Tag: Agriculture

Addressing the Challenges of Organic Cotton Seed

As the Extension Organic Specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, I work closely with organic cotton farmers to navigate the complexities of maintaining organic certification. Recently, issues surrounding the sourcing and certification of organic cotton seed have come to the forefront, particularly with the influx of imported planting seed from other countries. This situation is compounded by the stringent requirements of the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and potential conflicts in international trade.

Key Issues with GOTS and Organic Cotton Seed

Contamination Risks

GOTS certifies cotton fiber from the gin facility to the mill but does not extend this certification back to planting cotton seed. This poses a significant risk for farmers, as even with rigorous adherence to organic practices, their crops can become contaminated through cross-pollination, especially in regions like the cotton belt where GMO crops are prevalent. Contamination, detected in seed cotton samples at the gin before ginning (raw cotton from the farm), can lead to farmers being excluded from organic certification for up to five years, creating severe economic and operational challenges.

Lack of Standardized GMO Thresholds

Currently, GOTS does not establish a GMO contamination threshold for cotton seed, which complicates the situation for organic cotton farmers. While many USA cotton seed companies work to maintain low levels of GMO contamination (usually below 5%), GOTS demands strict purity in the final product. This standard requires seed cotton (seed, leaves, stems) testing because it is the only part of the cotton plant containing DNA, where contamination can be detected. However, this rigid approach does not fully account for the post-planting natural cross-pollination risks that farmers face, such as GMO pollen carried by insects into organic fields. This discrepancy between the ideal purity GOTS seeks and the realities of farming highlights the need for a practical and fair standard that supports organic farmers without penalizing them for uncontrollable factors.

To address these challenges, a multi-faceted approach involving key industry stakeholders is essential. Here’s how we can move forward:

1. Establishing a Fair GMO Contamination Standard: 

Implementing a reasonable GMO contamination threshold for planting cotton seed would significantly alleviate the testing burden on farmers and prevent unjust penalties. This standard should be recognized and enforced by all organic certification bodies, including GOTS. If the plants grown from this approved cotton seed are tested and not the seed cotton at the gin the farmer would be protected from the natural potential of seed contamination.

2. Enhanced Collaboration Among Industry Stakeholders: 

Seek advice and input from the industry, including farmers, Extension specialists, researchers, ginners, and manufacturers, to determine acceptable thresholds and protocols based on constraints faced by each group. This collaborative approach ensures that the standards are practical and attainable.  We, here in Texas, represent the largest cotton production area in the world and want to be involved in this process.

3. Advocating for Policy Changes:

Engaging with policymakers and certifiers to establish upfront certification for cotton seed would ensure farmers have a clear understanding of the seed quality they are purchasing. Specific policies might include establishing minimum GMO thresholds and clear guidelines for contamination levels, mitigating risks, and supporting farmers in maintaining their organic certification. With upfront testing by seed companies and certifications from USDA, gins could operate more confidently, alleviating the burden not only on farmers but also on the ginning facilities themselves.

Addressing Import Issues

The reliance on non-GMO cottonseed imported from other countries, while possibly beneficial in the short run, introduces additional complications. Political and economic instability can disrupt supply chains, and without stringent testing, the risk of unintended contamination remains. Developing robust testing protocols, such as frequent sampling and standardized testing methods, for all imported seed is crucial to ensure they meet the same standards required domestically. It will also create a more transparent, open and balanced business environment for all.

Conclusion

The path to resolving these issues is through collaboration, standardization, and proactive policymaking. By working together, we can create a fair and sustainable environment for organic cotton farmers, ensuring their efforts are recognized and supported throughout the supply chain.

