Two years of drought have forced adoption of new technology and management practices in crop irrigation, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialist in Amarillo. Nich Kenny, AgriLife Extension irrigation specialist, said the key factor moving into the 2013 season will be for producers to concentrate on their irrigation management. “There are new water pumping regulations in place, and we are coming off two years of pretty significant drought,” Kenny said. “What that means is on two fronts, these guys are limited to how much water they have available.”

Silage worries have producers asking a lot of questions as spring planting nears, according to a Texas AgriLife Extension Service specialist. Dr. Brent Bean, AgriLife Extension agronomist, said he’s been getting a lot of calls from producers, dairymen and others who found themselves lacking good roughage sources last year for their cattle. “Most of the industry relies on corn silage, which did not do well last year during our extreme drought and high temperatures,” Bean said. “The industry is now looking for an alternative crop that uses less water and can tolerate high temperatures.”

MIAMI, Texas–A Beef Marketing and Risk Management meeting will be held July 25 at the Roberts County Emergency Service Building at 214 S. Main, Miami, according to a Texas AgriLife Extension Service agent.