Good afternoon,
Friday morning one of our OSU Extension interns, Tina Hiller and myself pulled soil samples from the Corn Response to Nitrogen plot near Dola. Because this plot already was side-dressed with nitrogen on May 22, we took the samples in the strips that had 0% nitrogen applied (other than starter fertilizer) and will use these samples as a comparison with the grid sampling that was done there at an earlier date. Howard Lyle from the Soil and Water Conservation District office assisted with the soil sampling and plot layout of our second Corn Response to Nitrogen muck plot near Alger. Thanks to the help of Tina and Howard, we were able to get both plots sampled even though it rained in-between sampling the fields. We hope to side-dress this plot during the week, weather permitting. Once we get the muck corn plot side-dressed, I plan begin working on the on-farm soybean research plots in the county.
In case you haven’t heard, in an aggressive move designed to help protect Ohio’s $2.3 billion poultry industry from the avian flu that has so negatively impacted other poultry-producing states, this past Tuesday, June 2 the Ohio Department of Agriculture canceled all live bird exhibitions this year. The ban includes county and independent fairs, the Ohio State Fair, and all other gatherings of birds for show or for sale, including auctions and swap meets. This action will affect the Hardin County Fair and all those who participate in this poultry show. For further information about this ban, read the attached news release from the ODA as well as a joint statement put out by the Hardin County Extension office and the fair. After meeting with the poultry committee and Hardin County Fair Board Saturday night, a decision was reached regarding, what will be offered as alternative learning experiences for the youth who have poultry projects at the county fair. See the attached documents for details.
ODA Cancels bird shows across Ohio to Prevent Avian Flu
Hardin County Poultry Projects
Dairy Beef Queen applications are now available and due June 21 to Jolene Buchenroth. See the attached application for more information. This year’s Manure Science Review is set for August 12 in Darke County. The Manure Science Review is an educational program designed for those involved in any aspect of manure handling, management or utilization, including livestock and crop producers, ODNR-DSWR and SWCD personnel, USDA-NRCS personnel, Extension Educators, Certified Crop Advisors, and Professional Nutrient Applicators. See the attached brochure for more information.
Upcoming events in Hardin County include Market Lamb Weigh-ins Saturday, June 13, from 8:00-10:00 am at the fairgrounds. The Master Gardener Volunteers are holding their annual ‘Children’s Day in the Friendship Gardens’ on the same day, from 10:00 am-12:30 pm at the Friendship Gardens located behind Harco Industries. I have included some agronomy articles below in case you are interested.
Mark
Wheat Heading Growth Stage – Pierce Paul, Jorge David Salgado , Laura Lindsey
After seemingly being behind throughout the month of April, the wheat crop in Ohio “changed gears” over the last week and is now heading-out in some areas – do not be deceived by the fact that plants still look short in some fields. Heading will continue over the next week to 10 days across the state. This is a very important growth stage from the standpoint of disease management, since it is critical to maintain healthy heads and leaves during grain fill to enhance yield. Go to http://corn.osu.edu/newsletters/2015/2015-12-1/wheat-heading-growth-stage to continue reading this article about the wheat heading growth stage.
Residual Herbicide Issues – were they applied, are they working, what to do – Mark Loux
While a variety of rainfall and soil moisture conditions can be found around Ohio, a shortage of rain following application of residual herbicides seems to be common. We are hearing about weeds emerging early in the season even where residual herbicides were applied, which is an indicator of inadequate herbicide “activation”, or lack of downward movement into the upper inch or two of soil where weed seeds germinate. Herbicides vary in the amount of rain required for activity, due to differences in water solubility and adsorption to soil, and whether absorption into the plant occurs via roots or shoots. Ignoring all of this though, the general rule is that a half to one inch of rain is needed within about a week after application to ensure activity. Go to http://corn.osu.edu/newsletters/2015/2015-14/residual-herbicide-issues-2013-were-they-applied-are-they-working-what-to-do to finish reading this article.
Weather Update – Jim Noel
The weather pattern will be shifting to a warm and humid pattern with wetter than normal conditions going into June 2015. Temperatures the next 4 weeks will average a few degrees above normal. The maximum temperatures will likely be to close to normal but with increased humidity and cloud cover minimum temperatures will be held up. This will result in overall temperatures being above normal. This will also result in increased dew overnight into the morning hours for extended periods. Go to http://corn.osu.edu/newsletters/2015/2015-14/weather-update-may-26-2015 to find out more information about the June weather forecast.
Purple and Yellow Corn, What is Going On? – Robert Mullen, Steve Culman, Peter Thomison
Corn seedlings often turn yellow (due to low nitrogen uptake and/or limited chlorophyll synthesis) or purple (reduced root development) under cool, wet conditions. Some hybrids are more likely to increase anthocyanin (purple pigment) content when plants are cool. Yellowing or purpling of corn plants at this stage of development generally has little or no effect on later crop performance or yield potential. If it’s induced by environmental conditions, the yellow or purple appearance should change to a healthy green after a few sunny days with temperatures above 70 degrees F. If plants remain yellow then closer inspection and assessment is needed to determine if yellowing is caused by nutrient deficiency or some other factor. Go to http://corn.osu.edu/newsletters/2015/2015-14/purple-and-yellow-corn-what-is-going to continue reading this article.
Updated Scab Forecasting System 2015 – Pierce Paul, Jorge David Salgado
The Wheat Scab forecasting system (www.wheatscab.psu.edu) is up and running and is now available for use in Ohio. This is an excellent tool to help guide fungicide application decisions. Based on the flowering date of your crop and the weather conditions leading up to flowering, you can estimate the risk of scab occurring and make a timely fungicide application to reduce scab and vomitoxin. This year, the forecasting tool looks a little different, but it still works in essentially the same way. Now in addition to selecting your flowering date (day when anthers are first seen sticking out of the heads) and wheat type (winter wheat in Ohio), you can also selected the scab susceptibility of your variety. To read more about the updated scab forecasting system, go to http://corn.osu.edu/newsletters/2015/2015-12-1/updated-scab-forecasting-system-2015.
Mark A. Badertscher
Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator
OSU Extension Hardin County
1021 W. Lima Street, Suite 103, Kenton, OH 43326
419-674-2297 Office