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The Texas Ag Industries Association presented awards for excellence for Texas agribusinesses during its recent annual meeting in Lubbock.
Wilbur-Ellis Company in Taft was recognized as the most environmentally conscious dealer of the year and Cargill Crop Nutrition was recognized as the Company of the Year. Toby Hlavinka of Helena Chemical Company in East Bernard was named the TAIA Member of the Year for his service to the association and to the industry.
Former U.S. Rep. Charlie Stenholm was awarded the annual Harry P. Whitworth Award for Political Involvement. The award, named for the late Mr. Whitworth in recognition of his many years of service with the Texas Chemical Council in Austin, recognizes outstanding individual achievement in the political arena in support of Texas agriculture.
As part of the 2005 TAIA Annual Conference, the Fluid Fertilizer Foundation held a fluid fertilizer school. The program touched on topics like nutrient management planning, new concepts in planting equipment for row crops, technical and agronomic aspects of polyphosphates, fluids in high yield cotton production, a new powerful model for high yield corn production, and formulation.
Anydrous ammonia safety training was also presented. The training was attended by the agriculture industry and area emergency first response members, such as sheriff's departments, fire departments and emergency medical services personnel. The course covered not only the safe handling of anhydrous ammonia in agricultural use, but also the growing use of anhydrous ammonia in the use of illegal drugs. Many times first response units are called to a site where a theft of anhydrous ammonia occurred or where methamphetamines are being made, and these sites could be very hazardous to unit members' health if not identified or treated correctly.
Keynote speaker for the conference was Dr. Tim Herrman with the Texas Feed and Fertilizer Control Service. Dr. Herrman has recently arrived in Texas from Kansas State University to take over the position of director of the Office of the Texas State Chemist. This office oversees the operation of the Feed and Fertilizer Control Service which is the state agency that regulates quality control and assurance of nutrient guarantees on fertilizer and feed products sold in the state. Dr. Herrman discussed his plans for new systems to be put in place to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the operations of the agency. The service has a long history of fair and effective oversight of the industry and the prospects look good for that working relationship to continue under Dr. Herrman's leadership. TAIA also extended a lifetime honorary membership to Dr. George Latimer, who recently retired from the position of director of the state chemist.
