June 17, 2020 Issue, Page 5 of 9

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Agricultre Wednes: , Sune 17, 2020 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Page 5 Cut those cooling costs by using these tips the thermostat to 78 degrees in tip-top shape. A mainte- For example, use the cook- when at home and use fans nance checkup could help top or grill outside instead of to keep cool while spend- avoid a big problem later. using the oven. While natu- ing less. Obviously, in the Make sure the air ducts in ral light is refreshing, the Oklahoma heat a fan cannot your home are properly in- sun’s heat pouring through replace the air conditioner, sulated, especially those that the windows can raise the but ceiling fans and oscillat- pass through the attic or any temperature in your home. ing fans can help circulate other — non-air-conditioned Keep blinds and drapes cool air in your home. This areas. closed during the day to help is especially important when “Tt could be cost effective block heat. the humidity is high. Turn to have a specialist come in While you will probably the fan off when leaving the to check for holes or leaks see some sort of increase in home. Fans cool people — in the duct work,” Peek said. your utility bills during the not rooms — through a wind “To help ensure air flow, summer months, utilizing Photo submitted by Extension Office. chill effect. make sure furniture does these tips will help consum- Make sure hot air isn’t not obstruct the air condi- ers stay cool without break- From the Beckham Fortunately, there are sev- ily, consumers do not have leaking into the home. Seal tioning vents, Close off un- ing the bank. County Extension Office eral things that can help put to break the bank with cool- cracks and openings and use used rooms and close vents For additional informa- a dent in the cost of keeping ing costs,” she said, offering weather-stripping around in those rooms. Vacuum tion, contact Kristy Spald- When it comes to reducing ahome cool, said Gina Peek, tips to help keep utility bill doors and windows. registers from time to time ing, Beckham and Washita home cooling costs during OSU Extension housing and as low as possible. Homeowners should and remember to change the Counties’ FCS Extension the summer, some people consumer specialist. For example, efficient schedule regular mainte- HVAC air filter.” educator, at 580-928-2139 think adjusting the thermo- “We all know Oklahoma thermostat operations can nance to make certain the Take care not to add heat or kristy.spalding@ okstate. stat is all they can do. summers can be hot. Luck- make a huge difference. Set air conditioning system is with appliances and lighting. edu. The scoop behind powdery mildew of ornamentals From the Beckham may be infected, and pro- fall prematurely. Infected Young succulent growth mildew becomes a problem, methods as well as follow- County Extension Office duction of flowers, fruits, buds may fail to open, and is more severely affected removal and destruction of ing a good spray schedule. Powdery mildew is a or nuts may be affected. If infections can spread to ma- than older tissues. Disease infected plant parts, should When powdery mildew fungal disease that affects diagnosed early, powdery ture flowers, causing flower development is enhanced be practiced. Pruning of many host plants, including mildew can be effectively blight. Also, nuts of the pe- when cool, moist nights are crowded plant material will has been a problem in previ- ornamentals, shrubs, and controlled to prevent severe can can be infected, causing followed by warm daytime also help increase air flow ous years, a recommended trees. On some ornamental damage to plants. a reduction in quality. temperatures. around leaves. This reduces fungicide spray schedule plants, such as rose, lilac, Symptoms — The first sign Hosts (Susceptible Plant Cultural Control of Pow- humidity and thus helps should be started in the crapemyrtle, oak and zin- of the disease is the devel- Species) — Powdery mil- dery Mildews —Several prac- prevent infection. Late sum- spring as new growth devel- nia the disease can be very opment of a white to gray dews are known to occur on tices will reduce or prevent mer application of nitrogen ops. The fungicide should destructive. Severity of the or slightly brownish growth almost all ornamental plants. development of powdery fertilizer should be avoided disease depends upon many of mycelium over the sur- Certain plant species and/or mildew. These practices in- also be applied during the to limit production of suc- factors—variety of the host face of leaves or other parts. varieties are more suscep- volve reducing populations culent tissue, which may flowering period to avoid plant, age and condition of Powdery mildew fungi may tible to the disease than oth- of the fungus in the vicinity be susceptible to powdery blossom blight. For suggest- the plant, time of infection, also attack stems, buds, and ers. In Oklahoma, powdery of the host, changing envi- mildew infection in the fall. ed fungicides refer to your and weather conditions dur- flower petals of various or- mildews are common on ronmental conditions around Water only in the mornings local OSU Extension Office ing the growing season. namental