TEXAS

1. Significant Activities/Program Highlights

Risk Management—Many farmers and ranchers have improved their management and marketing decision-making, particularly in the face of recent droughts, with FARM Assistance, a computer software program that helps them assess their individual operations and resources.

Water Quality—Proper nutrient management in crop and forage production in 13 counties in the Colorado River Basin reduced non-point nutrient loadings by an estimated 1.1 million pounds of nitrogen and 2 million pounds of phosphorus. The result was improved water quality and fertilizer cost savings of more than $785,000.

Quail Management—The Bobwhite Brigade, a boot camp on quail management and leadership skills for high school youth, has become one of the premier conservation camps in the U.S. Testing has shown a doubling of knowledge during the five-day camps. These and related program efforts help to counter quail decline, as well.

Improved Pesticide Use—More than 5,000 pesticide applicators receive training each year, thereby having a major impact on the safe use of pesticides. Pesticide use violations and reported exposures have been reduced significantly.

Biological IPM—Biologically based integrated pest management has helped Texas producers boost production while reducing costs. Use of a beneficial parasite helped control a citrus blackfly in South Texas that was causing $1 million in annual damages to citrus and ornamentals.

Urban IPM—Popular new materials are available to enhance IPM programs in urban areas. These are particularly useful with schools and other public facilities.

Fire Ant Management—The Texas Fire Ant Management Program has been successful in reducing fire ants which infest the eastern two-thirds of the state and inflict losses to crops, livestock, wildlife and property estimated at more than $300 million.

Herd Health—Beef producers who have applied comprehensive herd health programs have reaped returns of 200 to 500 percent.

Healthy Show Swine—The Texas show pig industry which grosses $17 million annually is the largest in the U.S. Educational programs directed at swine health maintenance are saving producers more than $1.2 million a year.

Ranch-to-Rail—The Ranch-to-Rail program has provided more than 1,400 ranchers with detailed information to improve herd health, carcass quality and related performance measures. Net returns have averaged $46 per head but ranged from a profit of $307 a head to a loss of $286 per head.

Marketing Nursery Crops—The Coordinated Educational and Marketing Assistance Program (CEMAP) has boosted new nursery plant sales by an estimated $10 million during its first 10 years.

Master Gardeners—Texas now boasts more than 4,600 Master Gardeners who are certified to teach gardening and related topics. Their community service is valued at more than $2.8 million a year.

Irrigation Savings—Through the North Plains Potential Evapotranspiration Network, producers are saving $18 million a year in irrigation costs and are reducing water use by 20 billion gallons annually.

2. New Initiatives/Thrusts

Pierce’s Disease, urban/ag programs, digital diagnostics, county-based programs involving predictive modeling, viticulture, brush management, water, precision agriculture, grain sorghum, beef, expanded risk management.

3. Administrative Changes

Bill Braden, Assistant to Director, retiring 8/31/00

4. Major Issues

Farm financial situation, drought, water, cropping systems, food quality/safety, land fragmentation, TMDL, animal waste management, PET, aquatic vegetation, brush management, ecotourism.

5. New Partners

Many new partners, state/federal agencies arising out of Texas Community Future Forum