AMARILLO — Efficient Profitable Irrigation in Corn, or EPIC, a results demonstration effort conducted in six counties in the northern Panhandle has received the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Superior Service Award in the Team category.
The award was presented Jan. 8 during the agency’s Centennial Conference in College Station.
AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agents on the team were Scott Strawn, Ochiltree County; J.R. Sprague, Lipscomb County; Marcel Fischbacher, Moore County; Michael Bragg, Dallam/Hartley counties; Kristy (Synatschk) Slough, Hutchinson County; and Brad Easterling, Sherman County.
The foundation of EPIC is the principle of managing irrigation water for maximized profitability as a means for making optimal economic and agronomic use of the Ogallala Aquifer, the nomination stated.
EPIC targets grain corn producers who historically employ efficient irrigation systems and solid agricultural practices in a production strategy focusing on maximized yields.
“Your team conceived and implemented the EPIC program in cooperation with agricultural irrigation producers in the northern Texas Panhandle,” a letter of support read. “The EPIC program shows that crop yield and production profitability can be increased in association with timely reductions in applied irrigation water from the aquifer.
“Your program demonstrates that conserving the Ogallala Aquifer for future generations while protecting on-farm economic viability can create a win-win scenario for today’s and future aquifer users.”
Superior Service awards are presented to personnel who demonstrate outstanding performance or provide exceptional service to AgriLife Extension, an educational outreach agency of The Texas A&M University System.
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