Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu
Contacts: Josh Blanek, 325-659-6524, j-blanek@tamu.edu
Joel Webb, 325-365-2219, cjwebb@ag.tamu.edu
SAN ANGELO – The 13th Concho Valley Cotton Conference conducted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is set for 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. March 7 at McNease Convention Center, 500 Rio Concho Drive in San Angelo.
“There’s a lot of new information relating to West Texas cotton production, and this biennial conference is a good place to catch up on what’s going on,” said Josh Blanek, AgriLife Extension agent in Tom Green County.
“This event is a one stop shop for producers wanting the latest balanced information on a variety of topics as well as a look at what’s being offered from a commercial perspective through the event’s extensive trade show. We’ll also offer a great meal and Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units, so it will be a day well spent.”
Another highlight will be the annual meeting of the Southern Rolling Plains Cotton Growers Association scheduled immediately after lunch and will include the association’s annual business meeting and election of new officers.
Topics and speakers during the morning educational session will include:
— Old World Bollworm/Screwworm, Dr. Charles Allen, AgriLife Extension entomologist at San Angelo, will discuss the ramifications should Old World bollworms invade Texas crops or screwworms infect livestock and wildlife.
— Bt Resistance, Dr. David Kerns, AgriLife Extension integrated pest management state coordinator, College Station, will discuss insect resistance issues in Bt toxins in transgenic crops along with management options and the importance of good scouting techniques.
— Cotton Varieties/New Technologies, Dr. Gaylon Morgan, AgriLife Extension state cotton agronomist, College Station.
— Reniform Nematode Management, Dr. Jason Woodward, AgriLife Extension plant pathologist, Lubbock, will discuss best management practices in terms of variety selection and products to control the pest.
— Verticillium Nematode Management, Woodward.
— Cotton Root Rot Updates, Dr. Tom Isakeit, AgriLife Extension plant pathologist, College Station.
The morning session will end with a complimentary lunch and keynote address by Dr. Jody Campiche, National Cotton Council director, economics and policy analysis, Memphis, Tennessee.
Following the meeting of the Southern Rolling Plains Cotton Growers Association, the educational program will resume with a discussion on Canola Agronomics and Marketing, with Dr. Emi Kimura, AgriLife Extension agronomist at Vernon, and Kelly Kohlmeier, ADM merchandiser, Lubbock.
The final presentation will be Laws and Regulations by Cory Pence, Texas Department of Agriculture representative, San Angelo.
Four Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units, two integrated pest management, one general and one laws and regulations, will be offered. Those wishing to receive credits should have their license number ready when they preregister as that information is needed before the meeting, Blanek said.
Preregistration is free and includes the noon meal and snacks, but participants must preregister by the March 1 deadline, Blanek said, otherwise individual registration becomes $20.
To preregister, call the AgriLife Extension offices in Runnels County at 325-365-2219 or Tom Green County at 325-659-6523, or contact Joel Webb, AgriLife Extension integrated pest management agent for Runnels and Tom Green counties, at 325-365-2219, cjwebb@ag.tamu.edu .
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