Extension Education
Rio Grande Valley Nutrient
Management Education
Program
High-Input Costs and Environmental
Concerns
 Nutrient management is an important economic and
environmental issue that affects water quality, soil
quality and crop productivity.
 Runoff from excess nitrogen and phosphorus in
fertilizer is one source of pollution in the Arroyo
Colorado watershed.
 At a time when escalating fertilizer prices have
become a major concern for agricultural producers,
soil testing and nutrient management are even more
important in reducing costs to growers and in
improving water quality in the Arroyo Colorado
watershed.
 Over the past eight years, this project has analyzed
over 4,297 soil samples representing a total of more
than 169,400 acres of cropland in Cameron,
Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy counties in South
Texas. Crops produced include citrus, corn, cotton,
grain sorghum, Bermudagrass, melons and
sugarcane.
 Through educational workshops and field days,
more than 2,500 growers have received training
enabling them to implement more effective nutrient
management strategies.
Economic and Environmental Impact
Extension’s Response
 The economic impact of the RGV Nutrient
Program was measured in terms of potential
fertilizer savings that have resulted from increased
adoption of soil testing.
 The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Nutrient Management
Education Program is a four-county soil-testing
program conducted by specialists and agents with the
Texas AgriLife Extension Service.
 Using soil-test recommendations and producerplanned fertilizer rates, the savings in nitrogen and
phosphate were estimated at 4.3 million and 5.2
million pounds, respectively.
 The primary objective of the program is to educate
producers about the economic and environmental
benefits of soil testing and proper nutrient
management.
 Reduction in fertilizer application rates translated
into a cost savings of up to $26.55 per acre,
depending on crop and management history.
 Total economic benefits to producers since the
program began in 2001 are estimated at $3.38
million. This analysis does not include the value of
environmental benefits.
Contact:
Dean McCorkle
Texas AgriLife Extension Service
ph. 979.845.1861
e-mail: d-mccorkle@tamu.edu
agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/impacts
MKT-3558AC, January 2011
AgriLifeExtension.tamu.edu