WEST PLAINS IPM UPDATE
Our cotton ranges from plants which suffered drought conditions such that they never flowered to good drip irrigated cotton which have cracked-open bolls. That is an extreme range, but a real reflection of how this season has gone for us. I would estimate that we have less than 1% rainfed cotton acres that may could be harvested. Our irrigated acres are down to about 40% of what was planted, and not all of that will be harvested. We have many fallow acres which is not real common for us. Those acres are generally bare ground. As we have increased chance of rain the next 5-7 days, I know many producers have a goal to plant a cover crop on this fallow land to keep it tied down hopefully till next planting season.
Cotton is generally safe from most insect pests other than keeping watch on a few plant bugs till the end of August. I can find an occasional Lygus and stink bug, but very little damage. Irrigation continues in some fields which have a yield potential to justify the expense. A concern about the potential for late rains is if we have a light boll load in a particular field, this rain may encourage the development of regrowth. This late growth will only detract from what yield and quality has already been established.
As September approaches, this will allow us to evaluate yield a bit better and determine how we approach harvest. Producers may have the idea that they will let a freeze condition the cotton for harvest. However, knowing that this crop will most likely go through the boll maturation process long before we receive a killing freeze suggests that significant deterioration of lint could occur. Therefore, a budget must still allow for harvest aid expenses.
Grain sorghum is also all over the board in terms of development. I can find headworms, sorghum aphis, few spider mites, and stink bugs. Scout.
Peanuts also have a few worms present feeding mostly on foliage. Anything north of 6 worms per linear row foot of peanuts would cause me to consider spraying.
Call me though, and we can visit.
West Plains IPM Update is a publication of the Texas A& M AgriLife Extension Service IPM Program in Hockley, Cochran, and Lamb Counties. Editor: Kerry Siders, Extension Agent-IPM Contact information: 1212 Houston St., Suite 2 Levelland, TX 79336 (806) 894-3150 (office), 638-5635 (mobile), or 897-3104 (Fax) ksiders@tamu.edu (E-mail)