Expert: Soil test campaign, symposium to help producers maximize efficiencies
KENEDY – Texas AgriLife Extension Service offices in Bee, Karnes and Wilson counties, along with their respective agricultural committees, will conduct a soil-testing campaign and Nutrient Management Symposium.
The rising cost of fertilizer is creating challenges for South Texas producers, making soil testing for nutrients more important than ever to support the production of forage and row crops, said AgriLife Extension experts.
Texas AgriLife Extension Service offices in Bee, Karnes and Wilson counties are helping area producers by participating in a multi-county soil-testing initiative. Additionally, AgriLife Extension experts will speak at the Nutrition Management Symposium to be held Oct. 18 in Kenedy. (Texas AgriLife Extension Service photo)
“Nutrient management has been at the cornerstone of agricultural production for a long time, and with the rising costs of production, it’s imperative that agriculture producers maximize efficiencies to remain in business,” said Matt Bochat, AgriLife Extension agent, Bee County.
“Taking a soil sample is very simple and inexpensive and should be used as the map for proper soil fertility,” added JD Folbre, AgriLife Extension agent, Karnes County.
Bochat and Folbre said the soil testing campaign will run from Aug. 15 to Sept. 12, with forms and soil bags available at AgriLife Extension offices in Bee, Karnes and Wilson counties.
“Soil samples taken should be returned to AgriLife Extension offices for processing,” Bochat said.
The cost is $8 per routine sample, with a limit of three samples per customer.
Additionally, from 2 p.m.–7 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Kenedy City Hall, 303 West Main St. in Kenedy, Johnson Bender & Co. and Karnes County Producers Cooperative will present a Nutrient Management Symposium.
At the symposium, Dr. Dan Fromme, AgriLife Extension agronomist, Corpus Christi, will speak on soil fertility; Dr Larry Redmon, AgriLife Extension forage specialist, College Station, will speak on nutrient management of forage crops; and Dr. Megan Dominguez-Clayton, AgriLife Extension range specialist, Corpus Christi, will speak on nutrient management of rangelands.
Other speakers will include Benny Martinez of Dow AgroSciences, who will give a product update; Philip Benavides, Texas Department of Agriculture, laws and regulations update; and Willis Johnson, Johnson Bender & Co., financial management and charitable contributions.
The symposium concludes with a catered meal. Cost for the program is $15 and five private pesticide applicator continuing education units are available to attendees.
The AgriLife Extension office in Bee County is at 210 E. Corpus Christi in Beeville, 361-362-3280. The AgriLife Extension office in Karnes County is at 210 East Calvert, Suite 160, Karnes City, 830-780-3906. The AgriLife Extension office in Wilson County is in the basement of the Wilson County Courthouse, 1320 3rd St., Floresville, 830-780-4530.
Soil-test sample bags are available at each office and individuals in these respective counties may contact their local office for more information and to RSVP for the symposium.
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