Agriculture & Natural Resources

Marco Ponce, M.S.

County Extension Agent – Ag & Natural Resources

Cameron County Administrator

Marco Ponce serves as the Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office in Cameron County. His programming focuses on providing research-based education and resources to support local farmers, ranchers, and landowners in improving their agricultural practices. Marco offers workshops, field days, and other trainings covering crop production, water conservation, soil health, and sustainable land management. Through his efforts, Marco strives to equip the community with practical knowledge that promotes environmental stewardship and enhances agricultural success.

Helpful Links

Drought Monitor (for Texas)
Climate Prediction Center (forecasts for 6-10 days, 8-14 days, 1 month, and 3 months)
National Weather Service (forecast office in Brownsville)

Agricultural Irrigation Info

International Boundary & Water Commission (United States Section)
International Boundary & Water Commission (United States Section: 1944 water Treaty, lake levels, etc.)
Amistad & Falcon Lake levels, Mexico Deliveries Under Treaty (on IBWC website, updated weekly)
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (state environmental regulatory agency)
Region M Water Planning Group (conducts long-term water planning)
Rio Grande Regional Water Authority (helps plan & develop sustainable sources)
South Texas Weather (weather station data from 4 Valley locations, site run by Dr. Juan Enciso)
Water Testing (for irrigation purposes only, A&M Lab recommended)
An Index of Salinity and Boron Tolerance of Common Native and Introduced Plant Species in Texas
Evaluation of Groundwater Resources in the Lower Rio Grandy Valley (TWDB publication on local groundwater)
Texas ET Network (evapotranspiration data, watering recommendations, etc.)

Water Conservation for Producers

Texas Water Resources Institute – Watering Guide for Texas Landscapes
EPA WaterSense Website
Publication – Soil and Vegetation Management: Keys to Water Conservation on Rangeland
Publication – The Do’s & Don’ts of Saving Water
Publication – Views from the River Front: Rio Grande Decision Makers Rank Water Conservation Strategies
Texas Water Resources Institute – Texas Watershed Planning
Texas Water Resources Institute Webpage
Publication – Agricultural Water Conservation – Irrigation Water Use Management

Private Applicator Pesticide License

Commercial/Non-Commercial Pesticide License

Pesticide License Categories

Row Crops Resources

Sugarcane Aphids – 2015
Guar, New Crop for the Valley? (resources courtesy of Extension Agronomist)
Pesticide Container Recycling (active program since 1991)
Pest Cast Newsletter (weekly during the growing season by Danielle Sekula)
Crop & Livestock Budgets (detailed budgets by Extension AG Economists)
Crops Publications (many topics, Soul & Crop Sciences Dept.)
Custom Rates (statewide average prices for disking, shredding, harvesting, etc.)
Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation (main website)
Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation (weekly report, Valley Zone on page 4)
Managing Volunteer Cotton in Grain Crops (corn, sorghum, soybean and wheat)
Web Soil Survey (too darn slow, but a very good tool)
RMA (Risk Management Agency, crop insurance helps secure food supply)
Dr. Billy Warrick’s Collection (retired agronomist at San Angelo, excellent collection)
Soil Testing (use science to help determine fertilizer needs)
Texas Agricultural Custom Rates (average prices on disking, shredding, etc.)
Sorghum Notes

Brush Control for Range & Pasture

Hay Production in Texas (excellent publication)
Weed Control in Pastures and Forages (ESC-024,2014)
Brush Busters (series of publications on control of mesquite, pricklypear, huisache and others)
Chemical Weed & Brush Control Suggestions for Rangeland (B-1466, 2010 update)
Saltcedar Biology & Management (L-5440, 2009 update)
Prescribed Burn Information (resources for landowners)
Fall Armyworms (information including control measures)
Forage Testing (test hay and other forages to determine quality)
Forage Publications

Citrus & Vegetables

Vegetable & Fruit Improvement Center (vegetable & fruit research, located in College Station)
Texas Citrus (website compiled by Dr. Julian Sauls)
Texas A&M Kingsville Citrus Center (located in Weslaco)
Texas Citrus Mutual (supports citrus industry on numerous issues)
Crop & Livestock Budgets

Turf Grass

Aggie Turf (comprehensive website on all things turf grass)
Turfgrass Producers of Texas (professional association of turf grass sod farms and related businesses)