issue 41 revised

Isaiah 64:8

“ Yet you, LORD, are our Father.

We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”

Michelle Martin

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

Al Benavides

Graphic Designer (956) 492-6407

A Letter from the Editor Yes please, please this please that - please is a word most of us have been taught all our lives as part of our manners. But please can take on another form and that’s when we try to please people.

Sure pleasing people comes naturally when it comes to all aspects of our lives. We have to please our bosses, we try to please our kids (although it seems impossible at times) and we try to please society by doing what is the social norm. But when does pleasing become a problem?

Pleasing other people maybe something we do naturally and don’t even realize it - we’ve been doing it so long we don’t see when it becomes a problem.

I used to be a habitual people pleaser. I would dress the way I thought others wanted me to - I would talk a certain way - and act the way I thought others expected me too! I soon found I was living my life for others and not for myself.

God gave you a life and only one. God also made you in his own unique way. Everyone is different and that’s what’s so great. Every single person brings something to the table.

Life is too short - and in this hectic world we are living in with so many uncertainties what better time than now to be yourself! Enjoy the days, the minutes, the hours. Love the ones that are dear to your heart.

Owner/Creator of AG MAG

In This Issue: 6. Recovery of Valley Citrus Trees after the February Freeze 8. Cover crops, carbon sequestration, and the future of carbon markets 10. Test soil to save money and improve water quality 12. Pest forecast for the LRGV 2021 22. Small Insect, Devastating Impact 24. Kassy Gonzalez - Skeet Shooter 28. The Algodon Club - 2021 Royal Court 38. Ag Labor bill passes the house, waits at the Senate...Again 44. A view into the Texas Citrus industry during the February Freeze 48. Ag Mag Social Media Photo Contest 53. Food For Thought: Avocado Shrimp Tostada Recipe 58. Farmers and Ranchers impacted by border crisis tell their story 60. OUT HERE 69. U.S. dairy exports hit record in March Cover photo by: Wyatt Williams Year 7, Issue 41 May/June 2021. 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 ©2021.

To advertise in Ag Mag, call (956) 330-8870 or email michelle@theagmag.org

Recovery of Valley Citrus Trees after the February Freeze

O

BY DAVID LAUGHLIN AND VERONICA ANCONA, Plant Pathologists, Texas A&M University Kingsville Citrus Center

n February 14 of 2021, the Rio Grande

Valley experienced the winter storm

Uri that caused a severe freeze with

temperatures dropping below freez ing for about 40 hours, reaching as

low as 22 °F. In the days following the

freeze, most citrus trees were in a poor state, losing practically all the leaves and flowers. Although Citrus are typically considered cold-tender plants, certain varieties such as kumquats and many mandarin varieties exhibit a greater tolerance to freeze damage while sweet orange and grapefruit tend to fall in the middle of the range and limes are the most sensitive to freezing temperatures.

At the Texas A&M University Kingsville Citrus Center, we began evaluating the recovery of citrus trees 40 days following the freeze on three grapefruit, three sweet orange blocks and on a citrus variety block with 238 citrus varieties. Tree recovery was evaluated based on several parameters including the presence of new flush, flowering, bark splitting, damaged fruit and presence of pre-freezing leaves.

Similarly, the orange trees survived the freeze. No border effect was observed and the level of twig, branch and bark splitting damage in the orange blocks was remarkably low. All of the trees were flushing vigorously and flowering. Unfortunately, all of the fruit that was not harvested had dropped to the soil due to the freeze (Figure 3).

Figure 2. Freeze damage on citrus branches. Severe (left) and mild (right) bark splitting on grapefruit. Most grapefruit trees showed some degree of bark splitting compared to sweet oranges and mandarins.

All of the grapefruit trees evaluated were alive. There was a noticeable border effect in which grapefruit trees on the edge of the blocks were more severely freeze damaged (Figure 1).

Even trees with extensive damage were exhibiting various levels of flush and most were flowering. Except for trees near the edges of the block, many of the grapefruit trees still had undamaged fruit hanging on the tree. Even though the trees were alive and flushing there was still extensive canopy dieback and bark splitting (Figure 2).

Figure 3. Extensive fruit drop occurred in the weeks following the freeze

Figure 1. Aerial photographs of mature Rio Red grapefruit block in 2019 (top) and April 2021 (bottom). The border effect can clearly be seen as the trees in the center of the block are greener. Image courtesy of Jorge Solorzano and Juan Enciso, AgriLife Research.

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In the variety block at the TAMUK Citrus Center we observed different levels of tree recovery (Figure 4). Most of the grapefruit varieties including old-line white and pink varieties showed moderate levels of freeze damage. Many of the trees still had undamaged fruit still hanging on the trees and were flushing and flowering. The sweet orange varieties including navels/early, mid-season, late, and blood oranges fared reasonably well and some were blooming vigorously (Figure 5). However, none of the sweet oranges had undamaged fruit on the tree. Mandarin oranges displayed the greatest range in freeze response compared to the other citrus types, likely because is the most genetically diverse group. Like the orange group, the mandarins had a large percentage of trees recovering vigorously, although some varieties were severely damaged. The pomelo and lemon vari-

Figure 4. Tree health rating by major citrus group. Data collected from the citrus variety collection at the Texas A&M Kingsville Citrus Center in Weslaco.

Grapefruit Group

Orange Group 0%

0% 2% 7%

19%

16%

a

75%

Tree Dead

b Extensive Damage

Mandarin Group

1%

1%

21%

59%

c

Moderate Damage

3%

19%

Minimal Damage

15%

62%

Little/No Damage

eties appeared to tolerate the freeze by varying degrees, while the lime and lime hybrid varieties were severely affected. Both the sour orange and the trifoliate groups also exhibited minimal damage.

It appears that orange and grapefruit trees of production age survived the freeze and are responding with new growth.

Although trees are recovering and have many flowers and small fruits, it is difficult to predict the long-term effects of the freeze on tree productivity. Moreover, with the abundance of dead wood in the orchards, which harbors many fungal spores, growers need to be aware that melanose and other fungal diseases may surge on fruit, thus application of fungicidal sprays is recommended to preserve fruit quality.

Figure 5. An example of the vigorous flowering observed in some of the orange varieties. Pictured is Cutter Valencia Orange.

Recovery of Valley Citrus Trees after the February Freeze

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7

Cover Crops, Carbon Sequestration, and the Future of Carbon Markets

N

ot many days go by in the agriculture

industry today before the words sustain-

ability, cover crops, carbon sequestra tion, and carbon markets are heard in

the news, industry meetings, and local coffee shops. The new presidential administration’s focus on climate change and desire to reduce carbon emissions has resulted in an increased interest in how production agriculture could potentially help in reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

Many people are talking about “potential” carbon markets and the “potential” positive environmental impact, however, there is significantly less discussion about the carbon cycle and the mechanism by which soils can be a sink for atmospheric carbon via the use of cover crops. No matter what ones views are about climate change, it is important to fully understand what is known today versus what is not really understood.

Carbon dioxide is the molecule driving most of this conversation.

Carbon dioxide is made up of one carbon and two oxygens.

Therefore it is imperative to fully understand the carbon cycle to truly understand the potential of utilizing the soil as a carbon sink. Carbon is an essential plant nutrient that is utilized by plants in the form of carbon dioxide from the air. Carbon dioxide is required by plants to complete photosynthesis. The following quote from the 13th Edition of The Nature and Properties of Soils sums up why there is so much discussion around carbon markets: “Since carbon dioxide is a major cause of the greenhouse effect which is believed to be warming the earth’s climate, the balance

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Ag Mag THEAGMAG.ORG

BY DEREK EMERINE

between accumulation of soil organic matter and its loss through microbial respiration has global implications. In fact, more carbon is stored in the world’s soils than in the world’s plant biomass and atmosphere combined.”

There is no debate that once tillage begins, about 50% of soil organic matter is lost within 20 years of continuous tillage. There is also no debate that there has been a significant reduction in organic matter levels across the United States since the agricultural revolution. As a result, there are many entities interested in utilizing the soils’ ability to capture atmospheric carbon from excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. On the surface this makes sense, but the complexities of the carbon cycle show that this endeavor is not a simple as many suggest.

The diagram outlining the carbon cycle illustrates some of the difficulty in fully utilizing the soil as a carbon sink. There are four yellow arrows that illustrate carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere versus one red arrow showing carbon dioxide being removed from the atmosphere by plants to perform photosynthesis. Carbon dioxide release into the atmosphere comes from fossil fuel combustion, plant and animal respiration, and carbon dioxide release from the soil. The first three are discussed more often than carbon dioxide release from the soil. Carbon dioxide release from the soil can come about in few different ways including any form of tillage that exposes soil organic matter to oxygen, organic matter oxidation, oxidation due to poor soil structure or aggregate stability, and respiration from soil microorganisms.

Carbon Cycle

After studying the facts, it becomes very clear that there is much to be learned about the effectiveness of soil being used as a carbon sink. This is especially true in production agriculture.

Carbon is primarily stored in soil as organic matter. Organic matter is made up of several constituents and can be quite unstable or easily oxidized unless it is in the humus portion of organic matter. As a result, the theoretical amount of carbon captured from the atmosphere and deposited in the plow layer via a cover crop is not equivalent to crediting carbon to one who reduces carbon dioxide emissions by utilizing less fossil fuels. This has to do with the carbon dioxide release from the soil and the lack of knowledge about the inefficiencies of utilizing production agricultural soils as a carbon sink.

There is a consensus and agreement that soils can be a carbon sink, but there is no consensus about the real impact that production agricultural soils on carbon sequestration. It seems to be a long term process that is pretty fragile in the early years. A few years of cover cropping can be quickly negated with one tillage pass. Since the actual soil measurement methods do not show consistent, significant increases in soil carbon, most people today

are relying on models to estimate carbon sequestration.

Cover crops are touted as the “potential” solution to help remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Based on current data available, many agree that the ability of production agriculture soils to sequester carbon is at best not fully understood and at worst significantly overstated because of the nature of the carbon cycle. All agree that cover crops are very beneficial to production agriculture and improve water retention, soil structure, microbial activity, nutrient cycling, and overall production.

