Texas A&M 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, say AgriLife Extension experts.
TEST IT. 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. 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," says 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," adds J.D. Folbre, Karnes County AgriLife Extension agent.
The soil testing campaign will run through Sept. 12, with forms and soil bags available at the AgriLife Extension Service offices in Bee, Karnes, and Wilson counties.
"Soil samples taken should be returned to AgriLife Extension offices for processing," Bochat says.
The cost is just $8 per routine sample, with a limit of three soil samples per customer.
Additionally, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Oct. 18 at the Kenedy City Hall, 303 West Main Street, in Kenedy, Texas, Johnson Bender & Co. and Karnes County Producers Cooperative will present a Nutrient Management Symposium.
At the symposium, Dan Fromme, AgriLife Extension agronomist, Corpus Christi, will speak on soil fertility. Larry Redmon, AgriLife Extension forage specialist, College Station, will discuss nutrient management of forage crops.
Megan Dominguez-Clayton, AgriLife Extension range specialist, Corpus Christi, will talk about nutrient management of rangelands.
Other speakers include Benny Martinez of Dow AgroSciences, who will give a product update; Philip Benavides of the Texas Department of Agriculture; and Willis Johnson of Johnson Bender & Co., financial management and charitable contributions.
The program concludes with a catered meal. Cost is $15 and attendees can obtain five continuing education units.
The AgriLife Extension office in Bee County is at 210 E. Corpus Christi in Beeville, call 361-362-3280. The Extension office in Karnes County is 210 East Calvert, Suite 160, Karnes City, call 830-780-3906. The AgriLife Extension office in Wilson County is in the basement of the Wilson County Courthouse at 1320 3rd Street, Floresville, Texas, call 830-780-4530.
Soil sample bags are available at each office, and individuals may contact their respective county for more information or to RSVP for the symposium.