I was scrolling through my LinkedIn this morning (Monday, July 15, 2024) and saw a post by Dr. Joseph Burke that I just had to check out!
Just click on the picture to read the full research paper!
I am going to cut through all the information in the full-text and give you a look at the mini version. Let’s start with the abstract from the first page.
Abstract: By improving soil properties, cover crops can reduce wind erosion and sand damage to emerging cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plants. However, on the Texas High Plains, questions regarding cover crop water use and management factors that affect cotton lint yield are common and limit conservation adoption by regional producers. Studies were conducted near Lamesa, Texas, USA, in 2017–2020 to evaluate cover crop species selection, seeding rate, and termination timing on cover crop biomass production and cotton yield in conventional and no-tillage systems. The no-till systems included two cover crop species, rye (Secale cereale L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and were compared to a conventional tillage system. The cover crops were planted at two seeding rates, 34 (30.3 lbs./ac.) and 68 kg ha (60.7 lbs./ac.), and each plot was split into two termination timings: optimum, six to eight weeks prior to the planting of cotton, and late, which was two weeks after the optimum termination. Herbage mass was greater in the rye than the wheat cover crop in three of the four years tested, while the 68 kg ha (60.7 lbs./ac.) seeding rate was greater than the low seeding rate in only one of four years for both rye and wheat. The later termination timing produced more herbage mass than the optimum in all four years. Treatments did not affect cotton plant populations and had a variable effect on yield. In general, cover crop biomass production did not reduce lint production compared to the conventional system.
This last statement, “cover crops did not reduce lint production,” is hugely significant and yet it is exactly what many organic cotton producers have been saying for years!
Temperature and Rainfall data during the study
To continue the “mini version” of the research let’s turn to the Summary and Conclusions on page 9 of the research paper.
The semi-arid Texas High Plains presents challenging early-season conditions for cotton producers. Cover crops can help mitigate erosion and protect cotton seedlings from wind and sand damage without reducing yields compared to conventional practices if managed appropriately. Effective cover crop management is needed to optimize cotton lint yield compared to conventional tillage systems. We focused on three cover crop management practices: species selection, seeding rate, and termination timing. With regard to species selection, rye produced greater herbage mass in three of the four years. The seeding rate had less of an effect on herbage mass; doubling the seeding rate from 34 to 68 kg ha (30.3 – 60.7 lbs./ac.) did not contribute to increased herbage mass. This change in seeding rate only causes an increase in seed costs, and this trend held true for both species and termination timings. Termination timing had the most significant effect on herbage mass, with a two-week delay in termination timing, increasing herbage mass production from 44 to 63%. At the targeted termination time of six to eight weeks before planting, rye and wheat experienced increased growth as they transitioned from vegetative to reproductive growth. This critical period makes termination timing an essential aspect of herbage mass management. Termination timing can also impact the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, where higher C:N at later growth stages can increase N immobilization. While water availability or allelopathy concerns are cited as risks for cotton germination and emergence when using cover crops, cotton plant populations were not affected in this study.
Cotton lint yields were not impacted by increasing cover crop herbage mass, except in 2018, when greater wheat biomass resulted in decreased lint yield compared to the conventional system. In each year, wheat or rye at a 34 kg ha (30.3 lbs./ac.) seeding rate and optimum termination timing resulted in cotton lint yields not different than the Conventional Treatment. While yield potentials can differ between years depending on precipitation and temperatures, effective cover crop management can help sustain cotton lint yields when compared to conventional treatments. Rye seed tends to cost more than wheat, but it grows more rapidly and could be terminated earlier to allow for increased moisture capture and storage between termination and cotton planting. (below is the final sentence in the paper and summarizes well the entire study)
“This research demonstrates that with effective cover crop management, the implementation of conservation practices can be successful in semi-arid cropping systems.“
I got an email yesterday afternoon (July 10, 2024) from the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) that they had posted the information for the National Organic Cost Share program. You can go to the website here (TDA Cost Share Program) to get all the information you need including the application. This cost share allows you up to $750 towards your organic certification and the application is fairly easy to work through. The deadline is Thursday, November 1, 2024!
