Staff Michelle Martin
Matthew 22:37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
A Letter from the Editor I wanted to start this letter from the editor with something funny about my son, or the growing pains of being a first time parent. I feel the need, however, to shift to a little more serious note. As many of you know, most of my family are deceased, so when I moved into my neighborhood several years ago I met a family I now call mine. In fact, there are four of us neighbors who are extremely close, to the point where we can walk one another’s homes without knocking. In August, one of my neighbors received news that shocked her world, and ours. Jennifer has three sons. Her middle son Tyler is 17 and was diagnosed with a brain tumor, stage 4. He needed surgery to remove the tumor, but not all of it could be removed. We were shocked by the news. Being a parent, I couldn’t fathom the pain and uncertainty Jennifer was feeling. It stopped me dead in my tracks. What if this happens to me, to my child? I began to wonder why this was happening to a good family. Why do bad things happen? Why does God allow bad things to happen? Why do you have bad years of failed crops, bad years of showing, and bad years of less than desirable cattle? Why do you lose your job? The Whys are endless, and the question remains - why does God allow bad things to happen? I don’t know; we don’t know. It’s not our job to understand. It is our job to remain faithful. When something bad happens, it can force us to dig deep and find our true selves. It allows us to draw closer to our higher being. When bad things happen, I think we are shaken and we start to look at life from a different perspective. Maybe it helps to see that life is precious. Every day we get so caught up with getting the kids to school, getting to work on time, paying the bills and making dinner that we tend to forget life. Just life. Take time to stop. Enjoy your children because they won’t be here forever. Enjoy the humid mornings and the late nights of work. Enjoy every breath - they are limited. It’s inevitable that bad things will happen, but take life for what it is. Ask God to show you the importance of life and thank Him for what you have. Don’t focus on what you don’t have, or what you could have, or how things would be better if you were in a different position. You are where you are meant to be this time in life for a reason. Enjoy every breath you have, because there are people in this world who would love to have the chance to run the kids to school but can’t conceive. There are people who would love to wake up super early for work, but they can’t find a job. So take a second, step back, and enjoy the day, better yet – seize the day. It is never our job to question why things happen, but to embrace them. I am proud to see my friend Jennifer stand firm and enjoy everyday, even when she is crying on the inside for her son. I am proud of all the people who have stepped up to help a family in need. Tyler, is fighting for his life and getting better every day; he believes God will cure him. In closing, I implore you – I beg of you - enjoy the life you have been given because there are people in this world who are fighting for theirs.
Owner/Creator of AG MAG
Owner/Editor michelle@theagmag.org (956) 330-8870
Al Benavides
Graphic Designer (956) 492-6407
In This Issue: Page 6
Unmanned Aerial Systems for Research and the Precision Management of Crops First Bale 2016 Cotton Mosquitos – from a simple nuisance to a public health concern It’s Stock Show time in Texas! Grass Roots
Page 9 Page 10 Page 13 Page 14 Page 16 Featured Farmer Story
Page 22 Page 27 Page 28 Page 30 Page 32 Page 34 Page 40 Page 48 Page 50 Page 52 Page 56 Page 59 Page 62 Page 68
FIKE Family Foundation
Wylie and producers work together to stay ahead of the weeds Skeet Shoot 2016 All about the Cattle FFA & 4-H Calendar of Activities 4-H Hoedown 2016 How the valley was built
Texas Olive Growers Novel Planting Design La Muñeca Field Day 2016 A Story that is seldom told Beyond the Search Bar USDA Unveils New $328 Million Gulf- Area Restoration Strategy 4-H/FFA Q&A with student Ty G Rhyner You are the Company you keep
Volume 3, Issue 2. November/December 2016. 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 ©2016. To advertise in Ag Mag, call (956) 330-8870 or email michelle@theagmag.org
Unmanned Aerial Systems for Research and The Precision Management of Crops recision agriculture involves the adoption of site specific information aimed at improving the man agement of agricultural systems to optimize input applications such as fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation resources to reduce input costs, maximize crop production, and reduce negative environmental impacts. Agricultural commodity must produce high quality products at low prices while employing environmentally friendly practices. One way to accomplish these objectives is to adopt precision management technology. Precision management of agricultural crops has been proposed for many decades as a technique to encapsulate field and crop information for the development of site-specific management plans to optimize the productivity of every acre within a field. Despite being long recognized as an important practice, the implementation of precision management at the commercial scale has been marginal at best. Recent advances in Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) platforms and sensor technology are now making it possible to readily and accurately assess overall crop growth and health with fine spatial and high temporal resolutions previously unobtainable from traditional remote sensing platforms, at a relatively low-cost. Texas A&M AgriLife, with a long history of research in the development of cropping systems in Texas, is heavily engaged in the development of modern precision management systems using advanced remote sensing technologies and UAS as platforms. “UAVs can provide a real-time view of the field for growers and provide an opportunity to make timely decisions,” said Dr. Jinha Jung, Assistant Professor of Engineering with TAMU-CC. “AgriLife Research, Corpus Christi and Weslaco Centers, have teamed-up with engineers and computer scientists from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi to form a research team dedicated to the development and the integration of precision management tools,” he said. “UAVs make an important contribution to the technological revolution in agriculture. Equipped with several sensors and microcontrollers, NIR and multispectral cameras, GPS receivers and many more, they support farmers in the efficient use of plant protection products,” said Dr. Jinha Jung, Assistant Professor of Engineering with TAMU-CC. The ultimate goal of this research team is to develop tools to facilitate farm managers, crop consultants, and agriculture researchers visualize possible production constrains and propose site-specific solutions to optimize crop productivity. The research team is broken down into the following three working groups to advance their efforts: 1) Sensors and Platforms: This working group (Fig. 1) is responsible for researching and assembling sensors and UAS platforms for the various crops and management objectives. Advanced remote sensors are integrated into both multi-rotor
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and fixed-wing platforms so that autonomous data acquisition missions can be performed to collect high quality remote sensing data. Sensors that have been integrated to our UAS platforms include natural color (also known as RGB, for Red, Green, and Blue) sensors (Canon S110, Sony Nex 7, and Sony RX1R II), a multispectral sensor (Tetracam ADC Snap), and thermal sensors (FLIR Vue Pro and FLIR Vue Pro R). The team is also working on developing a UAS-LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) system based on Velodyne VLP-16 laser scanner and Applanix APX-15 GPS/IMU sensors, and the UAS-LiDAR system is expected to deliver high quality 3D measurements of crops in the field.
Figure 1. Students at Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi working on remote sensor integration into UAS platforms. 2) Data Analysis and Visualization: This working group is responsible for the management of data collected by working group 1 and the processing of these data into georeferenced maps and information that can be interpreted by working group 3. Data collected from UAS platforms are processed to generate various data products including high quality orthomosaic images (Fig. 2) and Digital Surface Model (DSM) (Fig. 3). These data products are then uploaded to the UASHub online collaboration portal (http://uashub.tamucc.edu) so that end users can easily access/visualize the processed data both in 2D and 3D, regardless of computing platforms.
Figure 2. Orthomosaic image example of a rainfed (left) and irrigated (right) cotton cultivar evaluation plot. A total of 450 images were taken over the area, which were then processed (“stitched” together) to form a mosaic image of the entire area. Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Corpus Christi, TX, 2016.
3) Data Interpretation and Application Development: This working group includes a multi-disciplinary list of researchers in areas of crop physiology, plant breeding, soil science, plant pathology, entomology, and cropping systems. The main function of this group is to identify and interpret the biological meaning of the data (maps) and develop the specific solutions or recommendations (prescriptions) for each section of the field.
