by Dr. Tom Isakeit, Extension Plant Pathology; Dr. Gaylon Morgan, Extension Cotton Agronomist Cotton fields in Upper Coast counties of Texas that are experiencing browning or bronzing of the foliage (Figure 1), often accompanied by defoliation, usually have leaf spots.  There can be several different species of fungi associated with these leaf spots.  These are species of the genera Corynespora (Figure 2), Cercospora (Figure 3), Alternaria and Stemphyllium (Figure 4).  Some fields have leaf spots associated with one species only, while several species may be present in other… Read More →

by Tiffany Dowell Lashmet, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Unfortunately, as many farmers know all too well, applications of various pesticides can result in drift and cause damage to neighboring property owners.  In the event this happens, it is important for an injured farmer to know what steps to take and what options are available to remedy the situation. First and foremost, the injured farmer should document any evidence, including taking photographs or samples of damaged crops or foliage, documenting wind speed, direction, temperature, and getting statements from… Read More →

by Seth Byrd, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Lubbock, TX. Many fields are just seeing some cotton emerge after rains moved across the Texas High Plains in late June.  This is most often the case in dryland fields where cotton was dry planted, or planted into soil with insufficient moisture to result in germination, or in a lot of cases, no moisture at all.  While this was done in hopes that rain would soon follow, for many fields it was over a month before a significant rain was received… Read More →