The recent Texas weather means local farmers need to be cautious while inspecting crops. Critters big and small also get displaced and are on the move during flood events. Read on for more information from Bob Little of El Campo Rice Farmers Coop, Inc.

The 3rd tropical storm, Colin, made landfall this morning on the west coast of Florida. TS Colin is the earliest a 3rd tropical storm has ever formed in the Atlantic Basin. Typically, the formation of the 3rd storm is August 13th. The previous record was June 12, 1887.

Fifteen years ago, June 6, 1991, TS Allison formed off the upper Texas Gulf Coast and made landfall near Galveston producing one of the most devastating urban flood events experienced in Harris County. This info was largely taken from an email sent by Dan Bradshaw from the Harris County Flood Control District meteorologist. Some additional flooding info that I received from Dan that was made available by the National Weather Service is mind boggling:

Below is a picture that might make you think about being more careful when checking your crops. This critter was injured, as you can tell, and had to be killed by a game warden on CR 355 near Meadowbrook Dr. down from Rice Belt Seed Plant this morning. Be careful where you step these days, you never know what is waiting for you.

The early rice is heading now. Be on the lookout for sheath blight and other diseases. Tilt or Propiconazole should be applied at full boot for control of kernel smut. Quadris should be applied if sheath blight meet an economic threshold. Naturally, if you have a history of sheath blight the current weather conditions may warrant an application. There are several generic products that are quite economic. As mentioned before keep an eye out for the rice planthopper. There are not any reports of them in the area as of this letter. Mo Way feels that there is a strong chance that they will show up.

Thanks,
Bobby Little