November 4, 2003 |
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This is one of the best wheat crops I have seen since coming to work in San Angelo. It appears that fall forage data will be obtained from several tests. The rain in September leached the available nitrates below the root zone on newly-emerged wheat and slowed down the potential plant development. The plant will suffer until the root expands far enough to extract the deeper nitrates or until an application of nitrogen is made. The older wheat had deeper root systems and have developed a significant amount of forage. The lush, rapidly growing wheat will be vulnerable to a freeze. When the first freeze occurs, tip burn will give the field a yellowish bronze color; however, the wheat will return to a green color in a couple of weeks as the injured leaves are hidden by the new plant growth.
There have been some reports of armyworms and greenbugs across the district. If the wheat is old enough, producers can reduce insect populations by grazing. Grazing of wheat should be delayed until the secondary root system has developed enough to anchor the plant. If producers start the grazing process too early, the livestock will pull the wheat plant up by the roots and reduce the plant population. Producers should examine the wheat plant and determine if the secondary root system has adequately developed before livestock are allowed to graze. If the wheat is ready to be grazed, then allow the livestock to reduce the insect populations.
Broadleaf weed control may already be needed on several of the fields. If producers plan to use a hormone herbicide such as 2,4-D to control the weeds, they will need to read the label for information concerning herbicide application timing. Most of the 2,4-D labels indicate that the wheat needs to be past the tillering stage before applying the herbicide. You may need to switch over to some other class of herbicide (example: Ally or Amber).
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.
The rainfall in September resulted in additional cotton plant development in 100,000 acres of cotton. The removal of juvenile growth can only be achieved using 5 ounces or more of Ginstar. The juvenile growth could be desiccated using 1 ounce or more of Aim or 2 ounces or more of ET.
The warm October has helped to make a cotton crop on the acreage planted in June. It will still need more heat units but it will be better than originally expected. I was amazed to see the market price on cotton go above 80 cents. Louisiana, Georgia, and other states are reporting excellent yields. When the report from Texas gets to the market I think it will have a negative impact. If I could read the future I would know what to tell you on marketing this crop...just be aware the impact of the Texas cotton crop is an unknown in the market for now.
On October 16, Stephen Biles and I established a replicated test with 13 treatment to evaluate herbicides at controlling hog 
potato. On October 31, we established a replicated test with 22 treatments to evaluate herbicides at controlling field bindweed. Additional herbicide treatments will be made in the Spring and related tours conducted during the Summer.
On October 20 and 21, Rick Minzenmayer and I established two replicated harvest aid tests that had 26 treatments in each test. These plots will be evaluated for 21 days with data collected on a weekly basis. A summary of these tests will be made available as soon as possible.
On November 10, 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.
On December 3, a five-hour CEU course will be held at the Methodist Hall in Menard. This training is being hosted by Texas Cooperative Extension and the Texas Department of Agriculture. The target audience is Ag Producers and Home Owners. For more details and to register for the meeting call Billy Kniffen at (325) 396-4787.
On December 10, a SPCB/TDA Conference will be held at the Abilene Civic Center. This training is being hosted by the City of Abilene, Texas Cooperative Extension, and the Texas Department of Agriculture. The target audience is Landscape/Turf. For more details and to register for the meeting call Gary Bomar at (325) 672-6048.
On December 11, a five-hour CEU course will be held at the Texas A&M Agricultural Research and Extension Center in San Angelo. This training is being hosted by Texas Department of Agriculture and Texas Cooperative Extension. The target audience is Right-of-Way certified applicators. For more details and to register for the meeting call Cain Cline at (210) 820-0288.
On December 12, a three-hour CEU course will be conducted by Texas Cooperative Extension Offices of Coleman, Concho and Runnels Counties in Coleman County. The target audience is owners of Rangeland. For more details and to register for the meeting call Lance Rasch at (325) 625-4519.
On December 17, a five-hour CEU course will be held at the Taylor County Extension Office. This training is being hosted by Texas Cooperative Extension and the Texas Department of Agriculture. The target audience is Ag Producers and Home Owners. For more details and to register for the meeting call Gary Bomar at (325) 672-6048.
November 3, District Office, Office Conference
November 13, District Office, Teleconference
November 17, District Office, Training on Result Demonstrations
November 21, Tom Green County, Professional Ag Workers
November 24 & 25, Lubbock County, Gin Cotton
November 27 & 28, Tom Green County, Thanksgiving Holidays
December 1, District Office, Office Conference
December 1, Tom Green County, Friends of Extension Luncheon
December 3, Menard County, CEU Course
December 5, District Office, TCFF Training
December 9 & 10, Brown County, TCESA Board Meeting
December 11, Tom Green County, CEU Course
December 12, Runnels County, Range Recovery Meeting
December 17, Taylor County, CEU Course
December 19, Tom Green County, Office Meeting
December 21 - 31, Potter, Randall, & Deaf Smith Counties, Christmas Holidays
| Sincerely,
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