Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. Calvin Trostle, 806-746-6101, ctrostle@ag.tamu.edu

DIMMITT – South Plains alfalfa producers can update their production skills at a regional alfalfa production workshop set for 8:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. July 25 at the Texas AgriLife Extension Service office for Castro County, 205 North Broadway, Dimmitt.

Dr. Calvin Trostle, AgriLife Extension agronomist at Lubbock, is the main speaker.

Trostle will discuss the suitability of Roundup Ready alfalfa to the area and irrigation management topics.

“With the advent of glyphosate-resistant pigweed species in the South Plains, alfalfa growers are not immune to developing resistant pigweed,” Trostle said. “So sole reliance on glyphosate for weed control is inadvisable for alfalfa producers just as it would be for a cotton grower.

“Another issue looming on the horizon is limited irrigation water in the future,” he said. “Most of the South Plains is in the initial phases of pumping limitations, which will decline to fixed levels in 2017. This will likely shrink the size of some alfalfa fields.

“I plan to speak on irrigation management strategies, especially the fitting of irrigation capacity to land area. Alfalfa planted this fall will see decreasing limits of allowable irrigation water before the end of the stands’ useful life, so planning now for limited water in the future is a very important consideration.”

Other workshop topics include fall planting, variety selection and insect control. The program will conclude with a visit to a local alfalfa field.

Three Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be available for those with a valid pesticide applicator’s license.

Individual registration is $10. An alfalfa crop production handbook will be available for an additional $20.

For further information contact the AgriLife Extension office in Castro County office at 806-647-4115, or Trostle at 806-746-6101, or  ctrostle@ag.tamu.edu .

-30-