‘Local’ research benefits growers

By KARI KRAMER | East Texas Edition

Dr. Don Reid (foreground), retired TAMU-C professor and CCRI researcher, shows a corn kernel with black layer, a stage where the kernal no longer receives nutrients from the cob. Jim Swart (to Reid’s right) discussed the values of CCRI-sponsored research. Reid and Swart were two of the speakers during the recent Bowie County Crops Tour. -- Staff photo by Kramer

August 11, 2005 - Texas Cooperative Extension (TCE) requests that county Extension offices conduct applied research are being met throughout Northeast Texas.

The Agent Applied Research Initiative called on county offices to conduct research that would best benefit their producers. The idea was that with research close to the producer, information could be more directly shared with growers. In addition, the turnaround time was expected to faster, meaning that growers could apply research findings the following season.

Bret McCoy is the agriculture Extension agent for Bowie County. He has worked to meet the challenge.

“Extension agents have always been involved in disseminating research data from experiment stations and universities, and were frontline researchers to some degree by doing result demonstrations,” he said. “The result demonstrations provided producers and homeowners with a lot of useful data over the years, but were criticized in that they were not always scientifically and statistically correct.”

In one example, a corn research plot was planted in Bowie County, and at an Aug. 2 crops tour, at the Keller Farm north of Texarkana, growers were able to visit and learn about varieties in the area.

The project was a collaboration between many groups.

James Swart is an entomologist and works with TCE, Texas A&M University-Commerce, and the Cereal Crops Research Institute (CCRI). He, along with retired TAMU-Commerce and CCRI colleague Dr. Don Reid, helped plan and implement the research project in Bowie County with the intent of gathering information that would helpful to producers in that county.

“There is no substitute for information that is developed on grower farms under their soil and fertility conditions,” said Swart. “Information developed in other locations is useful to them but not as valuable as ‘home grown’ information.”

A group from CCRI planned the research for the 300 individual plots at the request of McCoy. CCRI paid for much of the labor involved in the project and arranged seed, fertilizer, and chemical donations.

McCoy credited the group for the success of the new initiative. “These plots would not have been possible if it were not for Swart, his colleagues, and the equipment that A&M Commerce provided,” he said.

With their resources, CCRI planted several varieties, some that were popular in the area, and some new varieties that are not yet available. Seed from 10 companies was planted: Adler, Belle, Croplan, DeKalb, Dyna Gro, Garst, Golden Acres, Pioneer, Terral, and Triumph. (The companies also sponsored the tour and the meal).

According to Reid, the research plots were replicated. Replicated plots produce scientifically valid results. Because the tested seed was placed at various locations throughout the test plot, the effect of location (for example, light, soil, and wind may differ at points throughout the plot), was minimized. Consistency is required to obtain accurate results, so smaller testing plots, such as the one in Bowie County are often used.

Reid said smaller plots were needed because in larger plots the soil is not uniform.

“There are two reasons we use small plots,” Reid told tour attendees. “One of them is to make the workload manageable.” With only limited man power and all of the attention to detail necessary to create a research plot, the idea of a 50-acre plot is unreasonable. In addition, added Reid, soil uniformity would influence testing results.

McCoy said the producers were the motivation behind the testing plot. The primary focuses of the testing plots, according to McCoy, were “to provide scientifically sound research data that the farmers may use, such as hybrid selection, fertilization rates, and planting rates.” All of which would be custom-tailored to the area.

Reid and Swart were able to share some information directly with producers, one of the ideas behind this new Extension effort. Nitrogen amounts, seed spacing, populations, and pests were discussed. Swart noted the problems growers, as far south as Idabel, Okla., are having with root worms, and pointed out that producers in that area (just south of the Oklahoma border) may want to consider a stacked corn variety that can prevent damage from root worms.

Reid dissected an ear of corn and showed the group kernels with a black layer. He explained that the black layer, which forms in kernels from the tip of the ear and progresses to the base, signifies physiological maturity and once a black layer forms, the kernel is no longer receiving nutrients from the cob. He compared the situation to cutting the umbilical cord on a calf.

“Once that is cut,” Reid explained, “it’s on its own.”

These discussions directly with producers in the research plot were examples of what TCE hoped to accomplish - a system that closes the gap between Extension information and the producers and allows growers to receive information relevant to their area.

McCoy said this type of research is “absolutely” valuable. “To farmers in this area - it provides them with unbiased research data that cannot be found from any other source.”

With help from groups such as Jurg and Hans Keller (of Keller Farm), universities, and CCRI, McCoy said he hopes to do more research for the producers in his county.

“I would like to do some work with wheat this fall,” he said, “and continue with the corn trials next year.”

Swart said CCRI also has plans of helping other Extension offices with their research efforts, but their resources are also limited.

“We would like to do more. At present, our equipment and labor will only allow us to work with a few agents,” he explained. “Last year we had plots with six agents, and this year we have trials with four agents.

“A fulltime technician and a line of equipment dedicated to the Agent Applied Research Initiative would greatly enhance our ability to deliver quality production research information to regional producers,” said Swart.

“Since we are using our labor and equipment, it is sometimes difficult to get this done around our own research and farming needs.”

Swart and Reid are giving preference to working with agents who are obtaining a master’s degree at TAMU-C because the research helps meet academic requirements. Swart called it a “win-win situation.”