Author Archives: greg.baker
Mowing Recommendations for Warm-Season Turfgrasses
Mowing is perhaps the most common cultural practice performed in turfgrass systems. When performed properly, mowing is used to maintain a particular turfgrass height and appearance that supports the specific use and aesthetic expectations of that area. It is import-ant to remember that while turfgrasses have evolved to tolerate mowing, this practice is still a stressor that has the potential to compromise overall turfgrass health and vigor. (cited from Becky Grubbs, PhD; Assistant Professor and Turfgrass Extension Specialist, The Texas A&M University System and for more information… Read More →
EPA and Army Finalize Rule to Repeal 2015 “Waters of the US” Definition
WASHINGTON (September 12, 2019) — At an event in Washington, D.C., U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler and Department of the Army Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works R.D. James announced that the agencies are repealing a 2015 rule that impermissibly expanded the definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act. The agencies are also recodifying the longstanding and familiar regulatory text that existed prior to the 2015 Rule—ending a regulatory patchwork that required implementing two competing Clean Water Act regulations,… Read More →
Unmanned Aerial System Seminar
I was approached by Mr. Danny May, farmer – Calhoun County to invite Dr. Juan Landivar with Texas A and M AgriLife RESEARCH to give a presentation on the status of Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) in crop research and applied applications. Some of the first research that was performed by Dr. Landivar using UAS was in Calhoun County. With many farmers in the county being involved in cattle production , I decided to include range and pasture applications as a topic. The first person that comes to mind… Read More →
Buying vs raising replacement heifers.
With the “fall run” on calves to the market coming up, I decided it would be a good time to discuss buying or raising replacement heifers. As a producer myself, I have bought and raised replacement heifers. Jason Cleere, Associate Professor and Texas AgriLife Extension Beef Cattle Specialist published an article comparing bought replacement heifers vs raised replacement heifers. The dollar values in the charts are outdated but you can plug in today’s prices to determine the current budget. I hope this article will give you some clarification… Read More →
2018 Forage Variety Results – Texas Cool Season Annual Variety Trails
Howdy ! I hope everybody enjoyed the mid morning rain shower that occurred earlier. When I attended the Texas A & M Beef Cattle Short Course in College Station, Texas earlier this month I was made aware of the Texas Cool Season Annual Forage Variety Trails. With the weather being so hot and dry the thought of planting a cool season annual forage hasn’t crossed my mind. With rain and a phone call earlier regarding rye grass, I figured it would be a good time to get out… Read More →
Market Facilitation Program 2019 County Per Acre Payment Rate
Assistance through the Market Facilitation Program is based on a single county payment rate multiplied by a farm’s total plantings of MFP-eligible crops in aggregate in 2019. Those per-acre payments are not dependent on which of those crops are planted in 2019. A producer’s total payment-eligible plantings cannot exceed total 2018 plantings. County payment rates range from $15 to $150 per acre, depending on the impact of unjustified trade retaliation in that county. The following crops are eligible for payment under this single county payment rate: alfalfa… Read More →
Agriculture & Natural Resource Agent
Howdy ! I hope everybody is doing well. Let me tell you a little bit about myself. I am Greg Baker, the County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources here in Calhoun County. I was formally employed by the Texas Department of Agriculture as a Pesticide Inspector for the past 27 years. Some of you may have had an encounter with me at some point in my past career, good, bad or indifferent. When this position came available for County Extension Agent, I thought to myself that… Read More →
