Special Stalk Destruction Edition

This issue of Pest Cast is a special edition to alert you about changes in Stalk Destruction rules, Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) quarantine rules for boll weevil, to update everyone on the latest trap counts from our Valley wide boll weevil trapping efforts and to announce a stalk destruction field day.

Updated Rules

Recently, TDA announced rules changes for stalk destruction which will effect this year's cotton producers. We have attached a press release on the rules changes to this newsletter for your information. Particular importance should be placed on the rules for stalk destruction under "Conservation Tillage" practices which more Valley producers have started using in recent years.

Boll Weevil Quarantine

Quarantine rules for boll weevil management went into effect this year and TDA has announced the plans for the quarantine in a poster and a brochure, both of which are included with this newsletter. The quarantine applies to anyone moving cotton harvesting or hauling equipment into the recently declared "functionally eradicated" zone in the San Angelo area. The map on the inclosed poster points out the counties included in that zone.

Boll Weevil Numbers Going Up

Our latest boll weevil trap counts from across the LRGV show that weevils continue to climb in some areas and stay steady in others. All of the trap counts though, indicate a need to continue to do a thorough job of stalk destruction as soon after harvest as possible to eliminate possible weevil feeding and breeding sites. Last year's stalk destruction efforts appeared to have helped in reducing early spring weevils along with more than normal numbers of producers using overwintered boll weevil control sprays and abnormally hot and dry weather conditions. The LRGV must have a good stalk destruction effort again this year if weevil numbers are going to decline as they did this year.