Despite recent rainfall, our subsoils remain moisture starved as we still need 15 to 20 inches to restore what rainfall we missed out on from last year. As a result, soil moisture to sustain crops in 2012 is very short, resulting in a situation in which timely rainfall during the coming growing season will be critical to make a respectable crop. To address many issues associated with the current soil moisture situation, a Drought Management Workshop for Crops in the Coastal Bend will be held at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center (10345 State Hwy 44) just west of the Corpus Christi Airport, on Thursday, March 1, 2012.
Registration for the workshop will begin at 8:00 am followed by the program at 8:30 am. Topics will include; Review of Current Soil Profile Moisture, Tools to Monitor Crop Weather, Drought Cropping Options - Risk Analysis, Alternative Crop Options and Crop Disease Issues associated with drought. Risk management will be critical during this time and Crop Insurance Compliance will be reviewed along with an update from the Farm Service Agency regarding possible support programs. John Metz, Warning Coordination Meteorologist with the National Weather Service will give an update on Weather Patterns for the Spring of 2012.
Another special feature of this meeting will be unveiling of a new tool available to cotton farmers to help manage the dreaded Cotton Root Rot Disease. Dr. Tom Isakeit, Extension Plant Pathologist, will present research findings from the fungicide, flutriafol, or TOPGUARD, that has received a Section 18 from EPA. The fungus that causes cotton root rot is very sensitive to flutriafol and studies have shown that it protects the cotton root and lower stem from the fungus. Rob Marek of Cheminova, will also be available to discuss the fungicide.
Registration fee is $10 per person. CEU’s will be offered for pesticide applicators and certified crop advisors. This workshop is being sponsored by Texas AgriLife Research and Texas AgriLife Extension Service. Individuals with disabilities, who require an auxiliary aid, service or accommodation in order to participate in any of the mentioned activities, are encouraged to contact the County Extension Office at 361-767-5223 at least eight days before all programs for assistance. Educational programs of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service are open to all citizens without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age or national origin.
