ISSUE DATE: 12/14/2009
By Amy Gardener
Irrigation's economic impact is not a dry issue
The message was loud and proud, in Texas, to farmers across the state and throughout the High Plains; it's clear the precious supply of irrigation is dwindling. With the heart and soul of the farming industry at stake, the crisis is actually everybody's issue, and farmers need to be proactive now, before local control is watered down by state and federal officials.
A packed crowd of nearly 200 farmers, agricultural businessmen and women listened intently as a panel of farming experts outlined the stark reality of the High Plains' dissipating irrigation supply from the invaluable Ogallala Aquifer, Wednesday during the ninth annual Texas Commodity Symposium at the Amarillo Civic Center. The symposium, coinciding with the yearly Amarillo Farm and Ranch Show, was hosted by Corn Producers Association of Texas, Texas Grain Sorghum Association, Texas Wheat Producers Association, Plains Cotton Growers, and the Texas Peanut Producers Board.
According to a new study released at the symposium, crop irrigation contributes more than $1.6 billion a year and 16,650 jobs to the economy of the Amarillo/Panhandle region.
NEWS
Arkansas Farm Bureau celebrating 75 years Biotechnology's effect on agriculture Borlaug Institute, Texas A&M faculty working to improve Afghan agriculture Burlington Greenhands sweep State FFA Quiz Contest Chambliss, Johanns warn cap and trade will harm American agriculture Changes will reduce risk, stabilize crop insurance industry to ensure program sustainability for pro Connect Kansas rural broadband initiative gets $2 million grant Deadline for National Ag Day Essay Contest Feb. 12 Deere reports 4Q loss on charges, lower sales Department of Ag entering social media arena EQIP/WHIP application cutoff date Jan. 15, 2010 Farm Bureau members discuss climate change, energy seed genetics Farm Bureau's 91st annual meeting "right time" to plan the future of ag in Iowa Farms, fertilizers and greenhouse gas emissions Justice Department, USDA set dates for regulatory issue workshops Kansas State Fair receives international recognition Lang re-elected Iowa Farm Bureau president New USDA study helps identify strategies to improve nutrition of school meals NFS places 50 pieces of equipment on loan to rural fire districts NM family works to settle suit against JBS Swift Paulsrud named Woman in Agriculture Award winner Senators Roberts, Harkin fight to improve senior nutrition programs Settlement talks set in Indian lawsuit Shop at the Extension office Story County family farmer named 2009 Joslin award winner Student video contest voting has started UNL nutrition specialist looks to make contacts, build program USDA awards more than $14 million for training, assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers and ran USDA designates two counties in New Mexico as primary natural disaster areas USDA releases first draft of proposed crop insurance agreement USDA, HHS continue food safety working group efforts USDA: States struggle to administer food stamps Young Farm Bureau members honored for management, participation CROPS
2008 Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey highlights released A KAWG membership makes a great Christmas gift ACGA Nebraska Chapter elects new slate of officers American Agri-Women host 35th annual convention ARS explores ways to keep carbon in soil ASA seeking grower input on anticompetitive practices within agriculture industry Charting water use by invasive species is topic of Dec. 11 seminar Colorado Conservation Tillage Association to host conference in February 2010 Commodity groups hold elections Crop insurance price elections reflect efforts of National Sorghum Producers Crop Management Conference highlights farm technology improvements Economist sees positive indications for grain markets in 2010 EPA announcement on E15 good news for rural economies Fall producers' meeting scheduled for Dec. 15 in Claude Greenhouse crop production training course offered online Growers are nuts about organic production How weather affects corn stalk quality HPWD: Annual depth-to-water level measurements begin early December 2009 Irrigation's economic impact is not a dry issue Kansas fall harvest lingers on amid wet weather Kansas growers will wait for EPA's science-based decision on ethanol waiver K-State crops team earns rare sweep of two contests to claim national title K-State Grain Science & Industry Department appoints new Buhler Instructor of Milling Long-term effects of carbon dioxide on plants studied by ARS MGGA elects officers and sets policy direction for 2010 NBB releases study on critical importance of biodiesel tax credit NCGA concerned with impacts of EPA endangerment finding Nebraska Corn Board honors Wehrbein, Bosselman, Andersen Neighbors bring in Arkansas farmer's last crop NSB seeking candidate to serve as United Soybean Director Oklahoma grown Christmas trees support economy and the environment Pedal to the metal: Arkansas farmers' speedy harvest virtually complete Roasting does more than enhance flavor in peanuts Scientist reminds soybean growers of considerations when making seed purchases Shelby, Montana rail rate successfully mediated Start thinking about crops for the future Study finds irrigation pumps 16,000 jobs into Panhandle economy Texas AgriLife researchers helping reduce vegetable 'transplant shock' UNL Crop Production Clinics set for Gering, other locations USB helps make 26 soy-based products a reality USDA scientists, colleagues sequence corn genome USDA soil scientists study the effect of tillage USGC: Doha Round conclusion means market access for U.S. grains Water Issues Forum in Wichita, Hays to examine climate change, Kansas' future Winter weather could affect '10 crop season LIVESTOCK
