Tag: sustainability

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.

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.

Organic Grain Marketing Webinar Set

Please mark your calendar for an Online Microsoft TEAMS Webinar discussing Organic Grain Markets in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico.  The meeting will be held on Monday, November 18 at 1:00 pm (CST) on TEAMS.  To register, just click the link below and you will be directed to a registration page and be sure to include the invite on your reminder calendar. Need help with getting on a TEAMS Webinar just click this link to learn how: TEAMS Webinar Made Simple

Organic Grain Marketing Webinar Registration

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension is pleased to present this Organic Grain Marketing Webinar, bringing together both organic grain farmers and buyers (mills, processors, feedlots, dairy) to discuss key criteria for producing high-quality grains and meeting market demands. The event will feature special presentations from Argus Media Group, offering insights into organic grain market trends and reporting. Also included will be engaging discussion from selected growers and buyers on what it takes to produce and purchase organic grains that meet organic industry standards. There is no cost to participate, just be sure to register so you can get information to sign onto the program webinar.

The State of Organic Grain Markets: Why Take Action?

You may be wondering why this meeting is crucial, or why you should participate. Frankly, I’ve been hesitant to host such events because these discussions often bring tension from both growers and buyers. Yet, the current state of organic grain markets leaves me no choice but to step in. Here are some pressing issues that have been affecting the market, creating inefficiencies and frustrations that this webinar aims to address:

  1. Price Transparency Issues
    Many organic farmers feel they are operating in the dark. Unlike conventional markets with established price discovery systems, organic grain pricing remains inconsistent and opaque. Farmers struggle to find reliable data on market prices, making it difficult to plan their production effectively. Buyers, on the other hand, are uncertain whether they are paying a fair price, which can lead to friction in negotiations. This meeting aims to shed light on the data gaps and discuss ways to make the market more transparent.
  2. Limited Market Information
    A lack of comprehensive market data on organic grains affects both supply and demand. Farmers don’t have access to real-time demand forecasts or historical data, which leads to overproduction or underproduction. This not only results in wasted resources but also impacts profitability. Buyers are equally frustrated by the lack of a consistent supply, as farmers cannot adequately meet demand when production planning is based on incomplete information. By bringing buyers and sellers together, we aim to establish better communication and data sharing practices to bridge this gap.
  3. Reluctance to Share Information
    Another issue is the reluctance among industry players to share market information. Some participants prefer to keep their cards close to the chest, fearing that sharing too much data might give their competitors an advantage. However, this creates a fragmented market, where both buyers and sellers are unable to make fully informed decisions. This webinar will serve as a platform to address the hesitations and work toward more collaborative market practices.
  4. Fragmented Market Systems
    The organic grain market is fragmented, with different regions operating under different pricing and demand systems. What sells for a premium in one region might be undervalued in another, and there is no easy way for farmers to tap into broader markets. This disconnect limits opportunities for growth and scalability. One goal of this meeting is to identify ways to standardize market systems, making it easier for farmers to access new markets and for buyers to secure consistent supplies.
  5. Incentives to Engage in Market Information Systems
    Smaller organic grain producers often see little incentive to participate in formal market reporting. The perceived complexity and lack of immediate benefits discourage farmers from engaging in platforms that could, over time, benefit the entire market. Through discussions with both buyers and sellers, we hope to explore solutions that could offer better incentives for engagement, such as direct market access or premiums for those who participate.

By addressing these issues head-on, this webinar offers a unique opportunity for both growers and buyers to not only learn from each other but to actively shape the future of the organic grain market.

I got this information below which also highlights the need for more information.

Enhancing Organic Rice Yields: Texas Researchers Lead the Way in Ratoon Crop Production

Dr. Tanumoy Bera is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center in Beaumont. In 2022 he was awarded a grant by Southern SARE with a project called, “Development of Sustainable Organic Rice Ratoon Production Systems in the Southern US,” and he has some excellent results so far with more to come. Here is a progress report from Dr. Bera and I think organic rice growers can benefit from his observations.

by Dr. Tanumoy Bera, Rice Researcher

While organic rice consumption in the U.S. has grown substantially in recent years, demand for domestically grown organic rice hasn’t kept pace. Instead, cheaper imports have dominated the market, creating challenges for U.S. producers trying to meet the increasing appetite for organic rice while maintaining profitability. To address these challenges, researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife in Beaumont are focusing on improving organic ratoon rice production—a method that allows rice to be harvested from the regrowth of previously harvested stubble. This technique is especially valuable because it enables a second harvest without the need to replant, which helps farmers reduce costs, increase productivity, and compete with lower-priced imports while still maintaining a viable net income per acre.

This ongoing study, initiated in 2022, aims to evaluate how rice cultivars, crop rotation practices, and nitrogen application rates affect the yield and quality of organic ratoon rice. The team tested two cultivars—Presidio and RiceTec XP753—alongside two management approaches: winter fallow and cover cropping. Their goal is to determine how these factors influence yield, milling quality, nitrogen content, and nitrogen removal in an organic ratoon system.

Early findings have been promising. The hybrid XP753 showed a remarkable performance, increasing the main crop yield by 75% and ratoon yield by 97% compared to Presidio. This is partly due to hybrid varieties like XP753 being bred to combine the best traits from parent plants, resulting in higher yields and greater resilience—key attributes for organic farming.

However, establishing cover crops in southeast Texas has been challenging, mainly due to wet winters and poor drainage in heavy clay soils. Despite these difficulties, cover crops, when successfully established, have provided significant benefits. To enhance nitrogen availability, the researchers utilized organic-approved inputs such as compost and cover crops, finding that an equivalent of 90 pounds of nitrogen per acre was optimal for achieving the greatest yields, with greater rates offering no additional advantage. This insight helps farmers optimize nitrogen inputs using sustainable sources, saving costs while promoting organic practices.

