The Loss of an Ecosystem

I've been writing for the Canyon News for awhile. I decided it was time to "pimp" one of my articles....

Ecosystem complexity, the Lesser Prairie Chicken

The Lesser Prairie-Chicken was once common throughout many parts of the Texas Panhandle. For early explorers and early pioneers of the area, they were a reliable source of food when...(complete article here).

Energy Independence Days

U.S. Senator John Cornyn has declared war on our dependence on foreign oil. He has created a special emphasis on his website called “Energy Independence Days” in which there will be a series of posts including videos from Senator Cornyn on the subject of how we might achieve our Energy Independence.

I am thankful that the Senator has taken the best interests of the American people to heart and created this opportunity for the people of this state and nation to have input, as he helps through his leadership, to set our lawmakers on course to address this critical issue. I pray that solutions can be developed through the private and public initiatives that are a hallmark of this great nation. I am humbled to have the opportunity to provide a guest post to the Senator’s website. Thank you Senator Cornyn for all that you do for our state and our country.

EPA Pesticide Controls

It is important to protect workers and the environment but lets make sure that we are using good science and not just reactionary politics.

EPA strengthens controls on 5 pesticides

After four years of talks, it also sets wide farm buffers to protect residents

USDA Research Dollars for Specialty Crops

Diversification is important for farmers. Adding specialty crops can help to even out the vagaries of the markets.

USDA Announces $28.4 Million in Funding for Specialty Crop Research

Jennifer Martin, (202) 720-8188

WASHINGTON, July 11, 2008 - Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer announced today that USDA is making available $28.4 million for research and extension projects in fiscal year 2008 to address the critical needs of the specialty crop industry by developing and disseminating science-based tools to address needs of specific crops.

"This is a...(complete article here).

CRP Land May Be Opened to Production

I understand the reasons behind the pressure. However, there is a need to balance all of the different interests and to achieve a solution that can be beneficial to all. My suggestion would be that in order to be removed from the CRP program early, the landowner must work with his local wildlife biologist in order to develop a comprehensive management plan for the land in question.

It might be possible to preserve the most sensitive areas in CRP -- such as waterways, hillsides, buffer zones, etc. and still free up significant acreage for agricultural production. Just thinking.....

USDA Rule Change May Lead To Crops on Conserved Land


By Joel Achenbach
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, July 11, 2008; Page A02

Under pressure from farmers, livestock producers and soaring food prices, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is weighing a policy change that could lead to the plowing of millions of acres of land that had been set aside for conservation.

At issue is the Conservation...(complete article here).

The Pickens Energy Campaign

Forgive my skepticism but I have a hard time believing that Mr. Picken's motives are not self serving. There may be other issues at stake. I'm certain that his investments will be well-rewarded from these expenditures.

Pickens Goes For The Grass Roots

Allison Fass, 07.11.08, 4:00 AM ET


"Did you know, back in 1970, we imported 24% of our oil, and by 1990 it was 42%," says billionaire T. Boone Pickens, in his Texas drawl, at the start of a national commercial that began airing this week. "Today, it's almost 70% and climbing every minute." His voice plays as the words appear in white letters on a black screen. A fire slowly burns into the background.

The octogenarian oilman has...(complete article here).

Following are related posts that I have previously made:

http://agriconenergy.blogspot.com/2008/07/balancing-needs-in-new-energy-economy.html

http://polytickle.blogspot.com/2008/07/pickens-energy-plan-and-media-blitz.html

http://polytickle.blogspot.com/2008/07/opportunities-for-doing-right-thing.html

Potential Use for Ethanol Coproduct

I'm not sure how I feel about this. Cattle feeders are struggling with high feed prices and DDGs are part of their answer. If there is increased demand for DDGs as a fertilizer, it further pressures feed prices.

ARS and Seed Company Examine Commercial Potential of Ethanol Coproduct

By Jan Suszkiw
July 10, 2008

Studies by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists have shown that dried distiller's grains (DDGs)—coproducts of corn ethanol production—have potential as an organic fertilizer and for weed control. But some ethanol producers are adopting new corn-grinding methods that may affect the DDGs' usefulness.

To further study DDGs, ARS plant...(complete article here).

Updated Ag Supply and Demand Estimates

The USDA has updated its numbers:

World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates

Windows on Power

MIT continues to lead the way with development of new solar technology.

MIT opens new 'window' on solar energy

Cost effective devices expected on market soon

Elizabeth A. Thomson, News Office
July 10, 2008
Imagine windows that not only provide a clear view and illuminate rooms, but also use sunlight to efficiently help power the building they are part of. MIT engineers report a new approach to harnessing the sun's energy that could allow just that.

The work, to be reported in the July 11 issue of Science, involves the creation of...(complete article here).

Mapping Alternative Energy Resource Development

Exploring for Alternative Energy resources....

America's Best Places For Alternative Energy

William Pentland 07.09.08, 1:35 PM ET

The "cubic mile of oil"--a metric roughly equivalent to the amount of oil consumed worldwide each year--is frequently used to explain the challenge facing solar, wind, geothermal and biomass power.

So what would it...(complete article here).

Australian Drought Worsens

The drought situation in Australia does not bode well for world food prices. When you are praying for rain, it might be a good idea to throw in a prayer for the drought in Australia as well.

Australia food-bowl drought worsens, rains spare wheat

By Rob Taylor
CANBERRA (Reuters) - The prolonged drought in Australia's Murray-Darling river system is worsening and the country's main food bowl may forever be changed by accelerating climate warming, government officials said on Thursday.

