Field Day Focuses On Wheat, Forage Production

Writer: Tim W. McAlavy, (806) 746-6101, email: t-mcalavy@tamu.edu
Contact: Galen Chandler, (940) 552-9941

VERNON – Farmers and stockmen can update their knowledge of wheat production, weed control, and other
forage crops at a May 8 wheat field day sponsored by Texas Cooperative Extension and hosted by AgriPro.

Texas Cooperative Extension is a statewide education agency and a member of The Texas A&M University
System’s diverse Agriculture Program. Extension is linked in a unique partnership with the United States
Department of Agriculture’s Cooperative Extension System, working in close cooperation with the County
Commissioner’s Courts.

The AgriPro farm near Lockett, Texas, will host this event. The farm is west of Vernon on U.S.
Highway 70. The field day begins with registration at 9:30 a.m. Field tours begin at 10 a.m.

Jackie Rudd, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station wheat breeder stationed in Amarillo, will discuss the current
Texas wheat breeding program -- including current, new, and up-and-coming varieties. The latest commercially-
available hard white wheat varieties will be available for first-hand field plot inspection by producers.

Todd Baughman, Extension agronomist at Vernon, will discuss Clearfield wheat technology as well as proven
strategies for chemical weed control. “Clearfield” wheats are varieties bred for herbicide tolerance, much like
Roundup Ready cotton. These varieties may give producers more, and possibly more effective, weed control options
in their wheat crop.

Gaylon Morgan, Extension small grains specialist based at College Station, will discuss how planting dates can
affect optimum forage production.

Art Klatt, Oklahoma State University plant breeder, will discuss the uses and utility of triticale as a forage crop.
Klatt and other researchers are screening winter triticales for their forage production potential -- for use as graze-out
and hay crops that may out-produce hard red winter wheats. The current farm bill includes triticale as a program
crop, with production incentives similar to those for crops such as wheat and oats.

There is no charge to attend, and a lunch will be served. Donnell Brown, RA Brown Ranches, Throckmorton, will
address “Quality Agriculture Programs” as the luncheon speaker.

Field day participants can qualify to earn three continuing education units (CEU’s), noted Galen Chandler, Texas
Cooperative Extension district agriculture director. For more information, call your local county Extension office or
the Texas A&M Research and Extension Center here at (940) 552-9941.