Wednesday, August 01, 2007

The Ag Side

By:

Jon Gersbach
County Extension Agent
Ag & Natural Resources

2007 Milam County Crops Tour

The Milam County Crops Committee held the annual crops tour in Milam County.
However, the tour as it was originally planned had to be changed, due to the
deluge of rainfall. Many producers spent much longer than normal in the pickup
to reach the destination due to road closures due to flooding. I half expected to
see some small boats in the bed of the truck, just in case. But for those who
ventured out, I believe it was a worthwhile program.

Dr. Paul Baumann, Extension weed specialist discussed weed control in cotton,
row crops, and in pastures and hay meadows. Cotton technology was discussed
by Dr. Robert Lemon, Extension cotton specialist. Mr. Dale Mott, Integrated Pest
Management Agent for Milam and Williamson Counties gave producers updates
on insect pests to be watching for in cotton and grain sorghum fields. Mr. Larry
Bretz with SunOpta Sunflower presented opportunities for sunflowers as
alternative crops to corn and milo. Dr. Juerg Blumenthal concluded the morning
session with an address pertaining to the emerging technologies of the bio-fuels
industry.

Ms. Erica Ortmann, 4-H and Youth Development Agent for Milam County, assisted
in the crops tour by coordinating two presentations from Milam County 4-H
members. Jordan Beckhusen, Jarrett Beckhusen, and Weston Fisher with the
Milam County Plant ID Team discussed their involvement with the range and
plant identification activities. Mr. Jordan Beckhusen explained to producers that
"you must be able to properly identify plants in order to effectively manage
them."

Cooper McDermott and Dillon Dean presented to the group the Milam County 4-H
produced Promotional DVD that the 4-Hers work on last summer to utilize as a
tool for promoting and encouraging youth to join 4-H.

The program was concluded after lunch with a Pesticide Sprayer Calibration
Demonstration outside. Dr. Mark Matocha demonstrated the proper methods to
accurately calibrate pesticide spray equipment and the many factors that can
contribute to improper rates.

A special thanks go out to our Crops Tour Sponsors. Without their continued
support, these programs would not be possible. Thanks also to the Milam

County Crops Committee who assist in the planning and management of the
program. A special thanks to Jay Beckhusen, Steve Tomek, and Larry Mueck for
planting and managing the Milam County Extension Result Demonstration plots.

If you have questions on these or other topics, please contact the Milam County
Extension Office located at 100 East 1st Street in Cameron, on the web at
www.milam-tx.tamu.edu or call 254-697-7045.



Caption for picture:

Jarrett Beckhusen, Milam County 4-H Plant I.D. Team Member, explains to
producers how they identify plants at contests. The presentation was given at
the 2007 Milam County Crops Tour.