The Panhandle AgriPartners Program was initiated in April 1998 as a means of providing technical support to University Research, Extension and Industry applied research and demonstration activities. Farm Demonstration Assistants strategically based in seven Extension offices operate under the supervision of County Extension Agents-Agriculture and are available to take samples, gather data, conduct surveys and perform routine activities associated with demonstrations, surveys, and applied research projects. The projects and demonstrations are managed by Texas A&M University Research Scientists and Extension specialists in cooperation with agricultural producers, industry technical and sales representatives, commodity groups, crop consultants, and water districts.

One of the most important facets of the AgriPartner program is that it uses the local county Extension Agent network to conduct on-site demonstration and applied research in producer fields. This requires the cooperation of numerous producers in the Texas Panhandle. In 1998, forty-five producers participated with over 5200 acres enrolled in demonstrations with seven crops in all areas of the Panhandle. We thank all of our producer Agripartners for their involvement, participation and help. We look forward to their advice, counsel and inputs in the 1999 AgriPartner projects as plans are finalized and projects initiated.

The objective of the AgriPartner program is to provide NOW current scientifically-based information to assist farmers in making decisions regarding agricultural operations. These on-site farm-based projects are also one of the ?building blocks? to extend research and facilitate the adoption of Precision Agriculture practices. The large database of information and data gathered in 1998 will prove invaluable in evaluating the application of site-specific practices to farmer?s fields in future years.

As the District 1 Extension Director and AgriPartner Program Coordinator, we thank all the Producers, County Extension Agents-Agriculture, Farm Demonstration Assistants, TAEX Specialists, and TAMU, WTAMU and USDA-ARS Scientists and Engineers that participated in making the 1998 Panhandle AgriPartner program a huge success. We are looking forward to bigger and better programs in 1999. We have initiated a concentrated effort to more actively involve our Industry partners in future AgriPartner programs and projects. It will take everyone?s participation and effort for Panhandle Agriculture to survive and prosper.

AgriPartner Farm Demonstration Assistants are located in Dallam, Moore, Ochiltree, Deaf Smith, Randall, Gray, and Collingsworth counties. These assistants also help with Demonstrations and surveys in surrounding counties; thus the entire Panhandle is essentially covered. Most 1999 demonstrations are tied in to the North Plains Potential Evapotranspiration (NPPET) network and to the Precision Agriculture Initiative, aimed at providing real-time current water-use and irrigation requirements, plant development and growth, and other information to the producer - so that problems can be addressed as they occur, not next year.

Pest trapping/survey results taken by AgriPartner assistants provided up-to-date information on pest outbreaks and buildups as they occurred. This information is also valuable in developing and verifying models that use climatic data to predict pest and predator insect buildups.

Panhandle AgriPartners is up and running, building partnerships that support a stronger Panhandle and Texas agricultural sector. For more information about AgriPartners, contact Dr. Bob Robinson, District 1 Extension Director or Ordie R. (Reggie) Jones, AgriPartner Coordinator at the Texas A&M Research and Extension Center, Amarillo (806)-359-5401 or contact your local County Extension Agent.