Figure 3. Example of the Digital Surface Model (DSM, ground elevation + crop height). Images taken frequently are adjusted by the Digital Elevation Model (DEM, ground elevation), resulting in the Crop Height Model (CHM, crop height estimate). Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Corpus Christi, TX, 2015. “Our team’s main objectives are to use UAS to monitor the temporal development of a crop in terms of its canopy development,” said Dr. Landivar. As the crop develops the amount of solar radiation intercepted by the canopy increases proportionally to the size of the canopy, and reaches a maximum at row closure (Fig. 4., phase III). Similarly, plant water use (transpiration) increases with the size of the canopy. Water loss from the soil is high early in the season due to evaporation (Fig. 4., Phase I-II) and decreases significantly as the soil is shadowed (“covered”) by the plant canopy (Fig. 4., Phase III). Understanding this interaction between light capture and water-use-efficiency are key components of an effective crop management system. To monitor the temporal development of crops a field grid is developed. Grids may vary in dimension depending on the objectives of the study and/or intended use of the data. For the evaluation of genotypes and experimental treatments, we use a grid size of 1.0 m2 (Fig. 5). For commercial fields the grid size may range from 1 to 10 acres. Plant growth and health measurements are collected approximately in weekly intervals, for each grid of the field. Canopy cover development is determined by the estimation of growth parameters such as plant height, canopy size, and canopy volume. These factors are readily determined from data displayed in Fig. 3. Digital elevation models are adjusted by ground elevation resulting in the determination of crop height, for every location of the field. Canopy cover is the fraction of an area of the soil covered by green vegetation, while canopy volume (cm3) is the product of plant height (cm), length (cm) and width (cm) of the canopy. These three measurements, which are highly correlated to crop productivity, are used to rank areas of the field to create a provisional ‘yield potential map’. To get an insight into the radiation and water-use-efficiency of a crop, we also estimate ‘plant health’ parameters for each grid of the field. The main plant health characteristics measured are canopy color and temperature. Sensors used in this analysis include a multi-spectral optical sensor and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) is calculated from the multispectral data. NDVI is a parameter that takes into account the amount of infrared light reflected by plants. Healthy (green) vegetation reflects very well in the near-infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum while it absorbs most of the red ‘section’ of the electro-
Figure 4. Time course of development of a cotton crop, from emergence (phase I) to canopy closure at the early bloom stage (phase III).
magnetic spectrum. Disease, nutrient deficiency, and prolonged periods of water stress often results in low NDVI values. Canopy temperature is a simple measurement that has long been associated with plant water status. Plants experiencing water deficit cannot dissipate excess solar energy (i.e. heat) through transpiration, which leads to an increased leaf (canopy) temperature. Thermal infrared sensors are capable of quantifying relative differences in canopy temperature and are used to estimate plant drought stress. NDVI and canopy temperature are related to radiation and water-use-efficiency, respectively. In our system, these parameters are used to adjust ‘yield potential maps’ based on the stress history of individual grids of the field. Fig. 2 above clearly shows the difference in greenness of the canopy in an irrigated (right) and non-irrigated field (left). Temporal data collected on plant height, canopy cover, canopy volume, NDVI, and canopy temperature can be further analyzed to extract certain patterns of growth. Additional features such as growth rate, rate of canopy expansion, duration of growth, etc. are also being used by the team to correlate with maturity indexes and yield estimates. Growth analysis and crop modeling can further refine the identification of elite cultivars.
Figure 5. Example of 1m2 grids over cotton plots. Grid size is determined by the objective of study and/or intended use of the data. Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Corpus Christi, TX (2016). In the past, the acquisition of temporal and spatial crop data was performed by destructive, expensive, and labor-intensive hand sampling techniques. Such constraints often lead to underrepresentative crop information due to limited sampling area and the introduction of possible human errors. When properly equipped with sensors, UAS platforms enable fast and accurate data collection throughout the growing season. Combined with state-of-the-art image processing algorithms, visualization techniques, and geospatial data analysis, UAS offers an innovative opportunity for the development of high-throughput phenotyping and precision agriculture applications. The interaction between genetics (genotype) and environment will greatly affect the phenotype and ultimately, plant productivity. “UAS technology allows for the opportunity for plant breeders and researchers to follow crop development and its responses to environmental stresses. As a result, cultivar development can be accelerated, which will ultimately lead to the improvement of U.S. agriculture and food security,” said Dr. Landivar. The availability of these technologies into precision crop management systems is opening the doors to a new era of agriculture research and crop management in the U.S. and the world, including developing countries. NOVEMBER/DECEMBER
2016
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from a simple nuisance to a public health concern BY Ismael E. Badillo-Vargas, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Insect Vector Biology Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research
T
here are more than 3,500 species of mos- quitoes known to mankind. However, not all of these species of mosquitoes live every where. Despite their different geographical locations, all mosquitoes share certain characteristics.
For example, a single female mosquito can lay hundreds of eggs at a time, which she does in on water. Eggs can hatch in as little as an inch of standing water where the larval (youngster) mosquitoes spend around 10 days feeding on decaying matter and microbes present in their aquatic environment. The larval mosquitoes will then change their form to become non-feeding pupae that also lives in the water. Once the adult mosquitoes emerged from the pupae, both male and female mosquitoes will feed on fruit and plant nectar. But later on, female mosquitoes will also need to blood-feed in order to reproduce. Male mosquitoes do not feed on blood. Female mosquitoes bite using a long, pointed, and serrated mouthpart called proboscis that functions like a straw to drink liquid from
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a cup but to do so by piercing a capillary. Proteins within the blood are need it for her eggs to develop and produce the next generation of mosquitoes. Female mosquitoes are able to lay eggs up to three times before they die. This implies that a single female mosquito needs to bite to blood-feed few times throughout her adult life. Because female mosquitoes are the only ones that bite, they are a nuisance to people, animal husbandry, and/or wildlife depending on the specific mosquito species. These is the case for all species of mosquitoes known. In many cases, people can develop a rash, from moderate to severe, in the area where a female mosquito bit them. Moreover, few species of mosquitoes are far more important than others as they pose a public health concern by carrying and transmitting pathogens that cause serious human diseases. Three human arboviruses that have recently emerge in the Americas and the Caribbean are Zika virus, Chikungunya virus, and Dengue virus. These three human arboviruses are
transmitted by the yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) and the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus). A different emerging human arbovirus, West Nile virus, is transmitted by the Southern house mosquito (Culex quinquefasciatus). When infected by these human arboviruses, people might experience four common symptoms: fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis or redness of the eyes. Diagnosing the correct human arbovirus is difficult due to the similar symptoms they cause. Thus, the only way to correctly diagnosed the cause of a viral infection in a particular patient is through the appropriate testing as medically indicated when requested by a health care provider. In the case of Zika virus, some people infected with this virus are completely asymptomatic (they do not experience any of the four symptoms mentioned before) making it even harder to diagnosed. People traveling to countries where cases of these human arboviruses are known to occur are prompted to get tested to determine if they were infected while abroad. Currently, research efforts in my laboratory are underway to monitor the presence of the mosquito species that can carry and transmit not only Zika virus but Chikungunya virus, Dengue virus, and West Nile virus as well. Mosquito traps have been placed indoors and outdoors of houses in four different communities within the Lower Rio Grande Valley in South Texas. Mosquitoes trapped in these traps are collected weekly and used to determine their species as potential vectors of human arboviruses (Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, and Culex quinquefasciatus). When found, individuals of these three mosquito vector species are send to our colleague and collaborator (Dr. Gabriel Hamer) in College Station who tests them to determine if they are or are not carrying these arboviruses that will threaten people’s health. Our collaborative research seeks to monitor and identify the mosquito vectors and if these human arboviruses get established to inform the pertinent local and state agencies to deploy intervention strategies where and when need it.
Asian Tiger Mosquito
any standing water that serves as mosquito breeding grounds. Zika virus is a serious health concern to pregnant women due to the risk of birth defects associated with it but also to other people as it could be transmitted via sexual contact with someone infected abroad. There have been no reported cases of locally transmitted Zika in Texas so far but we need to remain vigilant and do our part, so don’t get bitten.
