Issue 27 of the Ag Mag by THEAGMAG

Michelle Martin

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

Al Benavides Graphic Design (956) 492-6407

“All of my life in every season you are still God”

A Letter from the Editor As the holidays have yet again come and gone, we begin to await the next season. Winter is making its exit and we anxiously await spring, summer, fall, then winter again. But lets be real, does the Valley have seasons? ( Just inserting some humor here). Each year has its seasons, but not only environmental seasons. We have mental seasons too. Seasons where we struggle with our inner self, seasons where everything seems blissful, and seasons where we are challenged to the extreme. Patience. It’s a word I struggle with. I, being an only child, like things not only done in my time, but my way. Throughout the years I have learned how to accept that in TIME things will come - in God’s way, not mine. And might I say, “thank God for that.” God’s way will always be better than mine, and I am continually learning that. I also know that God’s season (aka: timing) is much better than the one I have marked down on my calendar. How many of us like to take things into our own hands? Most of us like to have control of things and situations because it gives us a sense that everything will be OK. Realistically, however, we can’t control everything. Things happen, good and bad, and there are situations that we are placed in that are beyond our control. That is when we must lift it up and give it to God. I have learned that there is a season for everything. A season to laugh, a season to cry, a season to live, a season to die, a season to move forward, a season to let go, a season to gain. There is a season for it all. Sometimes, we tend to push for things when it is not the season for it. As a result, things don’t pan out the way we had planned. If it were to snow during the summer, most of us would wonder what was going on, and the snow wouldn’t stick to the ground, it would melt. Or a farmer who harvests to soon, will not have a crop at its full potential. Same for our daily life. If we push for something that is not its season, it doesn’t work out and it too will melt or not be matured to its full potential. Life is fun, if you allow it to be. Let loose, enjoy each day for what it is, and change with the season of life. Do not try to stretch a season into a lifetime. Each season brings something new, and allows us to grow. We never stay the same. Events and seasons throughout our life have shaped us into who we are. We are constantly changing, just as a season. As a new year arrives, I challenge you to become more patient. Let God bring each season to you in its own time. Do not be afraid of change or things not going your way. Practice patience, and embrace each season of life, for it is just that, a season; it too shall pass. Don’t waste the season of life you are in because you want the next one to come. Be patient, enjoy each day. Just as a farmer plants a seed during a season and harvests in another, you too should plant seeds in other’s lives - and your own - to reap the harvest when the next season arrives. God brings seasons to your life for a reason. You may not know why, but it is not our job to understand, but to live accordingly to His purpose. Plant seeds wherever you go, so that the next season may bring you a joyful harvest. Owner/Creator of AG MAG

In This Issue: pg. 6 pg.10 pg.12 pg.16 pg.20 pg.22 pg.26 pg.28 pg.30 pg.32 pg.34 pg.38 pg.44 pg.48 pg.50 pg.52 pg.60 pg.62 pg.65 pg.68 pg.72 pg.76 pg.77

The Infamous Boll Weevil Brad Cowan Retires After 40 Years 2018 RGVLS Citrus & Vegetable Show College Students Gain Valuable Career Experience Through USDA Partnerships Lots To Consider Before Planting the 2019 Crop Top Ways To Improve Fertilizer Efficiency in 2019 Revelations on Ag & Water Say Goodbye, Say Hello A Winning Combination for Cattle Marketing Running the Agricultural Marathon Park Your Plow A&M AgriLife Mission for Texas Growers Lebby Salinas - Fooducator South Texas Onions RECIPE: Cilantro Lime Pickled Texas Wild Caught Shrimp 2019 FFA and 4-H Calendar We Are Here - Rio Grande Valley The Star of the Rio Grande Valley Farm Bill A Family Man 2018 Farm Bill Update BEEF...It’s More Than Just What’s For Dinner! It’s Life! It’s Everywhere! A Letter from the Editor

Year 5, Issue 27 Jan/Feb 2019. 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 ©2018. To advertise in Ag Mag, call (956) 330-8870 or email michelle@theagmag.org

The Infamous Boll Weevil

BY GREGORY A. SWORD

he battle against the infamous boll weevil continues in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, ground zero in the fight to protect the entire US cotton industry. Dr. Gregory Sword along with his colleagues from Texas A&M University and the US Department of Agriculture are harnessing the power of genomics to find new ways of managing this devastating pest. South Texas cotton producers have long understood the enormous threat caused by the boll weevil. They have been battling the insect since 1892, when it was first discovered damaging cotton fields near Brownsville. After moving into the US from its native central Mexico, the boll weevil quickly spread across the entire Cotton Belt. By the 1920s, it had extended its range from Texas to the Atlantic Coast. The boll weevil’s arrival crushed the economy of the cotton-dependent South. The ability to damage cotton comes in a surprisingly small package. The boll weevil is a little brown beetle with a relatively long snout. Adults are only about 5-6 millimeters long, but it’s the even smaller worm-like juveniles, known as larvae, that cause substantial damage. To lay their eggs, female weevils use their snout to chew tiny holes in developing flower buds and young bolls. Upon hatching, the feeding larvae destroy the developing structures inside the buds or bolls and prevent the plant from producing valuable lint. Living and feeding inside the bolls, the larvae are effectively protected from many external threats, including topically sprayed insecticides. Despite being one of the worst agricultural pests in US history, most of the country’s cotton growers don’t have to deal with it. Many have never even seen one. How is this possible? The credit goes to the enormous success of the Boll Weevil Eradication Program, which began in 1978 as a cooperative effort between cotton producers and USDA-APHIS. The program has eradicated the boll weevil from almost all of its former range in the US, resulting in dramatic reductions in insecticide use, increased yields, and billions of dollars in economic benefits. A large share of these benefits are enjoyed by Texas cotton producers because they plant half of the nation’s cotton acres. Boll weevil eradication is considered one of the most successful programs of its kind—ever. The boll weevil’s first and last stronghold in the US has been Texas. By 2014 it had been eradiated from nearly all parts of the state except the Lower Rio Grande Valley.

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So what’s going on in the Valley? Boll weevil eradication utilizes a combination of integrated pest management tactics, including intensive monitoring for weevils using pheromone-baited traps, application of insecticides targeting the more vulnerable adult stage, and cultural practices such as timely planting, harvesting, and stalk destruction. Cultural practices that eliminate the boll weevil’s fall and winter food supply and work in conjunction with much reduced boll weevil survival in freezing winter temperatures have been particularly important. The subtropical climate in South Texas, however, favors boll weevil survival over the winter. Without a winter freeze cotton plants also survive, potentially serving as a perpetual source of reproducing boll weevils if not removed. Thus, cotton that isn’t destroyed at the end of the growing season, or stray plants called ‘volunteer cotton’ growing outside of cultivated cotton fields, can severely complicate boll weevil management by harboring reproducing weevils for the next growing season. Of course, it’s critical to acknowledge that the boll weevil continues to thrive in Mexico, its ancestral range. This is where the boll weevil originally evolved, is well-adapt-

ed to local conditions, and feeds on native plants other than cotton outside of managed agricultural fields. Given these facts, the risk of boll weevil introduction from farther south, either by natural movement or with the unintentional help of man, remains. This will be the case despite the best eradication efforts in the cotton-producing areas of Northern Mexico and the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Indeed, we’ve already witnessed two separate re-infestations of previously eradicated areas in Texas, and just this summer two boll weevils were found in Mississippi, presumably after hitchhiking on some farm equipment. To provide long-term and sustainable tools for managing the boll weevil, Sword and his colleagues have initiated a number of studies aided by advances in genomics and DNA-sequencing technologies. Using a technique that allows rapid partial sequencing of the genome of individ-

ual insects, they have developed a detailed map of the relationships among boll weevil populations along the US – Mexico border—from Arizona to Texas. Using this powerful approach, they can help prioritize populations or different regions for management. They can also use genetic data to figure out the source of weevils when re-infestations of eradicated areas occur, helping managers identify why it happened and how to prevent future re-infestations. Using a technique called RNAi gene silencing, the researchers are attempting to turn off the expression of specific weevil genes that can either kill the insects or keep them from reproducing. In a scientific first, the Sword lab is now sequencing the entire boll weevil genome in an effort to identify genes that can be targeted by this technique. As an ultimate goal, Sword and his colleagues are testing the possibility of using RNAi to produce cotton plants that can kill the weevils that feed on them, thereby elimi nating the need to spray insecti cides.

Ultimately, planting cotton across South Texas that is able to fend off the boll weevil on its own without insecticides would be a major economic and environmental benefit for local producers and residents.

It would drive a finale “stake in the heart” of the boll weevil and its long history of damage to U.S. cotton, and at the same time, serve as a living barrier to keep weevils from spreading to the rest of the Cotton Belt.

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BRAD COWAN RETIRES AFTER 40 YEARS

rom the time he was a third-grader, Brad Cowan’s plan was to be a Texas Tech Red Raider. His parents were Red Raiders and he was born right across from the Lubbock campus. His friend Steve was as much an Aggie as Cowan was a Red Raider. “Then we flip-flopped,” Cowan said. “He went to Texas Tech and I went to A&M.” It was a great decision that set the future in motion for Cowan, who has spent the past 40 years in three counties as an Extension Agent, his final 28 belonging to the

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Hidalgo County Extension. In January, however, Cowan plans to enter the rank of “retired.” “I’m going to get a few months head start on my wife (Chris) who will retire as a teacher at the end of the school year,” he said. “I still love what I do but we want to do some things, like travel, and some other family things.” Being a county agent is “in my blood,” Cowan said. His granddaddy was a county agent in the 30s and 40s, his dad was a county agent after that and he remembers writing an essay as a senior in high school about what he wanted to be.

“I wanted to be a county agent,” he said. Cowan went on to A&M and earned his animal science degree, “but I took as many agronomy classes as they would let me get away with – I liked the agronomy as much as I liked the animal science part,” he said. “Then I got my master’s degree because I knew the extension really pushed advanced degrees and I watched when I was a little guy my dad getting one by going to night school.” Cowan’s first job came in Montgomery County, “someplace close to my fiancee,” he added. There, he worked as an assistant Ag agent. He spent two years overseeing the 4H part of the agency then the next four year in the Ag position.

ple’s lives and I really value that. What I really like is that I have the flexibility to deliver the education that’s needed in that county – and every county is different. That is the strength of our organization – listening and delivering to them; it’s not somebody in Washington or Austin. It’s us, the local extension.” Cowan remembers advice his dad gave to him and he said it’s something he passes on to every new agent he can. “When you first get started, hit the ground running,” Cowan said. “In other words, get stuff done. The job is all about people and relationships.” Cowan said he also enjoys watching those who come into 4H grow up into successful and productive adults in the community.

Following those six years, Cowan was transferred to Galveston County. Compared to Montgomery County, where “turf grass” was the biggest crop he worked with, Galveston County was a bountiful improvement. “They had rice and corn and I did test plots and all that stuff and went to farmer meetings and things like that,” he said. “I was much happier.”

“I’ve been around long enough that I have some second generations in 4H,” he said. “There are so many things I love about my job. I love working with Ag producers and love helping anyone who calls on the phone or come by my door. I’m passionate about the people out there making a living, producing food and fiber for the rest of us.

After another six years, the Hidalgo County spot opened and Cowan said he, along with several other applicants, threw their name in the hat, hoping to strike a crops gold mine.

“I’ve enjoyed it. I’ll say that.”

“

I’M GOING TO GET A FEW MONTHS HEAD START ON MY WIFE CHRIS WHO WILL RETIRE AS A TEACHER AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR – Brad Cowan

“ “Of course there have been lots of challenges,” he said. “But one of the things I learned to do is to listen. Our agency has the capability to make a difference in peo-

“

i still love what i do but we want to do some things, like travel and some other family things – Brad Cowan

“

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Texas NRCS staff, TAMUK faculty and students after USDA Career Experience presentations.

