November 1, 2004 |
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For a second year in a row we have a great early planted wheat crop. This should provide an opportunity of getting forage yields from plots established since August. The rain in September and October has leached most of 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 has a deeper root system and has 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 several fields that were impacted by cutworms, armyworms, white grubs and greenbugs across the district. Low population of insects can impact young wheat plants so producers are encouraged to monitor their fields closely.
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. Grazing of wheat is an alternative to pesticide use in reducing fungus development and 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).
During November a wild oat control test will be established in Taylor County and a Ryegrass control test will be established in Brown County if conditions permits.
The rainfall in October has impacted cotton harvest and has made the use of harvest aids very challenging. If juvenile growth is needing to be controlled there are three products that can be used. It is important to increase the spray volume in order to get the necessary coverage; for ground rigs that will be more than 12 gallons per acre and 15 gallons per acre is better. The removal of juvenile growth can only be achieved using 5 ounces or more of Ginstar. The juvenile growth can 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.
The ginning date for District 6 is November 29 and December 1 for District 7. If you can assist in ginning cotton, please let me know. We usually need four people to get the job done. I need to let all the cotton producing counties know who is going so they can make the necessary arrangements to drop off their gin samples. Linked is a blank gin sheet that will need to be filled out and sent with your cotton samples. The seven-digit sample number is a combination of three numbers: the county number is the first three digits, the producer or plot number is digits 4 and 5, and the sample is assigned a number between 01 and 99 which makes up digits 6 and 7. By using this code, it helps to keep samples from getting lost. Try to have your gin samples between 600 and 650 grams. Thanks.
On October 18, Todd Vineyard and I established two replicated tests. The Silverleaf nightshade control test had 5 treatments and the Field Bindweed control test had 12 treatments. Additional herbicide treatments will be made in the Spring and related tours conducted next Summer.
On November 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.
On November 30, a five-hour CEU course will be held at Eldorado. 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 Scott Edmonson at (325) 853-2132.
On December 7, 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 the Tom Green County Extension Office (325) 659-6522.
On December 7, a five-hour CEU course will be held at Burnet. 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 Wade Hibler at (512) 756-5463.
On December 8, 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 9, a five-hour CEU course will be held at Brady. 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 Jerry Kidd at (325) 597-1295.
On December 15, 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 1, District Office, Office Conference
November 1, District Office, Teleconference
November 8 -10, Brazos County, Texas Weed Information Group Meeting
November 19, Tom Green County, Professional Ag Workers
November 23, McCulloch County, Plant Growth and Development
November 25 & 26, Thanksgiving Holidays
November 29, Lubbock County, Gin Cotton
November 30, Schleicher County, CEU Course
December 1, Lubbock County, Gin Cotton
December 2, Comanche County, Crop Physiology and Management
December 6, District Office, Office Conference
December 6, Tom Green County, Friends of Extension Luncheon
December 7, Burnett County, CEU Course
December 7, Tom Green County, CEU Course – Right of Way
December 8, Taylor County, SPCB/TDA Course – Landscape/Turf
December 9, McCulloch County, CEU Course
December 15, Taylor County, CEU Course
December 16, Tom Green County, Office Meeting
December 21 - 31, Potter, Randall, & Deaf Smith Counties, Christmas Holidays
| Sincerely,
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