CEU Events and Auxin Specific Training

Howdy,

  This week we have three events going on, one in Wharton, one in Jackson, and one in Matagorda county. Check out the information on each below.

February 1^st 5-CEU Pesticide Recertification Program offered in Wharton County

Auxin Specific Herbicide Applicator Training Included

By Corrie Bowen

County Extension Agent

Wharton County

The Wharton County office of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension is proud to announce an opportunity for pesticide license holders to earn five continued education credits (CEUs) toward their TDA pesticide applicators license.   The Wharton County Office of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension will hold their annual 5-CEU program on Thursday, February 1, 2018 at the Wharton County Fairgrounds – Crescent Hall in Crescent, TX.  Registration begins at 8:00 a.m.  Program begins at 9:00 a.m.   2-IPM, 2-Laws and Regulations, and 1-Drift Minimization CEUs will be offered.  Guest speakers at this year’s pesticide recertification conference include:  Corrie Bowen with a presentation on the Auxin Specific Herbicide Applicator Training, which is a new EPA and TDA required training for applicators applying Xtendimax, Engenia, or FeXapan formulations of dicamba on dicamba-tolerant technology cotton and soybeans in 2018; Dr. Joe Paschal will educate the audience on Ticks and the Texas Fever Tick; Melissa Barton, TDA Pesticide Inspector will address updates to TDA Pesticide Laws and Regulations;  Mr. Stephen Janak, Invasive Species of the Upper Gulf Coast; and Dr. Mark Matocha will speak on Drift Minimization.  Cost is $35.00 payable to the Wharton County Row Crops Committee.  A lunch is included.  Please register by January 30, 2018 through the AgriLife Extension Wharton County Office at 979-532-3310, or download a flyer and registration form online at http://wharton.agrilife.org

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  On Wednesday the 31st, there will be an Auxin Specific training at the Jackson County Services Building Auditorium at 9:00am. Please RSVP with the Jackson county Agrilife Extension Office at (361)782-3312.

  Wednesday January 31st there will also be an Auxin Specific training and 3 CEU event at the fairgrounds in Bay City. The event will start at 8:30am, contact the Matagorda County Agrilife Extension office at (979)245-4100 for more information.

  Have a great week, everyone.

Sincerely,

Kate Harrell

RESCHEDULED - Grain Handlers Conference and Western Rice Belt Conference

Howdy everyone,

The Grain Handlers Conference and Western Rice Belt Conference were cancelled this week, and have been rescheduled for next week. The Western Rice Belt Conference will on Wednesday the 24th, and the Grain Handlers Conference will be on Thursday the 25th. Please see the updated fliers below.

Stay warm, everyone!

Kate

Grain Handlers Conference and Western Rice Belt Conference

Howdy everyone,

  Dr. Bowling recently posted another addition to his Rolling with Bowling covering some good information on entomopathogenic fungi, specifically fungi that kill sugarcane aphids. His article and a some great video footage of the fungus can be found here.
  We have two conferences coming up next week, The Grain Handler's Conference (5 CEUs) and the Western Rice Belt Conference (2 CEUs). Please check out Corrie's news releases on these events and the flyers below. Stay warm this weekend!

Sincerely,

Kate

25th Annual Upper Gulf Coast Grain Handlers Conference - January 16, 2018

By Corrie Bowen

County Extension Agent

Wharton County

The 25th annual Upper Gulf Coast Grain Handlers Conference will be held on Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at the El Campo Civic Center.  Kicking off with registration at 8:00am,  the program will begin at 8:25 am and should conclude around 3:30 pm.  A catered lunch will be provided.  Five CEUs (2 IPM; 1 L&R; 2 General)  will be offered to all TDA pesticide applicators that sign in at the beginning of the meeting and remain through the closing of the program.  No structural credits offered.

The cost of the program is $20.00 per person preregistered by January 12th or $25.00 per person at the door.  To preregister, please contact the Colorado County Extension Office and we will send a form to you.   Program Topics and Speakers Include: TDA Pesticide Laws & Regulations Update, Live Insect ID for Stored Grain, Importance of Bin Sanitation & Cleaning Techniques, Safety & Handling of Pesticides, an OSHA Update. For more information or to pre-register, call 979-732-2082.  Texas A&M AgriLife Extension provides equal opportunities in its programs and employment to all persons, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.  The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating.  Individuals with disabilities who require an auxiliary aid, service or accommodation in order to participate in this meeting are encouraged to contact the County Extension Office at (979) 732-2082 prior to the meeting to determine how reasonable accommodations can be made.

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Western Rice Belt Conference and Texas Rice Council Annual Meeting - January 17, 2018

The annual Western Rice Belt Production Conference will be held on Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at the El Campo Civic Center.  Registration for the conference will begin at 7:45 a.m., with the main program to begin at 8:10 a.m.  After a catered lunch, provided by area agribusiness sponsors, the program will conclude at 2:15 p.m. 