College Students Gain Valuable Career Experience Through USDA Partnerships BY MELISSA BLAIR KINGSVILLE, Texas, Dec. 19, 2018 –Texas A&M University Kingsville (TAMUK) College of Agriculture students are gaining a wealth of valuable experience and knowledge each year through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Career Experience Program. Since 2012 more than 300 undergraduate and graduate students at TAMUK along with students from other Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) have worked with USDA, local, state and national agencies through internships and research opportunities. A total of 51 students have interned with the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) with 29 in Texas and 22 in other states. More than 70 students have interned with USDA Farm Service Agency, Agricultural Marketing Service, Agricultural Research Service, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service and Forest Service. “Through the Career Experience Program there are five USDA projects that provide funds for students to pursue internships in their fields of interest related to careers in the agricultural, biological and food industry fields,” said Dr. Shad Nelson, dean for the TAMUK Dick and Mary Lewis Kleberg College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. “The projects are designed to enhance the educational programs of outstanding students who are capable of enhancing the nation’s food, agricultural, and natural resource scientific and professional work force.” The program has also taken students to different USDA conferences in Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, Miami, and Albuquerque as well as to professional conferences such as the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities and NAFTA where the students presented posters regarding their internship experiences. USDA projects include: • START NOW: Student Training in Agricultural Research Techniques by Novel Occupational Workshops • STEP 2 USDA Research Success: South Texas Excellence Program to USDA Research Success

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• Wheels of Change: A Consortium to Develop Champions in Agriculture in the Areas of Sustainable Energy and Natural Resource Management. • USDA Education and Research Experience in Unmanned Aircraft Vehicles (Drones or UAS) for Precision Agriculture • USDA Natural Resources Career Development Program (NRCDP)

Opportunities Enhance Student’s Interest in Working for USDA Through the Natural Resource Career Development Program (NRCDP), Rick Tafoya, with the National Hispanic Special Emphasis Program Manager Diversity and Recruitment Branch, placed 29 college students from four HSIs into summer internships with NRCS across the country in eight states. Texas NRCS worked with two additional TAMUK students on their 10-week internship placement in Robstown and Kerrville. Tafoya said, “The students have expressed how this experience was exactly what they needed to confirm that they are headed in the right direction with respect to their academic and career goals. Several students shared how this was their first ‘real job’ or first time living and working out-of-state and on their own. I’ve been involved in outreach and recruitment with NRCS for many years, and to hear them share their experiences and new-found confidence is very exciting.” Feedback from the host states from the NRCS supervisors was overwhelmingly positive. Tafoya said many expressed how well-matched these students are to our agency in terms of their degree programs. “The performance evaluations the supervisors completed at the end of the internships were extremely positive regarding the student’s desire to learn, their skill set, and especially their work ethic,” said Tafoya. Many NRCS supervisors, and other state leadership said they plan to stay

in contact with the students in hopes they can encourage them to apply for the student trainee positions. In September the students who participated in this summer’s USDA Career Experience Program shared about their internships through poster and group presentations to fellow agricultural students to encourage them to explore the program opportunities. The TAMUK’s 2018 Summer Student USDA Career Experience Internship Presentations had more than 250 in attendance including students, family, and faculty from TAMUK and different institutions, student’s supervisors, researchers and private consultants. Tafoya was the keynote speaker at the event in Kingsville. “My message to students was to express the importance of gaining hands-on, practical work experience through an internship in order to understand the many career options in natural resource management, and equally important, the need to become more competitive at the next level that ultimately leads to permanent employment. Similarly, it was vital to share with the group that partnerships with key universities like TAMUK helps position our agency to be successful as we continue to build our future workforce with the most qualified and the most talented students.” Edinburg NRCS District Conservationist, Ray Hinojosa presented two NRCS workshops to assist students on applying through the usajobs.gov website for the OneUSDA student trainee positions.

USDA Partnership Goes Beyond Career Training Another example of USDA staff helping students involved in the USDA Career Experience program, was Texas NRCS soil scientists, John Sackett, Carlos Villarreal and Alan Stahnke, who helped train students on a multi institutional soils team for the Southern Regional Soils Judging Contest. One of the students took fifth overall, and it was her first time in a soils pit and to describe a soil, just days before the contest.

Agriculture’s soils judging team who had lost two of their trainers prior to the contest. The soils judging team of Scott Cardenas, Jonah Trevino, and Juan Cortinas, received first place in the team competition and third overall in the Southern Region. This is the first time for the TAMUK soils judging team to qualify for the National Soils Competition that will be held next year.

Nikki Sandidge with the poster she made with Guadalupe Rodriguez about their Texas NRCS internship.

For more on this success story, visit http://nrcs.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Cascade/index.html? appid=a07596c69da2489d82629ff96760a768 “As an agency, we need make smarter investments in our outreach activities and broaden our traditional effort, if we want to build a future workforce that can adequately meet the needs of our rapidly changing constituency,” said Tafoya. “I’d offer the following quote from award-winning social entrepreneur Leila Janah, because I truly believe it: ‘Talent is equally distributed, but opportunity is not’.”

For more information on the TAMUK USDA Career Experience visit http://www.tamuk.edu/usdahsigrants/Career-Exp/ Career-Exp.html and for applying with the “OneUSDA Internship” student trainee positions, visit www.usajobs.gov.

The soil scientists also stepped in to work with the TAMUK College of Texas NRCS soil scientists trained students for the regional soils judging contest.

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LOTS TO CONSIDER BEFORE PLANTING THE 2019 CROP BY JOHN MILLER

For most, the 2019 crop cannot come fast enough. From the Rio Grande Valley to the Oklahoma line, it seemed like every farmer in Texas dealt with rare weather multiple times during the cropping season, and all at the wrong time for making the crop one wants. As we climb out of 2018 and into 2019, the soil moisture situation statewide is a definite improvement. So much so, that timely tillage due to wet conditions could become a concern. For now, however, we are very optimistic that farmers across the South Plains region will be able to make crop mix decisions based on the basic agronomic and economic factors one would expect. US farmers are very good at contemplating a given farms rotational needs to get the most from the soil at a given costs projection compared to what the marketplace is trying to signal to them. In recent years, the technology gains seen in cotton, along with a favorable price relationship to grain and corn, has seen cotton acres return to those of twenty years ago. Similarly in years with a wet winter, corn acres have gained at least to a small degree on grain. While the technological improvements in seed traits and equipment capabilities have been pronounced in recent years (think of Bt corn or round-bale cotton pickers), these concepts are nothing new to farmers since rapid technological change has been a basic trait of US agriculture for over 100 years. One only

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has to look at the corn yield chart below to be impressed by the US system of research, development and adoption of new technology. This year-on-year trend increase in corn yield has helped to keep a lid on prices despite good demand growth over that same period. The transition to a new year brings with it a multitude of factors well beyond the control

has to look at the corn yield chart below to be impressed by the US system of research, development and adoption of new technology. This

year-on-year trend increase in corn yield has helped to keep a lid on prices despite good demand growth over that same period. The transition to a new year brings with it a multitude of factors well beyond the control of the farmer, however, and yet each carrying with it the potential for major impacts on the bottom line. For simplicity, lets place these numerous factors under the heading of politics. It would be impossible to talk about transitioning into the new crop year without talking about the trade disputes between the US and China, and how the resuting dissagreements have affected farm gate prices. One could argue that a resolution of US-China trade disputes takes on more importance in 2019 than the recently signed Farm Bill. Since this time last year, the farm community has been patiently waiting for the US and China to find common ground on trade. And while the main thrust of the dissagreement relates to the ownership of patented research and products, US access to Chinese markets for autos and electronics, and

as a result, the US has delayed until at least February additional US tariffs in Chinese goods that were intended to take effect in December. And more recently, China has indicated that they will address the practice of Chinese businesses illegally seizing US technology. Perhaps there is a silver lining in 2019 based on the first steps to negotiation taken in recent weeks. A major meeting of trade negotiators is supposed to take place as soon as January. The ultimate outcome of trade discussions between now and late spring will have a major bearing on summer commodity prices for valley farmers. One can see from the Average Gulf of Mexico Terminal Basis chart that the demand for sorghum for export was heavily dependent upon China. As recent as last January, the basis for sorghum at the Port of Corpus Christi was still over $1.00 per bushel over nearby

DECEMBER CORN FUTURES

corn futures prices. By early February, the basis had fallen to 40 cents over the corn futures market and has remained flat since then. While truck demand from Mexico picked up some of the slack, feed manufacturers there are reluctant to pay for sorghum at higher prices than corn as China had been doing.

business ownership practices, agriculture has been dragged into the fray. The fact that China purchases more soybeans than all other foreign buyers combined has led to a rapid expansion in those acres in both the US and South America. With the soybean export market greatly reduced from normal levels this past season due to the current dispute, the resulting drive to lower US soybean prices has many in the trade community believing that corn, grain, wheat, cotton and energy have suffered alongside. At this time, neither the US or China show much of a willingness to back off of desired outcomes, and show a determination for now to let this dispute carry on for some time. China has, in the case of soybeans, soybean meal, and a few other minor grains arbritrarily relaxed recently imposed import tariffs to assist with a specific economic need rather than a blanket reversal. This has so far left grain and cotton on the sidelines to deal with the retaliatory tariff of 25 percent. According to our sources that communicate regularly with Chinese commodity traders, agribusinesses there are hurting considerably. It is well publicized that agribusinesses across China has dramatically scaled back or completely idled operations. And that this same business community is putting considerable pressure on their government to resolve the issues. There have been some positive signs. The meeting between President Trump and Chinese President Xi last month at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires definitely broke the ice for accelerating discussions. Also

With improvements in trade relations with China, one would expect that corn and cotton prices would test the upper red lines in the December corn and December cotton futures price charts below. Without much progress, prices could easily test the lower red line during the 2019 season. These lines show where prices have spent the majority of time over the past several years once we had moved beyond the commodity

DECEMBER COTTON FUTURES

boom period that ended in 2013. Since then, corn futures have spent a lot of time between $3.75 and $4.25 per bushel. And cotton has spent a lot of time between $0.62 and $0.82 per pound. With better starting moisture than experienced in a few years and some loosening of the trade sanctions expected, the odds are increasing that valley farmers can find profits this year. In addition to the usual challenges of weather and farm economics, we have all had to make a quick study of the potential ups and downs of volatile politics and understand that the new year will likely not be business a usual.

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Top Ways to Improve Fertilizer Efficiency in 2019 BY DEREK EMERINE

Ag Mag THEAGMAG.ORG

he 2019 growing season will short ly be under way. The top two most deficient soil test nutrients in the South Texas market are phospho rus and zinc. Typically the top two fertilizers applied are nitrogen and phosphorus. There are multiple ways that nitrogen from nitrogen fertilizers can be lost, and utilizing a nitrogen stabilizer makes sense. Leaching and denitrification are often discussed, but in reality these two losses are primarily influenced by excess rainfall. In South Texas high soil pH levels dominate and typically the soil is warm and moist. Each of these conditions alone can lead to nitrogen volatilization. With all three present, there is a significant risk of losing 20-40% of nitrogen fertilizer applied depending on the nitrogen source. The only nitrogen stabilizers that are effective in significantly reducing volatilization are those that contain NBPT. Broadcast urea, broadcast UAN, and knifed in UAN can all benefit from adding a NBPT stabilizer. Adding NBPT to nitrogen applications is one of the best ways to improve nitrogen fertilizer efficiency. Phosphorus applications can also have issues. Of all commercial fertilizer, phosphorus fertilizers are the least efficient with only 5-30% of the phosphorus fertilizer applied actually making it to the plant. High pH soils, which have high levels of calcium, lead to much of the phosphorus fertilizer

converting to an insoluble calcium phosphate that is not plant available. Utilizing a starter fertilizer, knifing in phosphorus, and waiting to apply phosphorus as close as possible to when there will be an actively growing crop are effective cultural practices to improve phosphorus fertilizer efficiency. Logistically none of these practices may fit. If that is the case, adding a humic and fulvic acid can help buffer the phosphorus fertilizer so it will remain plant available for a longer period of time. Lastly, zinc is commonly applied with either nitrogen or phosphorus fertilizers. This nutrient is also impacted by high pH soil. Historically zinc is more commonly recommended on grass crops. However zinc deficiency continues to show up in plant tissue samples on cotton as well. Any zinc fertilizer going out with nitrogen or phosphorus should be EDTA chelated. The chelate prevents the zinc from getting tied up in the soil and allows it to remain plant available. There are some other chelation types that are cheaper, but the EDTA chelation is the most effective. If an EDTA chelated zinc is not used with nitrogen of phosphorus fertilizer, foliar applications will be much more effective than a nonchelated zinc applied in the spring.

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BY KAREN FORD

REVELATIONS ON AG & WATER PART TWO

Report on focus group discussions with Irrigation District Managers in the RGV* This is the second article in a two-part series revealing the results of facilitated focus group discussions in August 2018—one with Rio Grande Valley (RGV) growers and the other with irrigation district managers. The project team sought to understand and synthesize discussions with both groups regarding the water challenges and solutions for irrigated agriculture in the RGV and the ongoing health of agriculture in this region. In this article we present the findings from our discussions with irrigation district managers (DM) in the RGV. We recap the project’s objectives and methodology and then share key findings and recommended solutions as discussed among the DMs.

Specifically, the objectives for the focus group discussions were to: • Gather opinions about the future of agriculture in the RGV in relation to water availability and reliability (Rio Grande, Mexico, district services and efficiency, threats from municipal/industrial growth); • Understand current knowledge of irrigation efficiency practices and discuss barriers to implementation; • Identify priorities for implementation of water efficient practices; • Determine effective communication vehicles and messages to connect with RGV growers on irrigation efficiency; and • Utilize results to refine and enhance outreach and education to growers regarding water conservation and irrigation efficiency practices.

Methodology & Demographics A focus group discussion was conducted with three DMs at the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Citrus Center in Weslaco, Texas, on August 15, 2018. Within the same week, three in-depth interviews were conducted with irrigation district managers unable to attend the focus group. A total of six DMs participated on a confidential basis in order to maximize candor. We note that each of the six participants represented a district that has recognized the need for water efficiency and infrastructure improvements and have made some of those changes with support from State and Federal grants and loans, as well as with district funds.

