Temperatures have warmed up and moisture conditions have changed dramatically in the past two weeks. It's amazing how fast dry conditions have returned to the Concho Valley. Wheat is in a moisture deficit right now. Armyworms and cutworms are moving out of pastures and into wheat, sorghum and haygrazer fields by the thousands. In some areas, the ground is literally crawling alive with worms. Most of the wheat is in the milk to a soft dough stage.

Armyworms continue to be a problem throughout the area. Producers are encouraged to continue inspection of wheat, sorghum and haygrazer fields for armyworms and their damage. During the past week, armyworm numbers ranged from 3 to 22 per square foot. The highest numbers are usually found in close proximity to pastures or wheat fields with high plant density and still lush green. Will sorghum and haygrazer come back if the leaf area is removed above ground? The growing point is still below the soil surface. Much of the leaf can be removed without killing the plant. However, growing conditions need to be favorable and sorghum is usually always slow to recover even when conditions are good. So monitor your stands carefully. You may get by just spraying the field margins.

With the excellent crop of weeds this spring, comes cutworms and wireworms which could be a problem at planting time. False wireworms have already been a problem in some sorghum fields and producers that are practicing minimum-tillage or no-till should consider a seed or planter box treatment to control wireworms. Wireworms feed on planted sorghum seed preventing germination. To a lesser degree, they feed on seedling plant roots reducing plant stand and vigor.

Cutworms

Cutworms can cause producers to lose 5 to 50 percent of their stand. The cutworm species that seems to be causing the most problem in our region is the variegated cutworm. This species of cutworm exhibits both climbing and army-type behavior. Climbing cutworms climb the stems of herbaceous plants, vines and shrubs and eat buds, leaves and fruit. The army-type behavior is best described as cutworms that occur in great numbers and, after consuming all the vegetation in one area, crawl along the ground by the thousands to new vegetation.

The complete life cycle of the variegated cutworm from egg, larvae, pupa to adult varies from 40-48 days. The females lay their eggs in bare patches of 60 or more on stems or leaves of

low plants, on twigs or branches of trees or on fences and buildings. Up to 2000 eggs can be laid by a single female and hatch in 3-5 days. They may feed for 3 to 4 weeks before they reach maturity. Then they burrow into the soil and pupate. The moths emerge in 14-30 days. There are 2-3 generations per year.

The Tom Green/Runnels County Pest Management Committee is sponsoring a scout school June 4 and 5. This is the only scout school in the state that provides both an intensive classroom and real field experience in a two-day session. The program will allow the experienced to become familiar again with scouting cotton and associated pests and economic thresholds. For first timers, the school provides an opportunity to learn about cotton insects in the field before the season gets too busy.

Cost for scout school for private industry is $50.00 for the first intern and $10.00 for each additional intern. For producers attending, the cost will be $10.00. The fee will cover sponsorship of the program plus publication costs of the education material.

The educational material will include information on cotton physiology, cotton varieties, cotton diseases and cotton insects. In addition, the material will include color photos of insect pests as well as color photos of the

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natural enemies present in cotton. Scout School will be at the Texas Agricultural Extension Service in San Angelo. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. CEU credits will be given at that time. Be thinking of joining us there. Pre-registration information will be sent to you soon.

Cotton planting is just around the corner and producers are encouraged to keep to the basics. Fertilize for a realistic yield goal. The more I study, visit and experience the use of conservation tillage, the more sense it makes for us to practice minimum till where it's feasible especially on dryland production. Remember soil temperature needs to be 65°F for eight to ten days at an 8-inch depth. I think for this year a good weed control program is very important (RoundUp Ready technology may not be enough). Continue to pray for rain and higher commodity prices.

The Runnels/Tom Green IPM cotton scouting program will operate as a survey-type program during 2001. This scouting program is funded by the Southern Rolling Plains Cotton Growers Association and hopefully each and every cotton producer in the area will benefit from it. Cotton fields will be selected throughout Runnels, Tom Green and Western Concho counties and monitored throughout the growing season. Information gathered will be available at each of the ten participating gins, this newsletter as well as a daily call-in

insect update. Scouts are currently being hired and will go to work the 1st of June.

May 3, 2001
Pecan Workshop 6:00 p.m.
Place: The Standard Orchard
(1 mile Northeast of Mertzon-corner of Hwy. 67 & FM 72)

Topics include: Bringing neglected trees back into production, Managing trees/Production in marginal conditions and Update on Pecan Nut Casebearer situations

CEUs: Two CEU credits to be given to TDA Pesticide Applicator License Holders

Sponsored by: Irion, Schleicher & Tom Green Ag. and Horticulture Committees

Hosted by: John Begnaud,
CEA-Horticulture Tom Green County, Kerry Shropshire, CEA-Ag Irion County and Scott Edmonson, CEA-Ag Schleicher County.

May 24, 2001
Runnels County Wheat Tour is set
for May 24, 2001. More details later in the next newsletter.

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.