July, 16 2014
Mark Arnold, Ellis County Extension Agent – Agriculture/Natural Resources, was selected by Texas Wheat Producers as the 2014 Outstanding Wheat County Extension Agent. The award was presented by Steelee Fischbacher, director of policy and marketing for Texas Wheat Producers, at the 2014 Texas County Agriculture Agents Association state meeting in Lufkin, Texas.
In a predominantly wheat grown county, Arnold continues to focus on more than 40,000 acres of wheat production. These acres helped contribute to more than $12.6 million in gross receipts in 2013 alone. Since wheat is a widely-planted crop, disease, weed and insect infestations are just a few of the challenges area producers face with the large wheat acreage. Arnold has been instrumental in developing educational programs to address these challenges.
Ronald Woolley, Regional Program Leader – Central Region ANR, said Arnold provides programs that are both producer friendly and interactive. Programs focus on using demonstration results and applied research, in both group educational settings and various personal interactions, he said.
To keep producers aware of new and ongoing research, Arnold conducts an annual Wheat and Small Grains Field Day in coordination with a well-designed field crops committee. Area producers are invited to view, observe and rate variety test plots for yield potential, disease resistance and susceptibility, and insect resistance.
In addition to the annual field day, data from demonstrations and various research trials are distributed to producers through newsletters, the county website and face-to-face programs. These include an annual Summer Crops Tour and Fall Row Crop Production program with continuing education units.
To enhance his local wheat programs, Arnold works closely with a variety of professionals from Texas A&M AgriLife specialist and scientists to marketing and trade organizations. He also regularly receives research updates and information from agencies like the Natural Resource Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency.
Arnold’s programs have led area producers to routinely adopt best management practices including: selecting varieties based on multiple years’ data and research, having fields scouted for insect and disease pests, and adopting reduced seeding rates.
“Mark Arnold is worthy and very deserving of recognition for his work in wheat production in Central Texas,” Woolley said.
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