Writer: Steve Byrns, (915) 653-4576,s-byrns@tamu.edu
MILLERSVIEW - Texas Cooperative Extension is sponsoring a tri-county wheat tour May 1.
The tour of crops in Concho, McCulloch, Tom Green counties starts with registration at 8:30 a.m. in the Millersview Gymnasium. The program begins at 9 a.m.
Michael Palmer, Extension agent for Concho County and the tour’s on-site coordinator, said the area’s wheat looks good.
“We had some good, timely rains during the growing season that really turned a lot of our wheat around. Many of our producers got off to a late start last fall due to heavy fall precipitation that kept many of them out of the fields for a time. But now, barring complications from weather and insects, we should make a respectable wheat crop.
“Our test plots look good, the market is better than it has been in awhile and there is some real optimism for a change here, so I’m really looking forward to a good tour. Our speakers will have some new information to share, and we should be able to view some good wheat varieties. It should be a day well-spent if you are interested in West Texas wheat production.”
Topics covered during the day include an outlook of the regional and local wheat markets, updates on the Farm Service Agency, seed treatment, alternative crops, and weed control and rust resistant wheat varieties.
At 2:30 p.m., the actual tour of the experimental result demonstration small grain varieties at Millersview, Melvin, and Mereta. Adjournment is set for 5 p.m.
Five hours of continuing education units are to be offered pending Texas Department of Agriculture approval.
All participants are asked to reserve by April 29 so that an accurate meal count can be made.
For further information and to reserve, contact the Extension office in Concho County at (325) 732-4304; McCulloch County at (325) 597-1295; or Tom Green County at (915) 659-6524.
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