Rainfall has benefitted many crops statewide, but the moisture also serves as a catalyst for insects and pests, according to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts.
Farmers across Texas continue to scout fields for signs of pests and damage to crops as the prime growing season begins.
Cotton thrips, fleahopper
At the Stiles Farm Foundation in Thrall, recent rain promoted strong plant development in cotton fields. But the moisture also led to a resurgence of cotton thrips and other pests.
“The cotton crop started off very clean and once we caught substantial rain and cooler overcast weather, thrips blew up quickly,” said Ryan Collett, farm manager. “We’ve been treating it. The cotton has recovered with the sunshine and is squaring aggressively. Now we are dealing with some flea hoppers, and we are getting ready to treat.”
Collett said the cotton flea hopper is one of the biggest pest problems in the region because they cause square losses, which leads to reduced yields.
“It’s all about protecting your squares,” he said. “You want to protect early season fruit set because you don’t know what conditions will be later on.”
Corn continues strong growth
Meanwhile, corn continues to progress nicely with very little disease and pest pressure, Collett said, following rounds of heavy rain and severe weather. The Stiles Farm will host its annual field day June 10.
Corn producers in other regions are staying vigilant for pests, including the corn leafhopper.
“Corn leafhopper populations did develop in the lower Rio Grande Valley but were later than last year and not nearly as severe,” said David Kerns, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension statewide integrated pest management coordinator and associate department head for the Texas A&M Department of Entomology. “In the lower Rio Grande Valley, the small amount of late planted corn has been impacted but it is too early to determine the extent of that damage.”
Kerns said there was detection of corn leafhopper along the Gulf Coast and into Central Texas, but sightings were rare. Corn in these regions is far enough along that even if populations increased there should be no impact to quality or yields.
Meanwhile, rainfall in the Central region provided drought relief in portions of the north central counties. South Central producers received heavy rains over the past week, but little pest concerns have been reported.
“The rains have been good with some areas receiving up to 9 inches in May,” said Chadd Caperton, AgriLife Extension agent for Brazos County. “Row crops are in really good shape. There aren’t really any pests to note at this point.”
Panhandle
The district received rainfall and unseasonally cool weather, furthering development of small grain fields. Farmers wrapped up planting of cotton and corn while sorghum planting began. Range and pastures were green and growing. Overall soil moisture levels were short to adequate. Pasture and range conditions were fair to excellent, and crop conditions were fair to good.