Key Findings from Irrigation District Managers 1. Infrastructure Improvements Needed but Funding Not There DMs believe that the greatest opportunities for water savings and efficiency are to be found in irrigation district operations. They recognize a dire need to upgrade their water management technology and make improvements to aging infrastructure, but face three critical impediments: • Rapid urbanization. In some counties good alluvial soils are being covered in asphalt at a very rapid pace, and those water rights are being transferred to municipalities. Once land is out of ag, it’s not going back to ag. Growers in urbanizing counties may find it easier to sell than farm, and infrastructure improvements to canal systems serving farms that might not be around in five to ten years just don’t make economic sense. • Municipalities a priority for elected officials. The voice of agriculture is getting weaker and weaker in the halls of government. There are more votes in the cities and more elected leaders representing the dense urban populations. • More competition for federal and state funds. DMs firmly believe the best water savings strategy for irrigated agriculture in the RGV is to invest in the aging infrastructure, but there are new, innovative water projects now that get more attention and funding. Lining a canal that’s been around for 80-100 years is just not as “sexy”. Thus, despite a near universal view among growers and district managers that upgrading the canal delivery infrastructure is the best way to achieve efficiency and to truly conserve water, a profound pessimism exists about the chances to capture the necessary funding. Significant infrastructure improvements have been made in the last twenty-five years with grant funding, but it was not adequate to make improvements on the scale needed. 2. 1944 U.S.-Mexico Treaty Needs to be Enforced as Written Most if not all of the DMs interviewed grew up in the RGV and understand

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Automated gates at work, a game-changing improvement to aging district infrastructure.

its unique culture. Despite this, when it comes to enforcement of the Treaty, they expressed extreme frustration and anger over what they perceive as a poorly informed and/or wrong approach to protecting U.S. water rights. DMs believe stronger enforcement is paramount if irrigated agriculture in the RGV is to survive. 3. Perception: Urbanization is More Profitable than Agriculture for both Land and Water DMs expressed a fatalistic opinion that urbanization would likely put irrigated agriculture out of business in vast areas of the RGV. Districts that provide water to one or more municipalities may survive as water providers for municipal use, but rural districts predominantly reliant on growers may not make it on their own and may need to merge with larger districts. 4. Need for More Sources of Water Participants felt strongly that exploding population growth coupled with difficulty with the 1944 U.S.-Mexico Treaty fuel the need for other sources of water to be developed. Desalination, brackish water and water from other river basins were all mentioned. 5. Frustration with Research followed by Lack of Implementation A perception exists that there is funding for water research in Texas, but funding to implement recommendations is not sufficient. DMs hope, generally without citing specifics, that new technologies may make it less expensive and more feasible for their infrastructure to be upgraded and for water to be conserved. 6. Consolidation/ Streamlining of Districts is Seen as Inevitable – but on a Limited Basis Management may be consolidated, but rate structure and physical plant operations are seen as much trickier if not impossible to merge. 7. Labor Shortage A lack of skilled and hard-working labor is a serious problem. DMs feel that national and state political influencers and elected officials are unrealistic about the impact of policies on the border and the effect it has in talent acquisition. Additionally, young people in the community don’t understand the purpose of the canals, other than as a trash receptacle, and recruiting employees for irrigation districts is becoming more difficult. Solutions When asked for ways to make irrigated agriculture in the RGV more efficient, conserve water, keep production high, and make water more reliable, the following solutions were offered by the DMs: • Invest in improved infrastructure for irrigation districts serving agriculture. • Enforce the 1944 U.S.-Mexico Treaty at state and national levels. • Look for new sources of water and new technology that will ease the uncertainty of Treaty rights, urbanization and drought. • Raise awareness of the vital role irrigated agriculture plays in the RGV, to highlight successes and changes in irrigation efficiency, and to make a case for upgrades and investments in the water delivery system. Conclusion Discussion findings indicate a paradox for DMs. On the one hand, they know that saving water depends largely on costly infrastructure upgrades. On the other hand, they see rapid urbanization spelling doom for the entire agriculture industry in the RGV. Recommended solutions from DMs parallel those of the growers. Invest in infrastructure. Enforce the 1944 U.S.-Mexico Treaty. Make implementing drip irrigation more affordable for growers. Ramp up communications and outreach to educate the public and decision-makers.

SEASON FOR

Everything Sergio Gonzalez is adamant about several things; currently two of them are atop his urgency lista. The first is that there is a season for everything. The second is that décor design and organization, doesn’t have to be a luxury. It can be a simple lifestyle. The owner of “Season,” Gonzalez said there is a stereotype that says only the rich can afford to be decorative, organized and well-designed. He begs to differ. “We can go spend $19.99 on containers or go spend $1 on containers – there is such a wide variety of options these days,” Gonzalez said. “The Valley needs a platform for design, organization, lifestyle and that’s really where “Season” comes from and gave me inspiration.” Currently, Gonzalez participates in local artisan markets and antiques fairs. He does decorating and consulting services and said in today’s society, a hot trend is striving for more organic. “The closer farm to table aspect is huge,” he said. “In today’s society we are always striving for more organic; the more farm fresh the better. In a way I’ve been implementing that in my own lifestyle. I have my own chicken coop, which has a chandelier in it, ironically.. .but I do have farm fresh eggs. Season ties into that lifestyle.”

“There’s a season for everything – a new house, a baby, a divorce, a child moving to college – all of it.”

Gonzalez added that he has several price points and budgets for those looking to decorate or organize, from a garage to a room to a set of drawers. “Organization and keeping up with your home is part of a lifestyle,” he said. “It’s not a luxury. That’s a challenge, to rig people of those stereotypes.”

(956) 530-7419.

For more information, call Gonzalez at

J A N U A RY / F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 9

“Strongest man I have ever met” As many know, I typically do a featured farmer, but this issue I wanted to do something different. I wanted to take a moment to recognize Curtis Koester. Aka: Moose. He was a man many grew to love and respect. So instead of featuring a family this edition, I wanted to honor one. May you rest with Jesus Moose, and may God give you plenty of cotton fields in heaven. – Michelle Martin

“A Family Man”

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“HUMOROUS”

“Loved the Land” “one of the best people I have ever met”

“slow to anger”

“Full of Life”

J A N U A RY / F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 9

The Guerra Family on their ranch, La Muñeca Cattle Co. in Linn, Texas

A group of registered La Muñeca Cattle Co. Brahman females

Customer Service and Digital Media:

A Winning Combination for Cattle Marketing

Marketing — it’s more than selling

Beef producers like my parents spend hours on end tending to the land to raise, breed and feed cattle to support not only their families but also the livestock industry. Whether you are on the production side, managing a purebred or commercial operation,

I was first introduced to product marketing in college. On day one of my college marketing class, our instructor posed the question, “By a show of hands, who agrees marketing is only about selling?” A few hands reluctantly went up around the room as me and my classmates were looking around for validation. Turns out, this was a trick question and I quickly learned while selling is a part of

s a young girl, I spent my evenings during calving season riding around in a beat up farm truck with my dad, leaning far out the rolled down window looking for any sign of new life. I’ll never forget the look of sure pride and joy on my father’s face when we stumbled upon a brand new Brahman calf nestled in the grass or struggling to find its legs after a gentle nudge from its mother. Years ago, I did not fully understand the impact of these moments but looking back, each birth contributed to developing and improving the herd for the next generation of producers, my brother and I.

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BY BROOKE PRATHER

or on the industry side, working with clients to improve genetics, the success of your business depends on obtaining a premium price for your product. You guessed it — this is where marketing comes into play. With cattle prices constantly fluctuating, producers and industry leaders must stay ahead of the game and find ways to market and sell their product in a manner that consistently secures the top dollar amount.

marketing, it is not the only component, and in fact, consistency is one of the key factors of a successful marketing strategy for a business or operation. “Consistency is of the utmost importance [for a marketing strategy to be successful],” said Carlos Guerra, owner of La Muneca Cattle Co. A South Texas rancher with 55 years of experience, Guerra understands the importance of a consistent marketing strategy to the overall success of his cattle operation. Working alongside his wife Sister, and their children, the Guerra family raise nearly 250 registered Polled Brahman, Simbrah and Simbravieh cattle in northeast Hidalgo County near the city of Linn, Texas. La Muneca is truly a family operation. All four of the Guerra children and their spouses, Carlos Jr. and wife, Stef, Victor, Laura, Tina, and husband, Justin, contribute to the operation in some way, along with their growing show team of five grandchildren: Gabi, Pops, Mia, Ceci and the newest addition, Justin Boone. Together, the family markets and sells purebred and commercial cattle ranging from show prospects to replacement heifers and herd bulls, along with semen and embryos from their top-producing dams and sires. In addition to consistency, Guerra firmly believes the elements of a successful marketing campaign can be summed up into five Ps: product, plan, promotion, presentation and people. What is the most important part of the equation, you ask? People. “We are in the purebred business because it gives us an opportunity to establish our own values for our product,” Guerra said. “It is up to our creativity in our product presentation and work ethic that determines our success.”

Social media: a game changer in the

marketing playbook.

Guerra credits social media and online sales as two digital technologies that have greatly elevated his product presentation and the way he markets his cattle today, compared to when he first started out in the cattle business nearly six decades ago. It’s no secret that technology advancements since then, particularly in the last 20 years with the development of social media, forever changed the course of traditional marketing practices. Thanks to the internet and increased popularity of social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube, along with email marketing services like MailChimp, producers today now have access to more online resources than they often know what to do with, and the challenge of deciding which technology is best for their operation can be overwhelming. An industry professional that understands this all to well is STgenetics™ Beef Communications Manager, Adelyn Allen. “With the world growing [and changing] so fast, along with the constant need for information, social media has provided many great tools for us [STgenetics] to use to help send our message of what we have to offer to our clients, prospective customers and friends,” she said. A registered Brahman cattle producer herself, Allen is responsible for the daily social media efforts of STgenetics’ beef division. STgenetics is one the leading livestock reproduction companies in the world and is located in Navasota, less than 30 miles south of College Station. With nearly 40,000 followers on social media, STgenetics has a strong online presence that has allowed the company to reach producers across the state of Texas and the world, essentially helping more clients produce

Adelyn Allen Adelyn Allen representing STgenetics during the 2018 World Brahman Congress in Colombia

top-quality livestock. “Using social media platforms has taken our marketing to the next level,” Allen said. In turn, consistency across digital platforms and print collateral with similar graphics, copy, colors and logos, allows STgenetics to maintain a brand identity that is easily recognizable among customers and potential clients, which, according to Allen is what helps them stand out from their competitors. Most importantly, a presence on social media combined with a user-friendly, educational website and a well-thought-out email marketing campaign, will take a producers’ operation to the next level, Allen said.

Marketing’s golden ticket, the people factor.

While technology is an important component of Guerra’s marketing strategy as well, he understands that these tools are best used to increase the “people factor” and customer service experience for La Muneca buyers. “Computers, digital photography and the internet have cut the time needed to respond with a potential client from days to minutes,” Guerra said. In today’s fast-paced world, timing is everything and responding a day late can result in a missed opportunity and the loss of a sale. Like Guerra, Allen agrees customer service should be at the forefront of marketing strategies. “People seem more inclined to do business with a company that is known for their customer relations and dedication to their clients,” she said. “At STgenetics, we want to be that operation that makes you feel like we are a part of your family.” At the end of the day, people are the most important factor of a successful marketing campaign. No matter the amount of resources available or plethora of technology at your fingertips, without the right people in the conversation and a willingness to try new technologies, a marketing strategy does not have the chance to be successful. When developing your marketing strategy, be sure to keep in mind: each operation is different and what works for one business may not be the right fit for your operation. If you begin to feel overwhelmed, don’t fret; you do not have to be a marketing guru to achieve success in today’s digital cattle marketing climate, you just have to know your product, know your target customer and be consistent in your marketing efforts. Follow these steps and you will be surprised how far the return on your dollar can go.

J A N U A RY / F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 9

Running the

Agriculture Marathon BY JEAN LONIE

Those of us in agriculture know that there is a different rhythm and pace to what we do for a living. Some days are a mad dash to get chores done and handle the unplanned … opportunities … that arise. But many times, we have to manage for the long term, and plan and pace our actions accordingly. Agriculture is unique in this, because you have to be ready to sprint, but you also need to be able to cover a lot of acres – and many years. As I pushed through the miles to complete my fourth half marathon in early December, the similarities between what I was doing and being in agriculture kept bubbling up.

You Have to Know the Terrain None of us want to be surprised by steep hills we didn’t know about! I’ve come to appreciate the importance of the course map showing me the full route, mile markers, important resources (water stations for me, gas stations or gates for you!), and topography. Knowing the ground conditions and the miles/acres you are working are critical to having a good day and a good season. I have come to learn the hard way you have to plan for the land you will be covering – which means no day is ever the same.

Weather is Always a Factor Just as my days working at an agricultural high school up north saw me in many layers when out working with the cattle, my running experiences bring the same opportunity to see how many outfits I can wear at once! From the outside looking in, people think we’re all a bit crazy - but when you’ve made the commitment you adjust to the weather and not the other way around. Here’s the big difference: for the races I do, I’ve (somewhat perplexingly) paid to do it. You HAVE to be out there in all types of weather or you don’t get paid to do it!