Exploring Organic Research: Advancing Texas Organic Production

Photo: The Organic Center: Organic Research Highlights

Organic agriculture continues to expand in Texas as both farmers and consumers recognize the benefits of sustainable and ecologically sound farming practices1. At the forefront of this growth are research initiatives that tackle challenges and create opportunities for organic producers. In Texas, we are working on several innovative organic research projects that are helping to pave the way for a more resilient, profitable, and sustainable organic agriculture industry. These projects not only foster organic agriculture growth but also contribute to improving farmer economics, boosting crop and livestock productivity, and enhancing the health of plants, animals, and people. I feel privileged to work on these projects with outstanding researchers and extension collaborators who share a passion for organic agriculture as I do, making this work both impactful and deeply rewarding.

Ongoing Research Projects in Texas Organic Agriculture

  1. Research, Development, and Evaluation of Diesel Nut Oil – Crop Feedstocks Developing alternative crop feedstocks for diesel nut oil production that align with organic farming systems, offering economic and energy solutions.
  2. Evaluating the Effectiveness of Humic Acid Substance (MFG 150) on Milk Production Investigating how humic acid can naturally enhance milk production, providing a sustainable approach to improving organic dairy productivity.
  3. Evaluating Mastitis Treatment Without Antibiotics Utilizing AHV Exploring alternative methods to treat mastitis in livestock, supporting animal health while maintaining organic standards.
  4. Producing Resilient Organic Transplants Under Controlled Environments Examining methods for producing stronger organic transplants to ensure better crop establishment and resilience in challenging conditions.
  5. Hi-A Corn and Management Practices for Nutritional Food and Feed Breeding high-anthocyanin corn varieties and developing practices to maximize their nutritional value for both human consumption and animal feed.
  6. Climate-Smart Organic Sorghum Partnership for Grain and Silage Production Partnering with producers to grow climate-resilient organic sorghum for grain and silage, contributing to sustainable feed and food systems.
  7. Fostering Sustainable Organic Cotton Production in the U.S. Through Research and Outreach Enhancing organic cotton production through research and extension efforts that address challenges like pest management, soil health, and market development.
  8. Boosting Organic Leafy Green Production Using Summer-Adapted Cover Crops in Texas Leveraging cover crops to improve soil health and create conditions for robust organic leafy green production in warmer climates.
  9. Field Protocol for “Huitlacoche Delicacy: Turning the Lost Corn Crop into a High-Value Delicacy Vegetable” Creating a framework for growing and marketing huitlacoche (corn smut), turning a common crop affliction into a gourmet organic product.
  10. Increasing Consumer Acceptance and Farmer Profitability by Breeding More Nutritious Cowpeas Breeding and promoting cowpeas with higher nutritional value, meeting consumer demands while improving profitability for organic farmers.
  11. Advancing Discovery to Market – Organic Pre-emerge Weed Control Technology Developing organic preemergence weed control solutions to reduce reliance on tillage and labor-intensive practices, improving efficiency in organic farming systems.

What’s Next for 2025

We already have some proposals in the pipeline for submission including a few Texas Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grants, at least 2 new USDA Organic Research and Extension Initiative grants and several Southern SARE grants we are waiting on approval and a few more to apply for in May. There are always new things we need to study, new concepts to explore and always lots of questions from farmers that need an answer. Add to this list issues with climate extremes, varieties that meet organic needs, biostimulant research – the list is endless!

Why Organic Research Matters

Organic research is vital for driving innovation and addressing the unique challenges faced by organic producers. The projects mentioned above exemplify how targeted research can:

  • Support Agricultural Growth: By developing resilient crop varieties2, enhancing pest control methods3, and improving soil health4, organic research ensures consistent production and increased yields.
  • Improve Farmer Economics: Projects focused on reducing input costs, increasing marketable yields, and creating value-added opportunities (like huitlacoche) directly impact farmer profitability5.

