Marco Ponce, M.S.
Responsible for planning implementing and evaluating educational programs in cotton, corn, grain sorghum, sugarcane, sunflowers, emerging crops, beef cattle, forages, irrigation technology and water conservation in production agriculture. Assists other county faculty with Leadership Advisory Board, commercial vegetables, citrus, urban horticulture, community development and 4-H programs. Coordinates information and training for county faculty and staff.
New – Upcoming Programs
2024 South Texas Agriculture Symposium –
(1 General Pesticide Applicator CEU)
Date: Tuesday, April 30th
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Location: Cameron County Extension Office
(1390 W. Expressway 83, San Benito, TX 78586)
*Seating is limited to the first 35 individuals who RSVP.
To register please select – HERE
News Releases
News – Beef Cattle Production Webinar
To view recording please click – here
News – RGV Bull Gain Test & Heifer Development Program
The decision has been made to move forward with plans to again
have a sale at the end of the 2020 – 2021 bull gain test
For more information click here – Bull Gain Test & Heifer Development Program
News – The Texas AgriScience Field Day
To view recording please click here.
AgriScience Virtual Field Day 2020 – Flyer
- Unique COVID-19 Social Distancing message for farmers
- UPDATE – Pesticide Applicator and Course Provider COVID 19
- FSA News Release – Emergency Loan Applications
- NEWS RELEASE – USDA Designates Four Texas Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
SCA Survey Invitation
Drought Monitor (for Texas)
Climate Prediction Center (forecasts for 6-10 day, 8-14 day, 1 month and 3 month)
National Weather Service (forecast office in Brownsville)
Agricultural Irrigation Info
International Boundary & Water Commission (United States Section)
International Boundary & Water Commission (United States Section: 1944 water Treaty, lake levels, etc.)
Amisted & Falcon Lake levels, Mexico Deliveries Under Treaty (on IBWC website, updated weekly)
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (state environmental regulatory agency)
Region M Water Planning Group (conducts long term water planning)
Rio Grande Regional Water Authority (helps plan & develop sustainable sources)
South Texas Weather (weather station data from 4 Valley locations, site run by Dr. Juan Enciso)
Water Testing (for irrigation purposes only, A&M Lab recommended)
An Index of Salinity and boron Tolerance of Common Native and Introduced Plant Species in Texas
Evaluation of Groundwater Resoucres in the Lower Rio Grandy Valley (TWDB publication on local groundwater)
Texas ET Network (evaoptranspiration data, watering recommendations, etc.)
Pesticide License
Obtaining a Private Applicator License (training conducted locally every 3 months) Next training scheduled:
- Date: TBA
CEU’s in the Valley
Obtaining a Private Applicator License (Training conducted locally every 3 months)
Reciprocal agreements With Other States (TDA has agreements with a few state, commercial, NC Only)
Row Crops Resources
Sugarcane Aphid Information (Information resources on a new pest of sorghum in the Valley)
Texas Row Crops Newsletter (Statewide, excellent articles, click on link to subscribe)
Sugarcane Aphid (a new pest of sorghum)
Sugarcane Aphids – 2015
Guar, New Crop for the Valley? (resources courtesy of Extension Agronomist)
Pesticide Container Recycling (active program since 1991)
Pest Cast Newsletter (weekly during the growing season by Danielle Sekula)
Crop & Livestock Budgets (detailed budgets by Extension AG Economists)
Crops Publications (many topics, Soul & Crop Sciences Dept.)
Custom Rates (statewide average prices for disking, shredding, harvesting, etc.)
Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation (main website)
Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation (weekly report, Valley Zone on page 4)
Managing Volunteer Cotton in Grain Crops (corn, sorghum, soybean and wheat)
Web Soil Survey (too darn slow, but a very good tool)
RMA (Risk Management Agency, crop insurance helps secure food supply)
RGV Sugar Growers (only sugar mill in Texas, located between La Villa and Santa Rosa)
Sugarcane Weed Management (From Louisiana Extension)
Dr. Billy Warrick’s Collection (retired agronomist at San Angelo, excellent collection)
Soil Testing (use science to help determine fertilizer needs)
Texas Agricultural Custom Rates (average prices on disking, shredding, etc.)
