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Theapress-Star

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

State wheat production forecast on rise

The Oklahoma winter report by the USDAwheat production is NASS Oklahoma Field forecast at 159.1 million Office. bushels, up 3 percent Acres harvested for from last month, and grain, at 4.3 million 126 percent above last acres, are up 1.1 million year, according to the from last year. acres June Crop Production Average yield is forecast at 37 bushels per lion bushels, up 13 peracre, up 1 bushel from cent from 2011. the previous month fore- The area expected to cast, and 15 bushels be harvested for grain or above 2011. seed totals 35.6 million The United States acres, up 10 percent winter wheat production from last year. is forecast at 1.68 bil- Based on June 1 con-

Redbud pest rolling up trouble

BY BROOK BRADBURY Extension Educator Recently we've had many inquiries about redbud leaves appearing brownish and all rolled up. If you inspect the leaves carefully you will find a caterpillar all wrapped up inside. If you unfold the leaf, a caterpillar scurries off the leaf, often hanging from a silken thread or dropping to the ground; the culprit, the redbud leaffolder. In Oklahoma this insect often causes severe damage to the foliage of redbuds, but rarely kills a tree. The characteristic injury is folding the edge of the leaf onto the upper surface and fastening it down with strands of silk. Where the infestation is heavy there may be from two to four folded areas on a leaf. Leaves may also be tied to each other or to nearby surfaces. In the folded areas the larvae feed on the upper surface layer of the leaf. This brings about the drying out of the leaf and it turns brown. When the damage is severe the leaves die and drop from the trees. The adult is a small moth. The eggs are oval, white, and very small. Small larvae are white, but during the latter part of the next to last instar, dark alternating cross bands appear. The mature larva has alternating white and black bands and is about 1/2 inch long. The dark brown pupa is held to a leaf by a sparse, loosely made web. The first step to control is sanitation, gathering leaves as they drop from the tree, especially in the fall, to remove overwintering pupae. If there are only a few on the tree they can be handpicked or merely squished while they are still folded up in the leaf. Insecticides may provide satisfactory control as long as you catch the caterpillars early in the season while they are still young and not completely folded up in the leaf. Once they wrap themselves up in the leaf they are protected. Insecticides that may provide control are those containing carbaryl, esfenvalerate, insecticidal soaps, malathion, neem oil, spinosad, and Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (B.t.). These are contact insecticides or must be ingested by the larvae to be effective, that is why it is difficult to get good control with this type of insect and why timing is critical. B.t. is a bacterial insecticide that specifically targets larvae in the moth and butterfly family. When larvae ingest B.t. they stop feeding, but the larvae don't die right away. Systemic products would be more effective, but the only one readily available to the homeowner is acephate and it is not labeled for use on redbud. Using products containing acephate on redbud could result in tree damage. For more information about Agriculture, please contact the Grady County OSU Cooperative Extension Service at 224-2216.

ditions, the yield is fore- percent; and Colorado, cast at 47.3 bushels per 87.6 million bushels, up acre, up 1.1 bushels 13 percent. from last year. The entire report is Selected states and online at: www.nass. their winter wheat pro- usda.gov/ok. duction compared with The national database, 2011 include Kansas, Quick Stats, and al 387 million bushels, up USDA-NASS reports 40 percent; Texas, 103.9 are also available on th million bushels, up 110 agency's web site.

Fallin to make keynote address at luncheon

The United Negro College Fund the nation's largest and most effective education assistance organization, announced that Oklahoma Gov. Mary Falli will host and serve as the keynote speaker for its inaugural Oklahoma Governor's Luncheon on Jun 28. The luncheon will be at noon at the Oklahom History Center in Oklahoma City. The luncheon supports UNCF's mission of ensuring every child gets a good education from preschool through college. Proceeds will create a scholarship program benefiting economically disadvantaged college students based in Oklahoma attending Langston University, UNCF member institutions and other fully accredited U.S. colleges and universities. "Because a college education can open so many doors, UNCF works to ensure our future leaders have the opportunity to get the college degrees they need and our nation needs them to have," sai Michael L. Lomax, Ph.D, UNCF president an CEO. "The level of commitment in our community, and this investment in future scientists, teachers, business owners, lawyers and doctors, helps prepar young students to compete in an ever changing global economy." "It is my pleasure to support UNCF and Langsto University with their important higher educatio missions. As a state we must continue to help Oklahoma families send their children to college", Falli said. "During these challenging economic times, investment in education must continue to be a priority." In addition to the governor's keynote speech, th program will include remarks from Lomax, Langston University President Dr. Kent J. Smith, Jr. and performance by Langston University Chorale. The luncheon will be preceded by a VIP receptio for sponsors and honored guests. "UNCF is grateful to Governor Fallin and Langston University for their partnership in this effort. It's so important to help deserving yet financially disadvantaged students get to and through college." said Diane Stephenson, UNCF's area developmen director. "A more college-educated workforce will increase the future prosperity of Oklahoma and ou nation. The support of sponsors and the community will change the lives of students and the communities in which they live and work." The luncheon is presented by AT&T. Other sponsors include American Airlines, BNSF Railway, LaFarge Building Materials, the Charles & Lyn Schusterman Family Foundation, OG&E Energy Corp, OneOK Inc. and XOut! Exclusion. Sponsors benefits are still available starting a $3,500, reserved tables are $1,500 and individual tickets are $100. For more information, to purchase tables, tickets or to make a donation towards the scholarship program, contact Stephenson at the UNCF office: (972) 234-1007 ext. 1002 or via email at: diane.stephenson@uncf.org . Additional event information can be found www.uncf.org .