Texas residents, including those in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, need to take the necessary steps to protect themselves against mosquito bites, even if we experience a bit of a cool off. It is important to:
1) use mosquito repellent, 2) wear long sleeves and long pants when outside, 3) maintain screens in doors and windows closed at all times, and 4) inspect the surroundings of your house to discard
Yellow Fever Mosquito
NOVEMBER/DECEMBERBER
2016
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bY YVONNE (Bonnie) RAMIREZ
OMEWHERE IN TEXAS--- Well folks, it’s that time of year! Do you smell it, do you feel it? The atmosphere exudes Stock Show Time in Texas! “Well, It’s Steers and Blood, It’s Heifers in the Mud, It’s the Roar of a Showin’ crowd, It’s a Laugh and Chuckle, It’s the Gold in the Buckle, It’s the weekend with no Sleep, But it’s all about the Beef, We’ll Win the next Go’ Round, It’s them Wrangler Jeans, It’s Glue-n-Sheen, It’s Wash, Blow, and Go, It’s the Heat and No Rain, And the Joy and the Pain, And they call the thing a SHOW RING!” What better way to mirror Garth Brooks’ infamous ‘Rodeo’ lyrics and apply that to the much anticipated time of year that stock show families all over our great state anxiously await every year; Stock Show Time! The Heart of Texas Fair in Waco recently wrapped and by the time this article is published the State Fair of Texas in Dallas will have come and gone. Oh, but that’s just the beginning for stock show families across Texas. In the horizon await other Texas major stock shows such as Fort Worth, San Antonio, San Angelo, Houston, Austin and our very own Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show. This is the time that everyone’s hard work and dedication comes to fruition. All the early mornings, late nights, sweat, tears, blood… I remember growing up and showing breeding heifers and market hogs, mostly. I got kicked and drug quite a few times hence the blood and tears reference. My very first year showing a hog I remember crying when I sold her and I was told where she was going. I swore I would never eat pork again in fear that I was eating her… That took about a year and I “grew” out of it; better understanding the cycle and importance of livestock and how they play such a huge role in feeding the world. I never had the most expensive animal in the show ring, but that was ok with me because I knew Champions were made of much more… with lots of love, passion, drive, hard work
and dedication. Well… and a heck of a support team like my parents and my Ag Teacher. My first couple of years showing heifers, they were all home grown from my Welo’s (grandpa) small South Texas “commercial” herd. Showmanship with both my heifers and hogs was a huge deal for me; I really came alive during Showmanship, that was “my thing.” I loved it! To all stock show participants; here’s my advice: Enjoy every minute of the stock show life! There’s a great deal of life lessons and skills to learn from the behind the scenes work at the house with your projects to the registering for these shows, traveling to them, checking in, getting your animal ‘show ready,” to walking in to the ring with them and showing them to the very best of your ability, etc. As glorious as all this sounds, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows, you will have speedbumps… You’re animal may be too light or too heavy right before weigh-in, they could go lame on you on show day, they could go off of feed and/or water, they could get sick or cut themselves, but no matter what happens, keep your head and chin up and don’t give up! Make memories, work with your animals daily, listen to your parents and advisors, meet new people, make friends, network with mentors, take up showing/fitting/feeding seminars and no matter the circumstances, never forget to practice great showmanship as well as sportsmanship, thank your judge: shake his/her hand, congratulate the winner (should it not be you.) And do all of this con animo and alegria (AKA Passion, heart, soul, excitement.. a great cattleman and friend from South Texas always ended his emails like this and that sentiment has always stuck with me) Safe travels amigos/amigas. I wish all stock show participants, parents and 4-H and FFA advisors the very best of luck. Here’s wishsing you much success in and out of the showring! Make history and Be your own legacy!
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER
2016
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Grass Roots
bY KATHRYN BRADY
According to Webster’s New World Dictionary, the definition of grassroots is: 1.) the common people especially of rural or nonurban areas, thought of as best representing the basic, direct political interests of the electorate or 2.) the basic or fundamental source or support as of a movement. And according to my dictionary.com app on my phone an alternate definition is: the agricultural or rural areas of a country. So what does that mean for us this election season and in the future? If we, “the people” as agriculturalists from rural, no-urban areas are defined to be able to make the “best” decision for the whole of the electorate, then, we should, without hesitation practice and participate in our right to vote and to vote for the candidate(s) that best uphold the values for which this country was founded. We should not be afraid to stand-up for and speak out for our beliefs as true patriots, just as our forefathers before us. We must ask ourselves; which candidate(s) are best for agricultural producers and their families? Electing officials who will do a service to the agricultural industry is of the utmost importance as the population of the United States trends away from rural areas migrating toward urban centers. Statistics show that “farm and ranch families now comprise less than two percent of the population” says Gene Hall of the Texas Farm Bureau Which means that the majority of the population resides in urban centers and they represent the majority of the votes. Texas is the second most populous state with the majority of the population centered in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and Austin. That being said, I took a look at the Texas and U.S,
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House of Representatives lists. Out of 150 members in the Texas House of Representatives: thirty-five represent the Dallas area, thirty-four represent the Houston area, ten represent the Austin area and nine represent the San Antonio area. That is more than half of the representation of the entire House serving urban constituents. Similarly in the United States House of Representatives there are 36 congressmen from Texas and eleven represent the Dallas area, eight represent the Houston area, and three represent Austin and three represent San Antonio as well. Again, that is more than half of the Texas delegation to Washington D.C. Conversely, according to the Texas A&M Agricultural and Food Policy Center “agriculture is the second largest income source for Texas with roughly fifteen percent of its jobs and twelve percent of its gross state product coming from agricultural sources”. This means that there are a myriad of issues that are being debated in this election cycle that have an immediate effect on the agricultural industry. Gary Joiner with the Texas Farm Bureau sites the debate over NAFTA and free trade. He states that it is “a global economy. Agriculture is a growth business… they need good deals to remove trade barriers and open up new markets.” The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association adds a few more to the list: locally; fever tick eradication, the Texas Central Railway which ties directly into eminent domain, groundwater ownership. Water is also a federal issue with concerns over the Waters of the U.S., the estate tax, cap and trade, animal disease traceability, animal care and the always hotly debated health care issue. I encourage you to read up on these topics and form your own opinions in order to choose the best person to represent your ideals and beliefs.
We, as the backbone of the country, need someone to represent us who has “an affinity for agricultural issues as well as an understanding of farming and ranching people,” affirms Gene Hall. Not to be too negative about our representatives, I would like to conjecture that we do have several representatives that are champions of agriculture. Texas Farm Bureau president, Russell Boening, acknowledges that Congressman Mike Conaway, Republican representative from Texas District 11 and Chairman of the House Committee of Agriculture spends a lot of time learning out in the field with framers and ranchers and working for farmers and ranchers in DC. And Texas Senator, John Cornyn acknowledges that “no-one is a better steward of the land than those who work the land.” In the Texas House of Representatives, legislatures Tracy King and Mary Gonzalez admit that agriculture is not just a word it is a family sacrifice. We need to continue on this path of teaching those in government and all the citizens of the United States to recognize the importance of agriculture as the sustainability of this nation. After all this country was founded as an agrarian society and can only survive on the backs of agricultural producers.
Please go out and vote on or before November 8th; it is your “unalienable right” as a United States citizen.”
“Now more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature…. If the next centennial does not find us a great nation … it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces”. James Garfield, the twentieth president of the United States, 1877 “We the People are the rightful masters of both Congress and the Courts–not to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution”.
Abraham Lincoln
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER
2016
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Ag Mag Featured Farmer
FIKE FamilyFoundation
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T
here’s an old cliché that two things in life are certain – death and taxes. There’s little doubt that another certainty is that the resilience and determination of a farmer may be greater than any other person’s. Take Michael Fike as an example. Michael Fike came to the United States from Germany in 1835.