Payment Amount
Payments are limited to 75% of an individual producer’s certification costs, up to a maximum of $750 per certificate or category of certification, per year. Eligible operations may receive one reimbursement per year per certificate or certification scope (if one certificate includes multiple scope certifications). Each certificate may be reimbursed separately. Likewise, each category of certification may be reimbursed separately. Example with one certificate Scenario 1 Certificate cost -$1500 x75% = $1125, Cost Share = $750 (maximum) Scenario 2 Certificate cost – $630 x75% = $472.50, Cost Share = $472.50
Farm Service Agency is also taking applications, but I think you might find this a little easier to do.
This is an update to an article written in Spring of 2022 that is now down below. This update is to show how I have taken the information from Jacy Lewis, Extension Horticulturist, for growing raspberries in Texas and adapted it to my home garden. Maybe it will work for you.
I was given some raspberry plants by my Extension Horticulture daughter Kate last year (Spring 2023) and I didn’t cover them – like I should or like Jacy says down below! So, they grew very well but the intense sun and heat last year began to wear them down and by the end of summer I thought they all had died.
Fortunately, they returned with a vengeance this spring and are spreading like wildfire. But unfortunately, the intense heat and sun of the last ten days of June/July has begun to “fire” them up. Tips were browning and I knew I had to do something. This tunnel below was put up in minutes with the help of my wife holding things up till I could “hammer” them in or tie them down. This is more tunnel than I need right now but eventually I will let them grow to fill it up.
I built this tunnel from some materials I use for winter gardening. I like to use 10-foot electrical conduit as “hoops” for plastic tunnels in the winter. You can bend them on a shop table easily into half circles. This makes a nice 10′ half-moon for a tunnel or in this case a shade cover. I bought a 10 X 13 50% shade cloth in black since I couldn’t find red and white was in sizes too big. This was only $30, and you know gardeners spare no expense to grow plants!
Since I use these tunnels a lot, I built me some stakes that are quite handy. I just weld a cut chain link onto a 3/8ths rebar about halfway up. Half goes in the ground and the other half is sticking up to put the conduit on.
You can see in this picture below that some of the shoots are showing the burn injury of intense sun but since putting up the shade cloth almost all the shoots have new tip growth, and that young growth is really looking good even in 100-degree temperatures. Hard to see but in the back of this picture are lots of new raspberries on about 4 shoots!
Last thought to consider! This idea does have a big drawback, but I didn’t have a choice. How do you pick the raspberries? Right now, it is really easy to just crawl in and pick but eventually that won’t work. But it is July, and the sun is intense so do what you can when you can!
Growing Raspberries in Texas? Yes, you can!
The rest of this article below was written in Spring of 2022 after a tour of the Fredericksburg facility. I was quite impressed with the idea so knew I had to try my own. Read about the research below:
If you have lived in Texas very long you will learn that you can’t grow raspberries here! They struggle with our hot summers, both heat and intense sunlight are tough! I know, I have tried…
That was the way of thinking till Jacy Lewis, Program Manager at the Extension Viticulture and Sustainable Fruit Applied Research Program in Fredericksburg began to experiment with a very different environment for raspberry growing. For the last couple of years, she has looked at many different varieties grown under 3 different colors of shade cloth.
The experiment is continuing but so far, the fruit has outstanding flavor with intense sweetness, yields are good, and the plants are doing very well. Most raspberry plants, Dorman Red is the most recommended, perform very poorly and eventually just die. These plants are doing just the opposite with good fruit set, great limb growth and lots of vigor. The experimental shade cloth colors are red, black and white and so far, the red is looking slightly better, but the experiment is far from over.
Organic growers pay attention! There are very little disease or insect issues growing raspberries and they love organic fertilizers. The organic market for raspberries is $3 for conventional 6-ounce packages and $5 for organic 6-ounce packages. My sources say they can sell all the organic they can get!
Great Article on Growing Raspberries in Tunnels in North Carolina
The maps below are an attempt to help you see and know what and where organic in Texas is located. There is a lot going on in this well over $1 Billion dollar a year industry! You can click on the individual maps to see a larger picture.
This map of the 418 organic farms/certificates across the state of Texas gives you an up-close look at where organic farms are located. As you can see there are 278 farms or 66.5% of all organic farms located from the South Plains to the High Plains. These farms are mostly cotton and peanuts with a huge concentration of dairies located in an area west and north of Amarillo. The rice belt includes farms on either side of Houston and these farms do other organic crops in rotation with rice. Vegetable/fruit farms can be found in many places in the state but there is a concentration in the Rio Grande Valley.
