OPINION One year after Harvey, Texas agriculture finds solid ground Last year was going to be differ-means to be a Texan. From the cit-ent. The cotton looked good. Unbe-ies and suburbs to small towns and lievably good. Farmers were hopeful. communities, Texans took care of Then a hurricane that we’d later Texans. And it happened through-refer to on a first-name basis as Har-out the countryside, too. Strangers became friends, and vey paid a visit. Some say it was the hurricane for neighbors became family. Tex-ans helped each oth-the decades. For others, er through the tough it was the storm of a life-times. time. Today, a year later, Homes, crops, build-those relationships are ings, livestock and hu-still strong. man lives were lost. And although recov-Harvey wreaked hav-ery is ongoing, there’s oc along the Texas Gulf hope. There’s faith. And Coast. But the effects an optimistic outlook. of the storm were felt Livestock are graz-miles from there as wa-ing contently in the pas-ter flooded fields, build-Julie Tomascik tures, and some hay, con-ings and homes. Editor sidering the drought’s The storm took a toll impact, is stacked in the barn. on Texas and on agriculture to the Farmers are harvesting their cot-tune of more than $200 million. It was a challenge alright. And a ton and soybeans. There’s always challenge brings out the best in us, a rush to beat Mother Nature. But but a horrific natural disaster shows this year is different. The dark skies everyone just how strong we truly are. aren’t rolling over the horizon. Rain And last year, we made a new cat-drops aren’t falling fast and heavy on the windshield. And furious egory—Texas Strong. When Harvey struck the Texas winds aren’t howling. This year is calmer, and it makes Gulf Coast, it was disastrous. It was us appreciate what we have even downright devastating. But the heart, resilience and spir-more as we reflect on what could happen when Mother Nature un-it of Texas emerged. We showed the world what it leashes her fury. S EPTEMBER 7 , 2018 Farming and ranching is what you know. It’s what you love. It’s in your blood—a family tradition. Mother Nature was calling the shots last year, as she is every year. But her aim was deadly. In the gamble that we call agri-culture, we roll the dice each year. Sometimes we win, and sometimes we lose. Last year was a mixture of both— some devastating losses, but we made it through to face another year. There will be more storms ahead, but, hopefully, none like Harvey. Ranchers call bull on blaming beef Apparently, it’s time to beat and manufacturing. up on beef. Again. Some think if we stop raising Meatless Mondays and meat-livestock, we can use that land less work places—they’re trendy. to grow other crops. That might They’re also based off be the case for some faulty information. pastures, but not for Some say beef is the most. On much of this largest culprit of green-land, grass is all that house gas emissions. will grow. And without You know what I ruminants, millions of say? Baloney! Beef ba-pasture acres would be loney! of no human food value. In fact, U.S. beef pro-Eating beef, and all duction accounts for a meat, is a choice—free By Gene Hall tiny amount of green-of climate guilt. Publisher house gas emissions. And in Texas, we The staggering major-drink our sweet tea, ity of greenhouse gases are due wave to folks on the road and eat to internal combustion engines plenty of beef. PRESIDENT Russell Boening, Poth September 7, 2018 Vol. 34, No. 3 ADVERTISING: Kelly Bogard , Advertising Coordinator, (254) 751-2420; J.L. Farmakis (Representative for outside Texas), P.O. Box 1004, New Canaan, CT 06840, (203) 966-1746. TEXAS AGRICULTURE is published 12 times a year by Texas Farm Bureau, 7420 Fish Pond Road, Waco, Texas 76710, (254) 772-3030. Changes of address may be sent to TEXAS AGRICULTURE, Box 2689, Waco, Texas 76702-2689. Subscription price to Farm Bureau members is included in annual membership dues. All advertising is subject to publisher’s approval. Texas Agriculture reserves the right to reject any ad. © Texas Farm Bureau 2018. All rights reserved. Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily endorsed by Texas Farm Bureau. The Texas Farm Bureau does not assume responsibility for statements by advertisers or for products advertised in Texas Agriculture. VICE PRESIDENT Mark R. Chamblee, Tyler SECRETARY-TREASURER Scott Frazier, Chapman Ranch EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/COO Si Cook COMPTROLLER Cyndi Gerik Texas Farm Bureau website: http:/ /www.texasfarmbureau.org Texas Table Top blog: http:/ /tabletop.texasfarmbureau.org BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Pat D. McDowell, Shamrock Mark R. Chamblee, Tyler Mark Daniel, Seymour Scott Frazier, Chapman Ranch Larry W. Joiner, Huntington Allen Kaminski, Sealy Ronnie Muennink, Hondo Jessica Richmond, De Leon Dan B. Smith, Lockney Val Stephens, Lamesa Neil F. Walter, Oglesby Ben F. Wible, Sherman Zachary X. Yanta, Runge Gene Hall Publisher Justin Walker Communications Specialist Cindy Wennin Graphic Designer Julie Tomascik Editor Gary Joiner TFB Radio Network Manager Angela Lujan Graphic Designer Jennifer Dorsett Field Editor Jessica Domel Multimedia Reporter Kelly Bogard Advertising Coordinator 2