EXTENSION REPORT

Wheat Management

Wheat acres have almost doubled again this year in Southwest Alabama.  Here are a few timely management tips for growers in this area.

Fertility:  Fall application of 20-40 units of Nitrogen can increase tillering which increases yield.  Sulfur deficiencies can often be confused with Nitrogen.  Sulfur deficiency symptoms are typically yellowing of the top leaves.  It is most common on deep sandy soils.  If the depth to clay is greater than 16 inches, apply Sulfur.  Ammonium Sulfate or 41-0-0-5 can be applied to supply 15 to 20 lbs. of Sulfur per acre. Micronutrient levels are usually adequate unless soils have been over-limed and have a high pH.  A soil test readily detects these conditions.  If over-limed Zinc (Zn) should be added at 3 lb. elemental Zn per acre.  The availability of Manganese (Mn) declines as the pH goes up, especially in our poorly drained soils.  Soil applications seldom correct the problem since Mn is readily converted to unavailable forms.  Foliar applications of 0.5 pounds of Mn per acre as MnS04 or 0.25 pounds of Mn per acre as Mn chelate will correct deficiencies, but two or more applications may be required.       

Insects:  Scouting for aphids is very important.  In South Alabama, aphids are an any time of year pest.  Aphids are the vector for Barley Yellow Dwarf (BYD) disease that affects wheat and oats.  Many growers have seen BYD on wheat, however, oats are far more susceptible to the disease than wheat.  Know the thresholds of aphids at the different growth stages.  At the 2 to 3 leaf stage the threshold to treat is 1-2 bird cherry-oat aphid per foot of row, or 10 plus greenbugs or sugarcane aphids per foot of row.  When wheat is 6 to 10 inches tall, the threshold is 6 aphids per foot of row.  A good time to scout for aphids is around 25 to 30 days after planting,  during warm spells in January and then again in mid February.  If thresholds are reached, applying a labeled insecticide will pay.  Hessian flies may be a problem unless your wheat is a resistant variety. In South Alabama, there is no truly Hessian fly as there are no true aphid free days.  Scouting for the Hessian fly itself is almost impossible.  However, by spring if you have them you should be able to assess the damage and then determine weather to top dress with Nitrogen or not.  Hessian flies do not attack oats.

Weed Management:  This is one of the more critical parts of intensive wheat management.  The main key is to not let the weeds get away.  For broadleaves, Harmony Extra, 2, 4-D or MCPA are some good options.  For ryegrass Hoelon, Finesse or Osprey are good options.  These herbicides are very dependant upon the correct additives.  Check for replant restrictions on these herbicides.  Many herbicides should be applied only during certain stages of wheat development to avoid crop injury.

Estate Planning

In our county, less than 40% of our citizens have made an estate plan for the distribution of their assets after they die. Even fewer, less than 20%, of younger couples have developed a will to cover the guardianship of their children if they should both die at the same time. Among African Americans, 83% have not left a will of any kind. Why is this such a problem?

            If you do not leave instructions in the form of a will or a trust, the State of Alabama will decide who gets your property and who will gain custody of your children. The property decisions will be made by the probate judge in your county. Any legal heir can lay claim to your property if you do not leave a will. If no legal heirs can be found, the State Of Alabama will take your property.

            The Alabama Cooperative Extension System will be holding two Estate Planning Workshops in Fairhope on January 14th, and 15th, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Fairhope Public Library on Fairhope Ave. On Jan. 28th, and 29th, there will be evening classes held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the same location. Rick Zapata, Regional Extension Agent, will conduct the workshop.

            On the first evening, the program will provide information on Probate Law, Estate and Gift Taxes and Will Design. There will be time allotted for questions and answers in each session. Each participant will be given a Living Will and Health Care Proxy for their personal use.

            On the second evening, the topics will include Reverse Mortgages in Estate Planning and the various types of Trusts. Some Medicaid Law will also be discussed in relation to Estate Planning. They will also discuss the use of Life Insurance Plans to fund an Estate Plan for children and grandchildren.

            The workshop classes are free to the public since they are sponsored by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. The classes are taught so that everyone can learn and a lot of common sense examples will be used to help the participants design a workable estate plan.

            Even if you have already designed a plan, you would benefit from the information provided. If you have put off making a plan, this is a good opportunity to get the information to enable you to get started on a plan for your family and estate. For more information and to register, you can call the Baldwin County Extension Office in Bay Minette at 251-937-7176 or Rick Zapata, Regional Extension Agent at 334-703-2276. 

Email address: rpetcher@aces.edu
Phone number: 937-7176 or 943-5611, 928-0860, ext. 2222

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.