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Southwestern cotton rust disease found in Gaines County

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service announced that southwestern cotton rust disease has been spotted in fields in western and southern Gaines County and along the county line between Cochran and Hockley counties. 
 
AgriLife Extension specialists say the severity of the disease is still low, and fungicide application is not yet necessary – but producers should be aware of the symptoms.
 
Southwestern cotton rust, caused by the fungus Puccinia cacabat, only affects cotton and grama grasses.
 
 
A later-stage cotton rust lesion on the upper side of a leaf. 
 
With the disease, yellow lesions first appear on the upper side of the leaf that later turns into a red-to-orange lesion with a yellow halo. On the lower side of the leaf, yellow aeciospores are observed. When touched, fungal spores stick to the finger. 
 
 
Yellow aecia cups on the lower side of a leaf. 
 
“Cotton rust symptoms were intermediately prevalent across the fields; however, disease severity was very low,” said Cecilia Monclova-Santana, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension cotton specialist, Lubbock. “About one to two lesions, aecia cups, per leaf were observed.” 
 
The disease can traditionally be found in the Trans-Pecos area, where many grama grasses are found. Primary inoculum is believed to be blown from the Pecos area, Monclova-Santana said.
 
The fungus produces three kinds of spores on Bouteloua, Chloris and Casthestecum grasses, including basidiospores, which can then infect cotton. Aeciospores are produced on cotton and can infect grama grasses, but there is no plant-to-plant transfer. The disease requires rainfall of about 1 inch or more, followed by 12 to 18 hours of high relative humidity to fully develop.
 
Although Monclova-Santana does not yet think treatment is necessary, should southwestern cotton rust spread, there are effective fungicide treatments available. Plants, however, must be treated before they have southwestern cotton rust.
 
“Any fungicide spray has to be done prior to the disease first showing up,” she said. “The fungicide needs to be applied before a rain event in order to prevent infection. Once the disease is established, it’s there. When the disease shows early in the season it can cause defoliation, and losses up to 75% have been reported in the U.S. However, this is not the case right now.”
 
 
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Why Rob Saik is Trying to Build the World’s Most Connected Agriculture Network

Video: Why Rob Saik is Trying to Build the World’s Most Connected Agriculture Network

In a recent interview at the SeedLink Conference in Brandon, Man., Rob Saik, author, speaker, and CEO of AGvisorPRO, took a trip down memory lane, reminiscing about the beginnings of his career and what the future holds.

Graduating from the University of Alberta in 1983, Saik embarked on a journey that started in Brandon, Man. “I got a job with Elanko, got a U-Haul truck, threw everything I had into it, drove to the Victoria Inn, and lived there for three months while they tried to find an apartment for me to move into. So I started my career in Brandon,” Saik shared.

Fast forward to the present, Saik has evolved into an accomplished author and speaker, traversing the globe to engage in high-level discussions about the future of agriculture and the critical role it plays in feeding the world. Yet, despite his global presence, he finds himself back in Brandon, addressing a group of seed growers. But why? Saik emphasizes the fundamental importance of seeds, stating, “It all begins with a seed, doesn’t it?”

Reflecting on his own experiences as a farmer, Saik expresses his excitement when a planted seed germinates and evolves into a thriving crop. He underscores the significance of technology and breeding in seed development, recognizing the crucial role they play in ensuring farmers can propagate seeds, grow profitable crops, and contribute to global food security.

Saik delves into the challenges faced by the agricultural community, particularly the rapid pace of technological advancements. He believes that the key lies in connecting farmers to experts swiftly, boosting farmers’ confidence in adopting new technologies, and ensuring the timely implementation of these advancements. According to Saik, this approach is crucial for steering agriculture towards sustainability and profitability.

As Saik works on his upcoming book, tentatively titled prAGmatic, he sheds light on its central theme. “The thesis would be that I want to write a book that takes what the consumer wants, challenges what the consumer believes, and positions that against what the farmers can actually do pragmatically,” he explains. The book aims to bridge the gap between consumer expectations and the realistic capabilities of farmers, promoting sustainable intensification as the necessary path to feed the planet.

Looking ahead to 2024, Saik emphasizes the need for enhanced connectivity within the seed industry. He discusses his platform, AgvisorPro, which is designed to facilitate connections between farmers, experts, and companies in a way that transcends conventional social media platforms. Saik envisions a credible, connected agricultural network that goes beyond the noise of platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter.

In a passionate vision for the future, Saik imagines a tool for teachers that allows them to pose questions from students, answered by verified farmers and ranchers. This, he believes, would provide an authentic and valuable educational resource, connecting classrooms with individuals who truly understand the intricacies of agriculture.