by Dr. Clark Neely, Small Grains Extension Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Despite the fact that we are still in mid-winter, late January in southern Texas through early March in the Panhandle is the ideal time for not only topdressing wheat, but also taking care of any persistent weed problems in your wheat fields before the spring green-up. This article will cover some of the new herbicides hitting the market that are labelled for wheat and where they might be most useful. While we did not see… Read More →

by Suhas Vyavhare, Extension Cotton Entomologist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Variety selection is the most important decision made during the year. Selecting Bt vs non-Bt or the kind of insect trait package is an important consideration in selecting cotton varieties. Bt cotton is genetically altered to produce certain proteins which are toxic to specific groups of insects. For example, currently available Bt traits in cotton specifically target worm pests such as cotton bollworm, tobacco budworm, and beet armyworm. On the other hand, conventional, or non-Bt cotton does… Read More →

by Dr. Clark Neely, Statewide Small Grains and Oilseed Extension Specialist Weather conditions have been drier this fall and winter than the previous two years, which is having a positive impact on wheat rust presence across the state. This time last year, producers were dealing with widespread reports of stripe rust in their wheat fields due to wet conditions (Fig. 1). This year, stripe rust has been reported in a few locations throughout Central and South Texas, however, pressure appears lighter overall and observed mainly in highly susceptible… Read More →

by Calvin Trostle, Extension Agronomy, Lubbock, (806) 723-8432, ctrostle@ag.tamu.edu Jake Mowrer, Extension Soil Fertility & Water Specialist, College Station, (979) 845-5366, jake.mowrer@tamu.edu Sub-soil Nitrate in Texas Soils In the past 20 years Texas A&M AgriLife staff across Texas have become increasingly aware of the presence and amount of sub-soil nitrate nitrogen (N) in Texas soils. Below the standard recommended soil sampling depth of 0-6”, deeper soil sampling, usually 24” and sometimes 36” with subsequent analysis for nitrate-N only—which is the mobile form—has indicated in many cases substantial nitrate-N…. Read More →