Ag Biz News Column Chad Gulley County Extension Agent—Ag/NR Smith County   National Ag Week  National Ag Week is March 17-23, 2013.  National Ag Day is March 19, 2013.  During this time, we should all take a moment to recognize and celebrate the abundance provided by American agriculture.  As the world population continues to soar, there is an even greater demand for the food, fiber, and renewable resources produced in the United States. The role Agriculture plays in our everyday lives is substantial.  Agriculture provides almost everything we… Read More →

Ag Biz News Column Chad Gulley County Extension Agent—Ag/NR Smith County   Texas Food Connection Week Agriculture is life.  Agriculture touches all our lives daily.  From the food we eat, the clothes we wear, and the structures we use to provide shelter, agriculture is all around us.  Texas farmers and ranchers work daily to produce a source of good, wholesome food for all of us locally, nationally, and internationally. Texas is one of the nation’s top states in total Agriculture production.  Agriculture production in Texas exceeds $20 billion. … Read More →

Ag Biz News Column Chad Gulley County Extension Agent—Ag/NR Smith County   What to do with used Christmas Trees? Christmas trees are a renewable resource.  They are grown as a crop just like other farm raised crops such as vegetables.  When these trees are harvested during the Christmas season, growers plant trees annually to replace them.  While growing these trees provide oxygen to us and remove carbon dioxide and other gases from the air.  They also provide habitat for wildlife while in the field. What to do with… Read More →

Ag Biz News Column Chad Gulley County Extension Agent—Ag/NR Smith County   Managing the Family Farm             Management means different things to different people.  One thing is for certain, management takes time and work to be successful.  Management is getting things done with your finances, people, equipment, and land resources available on the farm.  Small farm or large farm, managers have some decisions to make. A good manager is a combination of a coach, teacher, financier, engineer, architect, and a good record keeper.  Managers of a farm are… Read More →

Ag Biz News Column Chad Gulley County Extension Agent—Ag/NR Smith County   Soil Fertility and Lime Requirements   Soil is basic to all agricultural ventures including the home lawn, farming, raising livestock, and the home garden.  I had a professor in college that said it is called soil and not dirt.  If you used the term ‘dirt’ in his class, you would drop a letter grade.  Knowing what your soil condition is in can help save you money while provide adequate nutrients at the correct amounts to our… Read More →