This handler group buys farm products from organic producers or perhaps they manufacture an organic product for use on an organic farm. Basically, they are in the organic business and are regulated like an organic farm. Organic begins on the farm in the soil and stays organic till it is packaged!
Most folks don’t even think about organic handlers or what their business might be. I will call your attention to a blog post I wrote about organic handlers a few years ago. Organic Handlers The majority of these handler companies are located in or around cities but notice the 117 at the Rio Grande Valley. The majority of those companies bring in organic imports from Mexico and either store them or package them for delivery into the United States.
Currently (August 2024) there are 577 Organic Handlers up from 428 just last year. Why the jump? Well, we now have Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) in place and those rules are demanding that the organic value chain be certified, completely certified! That has meant that brokers and even truckers have had to get an organic certification to ensure that they were held accountable for the organic products they “touched.” The consumer likes to be able to trace the products they buy and now certified organic is traced from the farm to the consumer.
Beneficial insects, also known as biological control agents, play a crucial role in managing pest populations in organic crops, especially organic row crops. These insects help reduce the need for chemical pesticides, promote biodiversity, and support sustainable farming practices. Here’s a guide on how to integrate beneficial insects into your organic farming system, specifically for crops like cotton, peanut, corn, sorghum, rice, and wheat.
Incorporating beneficial insects into your pest management strategy is a smart, sustainable choice. These natural predators offer a highly effective alternative to organic insecticides, providing ongoing pest control without the need for frequent reapplications. The beneficial insect industry is growing, offering a wider variety of predators and parasitoids than ever before, making it easier to find the right ones for your specific pest issues.
Using beneficial insects helps maintain a balanced ecosystem, as they target pests without harming other beneficial organisms. This promotes biodiversity and long-term soil health, crucial for sustainable farming. Additionally, while the initial investment might be higher, the reduction in pesticide use can lead to significant cost savings over time.
Furthermore, employing beneficial insects supports compliance with organic standards, as it reduces reliance on even approved organic insecticides. This approach aligns with the principles of organic farming, enhancing natural processes and contributing to a healthier environment.
Lastly, it is not unusual to see this type of “pest control” continue to be self-sustaining as the introduced predators continue to live in your established habitat. Living on your farm year-round means that they are ready to go to work when you do! Take a look at this list below and know that these are the insect predators that are commonly available and listed on most websites. But if you find a problem or have a suggestion don’t hesitate to reach out.
Cotesia glomerata(Cabbage White Wasp) Targets: Caterpillars of the cabbage white butterfly.
Gonatocerus triguttatus (known as Fairyflies sometimes) Targets: Glassy-winged Sharpshooter of grapes, spreader of Pierces Disease. May be hard to find!
Pirate Bugs (Orius spp.)
Pirate bug. (Photo Credit: Ho Jung Yoo)
Orius insidiosus (Minute Pirate Bug) Targets: Thrips: Both adult and larval stages, Aphids, Mites, Whiteflies, Psyllids, Caterpillars
Orius majusculus Targets: Thrips: Both adult and larval stages, Aphids, Mites, Whiteflies, Psyllids, Caterpillars
Orius tristicolor Targets: Thrips: Both adult and larval stages, Aphids, Mites, Whiteflies, Psyllids, Caterpillars
Hoverfliesor Syrphid Flies
Hover Fly (Stephen Katovich, Bugwood.org)
Episyrphus balteatus (Marmalade Hoverfly)Targets: Aphids, small caterpillars.
Syrphus ribesii(Common Hoverfly or Ribbed Hoverfly) Targets: Aphids.
Predatory Mites (Phytoseiidae)
Phytoseiulus persimilis mite eating a Two-spotted spider mite!
Phytoseiulus persimilis(no common name) Targets: Two-spotted spider mites, broad mites.
Amblyseius swirskii(no common name) Targets: Thrips, whiteflies, spider mites.
Neoseiulus cucumeris (no common name) Targets: Thrips, spider mites, broad mites.
Great video about mites and control of spider mites with Amblyseius swirskii
Predatory Nematodes
The Steinernema scapterisci insect-parasitic nematode in the juvenile phase can infect and kill insects in the Orthoptera order, such as grasshoppers and crickets. (Photo by David Cappaert, Bugwood.org.)