References

  1. Organic Trade Association. Consumer Perception of USDA Organic and Competing Label Claims. Euromonitor International, April 2024. ↩︎
  2. “Organic Farming and Soil Health: A Review.”
    The Organic Center. Available at: https://www.organic-center.org/sites/default/files/project/2020/03/soil-health-review_shadetully.pdf ↩︎
  3. “Integrated Pest Management Strategies in Organic Farming.”
    Bulletin of the National Research Centre, Springer Open. Available at: https://bnrc.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s42269-024-01226-x ↩︎
  4. “Organic Farming and Soil Health: A Review.”
    The Organic Center. Available at: https://www.organic-center.org/sites/default/files/project/2020/03/soil-health-review_shadetully.pdf ↩︎
  5. “The Economics of Integrated Organic Farming: Cost-Benefit Analysis.”
    Husfarm. Available at: https://husfarm.com/article/the-economics-of-integrated-organic-farming-cost-benefit-analysis ↩︎

Corn Breeding – Not an Easy Process

In the world of organic agriculture, the continuous development of improved corn varieties is crucial for addressing the evolving challenges faced by farmers. This November, Dr. Wenwei Xu, a TAMU Research Corn Breeder from Lubbock, and I traveled to work in the Winter Corn Nursery in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Our mission involved carefully collecting pollen from specific corn varieties and crossing them onto the silks of other varieties to produce hybrids for future variety production.

The Winter Corn Nursery plays a vital role in accelerating the breeding process by allowing researchers to conduct additional growing cycles during the off-season. This enables breeders to make faster progress in developing new varieties with desirable traits such as brown mid-rib, improved leaf structure for weed suppression, drought tolerance, high antioxidant production, and enhanced silage production capability. By utilizing winter nurseries, breeders can significantly reduce the time required to bring new, improved varieties to market, ultimately benefiting organic farmers and the agricultural industry as a whole.

The work of corn breeders is essential for advancing organic agriculture and addressing the unique challenges faced by organic farmers. Through careful selection and crossing of varieties with known traits, breeders aim to develop new hybrids that combine multiple desirable characteristics. These efforts result in corn varieties that are better adapted to organic growing conditions, more resilient to pests and diseases, and capable of producing higher yields with improved nutritional profiles. By continually refining and enhancing corn genetics, breeders contribute to the sustainability and productivity of organic farming systems, helping to meet the growing demand for organic products while supporting the long-term viability of organic agriculture.

Some New Organic Projects and Products

Texas A&M Researchers Develop Innovative Organic Herbicide with $100,000 Grant

Texas A&M University’s Advancing Discovery to Market (ADM) grant program has awarded a $100,000 grant to further develop a groundbreaking organic pre-emergent herbicide technology. This innovative project, led by Dr. Lawrence Griffing from the Biology Department, aims to create a natural, non-toxic herbicide that effectively controls weeds without harming crops or the environment

The proposed herbicide works by utilizing plant sterols to inhibit weed growth through a novel mechanism of action. Early tests show promising results, with the potential to reduce weed biomass by more than 90% in month-old plantings of both broadleaf and grass weeds

What sets this herbicide apart is its organic nature and potential cost-effectiveness, with estimates suggesting it could provide weed control at 1/3 to 1/100 of the existing cost for broad-spectrum weed management

This ADM grant will support crucial field testing and formulation development, bringing the technology closer to market readiness. The project team is collaborating with Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension to conduct comprehensive field trials across multiple crops and soil types

This research not only advances organic farming practices but also demonstrates the commitment of myself and other Extension specialists and researchers to developing practical, sustainable solutions for organic producers.

New Organic Insecticide with a Twist!

Entrapment developed by Attune Agriculture is an innovative organic insecticide that works by altering the physical properties of water to create an effective trap for various pests. This product is particularly promising for use in grape vineyards to control leafhoppers, an insect that can caused lots of headaches for Texas growers. Entrapment’s unique mode of action involves changing the surface tension of water droplets, allowing them to adhere to leaf surfaces and trap insects upon contact.

“Entrapment insecticide provides a high level of control of many of the most important insect and mite pests in agriculture that can be applied up until harvest, a much-needed tool for growers,” says Greg Andon, CEO of Attune Agriculture. “We believe its unique combination of physical mode of action, efficacy within a specific pest size range, and lack of phytotoxicity make Entrapment one of the most consequential new actives to be introduced in many years.”

