Widespread rain events this last week, and possibly more to come over the next few days. No complaints here. I know we need to get some weeds sprayed, fertilizer out, and keep things tied down from blowing, but this rain has done wonders for most everything including us.
COTTON
Based on the IPM Scouting Program cotton is averaging 7.5 total nodes (range 2 to 10 on original stands); the 1st fruiting branch at 7 (range 5-8); 96% (range 72-100%) square retention of 1st position; node length is 0.7" (range of 0.5"1.1"), and plant populations average 32,100 per acre (range 18,400 to 46,000. Based on current plant mapping data, and anticipating we go into bloom with 8 nodes above white flower, we should generally begin bloom around July 22nd. With a last effective bloom date of August 20, that gives us a full month for effective blooming. The young, replanted cotton will be behind this pattern.
Weed control has been the order of the day for the past several days. It has been a challenge to find a calm day. Liberty herbicide has worked very well this season with good moisture and humidity. The dicamba products seem to be doing well also, with the exception on too large of weeds. I would highly suggest you include a pre-emerge herbicide with your layby treatment for residual control.
Cotton fleahopper numbers continue to remain very low. Here is an excellent publication from Dr. Suhas Vyahare, Extension Cotton Entomologist, Lubbock: http://lubbock.tamu.edu/files/2017/06/Cotton-fleahopper_ENTO073.pdf
Also, the following link is of a video I made a couple years ago which may be of help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epVctkRkTHs
Lygus have not been detected in cotton, only a few in weeds. A few individual cotton aphids have been noted this week. No worms have been found. Grasshoppers have been found and are a concern for those near pastures and rangeland. Call for more information.
PEANUTS
Peanuts are doing very well. Most all fields are blooming and are very near pegging. You must decide now if you have good nodulation which will fix nitrogen. If it is not sufficient (>10 nodules per plant) then you will need to supplement or supply all the nitrogen needed. Weed control remains as pest priority number one. Do pay attention to crown and foliar disease possibilities. If you cultivate do not pitch soil to plant.
GRAIN SORGHUM & CORN
Grains range from just planted to tasseling corn. Limited whorl feeding by larvae pest so far has been noted in most area fields. Todate no sugarcane aphids have been detected. Be vigilant though, and scout on a regular basis.
Worker Protection Standards (WPS)
TDA is responsible for training and implementing the provisions of state and federal worker protection laws.
The state law is known as the Texas Agricultural Hazard Communication Law (Right-to-Know).
The federal law is The Worker Protection Standard (WPS). The law, published in 1992, governs the protection of employees on farms, forests, nurseries, and greenhouses from occupational exposures to agricultural pesticides. The Worker Protection Standard covers both workers in areas treated with pesticides, and employees who handle (mix, load, apply, etc.) pesticides. The How to Comply Manual is available online.
Proposed Changes to WPS
EPA is proposing significant improvements to worker training regarding the safe usage of pesticides, including how to prevent and effectively treat pesticide exposure. Increased training and signage will inform farm workers about the protections they are afforded under the law and will help them protect themselves and their families from pesticide exposure. The comment period has closed. Overview of proposed changes to WPS
What Does the Current WPS Require?
The requirements in the current WPS are intended to inform workers and handlers about pesticide safety, provide protections from potential exposure to pesticides, and mitigate exposures that do occur. http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/worker.htm
• Pesticide safety training- for workers and handlers,
• Access to labeling information- for pesticide handlers and early-entry workers,
•• Access to specific information- for workers and handlers, which includes providing information about pesticide applications on the establishment, emergency information, and a pesticide safety poster at a central location,
• Keep workers out of areas being treated with pesticides,
• Keep workers out of areas that are under a restricted-entry interval (REI), with a few narrow exceptions,
• Protect early-entry workers who are doing permitted tasks in pesticide-treated areas during an REI, including special instructions and duties related to correct use of personal protective equipment,
• Notify workers about pesticide-treated areas so they can avoid inadvertent exposures,
• Monitor handlers using highly toxic pesticides,
• Provide required personal protective equipment to handlers,
• Decontamination supplies- a sufficient supply of water, soap, and towels for routine washing and emergency decontamination, and
• Emergency assistance- making transportation available to a medical care facility in case of a pesticide injury or poisoning, and providing information about the pesticide(s) to which the person may have been exposed.
WPS Train-the-Trainer Online Course
The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) has determined that the Iowa State training course meets the WPS Train-the-Trainer course requirement for Texas. Upon completion of the course, The Iowa Dept. of Agriculture will notify TDA about Texas trainers who have completed their course and the department will maintain a record of their certification as trainers. Before they do any training activities, trainers must contact the department to obtain the EPA Training Verification cards that they are required to issue to their trainees. The online course, along with additional WPS resources, can be accessed at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/workerprotection/