Animal welfare organization finds religion Beef plant has new general partner Cattle producers face competition for land Cattle sellers reject meatpacker payment request Cut winter feed costs by culling cow herd Dr. Dee Ellis selected to take reins of Texas Animal Health Commission Economist tells cattlemen it will be tough in 2010 Estate tax repeal breakthrough seen Exports key to beef demand First Montana Hereford feeder calf sale a success Heifers with top genetics attract buyers at Show-Me-Select sales ISU Block and Bridle Club receives national recognition Know the score: Improved body condition in beef cows increases conception rates, decreases postpartu K-State to team with other universities to host 26th Annual 4-State Beef Conference Minnesota woman sues Cargill for tainted hamburger National Beef in Dodge City to vote on unionizing NCBA opposes House proposal to extend current estate tax law NCBA unveils enhanced educational platform for 2010 Cattle Industry Convention NCBA: EPA greenhouse gas ruling could be devastating to agriculture Nebraska Cattlemen say ranch, feedlot biz to improve Nebraska company poised to lose organic certification Opposition grows to Salazar's wild horse plan Pelton's Red Angus wins Red Angus GridMaster Award Plan rejected for Texas packing house Postville immigrants face likely deportation Producers find market for grass-fed and grain-fed beef South Dakota Stockgrowers hold quarterly meeting in Pierre Study shows moving pigs inside has huge benefits Testing feed, balancing rations saves money Texas A&M poultry team repeats as national champion U.S. holds hearing on roundup of wild horses USDA launches toll-free help desk for small meat and poultry processors USMEF unveils integrated beef imaging campaign in South Korea EDITOR
Go get 'em Promises, promises Reader takes issue with health care story Wheat farmers want Cuba and United States to get down to business COLUMNS
Bayer encourages students' interest in science, technology with laboratory Boehringer Ingelheim expands product line Fungicide receives full EPA registration Just a scoop full Manifest destiny for Brazil versus global climate treaty Pioneer expands effort to develop drought tolerant corn Snow daze! Syngenta expands sunflower business in North America MARKETS
Colorado feeder cattle report Continued dry weather allows harvest to finish up Corn harvest at 81 percent complete Dalhart livestock auction report Dodge City cattle sales report Dunlap livestock sales report Ericson livestock sales report Faith livestock sales report Farmers close to finishing row crop harvest Ft. Smith livestock sales report Georgia cattle sales report Goldthwaite sheep sales report Good export demand pushes soybean bids higher Grain market close Hay trade slow to moderate High Plains slaughter news Joplin regional cattle sales report Lexington livestock sale report Light rain, snow slows corn harvest Long lines at elevators reported Most hay prices remain steady Newell sheep sales report North Arkansas livestock sales Ogallala livestock sales report OKC West livestock sales report Pratt 3 p.m. cattle sales Pratt livestock sales report Producers continue row crop harvest Row crop harvest winding down Salina cattle sales report Springfield livestock sales report Superior video auction report Thanksgiving over harvest continues Tulia livestock sales report Tulsa livestock sales report Winter wheat makes good progress with recent moisture Woodward livestock auction report Wyobraska cattle sales report RANGE
Ag groups file Supreme Court brief in biotech alfalfa case Hay, Grazing Conference set for Jan. 13 Missouri WRAPS to sponsor livestock management and profitability workshop in Highland Scientists uncover immunity-related genes in alfalfa leafcutting bee Thune applauds prairie dog decision FAMILY
Accidental poisonings more abundant during the holiday season Calloway provides more than shelter Decorate safely for the holidays Family fun with gingerbread Make family holidays teen-friendly Meanwhile, we have to eat Meditation for 12-14-09 Nebraska-grown Christmas tree directory available Sedgwick County to host Spring Gardening Series Ted Turner gets OK for Yellowstone bison on ranch Upcoming K-State horticultural events
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