Agriview:
Recent studies done in rural Texas
By, Rick Hirsch, County Extension Agent

A recent study in rural Texas allowed respondents to estimate not only the damage from red imported fire ants, but also to calculate benefits as well, according to a Texas Agricultural Experiment Station economist. Agricultural producers in a 54 county area in East, Central and Northeast Texas reported an average total cost of $1,691.41 per farm, for a total cost of nearly $94 million.

Extrapolating that cost statewide would mean that fire ants cost Texans an estimated $236.5 million. This has increased from the $90.5 million in fire ant costs projected from the last survey that was conducted in 1999 and published in 2001. Respondents estimated benefits of fire ants were $6.5 million in the surveyed area. That would total about $16.5 million in benefits statewide.

The survey was conducted by the Texas Fire Ant Initiative through the department of entomology at Texas A&M University. More than 1,000 farmers and ranchers were asked their perceptions about the impact of red imported fire ants. The survey was the most comprehensive study of its kind in the U. S. and it was tacked on to the regular agricultural production survey conducted every year by the Texas Agricultural Statistics Service.

Some of the commodities covered in the survey were cotton, grain, timber, hay, beef cattle, sheep and goats, short-rotation woody crops and poultry. To qualify for the fire ant study, participants had to live on a rural homestead that qualified as a farm or ranch. Red imported fire ants benefit such crops as soybeans, sugarcane and cotton because they break up and aerate the soil, making more water and nutrients available to plants. They also attack other harmful insects in cotton fields.

The majority of the producers said they also had fewer harmful insects, arachnids and arthropods such as chiggers, scorpions and ticks. Medical costs related to fire ants - for both humans and animals - were estimated at $36,554 or $36 per farm. This includes the costs of medical attention and loss of work hours. The most common medical costs were medications, hospitalization and doctor visits, the report stated.

About 43 percent of the respondents reported harm to a person and about 23 percent reported harm to pets. The highest category in costs were homestead damage. Fire ant damage to electrical switch boxes and heating and cooling units totaled $393,147 or $388 per farm. Costs associated with the repair or replacement of equipment was more than $281,000 for the area, or $278 per farm. According to the survey report, the costs included replacing or repairing broken parts on shredders, combines, tractors, well pumps, mowers, solar fence chargers and wheel bearings.

Production losses were lower than those in the 1999 survey. Respondents reported about $267,000 or $264 per farm, in production losses. In 1999, these production losses were about $360 per farm. That included damage to trees, forage, hay, pastures, vegetables, fence posts and injuries to livestock.

On trees, imported fire ants are known to girdle and kill young citrus trees and mounds at bases of trunks can be hazardous in cut-your-own Christmas tree plantations. They are not known to be harmful to established trees, although some people believe that a mound at the base of a dying tree can be the cause of the tree’s decline.

Wildlife losses were estimated at $143,000 or $141 per farm and included decreases in wildlife numbers and customers, such as hunters and fishermen. The red imported fire ant is found in more than two-thirds of the counties in Texas; the survey area was chosen because of its diversity in crops and abundant presence of fire ants.

Planning the Home Fruit Orchard:

A well established and maintained fruit planting not only can be highly productive, but also can enhance a home’s landscape and beauty. However, most fruit crops require years of patient care and hard work to be productive.

Success with a home fruit planting depends on how well it is planned and how well the plans are carried out. Untold amounts of money have been lost due to neglect or purchase of unadapted fruit trees and plants. Successful fruit culture requires knowledge about many things including the following: site, soil, variety selection, pruning, training and related practices, and planting methods.

The importance of selecting the best possible site for fruit planting can not be over emphasized. Good air drainage is essential. Cold air, like water, flows downhill. For this reason, fruit buds on plants set in a low (bottom of hill) are more likely to be killed than those on a slope. Frost pockets, low wet spots and locations exposed to strong prevailing winds should be avoided. South facing slopes encourage early bud development but can sometimes result in frost damage.

Deep, well-drained soil of good fertility should be selected. Adequate drainage is the most important soil characteristic. Poor soils can easily be improved by proper fertilization and cultural practices, but improving soil with poor internal drainage is difficult and expensive.

Determine your soil’s internal drainage rate by digging a post hole 8 inches in diameter and 2.5 feet deep, fill it with water, and if the hole drains in 24 hours, the soil has excellent drainage and is suitable for all fruit crops. Peach, apricot, plum and nectarine trees should only be planted on sites with excellent drainage. If the hole drains in 36 hours, the internal drainage is adequate for more tolerant crops such as: fig, blueberry, strawberry, grape, apple and blackberry. If the hole hasn’t drained in 48 hours, the site is unsuitable for fruit production. In this case, crops could be planted on raised beds.

Before a fruit tree is planted, there must be adequate space. Most fruit trees require an area 25 feet by 25 feet, dwarfs need about 12 feet by 12 feet. The site must have full sun. A single peach tree can easily produce two bushels of fruit - about one hundred pounds - so don’t plant too many fruit trees for your needs.

Fruit trees are best planted in mid-winter to allow time for root development prior to spring growth. During the months prior to planting, the site should have been prepared as follows: clear the site of perennial weeds, and till an area at least 4 feet by 4 feet wide. Any hard pan (layer) beneath the soil should

be broken up. Level the site, and till again. Organic matter may be added to the planting area, but it is unnecessary, and never add fertilizer. To allow for soil water drainage, the site may be built up so that the tree will be sitting on a small berm.

At planting time in January, plant the tree in a hole as big as the root system, usually about 12 inches square and at least 18 inches deep. Plant the tree and refill the soil to the same depth that the tree grew in at the nursery, being careful the tree does not settle too deep. In April or May, as the grass greens up, spray 3 or 4 feet around the tree with glyphosate herbicide. Being careful not to get any of the herbicide on the bark of the tree. It is critical that this be done if the tree is to perform well, if you do little else, maintain the weed-free circle around the tree, and the tree will do better than if nothing at all is done.

The best tree to plant is a variety adapted to and recommended for Henderson County. Select mid-size trees, they are cheaper and grow better than the larger trees. It is far easier to cut 3 to 4 foot trees back to 18 to 24 inches, than to prune 5 to 6 foot trees. Such strong cutback is necessary to remove apical dominance, put the top in balance with a reduced root system, and force out strong vigorous shoots which are easy to train. The trees should have healthy white roots with no brown streaks. Also check for borer presence or damage. With proper care, it is highly possible for your fruit tree to fruit the second year after planting. Information on tree varieties is available at the Henderson County Extension Office.

Rick Hirsch is the Henderson County Extension Agent - Agriculture for Texas Cooperative Extension. Visit our web page at http:// henderson-co.tamu.edu.