In the future, it is important to understand that utilizing cover crops has many agronomic benefits to production agriculture; however, it is also important to understand that there are many unknowns about quantifying a cover crops’ ability to reduce carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.

Derek Emerine National Agronomist Helena Agri-Enterprises LLC

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Test soil to save money and improve water quality

S

BY DR. LUCAS GREGORY Texas A&M AgriLife, Texas Water Resources Institute VICTOR GUTIERREZ Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Texas Water Resources Institute

oil testing is a simple and

effective tool agricultural

producers and homeown ers alike can use to help

manage fertilizer and soil amendment applications. It can also help save money and improve water quality.

Basic soil tests provide information about the kind and amount of plant-available nutrients currently in your soil and how much additional fertilizer is needed for growing plants. More detailed soil tests can provide information about soil texture and organic matter content, micronutrient levels, salinity, lime needs and more. Which soil test or tests are best for you depends on what you are growing, how often you soil test and how often you fertilize.

Your local county Extension agent, Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and Soil and Water Conservation District personnel can provide advice on which soil tests are right for you. They can also provide you with sample bags and instructions on proper soil sampling techniques, sample storage, shipping and a soil sample analysis form.

Marco Ponce and Vidal Saenz, County Extension Agent in Cameron and Hidalgo Counties, prepare for a cotton trial with soil testing.

Saving money and more Regardless of the soil test you choose, the analysis information you receive is a great tool to help save you money. Knowing the nutritional needs of your crop, lawn, park or sports fields can go a long way to help you plan your nutrient inputs. This can help you save on input costs by not applying too much of a good thing. In crop production systems, soil tests can also help optimize production potential and hopefully yield a better bottom line for that crop.

A good soil testing program also helps protect surface and groundwater quality in addition to saving money. If there are excess nutrients in the soil, natural processes like water runoff and leaching can carry those nutrients into nearby water resources. These leads to pollution and environmental degradation that can risk human and animal health. In surface water, excess nutrients can cause excessive aquatic plant growth and reduced oxygen levels in the water, both of which can lead to fish kills. Excess nutrients leaching into groundwater can pollute drinking water, leading to risks to human health and increased water treatment costs. Soil tests can help

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reduce excess nutrients being applied to the soil, thereby keeping them out of the water.

In the Lower Rio Grande Valley, the Arroyo Colorado and other area waterbodies are experiencing nutrient loading issues that have created the problems listed above. These nutrients come from multiple sources across the watershed including agriculture, domestic wastewater, illegal dumping, industrial wastewater and rural/urban runoff among other sources. All sources of excess nutrients collectively contribute to the nutrient loading problem.

No single source is the sole problem, but each can be managed to reduce their potential to influence downstream water quality.

Soil testing and following the tests’ recommendations when applying fertilizer is one way to reduce potential nutrient losses from agricultural and urban settings alike.

Free soil testing opportunity The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas Water Resources Institute are offering a free soil testing campaign for agricultural producers in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. This program implements part of the Arroyo Colorado Watershed Protection Plan and will result in reduced nutrient loading to area waterbodies and will potentially help producers save on input costs.

Instructions for soil sampling and sample bags can be picked up at the Hidalgo, Cameron and Willacy County AgriLife Extension offices, the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) Harlingen regional office, or USDA service centers in those three counties. Once soil samples are collected, they can be dropped off

at those same locations for shipping to the Soil Water and Forage testing laboratory at Texas A&M University in College Station. Test results will be sent directly to growers via email address provided on the sample form.

This soil testing campaign is being funded by a state nonpoint source grant from the TSSWCB. Samples will be accepted and analyzed free of charge for agricultural producers from now until the spring of 2023 or until grant funds are expended.

To participate in, or learn more about, the soil testing campaign, please contact Victor Gutierrez at: 956-903-1200 or victor.gutierrez@ag.tamu.edu or your local AgriLife County Extension, USDA NRCS, and TSSWCB offices at:

Cameron County Extension Office 1390 W Expressway 83 San Benito, TX 78586-7633 (956) 361-8236, cameron-tx@tamu.edu

Cameron County USDA NRCS Office 2315 W Expy 83 # 103, San Benito, TX 78586 (956) 399-2522

Hidalgo County Extension Office 410 N 13th Ave Edinburg, TX 78541-3582 (956) 383-1026, hidalgo-tx@tamu.edu

Hidalgo County USDA NRCS Office 2514 S Veterans Blvd, Edinburg, TX 78539 (956) 381-0916

Willacy County Extension Office 170 N 3rd Street Raymondville, TX 78580-1940 (956) 689-2412, willacy-tx@tamu.edu

Willacy County USDA NRCS Office 255 FM Rd 3168, Ste 2 Raymondville, TX 78580-3608 Phone: 956-689-2542

District 12 Extension Office 2401 East Highway 83 Weslaco, TX 78596-8344 (956) 968-5581, d12south@ag.tamu.edu

Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board Office 1824 W Jefferson Ave STE A, Harlingen, TX 78550 (956) 421-5841

Lucas Gregory collects a soil sample from a terminated cover crop field while others look on.

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Fleahopper - Adult Verde Bug - Adult

Pest Forecast for the LRGV 2021

BY DANIELLE SEKULA AND HOLLY DAVIS

COTTON

I

FLEAHOPPERS

believe with all the rains we have received and

the high temperatures and humidity that will

follow, we will see some pest pressure from

fleahoppers in the later planted cotton as we go

into June. The more mature cotton that is begin ning to bloom has had no fleahopper pressure up

to this point but going into the third week of May we did find a few nymphs and a couple of adults in squaring cotton although it is nothing significant to warrant treatment.

I suspect that our younger cotton just starting to square might have some significant fleahopper pressure, warranting treatment in the month of June. Fleahoppers feed on the young squares drying them up and causing them to fall off (this is called blasted squares) and loose potential yield.

WHITEFLIES - Along the river I believe we will start to pick

up on whiteflies sometime in June and will have to be vigilant to keep pressure down. Even though whiteflies were significantly reduced by the freeze in February, we were able to find some still alive in many of the vegetable crops in the weeks that followed. With that noted and the current weather situation being muggy, humid, and temperature rising in June I suspect we will have some trouble with whiteflies infesting cotton along the river. Whiteflies excrete a sugary substance called honey dew as they feed and it is the black sooty mold that grows on this that causes staining in the cotton lint once bolls open and especially after a rain degrading the fiber quality.

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Whitefly - Adult

VERDE PLANT BUGS - Along the coast in the Rio Hondo,

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

Verde bug outer damage to small dime sized bolls

ARMYWORMS & HEADWORMS - Armyworm pressure will definitely continue to be a concern in the month of June.

We are seeing significant armyworm pressure feeding heavily on mature sorghum foliage and suspect it will be a problem as well for later planted sorghum. Also seeing lots of headworm activity (fall armyworms & corn earworms) which will be a concern for later planted sorghum maturing through June. Sorghum is susceptible to headworm damage from flowering through soft dough stage.

Armyworm on Sorghum

CHILLI THRIPS - Another potential pest that we may see infest cotton again this year are chilli thrips. These thrips were noted for the first time in cotton last year (2020) in June and populations significantly increased by July causing heavy defoliation of leaves prior to harvest. Even after Hurricane Hanna we were still finding high populations. The other major host for chilli thrips in the RGV is citrus where populations have remained low thus far in 2021. It is too early to tell if they will be a pest in cotton this year but it is certainly a pest of potential importance that we will be monitoring for and will alert growers if indeed it is found. Like other thrips species, they have piercing-sucking mouthparts used extract contents from individual plant cells.

This feeding causes characteristic bronzing and may also lead to cupping or other distortion of leaves. Severe feeding causes bronzed leaves to become brittle and drop from the plant.

SUGARCANE APHIDS - I am predicting we will have

another peek in sugarcane aphids around the last week of June. Even though harvest will be underway for many sorghum fields by that time, many late planted fields will still be maturing.

These fields will be vulnerable to feeding and will need to be monitored, especially varieties without any SCA tolerance.

Late season thrips in cotton

SORGHUM

MIDGE - Midge in sorghum is also a major concern for the month of June. In this third week of May we are just beginning to see some midge activity in flowering sorghum. We have many sorghum fields that still have yet to bloom and by the time they do I believe midge pressure will be high. Scouts in the area will have to be vigilant, checking sorghum daily during flowering in the month of June, to avoid damaging yield losses.

Midge close up

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

• To receive the Pest Cast simply email Danielle.sekula@ag.tamu.edu and you will be put on the list and will receive a newsletter every Friday during the growing season. They are also posted online at https://southtexas. tamu.edu/programs-and-services/ipm/ .

• To receive the RGV Bug Blog simply go to https://rgvbugblog.blogspot. com/ and on the righthand side of the screen it will ask you to submit your email so you can follow and start receiving the bug blog.

• To receive the South Texas IPM audio updates simply go to: https://www.texasinsects.org/south-texas.html M AY / J U N E 2 0 2 1

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Close to 90,000 Farmers Share Planting Details for USDA-NASS Crop Acreage Reports, Agency Says

BY RHONDA BROOKS - Reprint from The Packer

C

rop acreage reports are a huge

undertaking this time of year for

the USDA National Agricultural

Statistics (NASS). The agency

commonly gathers intel from up

to 90,000 farmers to develop the report, says Lance Honig, chief of crops for NASS. The undertaking is big enough that the agency employs two different surveys, he told Chip Flory, Agri-Talk host, on Friday.

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The acreage survey, which goes out to about 65,000 farmers, asks producers to report the number of acres they expect to plant or have already planted.

In addition, this survey is used to measure grain stocks, as well.

Honig says the agency also does an area-based survey which involves sampling nearly 10,000 segments of land across the U.S. Each segment is roughly a square mile in size. “We do that survey

because producers are constantly coming in or leaving farming,” he says. “We try to identify every operation within those 10,000 segments, which translates to maybe another 25,000 producers who provide (feedback on what they’re planting).”

Honig says another benefit of the area-based survey is it sheds light on land use. “We identify field by field what’s being done, what is planted or going to be planted,” he says. That information gives the agency some insights on where urban sprawl is affecting agriculture.