Outsiders Don’t Like the Traffic Jams I think this one is pretty self-explanatory. We’ve all been honked at, and I am pretty sure we all have the same mental response! As a society we sometimes tend towards impatience; no one knows that better than those who have driven a tractor down a two-lane road, or hauled trailers of any sort on the highway. I once stalled a tractor in front of a public transit bus on a fairly large highway in the city of Philadelphia. To say I was unpopular in that moment is an understatement! The bigger challenge we

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face in agriculture, though, is that there isn’t a lot of awareness and understanding by the public of what it is we’re actually up to. Tractors and trailers are fascinating in the fields; they hold less appeal to visitors and some neighbors when driving behind the same equipment. But, where I run through other people’s neighborhoods, most drivers are going through your workplace – they just don’t know it!

Sometimes it’s Lonely There are always moments when your muscles are burning, the weather isn’t ideal, and it feels like the road ahead of you is long … and lonely. We’ve all had those moments when you have to keep plugging ahead and coaxing yourself through each and every step. It’s odd that one of the things I love about running and about the agriculture is the sense of community – because in both instances it’s very easy to feel alone and isolated. One of the struggles we have in the agriculture industry today is that less than 2% of the US population is actively engaged in producing the food we eat. The rest of society is disconnected from where their food comes from and the work it takes to get it to them – yet the consumers we serve have some very strong opinions regarding what they think production agriculture ought to look like. For all of us in the industry, this leads to a sense of isolation that many businesses don’t face. I’ve had the chance to visit farms and farmers in many countries, and this sense of isolation isn’t unique to us in the United States. It’s a very real challenge faced by those producing food and fiber around the world.

The Cheer Squads and Support Crews are Vital Yes, it’s lonely. But we’re also surrounded by amazing people who cheer us on each and every step! On the race course, there are volunteers who cheer you on and give you water or snacks, spectators who have some entertaining signs (my favorite is the sign I see at every race that reads “Worst. Parade. Ever.”), and – if you’re lucky – family and friends who help you train and meet you at the finish line. In our industry, we are lucky to have some amazing individuals

and organizations who help cheer and lend support. In some instances, there are people bringing drinks and snacks to the field, barn or truck. In other instances, it’s helping hands with planting/harvesting/weaning/herding/ you name the task. Family, friends, and neighbors are often there to help get chores done, celebrate the good seasons, and commiserate in the rough years. We each have our own set of champions and cheerleaders, and we are really lucky to have them. Farm and ranch families are unlike any others. Sometimes it’s hard to separate personal and business lives, but the reality is these are the people who make you want to keep going when the miles/acres loom large ahead of you. They may not be the reason you do what you do, but they are certainly the people who make it possible to keep doing it.

Preparation is Key I’m the first to admit I am not a great runner. I wasn’t born with a love of jogging. It’s hard work, and to be honest the highlight of the half-marathon for me was chocolate milk and tacos at the end of the race. (I promise you at that moment this was the best combination of food items I ever had!) I am not a person who can roll out of bed and go run 13.1 miles. It takes time, persistence, and planning – just like farming and ranching. In agriculture, every day you play the long game. Yes, you face immediate issues and tight timelines, but the reality is you are planning and preparing months and in many case years in advance for what you need to have happen down the road. I think that is something that is overlooked by the people who don’t understand our industry. The planning and effort behind every farm and ranch is incredible, and critical. A few weeks ago, I was on a ranch in north central Texas. The immediate task at hand was working calves. But the reality is that they were caring for and making plans about the bulls that will sell in two years’ time. On orchards the planning is in decades, trying to identify future consumer and market trends. And on some operations the work is to find ways to add value and capture a larger part of the profit margin. In all of these instances the daily chores are critical, but they are part of the preparation required to meet a much longer-term goal. As we start 2019 and look at what this year and beyond holds for all of us, it’s clear that being in the agriculture industry has us in a marathon of sorts. It’s a long-term commitment we’ve each made to be an individual participant in something larger than ourselves. We’ll have amazing highs, muscle fatigue, and moments when we wonder if we’ll ever see the finish line. But in all of that we also have each other. We’re all part of an amazing agricultural community that is unlike any other I have ever been a part of. Thanks for being part of the inspiration I draw from every day when thinking about my work in supporting agricultural operations and organizations. And thanks for taking on the marathon of being in agriculture!

J A N U A RY / F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 9

BY ELIZABETH CREECH Natural Resources Conservation Service in Farming Conservation

PARK YOUR PLOW: 5 TIPS FOR THE NO-TILL-CURIOUS

Reduced erosion. Saved time and fuel. Improved nutrient cycling, soil moisture, and resiliency in the face of drought. You likely already know the potential benefits of no-till. No-till farmers grow crops with minimal disturbance to their fields and the organisms that call them home. This builds healthier soils while reducing money spent on fuel and labor – a win-win. With harvest season winding down, you’re no doubt making an important decision for your working land. Will you hook up the plow, or is this the year you’ll park it for good? If you’d like to try no-till, we wrote this for you.

3. Choose equipment with your end-goal in mind.

Simple but critical: Plan before you buy. Will you plant next year’s cash crop into green cover, terminated cover, or fall residue? Will you drill or broadcast your seeds? Your operation may change over time, but establishing working goals now will keep you from buying equipment you don’t ultimately want. Some USDA service centers have no-till drills and other equipment you can rent for minimal fees to get started. All offices are staffed with experts who’d be happy to talk through your specific management goals. Think about how you’ll terminate your cover and plant your cash crop next spring. Using a roller crimper with a no-till drill is just one option. Photo Credit: Jason Johnson, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service

No-till minimizes soil disturbance while leaving valuable cover and reducing erosion. Photo Credit: Jason Johnson, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service

USE THESE 5 TIPS TO GO FROM NO-TILL-CURIOUS TO NO-TILL FARMER:

1. Spread your residue during fall harvest.

Plowing isn’t the only way to prepare a field for next spring’s planting. Evenly distribute residue that will be left in the field while harvesting your cash crop to manage against erosion and allow for a uniform breakdown of nutrients and organic matter. Residue can provide a valuable base of cover for your ground over winter.

4. Treat no-till adoption as a marathon, not a sprint. Track results along the way.

Building healthy, resilient soil takes time. Some farmers report yield increases after their first year of no-till, but that shouldn’t be your main goal. You can quantify several economic benefits of switching to no-till: fuel savings, time savings, eventual fertilizer reductions. By tracking these measures along with changes in yield, you’ll gain a truer sense of the impact of no-till across your operation. Have your soil tested at least once every four years and conduct your own informal assessments regularly. Healthy soils are full of living organisms.

Prepare for a successful spring planting with an even distribution of residue left over from your fall harvest. Photo Credit: Jason Johnson, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service

Take note of the life inside of your soil, and how it changes over time. Healthy soils are generally full of earthworms and other organisms. Photo Credit: Colette Kessler, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service

2. Don’t forget about cover crops.

Farmers traditionally till to break up soil and prepare seedbeds. Over time, tillage can degrade structure and create highly compacted soils that seemingly “need” to be tilled before spring planting. Plant cool-season cover crops to reduce compaction, build organic matter, and hold your soil in place. Make sure to pick a cover crop species or mix that compliments your cash crop. If you’re starting with a highly-compacted field, use cover crop species that are meant to break up compaction. Daikon radish is often one great option.

Daikon radish – commonly called tillage radish – can break up plow pans while adding organic matter. Photo Credit: USDA

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5. Give us a visit. We’re here to help.

Stop by your local service center to learn more about integrating no-till and other conservation practices into your management plan. We’re here to help you reach conservation goals that support your farm’s production needs.

Visit your local USDA service center today to get started with a conservation plan for your working land. Photo Credit: Jason Johnson, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service

Farmers across the country have reduced erosion, held valuable nutrients in-field, saved money on fuel, and increased their soil’s resiliency by minimizing tillage. Is this the year you’ll try no-till? If so, having a strong plan in place will help you leave your plow parked for good.

From our family to yours. THANK YOU FOR YOUR BUSINESS!

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

DONNA, TX PROGRESO, TX

EDCOUCH, TX SANTA ROSA, TX

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17767 PRIMERA RD HARLINGEN, TX 78552 956-778-4295

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

956-688-8485 Thanks for 11 Years!

LOOK!

MADE YOU

A&M AgriLife’s mission for Texas growers BY DEBRA ATLAS

Better Crop Nutrition, Resilience, Flavor & Marketability Our food’s nutrition has declined for over fifty years. Contributing factors include depleted soil, changes in the varieties of crops cultivated and extensive use of chemical fertilizers. Lower nutritional quality costs the U.S. economy approximately $1 trillion a year in diet-related chronic diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes. Researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife Services and its Extension Centers are working to combat this calamity by linking agriculture to nutrition. It’s spent $1.6 million in grant funding to set up a seed program. Dr. Juan A. Landivar, Professor and Resident Director at Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Corpus Christi, says this has created diversely funded research programs incorporating crops such as spinach and tomatoes and projects such as breeding, molecular genetics and pest management throughout Texas. Weslaco has a well-funded vegetable program. A&M recognized nutrition is and should be a key component of this program, Landivar said. To discover the nutrition-related issues in our South Texas vegetable industry, A&M AgriLife did a SWOT analysis, identifying Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats related to business competition or project planning. Through online and telephone surveys, they learned:

• growers didn’t have the right varieties for local environments – particularly varieties that would preform well in the field. • growers didn’t have the right management for insects and/or diseases, especially given threats such as invasive species, transmitted diseases, etc. • food safety was a concern • water efficiency needed to be addressed • consumer and market research was needed Reaching out to stakeholders, researchers asked growers what was required to produce an acre of tomatoes. Their response was a contract to sell their tomatoes. Asking supermarket chain HEB what it would take for a contract, the reply was the right flavor and right nutrition, as well as steady production. A&M then redirected seven of its positions to tackle this complex issue. Now researchers work to identify which tomato varieties taste the best,

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are the most nutritious and are acceptable to the marketplace. “It was a long process to develop capacity building,” said Landivar. Patrick Stover, Texas A&M AgriLife Research’s new Vice Chancellor and Dean for Agriculture & Life Sciences, Director who’s promoting working on agriculture and nutrition, has helped establish this. Stover says there was tremendous interest at the University from the Chancellor on down to have a more holistic approach to how they harmonize the needs of producers and consumers. “In creating this food system, there are gaps,” he said. There are three times the necessary calories in the food system and not enough health-benefiting micro nutrients. And, on the productions side, the more farmers produce, the lower the margins. “A lot of sectors of agriculture aren’t profitable anymore,” said Stover. To address these concerns, Texas A&M started the USDA-funded Precision Nutrition & Responsive Agriculture initiative. “We’re trying to better align the interests of producers, so they can make a good livelihood, with the needs of consumers as to their health and well-being,” Stover said. “We want to take the approximate $1 trillion and get it back in the ag space,” he said, “so (producers) can (make) products more responsive to human health and preference needs – to lower healthcare costs and give higher quality of life to all Texans.” It comes back to nutrition in food crops. And researchers are seeing some success. Recently a breakthrough in human nutrition potential occurred with the development of a transgenic (genetically modified) cottonseed without gossypol balls, little black dots that make the seed high in proteins but toxic to humans and animals such as pigs, birds, fish and rodents, Cotton plants, a drought-tolerant crop, use gossypol for defense against insects and pathogens. Reducing gossypol in cottonseed creates a highly nutritious food protein for people around the world and a source of additional income for growers. A&M recently received the okay from the USDA to move forward with this project. Landivar says they’re looking to increase nutrition in other crops, includ-

ing wheat and black sorghum, another drought tolerant crop. To help growers increase production and nutrition, A&M research projects are focusing on:

• breeding disease resistant varieties, more flavorful and higher yield with better nutrition through antioxidants and vitamins • economics issues such as which crops would be viable and would offer the best return on investment (ROI) • collecting data through drone use, remote sensing to monitor water, environment, temperatures in the fields • marketing to assess current trends, how much a new variety will produce before it’s profitable and risks involved Drs. Thiago Marconi and Carlos Avila are collaborating to test new breeding lines. Dr. Avila collects genetic material from breeding programs in College Station and other Texas breeding locations, then tests to see how / which adapts best.

insects; can control the environment from lower temperatures and you can also increase yields; (without a cost to) flavor and nutrition.” Marconi agrees soil health is vital to increasing food crop nutrition. With poor Valley soil and regularly tilled farmland, pathogens can build up in the soil. Cotton, a prevalent Valley crop, attracts disease-bearing pests and nematodes. Offsetting these requires using one of several alternatives:

• putting organic matter (compost) in soil • crop rotation • adding chemicals to control nematodes

Harsh chemicals can be expensive and crop rotation and utilizing compost aren’t yet regularly accepted practices in the Valley. Marconi sees another viable solution in moveable high tunnels. They can be moved on wheels around the field; netting on their sides protects from insects and side windows allow for air movement, ventilation as needed

Photos taken by Dr. Thiago Marconi, Research Scientist Vegetable Initiative, Texas A&M Agrilife Research