Entrapment’s unique spectrum of activity provides effective control of aphids, thrips, psyllids, whiteflies, scales, leafhoppers, mites, plant bugs, flea hoppers, chinch bugs and small caterpillars. The EPA registered label includes most crops: fruit, nut, vegetable, row crop, greenhouse, and turf & ornamental.

One of the key advantages of Entrapment is its versatility across different crop types. While it shows promise for use in vineyards, there is also potential for its application in row crops, which could provide a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional pesticides. 

It’s important to note that while Entrapment offers an exciting new tool for organic pest management, research on its effectiveness in various agricultural settings is still being conducted. As with any new product, further studies and field trials will be necessary to fully understand its potential benefits in different crops and pest species. Farmers are encouraged to conduct their own trials and share results (please!) to build a better understanding of any new organic product’s capabilities in agricultural fields.

New Generic Version of Popular Organic Insecticide Now Available!

Great news for organic farmers battling insect pests! Spinosad, the active ingredient in Corteva Agriscience’s Entrust Naturalyte Insecticide, is now available as a generic product. This OMRI-approved organic insecticide has long been a go-to solution for controlling:

  • Worms and caterpillars
  • Thrips
  • Leafminers
  • Fire ants
Cost-Effective Alternative

Previously, the high cost of Spinosad made it challenging to use on commodity crops and even some vegetable and grape productions. However, with the expiration of the patent, a more affordable generic version has entered the market.

Introducing Estero by Atticus

Atticus is now distributing “Estero,” a generic Spinosad product. Key points to note:

  • Estero has the same formulation as Entrust
  • It may still be manufactured by Corteva Agriscience
  • The efficacy and quality remain unchanged
Availability and Ordering

Atticus works with major agricultural retailers to distribute Estero. However, farmers may need to specifically request the product to ensure local availability.

Texas Contact Information

For Texas farmers interested in Estero, contact:

Audie Wolf
Texas Sales Representative for Atticus
Phone: 806-567-0324
Location: Texas Panhandle

This generic alternative offers organic farmers a chance to effectively manage pests while potentially reducing input costs.

The Squeeze on Organic: Comparing Profitability Trends in U.S. Grain Markets

Recent reports indicate a significant downturn in the U.S. organic grain market, with profitability for organic corn, soybean, and wheat farmers reaching record lows. For the 2023-24 marketing year, the combined net returns for these three crops fell to just $42 per acre. The outlook for 2024-25 is even more concerning, with potential negative returns ranging from -$213 to -$277 per acre if current price and cost trends persist. This decline is primarily attributed to plummeting organic commodity prices, with organic soy, corn, and wheat prices down 38-42% from their recent peaks.

The profitability squeeze is particularly severe for organic farmers compared to their conventional counterparts. While both sectors face rising production costs and increased global competition, organic producers are experiencing a “double whammy” of higher costs and lower prices relative to pre-2021 baselines. Conventional grain prices, though down from recent highs, still exceed cost increases when compared to the 2016-2021 period. In contrast, organic corn prices have fallen below historic baselines while production costs have increased. This trend threatens the traditionally higher net returns of organic corn and soybean farming, which have outperformed conventional returns by $12 to $485 per acre over the past eight years.

The declining profitability of organic grain farming raises concerns about farmer retention and the future of organic agriculture in the U.S. It’s estimated that there has been a 5% decrease in the number of organic farmers in 2024 compared to the previous year. Some farmers are considering switching to more profitable organic crops or even reverting to conventional farming. This situation poses a significant challenge to the organic industry and could potentially impact the environmental benefits associated with organic farming practices, including improved water quality and soil health.

Sources include:

Argus Media. “Shrinking profitability of organic farming.” Argus AgriMarkets Organic and Non-GMO service, November 2024.

Grow Well Consulting. “Is the profitability plunge in U.S. organic actually worse than corrections happening in conventional?” October 28, 2024.