Not long after that he settled in Ohio where he purchased 40 acres of land and started farming with his son George. George later had a son named Harry who started a dairy farm. It was a very successful operation. Harry loved cattle and for him, nothing could be better, until he heard about the “Magic Valley.” Then somehow Harry was introduced to the Bentsen family. The Bentsen’s are commonly referred to as the developers and colonizers of Hidalgo County. They grew cotton and a majority of the citrus and vegetables in the area and for across the state. “The Bentsens temped him (Harry) with the ‘Magic Valley,’” said Anna Fike, who married Harry’s son, Willard. “They said all you had to do was put a stick in the ground and it would grow.” The idea of growing rich on citrus was just too much to take and Harry decided to move to Hidalgo County. “That didn’t work out to well,” Anna said. “It takes some time to grown orange trees and he just didn’t have the money to wait for them to produce. The idea of growing oranges and grapefruits and making a bushel of money is what they were hoping for. But they were basing it on prices they paid at the grocery store. It doesn’t work that way.” Instead of packing up and going home, Harry did what he knew how to do and started another dairy farm. As Willard – Anna’s husband – transitioned from helping his dad farm to farming his own land, he began purchasing acreage. First it was 15 acres, then another 15 acres. Along the way he began farming his dad’s acreage – veggies, carrots, cotton and sorghum. After that was completed, an orange grove went up for sale and, finally, the Fikes were in the citrus business.
now you have to fold up all your equipment and go around this stuff and it ends up that we are paying taxes on land that will never make us any more money.” To top that off, fields that used to surround the Fikes’ acreage are now being colonized. “The urban sprawl is trying to push us out,” said Adam. “We have bought a lot of land but every piece we didn’t buy there are houses being built on them.” It’s a new challenge they are facing – but that resiliency and determination hasn’t changed a bit. “Complaining will do you no good unless you are willing to do something about it,” Matt said. “If you’re willing to work, everything is going to be all right.” After nearly 200 years of farming, this challenge too will pass. “One of the best things is that we are a family and we are close knit,” George said. “Everybody knows what we have to do to make the farm run. We work with each other every day, we see each other every day and then we go hunting a fishing together as well. That’s one of the best things about doing what we do – our family is also our best friend.” Our Foundation is built on Family, and it is family that will keep us together and pushing through.
Willard and Anna had four boys – Mike, the oldest, George, Harry and Sam, the youngest. All them also farm, as do their children. To them, the challenges are the same today as they were generations ago. They don’t complain, they adjust. And as for the weather – the crazy heat and sometimes torrential downpours? That doesn’t even concern them. “When you’re a farmer you just deal with it,” said George “Sometimes it treats you nice, sometimes it treats you bad but most of the time you get used to it.” Of course, every once in a while a different challenge will rear its ugly head. That’s what the Fikes are facing now as state and federal organizations have put – and are looking to build more – roads through many of the Fike Farms acres. “They’re trying to put highways through our lands,” said Daniel. “It used to take a certain amount of time to do something and NOVEMBER/DECEMBER
2016
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Congratulations and many thanks
Rod Santa Ana
on your years of Service in Agriculture.
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R
od Santa Ana was born in McAllen. He was a 1972 graduate of McHi, later in 1980 was a cum laude graduate of UT-Pan American now UT-RGV. After graduation he spent years working radio and TV news in the Valley and Laredo as a news announcer at then KRIO-AM-McAllen, B104FM-Edinburg, TV news anchor at KRGV-TV Weslaco, XRIO-TV McAllen, then news director and anchor at KGNS-TV Laredo. Rod also was the host of The Mexican Kitchen from ’95 to 2000, a PBS syndicated TV cooking show that aired nationwide, taped weekly at KMBH-PBS TV Harlingen. Rod began as a communications specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Service in Weslaco in 1988, will retire with 29 years of service.
he
Rod now lives McAllen and has been married 36 years to his wife, Norma. They have one daughter, Denise, assistant state district attorney in Hidalgo County, son-in-law Nathan Coy, surgical device specialist with Johnson & Johnson. One grandson, Bennett Coy, currently 21 months old who majors in being cute, smart and loving. Love to “go owsigh” (outside) w/ Grandpa. In Rod’s retirement he plans to teach his grandson the joy of fishing and RVing. Rod does still plan to freelance write in retirement if and when the desire returns, a desire he has had since childhood. Rod is also the author of The Mexican Kitchen w/ Rod Santa Ana (cookbook, now out of print) and co-author with Karen Fort of Images of America: Hidalgo County (historical book available at Barnes and Noble and on Amazon.com.) So go pick it up! When Rod started in ’88, every newspaper devoted huge efforts and space to agriculture. Now Rod is the only newspaper ag writer in the Valley and one of only a handful in the entire state. Rod says, “Agriculture is like electricity, we take it for granted ‘till it’s not there. But people realize its importance if writers take the time to make the information interesting and understandable. Always strive to do that.” “Can’t believe it’s time to retire, but in another sense, it’s time. I’ve been working in one capacity or another since I was 12, so it’s high time to reclaim my life and live it the way I see fit, which I’ve always managed to do to a great extent, but not to the extent of not having to clock in at work. Look forward to the experience.” Gotta say, “It’s been an honor and a blessing to have worked with so many brilliant scientists, agents and specialists who devote their lives to improving the world’s food supply. There are few more noble callings in life than to help nourish and clothe, our fellow humans on this earthly journey.”
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Pull for Conservation The Valley Land Fund Sporting Clay Event 2016
All about the
Cattle
bY EDDIE GARCIA
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CHOICE BULL+good cow=$CHOICE CALF$ the industry is calling for better cattle, there is a .10 to .25 cent price difference between Choice (#1 class, cattle typically with less ear) Good (#2 class, cattle typically w/ more ear). I’m not trying to promote any breed of cattle, just making suggestions from what I see in the ring and stressing the importance of a great bull.
Same thing for producers trying to decide when to market their livestock. Prices show a little rally so we hold off hoping they get higher only to see the futures give it all up in two days and miss out on the uptick. Best way to make your marketing decisions in my opinion is to listen to Mother Nature, your herd, and understand the law of averages.
I’ve been grading producers checks for the last year and a half. Counting how many different buyers names are on the check. Studying which order buying companies are buying your cattle. I figure how many calves on a producers check sell to industry standards. Divide that number by the total number of head brought in and it gives me a percentage idea of what kind of herd you have. This year the average has been about 40% sell at the top of the market and 60% sell in the middle to lower end, which is still a good price but it could be better. The market and buyers are here, it’s essential that regardless of what the mkt is for that day, that your cattle compete in the ring.
nother big run for us here at the barn. We surpassed our previous total head count of 908 head. GCLA thanks all of our customers for your participa tion at our sale. Market was better in the sense that it was steady and not stumbling. Over the last few weeks futures have posted some positive gains, which helped flick the wrist of the order buyers. They are still cautious though, having played this game of market Jenga before. Positive futures builds up their confidence blocks, then some report comes along that pulls just the right one, and It’s back to picking up the pieces.
Sometimes waiting to get a higher price per pound leads you to less dollars per hd. Especially this time of year, cattle are susceptible to losing weight due to lack of moisture and lower forage values. Be proactive and try and make the best decision most of the time. In every segment of the cattle industry there are so many equations and unknowns that we have to figure out and account for. From the producer to the retailer, our lives are constantly filled with market projections, bottom lines, efficiency costs, all important decisions that affect the success of our livelihood. All of these equations have one common denominator, one simple addition problem that can add up to better results.
Continued Acknowledgement and Appreciation to all producers from all of us at GCLA. The importance of (Ag-in-ur-culture) is something we all inherently feel. It is a way of life where a hand shake and eye contact still matter. Where Last names and reputations are built by stacking experience blocks on the fresh mortar of hard work. Thank you for your dedication... Please visit gulfcoastlivestock.com for mkt report
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FFA&4-H 2 016
RGV
D I S T R I C T
C A L E N
Nov 15, 2016
Nov 22, 2016
RGVLS Time 10:30am
Edinburg Ag Facilities Time 2 - 6pm
Rio Grande Valley District LDE’s Nov 15, 2016
Coastal Bend, La Bahia, Gateway LDE’s RMB Fair Grounds
Nov 19, 2016
Bobcat Showdown RGVLS
Nov 19, 2016
RGVLS GALA RGVLS
Nov 21, 2016
Area X LDE’s TAMUK Time 8am
Hog Validation
Nov 24, 2016
Thanksgiving Holiday Dec 1, 2016
Major Livestock Show Entry Deadline Respective Shows Time 5pm
Dec 2-3, 2016
State Leadership Development Event (LDE) Pre-Lims/Finals Huntsville, TX (SHSU) Time 8am
Dec 3, 2016
Cowboy Classic RGVLS
Dec 8, 2016
RGV District Meeting Mission HS Time 5:30pm
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DA R
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AC T I V I T I E S
Sponsored by:
Nov 5, 2016
Nov 22, 2016
RGVLS Grounds Mercedes Time 8am
Edinburg Ag Farm Time 3-6pm
Nov 19, 2016
Nov 22, 2016
Alice
Extension Office Time 7pm
Commercial Heifer Validation
District Food Show/ Food Challenge Time 9am
Swine Validation
County Council
Nov 20, 2016
District 12 Consumer Decision Making Alice
Time TBA
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Farmers, Ranchers, the Railroad and Water How the Valley was Built
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he Valley’s history is a story of visionary land investors, ranchers who became farm ers, and water that made that land commer cially viable. Farming and water have been pivotal to the Valley. But the railroad and irrigation districts built the Valley.