In the 1960’s and ‘70’s, most plants here had no resistance to the Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl virus. That’s when they began reducing planting here. Dr Avila’s main focus is to look for resistant plants, then narrow down plant selections for flavor and nutrition. “It’s a trade off,” says Marconi. “When we got virus resistant tomatoes, that’s when we lost the flavor. There’s also a cost to nutrition,” he said. The varieties Avila identifies have good potential, said Marconi – good flavor, antioxidants and vitamins. They select those, then introduce good management practices and production systems while growing traditionally in open fields. They recently also built two Moveable High Tunnels to work on tomato production, focusing on sustainable production and possible conversion to organic. “This reduces the risk in production,” Marconi said. “You have less

and protects from freezes. Marconi collaborates with other researchers. Some utilize drones and remote sensors to collect invaluable data on how plants react to the environment, detect diseases, lack of fertilization, lack of water. Julie Harris of Weslaco heads a marketing research group. She works directly with growers and retailers to help understand the challenges with different crops and how best to market them. Marconi envisions sustainable agriculture in the Valley, using less chemicals while keeping production conventional. The key is to have constant production, he said, which will attract supermarkets like HEB to offer contracts to growers. His moveable tunnels may be the answer. “Having sustainable agriculture in place results in higher yields and better nutrition,” Marconi says. “These will define the future of agriculture.” J A N U A RY / F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 9

LEBBY SALINAS

Fooducator

Lebby Salinas, also known as The Fooducator® , is a certified health coach, board certified holistic health practitioner by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners, an ADHD coach and has a degree in home economics and minor in marketing. Her education and personal experiences have equipped her with extensive knowledge that she drawson to work with clients to help them make lifestyle changes that produce real and lasting results. Lebby suffered from many food allergies and illnesses that conventional medicine couldn’t diagnose or cure; at one point, becoming very ill and needing to be hospitalized. After many years and many thousands of dollars, she took her health into her own hands. Lebby took Hippocrates at his word and began to “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” She discovered that it was more about what was wrong with the foods she was eating, not what was wrong with her body. The more she studied health, food, and nutrition, the more passionate she became about sharing with others the power of holistic health and the power that “real food” has in nourishing and healing our bodies, minds and spirits. Lebby is the founder of Fooducation® , Inc and sprouted a grassroots movement teaching others how food affects our health and our world. In collaboration with The Historic Cine El Rey Theatre Foundation, Lebby started a community effort to help improve the health and wellness of communities via the Fooducation® Movie Series that works towards “Changing lives one movie at a time.”™ a.k.a. The Fooducator®, a community wellness organizer, a visionary, influencer of positive change, certified health & wellness coach, holistic drugless practitioner, Q Sciences Ambassador, founder of Fooducation®, founder of Mindful Movie Series™, founder of Rise & Shine Wellness & Yoga Workshop Series™, Home Baker, founder of Home Bakers Market™

Tell us a little about yourself... Lebby Salinas, a.k.a. The Fooducator®. She is a Certified Holistic Health Coach and a Gluten Practitioner who specializes in helping guide people to learn test how food affects their overall health and wellbeing. Once these foods are identified, Lebby shows them how eating healthier can be delicious as well as nutritious. Her passion is helping people take more charge of their health and shares natural drugless wellness solutions.

What got you into farmers markets (please stay away from using roundup and GMOS, some of my readers use these products as they are big producer farmers) Lebby became an advocate for local food as she sees food as medicine. She believes in supporting more trips to healthy access to the FARMCY to help people hopefully have less trips to the Pharmacy. Lebby also saw the need to create access to healthier baked goods especially to help create access to baked goods that were food allergy friendly.

What is your business name, and how did you come up with the name? Lebby became known as “The Fooducator®” as she shared her passion how she was able to restore her health through food. She realized that many people did not realize the powerful efforts food can have on our health and began sharing how one man’s food is another man’s poison. Lebby learned it is not just about easy healthy food, but rather finding what foods are healthy for each individual.

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Lebby created the Home Bakers Market™ group whose mission is to help create access to healthier treats by creating a platform for local Home Bakers to sell specialty baked goods directly to the community to meet the growing demands for baked goods made with organic and/ or local ingredients and that are vegan, gluten free, paleo, keto and/or diabetic friendly. The Home Bakers Market™ is similar to a Farmers Market where you get to know your Home Baker personally and you get to feel confident that they are making your bake goods using fresh ingredients. Many of our Home Bakers also be use local and/or organic ingredients. With the new Texas Cottage Law, Home Baker’s now are able to sell directly from their home kitchens to the public as long as their home baking business is less than $50,000 a year. This exciting opportunity allows home bakers to prepare fresh home made goods from their kitchen while allowing them to work from home and spend more quality time with their family. Our journey towards a more sustainable food system was inspired by Lebby Salinas, a.k.a. The Fooducator®, Certified Health Coach, Drugless Health Practitioner and Home Baker. After Lebby faced multiple health challenges resulting from food allergies and gluten sensitivity, these challenges opened her mind to new ideas towards living a more sustainable natural way of life. Lebby is also a Home Economics major who works daily towards expanding access to locally grown and produced food options that is healthier for us and our communities.

What do you specialize in? Lebby specializes in gut health and specialty baking to provide healthier baked goodies to those with special dietary needs such as people with food allergies and food sensitivities Lebby aims to provide healthier baked good options made from scratch and uses mostly organic ingredients to meet the growing demand for paleo, gluten/grain free, vegan, keto and diabetic friendly goodies.

What do you plan to do with your business in the next 5 years? Lebby’s hope and desire is to expand her home baking into having a food manufacturing kitchen to provide our community business with food allergy friendly options. She would like this kitchen to work as a nonprofit and provide job opportunities to adults with learning differences.

How did you start your business? Lebby started providing healthier options through her own healing journey.

What is the favorite part of your business? Lebby enjoys seeing people’s health and overall well being improve once they make the connection of how food affects their health. She enjoys baking for special occasions for people with special dietary needs to help them celebrate safely.

How long have you had your business? Is it just you, or does your family help? Lebby has been doing health and wellness coaching for over 7 years and began home baking business in 2014.

How can someone contact you?

956-897-0145

www.TheFooducator.com www.HomeBakersMarket.com

lebbysalinas@gmail.com

How does your business bring value to Agriculture?

Lebby uses local ingredients as much as possible in her home baking and encourages other home bakers to do the same. She is known for her famous delicious Grape fruit Pie keeping the tradition of this Valley old time favorite. She also offers traditional baking items in a variety of versions including gluten free, vegan, paleo, keto and low sugar options.

In your words, why is agriculture so important?

What services do you offer? Lebby specializes in offering food sensitivity testing including testing for gluten/wheat and also provides health coaching services to help her clients to meet their health goals. Some of her services include, cooking classes, grocery store shopping trips, guiding to navigate through nutrition supplements to best support their body, and optimize their brain function to learn how to support gut function.

Lebby believes agriculture is the heart of where health begins. It is important we support our local farmers and create awareness of what it actually takes for them to get food on our tables. Especially to support our local farmers and find ways to build partnerships with local businesses and schools to provide the fresh health access to what they are growing in our area to minimize the carbon footprint.

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Your business is our priority! Locally grown

HANKA SOD 32054 Weaver Road, San Benito, Texas

956-207-9004

Harvesting year â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;round Delivery Available TIFT 419, Bermuda, Floratam & St. Augustine

s 2018 comes to an end and settles like sale barn dust on a buyers hat, GCLA would like to thank everyone for another great year. Selling forty thousand head of cattle puts us in a unique position between the buyers and sellers. We strive to keep producers informed on different market perspectives, trends, and issues. We appreciate The Agmag giving us a platform to interact with our customer base. Here are few things worth discussing going into the new year. Never is it more evident than this time of year the difference in price between the caliber of calves. When buyers have this many to choose from like they do now, they look to discount the cattle any way they can. Don’t give them a reason to, produce something they can’t deny, you have the power to dictate their orders. Produce Demand! Situational awareness is important when marketing your livestock. Most producers sell only once or twice a year so timing is everything. Look at things that might temporarily effect prices like adverse weather conditions, large cattle supplies, fluctuations in futures, certain economic indicators, etc.. Best thing to do is pick up the phone, contact the barn owner and talk strategy. Good bone is the most important factor in determining the price of your calves. Like an ol’ calf buyer who’s been buying em for 52 years told me, when he looks at a calf he has to know that it can get to 1250 lbs+ when he’s fat. Light and excessive boned cattle are discounted to offset their inability to reach maximum value. When selling your cattle be vigilant for any defects they may have. Infirmities that are going to negatively effect the price. Most common defects are “shorts” which are stunted in growth,

“ruptures” are herniated cattle, “sway backs,” “long-toes,” “no tails,” etc.... When working cattle, especially in hot weather, try to minimize their stress level. “Buckling” cattle are un merchantable! Many times cattle will not show the effects of stress until 12 to 24 hours after you work them. Game plan before you catch em, if you need help please call us! Packer cow prices continue to be the lowest we’ve seen in the last fifteen years, plain and simple there are more cows coming with less places to go with em. Overall cow numbers are up from years of expected herd expansion. Calf market is basically lower due to large runs of cattle across the state. Bred cows and pairs are decent, all depending on youth and quality. When is the best time to sell? The most frequently asked question in the business. Looking over my last three years of market reports and notes, I’d have to say the second week in January thru April. Our first sale will be January 8, 2019! GCLA reveres your business and thanks you for the opportunity to serve the Ag industry. See you at the gate! Happy New Year, GCLA Eddie Garcia

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South Texas Onions:

Maximize Genetic Potential Through Nutrition BY NOEL GARCIA, CCA

All plants, like animals, feed every day. No one puts a steer in a pen with 2 Tons of hay and comes back in 3 months to send him to the packer. Yet, we have been told to feed our crops this way by applying most of the nitrogen and all the phosphorous and potassium in one shot before planting. The result is that only about 10-25% of the phosphorous is utilized. In contrast, spoon feeding phosphorous, based on results from Sap (Leaf) tests, can result in a 50-60% uptake of phosphorous. Doing so will help your onions be able to better reach their genetic potential. Just this small change, in your fertilization practice, will result in a yield increase that should more than pay for the sap testing program, not to mention the additional benefits. Managing your onion’s growth to produce uniform stands with early root development will allow for faster growth and earlier fruiting and maturity. You can maximize your yields while still lowering your unit cost of production, thereby increasing profits in this competitive market. By utilizing better crop management practices this is possible. Phosphorous is the foundation for a strong start, especially in cold/ alkaline soils. Over many years of observing various crops, there is no doubt of the benefits of phosphorus in adequate levels. Balanced fertility is essential, one key factor is the early use of phosphorus. With its adequate use the results are a uniform maturity giving you an earlier harvest with improved yields. Starter/“Pop-up” fertilizer and its benefits have been source of debate for many agronomists. Most vegetable growers know the benefits of using a starter and are very likely to over fertilize. There are hazards to applying a starter too close to the seed and this scares off many crop advisors from recommending this practice. It is easy to focus on the negative and have the knee- jerk reaction of “Just Don’t Do It.” But in the battle for profitability, accentuating the positive can mean the difference between surviving and thriving. The most beneficial placement of phosphorous has been shown, by research, to be when the germinating seed’s first roots immediately hit a band of high phosphorous. Dr. F.L. Fisher of

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Texas A&M University was one of the first to carryout research with starter phosphorous in the early 1960’s. He found that applying it directly below and adjacent to the seed can be the most beneficial. The safer practice is placing the band of starter fertilizer 2 to 4 inches to the side and below the seed. It is important to remember, though, that the benefit of this early phosphorous application is reduced incrementally by each 1/2 inch it is away from the seed. Phosphorous on its own is seldom harmful. It is usually the other components in fertilizer that have the salt effect that harms germination and plant growth. Even though the early application of these nutrients can be beneficial, nitrogen, potash and sulfur all have high salt indexes and should be kept to a minimum. Micronutrients like zinc, iron, manganese, copper and boron in minute amounts can also provide a greater benefit when applied early. We should never forget that too much of a good thing can be more harmful than not enough. It is best to apply starter fertilizer directly to the soil below the seed. NEVER APPLY STARTER FERTILIZER DIRECTLY ON THE SEED. It is better to spray your starter on the soil behind the packer wheel and use a high purity fertilizer, such as a foliar formula, to reduce the salt index. With a minimum dose of only a quart per acre of a high phosphorous formula applied next to the seed you will see some benefits. A better dosing option would be 1 to 3 gallons per acre of a high phosphorus formula that contains a balance of nutrients such as zinc, manganese, iron, copper and boron. This would be mixed with enough water to allow for an accurate application. You should end up with a total formulation of about 5 gallons per acre. This nutrient mix should include plant growth hormones (4-6 oz/A) and soil inoculants (1 pt./A) which can be very beneficial in increasing nutrient uptake.

ONIONS: Nitrogen + H2O = Vegetative Volume

Few realize that using too much nitrogen too early in the growth phase leads to large necks and leaves, leaving your crop vulnerable to more disease and insect pressures and slowing maturity. When abnormal growth and environmental stressors are present,

pressures from downey/powdery mildew, blight and purple blotch can be emphasized. Increased insect pressures from Thrips or Onion Flies can also be a concern from the overuse of nitrogen early in the growing season. These can cause havoc on your crop as well. On the other hand, too little too late and a reduction in yields and quality are in play. The best way to control nitrogen and other essential plant nutrients is through the regular use of a Sap Analysis on a biweekly basis, this should be started at the 5th to 6th true leaf stage. The findings of these tests will allow you to apply the proper amounts of nutrients when plants show the need which increases yields and quality. Corrections can be made with foliar, soil or water applied fertilizers early to improve performance. The high demand stage starts at bulbing with ammonium sources being of preference. Additional sulfur can also help you produce sweeter onions.

