Sunday, May 25, 1997

Legume may seed new business for Fisher County man

By J.T. SMITH / Abilene Reporter-News

NOODLE - Most of the time, farmers curse anything growing in their wheat fields other than wheat, itself.

That's because what's likely growing is some pesky weed.

But David Estes feels blessed.

What's been proliferating in his wheat field for several years here looks amazingly like alfalfa. And it's commonly referred to as a clover.

Actually, it's neither.

Although it's called "button clover" in places like East Oklahoma or East Texas - where it is quite popular - the plant is not a clover but actually is "button medic."

Button medic is a legume, Medicago orbicularis, in the same genus as alfalfa.

Although it may look - and even smells like alfalfa - the button medic is an annual. It comes up from seed each September and cuts out about June, or roughly the same time as wheat is ready to harvest.

And that's just what Estes plans to do.

After several years of monitoring the spread of button medic, Estes plans to harvest the legume crop at the same time he cuts his wheat in one trip across the field. He will then separate the wheat seed from the button medic.

Estes has an agreement with a seed company to market the button medic seed.

Veteran ag agent amazed by crop

"It's the most impressive thing I've seen in this ol' country," said Richard Spencer of Roby.

While it's commonly found in East Texas, the veteran ag specialist said he had never seen button medic here in West Central Texas in his long career.

Spencer recently retired as Fisher County ag agent after 32-1/2 years with the Extension Service.

Soon after his retirement, Spencer became one of the so-called "Roby millionaries" after the much-publicized Texas Lottery win by a group of Roby citizens there this past fall.

Having a retirement plus a lottery win might leave most folks taking it easy in a lawn chair or relaxing at some resort.

But the curiosity that comes from more than three decades as a veteran ag agent gets the best of Spencer, and - although officially "retired" - he finds himself making regular trips to see the mysterious legume here.

And it is somewhat of a mystery because Estes isn't sure why the legume chose to make a home in his wheat field.

Nevertheless, he has a pretty good theory.

Estes can drive south of the wheat field into a native pasture and see an old waterway that is covered with some button medic and other vegetation. So Estes theorizes the button medic washed into the wheat field some years ago. Then it was spread evenly - almost like it was planted - by routine plowing and chiseling operations across the field over several more years.

Potential for livestock is great

"I feel it could be excellent to plant with graze-out small grains or small grains produced for hay," said Dr. Darrell N. Ueckert, professor with the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, based in San Angelo.

Estes has confirmed that through his own livestock.

"There's no hay that can touch it (button medic) except straight alfalfa," Estes notes.

Estes says the button medic grows almost as tall as his wheat after he removes his cattle from wheat pasture.

Dr. Ray Smith, another specialist, said there also are benefits beyond forage for livestock. Smith said the legume likely is fixing 100 pounds of nitrogen per acre in years when it makes good growth.

With this this spring's rainfall, the button medic has made incredible growth. It is so thick and lush that it's difficult to even walk through the field.

Prof. Ueckert also sees great potential for button medic in such operations as seeding rangeland after tree dozing of mesquite and cedar brush.

Ueckert also feels the legume has promise in interseeding into Conservation Reserve Program land and other improved pastures.

Estes also has cut wheat from the field for hay, and says the hay is extremely good and palatable for cattle.

The button medic field, near the Fisher/Jones County line just west of Noodle, may be another winner for "Roby folks."

At least, David Estes is glad that this intruder chose to invade his wheat field.