Looking ahead, the research will continue into the 2025 season, aiming to refine these findings and explore their long-term impacts. This work is crucial as demand for organic products continues to rise, providing farmers with improved productivity while supporting sustainable agricultural practices. With initiatives like this, Texas A&M AgriLife is helping pave the way for a more resilient and environmentally friendly future in agriculture.

Other Rice Resources (just click a link!)

The Struggle for Organic Integrity: Fraud in Organic Imports Exposed

Photo: GHY International

In recent years, the organic food industry has undergone dramatic growth, becoming a nearly $200 billion global market and projected to exceed $500 billion by 2032. This explosive growth has brought significant benefits but also intensified the challenges of maintaining organic integrity across international borders. With increasing incidents of organic fraud, particularly involving imports, the USDA has introduced stringent new regulations to combat these threats. However, these changes have had significant consequences—both intended and unintended—affecting organic farmers, importers, and ultimately the consumers who rely on the organic label.

Organic Fraud and the Need for Regulatory Change

As the organic industry expanded, so did the instances of fraud. Products labeled as organic but failing to meet standards, such as genetically modified (GM) contamination or falsely certified imports, began to compromise the integrity of the organic market. Reports of fraudulent organic certifications from regions like the Black Sea and India have been on the rise, drawing concern from both regulatory bodies and farmers who follow rigorous organic practices (Dieterle, 2024).

One recent case highlighted these challenges: a consignment of Pakistani organic Basmati rice was found to contain traces of GM elements, a discovery that could be traced back to hybrid seeds imported from China. This contamination threatened consumer confidence, particularly in the European market, where expectations for organic integrity are stringent (The Hindu Businessline, 2024). For U.S. farmers who work tirelessly to uphold organic standards, such incidents cast a shadow over the entire industry, making it crucial for regulators to act.

USDA’s Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) Rules

To address these growing concerns, the USDA implemented the Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) rules in 2023, which took effect in March 2024. These rules are designed to enhance traceability and certification requirements across the organic supply chain. Unlike the previous system, which focused mainly on organic producers and farms, the SOE rules mandate certification for every entity that handles organic products—from farms to distributors, importers, and even transporters (Dieterle, 2024).

The SOE rules have already begun to make an impact. According to the Organic and Non-GMO Report, six months into enforcement, 85% of imported organic goods were compliant with new certification standards. This has helped weed out fraudulent products, particularly those originating from China that were previously imported under false certificates. Companies like Axiom Foods, which specializes in organic rice protein, have seen fraudulent competitors exit the market due to their inability to meet the new standards (Organic and Non-GMO Report, 2024).

The Impact on Wine Importers

While the intention behind the SOE rules is to strengthen the organic supply chain, it has also created significant challenges for certain sectors. The global wine industry, for instance, has faced a compliance crisis under the new rules. Not only must the grapes and the wine itself be certified organic, but now importers and any logistics companies involved must also acquire organic certification. This expansion of certification requirements has caused confusion and increased administrative burdens, particularly for smaller importers who lack the resources to quickly adapt to the new regulations (Dieterle, 2024).

For many wine importers, the lack of direct communication from the USDA about these new requirements added to the confusion. Many only learned of the new rules through frantic messages from their partners or logistics companies. Despite these difficulties, the USDA has made it clear that non-compliance could result in significant fines, pushing smaller players to either comply, pull products off shelves, or drop the organic label—even if the wine was legitimately produced according to organic standards (Dieterle, 2024). Texas organic grape growers can only benefit from these issues and hopefully gain new, long lasting market agreements for their grapes.

Market Shifts and Organic Farmer Concerns

For U.S. organic farmers, the influx of imports—many of which have been under scrutiny for failing to meet proper organic standards—poses a direct threat to their livelihood. Fraudulent organic imports not only dilute the market but can also drive down prices, making it harder for genuinely organic products to compete. With the introduction of the SOE rules, the USDA aims to bring greater transparency to the organic supply chain, restoring confidence in the organic label and, ideally, leveling the playing field for farmers who adhere to the high standards required for certification.

Axiom Foods, for example, saw increased demand for their organic rice protein as a result of stricter enforcement. Food and beverage manufacturers now need to be more diligent in sourcing certified organic ingredients, which has created new opportunities for compliant suppliers from Texas or elsewhere (Organic and Non-GMO Report, 2024).

US Farmers Hope SOE Will Stem the Tide of Cheap Organic Imports

While the SOE rules are making strides in preventing fraud and restoring consumer trust, the implementation challenges highlight the difficulties of regulating a rapidly growing industry that crosses international borders. For now, U.S. organic farmers hope that the strengthened regulations will ultimately reduce fraudulent imports, allowing their genuine products to stand out in an increasingly crowded market.

For the farmers who uphold organic principles, these efforts represent both a challenge and an opportunity. The challenge lies in navigating a complex global marketplace, but the opportunity exists to set a higher standard for organic integrity, benefiting both producers and consumers. As we look ahead, finding ways to support smaller players in the organic market while ensuring compliance remains a critical issue for policymakers and industry leaders alike.

Sources:

  • The Hindu Businessline. (2024). China may have been the source of GMO rice in Pakistan organic Basmati consignment.
  • Dieterle, C. J. (2024). New USDA Organic Rules Put Wine Importers in a Bind. Reason.com.
  • Organic and Non-GMO Report. (2024). New USDA organic fraud rules are working, says organic rice protein supplier. October 2024.