The Concho Valley Small Grain Workshop conducted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is set for Aug. 19 at the Lowake Community Center in Lowake.
The community center is the red brick school building at 23860 Farm-to-Market Road 381. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. followed by the program from 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
“Wheat is second only to cotton in the Concho Valley with an average annual value of about $23.3 million in cash receipts,” said Josh Blanek, AgriLife Extension agent in Tom Green County.
“Knowing the importance of the crop, the Tom Green County Field Crops Committee identified the need for an educational program for area small grain producers.“
Blanek said with changes in the Farm Bill and weaker cotton prices, it’s likely more acres of small grain will be planted in the next couple of years.
“Knowing that, the committee came up with the topics most needed and put the program together around those, so it should be very topical for our producers.”
Blanek said the AgriLife Extension offices in Tom Green, Coke and Runnels counties will conduct the meeting.
Registration and lunch is free for those who RSVP by Aug. 14 and $25 for those registering at the door. To RSVP or for more information, contact the AgriLife Extension offices in Tom Green County at 325-659-6523, Coke County at 325-453-2461 or Runnels County at 325-365-5042.
Three Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units, one integrated pest management and two general, will be offered.
Topics and speakers will include:
- World Wheat Outlook and Wheat Marketing Strategies, Dr. Mark Welch, AgriLife Extension grain marketing economist, College Station.
- Weed and Disease Management in Wheat, Dr. David Drake, AgriLife Extension agronomist, San Angelo.
- Insect Management Strategies in Small Grains, Dr. Charles Allen, AgriLife Extension entomologist and state integrated pest management coordinator, San Angelo.
- Production Costs and Projected Profitability, Bill Thompson, AgriLife Extension economist, San Angelo.
- Texas Wheat Industry Updates by the Texas Wheat Producers Association, Amarillo.
- Wheat Variety Performance, and Winter Canola and Barley Options, Dr. Clark Neely, AgriLife Extension small grains and oilseed specialist, College Station.
- Long Range and El Niño Forecast for West Central Texas, National Weather Service, San Angelo.
- Variable Rate Nutrient Application Using Electrical Conductivity Mapping, Cliff Kinnibrugh, U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service conservation agronomist, San Angelo.
The day will conclude with a workshop wrap-up, evaluation and awarding of the continuing education units.
