A Few Other Oilseed Crops

1. A Few Other Oilseed Crops Oilseed Flax

3. Camelina • Spring and winter types, small plant • Limited contracting in Ft. Stockton/Pecos area • Biodiesel plant in Gaines Co. asking questions about growing • Statewide testing of initial fall 2007/early spring seedings in 2008 did not do well

4. Lesquerella • Industrial crop, the oil of which can substitute for some castor applications • Most likely fall seeded, adapted to arid environment • Efforts to contract, produce, process have not gotten off the ground • Some test plantings near Plainview, but most in Pecos area

5. Sesame in the Texas Plains Calvin Trostle & James Grichar Texas AgriLife Extension & Research Lubbock & Beeville CT (806) 746-6101, JG (361) 293-6326 ctrostle@ag.tamu.edu & jgrichar@ag.tamu.edu

6. Historical • SESACO--Texas processor based in Paris, TX, research program based at San Antonio & Uvalde • Current 25,000-40,000 A production primarily is scattered, but about half or more in Concho River Valley on toward San Antonio area

7. Sesame Contracts • For 2009, $30/cwt ($32/cwt in 2008) • Several premiums available--and achievable--for good quality • Discounts occasionally if quality targets not met

8. Sesame, the Plant • Physiological maturity, 100-110 days after planting, dries down in 140-150 days to harvest; increased heat units accelerate maturity • Drought tolerant, heat tolerant, may respond less to rain & irrigation compared to other crops • High Plains test show that with an extra 6” or rain, yields didn’t change a great deal (increase ~20%)

9. Sesame in General • Not for your weedy ground--two labeled herbicides • Shatter-resistant varieties developed by Sesaco for combine harvest • Very drought tolerant and insect resistant

10. Non-Shattering

12. High/Rolling Plains • Planted mostly in mid-May to July 1, often after failed cotton • Minimal input crop • All kinds of planting conditions for stubble, seeding equipment • “The hardest thing about growing sesame is getting it planted right.”

13. Recent Plains Production • 2001-2007 • Crosby Co.--1100 lbs./A with 3 gpm; 800 lbs./A with 1.8 gpm • Parmer Co.--yields low, hit with cool nights in 40s F near September 20 • Dawson Co.—yields in range of 400-600 lbs./A on dryland • Terry Co.--ongoing organic sesame production

14. Seeding

15. Plains Production Tips • Plowing too deep dries out the field and can result in mediocre stands • Need firm seed bed for this small seed • Slow growth in first 6 weeks or so, grass problems treated with Select Max • Thin fields often look like candidates for plowing, but stands when left in place especially if uniform, often surprise

16. Seeding

17. Plains Production Concerns • Sesame at any time is susceptible to glyphosate drift, also Ignite, etc. • Any combine works well • Pickup reels often used, but bat reels might be better • All-crop headers can work, too

19. Plains Production 2009 • Sesaco interest is in full-season crop • Seeking full yield potential with longer season • Rotation benefits, no cotton root rot effects, no hog damage; deer pass through? • Input costs will remain minimal compared to other crops • Sesame is not for your weedy ground!

20. Sesame, the Plant • Broadleaf summer crop, self-defoliating at maturity • Can reach 6’ tall with some irrigation • Flowers about 35-45 days—slow growing and not competitive with weeds at this point—after planting • Flowering ceases about 75-85 days after planting • Average daily planting temperature, 70 F • Warmer than just about any other crop

21. The Vulnerable Stage

22. Planting • Slow down!!! to achieve better stands, more uniform seed depth. • Seed is very small, has less push than cotton, hence problems with crust • That is why seeding rates are higher than is actually needed to grow the crop • Consult Sesaco for variety recommendations

23. Early planted sesame normally gives the best yields • If planting after wheat, watch out for wheat herbicide residual (Amber, Glean, Ally, Finesse, Assert) • For rotation, if cotton is not on the label for rotation in 9-12 months, then don’t try sesame

24. Seeding Rates • 2.5 to 4.5 lbs./A, target 3 lbs./A • Over 30 seeds per foot • Seeding rates will drop by 1/4 to 1/3 when drilling or planting into good soil conditions • Sesame adjusts to the population if initially too thin or too thick • Little difference in yield across 3-8 plants per foot

25. What Sesame Must Do • The plant stops flowering • Mature without capsule opening • Shed leaves • Dry down as quickly as possible • Hold seed even in adverse weather • Release seed in combine easily

26. Irrigation • Very drought tolerant • Among most drought tolerant crops in Texas High Plains (others would be hybrid pearl millet, guar, safflower) • Limited irrigation is good; 4-6 inches offers good return on WUE

27. Rule of thumb: uses 1/2 the water of cotton, 1/3 of sorghum • Because input costs can be quite minimal, net return is often favorable compared to other crops

28. Weeds (Grichar Thoughts) • See Sesaco guide, p. 8 on rotation/residual, p. 13 on potential options now & future • Roundup RT3 applied as PPI, PRE • Select Max for POST grass control • Caparol is a special problem for sesame • Potential future herbicides • Dual Magnum (s-metolochlor) • Direx (diuron) • Lorox (linuron)

29. Funding provided by • This event also made possible, in part, by generous support from the City of Plainview Convention & Visitors Bureau.