Habitat Enhancement: Plant diverse flowering plants around the field to provide nectar and pollen for beneficial insects. Include cover crops and hedgerows to offer shelter and alternate food sources. Have available before purchasing beneficial insects.
Minimize Pesticide Use: Avoid using broad spectrum organic pesticides that can harm beneficial insects. Many organic insect control products are specific to certain insects or insect systems (Pyganic will kill all beneficials although it is organic). Use targeted treatments if necessary and apply them at times when beneficial insects are less active.
Create a Favorable Environment: Ensure the field has adequate moisture and avoid practices that disrupt the habitat of beneficial insects.
Beneficial Insect Delivery and Distribution Methods
Insect Delivery
Bulk Containers: Insects are often shipped in bulk containers containing a mixture of insects and a carrier medium (like vermiculite, bran, or buckwheat hulls).
Blister Packs: Small plastic blister packs containing a specific number of beneficial insects are used for easy handling and release.
Paper or Mesh Bags: Insects are placed in breathable bags that allow for easy distribution in the field.
Distribution Methods
Hand Release: Beneficial insects are manually sprinkled or shaken out onto the crops. Simple tools like a “saltshaker” or small containers can be used for more precise application. Used on smaller areas or targeted release points.
Mechanical Dispersal: Using blowers or air-assisted equipment to disperse insects over a larger area. Usually this means a specialized blowers designed for insect release, similar to leaf blowers but calibrated for the insects’ safety. Typically used on large-scale row crops where uniform distribution is necessary.
Aerial Release: Drones or small aircraft can be used to release insects over extensive fields. Drones equipped with special release mechanisms for even distribution and this method works great with very large fields or difficult-to-access areas.
Release Stations: Strategic placement of small containers or stations throughout the field that allow insects to disperse naturally. These are typically small cardboard or plastic tubes, blister packs placed on stakes or plants. These allow for continuous release over time and for mobile insects like predatory beetles or parasitic wasps.
Instructions for Applying Beneficial Insects in Fields
Timing: Release beneficial insects early in the season before pest populations reach damaging levels.
Quantity: Determine the appropriate release rate based on the specific crop and pest pressure. This information is often provided by suppliers of beneficial insects.
Distribution: Distribute insects evenly across the field. Use dispersal devices like handheld blowers or distribute by hand in small release points throughout the crop area. Apply during cool, calm periods of the day, such as early morning or late afternoon, to minimize stress on the insects.
Specific Instructions for Different Beneficial Insects
Lady Beetles
Application: Release near aphid-infested plants. Ensure there is enough food and habitat for them to stay.
Environment: Lady beetles prefer environments with flowering plants which provide nectar.
Lacewings
Application: Release lacewing eggs or larvae directly onto plants. Eggs can be scattered or placed on leaves.
Environment: Favorable habitats include areas with nectar-producing plants to support adult lacewings.
Parasitic Wasps (e.g., Trichogramma spp.)
Application: Release near the time of pest egg laying. Attach release cards with parasitized eggs to plants or scatter loose eggs.
Environment: Provide a mix of flowering plants to support adult wasps with nectar sources.
Predatory Mites (e.g., Phytoseiulus persimilis)
Application: Distribute mites onto plants where pest mites are present. Sachets or loose mites can be used.
Environment: Ensure a humid environment, as mites require high humidity for survival.
Predatory Nematodes (e.g., Steinernema spp.)
Application: Mix nematodes with water and apply using irrigation systems, backpack sprayers, or watering cans.
Environment: Keep soil moist for several days after application to ensure nematodes can move and infect pests.
Keeping Beneficial Insects in the Field
Learn about your predator and be able to identify life stages. A Lacewing adult looks a lot different than the dragon-like nymph. The same is true for the Lady Beetle that has a ferocious looking larva!
Avoid and pesticide applications after applying predators. Especially avoid using broad-spectrum pesticides that can harm beneficial insects. Even avoid irrigation applications, if possible, till predators can begin feeding.
Regularly check pest and beneficial insect populations to assess the effectiveness of the release. Use sticky traps, visual inspections, and sweep nets for monitoring. Learn how effective your predators are and what the drop in pest insects looks like once predators are released.
