Category Archives: 2019
Update on Industrial Hemp for Texas—December 2019
Dr. Calvin Trostle, Extension Agronomy, TAMU Soil & Crop Sciences, Lubbock, TX (806) 723-8432, ctrostle@ag.tamu.edu December 5, 2019 This is a summary of recent hemp information relevant to Texas in view of 2020 production. As noted in last month’s hemp Row Crops Newsletter update, USDA released final interim rules which Texas Department of Agriculture will use to develop proposed Texas rules. The overall USDA hemp program information is found at https://www.farmers.gov/manage/hemp then through several links there. These federal rules are currently in a 60-day public comment period. After… Read More →
Soil management considerations for upcoming pre-emergence herbicide applications in corn and sorghum
Many farmers across Texas will be thinking about planting corn in just a couple of months, and sorghum shortly after that. Managing soil for good seed-soil contact and for fertilizer nutrients are common concerns as the time for planting nears, but understanding how the management of soil works into integrated pest management (IPM) programs can be helpful to ensuring the effectiveness of expensive pre-emergence (PRE) herbicide applications as well. There are two concepts presented in this article to consider for how soils effect PRE herbicides. 1. Activity –… Read More →
A Checklist for the 2019-2020 Texas Wheat Crop
Submitted by Dr. Calvin Trostle, Extension Agronomy, Lubbock, 806-746-6101, ctrostle@ag.tamu.edu; December 4, 2019 Essentially all the Texas wheat crop is in the ground. This includes wheat for grazing or grain (or both). Abnormally dry and moderate drought conditions exist across much of central Texas, but fortunately most of the High Plains wheat production region has seen dry conditions alleviate since the end of September. I still have a little wheat left to drill. There are still a few scattered acres likely in the High Plains that… Read More →
Another Update on Industrial Hemp for Texas
Dr. Calvin Trostle, Extension Agronomy, TAMU Soil & Crop Sciences, Lubbock, TX (806) 723-8432, ctrostle@ag.tamu.edu October 31, 2019 On Tuesday, October 29 USDA released their interim rules which Texas and other states will now use in crafting their state-specific guidelines for hemp production. I have not read the document yet (161 pages), but it is available at https://www.farmers.gov/manage/hemp then click on “Hemp Production Webpage.” There you will find a link to read or download “Interim Final Rule” in PDF. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension ag law specialist Tiffany Dowell-Lashmet,… Read More →
Dodder Identification in the Texas Panhandle
Jourdan M. Bell, Agronomist, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension – Amarillo Peter Dotray, Weed Scientist, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension – Lubbock Scott Nolte, Weed Scientist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – College Station Muthu Bagavathiannan, Weed Scientist, Texas A&M AgriLife Research – College Station Dodder (Cuscuta sp.), also commonly known as cuscuta, is a parasitic, leafless, annual weedy vine that is becoming more common across the Texas Panhandle. Dodder has many nicknames, like love vine, witches shoelaces, hairweed, and devilguts. Dodder resembles spaghetti. The vine color… Read More →
Crop Tolerances to Salinity in Irrigation Waters and Soils–Update
Dr. Calvin Trostle, Professor & Extension Agronomist, Lubbock, (806) 723-8432, ctrostle@ag.tamu.edu In a previous Row Crops Newsletter in 2016 I wrote on this topic. In dry years I receive a few more inquiries about salinity across the western part of the state. This is due to potential salt accumulation from irrigation waters without flushing rainfall. Several recent questions are addressed here in terms of salt issues affecting potential cover crops, salt removal from soils, and winter small grains suitability. Previously I noted the primary resource Texas A&M AgriLife… Read More →
Hemp Disease Prognosis for Texas
Dr. Tom Isakeit, Professor and Extension Plant Pathologist There is intense interest in growing hemp (Cannabis sativus) commercially in Texas. Along with considerations of applying the best agronomic approaches for growing it, there is a need to consider potential pitfalls, particularly insect pests and diseases. There is very little information on hemp diseases in Texas. The national host indices list just three fungal diseases of hemp in Texas, but this probably reflects a lack of observations. With a small hemp acreage in Texas, there will probably be a… Read More →
2019 Texas Rolling Plains Forage Trial Results
Emi Kimura, Extension Agronomist, Vernon, TX UNIFORM FORAGE TRIAL Uniform Forage trial was conducted at Lockett, TX. Plots were planted at 90 lbs/ac seeding rate on Miles fine sandy loam on 2 October 2019. Total precipitation received during October 2018 to May 2019 was 15.8 inch. Forage was clipped one time on 31 May 2019. The highest forage yield among released variety (species) was SlickTrit II (triticale), followed by CP7869 (wheat), WB4515 (wheat), and CP7909 (wheat). Table 1. 2019 Uniform Forage Trial at Lockett, TX. table 1 Background… Read More →
Texas Rolling Plains Pick’s List for 2019-2020
Emi Kimura, Extension Agronomist, Vernon, TX 2018-2019 Cropping Season in Review Rolling Plains wheat season started with very wet condition in September 2018 all the way to the end of October 2018. There were only a few days in October that producers were able to work in their fields due to the wet field conditions. Planting was delayed to November to December. Although field conditions during November to February were relatively dry across the Rolling Plains, precipitation received in March and April helped to increase yield potential. Rust… Read More →
Causes of Blank Heads or Unfilled Kernels in Grain Sorghum
Dr. Calvin Trostle, Extension Agronomy, TAMU Soil & Crop Sciences, Lubbock, (806) 723-8432, ctrostle@ag.tamu.edu This past week I received digital pictures and sorghum head samples from two different fields where grain sorghum fill was incomplete. This highlights the most difficult field situation I encounter in grain sorghum for 20+ years. What is the cause? What is particularly frustrating is production conditions often appear to be good. Often it is difficult to pinpoint any reasonable cause. Weather often is not a known factor, e.g. there were no extremes… Read More →