October 2, 2007


Wheat

In the Southern Rolling Plains, mid-October until mid-November is the ideal planting time for wheat intended for grain production. With excellent soil moisture and warm soil temperatures the plants should germinate uniformly if they are planted at the correct depth in a firm seedbed. Most of the bearded varieties need to be planted from 1.25 to 1.75 inches deep. Beardless varieties can tolerate being planted deeper, however, anything over 2.5 inches is too deep. Trying to plant wheat at a uniform depth is very difficult in freshly worked soil. Producers need to develop a mind-set that wheat ground should be worked early and allowed to settle for several weeks before planting.

Producers need to pay close attention to weed problems. With favorable growing conditions, a high population of weeds could develop rapidly and the larger the weeds the more expensive they are to control. Producers will need to be reminded not to use 2-4,D until tillering is complete. They might consider using products like Ally or Amber that are reasonably priced and give favorable broadleaf weed control for several months.

The August rains prompted the emergence of volunteer wheat which can serve as a host to several problems. The wheat curl mite is associated with the distribution of Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus. The wheat curl mites find the early emerging wheat a good home and then move to the planted wheat as it emerges. Hessian fly will have an opportunity of getting started early which will allow multiple generations to develop and this can be a big problem. Also, the volunteer wheat can serve as a host to leaf rust that can become a serious problem if the wet cycle continues this fall.

Wild oat and Ryegrass Control tests will be established in wheat this year. If you know of other tests that should be established let me know.

Attached is a result demonstration report form for the wheat variety tests that you plan to plant this fall. WordPerfect Format or Rich Text Format.

Cotton

Two harvest aid demonstrations were established late in September. The plot in Howard County was established on September 26 by Tommy Yeater for the county crop tour that will be held on October 4. The plot in Runnels county was established on September 27 by Rick Minzenmayer and Marty Gibbs for the county crop tour that will be held October 10. Final reports from these tests will be linked to the November newsletter. The information obtained from these plots is useful in discussing harvest aid selection for boll opening, defoliation, and/or desiccation. Regrowth is an important consideration this year and producers should know that Ginstar, Aim, Blizzard, ET, and Resource do a good job in suppressing regrowth. Coverage is critical in getting the regrowth suppressed. The use of drop nozzles and increased application volumes has certainly improved defoliation and boll opening.

The biggest decision for producers is whether to defoliate. The leaf grade discounts are high enough that most producers are concerned. In most cases they can not afford to kill the leaves and have them remain on the plant. For defoliation, some producers are applying a light rate of desiccant while others are applying defoliants. After the leaves have fallen off the plant, then a desiccant is applied at a high rate.

The ginning dates for District 6 and 7 will be November 27 & 28, 2007. A total of 30 cotton samples have been called in so far. I think there is close to 400 samples to be ginned, but I need the counties to call and confirm their numbers. Don't forget, when your preparing the samples for ginning, the best weight size has been approximately 600 grams. If you need a copy of the ginning sheet [Click Here].

Pesticide Recertification Training

On October 8 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.

November 6, a five hour CEU course will be held at Eldorado.

December 13, a five hour CEU course will be held at Abilene.

Monthly Calendar

October

October 1, Tom Green County, Establish Harvest Aid Test
October 2, Fisher County, County Ag Day
October 4, Howard County, County Crops Tour
October 5, Nolan County, Establish Harvest Aid Test
October 8, Tom Green County, Establish Harvest Aid Test
October 10, Runnels County, County Crops Tour
October 11, Tom Green County, County Crops Tour
October 12, Taylor County, Wheat Production
October 12, Jones County, County Crop Tour
October 18, Burnet County, Central Texas Hay Show
October 22 - 26, Tom Green County, Jury Duty

November

November 5, District 7 Office, Office Conference
November 5, Taylor County, 4-H Gold Star Banquet
November 6, Schleicher County, Pesticide Training
November 13 & 14, Dallas County, Texas Weed Information Group Meeting
November 22 & 23, Holiday
November 27 & 28, Lubbock County, Gin District 6 & 7 Cotton Samples

For Your Information

On the first Monday in December the Old Timers and Friends of Extension luncheon will be held in San Angelo. I have attended this meeting every year for the last 18 years. It has been worth my time and effort to attend. If you want more information give me a call.


Sincerely,


Billy E. Warrick, Ph.D.
Professor and Extension Agronomist
Texas Cooperative Extension
Texas A&M University System