Texas boasting big increases in feed grains

By MINDY POEHL | Central Texas Edition

Dr. Mark McFarland, Extension soil fertility specialist, speaks about nitrogen in corn crops at the Hill County Field Crops Tour at the Barney and Matt Pustejovsky farm near Chatt, on June 23. -- Photos by Mindy Poehl

July 7, 2005 - A large crowd of over 100 crop producers, mostly dressed in plaid shirts and blue jeans, gathered by the pond at Road Runner Station/Warren Labs, on the east side of I-35 between Chatt and Abbott. The farmers came together to attend the 2005 Hill County Field Crops Tour, on June 23, to learn about corn and sorghum tests, as well as the conservation programs utilized by Warren Labs.

Dan Henson, with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), spoke about conservation programs that are available through the NRCS.

"Through the EQUIP program this year, we have built terraces, waterways and 15 stock ponds," Henson said. "We have acquired $100,000 for chicken litter and we have developed wetlands for wildlife on Warren Labs with the help of CCRP (Continuous Conservation Reserve Program)."

A large crowd listens as Dr. Juerg Blumenthal, Extension agronomist, spoke about grain and sorghum performance tests at the Hill County Crops Tour held June 23 at RoadRunner Station/Warren Labs near Abbott. -- Photos by Mindy Poehl

NRCS's natural resources conservation programs help people reduce soil erosion, optimize water supplies, improve water quality, increase wildlife habitat, and reduce the damage caused by floods and other natural disasters. The NRCS works with the public to help enhance natural resources on producers' property, like that built on the wetlands of RoadRunner Station.

"We encourage our customers to put their waterways to use using the CCRP program. And, that can be done at 90 percent," with the customer only paying for 10 percent of the project, said Henson. "If you are eligible, there is no silent period."

Dr. Juerg Blumenthal, Extension agronomist, said corn and sorghum performance tests were now available. Blumenthal gave a summary of different tests performed over a three-year period of grain and sorghum testing to explain which hybrid works the best.

Texas is expected to plant 7 percent more corn than last year, which is around 1.95 million acres of corn, Blumenthal said. Sorghum planting in Texas has also increased to 2.5 million acres, which is13 percent more than last year, he said.

"In the Northern Blacklands you should at least get 70 bushels per acre when you are growing corn," Blumenthal suggested. "Consider growing sorghum in those fields if you are getting less than 70 bushels per acre."

Sorghum is hardier and can grow better in warmer temperatures, unlike corn. Corn is very sensitive to heat.

"We are trying to develop software that allows producers to put in their numbers and see different estimates on their crops," Blumenthal said.

Johnny Aten, zone manager for the Boll Weevil Eradication Program, said Texas was a very active state in protecting fields against the boll weevil.

"We've been mapping and putting out traps to run once a week," Aten said. "In late August we will begin spraying."

Aten advised, "Try to spray your field at least once a week and monitor cotton closely. We watch the wind speed and direction, so you'll be seeing a lot of planes flying over the fields soon."

During the tour a stop was made in Chatt at the Barney and Matt Pustejovsky farm where 14 Roundup-Ready corn varieties were planted in test plots.

Dr. Mark McFarland, Extension soil fertility specialist, discussed the effectiveness of using nitrogen fertilizer.

"I know you've all heard me say this a lot, but it rings true. Soil testing is the most important thing you can do. You need to at least take a sample every other year," McFarland said. "Test your soil for nitrogen."

While studying nitrogen in soil on 39 different fields, McFarland said that only 20 percent of the time he found a response to nitrogen added nutrients.

"The reason why is because those fields were already getting enough nitrogen," McFarland explained. "We found anywhere between 75 to over 400 pounds of nitrogen in those soils."

The timing of nitrogen application is very important, McFarland said.

"Only 14 percent of the specialty nitrogen products work. Only use them if you have a good, non-biased source or research to back it up. Otherwise, it will be a waste of money," he said.