CALF_News_April_May_2021

17 CALF News • April | May 2021 • www.calfnews.net forward. We need to think about bushels or pounds per applied irrigation water.” A farm’s conservation plan may impact its financing, said Adam Borcya, a long- time ag lender in Cozad, Neb. With the chance for greater federal climate-related farm programs, growers “may need a cli- mate risk analysis” when they visit their banker, Borcya said. “ Producers are learning to get better use of their water, even in areas of abun- dant water,” he said.“One local grower used 11 inches of irrigation and still made 200-bushel corn. More are learning they can produce the same with less water.” TX 4-H2O Ambassadors There’s a challenge to get more young people involved. It’s being met with local, regional, state and national programs to reach school children young and old. One proven plan is the TX 4-H2O Ambassadors program offered through Texas A&MAgriLife. Established in 2017, 4-H2O educates youth about water resources in Texas. Every spring, up to 30 high school students are selected to participate in a summer 4-H2O Leadership Academy tour. Students travels eight days and more than 2,200 miles. They learn how water is collected, conveyed, treated, con- served and managed to meet the needs of people and economy. “ This is a way to move from talk to action,” said AgriLife’s David Smith, program leader.“We need to make the investment in young people who make an investment in agriculture. These intern- ships are a great way to get them involved.” In Lubbock, Texas, the High Plains Water District runs a program to help fifth graders learn about water’s use in agriculture and how to conserve it. “We’re also seeing an interest in conservation among more domestic well-water users,” said the water district’s spokesperson, Katherine Drury, a Summit participant. “One of the big- gest challenges is keeping momentum up. We encourage people to follow us on social media and use our online resources.” The summit was concluded with a message fromMacy Downs, a 4-H’er from Plains, Texas, who worked to educate others on the Ogallala throughout her high school years. She is now a student at West Texas A&MUniversity in Canyon. “Generation Z is often diversified more than other age groups,” she said of her own generation. “But our diversities are our greatest asset [in conservation] because the Ogallala is so diverse. We are out here dreaming of doing your jobs. If you invest in us and support your local youth programs, we can have our voices heard. If the Ogallala has a chance to survive, you have to invest in us.”  Still feeding sulfate trace minerals? How distasteful. www.micro.net | (317) 486-5880 1 Wiebusch. 2015. JAM. 2 Caramalac et al. 2017. J. Anim. Sci. 95:1739-1750. 3 Micronutrients trial #2017BC106USCZM. IntelliBond ® is a registered trademark of Micronutrients, a Nutreco company. © 2020 Micronutrients USA, LLC. All rights reserved. Smart minerals, smart nutrition... smart decision Calves prefer the taste of supplements with IntelliBond ® more than 2 to 1 vs. sulfate trace minerals. 1-3 Did you know cattle have 25,000 taste buds? That makes them extra-sensitive to the bad taste of free metals from sulfate trace minerals in the ration, and causes them to consume less feed. But when you feed IntelliBond ® trace minerals instead, calves keep eating. Studies show calves prefer supplements that include IntelliBond ® more than 2 to 1 vs. sulfate trace minerals . 1-3 Ask your nutritionist about the tastier trace mineral option. Learn more at micro.net/species/beef. For more information on the Ogallala and water conservation at the farm, dairy, ranch or feedyard, visit your regional water conservation district, Extension office, or go online at www.ogallalawater.org . For more on Kansas WCA go to www.agriculture.ks.gov/ divisions-programs/dwr/managing-kansas-water-resources/wca .