It's amazing what a little rainfall will do to perk up attitudes and put life back into area pastures. Runnels County received up to 5.0 inches of rain this past week. Tom Green and Concho Counties received up to 2.0 inches in places. Unfortunately, Winters, Rowena, Olfen and the Paint Rock area received severe hailstorms with the thunderstorms . Several thousand acres of wheat were destroyed and several thousand more were damaged to some extent. Grain sorghum was beat up in these areas as well. Not much cotton was planted. Cotton planting should begin as soon as fields dry out.

Grain sorghum and corn are rarely damaged by hail until they reach the 5 to 7 leaf stage. Before this time, the growing point is below the soil surface and in the whorl where it is protected. Once past the 5 to 7 leaf stage, the growing point is above the soil surface. Sorghum fields can look ugly and ragged and still be capable of producing an almost normal crop. Even shredded and broken leaves are capable of some photosynthesis of they are still connected to the main plant. A strong healthy root system, good soil moisture and favorable, sunny weather are most important to a rapid recovery.

Fields that received heavy rain and/or hailstorms are crusted and compacted and should be cultivated as soon as soil conditions allow.

Loosening the soil next to the plants and throwing some soil to the plant bases is effective in getting air to the root system.

1) IPM is not a rigid program of management techniques. While tactics and treatment thresholds may vary, successful IPM strategies can be developed for any level of crop production or any commodity regardless of economic value.

2) IPM is not organic farming. While IPM seeks to minimize or optimize the use of high risk synthetic pesticides, it recognizes that pesticides will be needed to maintain highly productive agriculture for the foreseeable future and pesticides are currently the best option available for certain situations. IPM selects pesticides that are effective, economical and least disruptive to the production system. Organic farmers are prevented from using some of the low risk techniques and technologies available to IPM growers simply because they are synthetic.

3) IPM is not low input, low yield farming. IPM strategies can be developed for any level of production or any commodity. IPM evaluations over the years generally indicate that IPM maintains or increases yields while reducing production costs resulting in increased net profits.

4) IPM is not being tied to any certain companies products or services but rather seeks current, unbiased, science-based information to solve problems.

5) IPM is not static but rather advances the understanding of agricultural systems and the intelligent use of existing and new technologies through research and demonstrations on growers farms. IPM seeks to put the best science and the best management practices available to work on growers farms.

6) IPM is not risky but rather scientific studies and farmer evaluations indicate that IPM reduces economic, human health and economic risks associated with farming.

7) IPM is not scouting one field on the farm and using the information to treat all fields on the farm alike.

8) IPM is not doing something just because a neighbor is or someone at the coffee shop is talking about it.

The cotton scouting program will begin June 3rd with a scout training and we will begin locating survey fields on June 5th. If you are interested in having one of your cotton fields monitored weekly throughout the growing season, contact your gin manager. We have an excellent group of individuals hired this year and look forward to a successful and prosperous season.

The "Daily Crop Update" sponsored by the SRPCGA will begin June 10th. The telephone number is 915-365-2642 and will provide daily insect updates, crop development information and some weed management tips.

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.