Come View Dryland Harvest Aid/Variety Trial TOMORROW Thursday at 10 am

The Lubbock County Extension Staff, with the help of Dr. Seth Byrd, established a dryland "cotton harvest aid products" trial on October 12 on the Cole Hamilton Farm. This is in the same field as our Dryland RACE Cotton Variety Trial, located at the NW corner of FM 1729 and CR 1900 (5 mi W of New Deal). The variety trial has been defoliated and is nearing harvest.

Come out and join us for 30-45 minutes on Thursday October 20 at 10am to walk through the plots and view these two trials before the cotton is off the stalk. Hope to see you on October 20!

Fall Armyworms in High Plains Wheat

This afternoon on the radio I reported that we were seeing fall armyworm activity in freshly emerged wheat. Dr. Ed Bynum, extension entomologist with Texas A&M Agrilife in Amarillo, wrote an article today on fall armyworms in the area, including what other crops it may feed on and possible treatment options. You can find the article here at Texas Panhandle Pest News. Thanks, Ed!

USDA to Provide Cost Share Assistance to Organic Agricultural Producers

Eligibility: Texas-based organic producers (crops, wild crops, and/or livestock) and/or handlers are eligible to participate in the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program (NOCCSP). Operations must possess current USDA organic certification to be eligible to receive reimbursements. This means operations either must have successfully received their initial USDA organic certification from a USDA-accredited certifying agent, or must have incurred expenses related to the renewal of their USDA organic certification from a USDA-accredited certifying agent between October 1, 2015 and September 30, 2016. Operations with suspended or revoked certifications are ineligible for reimbursement. The application NOP regulations and resources for certification are available on the NOP website.

The cost share program will be conducted on a first come, first served basis. 

Deadline: Applications must be received by close of business (5:00 pm CT) Monday, October 31, 2016.

How to Apply: Visit the Organic Cost Share website to download submission instructions and application materials. TDA will offer two ways to submit your application. You are encouraged to try the new online submission application. All you have to do is fill out the required information, attach your documentation and hit submit. Alternatively, applications may also complete a hard copy form and email to the address listed in the submission instructions. 

Questions: Please contact the grants office at 512-463-6695 or Grants@TexasAgriculture.gov with any questions you have.

2016 High Plains Cotton Harvest-Aid Guide

High Plains Cotton Harvest-Aid Guide

Above is the 2016 Cotton Harvest-Aid Guide from Texas A&M Agrilife Extension, updated by Drs. Seth Byrd, Wayne Keeling, and Gaylon Morgan.

Cotton Harvest Aid Videos

Dr. Pat Porter (Extension Entomologist) and Kerry Siders (EA-IPM, Hockley, Cochran, and Lamb counties) made two cotton videos that are perfectly timed.

The first is all about cotton harvest aids.

Cotton Harvest Aids Explained

The second is all about determining if your cotton is ready for harvest aids.

Assessing Cotton Maturity for Harvest Aid Application

Thanks Pat and Kerry! 

Southern High Plains IPM Newsletter, Sept 16

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Southern High Plains IPM Newsletter, Sept 9

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