35th Annual Texas Plant Protection Conference
December 5, 2023
7:30 am – 5 pm
Conference Registration Desk Open
7:30 – 8:30 am
Table-top Displays Set-up
7:30 – 8:30 am
Posters Set Up
9:00 am – 12:00 noon
General Session #1
Moderator: Greg Steele, TPPA President
Moderator: Greg Steele, TPPA President
9:00 - 9:15 am
Welcome & Conference Introduction – Greg Steele, TPPA President
9:15 – 9:30 am
Welcome - Dr. Cliff Lamb, Director Texas A&M AgriLife Research
9:30 – 10:00 am
"Update on New Farm Bill and the Impact on Texas Agriculture"
Joe Outlaw, Regents Fellow, Professor and Extension Economist, Texas A&M University
Joe Outlaw, Regents Fellow, Professor and Extension Economist, Texas A&M University
10:00 – 10:30 am
Break- Visit Displays and Posters
10:30 – 11:00 am
“Crop Insurance: Safety Net Linked to the Farm Program”,
Jacob Little, Agent/Owner, Crop & Range Insurance Services, Hillsboro, Texas
Jacob Little, Agent/Owner, Crop & Range Insurance Services, Hillsboro, Texas
11:00 – 11:30 am
“Digital Farming Solutions for Today and the Future”,
LeAnna Guerin, Data Director of Digital Farming Solutions, Bayer Crop Science, St. Louis MO
LeAnna Guerin, Data Director of Digital Farming Solutions, Bayer Crop Science, St. Louis MO
11:30 – 12:00 noon
“The Endangered Species Act’s Impact on Pesticide Labeling”
“Why you should be paying attention to this issue”,
Todd Baughman, Professor and Weed Scientist, Oklahoma State University
Todd Baughman, Professor and Weed Scientist, Oklahoma State University
12:00 noon – 1:30 pm
Lunch
(on your own)
1: 30 pm – 2:30 pm
Consultant General Session
Justin Chopelas
Justin Chopelas
1:30 – 2:00 pm
“Drones use in Agriculture”,
Arthur Erickson, CEO, Hylio, Inc.
Arthur Erickson, CEO, Hylio, Inc.
2:00– 2:30 PM
“Using Spray Drones in Central Texas”,
Matt Ashcraft, Hillsboro, TX
Matt Ashcraft, Hillsboro, TX
2:30 – 3:00pm
Break ---Poster Review - View Displays
3:00– 3:30 pm
Pest ID Contest
Barron Rector, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Chairman
Barron Rector, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Chairman
3:30 - 5:00 pm
General Session
New Technology & Chemistry (9 slots)
Moderator: Sam Rustom, FMC, sam.rustom@fmc.com
Moderator: Sam Rustom, FMC, sam.rustom@fmc.com
December 6th, 2023
7:30 am – 2 pm
Conference Registration Desk Open
Laws & Regulations - General Session
Moderator: Perry Cervantes
Moderator: Perry Cervantes
8:00 – 8:30 am
TDA Laws & Regulations
8:30 - 9:00 am
Laws and Regulations for Ag Spray Drones
9:00 –10:15 am - Concurrent Sessions
Fertility Management Session
Moderator: Connor Ferguson, Simplot Grower Solutions
Moderator: Connor Ferguson, Simplot Grower Solutions
9:00 – 9:15 am
Nutrient Management across the Texas High Plains
Katie Lewis, Associate Professor, Associate Professor Soil Chemistry and Fertility, Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Texas Tech University, Lubbock
9:15 – 9:30 am
Using Microbial Applications to Unlock the Rhizosphere
Chris Dorman, Senior Account Manager, Innvictis BioScience, Boerne, TX
9:30 – 9:45 am
Optimizing Nitrogen Management in Texas Corn using UAV-based
Multispectral Imagery
Gurjinder Baath, Assistant Professor Digital Agriculture, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Temple, TX
9:45 – 10:00 am
Using Soy Protein to Help Overcome Abiotic Stress
Francis Leier, Key Account Manager and Regional Sales, Hello Nature, Anderson, IN
10:00 – 10:15 am
Soil-water Dynamics in Semi-arid West Texas Cropping Systems
Joseph Burke, Assistant Professor Cropping Systems and Weed Science, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Lubbock
Horticulture / Turf Session:
Moderator: Betsy Pierson, Professor, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX
Moderator: Betsy Pierson, Professor, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX
9:00 – 9:15 am
Research and Extension Needs for Pecan IPM
Dr. Monte Nesbitt, Pecan/Fruit/Citrus Program Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, College Station, TX
