INTRODUCTION

My name is Steve Davis and I am the new Extension IPM Agent for Crosby and Floyd Counties and I have been on board since March 19, 2001. I hope, as spring evolves out of this cold and wet weather, to make myself available to meet the growers and those involved in related agriculture businesses. My area of assignment is Crosby and Floyd Counties with the office remaining in the Crosby County Courthouse. Addresses and phone numbers are listed above. I currently have not received an e-mail address but will pass that along when it is received. The first Pest Management Steering Committee has been scheduled for April 25, which is hopefully before much cotton planting takes place. Cotton is not the only commodity that an Extension Entomologist deals with and I will be available to try and answer any and all questions relating to my job. I have previously worked for Extension in IPM and as a County Agent-Ag. I look forward to working with the agricultural committees of Crosby and Floyd Counties to make this a learning experience for us all.

MAILING LIST UPDATE

We are required by law to update our mailing list on an annual basis. If you wish to continue receiving the Pest Management

Report, you must fill out and mail the enclosed information card to our office. If you do not contact us, we will remove your name from the list

2001 SCOUTING PROGRAM

The 2001 Scout School will be held June 1 in Plainview at the Ollie Liner Building.

The 2001 Scouting Program will begin around May 24th with the hiring of scouts. Applications for field scout positions are available at the Extension Office in Crosby or Floyd counties. The Pest Management Scouting Program is the core of the overall Crosby-Floyd Integrated Pest Management Program. The objectives of the scouting program are: to demonstrate the value of regular field scouting, to educate the producer in the identification and biology of pests and beneficials, to educate the producer in proper pest management decisions, and collect pest data from all areas of Crosby-Floyd counties to provide current information for the weekly Pest Management Report. Each enrolled field is checked once a week by field scouts and/or myself. Boll weevil traps will be placed around each program field to monitor overwintered weevil movement. These traps will be provided by Crosby-Floyd Pest Management.

Producers receive a detailed report for each field outlining the current pest situation and crop growth stage. Per acre scouting fees for the scouting program are set by the Crosby-Floyd Pest Management Committee.

ACREAGE ENROLLMENT CARDS

Acreage enrollment cards are enclosed for those producers interested in having fields in the scouting program. Please fill out the cards and return them by May 1. Please understand that this card only indicates your interest in participating, and does not constitute and agreement by either party.

PEANUT MEETING

Their will be a joint peanut production meeting with Lubbock, Floyd and Crosby Counties on April 19th at the Lorenzo Community Room.

The meeting will start at noon with a catered meal. Speakers will be Dr. Chip Lee, Dr. Calvin Trostle, and Peanut Company Representatives.

Topics will include: production practices, disease, insect and weed control.

Steve Davis
Extension Agent-IPM
Crosby/Floyd Counties