Good evening,
Planting of corn and soybeans has been making considerable progress this week. Much of the tillage, fertilizer, and spraying operations have also kicked back into gear with the favorable weather conditions and warmer temperatures. This past Friday we were able to plant our Soybean Population Plot with cooperator Paul Ralston. Summer intern Taylor McNamara got involved as well, placing the marker flags. We are testing both 15 and 30 inch rows with populations ranging from 60,000 to 213,000 seeds per acre, depending on the row widths. These trials are replicated randomly three times across the field. For a video of this plot planting, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQETkfsTsm0 .
What is that yellow flowering weed that has bloomed across the county? Cressleaf Groundsel has once again raised its head this spring with the moist soils and late planting season. This plant is toxic to livestock so make sure that you keep that in mind if you have infested pastures or hayfields. Also, if you are baling hay or straw for sale, consider that as well. Normally the animals prefer not to eat this weed if there are more desirable forages around, but it should be managed by mowing before going to seed and not baling or chopping into feed. See the attached fact sheet from OSU Weed Science Extension Specialist Mark Loux and others about managing this weed. Cressleaf groundsel is most easily controlled with herbicides in the late fall or early spring, but we are past that point now.
Cressleaf Groundsel Fact Sheet
Do you have a farm pond? Managing weeds and fish in a pond can be a challenge. That is why OSU Extension has teamed up with the Soil and Water Conservation District to once again provide the Hardin County Pond Clinic. This program will be held Monday, June 6 starting at 6:00 pm at Rick & Marsha Gardner’s Pond located at 11123 Township Road 180, Kenton. Steve Fender, author of ‘Farm Pond Management, The Common Sense Guide’ and owner of Fender’s Fish Farm in Baltic, Ohio will discuss everything from pond construction to pond maintenance. This will be a question and answer clinic so bring your questions, along with your lawn chair for what we hope will be an informative evening. See the attached news release and flyer for more details.
‘What is Buzzing in the Garden’ is the theme of this year’s Children’s Day at the Friendship Gardens. This annual program is being hosted by the Hardin County Master Gardener Volunteers for kids in Kindergarten-5th grade. Five learning stations as well as a craft station will spark an interest in gardening. This event will take place will take place Saturday, June 11 at the Friendship Gardens of Hardin County located at 960 Kohler Street in Kenton. The program will start at 10:00 am and end at 12:00 pm and requires that either mom or dad, or grandma or grandpa accompany the children as they learn about bees, birds, butterflies, moths, sundial, and a craft station. Each child will be making a ‘Butterfly Puddler’ craft to take home to serve as a water source for butterflies in their own garden. The program will be held inside Harco Industries (705 North Ida Street) in the event of rain. Pre-registration is required, so call the Extension office by June 1 so we have enough supplies for all of the participants. See the flyer and news article that I have attached to this email to find out more.
Children’s Day at the Friendship Gardens News Release
The Hardin County Fair Dairy Beef Feeder tagging and weigh-in is this Saturday, May 28 from 8:00 am until 10:30 am at the fairgrounds. Make sure you check the propane tank before this weekend’s Memorial Day cookout. Have a nice holiday weekend and if you have some time, I have included some agronomy related articles below for you to read.
Mark
Corn Replant Tips – Peter Thomison
Although most corn that’s been planted has yet to emerge or develop much beyond the VE or V1 stage, there are localized reports of growers replanting early planted corn. Some of these replant issues appear related to the consequence of recent frost injury combined with excess soil moisture or flooding. Replant decisions in corn should be based on strong evidence that the returns to replanting will not only cover replant costs but also net enough to make it worth the effort. Don’t make a final assessment on the extent of damage and stand loss too quickly. To finish reading this article, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/corn-replant-tips.
Impact of Frost on Soybean and Corn Survival – Laura Lindsey, Peter Thomison
Last Monday, May 16, air temperatures dropped to high 20s/low 30s causing some freeze injury to soybeans. Soybeans in low areas of the field are most likely to be affected. Plants should be assessed for damage at least five days after suspected injury to inspect for regrowth. If damage occurred above the cotyledons, the plant will likely recover. If damaged occurred below the cotyledons, the plant will not recover. Look for a discolored hypocotyl (the “crook” of the soybean that first emerges from the ground) which indicates that damage occurred below the cotyledons. The soybean plant pictured will not recover. If soybeans were not yet emerged at the time of the freeze, they should be fine. To read more about soybean and corn survival after a frost, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/impact-frost-soybean-and-corn-survival.
Adjustments for Late Planted (or Replanted) Soybean – Laura Lindsey
Wet weather has kept many farmers (and us) out of the field. According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, as of May 15, 10% of the soybean acres were planted. At the same time last year, 46% of soybean planting was complete. On average, in Ohio, the majority of soybean acres are planted mid to late May (Table 1). Although, it is not uncommon for soybean planting to creep into June. In general, we don’t recommend altering soybean management until planting in June. For more information on this topic, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/adjustments-late-planted-or-replanted-soybean.
CHOICE – The Big Data Confusion: Part 7 – John Fulton, Kaylee Port
Choice as it relates to the discussion of data services and tools is critically important to growers today. As a grower, you should have a choice on who to share your data with and the selection of service(s) to utilize with Agriculture Technology Providers (ATPs). According to the Privacy and Security Principles for Farm Data published by the American Farm Bureau directly states, “ATPs should explain the effects and abilities of a farmer’s decision to opt in, opt out or disable the availability of services and features offered by the ATP. If multiple options are offered, farmers should be able to choose some, all, or none of the options offered. ATPs should provide farmers with a clear understanding of what services and features may or may not be enabled when they make certain choices.” To finish reading this article, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2015-10/choice-big-data-confusion-part-7.
Wheat is beginning to head out: time to start monitoring the risk for Scab – Pierce Paul, Jorge David Salgado
Wheat is now heading out in some fields, particularly in Southern Ohio, and will likely begin flowering in various parts of the state over the next two to three weeks. On average, it usually takes about 5 days from full head emergence (Feekes 10.5) to flowering, and flowering is usually over in about the same number of days. However, flowering could take a bit longer to occur and the flowering window could be much wider under cool conditions similar to those forecasted for the next week or so. Once wheat begins to flower, scab and vomitoxin become our biggest concerns. It is therefore time for a refresher on head scab, and some useful tips to help you use the scab forecasting system to monitor the risk of this disease. Click on http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2016-11/wheat-beginning-head-out-time-start-monitoring-risk-scab to read more.
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