T-Y IPM NEWS

news about integrated pest management in Terry and Yoakum counties
Scott A. Russell, EA-IPM
Telephone: (806) 637-4060
Mobile: (806) 893-1041
Fax: (806) 637-2588
E-Mail: sarussel@tamu.edu   http://lubbock.tamu.edu/ipm  
Vol. 3, No. 4
209 South Fifth Street, Brownfield, TX 79316
June 13, 2002

In this issue:
General Situation
Newsletter
Scouting Program
What I.P.M. is Not
Publications of interest
Upcoming Meetings
Grasshopper Test Data

General Situation:
Again this week rain showers were hit and miss, mostly miss, across the two county area. The northern portion of Terry County received 0.2 to 0.75 inches of rainfall Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Temperatures have aided cotton to begin growing much faster now. Strong winds nearly everyday have kept producers sand fighting feverishly. Scouting program fields ranged from newly emerged, where it had been replanted, to 5 true leaves. Thrips numbers dropped off this week, no fields required treatment. Grasshoppers also appeared to be fewer in number.

Newsletter:
The T-Y I.P.M. News is published almost weekly during the growing season. You can expect it to be mailed (both snail mail and e-mail) on Thursdays.

If you would prefer to receive the T-Y I..P.M.. News via e-mail please contact our office, Texas Cooperative Extension, Terry County at (806)637-4060. If you know anyone who does not receive this newsletter, but would like to please contact our office.

Scouting Program:
The Terry - Yoakum Pest Management Association (P.M.A.) scouting program is an intensive program in which producers contract with the Terry - Yoakum P.M.A. to scout fields. The information gathered aids us in educating both that particular producer and others across the area. We are able to provide producers with accurate information regarding insect pests and beneficial insects. By having numerous fields across the area, we gain a broad overview of current production situations The producer who contracted with the Terry - Yoakum P.M.A. benefits from the information gathered as do others around the area. Information gathered is used in preparing this newsletter, turnrow meetings and County crop reports. At the present time we could still contract several fields across the area. Regular field scouting will aid in making management decisions which can save money and increase yield. We will scout cotton acres

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.
The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating
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from now through maturity to provide pest and beneficial insect population information and management options. The fee is $6.00 per acre, these funds pay for the scouting program (field scout wages and mileage) and remain under the direction of our local I.P.M. Steering Committee. Please contact our office to enroll fields, (806)637-4060.

What I.P.M. Is Not:
1) IPM is not a rigid program of management techniques. While the 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 forseeable 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 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.

Publications of Interest:
Enclosed with this newsletter in an announcement and order form for some new publications from Texas Cooperative Extension. One of special interest is the Texas Cotton Production - Emphasizing Integrated Pest Management. These are for sale only items. If you need more than one order form feel free to copy or call our office for additional copies, (806)637-4060.

Upcoming Meetings:
Farm Bill informational meeting to be held June 20, 2002 at the Denver City Community Building. The meeting will begin at 9:00 A.M. and end by 12 noon. Representatives from Texas Cooperative Extension, and the USDA will provide information.

Pesticide Applicator Training and Testing will be conducted July 2, 2002 at the Tokio Coop Gin. If you (or your friend) are in need of a Texas Department of Agriculture, Private Applicator's License now is the chance. This is the initial training to obtain a license, NOT continuing education units. There is a $10.00 fee for the class study materials.

T-Y IPM News is a publication of the Texas Agricultural Extension Service IPM Program in Terry and Yoakum Counties.
Editor: Scott A. Russell
EA-IPM,
Terry & Yoakum Counties		 Production: Bea Pippin


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