Farming and Ranching Are Still Going Strong Here
Published Oct 07, 2008
The time of the annual harvest brings modern equipment to a field near Alice.
Agriculture is king in the Coastal Bend of Texas.
From the massive King Ranch with its more than 800,000 acres to many lesser operations throughout the region, farmers and ranchers uphold their proud heritage and also look to the future.
The King Ranch, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was the vision of Richard King, a steamboat captain who arrived in South Texas in the mid-19th century and was enamored with the land. He purchased 15,500 core acres to establish the ranch that today ranks as the largest in the state.
Still operated by his descendants, King Ranch prides itself on innovative approaches to agriculture and ranching.
The ranch also owns property in Florida and recently expanded its turf operations to 13,000 acres by purchasing Turfgrass America.
Meeting the Challenges
Honoring their legacy and searching for ways to meet present and future challenges characterize agriculture throughout the area - and the challenges are great, says Jeff Stapper, Nueces County extension agent for agriculture and natural resources.
He cites instances in which “several generations of [farmers] have been on the farm. They just love to do it - that’s why they continue. … It makes you feel good to know you’re out there providing food and fiber for all Americans and many people across the world.”
However, farmers and ranchers have been dealing with drought and steadily rising costs. Stapper and his colleagues are working to help them cope and to offer guidance on incorporating more technology into their operations.
New Crops Tested
One way farmers are meeting the challenges is by introducing new crops. A recent example is sesame, which was tried here for the first time in 2008 on about 4,000 acres. “We’re all learning about it together,” Stapper says. “We’re trying it – there’s a big demand for sesame (seeds and oil).”
Jerry Riney, commercial production manager for Sesaco Corp. in Lubbock, says the crop is doing well in the Coastal Bend.
“If we get the success we’re looking forward to, we’re looking to expand in the area,” Riney says. “Farmers have been receptive - very much so.”
Stapper says a crop on the horizon is canola, which is in demand from the restaurant industry as well as for biodiesel production.
Story by Anne Gillem
Photo by Jesse Knish
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