Honig told Flory that the agency is constantly working to get a more complete data set, so that its reports are accurate.

“We’re doing a deep dive into the processes to see if there are any steps we can take to enhance what (we’re doing),” he says.

“Everything – from the form that we use to collect information from the producers all the way through the end of the process where we publish the report – we’re looking at the entire process,” he says.

Right now, he adds, the agency’s focus is on grain stocks. “We hope to wrap that initial round of review up here in the next two or three months and see what kind of findings we have and what kind of opportunities we have moving forward to maybe make that process even better.”

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17

U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol and TextileGenesis™ Announce Collaboration The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is pleased to announce that it is further enhancing the value of its program by delivering unparalleled supply chain transparency through its Protocol Credit Management System.

BY T. COTTON NELSON

The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, a new science-based sustainability program that collects robust farm-level data against six key sustainability metrics, is pleased to announce that it is further enhancing the value of its program by delivering unparalleled supply chain transparency through its Protocol Credit Management System (PCMS).

Recognizing the growing importance of increased supply chain visibility to brand and retail members, the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is joining the TextileGenesis™ platform as the world’s first sustainable cotton fiber to offer full transparency across the supply chain on the platform.

“Today, having a holistic view of every step throughout the supply chain is imperative for brands and retailers,” said Dr. Gary Adams, president of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. “We are proud to announce our collaboration with TextileGenesis™ to address this need as the Trust Protocol aims to set a new standard for more sustainable and trackable cotton production.”

In combination with the existing Protocol Platform, developed by Memphis-based technology partner The Seam LLC., the TextileGenesis™ platform will allow the PCMS to record and verify the movement of U.S. cotton fiber through the entire process by capturing and verifying article level transactions between the multiple participants along the complete supply chain. Upon receipt of their finished products, Trust Protocol brand and retail members will be able to claim Protocol Credits, digital tokens equivalent to the physical cotton produced under the program, and make corresponding claims related to the environmental metrics and sustainable practices adopted by participating Trust Protocol growers.

“We have engineered our platform to leverage the latest technology and industry-specific best-practices, with a heavy emphasis on strong data methodologies,” said Amit Gautam, CEO and founder of TextileGenesis™. “Collaborating with the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, with its clear focus on robust data and the strength of its verification practices, creates a powerful solution for brands and retailers worldwide in their search for more sustainable fibers and enhanced visibility in their supply chains.”

The collaboration will result in initial pilot trials with selected brands and mills in early June 2021, with full deployment of the PCMS envisioned for early 2022.

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The Trust Protocol has welcomed more than 300 brand, retailer, mill and manufacturer members since its launch in 2020. It is included on the Textile Exchange’s list of 36 preferred fibers and materials that more than 170 participating brands and retailers can select from as part of Textile Exchange’s Material Change Index program. The Trust Protocol also is working to align with existing standards in the cotton industry and is part of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, the Forum for the Future Cotton 2040, and the CottonUp guide.

About the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol In a period of ever-greater supply chain scrutiny and a growing demand for transparency, the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol will set a standard for more sustainably grown cotton. It brings quantifiable and verifiable goals and measurement to the issue of responsibly-grown cotton production and drives continuous improvement in key sustainability metrics.

The Trust Protocol underpins and verifies U.S. cotton’s progress through sophisticated data collection and independent third-party verification. Choosing Trust Protocol cotton will give brands and retailers the critical assurances they need that the cotton fiber element of their supply chain is more sustainably grown with lower environmental and social risk. Brands and retailers will gain access to U.S. cotton with sustainability credentials proven via Field to Market, measured via the Fieldprint Calculator and verified by Control Union Certifications.

The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is overseen by a multi-stakeholder Board of Directors comprised of representatives from brands and retailers, civil society and independent sustainability experts as well as the cotton-growing industry, including growers, ginners, merchants, wholesalers and cooperatives, mills and cottonseed handlers.

About TextileGenesisTM TextileGenesisTM is a pioneering supply chain traceability platform for the fashion and textile industry, enabled by blockchain technology. Our award-winning FibercoinTM traceability technology creates real-time traceability at article level from fiber-to-retail creating an entirely new level of visibility for brands and retailers. The platform is custom-built

for all sustainable fibers in the fashion industry such as man-made cellulosic fibers, sustainable cotton, responsible wool, and recycled polyester. The technology is highly scalable with first of its kind fiber-to-retail traceability data protocol (based on GS1 standard) to drive seamless exchange of data across the textile value chain. The modular design ensures easy integration with various forensic (physical) verification methods used in the fashion industry.

TextileGenesisTM is collaborating & conducting fiber-to-retail traceability programs with top 10 leading brands collectively accounting for $100bn+ apparel sales. The platform creates a ‘sustainable network’ comprising of leading fiber producers (e.g., Lenzing) and hundreds of textile suppliers from 15+ countries to ensure rapid deployment and scalability of the end-to-end traceability. The cloud-based delivery model ensures easy accessibility from any device and is available globally in all major textile producing countries in three different languages. The TextileGenesisTM platform builds on the product traceability to create strong business incentives for textile suppliers to pro-actively share supply chain traceability data and assesses the environmental and social credentials of the entire supply chain.

TextileGenesisTM has won prestigious innovation awards in the fashion industry. It won the Global Change Award 2020 (often known as Nobel Prize in Fashion) from H&M Foundation, Accenture and Swedish Royal Institute of Technology from among 6,000+ innovations across 175+ countries.

Media Contact: Janice Walters, Janice.Walters@hkstrategies.com; +1 (571) 527-9840

Visit us online at: TrustUSCotton.org Follow us at: https://twitter.com/trustuscotton https://www.facebook.com/trustuscotton/ https://www.instagram.com/trustuscotton/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/responsibleuscotton

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Small insect, devastating impact

BY DALTON LUDWICK PH.D. Extension Entomologist Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

M 22

ore than a century after it was

found attacking corn roots in

Colorado, western corn root

worm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte) continues to be a regular and serious pest of corn across the United States. During the 20th century, economic losses were calculated at more than $1,000,000,000 per year, though the number has likely grown in the years since it was generated. Western corn rootworm has also invaded parts of the European Union. Because of the severity of the issue, it is critical to know this pest.

over which then impacts harvest at the end of the season.

In addition to the feeding damage by larvae, adults which emerge from the field tend to stay in the same field or move to other nearby fields. Adult females will usually lay eggs in fields with corn so that when corn is planted the following year, the eggs hatch and larvae will begin to feed on corn roots.

Continuous plantings of corn can lead to large population, but in some circumstances, corn may be the only option for a producer.

Western corn rootworm essentially limits itself to feeding on corn roots in its immature (larval) stage. Larvae can remove rings of roots (nodes) thereby limiting the ability of the plant to produce seed. Research has shown that for each node of roots consumed by western corn rootworm, approximately 15% of yield is lost. In severe cases, western corn rootworm populations can remove more than three nodes of roots. With such heavy root loss, plants can then be susceptible to falling

The first and most effective tactic has been used across millions of acres with great success for as long as corn rootworm has been a problem: crop rotation. Because of its biology and behavior, farmers have an extremely effective tool in the fight against western corn rootworm. By rotating fields to a summer crop that is not corn (e.g., sorghum, soybeans, wheat, etc.) for just one spring and summer, growers can essentially eliminate the problem for many years because all larvae will die without

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Options currently available

their food and adults are not likely to enter and lay eggs in that rotated field. In fact, if a western corn rootworm larva feeds on sorghum, then it will die.

Our second option is to plant transgenic corn expressing proteins that kill western corn rootworm and related species.

These proteins and corresponding genes were originally identified from Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt). Bt corn hybrids initially produced just a single protein, but products that produce two Bt proteins have become available. To date, four proteins (Cry3Bb1, mCry3A, eCry3.1Ab, and Cry34/35Ab1) are placed in various combinations in corn hybrids. This technology has been used widely and can eliminate the majority of a western corn rootworm population in fields with Bt corn, but not all of it. Because some survive and may be resistant to the Bt protein(s) being expressed, resistance is a possibility.

likely to experience high damage, yield reductions, and possible product failures as shown in other states. However, new tools are being investigated for feasibility and effectiveness which may expand options for growers. If you are experiencing high levels of damage on Bt corn or have questions about western corn rootworm, then please contact me (dalton.ludwick@ ag.tamu.edu) or other entomologists from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.

Given the information above, it is important to know that resistance to Bt corn hybrids by western corn rootworm has been documented in a number of areas, including Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Illinois. Additionally, there is the issue of cross-resistance, a phenomenon where resistance to one protein confers partial or complete resistance to another Bt protein, has been identified for three (Cry3Bb1, mCry3A, and eCry3.1Ab) of the four Bt proteins used in corn hybrids on the market for western corn rootworm. This potentially limits us to two modes of action to control western corn rootworm with Bt corn. In Texas, there have been no documented cases of Bt resistance by western corn rootworm to date.

Our third option, insecticides, can be used in a couple of different manners to control western corn rootworm. In-furrow applications of insecticides applied at planting can limit some root damage and protect yield during the same growing year.

The other method is to monitor adult emergence and carefully time a foliar insecticide to kill adults prior to egg lay. This option is a temporary measure to limit damage the following year, but it does not eliminate the issue. As with Bt corn, resistance has been documented to many insecticides.

New tools possible Another option may be coming to the market soon, a new kind of genetically modified corn: RNA interference (RNAi) corn.

This RNAi corn expresses western corn rootworm-specific genetic information that can cause western corn rootworm larvae to stop producing proteins required for their survival.

Once western corn rootworm larvae consume corn roots with this RNAi technology, impacted larvae begin to slowly die.

This technology will be released in corn hybrids expressing Bt proteins and may be available as early as 2022.

The last option to control western corn rootworm is being investigated at the moment. Entomopathogenic (insect-killing) nematodes have been used successfully to reduce root damage by western corn rootworm in other states for several years.

These strains of nematodes last in the soil for years with just a single application and could provide control of western corn rootworm. Because of the potential utility, these nematodes are being investigated in Texas for both persistence and efficacy.