In 1900, the railroad planned an extension from Houston to Brownsville. A group of St. Louis businessmen formed the American Rio Grande Land and Irrigation Company. At that time, it was the largest privately owned irrigation system in the world. Developers had their eye on the Valley. In 1904, a group of them sold 40,000 acres to the company.
bY DEBRA ATLAS
In 1885, many ranchers began investing in land across the river, trying their hand at agriculture and irrigation. John McAllen, the town’s namesake, had one of the earliest farms – Ramireño, 1½ miles west of Brownsville. Irrigating approximately 90 acres from the river, he grew cotton, corn and sugar cane. Later he diversified, adding flax, hemp, potatoes, tomatoes, melons and other vegetables. As of 1885, he also grew white grapes at his Hidalgo County Santa Anita Ranch, eventually growing over 40 varieties of grapes. A drought that ran from the 1890’s into the early 1900’s made irrigation a necessity.
Before 1904, commercial irrigation wasn’t viable in the Valley. Four things were missing:
French immigrant and landowner George Brulay is considered the earliest irrigator in the Valley and the person who first introduced sugar cane to South Texas. By 1876 he’d built a pumping plant with a 16-inch Atlas engine and two 80-horsepower boilers to irrigate 100 acres of sugarcane. The following year, he installed the Valley’s first sugar mill.
1. dependable transportation (i.e. a railroad line) 2. an efficient means of pumping water over high river banks 3. capital investment to develop irrigation systems 4. a cheap labor force
In 1907 a 500-foot wide strip of land was cleared from the Rio Grande River to the railroad to create a canal system. The following year an irrigation and drainage system, a settling basin and a pumping plant were constructed on the River.
But to thrive, water was crucial for the land.
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By 1927, the irrigation system included three large canals, five pumping plants, reservoirs and an extensive drainage system. That year, a group of farmers who owned property in the area formed the Hidalgo and Cameron Counties Water Control and Improvement District No 9. They purchased the irrigation part of the American Rio Grande Land and Irrigation Company. Sheriff John Closner, who become one of the largest land developers in the Lower RGV, established an irrigation facility in 1893. Irrigation made things possible. But there were problems. Inadequate drainage caused fields to become too alkaline. They wouldn’t support any crops. So in 1905 Cameron County formed the first drainage district to improve the soil. Under the 1889 irrigation law of Texas (revised in 1895), irrigation or land companies established their prior water rights through a “declaration of intent” filed with the county clerk. These included a description of the diversion’s location, the number of acres to be irrigated, the capacity of the main canal and a map.
Since the Board of Water Engineers had no power to deny a certified filing after the 1921 State Board of Water Engineers v. McKnight case, rampant over-appropriation of water continued throughout the Valley. But the over-appropriation issue was finally addressed with the Water Rights Adjudication Act, passed in 1967. It created an administrative and judicial system to help resolve water rights in Texas to stave of lengthy lawsuits. Now any appropriation from a Texas stream must be made by application to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Continuing drought and other natural forces makes life for South Texas farmers increasingly complicated. But as the history of the Rio Grande Valley shows, water makes it all work down here. An environmental journalist and blogger, Debra Atlas is reachable through www.Envirothink.wordpress.com or debraatlas@gmail.com
The problem? Companies inflated the number of acres they claimed to be irrigating well beyond the number they owned or even secured under option. More on this shortly. Farming irrigated land successfully requires good transportation. Most produce, being highly perishable, must be shipped out quickly. Land development companies were invited by the railroad to donate acreage for depots and rights-of-way for the railroad spur that now extended into Hidalgo County. Companies agreed, in exchange for the development of a town with a depot stop. When developers couldn’t pay expenses related to these projects, the railroad offered to pay the costs in exchange for town lots. The St. Louis, Brownsville & Mexican Railroad made such an exchange in the town of McAllen. Water was available. The railroad had its depots. What about the labor force? The Depression saw severe labor shortages. The Bracero Program in 1942 remedied this, allowing farm owners to contract with Mexican workers to clear the land. Flooding in the Valley caused extensive damage to the irrigation systems. The 1909 flood meant that many farmers couldn’t make a profit or pay for their water, taxes or installment payments on their land. The Irrigation Act of 1913 created the Board of Water Engineers and established irrigation districts. It also established a formal process for the appropriation of surface water in the state. The passage of the 1917 Irrigation Act authorized water improvement districts that didn’t include towns or cities unless they requested to be included. This allowed the Board to determine water rights to solve the problem of over-appropriation of the waters of the Rio Grande.
Photos courtesyHidalgo and Cameron Counties Irrigation District #9
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MEETING YOUR N AS THEY GROW From life-changing events to everyday miracles, we’re here to help you protect the people, places and things that matter most. For great rates and no-hassle service, contact us today. 1095 E. Wood Ave. Raymondville, TX 78550
956.689.2113
Les Smith Agency Manager
Scott Gilbert Agent
Aaron Godfrey Agent
Coverage and discounts are subject to qualifications and policy terms, and may vary by situation. Š2015 Texas Farm Bureau Insurance
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e Companies. CAM0215
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2016
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GROW BUILDING A BETTER TEXAS
Ave. TX 78550
13
yday miracles, we’re here to es and things that matter most. vice, contact us today.
EEDS G YOUR NEEDS GROW Why you should join your Cameron County Farm Bureau Scott Gilbert Agent
ger
335 N. Oscar Williams Rd. San Benito, TX 78586 (956) 399-8183
Aaron Godfrey Farm Bureau promotes Agent
Membership Discounts:
today’s farmers ubject to qualifications and policy terms, and may vary by situation. ©2015 Texas Farm Bureauand Insuranceranchers! Companies. CAM0215 ADT Home Monitoring System Support us today! Hotel Discounts Grainger Industrial Supply Discounts National voice of agriculture, KD Loaders es. CAM0215 working through our grassroots organizations to enhance and ert Aaron Godfrey Amusement Park Tickets yday miracles, we’re here to strengthen the lives of rural Agent Insurance Services es and things that matter most. Americans and to build strong, prosperous agricultural communities. vice, contact us©2015 today. Course s, andDefensive may vary by situation.Driving Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Companies. CAM0215 Discounts on Polaris, ATV and UTV General Motors Car and Truck Rebate $500 Case IH Discounts
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Meeting your needs as they grow w ww.texa sfar m bu re au . c om
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Kids, Kows & More Ag Awareness Day, November 1, 2016
District 4-H Food Show November 19, 2016
RGVLS Gala November 19, 2016
Grain Sorghum Indemnity Vote, Dec 5 - 9 at any County Extension Office
Important upcoming dates for Ag Producers:
Contact the County Extension Office for details on any of these events
Brad Cowan, County Extension Agent Agriculture Hidalgo County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service 410 North 13th Avenue, Edinburg, TX 78541 b-cowan@tamu.edu http://hidalgo.agrilife.org o) 956-383-1026, m) 956-330-3208
to Tommy Hanka and Fibermax on this year’s first bale!
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Raised bed with plastic mesh groundcover to improve citrus tree growth.
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he subtropical climate conditions in the Lower Rio Grande Valley are ideal for citrus production, but present many unique challenges due to water shortages, disease and pest pressure. Developing manage ment strategies to manage root weevils (Diaprepes abbreviatus), Phytophthora spp., and water stress has proved difficult in recent years. Groundcovers have typically been used for soil solarization, weed control, evaporation control in annual crops. Permanent groundcovers have rarely been used in citrus, but recent field trials have shown that they can be beneficial in many ways. Our experimentation with plastic mulch groundcover has shown promising results in weevil control and soil moisture retention. Plastic mulch groundcover in conjunction with raised bed plantings in citrus has improved the soil environment by increasing soil temperatures and moisture deeper in the soil profile; effectively increasing tree growth and the rate of growth. When compared to the traditional planting strategy of flat-bed production without groundcover, we found that this novel strategy increased plant height, trunk diameter and canopy circumference. In consecutive years, we have also found that groundcover increased yield. However, seasonal changes in temperature and rainfall have resulted in variability of fruit size and load.
