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The Victoria College. Full-time salaried position with benefits available...
DISTRICT "Champions for Community Wellness" has the following positions...
Today, there are numerous software programs for farmers and ranchers to use that will assist you in keeping good records, which will result in better decision-making on your part. In the everyday business of agriculture, there are so many options that a producer can make and making the right choice could mean financial savings or extra income in the future. Proper records can be tools that allow you to more confidently make those decisions.
The computerized recordkeeping program is free and anyone interested in attending is asked to call the extension office at 361-575-4581 to assist us in planning for adequate facilities. The program will be at the Victoria County extension office, 442 Foster Field Drive, one block south of the Victoria Regional Airport terminal. It will be from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Larry Falconer, extension economist, and Kerry Hanselka, local farmer, will make presentations.
Spring Hay Educational Program Planned
Grazing and haying pastures are very important to cattle. The quality and quantity of cattle produced dictates the profitability of the ranching enterprise. To address issues related to quality hay meadows, Larry Redmon, state extension forage specialist from College Station, will present a program on “Harvesting, Curing and Storage Techniques” at the Victoria County 4-H Activity Center, 259 Bachelor Drive.
The program will be from 6-7 p.m. Thursday, May 8. Topics covered will include maturity at harvest, curing, storage, forage testing and feeding value. One hour in general TDA pesticide license CEU will be offered.
Refreshments will be provided by the Victoria County Extension Beef, Range, and Pasture Committee, which will host the meeting. Please call 361-575-4581 to RSVP for the program.
Pesticide Private Applicator Training/Testing Scheduled
Are you in need of a private applicator pesticide license? Then plan to attend the TDA Pesticide License Training and Testing on Friday, May 9.
The training will start at 8:30 a.m. and conclude by noon at the Victoria County extension office, 442 Foster Field Drive, in conference room A. The test will be given by a TDA representative and will begin at 1 p.m. You must have attended this or another training in order to take the test.
Study material/books for the training are available at the Victoria County extension office for $40. Please call 575-4581 to sign up.
Pecan Spray Schedule
The pecan nut casebearer, a tiny worm that can nearly wipe out a pecan crop if in high population and not controlled, is nearly at the stage for growers to make a decision. Typically, the worm infests pecan trees between May 1-12 each year for the first generation, with a second generation about 42 days later. Pecan tree owners can best control the pest by spraying an insecticide into the tree, coating the tiny nutlets to provide protection.
Insect traps set out by local growers so far show little activity or at least a delayed activity. Based on results so far, if numbers do warrant treatment, control measures may be needed to be applied some time after May 5. Further information from the traps will be made available as time and information permits.
In preparation for spraying, the best advice for homeowners is: Spinosad (SpinTor, Entrust or Greenlight Lawn and Garden), Bacillus thuringiensis (many products sold with Bt) or malathion. If you use malathion, remember to buffer the water with vinegar or a commercial product to increase effectiveness if you have alkaline water. Other labeled insecticides for pecan nut casebearer include: Chlorpyrifos (Lorsban 4E); Cypermethrin (Ammo); Cyfluthrin (Baythroid); Esfenvalerate (Asana); Diflubenuron (Dimilin); Methoxyfenozide (Intrepid); Phosmet (Imidan); Tebufenozide (Confirm); Zeta-cypermethrin (Fury, Mustang Max); Gamma-cyhalothrin (Proaxis); Lambdacyhalothrin (Warrior with Zeon); and Carbaryl (Sevin). Please read and follow all label directions of products used. Biological control options include: Spinosad (SpinTor or Entrust); Tebufenozide (Confirm); and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt).
Zinc, a nutrient, should also be mixed with the insecticide and sprayed on the leaves now. In fact, for proper management, at least two to three applications of zinc should have already been applied within the past two months. Nitrogen fertilizer should be applied for the second time now at the rate of 50 pounds per acre or about one-third pound of 21-0-0 fertilizer per inch trunk diameter on mature trees.
Joe Janak is a Victoria County extension agent.