Summary Western corn rootworm is a serious pest that requires multiple tools to effectively manage it. Continuous corn fields are most M AY / J U N E 2 0 2 1

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Hidalgo County Shotgun Sports

K

Kassy Gonzalez remembers at a young age her father being “all into shooting.”

also can see how the skills he’s learning will be beneficial.

“My brother was into it as well,” Gonzalez said.

“So my dad came up to me and said, ‘We will throw you in skeet and if you try it, you’ll like it.”

“I’ve learned a lot of responsibility and leadership,” Martinez said. “I’ve also learned a lot of patience and it’s helping out. I love everybody involved. They are nice, helpful and good people.”

“They found out I was a natural at it I guess, then threw me in the pit and said go shoot.”

Gonzalez is now the secretary of the 4H Hidalgo County Shotgun Sports organization. She’s won several belt buckles and has not only worked on her shooting skills but has developed a variety of other leadership skills through the organization.

“It’s helped me develop better communication skills,” she said. “Also to speak up for what is right and what should be happening in our community.”

The organization, according to club manager Alejandro Rodriguez, is one of the top youth development programs in the state.

“4H started in 1908 and our only project is shotgun sports,” he said. “That encompasses trap, skeet and sporting clays. We’ve been running for about 10 years and have around 35 in the program now. Some of our ex-shooters are competing at the collegiate level and some have had some at the Olympics and World competitions.”

Clubs, such as those similar to 4H, have a tendency to teach life skills and protocols. Bonds between group members are strong and when something comes across their daily lives, group members have a tendency to lean on one another. These happenings, per se, are major attractions to bringing more members into the group.

Of course, shooting is the main attraction.

Hunter Martinez, the club’s treasurer, does what treasurers do – read off balances, talk a lot about current events for the group, money, raffles and the like. While he enjoys and takes his responsibilities serious, he

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Leticia Martinez has been part of the founding group for the club, starting it “from the ground up and helped build it to be the club it is today,” she said. “We’ve gotten a lot more ands and we are getting more involved.

We started with like 10 shooters and not have 30.”

“These kids grow as people; they learn to be good in society, make friends and spread the word and represent the club in a good way.”

The club travels throughout Texas, competing at shoots and other events. Ramiro Martinez III said traveling has been an excellent opportunity for the members to make friends, see what it’s like in other parts of the state and build more knowledge, skills and talents for use today, and in the future.

“First, the leadership skills they learn will help them at all levels, especially as they move into the workforce,” Martinez said. “It instills volunteerism and the importance of helping each other and the community. It also looked great on resumes and applying for scholarships.

It’s also great to go to different cities and shoots and have someone call you after to say that your kids are nice and respectful. We have to travel a lot to go to shoot. Places like San Antonio have them all over.

When other places see what we’re doing, we hear from more places.”

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A Letter from the Editor Romans 8:25

“But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”

Patience is something I am beyond horrible at. Naturally being an only child Patience is and never has been my strong suit. Yet, it seems everyday I am learning how to become patient.

No matter how hard I might plan and no matter how hard I rush things I know there is a right time for everything to “ fall into place.” God is the ultimate time holder and He knows better than anyone or anything when the time is right. That is a hard pill to swallow sometimes.

I like things done right then and there. I don’t like waiting for anything. But what I have learned over the years is when you patiently wait and trust God’s plan things seem to fall right into place. When I don’t wait - things don’t really fit as well; a few pieces might fit, but not all of them. For example: when purchasing my car I was in such a hurry and wanted a new car right then and there. So instead of waiting like It had been suggested I jumped the gun. A week later my exact car ; just a different color went on sale - a drastic sale. Had I waited I would have a cheaper car payment ! So although I got the car, I ended up paying more.

So whatever you’re going through, just know there is a time and place for everything.

God knows your needs and your wants and He will always fulfill.

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New Leadership Charts a New Course for U.S. Agricultural Trade Policy

BY PATRICK WADE | Policy Director, Texas Grain Sorghum Producers

”For many decades, efforts to integrate environmental concerns through trade agreements were largely dismissed as wrongheaded, bleeding heart attempts to incorporate ‘social issues’ in the trading system. According to this line of thinking, environmental issues are either irrelevant, or tangentially related, to economics or trade… It doesn’t have to be this way…”

I

n her first public speech since her confirmation as the

new U.S. Trade Representative, Katherine Tai took

the opportunity to challenge the traditional scope and

jurisdiction of U.S. trade policy. Speaking in mid-April

to both the audience in front of her at the Center for

American Progress and the wider, global audience of industry stakeholders and the bodies politic of international trade administrators, Ambassador Tai signaled that the Biden administration intends to blur the lines that define American trade policies in order to prioritize global climate goals. While this new focus may alarm some U.S. farmers and ranchers, it also provides a meaningful opportunity for the U.S. to codify the acceptance of modern agricultural technologies and further drive producer profitability.

The Trump administration blurred those lines in its own way, blending national security with trade policy by invoking long-dormant provisions in trade codes to justify tariffs designed to discourage foreign sourcing of materials like steel and aluminum. This tactic was in keeping with the administration’s broader political goal of putting U.S. domestic interests first. While many experts expect the Biden administration to keep the majority of those tariffs in place and continue to prioritize domestic industries, it is clear that a global, collective approach to climate change will inform the priorities of nearly every federal agency for the next four years.

Although ostensibly oriented around promoting the expansion of duty-free market access, U.S. trade policy has, of course, never been completely ideology-agnostic. For example, many of the

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aforementioned national security doctrines dusted off by the Trump administration were first codified over fifty years ago as part of the marriage of trade embargoes and the country’s overarching communist containment policy. In the decades since, geopolitics and global conflicts of all kinds have opened and closed markets for U.S. agricultural products. Most recently – and most acutely – we saw this play out over eighteen months of trade wars with China.

Not only is this proposal by Ambassador Tai hardly the first time trade policy has been welded to a greater political apparatus, but in fact it marks a continuation of the work that helped to earn Tai consideration for USTR in the first place. Labor protections are often the other “bleeding heart [attempt] to incorporate ‘social issues’ in the trading system.” While serving as chief trade counsel for the House Ways & Means Committee, Tai oversaw the negotiation and implementation of a rapid response mechanism for labor disputes in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

In her April remarks, Ambassador Tai takes this all one step further, though, by insisting that climate change is, in fact, inextricable from the economics of global trade: “For nearly fifteen years, the United States has enjoyed bipartisan support for including basic, enforceable labor and environmental rules in bilateral and regional trade agreements. This bipartisan support exists precisely because these issues are economic, not social. The goal is to ensure that we and our trading partners are engaged in fair competition that does not suppress environmental protection. The United States has been, and remains, the leader in rewriting trade rules so that

they move us toward this model of fair competition.”

Ambassador Tai only briefly touched on the role agriculture will play in this reshuffling of priorities, pledging to make global standards of U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack’s calls to expand carbon capture practices and the adoption of cover crops.

Despite the limited focus in this speech, U.S. farmers and ranchers are already beginning to realize the economic impacts – positive and negative - of global carbon markets and environmental trade policies.

For over a decade, California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) has driven premiums in domestic corn and sorghum ethanol markets by assigning higher dollar values to fuels produced with smaller carbon footprints. This has in turn driven on-farm conservation investments by producers and research initiatives by organizations like National Sorghum Producers to ensure existing carbon sequestration practices are accurately quantified and valued.

Beyond just U.S. carbon markets, major agricultural trading partners like China and Japan have embraced ambitious carbon reduction targets. In order to prove attainment of these goals, countries will need to adopt some form of carbon valuation akin to the LCFS. To that end, many commodity organizations are beginning to design programs to verify their products’ carbon footprints and highlight sustainable practices.

For example, the National Cotton Council set up the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol to certify U.S. cotton that meets sustainability metrics in areas such as soil carbon and energy efficiency. The U.S. Soybean Export Council has developed the Soy Export Sustainability Certificate to specifically assure international markets that carbon sequestration and sustainability targets are being met in the soybeans and soy products traveling overseas. These are both programs that will drive premium prices for producers who meet their requirements and will only spread across more commodities as climate goals are further adopted. Calls by Ambassador Tai to guarantee global environmental standards in trade agreements may one day even make such certification a regular course of business when exporting to certain trading partners.

tural technologies, farmers are better able to incorporate practices such as no-till or conservation tillage into their operations, which mitigates one of the primary drivers of carbon emissions in production agriculture. Through renewed investments in these global, science-based systems the U.S. can help to ensure our modern farming practices and standards are accepted worldwide.

Ambassador Tai is correct that environmental issues are no longer irrelevant to trade policy. As this new administration seeks to further marry trade and environmental policy, Texas Sorghum and the rest of the Texas agriculture industry will continue to encourage them to lead from the front on science-based agricultural rules of trade that protect market access for U.S. agricultural products and enshrine the legitimacy of modern agricultural technologies.

New USTR Ambassador Tai Highlights Environmental Aspects of Trade Policy in First Address In her first official speech as the appointed and confirmed U.S. Trade Representative, Katherine Tai spoke at the Center for American Progress at an event called “Greening U.S. Trade Policy.”

Ambassador Tai’s full remarks can be read here, and she went into detail on issues related to both the environment and climate change.

Tai spent much of her time lauding the initial efforts of the Biden administration, but later turned to acknowledging some key challenges in crafting ambitious changes to trade policy. First and foremost, she asserted that these environmental goals should be achieved as a global collective, not just domestically, “What we do here at home must be reflected in what we do abroad. Our domestic efforts cannot lead to the exportation of polluting industries to countries with lower standards.”

Before speaking about specific industries, Ambassador Tai recognized the increasingly influential role that investors are playing in determining environmental and carbon sequestrating standards across multiple sectors. As these goals transition from the realm of activism and into direct requirements for funding, Tai suggested that a similar paradigm shift should occur in U.S. trade policy:

While there are a number of exciting incentives created by an emphasis on the environmental aspect of trade policy, it can also lead to challenges for producers. The European Union (EU) is set to advance a plan this summer to modify its border adjustment taxes to factor in the carbon footprint of imported goods. Although not an enormous market for Texas row crops, the EU is a major influence on global trade policy through its extensive network of free trade agreements. Trade policies the EU adopts often trickle down to other trading partners, such as Mexico’s recent speculation about banning the import of genetically modified corn and products that contain glyphosate directly citing the EU’s precautionary principle.

