Category Archives: 2021
Fall Armyworm Control in Pastures
Dalton C. Ludwick, Holly Davis, Sonja L. Swiger, and David L. Kerns Extension Entomologists, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Recent rainfall events have been a major problem this summer. As a result of this rainfall, fall armyworms (Spodoptera frugiperda) are thriving across the northern, central and eastern portions of Texas. Below is some information on the biology of the pest, how to scout for them, and control options to mitigate damage. Biology and Damage There are two strains of fall armyworms (FAW): the corn strain and the grass… Read More →
Cotton Management Following Inundated or Saturated Conditions
Dr. Benjamin McKnight Extension Cotton Specialist, TAMU Dept. of Soil and Crop Sciences, College Station, (979) 845-0870 After a dry start to the 2021 Texas cotton growing year, most of the production regions around the state have received much needed relief to drought conditions. The Texas drought monitor maps from the month of April puts into perspective how dry conditions were across the state, with approximately 90% of Texas in some form of moisture deficit. Currently in July, approximately 90% of the state is not considered to… Read More →
Cover Crops for Weed Management and Conservation Agriculture in Texas
Texas Row Crops Newsletter – Jodie McVane Reisner – May 2021 Jodie Reisner, Spencer Samuelson and Muthukumar Bagavathiannan Integrated weed management (IWM) is a diverse approach to managing weeds, which combines complementary approaches for desired weed management results (Figure 1). Studying the cultural, mechanical, physical, and biological forms in combination with chemical forms at the farm level can offer producers insights as to what can work effectively on their farms. IWM entails cultural tactics such as crop rotations, adjusting seeding rates, planting cover crops between cropping seasons… Read More →
Iron (Fe) Deficiency in Texas Crops Made Worse by Wet Weather
Dr. Calvin Trostle, Extension Agronomy, TAMU Dept. of Soil & Crop Sciences, Lubbock, (806) 746-6101, ctrostle@ag.tamu.edu; June 9, 2021 Much of Texas has experienced heavy rains, cloudy conditions, and water-logged soils since early May. Many crops will show signs of nutrient deficiency under such conditions. These include iron (Fe) and nitrogen. Symptoms for N and Fe nutrient deficiency may be confused with each other. Nitrogen is mobile within the plant. N deficiency leaf symptoms are expressed in older leaves. This is usually a broad… Read More →
Impact of Ponded Water/Flooding on Corn and Sorghum
Ronnie Schnell, Ph.D. Associate Professor and Cropping Systems Specialist Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, College Station Tony Provin, Ph.D. Professor and Extension Specialist – Soil Chemistry Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, College Station Numerous rain events have resulted in flooding or significant ponding of water in many corn and sorghum fields across Texas. While low-lying areas may be flooded, other areas of fields may be saturated for extended periods of time. How long can corn or sorghum survive under saturated or flooded conditions? What impact will these conditions… Read More →
Texas A&M AgriLife “Texas Row Crops Newsletter”—Industrial Hemp
Dr. Calvin Trostle, Professor & Extension Agronomist/AgriLife State Hemp Specialist, TAMU Dept. of Soil & Crop Sciences, Lubbock, (806) 746-6101, ctrostle@ag.tamu.edu Next “First Tuesday” Statewide Hemp Zoom Update from Texas A&M AgriLife—June 1 We continue the statewide Zoom updates we began in March. The June update will be Tuesday, June 1, 5:15-6:30 PM Central Time. We will continue throughout 2021 at the same time on the first Tuesday. June topics will include an update from Dr. Holly Davis, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension entomologist, Weslaco… Read More →
On-Line Calculator to get Texas A&M Soil Test Recommendations based on Other Labs’ Test Values
Dr. Calvin Trostle, Extension Agronomy/TAMU Dept. of Soil & Crop Sciences, Lubbock, (806) 746-6101, ctrostle@ag.tamu.edu Dr. Tony Provin, Extension Soil Testing,/TAMU Dept. of Soil & Crop Sciences, College Station, (979) 845-4816, t-provin@tamu.edu May 4, 2021 Texas farmers have many choices for laboratories conducting their soil analyses. If you work with a fertilizer dealer, they may collect your soil samples, pay for analysis, and draw from the information to make recommendations. This is fine, just know there is a possible conflict of interest (sales). If someone does your soil… Read More →
Guar & Crop Insurance—USDA-RMA Feasibility Study: Follow-up
Dr. Calvin Trostle, Extension Agronomy, TAMU Dept. of Soil & Crop Sciences, Lubbock, (806) 746-6101, ctrostle@ag.tamu.edu Last September I noted the process underway to study the potential for guar to be added as a program crop for federal crop insurance. That earlier report is at https://agrilife.org/texasrowcrops/news/page/2/ USDA Risk Management Agency is currently administering a contract with Agralytica, Alexandria, VA to evaluate the feasibility of a guar crop insurance program. This has included face-to-face visits with farmers, documenting perils the crop may face, etc. Texas A&M AgriLife… Read More →
Freeze Damage and the Texas Wheat Crop
Dr. Calvin Trostle, Extension Agronomy, TAMU Dept. of Soil & Crop Sciences, Lubbock, (806) 746-6101, ctrostle@ag.tamu.edu Dr. Fernando Guillen-Portal, State Extension Small Grains Specialist, TAMU Dept. of Soil & Crop Sciences, College Station, (979) 845-4826, fernando.guillen@tamu.edu February 26, 2021 The cold temperatures in Texas in February’s cold snap range from as low as -12° F in the Panhandle to mid-single digits as far south as the Austin region. A few locations in Texas set all-time low records (Tyler, TX for one). Lubbock recorded -6°… Read More →