STEPS TO SUCCESS! 1. A CUSTOMIZED FERTILITY PROGRAM, through the use of SOIL TESTS for major nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium), secondary nutrients (calcium, magnesium, sulfur), micronutrients (zinc, manganese, copper, iron, boron, etc.) and organic matter (humus). 2. IMPROVE SOIL HEALTH with the addition of beneficial soil microbes (the soil food web), enhanced trace minerals (silicon, molybdenum) and carbon (humic/ fulvic acid) which can help minimize environmental stressors.

3. WATER USE EFFICIENCY, finding the best use of your irrigation source has been shown to produce 3 to 5 times the yields per inch when utilized with a balanced fertility program. 4. SELECT VARIETIES with maximum genetic potential for quality and yield. 5. CULTURAL PRACTICES of conservation tillage, precision machinery, weed, insect, disease, timeliness, etc. 6. MARKETING quality! Sweeter onions.

Soil fertility and Plant Nutrient Management Programs offer soil, water

and plant analysis with scientifically sound findings, interpretations and sustainable recommendations that have been field tested to give you increased profits with reduced input costs. For best results, work with an advisor that can apply this approach along with a lab that has current and reliable plant sufficiency standards.

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RECIPE

Recipe can be found at http://www.texasweet.com/recipes

Cilantro Lime Pickled Texas Wild Caught Shrimp The shrimp will stay fresh for up to five days in the marinate refrigerated, and the flavors will continue to build.

Ingredients

1 teaspoon fresh garlic, peeled and minced 2 teaspoons kosher or sea salt 1 teaspoon sugar 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, minced 1/2 small fresh jalapeno, minced 1/4 teaspoon celery seed 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 cup lime juice, fresh squeezed 1 teaspoon fresh lime zest 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar or quality white wine vinegar 1/2 cup Texas olive oil 1 pound medium size Texas Wild Caught Shrimp, fully cooked and peeled

1/2 small red onion, peeled & sliced thinly 1 large ripe avocado ground black pepper crisp tortilla chips

PREPARATION • In a medium size bowl, stir together garlic, salt, sugar, cilantro, jalapeno, celery seed, pepper, lime juice and zest as well as the rice wine vinegar. • Whisk in the olive oil to the mixture to create the marinate. • Place the shrimp and onions in the bowl and toss 50

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with the marinate. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or lid and set in the refrigerator for 24 hours for the flavors to meld. Stir the ingredients a couple of time during the process. • Just prior to serving, peel the avocado and cut into half inch cubes. Season the avocado with a little salt and pepper. • Serve the shrimp chilled, alongside the diced avocado and tortilla chips.

FFA&4-H 2 018

RGV

D I S T R I C T

January 15, 2019

Area Advisory Meeting

January 19, 2019

February 27-28, 2019

January 21, 2019

March 1-2, 2019

Martin Luther King Day

January 21, 2019

Palm Valley District Show RGVLS

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January 29, 2019

Star Entries Due STAR Gala

C A L E N

STAR Show

March 7-17, 2019

Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show

H Calendar DA R

O F

AC T I V I T I E S Sponsored by:

March 17, 2019

April 15, 2019

March 28, 2019

April 16, 2019

St. Patrick’s Day Palm Valley AST Meeting Red Gate

April 1, 2019

April Fool’s Day April 14, 2019

Palm Sunday

Tax Day

Area X CDE’s

RMB Fair Grounds April 19, 2019

Good Friday

April 21, 2019

Easter Sunday

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CHRIS SPARKS

Briggs-Coleman Seed Co. Harlingen, Texas (956) 463â&#x20AC;&#x201C;6177

Dan Bagnell owner of Montana Integrity, a trading Company based in Galata, Montana and Abilene, KS and operating nationwide Was the yield what you had expected? ▪ We had decent yields this last season on garbs, but I think we can improve those numbers this year.

Can you provide you some data?

▪ We made anywhere from 15 to 45 on our fall round.

What should a Valley farmer expect now that you have grown here? ▪ Chickpeas are just one more tool in the toolbox. I hope we can develop more tools similar to Garbanzos since diversity leads to longevity.

▪ Humidity is the biggest challenge in the Valley. Also insects seem to keep things interesting here. The birds didn’t seem to be an issue on this particular crop which was a blessing.

If you could have changed one thing or done something different what would it have been? ▪ When bringing a crop to a new area for the first time, it’s trial and error. We learn from what works and what doesn’t. For example,our early season beans worked a lot better then our later season beans. What

Was the insect pressure bad, if so what insect? What was the cost of spraying?

does the future look like for growing this crop in the Valley?

▪ The insect spraying costs varied between producers. Fungicides and insecticides can certainly be expensive depending on which packages are needed.

▪ We will have some chickpeas in this fall. We are also looking to try a few alternatives such as black beans, peas, and some other covers we may take full term.

Was the disease pressure bad?

What can the RGV do, to help this crop become sustainable?

▪ Rust, worm damage, below below average temperature seemed to hit us had last fall, above average temps really hurt our spring round.

Unloading trucks at the elevator, did anything get rejected? ▪ We didn’t have any trucks rejected this season. Elevator delivery went smoothly aside from dirt in the garbs due to the fact we didn’t roll them.

Are you getting the same crop out of the RGV as you are other places?

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▪ We think it’s great that RGV is acknowledging produc ers that sought out an unconventional crop. This kind of exposure will ensure alternative crops become abundant and sustainable in the valley Agriculture is all about relationships and we owe a lot to the producers that took a risk on a crop that hadn’t been proven in this area. As we further develop our programs, we’re always looking to the Valley for new partnership opportunities as well.

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BY NATASHA QUAILES

WE ARE HERE

RIO GRANDE VALLEY

and what a wonderful semester it has been! Texas A&M, along with the our state governor and south Texas stakeholders, came together a few years ago to conceive the idea of bringing a top tier educational system to the RGV in hopes of further developing our area. All of us here at Texas A&M University, students, faculty and staff, feel much honored to serve our community and be a part of this booming growth the valley is experiencing. We are currently located at 6200 Tres Lagos Blvd, McAllen TX 78504. Our brand new $40 million dollar state of the art facility sits in the center of the most beautiful development south Texas has to offer. We offer five bachelor degrees and one masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree which are: Food Systems Industry Management, Biomedical Sciences, Interdisciplinary Engineering, Public Health and Multidisciplinary Engineering Technology. Our campus is fully equipped to offer every class needed by our five majors so students can begin and finish their bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree right here in McAllen, TX. What if those are not what you are interested in? No worries! Because we are considered Texas A&M University, not a satellite campus or a branch but fully through and through Texas A&M Uni-

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versity, our students have the opportunity to pick any major offered by our main campus in College Station, TX as well. I am Professor Quailes and am extremely blessed and honored to teach for one of the five majors offered at our campus. I am a

native south Texan who was born and raised in San Juan, Tx, a very proud PSJA Bear alum but most importantly I am the loudest and proudest member of the fightin’ Texas Aggie class of 2009!

WHOOOOOP! I graduated with my bachelors in Food Science from College Station and went on to attain my Masters of Food Science from Chapman University in Southern California. I worked in the food industry as a research and development scientist and project manager creating new food products for companies like Whataburger and Wal-mart. When God presented me with the opportunity to move back home and be a part of one of the greatest institutions in the nation, I humbly and gladly accepted. I work for the department of Nutrition and Food Science and lecture for a major that is currently impacting and will continue to impact agriculture in south Texas for years to come.

Our degree program, Food Systems Industry Management, offers students the opportunity to gain a bachelors of science with a foundation in engineering, business and science. It is completely brand new both here in McAllen and for our students in College station and kicked off this past fall 2018. Our students are being taught the concepts behind taking our food from farm to table. They are the future who will be responsible for feeding the RGV, the nation and the world. Our students take classes such as: food process engineering, agricultural economics, international business, and bacteriology. They are being enabled become leaders, innovators and problem solvers that will protect and advance our food supply for future generations. As we continue to experience the effects of climate change and the intricacies involved in our global food market, it becomes more imperative that we progress America’s food industry supply chain.

So with the beginning of a new year and a new program we carefully crafted and selected courses that would allow us to slowly unpack and unravel the complexities of the food industry. We began our new fall semester with a course entitled Horizons in Nutrition

and Food Science. This 2 credit hour course gives our students their first look into the food industry. We incorporate cooperative team work research projects that require our students to research and disseminate information, critically think and analyze data, and draw their own conclusions on topics in nutrition and Food Science. We also bridge the gap between education and real world industry through our tight network and partnerships in agriculture and research by scheduling leaders in research and agriculture to come and present to our students. We are greatly appreciative of the insights imparted to our students by: Dr. Marconi and Dr. Mandadi from the Texas A&M Agrilife research in Weslaco, Bret Erickson of J&D Produce, Courtney Moore and Fred Shuster from Rio Fresh Inc., Dante Galeazzi of Texas International Produce Association, Tommy Wilkins from Grow Farms Texas, Richard De Los Santos from the Texas Department of Agriculture, Dr. Bin Su from UTRGV School of Medicine, Bryan Rowland from Wonderful Citrus, Ruby de los Santos from USDA HSI, Juan Lopez from Salsa El Gallo, and David Kretz from International Paper. We got to hear about the challenges our region is facing in agriculture, the different aspects and areas of the food industry, insight into running a sustainable business along with the challenges of starting your own business.

We were especially blessed with opportunities for field tours by Trent Bishop from Lone Star Citrus Growers who showed out students, firsthand, the process of taking citrus from farm to retail. Along with an insightful tour of the Pharr port of entry, the largest port in the US for all fresh fruits and vegetables being imported in to the US from Mexico. A very appreciative thank you to the bridge director for the city of Pharr, Luis Bazan, Chief ag specialist Cynthia Flores and supervisory ag specialist Ricardo Acosta. Our students know the detailed process of inspection of these commodities and can apply that knowledge in their future careers. Lastly, we ended the semester with an innovative and insightful field our of Texas A&M Agrilife research center in Weslaco. Doctors in the field of agriculture toured our students through their facilities and introduced them to all the new possibilities that will begin to exist in agriculture through science and technology. We had an amazing first semester and are getting ready to come back again in the spring and take our learning even further. Please keep a look out for future articles and updates of the programs and course being offered. Have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us here at Texas A&M. Gig ‘em!

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The Star of the Rio Grande Valley BY KATHRYN BRADY

It’s Christmas morning in Texas and white flecks are falling! No, it’s not the extraordinary sight of snowfall in south Texas, but rather sugar being sprinkled on the ruby, pink flesh of a grapefruit.

The Fuzzy History of the Texas Grapefruit

Citrus fruits being harvested in the fall of the year have become a part of the Christmas tradition in Texas with many people even giving fruit baskets filled with Texas citrus varieties as gifts.

Little is known about the origins of the Texas Grapefruit.

Citrus paradisi According to the Handbook of Texas History, Citrus fruits were among the first products cultivated in the valley. “By 1878 Carlota Vela at the Laguna Seca Ranch had a small orange grove that was known for the quality of its fruit.” And by 1907 citrus was being produced on a commercial basis, when W.A. Fitch planted a commercial scale grapefruit orchard near Mercedes. But John H. Shary, starting in 1919, is perhaps one of the farmers that gets the most credit for developing the citrus industry in the valley. Shary is known as the “Father of the Citrus Industry.” Shary being a developer by trade, combined his interest in growing citrus with the latest irrigation techniques and a determination to sell valley citrus commercially. In 1914, he bought 16,000 acres of brushland and after clearing it, proceeded to grow his first crop of the seeded white grapefruit (the original Texas variety). The seeded white grapefruit that had become a quick cash crop all the sudden grew into an even greater commercial success. So great a success economically that farmers stopped growing the white seeded variety completely. Especially after the major freezes of 1949, 1951, and 1962. The first commercial shipment of citrus was packed in onion crates and left the Rio Grande Valley in 1920. By the 1950’s Hidalgo County had 5,314 farms and citrus production had become the most important industry. In that year alone, the yield was around 3,093,792 boxes of oranges and 169,245 tons of grapefruit.

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Did it come from the Caribbean, from Spain, from Asia, from Florida? Was it a hybrid or its own fruit?

