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P.O. Box 318 |
Hillsboro,
TX 76645
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May
23, 2002 Vol. VIII No. 4 Hill-McLennan Counties Web Site: entowww.tamu.edu E-mail: m-jungman@tamu.edu |
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GENERAL SITUATION Dry soil conditions continue to dominate the area, except in the northern part of the county. Rainfall was recorded on May 17 with totals ranging from 1/10 to 1 inch. The majority of the area received 3/10-6/10. Corn is in desperate need of a good rain as soon as possible. Grain sorghum, in most cases, continues to make adequate progress. Corn has begun to tassel in some fields throughout the area. The rest of the corn will not be far behind. Grain sorghum is beginning to head in the Aquilla area. Most of the grain sorghum is at pre-boot to just beginning to boot. Cotton growth stage will range from 3 true leaves to match- head square. Most of the cotton is at pinhead square. WHEAT Wheat yields in general are lower than expected. Early results indicate that the majority of fields are recording yields between 30-40 bushels. There is some wheat with higher yields of 50 bushels. Freeze damage is being seen in a number of fields throughout the area where the stem of the plants has broken over. We have also seen some fields with Hessian fly damage. |
CORN and GRAIN SORGHUM Grasshoppers continue to move out of pastures, waterways, roadsides, etc into the edges of corn and grain sorghum fields. Producers should monitor crops located next to grassy areas. Producers when selecting a material to spray for grasshoppers should consider the possibility of greenbugs and/or spider mite numbers flaring up. Some producers have been using Lorsban at 1 pint per acre because of this reason. As grasshoppers increase in size this rate will need to be increased. Whatever product you select, read the label as always and keep in mind the number of days to harvest for grain and/or silage. Greenbugs numbers will range from light to moderate. Beneficial insects are on the increase. The majority of the fields appear to have less greenbugs than what we were seeing a week ago. There are some fields with moderate numbers that need to be monitored for greenbug numbers and damage. The economic threshold is the death of one functional leaf (large leaf) on 20% of the plants. Sometimes with drier conditions greenbugs can be more of a problem. |
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Yellow sugarcane aphids have been seen in some area milo fields in relatively light numbers. Corn leaf aphids with the recent rainfall have been reduced in numbers. The milo is also starting to boot greatly reducing aphid numbers. COTTON The cooler nights have slowed the growth of cotton. Most of the cotton has a ragged appearance due to thrips damage and weathering. (wind, cool nights, blowing dirt, etc) Thrips numbers range from moderate to heavy. Most of the cotton will be treated for fleahoppers/weevils within the next week reducing thrips numbers. A lot of the cotton is getting close to being past thrips. Cotton aphids are being seen in light numbers with a slight increase. Fleahopper numbers will range from 0-60 per 100 terminals. Most fields will range from 2-28 per 100 terminals. Controlling fleahoppers during the first 3 weeks of squaring will be very important in setting up this crop. Reports from Williamson County indicate that the cotton has been more difficult to set up as far as getting it past fleahopper problems. Two insecticide applications for fleahoppers and/or OW weevils will probably be necessary for this pest. Overwintered boll weevil applications will begin to go out over the next 2 weeks. Although trap counts have been light this probably means that weevils are moving to the cotton fields and not to the traps. I would urge all producers to apply one to two insecticide applications for overwintered weevils. Reducing overwintered weevil numbers is an important aspect of Blackland cotton production and maintaining beneficials throughout the remainder of the season. Producers should try to complete overwintered weevil/fleahopper insecticide applications by June 6 and start building up beneficial insect levels. Bollworm eggs and larvae are not being seen in cotton fields at this point. Spider
mites are in light to moderate numbers in a few area fields. The
rain and wind on May17 reduced numbers in most fields. If we continue
to have dry weather this pest may be a concern in some fields.
Beet armyworm larvae are being seen in light numbers. Although moth trap counts are moderate we are seeing less beet armyworm larvae in the field this week compared to last week. BEET ARMYWORM TRAP COUNT
(The
cumulative average of two traps/week. Trap locations are in the Chatt
and Vaughan area) |
Overwintered boll weevil trap counts are in very light numbers. OVERWINTERING
BOLL WEEVIL
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