“For many decades, efforts to integrate environmental concerns through trade agreements were largely dismissed as wrongheaded, bleeding heart attempts to incorporate “social issues” in the trading system. According to this line of thinking, environmental issues are either irrelevant, or tangentially related, to economics or trade. The view that environmental issues are not an inherent part of trade ignores the reality that the existing rules of globalization incentivize downward pressure on environmental protection. This puts countries with higher environmental standards at a competitive disadvantage. That is not a social issue: it is an economic incentive. It doesn’t have to be this way.”

These are challenges that can be met, however, by the U.S. asserting its role as the global leader of science-based systems of global trade. The aforementioned U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol directly cites the United Nations Sustainability Goals. The UN Food & Agriculture Organization also operates the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which helps to encourage the adoption of risk-based thresholds for agricultural technologies such as herbicides and genetically modified organisms. These technologies are critical, not just to meeting on-farm production challenges but to these climate challenges. With access to a full suite of modern agricul-

After voicing support for full enforcement of existing free trade agreements, Tai concluded by addressing a handful of specific examples across some industries, including agriculture: “ climate-friendly and sustainable agricultural production is essential to meeting our climate and sustainability goals. Our farmers and ranchers can lead the world with innovative carbon conservation practices. Secretary Vilsack has proposed ambitious ideas, including expanding the use of cover crops and making carbon capture a mainstream conservation practice. I am eager to work with him to help make these practices the new global standard.”

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Ag Labor Bill Passes the House, Waits at the Senate… Again

BY DANTE L GALEAZZI, Texas International Produce Association

T

he Farm Workforce Modernization Act was originally introduced in 2019 and was reintroduced to the U.S. Congress earlier this year. The bill passed the House in March 2021, and is currently with the Senate. So, what does this bill do for agriculture and why does it matter?

Having a reliable, legal workforce in sufficient numbers has long been a challenge for U.S. agriculture.

Over the last five to seven years, South Texas has become the latest in agriculture to habitually encounter difficulties with finding enough workers. And Texas is not alone in the shortage – just look at the number of visas issued annual under the H-2A program.

In 2014, the H-2A program issued less than 100,000 visas to foreign workers for seasonal agricultural jobs in the United States. In 2019, the U.S. Dept. of Labor certified nearly 260,000 jobs for H-2A visas with nearly 20,000 of those visas coming to Texas employers. Even as usage of the program grows our personnel shortages persist, not to mention we still must address how to effectively move undocumented noncitizens into a legal workforce status without punishing either the employee or employer.

Thus, the need for a bill such as the Farm Workforce Modernization Act.

Is the bill perfect? Not even close.

Does it help U.S. agriculture? Absolutely.

What does the bill do? Let’s break it down:

Certified Agricultural Workers (CAWs) Although the statistic varies from year-to-year and report to report, most place the number of undocumented noncitizens in agriculture between 1 to 1.5 million. The bill creates a program that moves these workers into a legal visa status, titling them and their nuclear families (spouse and minor-age children) as Certified Agricultural Workers.

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To be eligible, the candidate must show proof of work in agriculture of at least 180 days in the last 2 years. Once qualified, the candidate can receive a CAW visa good for 5 years that permits them to work in agriculture, and are eligible to renew that visa for another 5 years if they work in agriculture for at least 100 days each of the 5 years prior to the renewal. The 5 year extension can be renewed indefinitely, providing noncitizens the opportunity to remain in agriculture while permitting them to move back and forth between their home country and the U.S. without issue.

Depending on their tenure working in agriculture, between 4 to 8 years after entry into the CAW program (and while remaining in good standing in the program as mentioned above), the candidates could become eligible to pay a fine and begin the application process to seek Legal Permanent Residency, which is the same pathway all other noncitizens that wish to legally immigrate would pursue.

H-2A Program Improvements H-2A is the visa system used to legally bring Guest Workers (aka Seasonal workers, Foreign Workers, Noncitizen workers, etc.) to the U.S. for a predetermined amount of time to work in agriculture. Between the lengthy and complicated application

requirements, high costs of participation and compliance, not to mention the hefty fines associated with missteps or violations, the H-2A program remains an unideal but necessary tool for U.S. agriculture.

This bill fixes a few of the program’s maladies, such as: moves the process of filing applications with three separate, federal agencies into a single application-portal; reduces petitions to account for staggered dates of hiring; moves job posting requirements from newspaper to electronic formats; pauses the AEWR for one year and limits the annual increase, as well as creates a new wage survey/ methodology; and locks in wages for duration of a contract, rather than incurring changes mid-contract.

The bill also creates a pathway in the H-2A system to provide 60,000 year-round worker visas (since the current visa caps at 10 months), which is critical since many on-farm operations require attention 12 months out of the year.

Finally, the act also modifies several grant and loan programs which will make accessing funds for farmers or other agricultural companies possible in order to update, improve or build new worker housing.

E-Verify Requirement E-Verify is a web-based system that allows employers to confirm eligibility of their employees in near real time. The bill would

There are some groups in agriculture that are against supporting the bill until it gets closer to perfection. Unfortunately, such hesitation has been a contributing factor to the lack of meaningful agricultural labor reform for more than 30 years.

Today, both Republicans and Democrats in Washington DC acknowledge the shortages in agricultural labor, which is to the industry’s benefit. Never before has the topic been better understood, with more attention, across such a wide political spectrum. Yet… how long will politicians work on agriculture issues if our industry insists on perfection rather than progress? With so many different issues on-going in DC, agriculture should not shun smaller wins – like this bill. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act can help our industry by creating a base for labor reform, like a first step. From there, additional bills in future sessions of Congress can build on this one, addressing and improving shortcomings.

Yes, the passage of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act feels like a long shot right now with so many other “higher priority” issues in front of Congress. However, we cannot be afraid as agriculture to ask for the things that will improve this industry and we cannot wait for the perfect bill either. “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,” and if we as an industry do not take this shot to do something about agricultural labor… we’re going to be guaranteed to miss a perfect opportunity to bring about progress on a critical issue.

create a phased, nationwide E-Verify requirement for all agricultural employers. More about the E-Verify system can be learned by visiting the web-site www.e-verify.gov.

The fresh fruit and vegetable industry, and likely many others in agriculture, would still like to see more done to the bill before it passes the Senate. For example, more protections for undocumented workers, their families, and employers during the CAW application and approval process is a big one. Also needed is a longer pause on the AEWR rates and a faster timetable for implementing a much need and improved wage analysis methodology.

But those issues should not prevent the industry from providing support or backing to the bill. Nor should agriculture be issuing statements against the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. There is a saying that can be applied here, “Do not let Perfection be the enemy of Progress.”

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Farm Bureau lends helping hand following winter storm

County Farm Bureaus across Texas donated time and money to community food and emergency relief efforts following the winter storm.

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T

hrough the Help

ing Hands co-op

contribution pro

gram, Texas

Farm Bureau

(TFB) and county

Farm Bureaus

donated $262,197 to community food and emergency relief efforts following February’s winter storm.

The Lone Star State faced a tough start to the year when the storm dealt another blow to Texans who were still reeling from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Resources were stretched thin, and the list of people and organizations needing assistance after the record-breaking winter storm was long.

The Helping Hands program established

by TFB aimed to meet a variety of needs in communities across the state.

“This unprecedented weather event brought new hardships to Texans who were already struggling with loss of employment, fewer resources available and other issues related to the pandemic,”

TFB President Russell Boening said.

“This program assisted county Farm Bureaus in lending a helping hand to the local communities.”

for any qualified donation. Entities that provide food and shelter or meet other basic needs were a priority, as well as other non-profits that were affected by this historic weather event.

A total of 123 county Farm Bureaus participated in the program, donating $98,384 directly to local food and emergency relief organizations. TFB matched $163,813, further increasing the impact of the statewide program.

“This program put the decision of how best to make an impact in the hands of county Farm Bureaus to maximize the co-op contribution from the state organization,” Boening said. “Our county organizations and Farm Bureau members stepped up to help provide assistance in a time of high demand.”

Several county Farm Bureaus made donations to Meals on Wheels, food pantries, volunteer fire departments and a weekend snack program for kids. Others donated to community and charitable groups. Donations came in all shapes, sizes and amounts. County leaders also contributed their time and coordinated logistics for donations.

“We’re proud our county Farm Bureaus and state organization could lend a hand during these trying times. Farm Bureau considers itself one big family, and we set out to help as many folks as we could during this time of need— just like family would do,” Boening said. “Farm Bureau’s commitment to agriculture and communities has never wavered during a time of need, including Winter Storm Uri and the ongoing pandemic.” The program ran from Feb. 18 through April 30.

In 2020 and 2021, TFB and county Farm Bureaus contributed a total of $815,996 in community food and emergency relief efforts. Donations in 2020 were made through Feeding the Need and Feeding Texas co-op contribution programs.

Through the Helping Hands program, TFB provided a 2-to-1 match for county Farm Bureau contributions up to $750

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A View into the

Texas Citrus

Industry During the February Freeze

T

It has been a year for the history books

for citrus growers in the RGV. A lingering

drought, Hurricane Hannah in July taking

20% of the crop followed by a devastat ing freeze in February. Valentine’s day 2021 will forever be stamped in grower’s minds. It is hard to sum up in words the hours and days of a freeze for citrus growers.

Heart breaking. Gut wrenching. Powerless. Watching the temperature forecasts and knowing the damage that is to come.

Looking at your grove full of years of hard work, investment, and promise. And the stark realization that all will be changed in a few short hours.

On February 14, 2021, temperatures dropped below 32 degrees then continued to drop over the following days, dipping to 21 degrees for a four-hour period. Altogether, the citrus trees

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BY ELISHA ENSIGN AND DALE MURDEN

were exposed to 50 hours of below freezing temperatures.