Sorghum Notes
Variety Trials Conducted by County Agents(local cotton, grain sorghum & sunflowers)
Marketing Outlook
Cotton Marketing & Risk Management (Dr. John Robinsons’ website)
Feedgrain Market Outlook (Dr. Mark Welch’s newsletter)
Structural Pesticide License
What License Do I Need? (answer questions to find out)
Structural License Training (statewide listing of training to get license)
Structural License Manuals (print order form)
Structural License Exam Schedule (statewide listing of exam dates and locations)
Texas Department of Agriculture
Structural Pest Control Service
Structural Pest Control Service- New Business License Application
Structural Pest Control Exams
Other locations for Pesticide Training For Commercial/Non Commercial Applicators
Beef Cattle
Bull Gain Test, Heifer Development Program and Pen of Steers (RGV Beef Development Program)
Seven things Every Small Beef Producer Should Know
Beef Cattle Traceability Rule (new requirement as of 1/1/13 for cattle to be tagged at change of ownership)
Beef Cattle Publications (wide variety of topics authored by Extension specialists)
Ranchers Reference Guide (publication with lots of resources in one place)
Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (representing cattlemen’s interests)
Texas Animal Health Commission (state agency works to protect health of Texas livestock)
Value (Cost Benefit Ratios) of some management practices used to improve reproduction in beef cattle
FARM Assistance (Focus Series)
Citrus & Vegetables
Vegetable & Fruit Improvement Center (vegetable & fruit research, located in College Station)
Texas Citrus (website compiled by Dr. Julian Sauls)
Texas A&M Kingsville Citrus Center (located in Weslaco)
Texas Citrus Mutual (supports citrus industry on numerous issues)
Crop & Livestock Budgets
Range & Pasture, Brush Control
Hay Production in Texas (excellent publication)
Weed Control in Pastures and Forages (ESC-024,2014)
Brush Busters (series of publications on control of mesquite, pricklypear, huisache and others)
Chemical Weed & Brush Control Suggestions for Rangeland (B-1466, 2010 update)
Saltcedar Biology & Management (L-5440, 2009 update)
Prescribed Burn Information (resources for landowners)
Fall Armyworms (information including control measures)
Forage Testing (test hay and other forages to determine quality)
Forage Publications
Wildlife
The Texas Deer Lease
Prevention & Control of Wildlife Damage (excellent resource edited by Extension Service experts)
Cesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute (located in South Texas, world renowned)
Texas Wildlife Services (state agency with wildlife damage management expertise)
Feral Hogs (articles, FAQs, webinars, videos)
Animal Science
- Current News
- Business Marketing
- Drought Management
- Facilities & Equipment
- General Management
- Genetics & Selection
- Texas Adapted Genetic Strategies for Beef Cattle
- Health
- Nutrition
- Pasture, Range & Forage
- Ranch to RAil
- Reproduction & Calving
- Research Publications & Reports
- Stocker Cattle
- Youth Livestock Judging Contest Publications
- Youth Projects
Insects
Leafcutter Ants (one of our most destructive insects)
http://tickapp.tamu.edu/
Field Guide to Common Texas Insects
Insect Pest Management Answers
The gateway to Extension Entomology,
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
Turf grass
Aggie Turf (comprehensive website on all things turf grass)
Turfgrass Producers of Texas (professional association of turf grass sod farms and related businesses)
Zika Virus Information/Mosquito Control & Prevention
Publications
- Zika Virus: What Texans Need to Know English | Spanish
- Zika Precautions for Women (6/16)
- Getting tested for Zika
- Mosquitoes and the Diseases They Transmit
- Do-It-Yourself Backyard Mosquito Control
- Buzz Off (short reminders on preventing mosquito bites)
- Texas Mosquito Management Manual ($20.00)
Specialty Websites
- Preventing Zika (TAMU AgriLife)
- Zika Virus: The latest from the TAMU Health Science Center (Zika 360)
- Mosquito Safari (Mosquito Control Information)
Mosquito Control Videos
- Protecting Yourself From Mosquitoes and Zika Virus (30:00) (Sonja Swiger)
- Mosquito Control Options in the Backyard (6:17) (Mike Merchant)
- Protecting Yourself from Mosquitoes (1:40) (Mike Merchant)
- Stopping Mosquitoes at the Front Door (2:52) (Mike Merchant)
- Preventing Mosquitoes in Your Backyard (2:26) (Mike Merchant)
- Protecting from Zika and Other Mosquito-borne Diseases (Molly Keck)
Helpful Links
Valley Ag Online (Texas Citrus Mutual, Texas Vegetable Assn, & Valley Ag Ins.)
Preventing Zika (Information on the current mosquito-borne illness)
Others (Partners)
District 12 AgriLife Extension Office (located in Weslaco)
Texas Farm Bureau (voice of agriculture both statewide and in each county)
Farm Service Agency (national web site, local office in Cameron)
Natural Resources Conservation Service (national web site, local office in Cameron)
Texas Departments of Agriculture (state website, local office in San Juan)
National Ag Statistics Service (Texas Section, source of agriculture production data)
Texas State Soil & Water Conservation Board (state agency administers soil & water laws)
Arroyo Colorado Watershed Partnership (devoted to improving water quality in the Arroyo)
