The Future of Farming is Going Wireless

You may not know it from television commercials, but wireless technology is no longer exclusive to urban commuters, texting teens and coffee shop patrons.

As this article from the Texas Farm Bureau reports, the reach of today's wireless technology also extends to rural farmlands where it is making impressive strides toward crop improvement.

Thanks to science and wireless technology, it is now possible for farmers to continuously and more precisely monitor such critical field conditions as soil moisture and temperature in order to produce a superior product for consumers. With this unprecedented ability to make exact adjustments during the growing season and harvest, farmers can now produce higher yields and greater quality while increasing profitability and replicating successful growing strategies. They also can troubleshoot like never before, making it possible to better leverage cause-and-effect relationships between the soil and their crops.

Like everything else in modern society, the future of farming is going wireless. As a consumer of things grown in Texas, stay tuned for quality produce, cotton and more as life moves forward by leaps and bounds.

New Texas Map Identifies Areas in Texas Lacking Critical Broadband Services

On Wednesday, with the assistance of Connected Texas and the Public Utility Commission, I released a new and unprecedented map that clearly identifies which parts of Texas still do not have access to broadband services. This interactive map should prove to be a useful tool in determining coverage availability, providers and pricing, in much the same way the power-to-choose site helps consumers in selecting their electrical service provider.

The map, which includes data from 123 broadband providers, indicates that approximately 96 percent of Texas households have access to home broadband service; however, a quarter of a million households in the Lone Star State — more than all of the households in Vermont — lack access to this critical broadband service. In terms of landmass, 45 percent of the state is not covered by home broadband service.

Not having access to broadband services in the 21st century poses a challenge for rural communities in Texas that we know are losing educational, medical and economic development opportunities and services due to a lack of high-speed Internet. By pinpointing the unserved areas, public and private industry projects can be developed that will lead to connecting all of Texas.

I'd like to encourage all Texans to view the map and assist us with validating the collected information. Visit www.connectedtx.org to participate. Together, we can make sure no Texan is left behind on the information superhighway.

Food for Thought…Thoughts on Food

Cattlemen from around the United States recently converged in San Antonio for the annual National Cattlemen’s Beef Association convention. The educational aspect of the meeting brought together industry leaders from across the nation, including many from right here in the Lone Star State.

One panel focused its discussion on three basic objectives that I believe anyone involved in agriculture at any level should take to heart:

1. Reopen international markets without politically motivated restrictions.
2. Invest in agricultural education to assure a stream of talent for the industry.
3. Embrace technology that will help gather critical data for making better decisions at the enterprise level, while growing consumer trust and improving overall beef demand.

Whether you are in involved in the production of beef cattle, poultry, cotton or corn, I think we all agree these are extremely important elements to incorporate as we all work to make 2010 prosperous and ensure food and economic security for Texas.