Anything below 28 degrees is devastating for citrus trees, with lower temps and extended times causing even more havoc. Any attempts to warm the trees were foiled by the wind.

The juice inside the fruit freezes and expands, bursting the juice sacks and turning the fruit to slush. Some say you can hear loud pops reverberate throughout the grove as the tree bark splits open. Growers walking through the groves, slicing the fruit open to scrape ice where there should be juice.

Then the freeze passes and temperatures rise like nothing happened. And yet within days a once thriving citrus grove is unrecognizable. Lush trees laden with grapefruit and oranges is now a wasteland of dropped fruit, withered leaves and damaged or dead trees. 60% of the region’s grapefruit crop and 100% of the late orange crop were lost. In addition, early

blooms for next year’s crop shriveled and turned black on the tree. If a tree survived, it could take a few years for that tree to recover. If the tree dies and must be replanted, it takes up to 5 years to even begin to see meaningful income after re-planting.

For many months and perhaps years to come, the Texas Citrus Industry will be taking stock and regrouping after this devastating freeze. With the area producing 230,000 tons of grapefruit per year, growers are expecting to lose an estimated 138,000 tons of grapefruit from this season and an untold amount from next season. Current estimates of the economic impact of this freeze is more than $305 million.

hear from each and every grower affected. You can also contact your local Farm Service Agencies for additional information. If you would like information about Federal Assistance as it comes available, you can contact TCM to become a member at (956) 584-1772.

Following the freeze, Texas Citrus Mutual, the citrus industry’s grower association responded immediately, not only during the disaster, but even now asking for federal disaster relief.

Since trees were first planted in the RGV over 100 years ago, the Texas citrus industry has had its fair share of struggles.

And yet after each freeze, hurricane, drought, plight… many determined growers dig in and re-plant. Will this freeze shape and change our industry? Yes. Will innovative opportunities evolve as well? Perhaps. But without a doubt, the industry will rise again to grow world renowned citrus fruit from Texas.

TCM asked Governor Abbott to declare an immediate disaster declaration, and this was granted on February 17th and sent to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. TCM has also asked both United States Senators and our three Congressmen for disaster relief. They requested direct disaster payments and funding for tree removal. Congressman Cuellar is working to extend and expand a disaster program referred to as WHIP, a wildfire and hurricane program created in 2018-19. He is asking that it be funded and expanded to include this freeze and the 20202021 crop years. While this program is a start, it is not enough.

Growers also need funding for the ever-increasing prices of tree removal included in these efforts, which TCM is continually pursuing.

We are now a few months past the freeze and there are still so many unknowns. Many trees were too hard hit and groves are being pulled out. Not all will be replanted as it is still undetermined how many growers will decide the investment is too great. Other groves are being nursed back to health and some blooms are even emerging. Ultimately, the size and acreage of our industry is very much up in the air at this point.

As a grower, what can you do? Reach out to your elected officials and remind them of your plight. It is important that they M AY / J U N E 2 0 2 1

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PHOTO BY: STEPHAN

PHOTO BY: JARRETT

PHOTO BY: ROLAND YODER PHOTO BY: EDITH RODRIGUEZ

PHOTO BY: KELLY G

PHOTO BY: WYATT WILLIAMS PHOTO BY: LUDWIG REINECKE

NIE NELSON

GRIGGS

PHOTO BY: JESSE STALL

PHOTO BY: SAM BENZER

TSSWCB Announces 2021 Conservation Award Winners Understanding the Problem TEMPLE — Each year the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) and the Association of Texas Soil and Water Conservation Districts (ATSWCD) recognize and honor individuals who dedicate themselves to the conservation and management of renewable natural resources. These outstanding conservationists will be recognized during an awards luncheon on Tuesday, October 5, 2021 at Kalahari Resort in Round Rock.

The Texas Conservation Awards Program began in the late 1970’s to recognize conservationists and the vital role they play in managing Texas’ natural resources. The purpose of the program is to acknowledge, recognize, and honor individuals that dedicate their time and efforts to the conservation of natural resources.

The program provides an opportunity for competition and incentives to expand and improve conservation efforts as well as the wise utilization of renewable natural resources.

Categories recognized through the Texas Conservation Awards Program are: Poster Contest and Junior and Senior Essay Contests, Conservation Farmer, Outstanding Soil and Water Conservation District, Conservation Rancher, Friend of Conservation, Conservation Teacher and Wildlife Conservationist.

The subject for the 2021 Poster Contest was “Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities.” Cadence DelaRosa from Riviera and the Kleberg-Kenedy Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) #356, was chosen as this year’s winner. The poster will advance to the National Association of Conservation Districts Poster Contest in December 2021.

“Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities” was also the topic for the 2021 Essay Contest. Blaine Dahal, of Channing and the Hartley Soil and Water Conservation District #152, took first place in the Junior Division of the essay contest. Briana Latray, of Groesbeck and the Limestone-Falls Soil and Water Conservation District #501, took first place in the Senior Division of the essay contest.

Below is a list of the 2021 Conservation Award Winners: Conservation Farmer – Todd Westerfeld, McLennan

County SWCD #512 Todd Westerfeld Farms located in Moody, Texas is owned and operated by Todd and Amanda Westerfeld, along with their

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two daughters, Ember and Lena. Todd grew up on a farm and spent most of his life learning alongside his father. In 2009, Todd ventured out to start his own operation taking on over 3,400 acres of cropland and 250 of pasture. With the help of his father and cousin, the Westerfeld’s have produced some of the best crops in the county over the years. Todd’s innovation, willingness to practice good stewardship and utilizing new technologies has proven to be successful for his operation.

Westerfeld is a cooperator with the McLennan County SWCD and USDA-NRCS to put conservation efforts on the ground.

Those practices include forage and biomass planting, as well as cross fencing that is utilized for rotational grazing. With a following of over seventeen thousand on Instagram, Westerfeld does his part to share behind the scenes of the hard work and dedication that comes with producing food and fiber with conservation at top of mind. As trends in agriculture continue to change, the Westerfeld family is always looking to the future and how they can advance their operation in a way that preserves and protects natural resources.

Outstanding Soil and Water Conservation District – Parker County SWCD #558 Melton Harms, Chairman Jeanne O’Connor, Vice-Chairman Larry B. King, District Director Larry Waldan, District Director Morris White, District Director The SWCD was originally established in 1941 as HoodParker SWCD covering both Hood and Parker Counties.

In 1992, through a re-organization process it became Parker County SWCD covering its namesake. The purpose of the SWCD is to protect and enhance the natural resources of Parker County through financial and technical assistance as well as educational support to local citizens and the upkeep of infrastructure in the county. Parker County SWCD is active in the TSSWCB Flood Control Program through addressing the operation and maintenance needs for the 34 flood control structures within the county. The SWCD is passionate about educating landowners and future generations. In 2017, the SWCD partnered with Weatherford College to plant a demonstration area at the college farm that is utilized as an educational tool for students. Parker County SWCD works diligently to ensure the availability of natural resources for future generations so that all Texans’ present and future needs can be met in a manner that promotes a clean, healthy environment and

strong economic growth.

Friend of Conservation – Stephen Deiss, Victoria SWCD #346 Stephen Deiss was selected as the 2021 Friend of Conservation representing Victoria SWCD. Deiss is no stranger to soil and water conservation. He has dedicated his life to working to protect and enhance Texas’ natural resources through his professional career with the TSSWCB and USDA-NRCS. After retirement, Deiss began work at O’Connor Ranches as Ranch Manager where he manages operations in Goliad and Refugio Counties as well as New Mexico. Since taking on his new role, he has used his knowledge of natural resources to implement practices on the ranches to improve overall productivity and conservation efforts. Outside of his work on the ranch, he spends time educating landowners through field days, workshops and working with them one on one to enhance their operations. Deiss is a friend to many organizations including his local SWCD and NRCS, Grazing Lands Coalition, Texas Section Society of Range Management, Coastal Bend Burn Association and many others. Deiss is an admirable advocate for land stewardship and natural resource education. He has left a legacy of conservation for many generations to follow.

Conservation Rancher – Broken W Partnership, San Patricio SWCD #324 The Broken W Partnership owned and operated by Bob Whatley and son, Jon Whatley is headquartered in Odem, Texas.

Together, with the help of their families they have dedicated their lives to enhancing the growth and sustainability of their ranching operation. Over the years, Broken W Partnership has utilized soil and water conservation programs provided by the TSSWCB, San Patricio SWCD and the USDA-NRCS. The Broken W Partnership has incorporated a variety of conservation practices on their operation such as brush management, forage and biomass planting, cross fencing, rotational and prescribed grazing as well as livestock watering facilities.

Outside of their work on the ranch, the Whatley family has devoted their time to serving on numerous boards and organizations from the local to national level. The Whatley family has done an outstanding job in being dedicated stewards of the land and will continue to set an admirable example for others to follow.

to include the importance of agriculture and natural resource conservation inside and outside of the classroom. Through exploring the outdoors, she utilizes local plants and soils to demonstrate different biological concepts to her students. She has also partnered with the local USDA-NRCS office and Howard SWCD for classroom presentations as well as participating in the Conservation Awards Program. Welch continues to be a leader in teaching our future generations the importance of conservation to ensure the availability of Texas’ natural resources for many generations to come.

Wildlife Conservationist – Quinn Ranch, McCulloch

SWCD #249

Located in McCulloch County, Quinn Ranch was established

by C.P. Gray in 1898. Beginning in 1997, his great-grandson, John Quinn took over the operation. Through cooperating with the McCulloch SWCD and USDA-NRCS, he has utilized a variety of programs to implement conservation practices on his land which are great providers of food, water, and habitat for wildlife. Those practices include grazing management, prescribed burning, watering facilities, brush management as well as cross fencing.

The Quinn Ranch is an active Wildlife Management Cooperator and a supporter of the Lone Star Land Steward Program as well as a member of the Edwards Plateau Prescribed Burning Association. The dedication to conservation and education demonstrated by the Quinn Ranch is widely admired and appreciated.

