WEST PLAINS IPM UPDATE
News about Integrated Pest Management in Hockley, Cochran, and Lamb Counties
Texas Crop Producers Need to be Aware of Latest Dicamba Ruling AgriLife Extension experts prepare for more information.
Texas producers on the verge of planting their cotton and soybean crops are turning to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service officials in light of a Feb. 6 federal court in Arizona vacating the 2020 registrations of three dicamba herbicides — XtendiMax by Bayer, Engenia by BASF and Tavium by Syngenta, which were previously labeled for use on dicamba-tolerant cotton and soybeans.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, must first respond before producers know how to plan for weed management in the rapidly approaching 2024 season.
“We are waiting for a response from EPA on how producers are to proceed regarding the use of Dicamba in the 2024 growing season,” said Scott Nolte, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension statewide weed specialist in the Texas A&M Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Bryan-College Station.
In the meantime
“Regardless of whether these current restrictions stand or if EPA modifies this vacatur, growers are encouraged to plan on the use of preplant and preemergent soil-active herbicides to reduce the reliance on post-emergent herbicides,” Nolte said.
He said AgriLife Extension will continue to offer the Auxin training around the state because it also covers the Enlist herbicides, which are not a part of the court ruling.
“If growers plan to use an Enlist system, Auxin training is still required prior to application of Enlist One or Enlist Duo in Texas,” Nolte said.
AgriLife Extension will provide more educational information as it becomes available.
Private Pesticide Applicators Training, Levelland March 14th The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will offer the required private Pesticide Applicators Training (PAT) in Levelland on March 14. This training is required by the Texas Department of Agriculture before taking the exam to obtain the license. A private pesticide applicator is a person who uses or supervises the use of a restricted-use or state limited use pesticide or a regulated herbicide for the purpose of producing an agricultural commodity. This license is not for those receiving monetary compensation for a pesticide application.
To participate in the training individuals must call 806-894-3159 by noon the day before March 13. The training will begin promptly at 1 pm at the Extension Office in Levelland at 1212 Houston Street. There is a $65 fee for training materials. This is only the required training. Testing will be conducted at a separate time and location.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension seeks to provide reasonable accommodation for all persons with disabilities for any educational meetings. Please contact us to advise us of the auxiliary aid or service that you will require a week in advance of training.
Paraquat Training Update
The Paraquat stewardship training is facilitated by the National Pesticide Safety Education Center, to help licensed applicators nationwide satisfy the EPA mandated stewardship training. If you have not received this training or your three-year training certification period expires you need to complete this if you use any paraquat formulation. Here is the link for the training website: https:/ /npsec.us/paraquat. This training is only available online.
2024 Seed Cost Calculator Now Available!
The 2024 version of the Plains Cotton Growers Inc. Seed Cost Calculator is Seed Cost Calculatoron the PCG website at the bottom of the “Resources” page.
The PCG seed cost calculator is an interactive Microsoft Excel spreadsheet that allows producers to calculate an estimated cost per acre, for both seed and technology, based on published suggested retail prices.
Questions about the tool can be directed to PCG Director of Policy Analysis and Research Shawn Wade.
2023 Cotton Variety Demonstrations
It is that time of year when producers are making those cotton variety selection decisions. The following links will take you to cotton variety demonstrations/trials I conducted in Hockley or Cochran County in 2023.
If you have any questions give me a call and we can visit. I would like to thank our cooperators: David & Anthony Albus, Zane Thrash, Barker Research Farm, and Sammy Harris.