Design Raised beds are made using a bed shaper which brings the height to 20 inches and then compacts them to a final height of 18 inches. The width at the crown of the bed is at 5-6 feet, while the base is at 7-8 feet. Spacing between each tree trunk can range from 20-24 feet depending on cultivar and desired planting density.
Establishment Costs Although it increases grove establishment costs by approximately $800/ac, it pays itself off within 2-3 years through reduction of inputs (herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, and water) and earlier fruit production which increase returns.
Summary of Benefits Management of citrus utilizing the raised bed with plastic mesh groundcover has tremendous potential for improving the production of citrus in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. This novel strategy has shown many benefits, including:
Promoting plant growth • Preserving soil moisture • Reduce soil erosion • Increase soil temperatures (freeze protection)
Weed and vine control • Barrier prevents weed growth Pest and disease control • Root weevil management by breaking life cycle • Phytophthora control by reducing inoculum
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LaMuñeca
FIELD DAY
2016
Rodrigo Franklin Rio Grande Valley 956-874-8988
Email: rodrigo. franklin@plantpioneer.com
A story that is seldom told bY CASEY CLIPSON
A
s I look at what to write for the AgMag, I try to do two things. 1. Talk about farm programs, rule changes, etc. which keep growers in the know and what to expect in the near future, and 2. Crop Insurance updates, as we are in an ever changing program. I know, I know it’s very entertaining reads. I try to do my best but even for me, as someone who absolutely loves what I do, it can be difficult at times. This Month I wanted to change gears. I want to talk about a long term fight. One that the ag industry is facing, and in a lot of cases, losing. Yes, it is a political fight! It is a frustrating, and never ending fight to correct mis-information that litters the press and political arenas. They print mis-information about you and about your industry. They attack farming practices and make statements that we don’t want conservation plans in our farming operation. They attack crop insurance on fraud, waste and abuse, saying there are unfair payments made, and subsidies are too high, and yet none of these individuals have planted one seed or taken one risk to producing a crop. They have no clue in what it takes to make it as a farmer. They just keep feeding the beast and most of the time the press keeps printing this mess because they are looking for a hot story.
It’s time we need to Tell Our Story…. It’s a Good one!!! I have spent the last two months riding all over South Texas putting on meetings with hope and intention to rally the base so to speak. No longer can we just sit back and watch. We
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have to communicate what it is we do. What we provide and how in just a very short time we can run low on the supply side…. What am I talking about? , The Manufacturing of America’s Food Source. When you think about it, The United States of America has never been hungry. What does that mean? We go to the store and get what we need. If it is not at HEB, it is at Walmart or Sam’s. Most people in this country don’t think a second about where this came from, or how this was produced, or even what are the costs and risks it takes to produce it. We have to bring that back, We have to educate and teach people the importance of the agriculture industry to our counties overall economy, and to our countries survival. We have to look towards our young people and educate them on these successes so they can learn and carry the torch forward. We have a great industry, a very efficient industry, and yet we tell no one. Why? The answer would seem to be a simple one...
Farmers and Farm Families are great people. They are very respectful people. They don’t brag, they care about their neighbors, they are local people involved in the community, involved in the church, just trying to make it one day at a time. They feel uncomfortable running around trying to stamp out every bit of misinformation. They bring common sense and wisdom to a world that lacks both more times than not. They are Americans to the true sense of the word!! Over the course a year I probably give about 30 or so talks about various agriculture updates, news, etc. In these talks I try and communicate this fight I am talking about, and
I rarely see the young adults of our industry at these meetings. We need to get involved!!! We need to tell our story of how technology has improved yields and conservation efforts. How production costs have risen to levels where planting $3.50 Corn is unsustainable. We need to speak on the fact that Crop Insurance is the safety net that secures the financial institutions and enable a majority of Farmers to receive operating loans. We need to tell how the 2014 Farm Bill got it right!! That it provides a safety net needed when the prices are suppressed and not needed when prices are good. We need to communicate there has been a $9 billion dollar savings (yes Billion with a B) in the Crop Insurance program since the 2014 Farm bill was passed.
Here are some statistics for those who are interested: Farmers consist of about 2.1 million producers in the U.S. With that said, the U.S. classifies a farmer as anyone who produces $1000 of revenue in a year. Farmers who produce $250K of gross revenue per
year are only about 210,000 producers. Farmers who produce over $500K gross revenue per year, are sitting at about 125,000 of the total producers in the U.S. One could say that about 1/30th of the population feed the entire country. There are a number of great accomplishments that are overlooked every day in our industry. There is an entire generation of young people who don’t understand and are not being educated on the basics of where ag products come from and how they are produced. We have to fill that gap. We have to stand up and be heard. Yes it is a nasty political fight, but it is a necessary one. Ag people are a powerful political group. Nationwide, we can get things done, but we have to get involved and we have to work together.
C Casey Clipson
CropGuard Group, Inc. Office 956-688-8485 Cell 956-793-1282
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MEETING YOUR NEEDS AS THEY GROW From life-changing events to everyday miracles, we’re here to help you protect the people, places and things that matter most. For great rates and no-hassle service, contact us today.
A Big thank you to our Farm Bureau members! 1095 E. Wood Ave. Raymondville, TX 78550
956.689.2113
Les Smith Agency Manager
Scott Gilbert Agent
Aaron Godfrey Agent
Coverage and discounts are subject to qualifications and policy terms, and may vary by situation. Š2015 Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Companies. CAM0215
Happy Holidays! FROM
GarcĂa Grain Trading 956-464-6000
S E RV I N G T H E VA L L E Y F O R O V E R 2 0 Y E A R S !
Beyond the Search Bar: a look into south Texas’ Agricultural Education Works bY PAMELA GUERRA
n this age of technology, Google has all the answers. We name and search then we automatically know it. Yet even with all specific types of search filters out there not one answer will be tailored to our specific situation. Thankfully the Texas A&M Agriculture Extension office is committed to doing just that. In south Texas, the Extension office in Webb County strives to help all Texans learn and prosper from practical, research-based knowledge. “ We do this as part of a statewide network including 252 county offices, extension educators, and more than 96,000 volunteers, making some 25 million teaching contacts a year!”, says Martha Ramirez, Webb County Extension Agent-Agriculture & Natural Resources/County Coordinator. The Extension’s office major outreach efforts include improving water quality and conservation, human health and food systems, and the popular 4-H Youth Development Program. Exclusive to south Texas, is the Healthy South Texas program working to reduce preventable diseases in south Texas, the Learn, Grow, Eat, and Go program aimed at teaching kids plants basics and how to build their own garden, Gardening 101 at Texas A&M International University and even Ranch tours teaching about herd health and more; we got
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questions, they got answers.
Healthy South Texas is a comprehensive effort by
the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas A&M University Health Science Center to actively engage and commit to the interaction of their community to effectively convey how to reduce diseases that are preventable and how they can avoid their consequences. This pilot program starting in 2015 sent a Health Agent or a Health Specialist focused on increasing physical activity and health and wellness in their county. The two initiatives in this program are the Walk Across Texas! program and Dinner Tonight: Healthy Cooking School.
The Walk Across Texas! program is a free walking program where teams get together to track their miles, the goal is to reach 830 miles collectively at the end of 8 weeks (the equivalent it takes to walk across Texas). Local community leaders get together to present at their annual kick-off celebration. “Presentations include a Financial Empowerment Class focused on budgeting and information on Gluten-Free Diets and their benefits”, says Angie Sifuentes, Program Assistant at the Webb County office. The Dinner Tonight: Healthy Cooking School is a high scale cooking show where celebrity chefs are invited to prepare healthy and appetizing recipes .They show the process step-by-step and share important meal information like proper heating temperatures and the importance of fruits, vegetables, and protein to a diet. “The recipe is made in front of the audience, where they get to taste the food that was made”, Sifuentes says. “Recipe cards are passed out and a goodie bag filled with
kitchen utilities is given to participants.” For more information on recipes, meal planning tips for your families, and where the next event Dinner Tonight event will be, go to dinnertonight.tamu.edu.