More information about the Texas Conservation Awards Program is available at: https://www.tsswcb. texas.gov/programs/public-information-and-education/texas-conservation-awards-program

Conservation Teacher – Sherrlyn Welch, Howard SWCD #243 Sherrlyn Welch of Howard County was selected as the 2021 Conservation Teacher, representing Howard SWCD. Welch is a science and social studies teacher at Forsan Elementary.

Over her many years of teaching, she has worked diligently

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Ag Mag RECIPE

… t h g u o h T r o f d o o F

Avocado Shrimp Tostada

Serves 4

Ingredients

1½ POUNDS medium size Texas Wild Caught Shrimp, peeled and deveined 3 CLOVES fresh garlic, peeled and minced 2 TABLESPOONS olive oil 1 TEASPOON ground cumin ½ TEASPOON crushed red pepper 2 TEASPOON kosher salt ½ TEASPOON black pepper 3 small avocados 1 TABLESPOON olive oil 2 TEASPOON lime juice 1 TEASPOON kosher salt 8 crispy 6-inch round tostadas Garnishes: sliced jalapenos, sliced radish, roasted corn kernels, shredded red cabbage, pico de gallo, crumbled queso fresco and lime wedges

Preparation

• In a medium size bowl, toss the shrimp with the garlic, olive oil, cumin, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Allow the shrimp to sit for ten minutes for the flavors to develop.

• Heat a charbroil grill to medium high heat.

• Brush the grill grates with a little oil to keep the shrimp from sticking. Place the shrimp in a single layer on the grill and cook for three to four minutes on each side until the shrimp begin to curl and turn pink and the center of the shrimp is no longer translucent. Remove the shrimp from the grill and keep warm.

• Cut the avocados in half and then remove the pits and scoop the flesh from the skin, placing the avocado pulp in a small bowl. Using a fork, mash the avocado with one tablespoon of olive oil, the lime juice and one teaspoon salt. Continue to mash the avocado until fairly smooth.

• Divide the avocado pulp evenly between the eight tostada shells and spread across the surface of each tostada.

• Top each tostada with three or four shrimp each and then add a topping of the wide range of garnishes as desired. Serve immediately.

Reprint from AgriLife

Higher food prices reflect variety of factors AgriLife Extension economists provide ‘bigger picture’ on some agricultural product increases

Factors contributing to some higher prices at the local grocery store are the result of a perfect storm of short- and long-term retractions, disruptions, disasters and wide fluctuations in supply and demand, said Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economists. And that’s just the short list.

“We are already seeing consumers paying more for many grocery items, including beef, poultry and fish, as well as dairy items and a number of other household staples,” said David Anderson, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension economist in the Department of Agricultural Economics in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Bryan-College Station.

With the pandemic, along with ice storm and drought, fuel increases and supply disruptions, slowdowns in shipping and a head-snapping return in demand, there are more than a few reasons consumers are seeing increased food prices.

The factors affecting food prices at grocery stores are varied and many.

(Texas A&M AgriLife photo collage)

Increased cost to feed poultry and livestock Anderson said one significant factor in the rising cost of meat items is the increased cost of feed for poultry and livestock, which is made up primarily of corn and soybean meal.

“Cows, chickens, goats, sheep and other farm animals have diets that are highly dependent on feed made from these commodities,” Anderson said.

“Increased costs for these commodities, along with increases in fuel and transportation costs, energy costs and the costs of agricultural inputs, such as fertilizer, eventually get passed along to the consumer.” He said many problems with agricultural supply chain disruptions and production retractions that occurred during the pandemic will take time to rectify.

“Increased fuel costs, disturbances in the reliability of transportation and labor, and a general trend toward inflation have also been factors in food price increases,” he said. Along with supply problems, he said, many agricultural operations have had to spend more on pandemic-related safety training and protocols and are passing along some of those costs.

Cattle feeding at a feedlot.

(Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Kay Ledbetter)

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“There also have been weather anomalies that have had an impact on agriculture, such as the winter storm and then drought affecting producers in Texas,” Anderson said. “In all, agricultural production and the effects of input costs, the push and pull of supply and demand, and other variables is a pretty complex and often unpredictable situation.”

Pipeline hack no major agriculture setback While the ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline caused sudden and serious disruption of the primary fuel supply to eastern states, it likely did not cause any serious longer-term impact on agriculture, Anderson said.

“The fuel supply problem was exacerbated by panic buying that made the shortages even worse and left a number of areas entirely without fuel,” he said. “There was some cause for alarm among consumers, but that overreaction only served to prolong the situation.”

He said yield losses from weather, as well as additional unexpected increases in labor and energy costs and increases in the cost of various agricultural inputs, have combined to create an escalating effect.

“There are so many variables, it’s difficult to pinpoint prices,” he said. “But it’s apparent that prices will continue to go up, at least in the short term.”

However, both Welch and Ribera noted grain prices in general are at a high level, presenting producers with an opportunity to make up for some of the losses they might have incurred from bad weather or other disruptions.

Ribera also noted the Texas citrus industry is still trying to recover from at least $230 million in losses from last year’s and this year’s crops.

Anderson said agricultural producers in the region may have experienced some short-term issues with the pipeline interruption, such as temporary shortage of diesel fuel for farm equipment or temporary setbacks in transporting goods and supplies. However, the event likely did not produce much of impact on agriculture as a whole and really had very minimal impact on agricultural production in states like Texas and California.

Winter storm, prolonged drought in Texas Welch said although some grain production in Texas was affected by Winter Storm Uri, producers are making good progress on corn and grain sorghum crops that needed to be replanted after the freeze.

“On the other hand, this year’s wheat production in West Texas has been affected by a different weather condition, a prolonged drought, which has been bad for those producers,” he said. “There are a number of factors at play in agricultural production, and it’s often a combination of factors and not one factor alone causing supply issues and price increases.”

The Texas grapefruit crop took a profound beating from Winter Storm Uri. Overall Texas citrus losses from last year and this one will exceed $230 million.

(Texas A&M AgriLife photo)

“The effects of the storm likely will impact grapefruit availability and prices, but probably won’t have a significant impact on orange prices due to other large supplies available from Florida and California,” Ribera said. “But there are still likely to be increases in citrus prices due to increased costs of labor and transportation, as well as from general overall inflation.”

Many cattle ranchers across the state are also trying to recover from losses due to the winter storm while also dealing with this year’ extended drought, said Justin Benavidez, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension economist, Amarillo. Long-term livestock losses from the winter storm have been estimated at upwards of $300 million.

“Beef cattle producers are still working to replace the livestock they lost,” he said. “That takes a lot of time and is very costly. And the extended drought this year has had a further negative economic impact on them.”

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Texas landowners deserve fair, transparent eminent domain process

T

he president of the state’s largest general farm organization urged Texas House lawmakers today to give landowners an eminent domain process where they can legitimately negotiate a fair deal.

Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) President Rus sell Boening of Wilson County testified in Austin in support of the committee substitute for HB 901 (CSHB 901) at a public hearing of the House Committee on Land and Resource Management. The legislation by State Rep. DeWayne Burns of Cleburne includes language agreed to by TFB in 2019 to ensure landowners get a fair bona fide offer and required easement terms with the initial offer.

“Over the past four years of working for meaningful eminent domain reform, Texas Farm Bureau’s goal has been simple— give the landowner a process where they can legitimately negotiate a fair deal. A fair deal that gives them the compensation they have a right to under the Takings clause of the Constitution.

A fair deal that results in an easement agreement that protects their property and other rights,” Boening said to the committee.

“And, hopefully, make this possible without having to hire a lawyer, appraiser or other professionals whose costs the landowner cannot recover. The landowner has no right under the Takings clause to be reimbursed for those costs.”

Boening noted the goal of meaningful eminent domain reform and the legislation is not to stop or create unreasonable delays for infrastructure projects. When a private company armed with lawyers and other professionals has the authority to take private property, there has to be a process that protects the landowner’s interest, he said.

Under CSHB 901, a private entity with eminent domain authority has made a bona fide offer only if the initial offer includes the complete written report of the property’s value and the private entity’s basis for initial offer, including any damages to the remaining property. The value or estimate price must be determined by one of the following prepared by an appraiser or real estate broker—property appraisal, comparative market analysis, broker price opinion or market study.

The bona fide offer under CSHB 901 must also include the Landowner Bill of Rights and a conveyance document with the required minimum easement terms. Features of minimum easement terms include required terms for pipeline and transmission line easements; the required terms are negotiable after the initial offer; and the easement document must be filed with condemnation petition.

“Current law does not give the landowner a legitimate opportunity to get a fair deal without hiring a lawyer or other professionals.

If you look at Section 21.0113 of the Property Code, you can see it. Under the bona fide offer, it requires a landowner to receive an initial offer in writing. That’s it,” Boening told to the committee.

“So, a landowner gets an initial offer in writing and then has to try and negotiate a fair deal without any information on what the offer was based upon. And the landowner is given an easement document where the landowner has to negotiate technical legal terms to protect themselves, not knowing if what they are given is what most landowners receive.” Following the conclusion of testimony, the committee withdrew CSHB 901 from consideration and left HB 901 pending.

For more information on landowner resources regarding eminent domain, visit texasfarmbureau.org/eminentdomain.

Do you want to work for a premier conservation agency whose mission is to “help people help the land?”

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), a part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), works in close partnership with farmers, ranchers, forest managers, non-governmental organizations, local and state governments, and other federal agencies to create and maintain healthy and productive working landscapes.

As part of USDA’s new Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) Mission Area, NRCS has 3,000 locations and covers every county in the U.S.We help stewards of agricultural lands and non-industrial private forest lands to plan and implement proven conservation systems through technical and financial assistance designed to enhance productivity, improve soil and water health, and restore wetlands and wildlife habitat.

We need people who are committed to action through public service-- people who help ensure that all of us enjoy the benefits that come from a healthy environment and productive agriculture. Please consider joining us and helping to make a difference for generations to come.

Direct Hire Positions Open in Texas https://www.usajobs.gov/Search/Results?l=Texas&k=NRCS

While USDA offices are currently closed to visitors because of the pandemic, Service Center staff continue to work with agricultural producers via phone, email, and other digital tools.

