2023 Plains Pest Management Survey

 It would mean so much to us if you could complete our annual PPM survey!  Please let us know how we did this year by answering these 5 short questions:

https://agrilife.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2oss01f90j4a1hA

 

Thanks!

New Video on Seasonal Progression of Texas Corn Insects- and control methods

Dr. Pat Porter, Entomologist Lubbock, has just compiled and developed a new corn pest video to help Texas corn producers prepare to control their annual pests better.  Here is the link to the Texas A&M AgriLife Entomology Video: 

https://youtu.be/oXj3m-9bu84?si=QlEAIH7Efk6H2VYb

 

Thanks Pat!

High Plains IPM Update, Ocotober 4, 2023

 

The growing season just won’t end, we still have active crops with pests to discuss along with some thoughts on cotton harvest aids and wheat.

https://on.soundcloud.com/35Hvk

September 27, 2023 High Plains IPM Podcast

 

As harvest aid season opens, pests still plague late crops.  Here is this week’s High Plains IPM Update:

https://on.soundcloud.com/hyqZf

High Plains IPM Update and Grower Podcast Survey

 As many are looking to finish out the year, pests continue to attack late crops.  Here is this week's High Plains IPM Podcast Update:

https://on.soundcloud.com/uYNQy

 

If you are a High Plains ag producer, please help us justify these podcasts with this simple 3 question survey:

https://agrilife.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_51EX8PzkDuZpw3k 

 

Thanks!

Blayne Reed Honored as Sorghum Agent of the Year

 

Blayne Reed Honored by Texas Sorghum Producers

                Blayne Reed, Hale and Swisher Extension Agent – Integrated Pest Management, was honored at the annual West Texas Ag Chem Conference in Lubbock September 15, 2023, as the Sorghum Agent of the Year.  The award was presented by Dr. Brent Bean, Director of Agronomy United Sorghum Checkoff Program, “Blayne has done a remarkable body of work with advancing sorghum production and pest management, including a key role in developing strategies and understanding the efficacy of products to control the sorghum aphid on the High Plains.”  Wayne Clevland, Executive Director at the Texas Grain Sorghum Producers Association added, “The Sorghum Agent of the Year Award includes a trip to the annual Commodity Classic conference.”

                Blayne manages the Hale and Swisher IPM Unit for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.  In this role Blayne’s job responsibilities include a 40% appointment in monitoring the local crop pest situations and disseminating that information along with the latest educational integrated pest management information regarding those pests, a 40% appointment to conduct independent, locally conducted agricultural and pest management research, a 10% Urban educational appointment, and a 10% 4-H and youth educational appointment.  Under these guidelines Blayne manages Plains Pest Management (PPM), a volunteer group of AgriLife cooperating producers and their 12,000 cotton, corn, sorghum, alfalfa, and wheat acres as a crop consultant looking for insect, weed, disease, and irrigation scheduling for the growers and puts together a free weekly during the summer season newsletter, the Plains Pest Management Newsletter.  Blayne also conducts 10 to 20 research projects annually, often in the fields of the cooperating the PPM growers.  Blayne also coaches the Hale and Swisher Entomology ID Teams, serves as the State Superintendent for the Texas 4-H Insect Photography Contest, and it is not uncommon to see him out and about speaking to other youth groups about entomology education or civic groups and other agencies in need about the latest in Urban pest issues, such as back yard mosquito control, preventing bed bugs, and controlling pantry pests along with other topics of need.