The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in the Lower Rio Grande Valley is offering its annual soil testing campaign Oct. 11, 2017 through Jan. 31, 2018, according to agency personnel.
“We’re encouraging all commercial agricultural producers in Hidalgo, Cameron and Willacy counties to take part in this free soil testing campaign to help with nutrient management and improve water quality,” Victor Gutierrez, AgriLife Extension assistant in Weslaco, said. “This will be the seventeenth consecutive year we’re offering this service, and it’s been instrumental in reducing nutrient runoff from entering the Arroyo Colorado.”
Farmers and ranchers can pick up free soil sample bags and forms from AgriLife Extension offices in Willacy, Cameron and Hidalgo counties, as well as the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Weslaco, said Brad Cowan, AgriLife Extension agent for agricultural and natural resources in Hidalgo County.
“The samples can then be dropped off at the AgriLife Extension offices for shipping to the laboratory at Texas A&M University in College Station—all at no cost to producers,” he said. “Results will be mailed directly to producers.”
The soil testing campaign first began in the Valley in 2001, according to Gutierrez. It has been funded by various sources over the years.
“Since 2008, the campaign has been funded through the Arroyo Colorado Watershed Partnership with a Clean Water Act grant provided by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, administered through the Texas Water Resource Institute,” Gutierrez said.
Contact information for participating AgriLife Extension offices is listed below.
Cameron County
1390 W. U.S. Highway 83, San Benito
956-361-8236
cameron-tx@tamu.edu
Hidalgo County
410 N. 13th Ave., Edinburg
956-383-1026
hidalgo-tx@tamu.edu
Willacy County
170 N. 3rd St., Raymondville
956-689-2412
willacy-tx@tamu.edu
District 12 office
2401 E. Highway 83, Weslaco
956-968-5581
d12south@ag.tamu.edu