plants. Powdery ash, crapemyrtle, lilac, oak, the host, and selecting more so that the foliage will be dry Although there are sever- or nursery professional. Be mildew infection of broad- photinia, roses, and zinnia. resistant varieties. Before by evening. al different types of powdery leaf plants may cause distor- Conditions Favoring Pow- plants are purchased, it may Chemical Control of Pow- sure to follow the instruc- mildew fungi, a lot of them tion (curling and twisting) dery Mildews — Humid con- be to the homeowner’s ad- dery Mildews — If cultural tions on the label for use on produce similar symptoms and a reduction in size of ditions with widely fluctu- vantage to inquire if the controls fail to prevent dis- specific applications. on plant parts. Plant damage infected leaves. When older ating temperatures increase ornamental variety desired ease build-up or if the dis- For more information con- may range from an unsightly leaves become infected, they the occurrence of powdery has any resistance to pow- ease pressure is too great, tact Greg Hartman Beck- whitish powdery coverage usually show only the white mildew. The disease is com- dery mildew. If only sus- fungicide spraying may be of the foliage to drying out patches of the fungus. In- mon in crowded plantings ceptible varieties are avail- necessary. The best course ham/Washita County Ex- and browning of infected fected leaves may become where air circulation is poor able, avoid planting in low, of action is to combine both tension at 580-928-2139 or leaves. In some plants, buds distorted, turn yellow, and and in damp, shaded areas. shady locations. If powdery approaches, using cultural 580-832-3356. Oklahoma wheat harvest yields above average Southwest not faring as well, though By Jet Turner, Enid News normal.” homa, said Mike Schulte, Schulte said he still is hop- going to be one of the best kind of set in for these guys & Eagle ADM Milling and Grain executive director of Okla- ing for an 11% protein aver- quality crops that we have pretty good, giving a pretty Wheat harvest is fully un- is seeing test weights aver- homa Wheat Commission. age for the state. had to market in a long good window to get some derway in Oklahoma as it age between 63-65 pounds Southwest and south-cen- “We have had producers time.” big acres cut out,” said Ty- moves from the Oklahoma- per bushel. Dacoma Co-op’s tral Oklahoma are not faring that have made really good Enterprise Grain intro- Texas border toward the average is around 64 pounds as well, however. management decisions, and duced a protein premium a ler Nabors, a producer di- Oklahoma-Kansas _ border, per bushel, with its highest “(Southwest and south- because of that they are go- few years ago, meaning the rect merchandiser for ADM showing high yields and test around 67 pounds. central crops) are not faring ing to benefit from those company will pay farmers Grain. weights well above aver- Dacoma Co-op general as well due to the late freeze high protein numbers,” with protein above a cer- Despite the disappointing age due to low stress in the manager Jake Kelln said the conditions we had on April Schulte said. tain level. Farmers with low protein, optimism is high wheat. high test weight is due to fer- 15,” Schulte said. Looking at test weights, protein will not get the pre- for what this high-yield and Test weights are measured tilization and weather condi- Low stress on the wheat protein functionality and mium. high-test weight product can in bushels, which are typi- tions. may have produced a high yield, Schulte said it should Wheat with lower protein cally about 60 pounds. En- “The crop was never really yield and test weight, but it be an “extremely favorable still will be bought, just with do for local farmers, millers, terprise Grain Co. President stressed for the most part in also has produced a low pro- crop” for what a miller and a lower bid to the farmers, co-ops and more. Brady Sidwell said tests our area,” Kelln said. “We tein percentage in the wheat. baker are going to want, es- Sidwell said. “This is a really good deal weights this year are some had consistent moisture. And low percentage pro- pecially when it comes to Favorable weather condi- in our time,” Kelln said. “It’s of the highest he has ever When the plant needed to tein means it is less mar- flour extraction due to the tions also have producers a bright spot in our local seen, around 66 pounds per grow, it grew, and it was not ketable to producers. Flour heavier test weights. moving quickly to get the news and the farmers needed bushel. stressed.” mills, for example, look for “That's a good indication 2020 crop out. Oklahoma’s “Test weights are actu- Yields have been good for about 12% or higher protein that there is going to be more harvest is about 35% com- these high yields and it’s go- ally excellent,” Sidwell said. the state, averaging about wheat, Sidwell said. This mass in the kernel for more plete. ing to make them profitable “So, when it’s 66 (pounds) 30-60 bushels per acre in year’s crop is producing as product to be extracted,” “The weather, minus this year. That’s always wel- vou know it’s well above central and northern Okla- low as 7.8% in some places. Schulte said, “I think this is (Tuesdav) and the wind. has come.”