Groundwater Decline More Complicated Than Irrigation

Ground water across Texas has declined over the last eight years.  Mostly due to irrigation in agriculture and population growth.  However, a Texas A&M AgriLife Research study has identified other factors having an impact.

Groundwater decline has been the most server in the last four decades.  But not all the news is bad according to Dr. Srinivasulu Ale, AgriLife Research geospatial hydrology assistant professor in Vernon.

In a recent interview with South West Farm Press, Dr. Ale, who help write the book "Long-term (1930-2010) trends in groundwater levels in Texas: Influences of soils, land cover and water use," along with Dr. Sriroop Chaudhuri, said they conducted the study because by 2060 the states population is expected to double.  This will increase the demand for water at a time when water supply is expected to be reduced by 10%.

"We wanted to know which areas are more vulnerable to water shortages," he said.  "In order to plan and implement strategies to deal with the water level declines, we needed to know how these levels were declining spatially and temporally."

BASF Commitment to Research

What is BASF researching?  And what is the amount of effort and money they are putting in?  Markus Heldt, President, BASF Crop Protection recently answered those questions in an interview by Agriculture.com.

Harvest Tips

Wheat harvest has begun across the country.  Agriculture.com wanted to give you a few tips about harvesting and double planting soybeans.

The ideal moisture to harvest wheat is between 20% to 14%.  Below 14% you'll start to see yield loss.  Rain can also lower test weight and quality if below 14%.  Air drying the wheat will give you the best quality.  For long term storage make sure the wheat is dried to 12.5%.

If you notice head scab, be sure to increase your fan speed and use air to blow out the light, discolored kernels.  If you're going to store wheat with head scab, be sure to dry it quickly down to 13% to help stop the spread.  Below is a picture of wheat with head scab.

Remember that 17 kernels per square foot left behind the combine is about 1 bu./A.

Cut the wheat at 8 to 12 inches.  The taller stubble helps maintain soil moisture and encourages more height from the double crop soybeans.

If you are planning to store to stubble, keep in mind the fertilizer you are removing.  Wheat straw can remove 0.68 lbs of P205 per bushel and 2.03 lbs of K20 per bushel.  So 80 bushel wheat straw will remove 54.4 lbs of P205 and 162.4 lbs of K20.

If you are not planning on baling the straw, be sure to setup your combine to spread evenly across the field.  This will help even out double planting soy beans.

Double Planting Soybeans

When planting double crop soybeans select a medium to long season variety.  It normally takes soybeans 90 days to mature, so be sure to give yourself time for the average first frost.  

For the best double crop, make sure to plant 15" rows and narrow.  We want to encourage fast growth and a quick canopy.  Plant higher than normal populations, most double crop soybeans are planted in 15" rows at 200,000+ and 220,000+.

The most important thing to remember is to plant with good moisture.  Good seed to soil contact with moisture equals quick emergence and a higher yield.

Michelin's New Tire

Delta Farm Press recently announced that Michelin North America is going to introduce a new extension to its popular AgriBib lineup later this year.

The new Michelin AgriBib 480 95 R50 model is a taller sized, rear fitment tire designed primarily for larger, front-wheel assist tractors to handle bigger loads.  It can also be used during crop applications on large, four wheel drive machines.

James Crouch, farm segment marketing manager for Michelin North America, said the Michelin AbriBib 480 95 R50 features ride quality compared to some of the best in the market.  It has long lasting tread, better traction and impressive clean-out.

Michelin is going to partner with John Deer and Case New Holland on the launch into the North American market.  This will take place in the fourth quarter of 2014.  Initially the tire will be available on new equipment purchases and then later available as a replacement tire.

For more information go to Michelin Media.