Almost all other citrus fruits can trace their roots back to China, except for the grapefruit, which is thought to be a hybrid between an orange and a pummelo. A pummelo (Citrus maxima) is a natural (non-hybrid) citrus fruit similar in appearance to a large grapefruit that is native to south and southeast Asia and Malaysia. It has pale green while growing and yellow when ripe. It has a milder flavor than a grapefruit. It requires significant heat to sweeten and thus prefers tropical and subtropical climate. It prefers sandy, well drained soil and dislikes wet roots. All of this is true of the crop production climate of the Rio Grande Valley. Captain Shaddock of the East India Company introduced the pummelo to Barbados. Today the pummelo is cultivated in Malaysia, China, Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, India, Indonesia, Israel, California and Florida. The Latin name for grapefruit is Citrus paradisi. Originally known as the forbidden fruit, it was a Jamaican farmer who first called the fruit grapefruit for the grape-like cluster in which it grows on the trees. It is thought that the grapefruit was first found in Barbados during the 1750’s as a mutation of the pummelo. Years later, it was in fact, confirmed that the grapefruit is a hybrid of the pummelo and the orange. Eventually making its way to the United States in the 1800’s in the form of seeds brought by either the Spanish or French settlers to Florida. Eventually moving on to Texas, probably by visiting Spanish missionaries. According the Pittman and Davis Team in their excerpt ‘The History

of Texas Grapefruit’, “Grapefruit came to Texas by the way of seeds. Spanish settlers most likely brought the seeds with them from the east coast” (Florida). If this is the case, then how did the southeastern seeds turn into the sweet Texas grapefruit that we know and love today? That is believed to have been an accident and no one is quite sure how it happened. But the Texas varieties of grapefruit were first discovered around the time of the Great Depression.

reddest and tastiest. It should be noted that there are grapefruits grown in the southeastern United States too, but the fruits grown in southeast are very different from what we now know a Texas grapefruit today. Texas grapefruit is much sweeter than the grapefruit grown in other states and are much redder. Because of course, everything is better in Texas. The red flesh is indicative of just how sweet the flesh is, itself.

Sweet!

Texas Grapefruit Varieties: Just like everything else in Texas, the history of the Texas Grapefruit is bigger and better. And the sweetness of these varieties is completely unique to Texas.

Remember that the redder the flesh the sweeter the taste. This winter remember to spread some sweetness around by sharing some Grapefruit. And support you local farmers.

According to an article on the story and history of Texas Grapefruit; “Texas Red Grapefruit are sweet, juicy and tree-ripened and allowed to remain on the tree until the peak of perfection.” Texas has trademarked its varieties as follows: Ruby Red, Rio Red, Rio Star , Ruby Sweet, Flame and Winter Sweetz. The Ruby Red Grapefruit was the first to be named. And the name came about early on in grapefruit history. As the story goes; the demand for the Texas grapefruits was so high and the number of red grapefruit varieties was growing to keep up. Each of these varieties had a different name and were being shipped out commercially; it soon became a marketing issue to keep track of all the different brands. The solution was to lump them all together under one name: Ruby Red Grapefruit. By the 1970’several important hybridizations happened, creating even redder fruit. And the Rio Red and Rio Star were the red varieties that came out of the hybridization. It is a combination of the Ruby Red and another variety called the Rio Red. The flesh is about 7 to 10 times redder than the Ruby Red. The Ruby Sweet, which was developed next and falls somewhere between the Ruby Red and Rio Star regarding its redness. The Flame variety is described as not too red, but sweeter and more delectable like the Ruby Sweet and Rio Star. This variety is available earlier in the season when others are not, as early as October to November. And last, but not least; the newest kid on the block is the Winter Sweetz. Not only is it the newest but is the

References: Bexas County AgriLife Extension. (n.d.). History of Texas Grapefruit. David’s Plant of the Week. History of Hidalgo County. (n.d.). Handbook of Texas. The Pittman & Davis Team. (2014). The History of Texas Grapefruit. The Sweetest Story the History of the Texas Grapefruit. (2016). 11-21.

J A N U A RY / F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 9

SELLING COVER CROP SEED

CONTRACTING SPECIALTY CROPS IN THE RGV CALL OR EMAIL

dan@montanaintegrity.com 406-460-1057 “LOW IMPUTS, HIGH RETURNS” Currently contracting spring and fall acres.

FARM BILL

(WACO, Texas) – There’s good news for the nation’s farmers, ranchers and landowners. On Tuesday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveiled it’s proposed replacement for the embattled Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule.

EPA Acting Administrator Wheeler told TFB. The proposed rule defines what lands are federally protected and what areas fall under state jurisdiction while adhering to EPA’s statutory limits of authority in line with the late Justice Antonin Scalia’s Rapanos opinion.

The move drew support from the state’s largest farm and ranch organization. “This is about clean water and clear rules,” Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) President Russell Boening said. “The 2015 WOTUS rule created too much uncertainty for American farmers and ranchers. It made it difficult for landowners to discern what practices were and were not allowed and which areas fell under state or federal jurisdiction. The fear of thousands of dollars in fines for simply working your land was too great. We’re pleased EPA is moving forward to provide the much needed clarity while also protecting our precious natural resources.”

The new rule includes six categories of waters that should be considered a Water of the U.S. under the Clean Water Act. They are: traditional navigable waters, tributaries to navigable waters, certain ditches like those used for navigation, select lakes and ponds, impoundments and wetlands adjacent to Waters of the U.S. The proposal also details waters that are not Waters of the U.S.

Under the 2015 rule, landowners would need to apply for a federal permit to plant, move dirt and other practices on land containing low-lying areas or waterways. “They claimed it was in the interest of water quality but was really about power—power in the hands of the federal government over landowners,”

They include: features that only contain water during or response to a rainfall; groundwater, which is never supposed to be included; most ditches, including most roadside or farm ditches; prior converted cropland would be out; as would storm water control features; and wastewater and waste treatment systems.The proposed rule is available on EPA.gov. A notice of the proposed rule will be published in the Federal Register, giving individuals and organizations 60 days to comment. EPA will also host a public listening session. J A N U A RY / F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 9

TRAIT STEWARDSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES NOTICE TO FARMERS Monsanto Company is a member of Excellence Through Stewardship® (ETS). Monsanto products are commercialized in accordance with ETS Product Launch Stewardship Guidance, and in compliance with Monsanto’s Policy for Commercialization of Biotechnology-Derived Plant Products in Commodity Crops. This product has been approved for import into key export markets with functioning regulatory systems. Any crop or material produced from this product can only be exported to, or used, processed or sold in countries where all necessary regulatory approvals have been granted. It is a violation of national and international law to move material containing biotech traits across boundaries into nations where import is not permitted. Growers should talk to their grain handler or product purchaser to confirm their buying position for this product. Excellence Through Stewardship® is a registered trademark of Excellence Through Stewardship. B.t. products may not yet be registered in all states. Check with your representative for the registration status in your state. Insect control technology provided by Vip3A is utilized under license from Syngenta Crop Protection AG. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW DIRECTIONS FOR USE ON PESTICIDE LABELING. IT IS A VIOLATION OF FEDERAL AND STATE LAW to use any pesticide product other than in accordance with its labeling. NOT ALL formulations of dicamba or glyphosate are approved for in-crop use with cotton with XtendFlex® Technology. ONLY USE FORMULATIONS THAT ARE SPECIFICALLY LABELED FOR SUCH USES AND APPROVED FOR SUCH USE IN THE STATE OF APPLICATION. Contact the U.S. EPA and your state pesticide regulatory agency with any questions about the approval status of dicamba

herbicide products for in-crop use with cotton with XtendFlex® Technology. Cotton with XtendFlex® Technology contains genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate, dicamba and glufosinate. Glyphosate will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. Dicamba will kill crops that are not tolerant to dicamba. Glufosinate will kill crops that are not tolerant to glufosinate. Contact your Monsanto dealer or refer to Monsanto’s Technology Use Guide for recommended weed control programs. Americot® and the Boll Design®, NexGen® and The Next Generation of Cotton® are registered trademarks of Americot, Inc. Bollgard®, Respect the Refuge and Cotton Design® and XtendFlex® are trademarks of Bayer Group. LibertyLink® and the Water Droplet Design® are registered trademarks of BASF. Agrisure Viptera®is a trademark of a Syngenta Group Company.

Before opening a bag of seed, be sure to read, understand, and accept the stewardship requirements, including applicable refuge requirements for insect resistance management, for the biotechnology traits expressed in the seed as set forth in the Monsanto Technology/Steward- ship Agreement that you sign. By opening and using a bag of seed, you are reaffirming your obligation to comply with the most recent stewardship requirements.

Farm Her Say Goodbye

Say Hello BY R ONI M ARIE M C CARTLAN

The phone jangled harshly and the time read 3:40 AM. Confused, she reached for her cell and read the name of her niece as the caller. She said hello and a strange voice said this is Jennifer and asked her if she remembered who she was. Even more confused, she said, “No,” and another person’s voice was heard. “RoniMarie, this is Jeremy. There is some news I have to tell you. LaMarr has been in an accident.” Her thoughts swirled. LaMarr was her beloved brotherin-law, the part of a team nearest and dearest to her heart; the two people who had stood with her through thick and thin in all the bad she had gone through and all the good as well. They were always on the sidelines cheering her on or holding her up. She stuttered, “Oh no! What can I...” Jeremy‘s voice broke in. “I understand he’s passed.” She felt ice run through her veins. She sat motionless. Jeremy let the news sink in. “What?” She stammered. “How, how can that be? That’s not right. LaMarr is the most alive person I know. What is he doing out this late? Are JAN U Ayou R Y / Fsure? E B R UI Adon’t R Y 2think 0 1 9 69 so.” Jeremy didn’t say anything. She asked pleadingly, “Please go check that news again. I don’t think it’s correct. There must be some mistake.” I’m sorry, I wish I could change it, but it is verified. “But how did you know?” “Donna called me.” “Are you with Donna?” “Yes.” “How is she?” “She’s in pieces.” “But how did she find out?” When LaMarr didn’t arrive at his destination, she called and he didn’t answer. She tried several more times and still did not get a response so she went looking for him and came upon the wreck. She tried to go to him but the police wouldn’t let her and threatened to handcuff, arrest her and take her to jail. “Is anyone with her?” “Yes, there are several people here and Jennifer and I are here as well.” “How did you know?” She asked again. Nothing was making sense. “Donna called me.” “Ohhhhh, yesssss. Why am I so far away?” She didn’t remember saying goodbye. She awoke her farmer. “LaMarr has been in an accident and has died.” He sat up and was silent, working to understand the news. In quiet strength, he stood up and enveloped her in his arms. She felt her body begin to shake as she moaned, “Nooooo, nooooo!” They stood wrapped in stunned embrace with both their minds reeling from the terrible news. In her hair he softly said, “He’s the only man who said he loved me.”

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There was no going back to sleep. She spent the next few hours until dawn scanning frantically through her phone trying to find information about the accident that had taken LaMarr away from them. She waited for the sunrise to call Donna. Her jangled mind thought she would have a totally different story and everything would straighten out in this horrible nightmare. They would look back and laugh about the terrible dream and then give thanks that life was still good. It was Donna’s broken voice confirming Jeremy’s phone call that instilled the truth. She listened to the details and cried and told Donna how much she was loved and that she would be there as soon as she could. She handed the phone to her husband and stood up. She couldn’t breathe. Blindly, she walked to the door and out onto the patio. The sun was peeking over the fence top, and it was a blue sky. The air was chilled and calm but the warm comfort of the farm was not there. She stood looking out at the fields. They had just set the time for them to come visit for a week and LaMarr was supposed to put it on his calendar that morning when he got to work. All of them were so excited. RoniMarie had an agenda. The list included riding the tractors, (of course) the combine, and the cotton picker. They were going fishing and bird hunting. The farmer was going to show them all the fields and how the farm operated. He would never see it now. She could not take it all in. It seemed there was no comprehension. LaMarr would never see this place that had come to be her home, the place she loved intensely.

She thought with sorrow about her son. He and Candice were getting married next week. LaMarr was such an important fixture at their wedding. He was more than an uncle, he was a role model, a mentor, Randon’s go-to person. In fact, with the exception of the farmer’s

entrance into his life, Lamar was the only important man left after losing his dad at 12 and both of his grandfathers in the last three years. “Mom,” he mourned, “I just texted him yesterday.” As the day passed, RoniMarie worked to piece together this explosion of holes in their world. She thought about LaMarr’s integrity, how he fit in their life, the strength he exhibited, how he let the bad roll off him. He was unaffected by worry or fear. “God’s got this” was his favorite phrase. He was like the beacon on the lighthouse that guided the ships at sea.

priately and helped her make her way to Randon’s side. A sense of awe came over the crowd as the wedding ceremony began. The vows were strong and the commitment was beautiful. “In your eyes, I found my home. In your heart I found my love.” It was exquisite and sacred, filled with haunting truth. Life continued but for Donna, it was dark and grey. Night became a delusion and there was no reason to get out of bed. RoniMarie spent time there encouraging, listening and crying with her. As Donna searched for the pieces to make life again she said over and over, “LaMarr believes in me. I’m going to be the success he instilled in me. I will live up to what he worked for and dreamed of for me. It’s what he believed.” She put her hand over her heart. “I feel he’s so close to me. I feel him all around me. That night before he left the house to go to the airport and the accident happened, he told me, Donna, I love you so much, I will move anywhere you want to go. We had dreams, we had hopes, we had plans, and we will have hopes and dreams and plans forever. I will bring them to life.”

