June 1, 2003

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: June 1, 2003

Contact: Kelly Jones, kelly.j.jones@ttu.edu , (806) 742-2889

Make Plans to Attend Texas Tech’s Sustainable Forage/Livestock/Crop Systems Research Project

You are invited to a field tour and chuck wagon cookout of Texas Tech’s sustainable forage/livestock/crop systems research projects. This field tour and cookout will occur at the Texas Tech agricultural field lab near New Deal. Off of IH 27, take exit 14, travel 6.4 miles east on FM 1729, and turn right into the teaching and research laboratory facility. The tour and cookout will begin at 5:30 p.m. on June 17th.

Since 1997, Texas Tech researchers have been experimenting with an integrated system of crops, forages and livestock as a possible alternative farming system for the Southern High Plains. “So far this sustainable system is saving water--about 23 percent--when compared to a traditional cotton growing system,” Vivien Allen, the Thornton Distinguished Professor chair of Plant and Soil Science at Texas Tech, said. “The project is making great advances in the conservation of our natural resources.”

Allen, coordinator of the sustainable agriculture system, is excited about meeting producers and talking with them one-on-one about the project. “It is very enjoyable talking with the producers and receiving input from them about the project.” Allen said.

Matt Baker, chair of Agriculture Education and Communications at Texas Tech is excited about benefits producers will receive from attending the field day. “There are three major benefits of the field day. First, producers will have an opportunity to see what we are doing with the project. Second, producers will be able to first hand see and interact with the scientists. Third, meeting and interacting with like-minded farmers which facilitates grass-roots networking,” Baker said.

“The cotton data is as important and significant as the forage data” Mr. Rick Kellison said, a producer in Lockney and advisory board member to the project. “Texas Tech is taking a perennial crop and putting it into the crop mix of the system and making it work while still making excellent cotton…they are doing all of this and doing it on less water.” Kellison is excited about the project and hopes producers will come out and see what Texas Tech is doing with the sustainable agriculture project.

Make plans to attend the field tour and chuck wagon cookout on June 17^th starting at 5:30 p.m. For further information please call (806)-742-2828 or e-mail Kelly Jones at kelly.j.jones@ttu.edu.

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