Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Research Update (February 12, 2014)

Diligence Technologies Inc., West Tennessee

Winter meetings continue to take up a good bit of our time as we travel around to learn what is new and catch up with old friends.  Look for us at the following meetings in the coming month:

- Cotton Focus (Feb. 13), Jackson, TN
- Rice Technical Working Group (Feb. 18-21), New Orleans, LA
- Memphis Ag Club (Feb. 24), Memphis, TN
- Midsouth Farm & Gin Show (Feb. 28-Mar. 1), Memphis, TN
- Southeastern Brach ESA Meeting (Mar. 2-4), Greenville, SC

Although it may not seem like it, burndown season is not far away.  A few warm days and we will out in the field kicking off another research season.  We have had good populations of annual bluegrass and henbit so far this winter.  We usually see the most emergence of glyphosate resistant horseweed in late winter and early spring, so I look for this weed to make its annual appearance soon.

Wheat is holding up well considering the cold temperatures.  We certainly have not seen the growth and pretty green color we get under milder conditions, but a few warm days and a shot of nitrogen should have wheat in pretty good shape.  We do have some extra wheat planted for spring fungicide and herbicide trials, so let us know if you have some spring wheat work to go out.

A special acknowledgement to James Whitehead for being our "toughest" cooperator of the season so far.  You don't get many folks who want to tour plots when it is 20 degrees outside.

The cold weather continues to hold on in this part of the world with below normal temperatures becoming a daily occurrence.  On the bright side, maybe we will have a few less fireants to deal with this summer.

Hope you are all having a good winter and look forward to working with you again this season.

Proverbs 12:24
The hand of the diligent shall bear rule, but the slothful shall be put to forced labor.