Comanche Extension Agent Michael Berry
Happy New Year
We are now in the year 2025 and if you are a farmer or rancher that means you enjoyed the smell of fresh cut hay or the smell of soil in a plowed field, you’ve seen mama’s licking newborn calves, or maybe you watched and worked as your crop progressed from a seedling or nutlet to harvest. Whatever your crop, you worked through the miracle of another growing season and another harvest. It is often stressful and always has many struggles along the way, but every growing season is special and is an experience that only farmers and ranchers can truly experience and appreciate.
This is where I would usually attempt to look ahead and give some educated guess as to what the New Year may bring-La Nina, El Nino, high prices, low prices, good trade, bad trade, republican or democrat. Who really knows, but you are going to get out there and make the most of the next growing season whatever else happens in the world, it is what you do. Be sure you take some time to enjoy your family, friends, and life in general along the way. Work is important but we only get so many seasons, make the most of this one.
Soil Testing Now is an excellent time to pull a soil test to get ready for the upcoming season. This is one of the most economically viable management tools available.
This is also the time to apply some of those nutrients. If you need lime you will want to get it out as soon as possible. Lime takes several months and rainfall to break down and go to work in the soil. The same can be said for phosphorus. During the prolonged drought, many folks understandably skimped on their potash and phosphorus applications and only applied nitrogen or applied very little potash and phosphorus. Almost every field I see with bermudagrass decline, thinning stands, or disease issues, have been very low on potash.
The only way to find out what your soil really needs is with a soil test. These tests are $12.00 from the Texas A&M Soil Lab and even free from many of the fertilizer dealers in the area.