| June 1, 2006 |
 |
|---|
The wheat variety information is updated each year to reflect changes in disease and insect ratings in our region. A copy of this information is now posted at the following URL http://sanangelo.tamu.edu/agronomy/wheat/wht2006.htm.
Wheat harvest has begun and producers that are keeping seed for planting purposes next year need to closely inspect the acreage being harvested. If weeds or diseases are a problem they will need to have the seed cleaned, bagged and treated with the appropriate fungicide.
Information from the Taylor County, Runnels County and Concho County wheat variety tests will be provided to you as soon as possible.
Several weather factors each year results in stand loss and skips which impact cotton yield. Linked is a publication that will answer most of your questions on the topic; "Effects of Stand Loss and Skips on Cotton Yields".
Linked are two information sheets on cotton growth and development that have been prepared for the insect scout school to be held June 5. It can be used to refresh your memory concerning cotton plant development and to assist you in answering producers questions.
http://sanangelo.tamu.edu/agronomy/cotton/pgd/cottonplantgrowth.pdf
http://sanangelo.tamu.edu/agronomy/cotton/pgd/hacpg.htm
If planting of cotton is delayed until mid-June, producers may want to consider switching to a shorter maturing cotton variety. Some of the medium-late varieties currently being planted need at least 14 additional days to mature when compared to medium maturing cotton varieties.
The Southern Rolling Plains Conservation Tillage Tour has been scheduled for July 6. The tour will be conducted in Runnels County. If you need additional information contact Rick Minzenmayer at 325-365-5212.
When the cotton reaches 1/3 grown square, side dress application of nitrogen should be discontinued. This should occur the last part of June or the first part of July on a large percentage of the acreage in our area. When that window of opportunity is past, producers will have to make foliar applications of nitrogen after the crop begins to bloom.
Stressing annual forage sorghum in the five-leaf stage will result in a lower number of leaves being produced by the plant, even if rainfall is received later. This will result in lower quality hay due to the lower ratio of leaves to stem.
If grain sorghum is stressed in the seven- to ten-leaf stage (depending on maturity group) the grain production potential is reduced. The reason for this reduction is because the sorghum plant is in the development period when the growing point differentiation occurs. Water stress at this time period will result in less grain being produced by each head. This cannot be corrected with rainfall received later. The only factor that can be influenced by rain after the number of grains per head is determined is the seed size.
We will get a lot of phone calls due to the numerous environmental problems that have impacted this crop. We have plants with 8 leaves that are only 10 inches tall. They are old enough for head differentiation to have occurred. Once we reach that point in plant development, the use of 2,4-D needs to be terminated. The problem is that the label indicates that the material can be applied until the plants are 12 to 15 inches tall. That is a correct statement for grain sorghum that develops under unstressed conditions. Two problems that I have seen occur from a late application of 2,4-D are: 1) the grain set was drastically reduced (about 90% reduction); and 2) brace root development was reduced and the percentage of lodged plants increased.
The annual cotton insect scout school will be held on June 5, 2006 at the Texas A&M Agricultural Research and Extension Center located north of San Angelo. Since most producers scout their own fields, they may want to attend this meeting. Anyone wanting to participate in this meeting should contact Rick Minzenmayer at (325) 365-5212. Linked is a copy of the agenda. This course will be good for 3 CEUs in IPM for TDA Pesticide Applicator License holders.
On June 12, 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 (325) 672-6048.
June 5, Tom Green County, Insect Scout School
June 12 & 13, Brazos County, Professional Association Meeting
June 14, District 7 Extension Office, Teleconference (2:00 p.m.)
June 16, Tom Green County, Professional Ag Workers
June 26-28, Potter County, Southern Conservation Systems Conference (tenative)
July 4, Holiday
July 6, Runnels County, Conservation Tillage Tour
July 10, District 7 Extension Office, Office Conference
July 11 & 12, Midland County, Cotton Training Level II
July 13, San Saba County, Regional Hay Show
July 14, Tom Green County, Professional Ag Workers
July 14, Taylor County, Cotton Turnrow Meeting
July 16 - 19, Tarrant County, TCAAA Meeting
July 21, Reagan County, Forage Opportunities
Sincerely,
|