Despite good autumn rains, June inflows into the river basin were...(complete article here).

The Micro Future

Microbiology is going to be a "hot" field for the future. I believe that we will see an explosion in many areas of microbiology including energy production, food technologies and manufacturing/synthesizing of various products.

Can microorganisms be a solution to the world's energy problems?

Microorganisms once reigned supreme on the Earth, thriving by filling every nook and cranny of the environment billions of years before humans first arrived on the scene. Now, this ability of microorganisms to grow from an almost infinite variety of food sources may play a significant role in bailing out society from its current energy crisis, according to...(complete article here).

India's Agriculture Investment Environment

The USDA's Economic Research Service has released a new economic information bulletin on the agricultural investment environment in India. Infrastructure and effective market mechanisms continue to be weaknesses in the Indian agricultural economy contributing to their inability to feed themselves in spite of tremendous potential.


The Environment for Agricultural and Agribusiness Investment in India

Balancing Needs in the New Energy Economy

Achieving a balance between development and nature is often a difficult task. As we look to move from a petroleum based energy economy to alternative sources of energy, we have the opportunity to take a thoughtful, balanced approach.

There are important questions that must be asked for each of the new energy technologies. Most of them have to do with consequences to the environment. Some have to do with impacts on food prices. Still others are related to human factors such as jobs and health. Unintended consequences seem to abound with every new endeavor.

Realizing that it may seem to be a minor issue to some, one thing that has come to my attention recently is the potential impact of wind energy development on the small amount of remaining habitat that supports the Lesser Prairie Chicken (LPC).

The LPC is a species that was once common throughout the short and mid-grass prairies of the southern High Plains. Over the years it is estimated that about 90% of their former range has been made unsuitable for them. Most of that land has been converted to farming but other tracts have been lost to population growth and petroleum industry development.

Wind Farms are now threatening some of the last remaining suitable habitat for the LPC. Many of these farms are planned or under construction on large contiguous tracts of native prairie that have thusfar escaped the plow or other development.

I believe in the entrepreneurial spirit and I believe that one should be able to utilize his land according to his wishes (as long as it is legal, ethical and moral). However, sometimes there are higher considerations that must be weighed. Fortunately there are tools to aid landowners faced with decisions regarding development versus wildlife. One is the CCAA. The "Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances" is a tool by which the landowner can work with a wildlife biologist to create a habitat management plan that would be beneficial to the LPC while receiving assurances that no further land use restrictions or conditions will be imposed in the event that the LPC is declared endangered.

As various individuals and corporations look at developing the wind potential of the southern High Plains, it is my prayer that they will seriously consider the potential benefits of implementing a CCAA where suitable habitat is available. It might be that they (the landowner) will be able to achieve both worthy goals -- sustainable, renewable energy and conservation of the Lesser Prairie Chicken. It is certainly something that deserves discussion.

Independence and Agriculture

Thomas Jefferson

The Growing Numbers of Hungry People

Below is linked a thoughtful piece from the FAO Director-General, Jacques Diouf, regarding the hunger crisis -- particularly in Africa. He clearly points to the need of addressing infrastructure needs rather than purely food aid in order to resolve the crisis.


About 50 million more hungry people in 2007

Hunger on the rise due to soaring food prices

3 July 2008, Rome/Brussels - The number of hungry people increased by about 50 million in 2007 as a result of high food prices, FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf said today addressing a conference at the European Parliament in Brussels.

“Poor countries are...(complete article here).

For a related report from the USDA click here.

DFW Leads Country With Clean Air Plan

Isn't it amazing that Texas, the long-time leader in oil & gas, is not only leading the way with alternative energy production but is now leading the way in cleaning up the air?

Dallas-Fort Worth clean air plan first in country proposed for EPA approval

Release date: 07/01/2008

Contact Information: Dave Bary or Tressa Tillman at 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov

Additional 40 tons of pollution cuts move plan across goal line(Dallas, Texas – July 1, 2008) EPA gathered local and state partners to announce its proposed approval of the Dallas-Fort Worth clean air plan today. Also, EPA announced that the area achieved the previous 1-hour ozone standard through the success of earlier plans.

Under the proposed plan, ozone forming pollutants will be reduced by...(complete news release here).

How to Break Link Between Food and Biofuels

Iowa State continues its leadership role in research related to food and biofuels.

Breaking the Link between Food and Biofuels

Bruce A. BabcockJuly 2008 [08-BP 53]

Production of biofuels from feedstocks that are diverted from food production or that are grown on land that could grow crops has two important drawbacks: higher food prices and decreased reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. If U.S. policy were to...(complete news release here).

Gray Wolf in New Mexico?

Very interesting....


Gray wolf sighted in New Mexico

Species could have spread from northern Rockies.

From the Associated Press
7:38 PM PDT, June 30, 2008

SANTA FE -- A possible gray wolf has been sighted on a ranch in northern New Mexico, raising the prospect that wolves may have migrated into the state from the Northern Rockies where they were reintroduced more than a decade ago.

There's been...(complete article here).

Fill 'er Up -- With Hydrogen

Hydrogen fueled cars need infrastructure before they will be practical.

U.S. hydrogen maker sees car filling stations soon

By Bernie Woodall

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - One of the main obstacles to the development of hydrogen as a fuel for cars is the lack of a system of fueling stations.

Barney Rush thinks...(complete article here).