The Sidney Herald

Traveling with the County Agent
By Dean Davidson, County Extension Agent and Harlow W. Roath, County Agent-at-Large

Crop Troubles

Analysis of some of our winter wheat problems was made by Dr. Eugene Sharp, Plant Pathologist of Montana State College, last week.

Dr. Sharp found that wheat streak mosaic, as described earlier in this column, was not prevalent but that dryland root rot, a mold which affects the seed root and crown of plants, was effective in causing fields to appear more drought affected than they would otherwise be. Since root rot does more damage in dry years, this year's appearance is more or less to be expected.

Army cutworms have caused some damage. This is a dark colored cutworm that appears in spots and cuts off vegetation, spreading out or moving away from a starting point. The use of endrin or dieldrin, sprayed on the vegetation where they work and in a band a few yards wide around the area, has been effective in controlling them. Damage lasts 10 days to two weeks while they are in the larval stage or worm stage. Considerable loss was encountered on the Charles Basta land near Savage during the past week.

Some damage from wire worm has been reported. Most of the damage reported has been from untreated seed. They are crown and root feeders that attack most cereals on dryland and cereals, corn, beans, peas and potatoes on irrigated land. Cereal seeds for spring or fall treating may be treated with 1.5 ounces of aldrin or 1.5 ounces of heptachlor per bushel. For potato ground where damage has been prevalent in the past, use 3 pounds of aldrin or heptachlor per acre as a spray or dust and mix thoroughly with the soil to a depth of 4 to 6 inches. Farmers are cautioned not to use lindane or benzene hexachloride on ground to be planted to potatoes or root crops.

Outlook for Barley Market

At a recent marketing meeting held in Great Falls, Professor Goering presented information on the possibilities for using some of the large supplies of barley now on hand, and some of the potential future production.

According to Professor Goering, starch can be manufactured more cheaply from barley than from corn, and the byproducts are valuable for use as livestock feeds. High protein feeds, bran, and even molasses can be made from the products left from the starch manufacturing process.

Look for commercial development along these lines; they will make a difference.