Good afternoon,
This week I began collecting ear leaf samples from our Nitrogen Timing plots. These samples are to be taken at R1, when the corn begins to silk. The samples are sent to OARDC (Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center) in Wooster to be analyzed for nutrients. These nutrient values will be compared with earlier soil tests, cooperating farmer crop management surveys, and GreenSeeker remote crop sensor readings. This is not the most pleasant thing to be doing with such high temperatures and being out in the field with hay fever during peak pollination times, but you do what you have to do to get the job done.
The results are in for June’s rainfall. Extension rainfall reporters recorded an average of 5.81 inches of rain in Hardin County. Last year, the average rainfall for June was 10.99 inches. Rainfall for June was 0.61 inches more than the ten year average rainfall in the month of June. To read more about your township rainfall totals, see the attached news article. Some areas are very dry now, as the past weekend’s rainfall was not as much as other areas within the county. Rainfall will be very important as more and more corn fields start to pollinate.
If you raise fruits and vegetables, you may be interested to know that there will be a Hardin County Crop Walk program on Tuesday, August 9. This program will feature topics such as plant nutrition and soil fertility, plant diseases, and insect management. So mark this date on you calendar if you have fruit and vegetable crops. See the attached flyer for more information about this upcoming program in Kenton. Specialty crop producers may also be interested in attending the free NAP (Non-insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program) workshop being held in London on August 18. See the attached flyer or your Farm Service Agency office to register.
Upcoming local events this week include a Master Gardener Volunteer meeting Monday, July 25 starting at 7:00 pm at Harco Industries. I will be traveling to Little Rock, Arkansas to attend the National Association of County Agricultural Agents conference this week. If you need to contact me, I can be reached by email. I would imagine it will be just as hot in Hardin County as it will be in Arkansas, so stay cool when you can and read the ag crops articles below in the air conditioning.
Mark
WESTERN BEAN CUTWORM COUNT RISING AND EGGS HATCHING – Andy Michel, Kelley Tilmon
We have seen a large increase in Western Bean Cutworm catches (see figure), which is typical for this time of year. Given the heat in the forecast later this week, it might be safe to say that we are into peak flight. We have also heard of eggs hatching—as more adults emerge, more eggs will be laid. Now is the time to scout your corn for egg masses, especially if they have not tasseled yet. Economic threshold is more than 5-8% of corn (10 plants in 10 locations) with egg masses.
CORN POLLINATION UNDERWAY IN EARLY PLANTED FIELDS – Peter Thomison
According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending 7-10-16, 7% of the state’s corn was silking compared to 17% for the 5-year average. Given the range in corn planting dates this year, some late planted (corn planted in early-mid June corn) may not achieve tasselling and silking until late July. The pollination period, the flowering stage in corn, is the most critical period in the development of a corn plant from the standpoint of grain yield determination. Stress conditions (such as hail damage and drought) have the greatest impact on yield potential during the reproductive stage. To read more about the pollination process, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/corn-pollination-underway-early-planted-fields.
REMINDER ABOUT LATE-SEASON SCOUTING FOR PALMER AMARANTH AND WATERHEMP – Mark Loux
The frequency of Palmer amaranth infestations in Ohio seems to be holding relatively steady again into this year with the exception of one county, as far as we know. In two areas where Palmer amaranth was most prevalent – far southern Scioto County and an area along the Madison-Fayette County line north of Jeffersonville – Palmer has not increased its footprint. Palmer has been found in several new fields in Mahoning County, however, and the discovery occurred too late to implement effective POST herbicide treatments. Waterhemp infestations, or at least the discovery of them, have been increasing with no real geographic pattern to their locations. It can be found almost anywhere in the state but the highest concentration is in west central Ohio. Go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/reminder-about-late-season-scouting-palmer-amaranth-and-waterhemp to read more about scouting for palmer amaranth and waterhemp.
TWO-SPOTTED SPIDER MITE AWARENESS – Kelley Tilmon, Andy Michel
Though we have not received many reports of spider mites in field crops, continued hot dry weather will favor this pest, and scouts should keep their eyes open for mites and their stippling damage. We will provide a more comprehensive article later in the season if reports indicate that spider mites are on the rise. For more information, see http://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/ENT-24.
ROOTLESS AND FLOPPY CORN – Peter Thomison
Following last week’s storms I received several reports of “rootless” and “floppy corn”. The problem was evident in several fields at the OSU Western Agricultural Research Farm at S. Charleston. Rootless corn (or rootless corn syndrome) occurs when there is limited or no nodal root development. Plants exhibiting rootless corn symptoms are often leaning or lodged. Affected corn plants may only be anchored in the soil by seminal roots or by a single nodal root. To read more about rootless and floppy corn, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/rootless-and-floppy-corn.
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