Texas Agricultural Extension Service
Texas A&M University System

May 31, 2001

Wheat

Karnal Bunt

Cool wet spring conditions were excellent for Karnal Bunt development and it has been confirmed in 42 percent (39 of 93 tested) of the wheat fields harvested in San Saba County as of May 29th. It has been confirmed in a wheat field in McCulloch County.

Within the Karnal Bunt regulated area, all wheat as it is being unloaded from the combine into the truck has four pounds of wheat collected. The wheat status is known before it leaves the field (positive or negative). Combines that harvest wheat in the restricted area must remain in the area or be steamed cleaned before leaving the area.

If the wheat tests positive:

• wheat is taken to an identified storage facility
• sold as Karnal Bunt infested wheat (can not be exported)
  • can be used for livestock feed, only if it is properly processed
    • 170 degrees steaming and flaking process destroys the spores
    • 200 degree dry heat destroys spores
  • can be sold to flour mill
    • bleaching process for flour kills spores
  • the wheat load being transported must be sealed

NOTES:

1. Elevators that store more than one million pounds of wheat can voluntarily participate in the National Karnal Bunt testing program. The samples collected are sent to Kansas State University. If a positive test occurs the grain is restricted for domestic use. The elevator has to be totally emptied and either steam cleaned or washed down with a 30 percent Clorox solution until water runs off. Once this is done the elevator can then store and market (domestic and export) wheat.

2. The regulated area boundary will be expanded to a 3 mile radius from the point of a positive test. Educational meetings will be held in the fall of the year in those areas impacted so producers can determine if they want to plant wheat in 2001-2002.

3. Travis Miller informed me that the feedlot at Veribest is set up to properly process the Karnal Bunt wheat. Those interested should call Wes Bonner at the feedlot (the number is (915) 651-1966).

4. For additional information on Karnal Bunt visit these two web sites http://www.aphis.usda.gov/karnalbunt/ or http://ceris.purdue.edu/napis/pests/kb/index.html .

Wheat Tours

This year's tours in Taylor, Callahan, Coleman, Concho, McCulloch, and Runnels County provided producers with very useful information on a wide range of wheat related topics. In two plots we had Trego and Oro Blanco (Hard White Winter Wheat). The TAM 400 looked impressive in all three test plots it was in.

	In the Runnels County test, Hondo wheat was longer season than Longhorn (which is one of the longest season varieties we plant in our area).
The nursery in McCulloch County made it to harvest and information collected will be provided to you as soon as the data is summarized.

An updated wheat variety information sheet on disease and insects ratings can be obtained from the following URL: http://sanangelo.tamu.edu/agronomy/wheat/wht2001.htm.

Cotton

By the end of June, producers will need to make sure that the nutrient content of the soil is adequate for the projected yield. If nitrogen availability in the soil is low, a side-dress application of nitrogen will need to be made before the one-third grown square stage.

Weeds and Weed ID

Shown are six weeds that are developing in cropland and barditches at this time.

Texas Bullnettle Cnidoscolus texanus	Buffalobur Solanum rostratum	Distaff Thistle Carthamus lanatus
Malta Starthistle Centaurea melitensis	Horsenettle Solanum carolinense	Silverleaf Nightshade Solanum elaeagnifolium

Shown below are some pictures of young plants and what they looked like as a mature plant.

Prickly Lettus Lactuca Serriola	Prickly Lettus Lactuca Serriola	Prickly Lettus Lactuca Serriola
Curly Dock Rumex Crispus	Curly Dock Rumex Crispus	Curly Dock Rumex Crispus
Texas Purple Thistle Cirsium texanum	Texas Purple Thistle Cirsium texanum	Texas Purple Thistle Cirsium texanum

Pesticide Recertification Training

On Monday, June 11, there will be a training conducted at Abilene for producers needing to obtain a Private Applicators License. For more details and to register for the meeting call Gary Bomar at (915) 672-6048.

If you have a training where CEUs are offered please let me know.

Monthly Calendar

June

June 4, District Office, Office Conference

June 4, Tom Green County, Insect Scout Training School

June 6, Tom Green County, Farm and Ranch Safety School

June 11 - 15, Brazos County, State 4-H Roundup

June 18 - 21, Brazos County, New Faculity Orientation Committee Meeting

July

July 2, District Office, Office Conference

July 4, Holiday

July 12, Fisher County, Turnrow Meeting

July 13, McCulloch County, Tentative Wheat Meeting

July 19 & 20, Dallas County, 4-H Foundation Board Meeting

July 22 - 24, Nueces County, TAEXSA State Meeting

July 25, District Office, Employee Benefit Meeting

July 29 - 31, Taylor County, TCAAA State Meeting

	Sincerely, Billy E. Warrick Extension Agronomist Texas Agricultural Extension Service Texas A&M University System