Blackland Farmer

Ryan and Tyler visit with Dr. Ronnie Schnell, Assistant Professor and Extension Cropping Systems Specialist, about cold weather corn planting decisions.  Episode Notes:  Assessing Frost/Freeze Damage in Corn Publication http://publications.tamu.edu/CORN_SORGHUM/Frost-Freeze%20Damage%20Corn%20final.pdf  

Ryan visits with Agricultural Law Extension Specialist Tiffany Dowell Lashmet, J.D. about the basics of Eminent Domain law in Texas.    Episode Links:    Texas Landowner Bill of Rights:  https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/files/divisions/general-oag/LandownersBillofRights.pdf   Ag Law in the Field Podcast  https://aglaw.libsyn.com/   Texas Agricultural Law Blog https://agrilife.org/texasaglaw/  

Ryan visits with longtime colleague Dr. Tom Isakeit, Professor and Extension Plant Pathologist, about the details of managing aflatoxin in corn. 

Dr. Tony Provin - Professor, Extension Specialist and Director of the Soil, Water, and Forage Testing Laboratory at Texas A&M University - join Tyler and Ryan in the studio for an intro on soil pH and compaction problems in the Blacklands. 

Tyler and Ryan talk with Dr. Allen Knutson, Professor and Extension Entomologist, about the Fall Armyworm situation in 2018. Why was it such a bad year for armyworm damage; what are the best management strategies to deal with this pest? 

Ryan discusses controlling volunteer cotton near gin yards and non-crop field locations. He interviews Dr. Don Renchie, Extension Program Leader for Agricultural and Environmental Safety, about Worker Protection Standards and training requirements for producers using the latest transgenic herbicide technologies in cotton. Ryan also talks with Kate Whitney, County Extension Agent-Horticulture, about her Master Gardener program and recent lettuce variety trial. 

Tyler and Ryan visit with former longtime Williamson County IPM Agent Dale Mott about struggles with the 2018 cotton crop. They discuss plastic contamination, seed sprouting, and dealing with a wet  fall. Dr. Mark Welch, Extension Grain Economist, gives a grain market update and encourages producers to plan on making modest increases in yield and modest decreases in input costs as we look forward to 2019 production. 

The introduction to the Blackland Farmer podcast. Tyler and Ryan discuss information about the upcoming Battle Ground to Breaking Ground Program for veterans.