Maintain and promote a diverse habitat with cover crops and flowering plants to support beneficial insect populations. If is amazing how many pest insects stop in your predator habitat first and get eaten up!
Minimize tillage to preserve the habitat of ground dwelling beneficial insects.
Use trap crops to attract pests away from the main crop, allowing beneficial insects to control them more effectively.
Crop Varieties and Beneficial Insects
Selecting Varieties: Choose crop varieties that are known to attract and support beneficial insects. Some plant varieties may produce more nectar and pollen, which are crucial for the survival of beneficial insects.
Integrated Planting: Integrate flowering plants and companion plants that attract beneficial insects within the crop rows. This can be a way to better utilize waterways or sections of a pivot.
Real Life Example: In cotton fields, farmers can plant strips of alfalfa or clover, which attract lady beetles and lacewings. These beneficial insects will help control aphid populations, reducing the need for chemical interventions. Additionally, by maintaining a diverse plant environment, beneficial insects are more likely to stay and thrive in the field.
The other day, as I was giving a program on organic beef production, a member of the audience expressed concern over the organic community claims that organic is better for the environment, animals and human health. He said that this “implies” that conventional agriculture is just plain “bad” and inferring that conventional agriculture hurts the environment, animals and human health.
The reference had to do with my comments that certified organic production is both third-party inspected and with the new Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) rules, is traceable all the way back to the farm where it was grown. This person assumed I was claiming that organic was “better” because of these two claims but in this instance, I was simply telling about organic certification and the organic program requirements. Rules are not what make organic better, but rules do distinguish those who say they are better and those who actually are better!
I think this person thought I was “virtue signaling,” by talking about our “organic rules” and implying that these rules make the food better. If you look up a definition for virtue signaling it refers to the “act of expressing opinions or sentiments intended to demonstrate one’s good character or the moral correctness of one’s position on a particular issue.”
Personally, I do not believe my good character or moral correctness comes from what I say but what I do. And I believe the organic farmers in Texas are not just producing a superior product because of the rules they follow but because their product is grown under the highest standards possible (rules) with a method of farming that ensures their crops have a superior level of nutrition and flavor. I believe in the organic program and the products grown organic to the point that organic is what you find in my cabinets and in my refrigerator! My wife Laurie and I believe we are healthier eating organic, and we know the flavor and taste is outstanding.
There are a lot of “food labels” nowadays and it is starting to look like many of these labels are just “virtue signaling” in hopes of attracting a following or customers. The latest consumer survey conducted by OTA* shows that 88% of all consumers recognize and understand the USDA Organic label, more than any other label! Just click on this link to read some of the ways organic is improving our lives. CLICK HERE
*According to the Organic Trade Association and Euromonitor International in their report, 2024 Consumer Perception of USDA Organic and Competing Label Claims (April 2024, p. 13), consumer trust in organic labels continues to grow.
This is virtue signaling at its finest!
Below is a funny story with a good and moral look at virtue signaling that I got off social media. As you read this, you may find yourself lamenting some of our currentconsumer conveniences and where they are leading us and our country. Talking to many organic farmers and business owners you immediately realize that they know we need to do “business” a different way and by being certified organic, they are! Enjoy the read…..
A young cashier told an older woman that she should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags weren’t good for the environment. The woman apologized, “We didn’t have this green thing back in my day.” The young clerk said, “Your generation did not care enough to save our environment for future generations.”
“Back then, we returned milk bottles, soda bottles, and beer bottles. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over. They really were recycled.
Grocery stores bagged our groceries in brown paper bags, which we reused for numerous things. We walked upstairs because we didn’t have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery and didn’t climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks.
Back then, we washed the baby’s diapers because we didn’t have the throwaway kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy-gobbling machine burning up 220 volts — wind and solar power really did dry our clothes back in our day. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing.
Back then, we had one TV, or radio, in the house — not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief, not a screen the size of the state of Montana. In the kitchen, we blended and stirred by hand because we didn’t have electric machines to do everything for us.
When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used wadded-up old newspapers to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.
Back then, we didn’t fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power. We exercised by working so we didn’t need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity.
We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull.
Back then, people took a bus, and kids rode their bikes instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service. We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn’t need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 23,000 miles in space to find the nearest burger joint.
But the current generation laments how wasteful we old folks were just because we didn’t have the green thing?”
Texas A&M AgriLife Organic 