New Mexico

Farmers in eastern New Mexico and West Texas can learn about Wheat production and variety selection at the 2005 Wheat Field Day at the Agricultural Science Center at Clovis on May 13. The field day is free to all and will include speakers from New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma. Winter Wheat is such a major crop in this area, and a Wheat field day to inform growers of varietal differences and management alternatives is very necessary.

Mark Marsalis, NMSU Extension agronomist at the Clovis center, is conducting a winter small grain forage variety trial that is looking at the relative production potential of wheat, rye, oats, and triticale for ensiling purposes. Preliminary results will be presented. Marsalis will also give an overview of an ongoing field bindweed, herbicide study being conducted by Mark Renz, NMSU Extension weed specialist, in conjunction with local grower and Curry County agent, Stan Jones.

Brent Bean, Extension agronomist with the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station in Amarillo, will discuss Wheat variety trial results from Texas and New Mexico locations. Research plots consisting of over 30 varieties will be available for attendees to observe during the field tour.

Because this year's growing season has presented some unique climatic challenges that have contributed to Wheat insect and disease occurrences, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station research scientist, Karl Steddom, will present an update on the current status of Wheat diseases in the area and how to manage for these diseases.

The majority of Wheat grown in our area is red wheat, but white Wheat may be just as productive and of superior grain quality to red Wheat in many instances. If given a choice, millers and consumers often prefer white Wheat to red wheat. Area growers are concerned that marketing options for white Wheat are limited and they will not be able to sell their product at harvest. However, it appears that new markets are opening up for white Wheat and demand is improving. Bob Dietrick, a Wheat producer in the Oklahoma Panhandle, will talk about his experiences with white Wheat production and the potential for this crop to be a profitable alternative to red wheat. Mark Hodges, director of the Oklahoma Wheat Commission, will bring his expertise to the discussion of marketing potential of white wheat, both locally and internationally.

We are very excited about the panel of speakers lined up for the field day and believe they will be able to provide a wealth of information to our area Wheat growers. Please come out and join us for a very informative afternoon.

The field day begins with registration at 1:30 p.m. and will conclude at 4:45 p.m. New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas Pesticide and Certified Crop Advisor CEU's have been applied for and likely will be available at this meeting. To get to the science center, travel 13 miles north of Clovis on Hwy 209, turn west on to SR 288, and the center is 1.3 miles on the left past Palla Dairy.

For more information contact: Mark Marsalis, Extension agronomist, 505-985-2292, marsalis@nmsu.edu.

Date: 4/21/05