both 4-H and FFA in 2020 where she advanced to the national contests, which were unfortunately canceled due to COVID. Callie has won numerous agriscience public speaking contests including the highly competitive San Antonio Livestock Show, State Fair of Texas and Heart O’ Texas Fair and Rodeo. When I asked Callie what her favorite public speaking memory was she said it was the day she won her first San Antonio Livestock Show Public Speaking scholarship of $10,000. She described it as a “truly a great day for my family and I to celebrate the successful team effort we all played a role in.” However, Callie’s success does not end with her own public speaking career. During her high school years, she has hosted public speaking and leadership workshops in an effort to “inspire others to overcome their fear.” To date, Callie has mentored over 300 young people with speech and language and said, “there is no greater joy than to see one of my speakers be inspired by their own winning performances.” When asked what her greatest accomplishment was, Callie replied that she was most proud of her speakers. Her compassion for those she mentors proves that she truly wants success for all. Callie describes her success in public speaking as nothing short of a miracle through the many challenges she has been faced with. In the Fall of 2022, Callie plans to attend Texas A&M University as part of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of 2026 and will be majoring in Agricultural Communications and Journalism. Callie hopes to continue to inspire, mentor and mold young people to be successful not only in public speaking but agriculture leadership as well.

Ag Mag THEAGMAG.ORG

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

Issue 46 of Ag Mag

Articles inside

The Fertilizer Cost and Availability Crisis