Poll Says: Dicamba Drift Continues to Impact Organic Crops in West Texas

Soybeans damaged by dicamba drift. Genetic Literacy Project

Overview of Dicamba Drift Issue in 2024

Dicamba, a commonly used herbicide in conventional farming, has long been a point of contention, particularly in regions where organic crops are grown alongside conventional fields. In 2024, the persistence of dicamba drift has become increasingly problematic for organic farmers in West Texas, affecting a range of sensitive crops, particularly cotton and peanuts.

To understand the scale of this issue, I recently conducted a poll targeting 204 organic farmers from Seminole to areas just north of Lubbock. The poll, sent out by email, specifically asked if they had observed dicamba drift on their sensitive crops this year. With a response rate of 27.5% (56 responses), the results are indicative of a widespread concern.

Poll Results: Dicamba Drift on Sensitive Crops

In this poll, farmers were asked a straightforward question: “Have you seen dicamba drift on sensitive crops in 2024?” The results revealed the following breakdown:

  • 50% reported observing dicamba drift on their crops.
  • 44% stated they had not observed drift.
  • 5% mentioned “maybe” they had observed some drift damage.

The responses reflect a troubling level of dicamba exposure, with half of the respondents directly witnessing the impact of drift. While dicamba is designed to target specific weeds, the herbicide’s tendency to volatilize and drift into neighboring fields has made it difficult for organic farmers to avoid its effects, especially in the South Plains.

Impact on Crop Yields

Several farmers shared the tangible impacts dicamba drift has had on their yields. One farmer, who has been practicing organic farming for over three decades, described this year as the “worst dicamba drift in years.” He noted that his soybean yield was cut in half, with probable yield reductions in cotton as well. This problem was bad enough that his comments to me questioned whether it was worth it to keep farming!

The Broader Implications for Organic Farming

The prevalence of dicamba drift has significant ramifications for organic producers in Texas. Yield reductions not only threaten the economic viability of these farmers but also jeopardize their certification status, as organic crops must remain free of prohibited substances. Dicamba drift challenges their ability to meet these requirements, complicating the already demanding task of managing organic systems in a predominantly conventional farming region.

This is just for Awareness

The findings from this poll underscore the need for better management practices to prevent dicamba drift. Organic farmers have invested years into building sustainable systems that meet organic standards, yet their efforts can be undermined by the unintended consequences of a herbicide application on a nearby conventional farm.

Moving forward, it is essential to foster a dialogue between organic and conventional farmers, to find solutions that protect organic crops from unintended herbicide exposure. Additionally, increased awareness and education about the volatility of dicamba and its potential effects on neighboring fields could be critical steps in mitigating drift.

With dicamba products currently off the market, there is growing concern about whether they will be approved for use again in future years. The uncertainty surrounding future approvals adds an additional layer of stress for organic farmers, who are already grappling with the fallout of dicamba drift. Better and more effective safeguards are crucial if dicamba is to return, to ensure that organic farming can continue to thrive without fear of “chemical trespass” on neighboring farms.

What’s Next – FieldWatch offers help

In response to these ongoing challenges posed by any pesticide drift or accidental pesticide application, the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is collaborating with FieldWatch to implement a mapping registry in 2025. This program aims to enhance communication between specialty crop producers, beekeepers, and pesticide applicators, thereby mitigating the risks associated with pesticide drift.

FieldWatch is a non-profit organization that offers free, voluntary mapping tools designed to promote awareness of sensitive sites. By registering their fields, vineyards, orchards and apiaries, producers and beekeepers can inform applicators of locations that require caution during pesticide application. This proactive approach fosters cooperation and helps protect vulnerable crops from unintended exposure.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will oversee the data management for FieldWatch in Texas, with your Extension Organic Specialist (myself!), serving as the data manager. This collaboration ensures that the registry is maintained with accurate and up-to-date information, facilitating effective communication among all stakeholders.

The introduction of FieldWatch in Texas is a significant step toward protecting organic and specialty crops from pesticide drift. By participating in this registry, farmers can contribute to better use and application of pesticides, ultimately supporting the sustainability of all agriculture in the region.