Dr. Monte Nesbitt, Pecan/Fruit/Citrus Program Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, College Station, TX
9:15 – 9:30 am
Performance of Thornless Blackberry Cultivars in Texas
Stephen Janak, Olives/Sustainable Fruit Program Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Hallettsville, TX
Stephen Janak, Olives/Sustainable Fruit Program Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Hallettsville, TX
9:30 – 9:45 am
Strategies for Improving and Maintaining Soil Health in Texas Vineyards
Daniel Hillin, Viticulture Program Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Lubbock, TX
Daniel Hillin, Viticulture Program Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Lubbock, TX
9:45 – 10:00 am
From Drought to Flood: Dialing in on Precision Viticulture in Texas
Michael Cook, Viticulture Program Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Denton, TX
Michael Cook, Viticulture Program Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Denton, TX
10:00 – 10:15 am
Temperature, Hydration, and Performance Differences of Soccer Athletes Between Synthetic Turf and Natural Turfgrass in a Hot Environment
Dr. Chase Straw, Assistant Professor Turfgrass Science, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M University College Station, TX
Dr. Chase Straw, Assistant Professor Turfgrass Science, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M University College Station, TX
10:15– 10:45 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Break -Poster Review - View Displays
10:45 – 12:00 pm - Concurrent Sessions
Grain Session
Moderator: Reagan Noland, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Moderator: Reagan Noland, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
10:45 – 11:00 am
New Grass Herbicide Technologies in Sorghum
Dr. Brent Bean, Director of Agronomy, United Sorghum Checkoff
Dr. Brent Bean, Director of Agronomy, United Sorghum Checkoff
11:00 – 11:15 am
Weed Management Update in Corn and Sorghum
Dr. Scott Nolte, Weed Specialist, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
Dr. Scott Nolte, Weed Specialist, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
11:15 – 11:30 am
Aboveground Bt Technology in Corn
Dr. David Kerns, IPM Coordinator, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
Dr. David Kerns, IPM Coordinator, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
11:30 – 11:45 am
New Frontiers in the Genetics of Hessian Fly Resistance in Wheat
Dr. Amir Ibrahim, Small Grains Breeder, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M AgriLife Research. Dr. Ellen Melson, Professor of Agriculture, Grayson College
Dr. Amir Ibrahim, Small Grains Breeder, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M AgriLife Research. Dr. Ellen Melson, Professor of Agriculture, Grayson College
11:45 – 12:00 pm
Update and Vision for Small Grains Testing in Texas
Dr. Brandon Gerrish, Small Grains Specialist, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
Dr. Brandon Gerrish, Small Grains Specialist, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
Pasture & Rangeland
Moderator: James Jackson, Alligare
Moderator: James Jackson, Alligare
10:45 – 11:00 am
Bearing with Burs: Sand Bur management Option
Zach Howard, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, College Station, TX
Zach Howard, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, College Station, TX
11:00 – 11:15 am
Sublethal Herbicide Application Effects on the Chemical Plant Defense of Honey Mesquite
Deanna Brunson, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, San Angelo, TX
Deanna Brunson, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, San Angelo, TX
11:15 – 11:30 am
Envu R&P Product and Label Updates for 2024
Case R. Medlin, Regional Stewardship Mgr., Envu R&P, Paradise, TX
Case R. Medlin, Regional Stewardship Mgr., Envu R&P, Paradise, TX
11:30 – 11:45 am
Principles over Practices, Incentives to Manage Brush
Morgan L. Treadwell, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, San Angelo, TX Jeff Goodwin, Texas A&M AgriLife, College Station, TX.
