Farm & Ranch
[AgriLife Today] Options discussed for farmers battling cotton root rot
By: Blair Fannin
Writer: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259, [email protected]
Contact: Dr. Tom Isakeit, 979-862-1340, [email protected]
WACO – Cotton root rot disease continues to be a major threat to Texas cotton, but there are options available to farmers to fend off potential threats or lessen the potential economic hardship, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service plant pathologist in College Station.
Dr. Tom Isakeit gave an update on cotton root rot research at the recent Blackland Income Growth Conference in Waco.
The fungicide Topguard Terra has a Section 3 full label registration for control of cotton root rot, Isakeit said. The recent trials in Texas fields focused on evaluating different methods of application. He said these alternative methods are intended to minimize the risk of phytotoxicity that sometimes occur when Topguard Terra is applied at planting.
Side-dressing has been evaluated over several years and it doesn’t seem to work, he said.“With pre-plant treatment application, if the fungicide is right on the planted row 4-6 inches deep, it’s quite effective,” Isakeit said. “Topguard is very persistent, so it can be applied several weeks before planting. Generally, it’s going to remain where it is applied and won’t leach out. Our research is demonstrating effectiveness if it is banded on the row before emergence or banded over the emerged seedlings. However, with these methods, rain or overhead irrigation is needed afterwards to activate the fungicide.”
“You have to get the fungicide close to the plant for it to be effective,” Isakeit said.
At present, application of the fungicide at planting is the only legal method of application. FMC, the manufacturer of Topguard Terra, has applied to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for an amended label to include other application methods, and they are hopeful this will be granted prior to the start of planting in 2017, Isakeit said.
“Growers need to follow the current label until the amendment has been approved,” he said.
Isakeit said that it was a challenge to establish trials at the Stiles Farm Foundation near Thrall last year. Planting, delayed by frequent rains, was finally accomplished on June 10. Then, it turned dry.
“There was no rain until July 27 and also, very little disease. Additional rain in August led to increasing disease from early September into October, and consequently, provided some useful data,” Isakeit said. “In our design, we apply treatments to two adjacent rows, leaving two non-treated on either side. The non-treated rows can verify that the pathogenic fungus is present and active. It’s quite common that the fungus is consistently limited to portions of a field.
“Some growers can take advantage of this predictability and, using GPS technology, can apply the fungicide only to portions of the field where it has been previously seen. One of the farmers we worked with this year used prescription maps to apply the fungicide. In one field, out of 101 acres, only 37 percent needed to be treated, resulting in a savings on fungicide costs of $3,200.”
In addition to the risk of phytotoxicity with an at-planting fungicide treatment, producers have observed problems caused by clogging of application orifices. This problem can inadvertently show that the fungicide is working, similar to the adjacent, non-treated rows that are used in the experimental trials.
“Growers should pay attention to this problem, particularly first-time users,” he said. “Flow meters could identify when clogging occurs. Different application products may alleviate the problem, such as larger orifices in the rebounder or a T-band spray nozzle set higher. If and when the label amendments are approved, growers interested in trying different application methods for the first time should consider leaving a small, non-treated area in the field to identify performance and allow comparisons of crop emergence.”
Detailed information about cotton root rot and its management can be found in a factsheet at http://cotton.tamu.edu/Nematodes/16_FC010_CRR.pdf .
Additionally, Isakeit said producers who have questions should email him at [email protected] or call 979-862-1340.
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By: Martha Crump
Most cattle producers can tell you quite a lot about balancing cattle diets for energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals based on the specific needs for their herd and type of operation.
A key factor, and one that is often overlooked, is that how your animals perform is also directly affected by their water intake.
Now many of you may already be thinking “well of course water is necessary, anybody knows that!”
In many years, as September marches into October, we are beginning to experience some return of rainfall. But as many of us know, that is not always the case. Often we are still experiencing hot and dry weather, and water supplies are dwindling.
When we find ourselves experiencing those types of fall conditions, it is critical to not only understand the daily water requirements for cattle, but also the impact that the quality of water can have on herd health and development.
To read more, pick up a copy of the October edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By: Tony Dean
Since their introduction to the U.S. in the early 1900s, Old World Bluestems such as King Ranch bluestem and Dahl bluestem have become established on farms and ranches from the Rio Grande to Nebraska. With such a wide range of adaptability, these species are subjected to a wide range of management, depending on location and the goals of the rancher.
Due to the aggressive nature of OWBs, producers in far South Texas have been trying to find a way to eradicate OWBs in their pastures. Texas AgriLife Extension bulletin “Introduced Bluestem Grasses: Management on Native Lands” describes several methods being used in the effort to rid pastures of OWBs. In 2016, one project involved using chemicals, plowing, mowing, reseeding, summer burning, and combinations of these practices.
To read the about the researchers findings and hear Tony’s take, pick up a copy of the October edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By: Rayford Pullen
Watching our pastures over the years, I have noticed our forages quit growing when nighttime temperatures begin hitting that 45-degree mark, and in North Texas, that will usually be around October 20.
While growth stops, our forages will still be high quality which allows our momma cows to gain weight for another 40 days or so.
Getting these cows in better condition is key to getting them through the winter and breeding after they calve.
Read more in the October issue of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available online and in print. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive NTFR in your inbox each week.
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