Dry windy conditions have prevailed throughout the Concho Valley this entire month. This has really dried things out and our average wheat crop is rapidly going south. Seedling sorghum is struggling right now with dry conditions and greenbug pressure in some areas. Hopefully this week will bring some much needed rainfall to the Concho Valley.

Most grain sorghum fields are up to a good stand and progressing well. A two-inch rain would certainly help right now. Moderate numbers of greenbugs have been observed on seedling sorghum in which no seed treatment was used nor soil insecticide applied at planting. Producers should inspect these seedling sorghum fields closely for greenbugs and their damage.

From emergence until plants are about six inches in height, treatment should be made when 20 percent of the plants are visibly damaged (yellowing, dark spotting) and greenbugs are present. Some insecticides include: Furadan 4F @ 24 to 32 oz./ac., Lorsban 4E @ 8 to 32 oz./ac., Dimethoate 4E @ 8 to 16 oz./ac., Dimethoate 5E @ 6.4 to 12.8 oz./ac. and
Di-Syston 8E @ 4 to 8 oz./ac.

Our wheat crop needed a two-inch rain 2-3 weeks ago. Looking on a brighter side; we are ahead of schedule on our wheat crop and harvest should be a couple of weeks early this year. Dry soil conditions, leaf rust infestation and lack of soil fertility has really shown up in area wheat crops. Producers, which have intentions on planting wheat for the 2003-2004 crop year and have farms near Rowena, should consider planting a wheat variety that exhibits some resistance to Hessian Flies. This is especially true if your planting early for grazing purposes. We can manage this pest if we follow a few management practices.

Cotton planting is fast approaching for some producers and we should keep in mind that minimum soil temperature for planting cotton is a ten-day average of 60°F at the eight-inch soil depth taken at 8:00 a.m. When soil temperatures are 65°to 70°F, the cotton seed germinates and emerges quicker which helps reduce the amount of time emerging seedlings are exposed to soil diseases. If cotton is planted at the minimum soil temperature and then watered, you will probably have a reduction in final plant stand and health of the crop.

Stephen Biles (Extension Agent-IPM, Nolan/Mitchell Counties) has evaluated plant population stands over a five-year period and has come to these conclusions. The ideal planting rate is 4 to 5 seeds per foot with a final plant stand of 3 to 4 seeds per foot. This is true for both dryland and irrigated cotton.

Those producers which have plans to begin planting cotton within the next couple of weeks are encouraged to consider using an insecticide seed treatment. Heavy migration of thrips from maturing wheat to nearby cotton is likely within the next several weeks. Seed treatments such as Cruiser and Gaucho will provide extended protection from thrips and early season aphids. Standard Orthene seed treatments usually provide about one week of protection, once plants are up to a stand. Producers, who do not use seed treatments and plant early, are encouraged to inspect seedling plants closely for the presence of thrips and terminal leaf curling. Heavy thrips numbers can stunt plants, delay fruiting and sometimes result in a stand reduction.

Greatest returns on the money invested for seed treatments or at-planting applications normally occur in late-April and early to mid-May planted cotton. The ability of the cotton plant to resist or tolerate thrips injury is directly related to growing conditions.

Cooler temperatures retard cotton growth and development allowing thrips to inflict greater damage. As growing conditions improve, plants are able to tolerate greater numbers of thrips without showing significant injury or maturity delay.

Date: May 1, 2003
Location: Millersview Gymnasium
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Please RSVP by calling 325-732-4304 by April 29th.
Five hours of Continuing Education Units will be given out pending TDA approval.

Topics include:
Regional Wheat Market Outlook
Dr. Jason Johnson, Extension Economist

FHA Emergency Loans
Paul Cline, Farmers Home Admin.

FSA Program Updates
Daniel Lange, Concho County FSA Exec. Dir.

Seed Treatment
Bob Cypert, Gustafon

Firsthand Experience on Seed Treatment
Local Wheat Market Outlook
Alternative Crops
Jason Jacoby, Jacoby Feed & Seed

Wheat Fertility & Projections of Kansas & Colorado Wheat Production
Dr. Gaylon Morgan, Extension Specialist

Weed Control & Rust Resistant Wheat Varieties
Dr. Billy Warrick, Extension Agronomist

RUNNELS COUNTY
WHEAT TOUR

WEDNESDAY MAY 14, 2003

9:00a.m. Wheat Variety Trial
Bredemeyer Farm West of Winters
Business Hwy 153 (Next to Dry’s Manufacturing)

Dr. Billy Warrick
Extension Agronomist-San Angelo
-Wheat Varieties
-Weed Control
-Leaf Rust Management

12:00 p.m. Courtesy Lunch with Program-Sponsored by West Texas Seed
(Bredemeyer Brothers Shop on Hwy 153)

Dr. David Worrall
AgriPro®
-What’s New in Wheat Varieties
-Transgenic Wheat Varieties
-Where Do Transgenics Fit In Our Management System

Dr. Chris Sansone
Extension Entomologist-San Angelo
-Hessian Fly Management

Two CEU’s can be earned for attending entire Tour.

All programs and information of Texas Cooperative Extension are available to everyone without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, handicap or national origin. We will seek to provide reasonable accommodations for all persons with disabilities for this meeting. We request that you contact Runnels County Extension Office (915-365-2219) as soon as possible to advise us of the auxiliary aid or service that you will require.

Educational programs conducted by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, handicap or national origin. The information given herein is for educational purposes only. References to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Cooperative Extension Service is implied.