The Learn, Grow, Eat, and Go program is established in elementary schools throughout south Texas and is done over a 10-week period. In the series, the kids learn the basics of plants; they build their own vegetable or fruit garden and are taught the importance of fresh healthy foods to strengthen their bodies! They do all the work, from picking their seeds, watering, weeding, all the way to the creation and caring for their rich garden harvest. “It is amazing seeing the children excited about identifying different parts of the plants and getting a better understanding of the foods they grow”, says Sifuentes. “In addition, we offer students the experience of trying 10 new fruits and vegetables, something that would not happen without this program”. Not only are the students involved but the Extension office includes the parents as well. Weekly newsletters are sent out highlighting what their kids will be learning and eating. So far 80 kids are in the program, with garden beds set up and ready for planting in Webb County. With healthy food recognition, the office hopes to take the learning beyond the school and also sends kids with recipes to try at home. “Our efforts are even inspiring the students”, says Sifuentes. “The kids at NYE Elementary in Laredo went on to starting a garden club for all students from kinder to 5th graders.” If you would like to academically enrich the student in your community, apply to be a Master Gardener where you will go through curriculum and training to motivate students in the Learn, Grow, Eat, and Go program!
“We need volunteers all over Webb County, Jim Hogg County, Zapata County, Starr County and surrounding areas”, says Sifuentes. Please contact your local extension office for details
on how to get involved. And not only does the Extension office teach the young ones, older college students are getting in on the action! Mrs. Ramirez recently taught a Gardening 101 class at Texas A&M International University. “It was a larger scale than the little ones, the students used a greenhouse to grow herbs and vegetables”, says Ramirez. “At the end of harvest, they students generously donated it their crops to the local food bank!”
“At the moment we are also collaborating with the Webb Soil Water Conservation District to put together the annual ranch tour on November 4, 2016, at Los Lazos Ranch in Aguilares, TX”, says Ramirez. The Extension office will be providing a Specialist to talk about herd health and Texas parks and Wildlife will be talking about Chronic Wasting Disease. If you are interested in attending, getting involved with volunteering your time, or have any questions or concerns, please contact your local Extension office.
nd “ Tell me aach I forget, te ay me and I m , remembere involve m .” and I learklinn n Fran ― Benjami
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USDA Unveils New $328 Million Gulf - area Restoration Strategy Three-Year Plan Guides Investments on Gulf Agricultural Lands
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Temple, Texas – Sept. 22, 2016 he U.S. Department of Agriculture released a three-year, $328 million restoration strategy to improve water quality and help coastal ecosystems heal following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The strategy will guide USDA conservation efforts on private lands in prior ity areas of the Gulf of Mexico region. “We’re working side-by-side with farmers, ranchers and forest landowners to improve their operations while taking care of natural resources in the region,” said Salvador Salinas, Texas state conservationist with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). “With most of the land in the Gulf region privately owned, working lands on the Gulf Coast are pivotal to the region’s recovery.”
vent runoff of about 1 million pounds of nitrogen and 200,000 pounds of phosphorus.
As part of NRCS’ Gulf of Mexico Initiative, or GoMI, this threeyear plan strategically directs existing and anticipated Farm Bill conservation program funding toward technical and financial assistance in key coastal counties across the U.S. From now through 2018, NRCS will help agricultural producers plan and implement conservation improvements to 3.2 million acres in priority areas, which ultimately result in cleaner water and healthier ecosystems.
Coordinating the investments of these multiple funding streams in support of existing watershed scale strategies will yield measurable outcomes for improving the health of Gulf Coast ecosystems and the communities that depend on them, and support a more vibrant agricultural sector.
In Texas, more than 333,000 coastal acres will reap benefits from this three-year restoration strategy focused on water quality and quantity, restoring coastal ecosystems and leveraging local, state and federal partnership investments. NRCS financial assistance is provided through a number of Farm Bill programs, including the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). National modeling from USDA’s Conservation Effects Assessment Project shows voluntary conservation efforts across the Gulf Coast region will prevent 117,000 tons of sediment, the same as 5.85 million bags of soil from a garden center, from running off into coastal waterways. These efforts will also pre-
The strategy also accounts for NRCS’ role with local, state, and federal conservation partners working to restore Gulf ecosystems following the spill. USDA is the Chair of the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council and a Trustee of the Natural Resource Damage Assessment. This strategy also builds on USDA’s existing $100 million partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) announced in 2014. In addition, NRCS and NFWF each plan to invest an additional $5 million in the five Gulf States over the next five years as part of an ongoing agreement between the two groups.
For more information, download the GoMI restoration strategy, contact your local USDA service center, or visit our GoMI webpage.
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PRODUCER GOLF TOURNAMENT
4-H & FFA
Q&A with student Ty G Rhyner
Name: Ty G Rhyner Age: 16 High School: Rio Hondo High School College Plans: TAMU 4H Club: Highland Hustlers FFA Chapter: Rio Hondo Positions held: 4H: President, 1st Vice President Council Delegate, Parliamentarian, Reporter County 4H: 1st Vice President/ Reporter, Parliamentarian FFA: President, Secretary District FFA: 1st Vice President • Currently serving as FFA Chapter Secretary for 2016-2017 • He was FFA chapter President 2015-2016 • FFA Tip-o-Tex District Vice President. • Served every office in our local 4-H club • Currently the 2016-2017 4-H District 12 President and Texas • 4-H Council Secretary & Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassador
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Q: What do you show? A: Market and breeding Cattle
Market and breeding Pigs Market and breeding Sheep Market and breeding Rabbits Market Goats
Q: What are some of our favorite things about your FFA Chapter, and FFA overall?
A:
I love the memories I’ve made, the people I met, and the skills I learned alone the way to help myself succeed in life.
&
ANSWERS
Q: Why did you decide to be part of the two orga-
nizations, and how do they 2 differ in your opinion?
A:
I decided to do both so that I could get the full experience and do as many competitions as I could, so I could learn as many skills as I could.
Q: What have you learned about being involved in such great organizations?
A: I have learned many skills including work ethic, time management, determination, and most of all how to win can how to lose. How to display sportsmanship no matter the outcome.
Q: What are some of our favorite things about Q: What type of leadership skills have you acqyour 4H?
A: I love how our 4H is made of mostly young kids, and we are teaching them as they age how to advocate for agriculture and teach them skills to help them in life. 62 Ag Mag
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uired throughout your time in the organizations?
A: I have learned how to speak comfortably in front of people, how to lead people in the right direction, and how to be a leader and not a boss.
Q: What has been the most difficult thing
about being involved in both organizations, and what is the most rewarding?
A: The most difficult thing is the time management because most competitions are on the same day/weekend. So having to prepare for competitions is difficult. Q: How has being involved prepared you for the future?
A: It has taught me skills that will help myself succeed in whatever I do moving forward. Q: What are your future plans and what college are you planning on attending?
A: TAMU- I plan on attending TAMU and studying Agri Economics.
Favorite Quote: “If it is to be , it is up to me.” – Carlos Guerra
Mentor or person you look up to?
Q: Most people who are associated with agri-
culture don’t understand the concept of “Showing animals” if you could describe what showing animals does for you as a person or why you do it in 2 sentences what would they be?
A: It teaches me responsibility having to take care of these animals. Knowing they depend on me for survival. It teaches me ethics and morals, learning how to do things the right way. Q: What advice can you give to a young child who is just starting their 4H or FFA Career?
A: “ The window is closing.” Dr. Chris Boleman. Your window of opportunity is small. It may not seem like it, but it will fly by. Take every chance you get to do as much as you can. Q: If you were given
4 words to describe your experience what would they be?