She gathered up all of her strength and with sheer will and stamina concentrated on the next step. After she, Randon, and Candice arrived in Odessa, the details of the accident became clearer. As the story was told, Donna mentioned his wedding ring was missing. At last she had a purpose. RoniMarie was determined she was going to find it but it was not to be. They went to the accident site but there was a torrential rain storm making it too dangerous to get out and look on the highway. She felt she had failed Donna. (It was eventually found in the car) The service was beautiful, and they felt the power of the universe around the goodbye. They laid LaMarr to rest and looked ahead to the next week. Randon and Candice, in their grief, thought about not having their wedding, however Donna was adamant that not only would they have it but she would be there. It’s what Lamar would want. That became the theme. The next week was spent working feverishly to finish the decorations that Candice had been working on for weeks. As they gathered to the venue, it was as if the whole world’s tears were pouring from the skies in buckets full. It was easy to feel defeated. The joyful occasion that was going to be the new hello, the new chapter, seemed shattered and crushed. RoniMarie kept encouraging. It was what LaMarr would do. The Friday and Saturday leading up to the culmination of Randon and Candice’s vows were filled with family coming together and working for a united cause. All of the loving attention Candice had given to the details of their wedding were being formulated by her group. Even though the veil of grief was heavy, love led them and gave them strength. The rains came down, but everyone said rain brought good luck to a wedding. RoniMarie looked it up and that was indeed the belief. Lovingly, each member of the clan did their part. Even the tiny toddlers worked together to make the wedding memorable. There was one particular instance when it seemed that a gully washer two hours before the ceremony would cancel the wedding. The littles came and wrapped their tiny arms around Randon‘s legs in their own way of giving him love to keep going. RoniMarie took her son to a seat away from the rain and with comfort told him all was well. Indeed it was. Everything became beautiful. The skies brightened and the rain lessened to nothing. The stone benches dried out, the spirits became enheartened, lights got plugged in and the beauty of the pocket-sized setting in the meadow became enchanting. As the guest began to gather, the lights sparkled, the music played songs of love, and the hearts were touched from the hurt of loss that had rocked their world. Then the lovely melody began, and it was time for Candice to walk down the aisle. The strains of “Here Comes the Sun” followed appro-

The days passed and, like winter, the emotions were jangled and tattered, broken, dead, cold. Sometimes, Donna thought each day was just another day getting her closer to being back with LaMarr. No one could understand the loss. No one could understand the reason. The surrealness of each day’s awaking was simply another realization LaMarr was gone, then walking through the day lost and alone without the joy he brought, the peace he was. RoniMarie and her farmer came back to the farm and to the serenity she knew was there and which enveloped her this time. It was her comfort and her strength. It was the land that she needed, walking into the field, looking around, standing in the dirt surrounded by the remnants of the last harvest. There was energy to be gained, there was healing to be brought, there was a growth to begin. RoniMarie learned that being in the farming culture is not just the work that is done. ‘Farm Her’ is living life everyday in every way. Being the love, giving from the heart, walking in the sunlight, smiling, complimenting, being thankful. It mimics the seasons of life. The winter is dormant and barren, the time of rest; spring is an awakening and rebirth; summer is alive with growth, culture, and production; autumn brings the culmination of effort to a finale. Life and earth work together. Say goodbye, say hello. The conversation continues.

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2018 Farm Bill Update BY CASEY CLIPSON

Hello! Friends and Neighbors!! I hope all of Ag Country South Texas had a wonderful Christmas in 2018. Because it’s January and it’s that time again to discuss Ag policy and Crop Insurance for 2019 and beyond. Let me say this. People are watching….and that is important!! The Ag world has been taking a beating over the last 5 years and a strong Farm Policy is important. The 2018 Farm Bill has passed and been signed by President Trump. I’m proud to say as with the 2014 Farm Bill, the 2018 Farm Bill is strong and is Ag Policy that makes sense. We will discuss the highlights on this today along with changes to Crop Insurance for 2019.

Title I Arc/PLC

As we spent a lot of time on the 2014 Farm Bill determining how ARC and PLC programs worked for each county and commodity, less time will be needed for the 2018 Farm Bill…at least for the first 2 years. There are basically very little changes to the overall type of title one programs, but there were some enhancements that need to be discussed.

Selections:

Producers will be allowed to select for ARC or PLC for the 2019 Crop Year. This selection will be for 2019 and 2020. Starting in 2021, Growers will be able to select ARC or PLC every year going forward. There are a lot of variables and factors that occur each year determining how ARC/PLC programs assist. Having this flexibility is huge in maximizing the program.

PLC Reference Prices:

PLC Prices will now be calculated similar to ARC Prices…Yes PLC Reference Prices will have the ability to float with the market. PLC Price will maintain the base prices from the 2014 Farm Bill but can increase if the Olympic 5yr average is higher. There is a 115% cap by commodity. There are some restrictions to this, but once again the enhanced flexibility to the program has been much needed.

PLC Yield Updates:

THIS COULD BE HUGE!!!! Yes, we will be able to update our PLC yields at FSA using yields 2013 through 2017. There is a process that will be slightly different than was used in the past but considering the 2008 through 2012 update in the last Farm Bill

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considering the 2008 through 2012 update in the last Farm Bill were absolutely the worst time to update, we think it this will help most farms and most commodities. (People are watching…!!)

ARC Improvements:

Most Growers in South Texas have not had to or needed to understand how ARC works. Therefore, this may sound a little foreign to some, but there were some improvements to the ARC program that may change South Texas thinking moving forward. This will allow options that work, instead of the only viable option being PLC.

The changes are as such: • • • • •

Trend adjusted yield T-Yield plug increased from 70% to 80% Payments based on physical location of farm RMA yield data used instead of NASS Irrigated and Non-Irrigated yields calculated for each county

Covered Commodities not planted 2009-2017

• Farms where a Covered Commodity has not been planted from 2009-2017 will not be eligible for ARC PLC payments for the entirety of the 2018 Farm Bill. • Farms where all crop land was planted or prevented from being planted to grass or pasture (including cropland that is idled or fallowed) from 2009 through 2017, base acres on the farm will be maintained but no PLC or ARC payments will be made. These farms can participate in a 5- year grassland incentive

contract under CSP at a rate of $18 per acre

Loan Rate Increases:

Cotton STAX Program:

Title XI Crop Insurance:

Unlike 2018 Crop Year, growers will not be allowed to participate in STAX and ARC/PLC programs at the same time. However, they will be able to choose one or the other STAX or ARC/PLC. If a grower selects to go with STAX in 2019 they will opt out of the ARC/PLC program through 2020. This can come into effect and will make more sense in 2021 when these selections will be made every year.

There were also several changes to the Crop Insurance program, but most are Administrative in nature. There are two that might get some attention:

TITLE V CREDIT:

There have been vast improvements to FSA Direct and Guaranteed Loans for the 2018 Farm Bill. Direct loans limits for operating will be moving from $300K to $400K. Guaranteed Loan limit was raised to $1.75m for operating.

• The Price of a CAT policy will be raised from $300 to $655 per crop per county. • Hemp as been approved as an insurable crop.

We will be updating growers through out the year as these rule changes start to be administered. If you have questions…Just call: C Casey Clipson CropGuard Group, Inc.

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BY YVONNE (BONNIE) RAMIREZ

BEEF...

It’s More Than Just What’s for Dinner!

It’s Life! It’s Everywhere!

SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS –

We’ve all heard the saying, “Beef, it’s what’s for dinner!” or “Where’s the Beef?”. What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of beef cattle? Most likely it’s a good ole juicy steak! Most of us enjoy the many “things” that come from beef cattle. But what exactly are all those “things” that come from beef cattle. Have you ever heard of a byproduct? According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, a meat by-product is a usable product other than flesh obtained from slaughter animals including edible organ meats and various inedible products (as hair, bone, or fertilizer) —distinguished especially in legal and commercial usage from meat. Basically, in layman’s terms, a by-product is anything else other than the edible beef we eat that we can utilize from cattle.

With beef cattle, the primary product produced is beef; such as hamburger meat, steaks, fajitas, brisket and roast beef, to name just a few. What isn’t used as edible beef, the remaining is utilized as byproducts.

• Did you know that soap is a beef byproduct? It is. Beef fat is part of what makes up soap.

• Did you know basketballs, baseballs, footballs, volleyballs, soccer gloves and baseball gloves are all beef byproducts, too? Well, they are. And do you know

how or why? A cowhide (leather) can produce these everyday sports items that many of us use. Who would have thought

Some more interesting facts that many of us may not know is that products such as Jello, come from gelatin, the connective tissue of a beef animal. …Another beef byproduct found in many homes as a common household food. Do you eat snacks like gummy bears or marshmallows? If you do, guess what… Yep, you guessed it; these products may include gelatin, which comes from beef animals, as well. beef animals, as well.

How about medicine? Could medicine be made from beef byproducts? If you answered yes, you are 100% correct! Many medicinal products are made from beef byproducts; what an interesting tidbit! Some medical products may contain stearic acid that is found in fatty acids that come from beef cattle. Burn ointments and first aid creams may contain animal byproducts, as well. Crazy phenomenon, huh? But it’s true... 76 Ag Mag

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Did You know:

Beef Byproducts Tidbits

• Dog food may contain beef byproducts • Dish soap may contain beef fat, which helps make your hands soft • Candles may have beef byproducts in them to help them last longer • Some inks used in printing contain animal fats • Nail polish remover may contain gelatin, which will strengthen your nails • Lotions, makeup and lipstick may contain stearic acid, a fatty acid that can be found in beef cattle • Clothing and accessories may contain animal byproducts. Shoes, wallets, jackets, belts, gloves and so forth can be made from leather (cowhide)

Who would have thought that we could get so much from cattle! And more amazing than that, is ALL that can be utilized and made from beef cattle. We don’t just get great beef to eat, we get everyday items that we commonly use. So, the next time someone asks you, “where’s the beef?” You can simply answer with one word: “Everywhere!” From pasture to plate, farm to fork to everything in between, beef is very valuable and provides a great deal for us. Beef truly is all around and on us. From the food we eat like all those juicy steaks and hamburgers to the clothes we wear to the medicine we use to the cosmetics we use to the handbags and accessories we use to sports equipment we use,

Beef is Everywhere!

It is Life!

A Letter from the Editor Lamentations 3:22-23

22 Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. As the new year rolls around, we begin to make our resolutions to be a better parent, lose weight, to save more money, be a better spouse; the resolutions can be endless. Why, though, does it take a new year to make us change, or want to change? Every year has its challenges; just because the numbers of the years change, it doesn’t mean that this year will be any easier than the last. There is no denying that some years are more difficult than others, but it is the days that make a year. So realistically you may have had more difficult days than you would have liked this year. Each day is twenty four hours. Each day you wake up you are given twenty four hours to make a difference, change someone’s life, or make a change in your own life. So why do we await for the numbers of a year to change? Do the numbers mean the pain you feel will go away? Do the numbers of the year mean that at midnight all your worries will vanish, and everything will go back to simplicity? The simple answer is NO, maybe in a perfect world, but we live in a world that is far from perfect. Think about it… Maybe you received a promotion at work in 2018. Did you get that promotion because the numbers of the year changed or because you woke up every day in 2017 and the years before and gave all you had. You worked hard for that promotion. You had DAYS full of tears, DAYS where nothing went right, and DAYS where those small victories seemed large. Each day that passed, grew closer to the goal, and YOU, yes YOU made that promotion happen. That promotion didn’t happen because it was 2018 but because in the previous years you overcame and kept moving forward. We all know that no one day is the same. Each day presents its own challenges and victories. Every day we learn something new, and every day we essentially become stronger than the next even when we feel the opposite. Everything can change within a second, not a year. Our years is different from the last because of our days. Instead of focusing on the years, lets focus on each day as if it were a new year. Most of us forget our “resolutions” a couple months in - that’s during a good year. So , why invest time into making a long plan when most of them will be forgotten. A new year is not a reason to make a change. Each day is a gift from God. Tomorrow is the first blank page of a book. Write a good book. You have that choice. We all have that one moment in life where our realities are shocked. Mine was when my mom died as most of you know. From that moment, I became shocked and starting living like each day was my last. I know BAD days happen, and all of us have experienced horrible days. But those days are the ones we should be grateful for most, because sometimes it takes those days for us to see what matters most. It takes those days to realize that the good days should be treasured and soaked in, it takes those bad days to see your inner strength. I challenge you in 2019 and the 365 days that come with it, to wake up every morning and make that day as if it were your last. You really never know. Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets. So, love the people who treat you right, forget the ones who don’t. Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance take that chance, if it changes your life, let it change. Change is good. No one said every day would be easy, but I can promise you it will be worth it. God gives us the tools we need every day to overcome battles. He gives us so many things on a daily basis that we take for granted. You may have lost someone close In 2018 and I am sure you remember the DAY, maybe in 2018 you had a baby, and you remember that DAY, maybe 2018 brought you a new house, and you remember that DAY you got the keys. It’s the DAYS that matter, not the years. Every day is a new beginning. Take a deep breath, smile, and start again. We never know if we will make it to 2020, so make the days count (and count on the days). Every day is a special gift from our Lord. Know that God supplies your needs one day at a time. I pray you have 365 days full of love, joy and giving. Do not invest your time in things that rob your joy. Be slow to anger, because everyone is fighting a battle and being negative and hateful will only rob you and others of joy that is in each day. Fill each day this year with love, because our heavenly father loves us the same today, yesterday, and every year. God Bless, Michelle Martin J A N U A RY / F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 9