It can still "RAIN in the Concho Valley." Much of the area received .5 to 2 inches of rainfall the past two days. This will not help the dryland cotton crop much but it's a welcome site regardless. Temperatures have cooled down a bit and hopefully the rains will continue for another few days.

Insect pest pressure is very low at this time. Beneficial insect numbers are down as well. The Food source (pests) for beneficials is very low so natural enemy numbers generally follow this trend.

Fruit shed is showing up in irrigated cotton fields where the water demand could not be maintained.

Normally a boll will be retained once it reaches 10-14 days old. Even though the boll may still be retained by the plant, it will likely be smallerdue to moisture stress and have shorter fiber length. Fiber length is generally determined during the first 25 days or so in the life of the boll. This indicates that small amounts of irrigation should be applied to carry the boll through the important length development phase. This rainfall will certainly help in this regard. After that, late bolls can handle considerable stress. This rainfall could offset some of the deficit irrigation and help reduce the water stress in many irrigated cotton fields.

Dryland cotton fields around Miles and just North of Rowena could benefit a lot with a 2" rain. The cotton in this area is well into cut out but has not stressed to the point of fruit shed.

A Sheep and Goat Reproduction Workshop will be held Thursday, August 23, 2001 at the Angelo State University MIR Center. The workshop will begin at 9:00 a.m. and should conclude by 3:00 p.m.

The workshop is sponsored by the Texas Cooperative Extension Service and Angelo State University. Some of the speakers for the workshop include Dr. Frank Craddock, Extension Sheep and Goat Specialist; Dr. Michael Salisbury, Angelo State University and Dr. Shaun Ramsey, Texas A&M University.

Topics on the program include Nutrition, Reproductive Tract Anatomy, Estrus Synchronization, Semen Collection & Handling, Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer.

The workshop is designed for sheep and goat producers interested in utilizing modern techniques to produce high quality livestock.

Individuals interested in participating in the workshop should contact the Runnels County Extension Office at 365-2219 by the registration deadline, Tuesday, August 21. The registration fee is $20 per person.

Friday, September 6, 2001 there will be an Annual Sheep and Goat Field Day. This
program will be given at the Texas A&M University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, 7887 U.S. Highway 87 North, San Angelo, Tx 76901. Refreshments will be provided by First Ag Credit, FSC and the Cocoa Cola Bottling Company. Below is the Agenda for the day.

MORNING PROGRAM
Scott Durham, Master of Ceremonies

9:00-9:25 Registration and Refreshments9:30-11:55 Tours

Demonstration of Sheep Management Tips CD .......Ed Huston & Phil Thompson
Soremouth: New Developments ....... Andres de la Concha
Hair Sheep ....... Frank Craddock & Dan Waldron
Desert Termite/Grass Die Off/ Rangeland Monitoring ....... Allan McGinty & Darrell Ueckert
Sheep Reproduction ....... Tom Spencer
Wildelife Food: Cottonseed & Spineless Pricklypear ....... Butch Taylor

12:00-1:00 Lunch catered by Kenny Blanek and Staff from Crossroads Restaurant in San Angelo

AFTERNOON PROGRAM
Marvin Ensor, Master of Ceremonies

1:00 Introduction of Guests Steve Byrns
1:15 Industry Updates

Mohair Council of America ....... Jack Groff
National Sheep Improvement Center ....... Pierce Miller
Ranchers' Lamb of Texas, Inc. ....... Wayne Snyder
Sheep & Goat Predator Management Board ....... William Edmiston
Texas Sheep & Goat Raisers' Association ....... Glen Fisher

2:00 Outcome of legislative Session as it Affects West Texas Water Issues Rob Junell

Tuesday August 21st
Westside Gin 8:30 a.m.
There will no Turnrow meeting August 28th

A CENTIPEDE got the gout, and one night it crawled out on a limb and spoke to a wise owl.

"I've got a hundred legs," said the centipede, "and I seem to be getting the gout in every one of them. What can I do?"

The owl thought for a while, then came up with this advice: "Become a mouse. Then you'll have gout in only four legs."

"How do I become a mouse?" asked the centipede.

"That's your problem," said the owl. "I only create policy around here."

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.