To conduct business, please contact your local USDA Service Center. Additionally, more information related to USDA’s response and relief for producers can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus.

Farmers and ranchers impacted by border crisis tell their story part of a webpage hosted by Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) to bring public attention to the crisis’ serious impacts on farm and ranch families.

The crisis threatens personal safety, causes serious financial hardship and disruption, and overwhelms local resources, according to the state’s largest general farm and ranch organization. Farmers and ranchers in Texas, as well as possibly those in Arizona, New Mexico and California, will use the webpage to tell their story. The webpage will be updated as more personal accounts arrive.

A dramatic increase in illegal immigrant crossings is impacting famers and ranchers near the southern border.

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ew videos and personal accounts from farmers and ranchers impacted by the southern border crisis describe an overwhelming and often dangerous situation that must be addressed.

The videos and accounts are

“The impacts of the border crisis are many,” TFB President Russell Boening said. “The current situation is untenable. Farm and ranch families are bearing the brunt of this unprecedented influx. The personal accounts on the webpage are real. In fact, some identities are protected due to safety concerns for those sharing their story. That’s how serious it is right now.”

One South Texas rancher describes how he grew up on the family ranch near the border and how he was accustomed to three to four illegal immigrants crossing the ranch each month. But, now, the situation has changed.

“The situation has changed 100 percent. We have immigrants coming through the ranch not three or four a month like in the past.” he said. “Just yesterday, we had 30 immigrants come through the ranch. The day before that, 40 immigrants came through the ranch. I think we had a total last week of about 140.”

TFB believes the U.S. must secure its borders and enforce lawful immigration. TFB asks federal and state authorities to help mitigate the border problem, as soon as possible.

?

Want to Advertise Contact Michelle Martin at the Ag Mag

(956) 330-8870 michelle@theagmag.org

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OUT HERE

BY DEREK FLETCHER

I am 55 years old.

I am a country boy.

A farmer. A rancher.

It is how I make my living.

It’s not just a hobby.

It is a lifestyle.

B

ut, I have not always lived this way.

I was born in Baton Rouge. Raised

in a place called Belle Chasse, where the Mississippi river empties into the gulf. Surrounded by roads, levees and people, I never could have believed I would end up here. And, frankly, neither would anyone else who knew me then. But as life would have it, I did. And I am.

I went to high school at a place that would rival the size of most community colleges. In the graduating class of around 500, there were people I never even met. The campus had a ten-foot tall fence around it, and “disciplinarians” walked the perimeter carrying orange two-way radios on their hips, ready to sprint after any would-be escapees. My friends and I were muscle car buffs. We drove on the streets of New Orleans as teenagers. Bars line the streets. Crime is rampant. And that smell.

Fast forward 35 years or more. Now I live with my family on 200 beautiful acres in North Central Arkansas. We live in a community called Charlotte. Population unknown, but the deer outnumber us. I have been farming now for almost 25 years. And my life is nothing like I could’ve imagined when I was a child. I am so grateful that I was able to raise my children here.

As I mentioned, it is a lifestyle. We generally wake up with the sun. We start our day as a family drinking coffee, eating breakfast and listening to our ten year old practicing piano.

My wife homeschools our two young daughters. Our sons 60

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are grown and making their way in the world. I am happy to say they both live on the farm. They commute. Because it is worth it.

Farm life never ends. It is a perpetual motion of life and death. Life’s academy of learning. There are no set hours of work here. Our employees learn this first thing. We run a commercial broiler operation, yielding approximately 1,400,000 pounds per flock. We also graze 35 Simental/ Black Angus cross momma cows and two black angus bulls.

Right now there are 18 calves on the ground. Today, we are readying for 150,000 baby chickens to arrive on two eighteen wheelers.

As we approach our mid-life years, old friends are getting in touch more often. They are always welcome here. And anyone who has been here once, usually comes back.

People I knew in my city days, used to kid me about plucking chickens, or mock me with a fake Hee-Haw-like accent while talking on the telephone. I’m not sure what they pictured my life to be. All I know is that the look is always the same when they pull up on our long asphalt driveway that leads to a circle in front of our brick home, their eyes are wide and their mouths open. As they exit the vehicle, and look around, the general question is, “is this heaven?”

“Not quite”, is my reply. “But as close as we could get.”

Of course, By the time they get here all the work is usually done. They don’t see that part.

As my wife and I show them around the place, we answer the typical questions about cows and chickens, donkeys and horses, coyotes and eagles… And they begin to notice we lack for nothing. That is how we are happy here. We have no reason to go to town except to get groceries and see a doctor or a dentist from time to time.

water that comes from the ground.

We are educated. We are middle class, but we are able to live slightly above that standard, because of the lower cost of living out here. Besides, quality of life is relative. And we have lots of that. That is where the conversation usually goes with our friends who visit for the first time. I don’t know why they could not see it before.

Driving from my house in the suburbs to my grandparents house in the country, I used to dream of living this way.

I’m happy I made it happen. I had help, and it did not come without some sacrifice. I gave up many of the so-called conveniences. I gave up driving 2 miles to get a gallon of milk, in exchange for driving 30 miles. Now I just buy more milk.

I gave up fast food restaurants and ATMs on every corner.

I also gave up traffic. And traffic lights. I gave up driving 30 minutes to go 5 miles, for going 30 miles in 30 minutes.

I gave up the crime that comes with population. And all of the policing that comes with that. I gave up pollution. I gave up parking lots and overpasses, for rolling hills and tall timber. I gave up huge impersonal learning complexes, for homeschooling. I gave up drive-by shootings, for sitting in a deer stand and watching nature do it’s thing.

I even gave up television, for the most part, because standing outside and breathing beats the boob tube every time.

But don’t tell anyone.

We like things the way they are...out here.

We swim here in the creek. We hunt here in our woods.

We fish here in our ponds. We exercise and run on our own driveway. We race on our own track. We mow our own grass and bail our own hay. We don’t rent a place to keep a horse, we give a place for horses to live.

And by nightfall, we have had supper, and sit out on the back deck watching the stars come out. And oh, how many stars there are to see! We know, because we hear it from our friends every time. They didn’t know there were so many stars.

*Guest writer, Derek Fletcher, lives in Sulphur Rock, Arkansas.

Our kids are taught to be polite to everyone. The American flag flies in our front lawn. We drive American made automobiles, to the extent that is possible. We take care of our animals because they take care of us. We are the ultimate conservationists. We do not pollute our ground or our air.

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TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE EXTENDS APPLICATIONS FOR FAMILY LAND HERITAGE RECOGNITION 68

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AUSTIN – Today, Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced the 2021 Family Land Heritage application deadline has been extended to July 1, 2021. This extension is intended to allow families additional time to gather the documents necessary to apply.

The Texas Department of Agriculture’s (TDA) Family Land Heritage (FLH) program pays tribute to families who have kept their land in continuous agricultural production for at least 100 years.

Eligible farms and ranches must be owned and operated by the descendants of the original founder, either through blood, marriage or adoption. At least 10 acres of the land must have been in continuous agricultural production for the past 100 years or more.

Necessary documents to apply include: land ownership documents that prove continual possession by the descendants of the founder of the property, and a completed Family Land Heritage application.

Families are encouraged to contact their county clerk to locate supporting documents needed.

In addition, a family’s completed application and supporting documents must be submitted for certification to the county judge where the property is located. Applicants are encouraged to contact the county judge to arrange the verification of their application and supporting documents by email, mail or fax.

TDA will accept a scanned copy or the electronic signature of the county judge in place of the original wet signature.

FLH applications may be submitted to the Texas Department of Agriculture in either digital or hard copy form.

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BY JENNIFER WHITLOCK Field Editor

U.S. dairy exports hit record in March

March 2021 was a strong month for U.S. dairy exports, according to data from the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC). During March, the U.S. exported a record 215,557 metric tons (MT) of dairy products in milk solid equivalents. This volume equals an estimated 18.6%of domestic production, the second-highest month of all time. Value also increased to $688 million worth of dairy exports, the highest since 2014.

“March’s export data was so strong that it had us tripleand quadruple-checking our numbers to be sure we hadn’t missed a decimal point,” USDEC staff wrote in the report’s release notes. Growth was demonstrated among most major dairy product categories.

Whey, cheese, lactose, butterfat and fluid milk and cream all posted significant increases from March 2020 to March 2021. Only milk protein concentrate (MPC) and casein showed year-over-year declines in March.

Standouts were skim milk powder/non-fat dry milk (SMP/ NFDM) and whey, which both hit all-time highs with exports of 86,532 MT and 57,181 MT, respectively. Cheese had the second-best month of all time at 36,919 MT exported.

USDEC pointed to a rebound in demand from Mexico as a major driver of increased exports. In March, year-over-year SMP/NFDM exports to Mexico improved 29% over the previous year, the second straight year-over-year increase.

Historically, Mexico is the United States’ largest milk powder market.

Asian demand continues to rise, as well. Total U.S. milk solids exports grew 24% year-over-year in March to more than 215,000 MT. Southeast Asia is one of the biggest markets, with dairy exports to the region increasing 16% over last year.

In Southeast Asia and China, NFDM and whey products were key drivers of demand in March. In China alone, U.S. whey exports in March were up 110%, and SMP/NFDM shipments increased 100%.

The skyrocketing export numbers are partially due to what USDEC calls a “rubber band” effect, where products were likely purchased months ago and were finally able to be transported in March. However, USDEC said strong Asian demand is also driving more dairy purchases, which the U.S. has been able to capitalize upon.

Port issues will need to be resolved to continue increasing dairy exports to China and Southeast Asia, the report concludes.

“While largely out of U.S. exporter control, importers could grow tired of not being able to get product when they need it. This has the potential to limit further growth in the region if buyers decide that more consistent timing is worth paying a premium to get product from other suppliers,” USDEC market analysts wrote. “However, despite these challenges, U.S. dairy is well-positioned to continue growing exports to the region and capturing increased market share.”

Cheese shipments also rose 11% in March to 9,687 MT, the highest monthly cheese export volume to Mexico since June 2018. USDEC attributes the increase to reopening of restaurants, entertainment venues and tourism across the Latin country.

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