BALLINGER — Richard Minzenmayer, Texas Cooperative Extension integrated pest management agent for Runnels and Tom Green counties, was recently named “Outstanding IPM Agent for 2005″ by the Texas Pest Management Association.

The association is a statewide, multi-commodity grower organization. The award is based on the agent’s service to the association and his or her value to the growers and agricultural industries in the area he serves.

“Rick has done an outstanding job in working with growers and Extension specialists to test the effectiveness of new technologies,” said Dr. Tom Fuchs, Extension’s state integrated pest management coordinator.

“He works tirelessly to help growers implement technologies that improve profitability while helping to preserve environmental quality. He provides accurate and unbiased data from a large number of on-farm studies to test the effectiveness of the technology and to make sure it fits into the local production system.

“Rick also conducts a scouting program, sponsored by the Southern Rolling Plains Cotton Producers Association, through which he monitors cotton fields to keep growers and the cotton industry up to date on pest populations and cotton growth and development. Information from this program is transferred to growers and industry representatives at weekly meetings and (via) newsletters during the cotton production season.”

Minzenmayer earned a bachelor’s degree in entomology from Texas Tech University and a master’s degree in animal science from Angelo State University.

Minzenmayer began his Extension career in 1985 as integrated pest management agent for Midland, Martin and Howard counties. He has been in his current position at Ballinger since 1987.

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