By Kay Ledbetter
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will host the 25th annual Wheatheart Wheat Conference on Aug. 10 at the Ochiltree County Expo Center, 402 Expo Drive in Perryton.
Those attending the event will hear educational topics related to wheat marketing, variety selection and insect and weed management, said Scott Strawn, AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent for Ochiltree County.
“The 2023 wheat crop in Ochiltree County and surrounding counties was the worst crop in over 20 years due to extreme drought beginning in the fall of 2022 until early May,” Strawn said. “Although rains began in May, it was too late.”
He said only the irrigated wheat acres were harvested with yields way below average.
“However, producers are more positive about fall planting,” Strawn said. “Above average rainfall has replenished the soil moisture profile, and the price outlook is strong. Our goal at this conference is to give producers up-to-date information to encourage them to go for it to make a much better crop in 2024.”
Registration is $10 at the door beginning at 8:30 a.m., with the program from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch will be sponsored by Texas Wheat Producers.
One general and one integrated pest management Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be offered to pesticide applicators.
Wheatheart conference agenda
The following topics will be addressed:
– Wheat Market Outlook and Marketing Strategies, Mark Welch, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension economist-grain marketing in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Bryan-College Station.
– General Insect Management Considerations for Wheat, Jose Santiago-Gonzalez, AgriLife Extension entomologist in the Department of Entomology, Amarillo.
– Variety Selection for High Grain and Forage Yields, and Weed Management Consideration, Jourdan Bell, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension agronomist in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Amarillo.
– Update from Texas Wheat Producers Board and Association, Darby Campsey, Texas Wheat Producers director of communications and producer relations, Amarillo.