Student loan interest rate hike looms

BY JAMES LOCKHART State Representative I am very concerned about the possibility that without Congressional intervention, the interest rates of college student loans will double come July. As a state legislator I am worried about the economic impact this will have for the 40-60 percent of college graduates that do not have a job in their respective field. College graduates ages 24 and younger face an uncertain job future that is only going to get more difficult if we continue to turn out graduates without what a business executive recently defined as "the skills we need." For those fortunate to have secured a job in today's economic climate, many will discover how hard it is to stretch a paycheck to cover the bills especially when you factor in student loan repayments, which are calculated under the incomebased repayment plan to garnish 10 percent of your disposable (after-tax) income. Much of the debt-for-diploma fiasco facing college graduates in rooted in a monumental government shift in which the focus has not been on making college more affordable, but simply more financeable through student loans. The lion's share of two and four-year degree recipients need financial assistance to attend college, and as state and federal aid continues to decrease the cost of tuition and fees increase. Students in need who once received grants now must borrow to pay the skyrocketing cost of attending a university. According to the Wall Street Journal, the class of 2011 is the most indebted in U.S. history, with an average debt burden of nearly $23,000. USA Today has reported that total student loan debt in the U.S. is on track to exceed $1 trillion this year, having surpassed credit card debt. Given my interest in both K-12 and secondary education, I am proud to be a member of the newlyformed bipartisan Education Caucus in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. One of the top priorities of the Education Caucus is to improve communication and awareness among Members in the House in order to facilitate a better understanding of education issues facing our state. However, the ultimate goal of any education policy drafted will hopefully be to give students the tools they will need to enter the workforce, and to find creative means to lower the albatross of a high debt-for-diploma ratio. I am somewhat hopeful we can prevent student interest rates from doubling, as both parties in Washington D.C. say they want the same resolution, which is a low rate on student loans for one more year. I hope they reach an agreement before the July 1 deadline. Doubling interest rates on student loans will only make it even harder for young adults who already face a challenging future.

Marines get civilian firearms training

Blanchard Carpet & Tile

is relocating to
OK2A Deputy Director Don Spencer poses with the Anti-Tank Company, 4th Marine Division out of Broken Arrow at Camp Gruber. Also pictured are State Rep. and Company 1st Sgt. John Bennett at Spencer's left and Maj. Bryan Cornelius of Sapulpa, back. At the request of state proficient in the use of the rights guaranteed in state. Rep. John Bennett, the firearms, know gun our Constitution," he "My Marines enjoyed OK 2nd Amendment safety and are law-abid- said. "I couldn't think of the class. We appreciate Association offered a ing. a better group of indi- organizations like OK2A company of Marines a "Marines have made viduals that I would who are working to procourse designed to allow sacrifices to protect our want to have licensed to tect and uphold our Secthem to get a license to freedom and specifically carry a firearm in our ond Amendment rights." carry a firearm in Oklahoma. "I am the Company First Sergeant of AntiTank Company, 4th - COIF' LETELY REMOD-LED!' Marine Division out of - 27 HOLE CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF COURSE Broken Arrow," said - NEW YAMAHA GAS GOLF CARTS Bennett, R-Sallisaw. "We were doing our two- - NEW BERMUDA MINI VERDE GREENS week annual reserve - NEW SWIMMING POOL & T s. CO training at Camp Gruber and I asked OK2A Deputy Director Don Spencer D PING R NGE E to provide the class to those Marines who didn't have a license yet. "He said it would be an honor and drove all the way from Oklahoma City to teach the course." www.facebook.comtchickashariverbend Golf Club Bennett said Marines Located North East of Chickasha (405)222-1995 off of the H.E. Bailey Turnpike. are highly trained, very

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