Morgan L. Treadwell, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, San Angelo, TX Jeff Goodwin, Texas A&M AgriLife, College Station, TX.
11:45 – 12:00 pm
Range and Pasture Market Overview from a Distribution Standpoint
Ethan Westfall, Range and Pasture Specialist Wilbur-Ellis, Dawson,TX
Ethan Westfall, Range and Pasture Specialist Wilbur-Ellis, Dawson,TX
1:30 – 3:00 pm - Concurrent Sessions
Water & Irrigation Management
Moderator: Dana Porter, Texas A&M AgriLife
Moderator: Dana Porter, Texas A&M AgriLife
1:30 – 1:45 pm
Safety Devices for Chemigation
Dana Porter, Ph.D., P.E., Professor and Extension Program Leader, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension, Dept. of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Lubbock,Texas
Dana Porter, Ph.D., P.E., Professor and Extension Program Leader, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension, Dept. of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Lubbock,Texas
1:45 – 2:00 pm
Estimating Crop Water Use: Understanding Evapotranspiration
Thomas Marek, P.E., Senior Research Scientist, and Research Fellow, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Bushland/Amarillo,Texas
Thomas Marek, P.E., Senior Research Scientist, and Research Fellow, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Bushland/Amarillo,Texas
2:00 – 2:15 pm
Field Evaluation, Calibration, and Comparison of Soil Water Sensors
Gary Marek, Ph.D., Agricultural Engineer, USDA-ARS Conservation and Production Systems Laboratory, Bushland, Texas
Gary Marek, Ph.D., Agricultural Engineer, USDA-ARS Conservation and Production Systems Laboratory, Bushland, Texas
2:15 – 2:30 pm
Q&A Panel: Applications, Misapplications, and Interpretations of Crop Water Use Information
Thomas Marek, Gary Marek, Industry Panelists, and Dana Porter
Thomas Marek, Gary Marek, Industry Panelists, and Dana Porter
2:30 – 2:45 pm
Panel: Irrigation Research and Development Trends: What’s New and What’s Next
Thomas Marek, Gary Marek, and Dana Porter
Thomas Marek, Gary Marek, and Dana Porter
2:45 – 3:00 pm
Managing Lower Quality (Salty) Irrigation Water
Dana Porter, Ph.D., P.E., Professor and Extension Program Leader, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension, Dept. of Biological and Agricultural Engineering
Dana Porter, Ph.D., P.E., Professor and Extension Program Leader, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension, Dept. of Biological and Agricultural Engineering
1:30 – 1:45 pm
Methods for Managing Plant Growth in Texas Cotton Production Systems
Ben McKnight, Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist, Department Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, College Station, TX
Ben McKnight, Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist, Department Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, College Station, TX
1:45 – 2:00 pm
Introduction of the First 4-Trait Herbicide Tolerant Cotton: Axant Flex
Jenny Dudak, Zachary Treadway, Todd. Baughman, Ben McKnight, Scott Nolte, and Adam Hixson, Oklahoma State University, Ardmore, OK
Jenny Dudak, Zachary Treadway, Todd. Baughman, Ben McKnight, Scott Nolte, and Adam Hixson, Oklahoma State University, Ardmore, OK
2:00 – 2:15 pm
CotVA: Is it a Virus Sequence of Concern for Cotton Growers?
Olufemi J. Alabi, Associate Professor & Extension Specialist, Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center, Weslaco, TX
Olufemi J. Alabi, Associate Professor & Extension Specialist, Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center, Weslaco, TX
2:15 – 2:30 pm
A Review of Insect Pest Management Research in 2023
David Kerns Professor & IPM Coordinator, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, College Station, TX
David Kerns Professor & IPM Coordinator, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, College Station, TX
2:30 – 3:00 pm
ThryvOn Cotton: What Have We Learned Regarding Its Utility in Texas Cotton
Brady Arthur & David Kerns, Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Brady Arthur & David Kerns, Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX