Bat Houses
Bat Houses
Help reduce pesticide use in orchard
Regenerative Farming
FRIESENHAHN FAMILY
Opa & Oma
Over the generations, our family lived on the farm knowing that farming means everything to us:
- A good way of life
- Making a living, while providing quality food for others
- A secure home & sanctuary
- Abundant clean air, water and soil in the wide-open spaces away from the city
Our elders taught us to respect the land and “Leave it in better condition than we found it”. We take this responsibility seriously.
Changes Required
New Practices
Today more than ever, changes in agricultural practices are needed to:
- Remain competitive and profitable
- Rebuild soil health
- Conduct a farming operation sustainable over the long-term
- Satisfy customer concerns about the environment and growing healthier and more natural crops
So How Do We...
"Leave It Better"
Today, we believe the answer is modifying the way we manage our trees and embracing Regenerative (“Sustainable”) Agricultural practices. In order to:
- Remain competitive & profitable
- Rebuild soil health
- Manage a sustainable farming operation
- Satisfy customer concerns about the environment
- Grow healthier, and more natural crops
The Sustainable Agriculture Revolution
What is Sustainable Agriculture?
According to U.S. Code under Title 7, 2011, "Sustainable Agriculture" is an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application that will, over the long-term—
- Satisfy human food and fiber needs;
- Enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agriculture economy depends;
- Make the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources and on-farm resources and integrate, where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls;
- Sustain the economic viability of farm operations; and
- Enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.
Sustainable Ag
Key Components
Regenerative Agriculture has six key components:
- Keep the soil surface covered
- Do not disturb the soil
- Promote biodiversity
- Keep living roots in the soil
- Bring grazing animals back to the land
- Know your context and choose the management practices that fit your orchard goals
Sustainable Ag
Goals
- Manage water wisely and prevent erosion
- Reduce the use of fertilizers & pesticides
- Use bats to control insects and other pests
- Build healthy soil
- Store carbon in our orchards
- Promote biodiversity in the orchard ecosystem
- Cover crops to improve soil health, reduce water loss
- Sustain economic stability of the farm
- Conduct soil health research and other studies to quantify results & effectiveness
- Happy customers!
Sustainable Ag
Benefits
- Healthier and more natural crops
- Reduced use of pesticides and fertilizers
- Significant reduction in energy use per unit of crop yield in comparison to industrialized agriculture
- Improves farm profitability and contribution to local economies
- Happy customers!
Managing Water & Preventing Erosion
Water Management
Pecan Water Demand
Water is critical to pecan farming
- ~48” per year (4 ac-ft/ac) req’d
- 2” per week during June-August (about 8”-10”/month)
- We supplement natural rainfall with controlled irrigation
Water Management
Conservation
We supplement natural rainfall with controlled irrigation
- Calibrated micro-sprinklers accurately deliver water to reduce waste and runoff
- Water usage is managed aggressively
- Leaks and broken pipe are fixed timely
- Runoff and erosion are controlled with contouring
- Water is placed to maximize absorption and minimize runoff
- Overall use is metered and reported to the involved water agencies & authorities
Reducing Fertilizer & Pesticide Use
Limiting Pesticides, Fungicides & Herbicides
Reducing Chemical Usage
We strive to reduce the volume of chemicals we use:
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to spray pesticides & fungicides
- Pheromone traps to confirm undesirable insect activity
- Spray only when necessary
Transition to bio-formulas - Apply only targeted formulations that spare good insects
- Lady Bugs and Lace Wings happily go about their job of controlling the bad insects even right after we spray
Using Bats to control Insects
Bats Help Reduce Pesticide Usage
Bats consume a massive amount of insects and help us reduce the volume of pesticides needed to sustain our pecan crop.
- We draw on a nearby population of Brazilian free-tailed bats and other species
- New bat houses encourage more on-site population
- 2024 is our 3nd year with bat houses and the bats are active in increased numbers
Bat & DNA studies underway to determine species and type of insect consumption
- 9 species identified so far including Evening and Free-Tailed bats
- Over 100 insects identified
Bat House
Comal Pecan Farm maintains several bat houses specially designed to keep bats safe and away from preditors.
Research
We continually study our bat population. This includes DNA studies to confirm bat species.
In addition, we are studying the insect diet of bats to understand which specific insect species they help us control.
Emerging Bats
At dusk, bats emerge from the safety of their house and begin their search for insects.
Building Healthy Soil
Adding
Micronutrients
Our goal in soil management is to move away from heavy use of fertilizers and add micronutrients to improve the soil.
- Stop using 19-9-3 Ammonium Sulfate & replace with micronutrients
- Slow targeted release of N, P, K, L-amino acids, Humic and Fulvic Acid, Zinc, Boron, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Moly
- Promotes micro-organism growth and soil health
- Provides efficient potassium, calcium, phosphorous and sulfur nutrition
- Enhances nitrogen metabolism
- Reduces runoff of N and P into the environment
Promoting Biodiversity in orchard ecosystem
Building Biodiversity
New Imperatives
No Till
- Eliminate herbicides
- Minimize cultivation
Use Cover Crops
- Mowing is out
- Grass, flower & flora cover is in
No Till
Ground Cover
Ground cover helps us maintain strong and healthy roots.
- Eliminates herbicides
- Keeps soil covered and maintains living roots in the ground year-round
- Lower soil temperatures slows water loss
- Builds soil health by preventing erosion
- Replenishes soil nutrients
- Keeps undesirable weeds in check
- Provides a “trap crop” that aids in pest control
Building
Biodiversity
No Till:
- Elimate herbicides
- Less intensively cultivated within the orchard
- Natural vegetation in tree rows helps control erosion, reduces nutrient runoff, and supports bees, other pollinators
Weeds:
- Weeds provide soil cover and soil nutrition
- Weeds pull nutrients from deeper in the soil
- Weed diversity provides habitat and food for soil microbes
- Winter weeds work when tree leaves are gone and yet not interfere with summer crops
Storing Carbon in our orchards
Adding Biochar
Adding biochar to existing soil is known to improve plant health. Biochar helps by neutralising acidity and improving retention of water and nutrients.
Soil Sampling
We use the Haney Test to help us determine our soil's health. Samples are collected through out the orchard.
Carbon Capture
Our Mulch Stores Carbon
Recycle pruning's and tree material instead of burning
- Spread on entire orchard floor to provide soil cover
- Decomposition provides nutrients for soil organisms
- Carbon capture the pecan farmer’s way!!
Sustaining the Farm Economically
Reducing Farm Costs
Controlling costs in an environment plagued with high inflation and supply issues is critical to the success of the small farmer. Sustainable Agricultural techniques offer hope in controlling costs by reducing the costs of chemicals, managing water usage and improving crop yields.
Farm Economics
Costs
- Increasing rapidly, ~$2,000/ac
- Large chemicals, fertilizer & labor costs
- Chemicals and fertilizer ~ $350-$400/ac
Business Setting
- Shelling and distribution controlled by a small group of large companies
- Wholesale prices are low, forcing growers to the retail market
Yields & Profitability
- Typical small pecan farm yields about 900-1000 lbs./ac.
- Larger farms see maybe 2000-3000 lb./ac.
Measuring Results & Research
Measuring Results
- How well are we doing?
- What’s changing?
- How are changes affecting our trees and crop?
- Are the changes helping or hindering sustainable ag goals?
Participation
Research Studies
- Participating in 6-year Soil Health research studies conducted by Noble Research Institute, Ardmore, OK
Includes 32 orchards in TX and OK across the management type spectrum - Collect and analyze soil, leaf and nut samples
- Determine bat species and insect diets (DNA testing)
- App-based scorecards to evaluate management strategies and system impacts
Regenerative Orchard
Orchard Health
Testing
Soil Health
- We use the Haney and PLFA Tests to help us determine our soil's health.
- Soil, leaf and water samples to determine tree & soil health
- Samples are collected throughout the orchard
- Seasonal sampling (spring and fall)
Use comprehensive soil & leaf health tests – “Haney” and “PLFA” tests
- Soil health and N – H2O extraction
- Soil nutrient composition and Soil Health Score -(Haney)
- Microbial community structure - phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis
- Microbial functional composition (DNA sequencing)
Comal Pecan Farm
Thanks!
We hope you enjoyed learning more about how Comal Pecan Farm is working to bring sustainable Pecan Farming to Texas. To learn more, stop by our Farm Store and talk with Mark & our Staff.
