Good afternoon,
The dust is flying as farmers are back in the field planting corn and soybeans. There was little progress made on corn planting the last two weeks due to persistent rains and saturated field conditions. As prospects for a timely start to spring planting diminish, growers need to reassess their planting strategies and consider adjustments. Since delayed planting reduces the yield potential of corn, the foremost attention should be given to management practices that will expedite crop establishment. The attached article includes some suggestions and guidelines to consider in dealing with a late planting season. With the emerging corn, army worm and black cutworms are pests that local farmers need to keep a watchful eye over. Although not at economic levels, this past week army worm moth counts averaged 9 per trap, while the black cutworm moth counts averaged 26 per trap. There are two sets of traps out so far, one near Ridgeway and another near Alger. See the attached fact sheet from Penn State University about armyworm damage to field corn.
Later Corn Planting Considerations News Release
Children will have the opportunity to experience ‘Ready, Set, Grow!’ during the Children’s Day at the Friendship Gardens sponsored by the Hardin County OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteers. This educational activity is planned for children ages Kindergarten – 5th grade and will take place Saturday, June 3 at the Friendship Gardens of Hardin County. The program will start at 10:00 am and end at 12:00 pm. The gardens are located behind the Harco Industries building at 960 Kohler Street in Kenton. If you have children or grandchildren that would be interested in this educational program, please see the attached new release for further details.
Children’s Day at the Friendship Gardens News Release
A couple of years ago I joined the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association and some other colleagues from OSU Extension on a Sheep Production Tour of the United Kingdom and Ireland. This fall there will be a Sheep Production Tour of California sheep farms and related industry visits. See the attached brochure if either you or someone you know might be interested in participating in this year’s tour. There will be a group from the Hardin County Sheep Improvement Association that will be participating in this trip September 30-October 7. The first deposit for this tour is coming due May 26, so make sure you check it out if interested. Because of field work, there are not many local events going on in Hardin County agriculture this coming week. The only event I have listed on my calendar is a Master Gardener Volunteer meeting, Monday, May 22 starting at 7:00 pm at Harco Industries. I have included some timely agronomy articles below in case you are interested in reading them.
California Sheep Tour 2017 Brochure
Mark
Corkscrewed” mesocotyl development causing emergence problems in corn – Peter Thomison
Last week I received several reports of abnormal corn emergence. Often the problems were associated with corn seedlings leafing out underground and it’s likely weather and seedbed conditions were responsible for the occurrence of the abnormal growth. Seedlings exhibiting abnormal emergence may have a twisted appearance because internal leaves start expanding before the seeding has elongated. “Corkscrewed” mesocotyl/coleoptile development may occur when the coleoptile encounters resistance (like soil crusting or a dense soil surface) as the mesocotyl elongates. Several factors (or combination of factors) may be responsible for this abnormal growth are explained at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2017-13/%E2%80%9Ccorkscrewed%E2%80%9D-mesocotyl-development-causing-emergence-problems.
Above Normal Temps will be the Trend – Jim Noel
The wetter than normal pattern has lasted longer than expected this spring. Temperatures have behaved as expected though. The outlook for the remainder of May calls for above normal temperatures and near normal to above normal rainfall. The week of May 16 will be much warmer than normal with highs reaching into the 80s in many areas with rainfall more limited this week but by late week into this weekend rainfall be increasing again so the big window for planting this week will be through Thursday. Go to https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2017-13/above-normal-temps-will-be-trend to read more about the weather coming our way.
Soybean seedling issues – a perfect storm – Anne Dorrance, Mark Loux
Several calls last week with pictures of injured and/or diseased soybean seedlings. For most of these situations we have the following scenario: PPO herbicides (flumioxazin, sulfentrazone, saflufenacil) included as a component of the preplant burn down, fields planted 7 days later with fungicide treated seed, followed by 1 to 2 weeks of suboptimum growing conditions (between 40 to 50oF) for 2 weeks, and greater than 2” rain. These conditions are very conducive to both Pythium damping-off and PPO injury. Some of the reports from the field were with seedlings that have already croaked. Wispy skeletons of soybean seedlings could be found on or below the surface. Go to https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2017-13/soybean-seedling-issues-%E2%80%93-perfect-storm to finish reading this article.
Wheat Heading, Flowering, and Head Scab Risk – Pierce Paul
After being slowed down by cold temperatures over the last 7-10 days, the wheat crop is now heading-out or flowering in some parts of the state – do not be deceived by the fact that plants still look short in some fields. Heading and flowering will continue over the next few weeks. These are very important growth stages from the standpoint of disease management, since it is critical to maintain the health of the heads and the leaves during grain fill to enhance yield. Go to https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2017-12/wheat-heading-flowering-and-head-scab-risk to read about important management decisions that must be made at these wheat growth stages.
Crop Walk Series – Amanda Douridas
Join specialists in the field this summer to see hands on what insect and disease pressure is present. The specialists will help participants identify insects and diseases and then discuss management strategies. The series begins with a Pasture Walk on May 23 at 5:30 pm. The field borders the Ohio Caverns so an optional group tour of the Caverns has been set up at 4pm ($15). The rest of the crop walk schedule is listed at the link below. The locations will be determined about a week or two ahead of time in order to find one that will display some of the issues that will be discussed. These will be in fields in Champaign County. Go to https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2017-12/crop-walk-series for more details about this series taking place May through August.
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
hardin.osu.edu