A Texas Wheat staff member attended the South Plains Ag Conference in Brownfield on Thursday, January 18. The conference allowed farmers to come together at a critical time in the crop year to discuss prices and management practices with experts from the industry.
The Brownfield News gave an excellent review of the event’s speakers:
Speakers for the day included Dr. Jason Woodward who spoke on creating an integrated disease management plan for cotton and peanuts. He gave many examples of disease specific products available and gave an overview of seeds modified specifically for certain diseases and pest issues.
Dr. John Robinson gave the market outlook. He stated that grain consumption in the world is increasing at the present time and the world’s corn supplies are low. At the same time, wheat supplies remain high. Cotton prices did go up a bit recently, but it is too soon to tell if that is a lasting trend or just a product of the market at that time.
Dr. Peter Dotray gave a review of using auxin herbicides and the precautions necessary for their safe and practical use.
Dr. Seth Byrd talked with producers regarding cotton pre-plant decisions and what to consider as we approach another crop year.
Dr. Stephen King spoke about the marketing of specialty crops. This is important as many farmers are looking to diversify and find other ways to make farming more profitable in these days when the market is unsteady and a new Farm Bill is being debated.
Dr. Katie Lewis gave an overview of soil fertility and cover crops and the benefits of cover crops as a part of your program.
Tyler Mays finished the day with his expertise as the Texas AgriLife Extension Agent, IPM for the area to discuss insect management practices in cotton, peanuts, corn and grain sorghum. Tyler has much to offer producers in helping to control pests in their crops.
At the end of the program, Texas Wheat Director of Policy and Marketing Steelee Fischbacher gave an update on the board’s activities, including an overview of successful research projects through Texas A&M AgriLife, upcoming meetings with legislators in Washington, D.C., and efforts to maintain NAFTA.
The event was attended by about 100 producers and industry representatives.
If you were unable to attend the conference and have any questions, please feel free to email us at info@texaswheat.org or call (806) 352-2191. Check our events calendar to see upcoming producer meetings.
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