This joint effort of our Western Rice Belt planning committee, The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, U.S. Rice Producers Association, and Texas A&M AgriLife Research will offer growers and others the opportunity to hear presentations from the top Extension and Research scientists from Texas as well as respected individuals from the rice industry.  Topics and speakers will include:  Association updates from U.S. Rice Producers and USA Rice; Rice Boards in Texas; The Outlook for Rice in 2018”, Dennis Delaughter; Rice Disease Management Update, Dr. Shane Zhou; Weed Management Update, Dr. Muthu Bagavathiannan; Insect Management in Rice, Dr. Mo Way; Pesticide Laws and Regs Update, Greg Baker; and a 2018 Farm Bill Update from Dr. Joe Outlaw.  The Texas Rice Council will also conduct their Annual Meeting in conjunction with the 2018 Western Rice Belt Conference.  The Texas Rice Council will conduct their producer elections during the lunch hour, following the announcement of the Rice Poster Contest results.

For more information, contact the Texas AgriLife Extension office in Colorado County at 979-732-2082; or Wharton County at 979-532-3310; or go to http://wharton.agrilife.org and click on Events to view a flyer for the Rice Conference. 2  CEU’s (1 L&R and 1  IPM) for TDA Pesticide Applicators will be awarded at this event.  CCA hours have been applied for and will be offered pending approval.  Pesticide Applicators are reminded to provide their Pesticide Applicator License number at registration.

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Feed Grain and Cotton Conference

Howdy everyone,

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas break and a happy new year. There are several conferences coming up, the first one being the Feed Grain and Cotton Conference. Check out Corrie's news release and the flyer for this conference below.

Feed Grain and Cotton Production Conference at Crescent – January 11, 2018

By Corrie Bowen

County Extension Agent

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Wharton County

Feed Grain and Cotton Producers and industry professionals need to mark their calendars for Thursday, January 11, 2018 for the Upper Gulf Coast Feed Grain and Cotton Conference.   This year’s conference will be held in Crescent Hall at the Wharton County Fairgrounds at 6036 FM 961 Road

Wharton, Texas 77488.  Registration begins at 8:00 a.m., with our first speaker beginning at 8:30 a.m.  The conference will conclude after the lunch meal at 12:00 noon.  3 CEUs will be awarded to pesticide license holders with the Texas Department of Agriculture ; and CEUs for Certified Crop Advisors will be offered.  Thanks to our generous sponsors, no registration fee will be charged.  

The Feed Grain section of the conference will address the following topics:  2017 Grain and Disease Control Trials & High Plans Fumonisin and How It Relates to Local Corn – Dr. Tom Isakeit, Extension Plant Pathologist; and 2017 Grain Variety Trials and Research Update - Dr. Ron Schnell, Assistant Professor and State Cropping Systems Specialist. 

The cotton section of the conference will begin with an update on Cotton Bollworm resistance – Kate Harrell, Extension Agent Integrated Pest Management.  For 2018 special training will be required  for the new dicamba formulations applied on tolerant cotton and soybean crops, according to Environmental Protection Agency labeling revisions.   TDA is requiring auxin-specific herbicide training for those using the new formulations of dicamba (Xtendimax, FeXapan and Engenia. The auxin training is required for all applicators including licensed applicators and unlicensed applicators who spray under a licensed applicator. Xtendimax, FeXapan and Engenia were approved for use in XtendFlex, the dicamba-tolerant cotton from Monsanto. Training is not required for the use of Enlist, the new 2,4-D tolerant cotton from Dow AgroSciences.  Participants attending the January 11th Feed Grain and Cotton Conference will receive the Auxin Specific training as part of the conference, presented by our new AgriLife Extension State Weed Specialist, Dr. Scott Nolte.

The cotton section of the conference will continue with Cotton Foliar Pathogens & Fungicides Update on FOV Race 4 Fusarium Wilt – Dr. Tom Isakeit.  We’ll follow with a Cotton RACE Trial Update/Current Cotton Research Update by Dr. Gaylon Morgan, Extension Cotton Specialist.  A lunch at 12 noon provided by our sponsors will conclude the 2018 Upper Gulf Coast Feed Grain and Cotton Conference.

For more information or for a copy of the conference flyer, go to http://wharton.agrilife.org, or contact Stacey at the Wharton County Extension Office at (979) 532-3310, or stacey.shanks@ag.tamu.edu.  Please call or email Stacey by 12 noon on January 10th just to let us know that you’ll be attending.

The members of Texas A&M AgriLife will provide equal opportunities in programs and activities, education, and employment to all persons regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity and will strive to achieve full and equal employment opportunity throughout Texas A&M AgriLife.

The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating.  Individuals with disabilities who require an auxiliary aid, service or accommodation in order to participate in any Extension activity, are encouraged to contact the County Extension Office for assistance 5 days prior to the activity.

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