A:
Enjoyable Short Exciting Educating
Q: 4 words to
describe yourself:
A: Dedicated
Competitive Honest Hardworking
My Dad Q: Favorite thing to show, and why? (Pigs, Rabbits, Steers, Chickens)
A:
Steers, at our High School we have early release before the games, we wear our jerseys to school, and have a homecoming game. The whole school revolves around us. I feel like the steer show is the “football team” at the stock show. It’s the one people want to see. NOVEMBER/DECEMBER
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(956) 330-8870 michelle@theagmag.org NOVEMBER/DECEMBER
2016
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Texas Department Of Agriculture To Lead Major Global Trade Effort For Texas On behalf of Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, Texas Deputy Agriculture Commissioner Jason Fearneyhough accepted a grant for $800,000 from the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) of the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of International Trade today. The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) will use the funding to expand export-related activities of small businesses in Texas and increase export dollars earned by those companies. “This is a huge boost for any small business in Texas ready to expand to the international market,” Fearneyhough said. “If you’re ready to sell to the world, then the Texas Department of Agriculture is ready to help. Come talk with us.” “Exporting is an important growth opportunity for our small businesses that are ready to expand their reach into new global markets,” said Alale Allal, Regional Export Trade Manager for the SBA Office of International Trade. “The STEP award, in addition to the SBA’s export loan program, helps small businesses across Texas to have the tools and resources necessary to help launch or expand into global markets.” The grant money will provide trade and export training for interested businesses through the University of Texas San Antonio’s International Trade Center. Stipends will also be made available for Texas businesses that need small infusions of funding to support export expansion. The most visible use of STEP grant funding will be major international trade missions hosted by TDA and the Office of the Governor. These visits will bring Texas businesses face-to-face with foreign buyers at trade events across the globe, including a major automotive trade show in Mexico City, the Paris Air Show, an Asian agricultural trade show and an African consumer-ready products show. Texas remains America’s biggest exporter by far. The STEP grant will help sustain Texas’ strong performance in the global marketplace by encouraging the export of everything from airplanes to barbecue. This year, contrary to previous cycles, eligible businesses do not have to be agriculture-based to participate. In the 2012 award cycle, the TDA directed STEP funding to successfully open the China market to Texas pecan growers, resulting in $4.7 million in first-time direct sales of pecans. Similarly, STEP funds were also used to increase the export of Texas sorghum to China, producing total sales of 474,820 bushels of sorghum for a value of more than $2.7 million. The first three cycles of the STEP program have shown a direct return on investment for taxpayers, generating $22 in U.S. small business export sales for every $1 awarded. TDA has earned a reputation as a global advocate for Texas products and services. Since taking office in 2015, Commissioner Miller has directed a major effort to market Texas across the globe, including trade visits to every continent except Antarctica. Additionally, the TDA GO TEXAN marketing program, with its iconic logo in the shape of Texas, is world-renowned for its success in promoting the best products, companies and communities that call Texas home. For additional information on STEP, please contact Denise Rodgers at (512)463-4406, orGrants@TexasAgriculture.gov. Application materials will soon be available here. Website information includes additional contact information, eligibility etc. The Texas Legislature established the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) in 1907. Today the agency’s mission is to promote production agriculture, Texas products and businesses, protect Texas consumers, and support healthy food and nutrition in Texas schools. Sid Miller was elected in 2014 as the 12th Texas Agriculture Commissioner.
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You Are the
Company You Keep bY:
Kurt Schuster
AgMag Columnist
P
ersonally, and both from what your humble author hears from others, is that the least favorite aspect of any business owner or manager is dealing with incredulous, am biguous, and infuriatingly arbitrary vagaries of dealing with the employees of your organization. From huge issues like sexual harassment or salary negotiations down the probably even more bitter and bloody arguments about what temperature to set the thermostat, dealing with people seems to be the least favorite and most complicated part of running a business. Establishing a positive culture and a work environment that gets the best effort out of your employees is never an easy task to begin with, add into this mix any number of negative personal behaviors and you’ll quickly find yourself dealing with interpersonal dynamics more than running your business.
do’s, don’ts, and everything in between for employee behaviors. Things you need to have watch over like an employee drug use and testing policy down to can employees use cell phones while driving company vehicles need to be spelled out in this document. Only you know your business and the million small intricacies that your employees will need to be able to navigate as they go through their work day. A basic rule here is if it’s not the book, you’re not covered; essentially the same rule you need in that if it’s not written down it didn’t happen! Things you need to keep in mind when writing this document should revolve around the mundane like vacation time, sick leave and pay, use of intellectual property, health insurance, vehicle policies, safety policies, and the like. You might think this is common sense and hardly needs to be addressed, but you must remember that it’s people we’re dealing with here. Illogical, emotional, opinionated, and imbued with wide latitudes of understanding and perception people. If it can be confused or misinterpreted, it will.
The Inmates Are Running the Asylum
One of the larger aspects of building an employee handbook also will revolved around the laws and regulations concerning employment. EEOC laws, worker’s compensation, FMLA, health insurance, sexual harassment, and a wide variety of other government regulated laws absolutely must be included in this document. Thankfully the majority of these regulations can be found online quite easily at a variety of government or labor websites. Simply copy and paste the relevant sections or even download templates already written and you are good to go. As always though, the devil is in the details. A lot of these laws and regulations change
One of the best, strongest, and most legally required things you can do in managing your employees is have an employee handbook. This document needs to spell out the
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yearly, or thanks to our current administration it seems daily, and you must keep up with them and your documents must stay updated. The majority of business owners should be used to this aspect though from keeping up relevant posters and advisement notices as required by law. Finally, when it comes to an employee handbook there is one overall aspect that must happen: it must be signed. You can give employees whatever document you want, but when the fight starts how do you prove they received it, or understood it? Having two signing pages, one to be kept with the employee handbook and one to be kept in the employee’s file, can and will save you a lot of headaches. To this end though you must specify in the signing statement that the employee has read and does understand what is in the document. You may have to translate the entire document, which is a good idea anyway, or if they employee is having issues understanding what’s going on you also should provide them with an interpreter or representative that can help explain things. Overkill? Probably, but if it saves you thousands of dollars in legal fees then the extra effort is worth every penny.
Getting Professional Help Often a human resources agent or department is seen as a drain, or an expense on a company that provides no value. Unfortunately, the value of these individuals is just hard to quantify, but it definitely exists. It’s a sad fact of our current business environment that we now need employees whose sole job is to navigate the morass that is governmental and bureaucratic regulation. A trained human resources professional though can make this daunting task infinitely easier and hopefully save you some money and time as well. A lot of business owners think that they can do all this stuff on their own; just a little copy and paste here and there or pay someone a one-time fee and you’re set. Well what happens if you have an unemployment claim that you believe is unjustified? How do you know to exactly make sure that minimum wage laws are being kept, or that department of labor standards are being met? These things sound like small annoyances that you can take care of eventually, but when a department of labor violation can start at a $10,000 fine and grow quickly from there it’s behooves business owners to have someone qualified on staff to take care of these problems before they arise. In addition, having a trained human resources representative gives you another layer between the minutiae of dealing with employees while not ceding control over the overarching manner in which their employment is conducted. For example, if you still want
control over overtime, you’re still more than able, but you can still keep your focus on your business instead of dealing with cranky employees.
Consistency is Key Most employees strive to have a happy office environment that is not high stress and gets work done while still providing flexibility for employees to live their lives. However, to do this consistency is the key. Many owners and managers strive to be friends with their employees and as such do special favors or grant exceptions to what is company policy. This is where the fight starts. If it’s an emergency or unique event then of course some latitude should be given, but if a manager is constantly changing rules as they see fit then resentment and frustration will begin to breed in other employees. Unfortunately, it needs to be said; everyone thinks their situation is special and everyone thinks their problem is unique. Being able to refer to company policy and use it as a foundation for guiding how these interactions go is paramount. If an action is happening often enough that it’s affecting the work environment it needs to be addressed officially and added to the handbook. Letting an employee go early weekly to see a kid’s soccer game upsets employees without or whom no longer have kids. Giving someone time off because they’re always non-specifically sick needs to be addressed under FMLA rules or others will copy the behavior or wonder why they put in more effort. Each situation is unique but by having an objective reference in your employee handbook makes dealing with events a non-issue.
Common Courtesy Uncommonly Seen In all things you should simply treat others as you want to be treated yourself. Being a respectful and decent person will always get you ahead in life and for which the importance of should never be understated. The legal and ethical issues of having employees shouldn’t be daunting if one simply takes the proper precautions and conducts themselves with respect and courtesy.
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