Good afternoon,
We finally were able to get some more plot work done. Last week we put the markers in the ground and took soil samples in the Alger nitrogen rate plot. Hopefully we will get the 28% UAN sidedressed this week if the weather cooperates. The wet weather and replanting efforts this spring has put a damper on our on-farm research fertility trials so far. For the time period of May 1-May 31, 2017 Extension rainfall reporters recorded an average of 7.21 inches of rain in Hardin County. Last year, the average rainfall for the same time period was 3.27 inches. Rainfall for May was 3.45 inches more than the ten year average rainfall during the same dates. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you about the rain this spring, but if you are interested in seeing the Hardin County May rainfall summary, I have attached it to this email.
One of our Master Gardener Volunteers, Barb Snyder has been writing a Turf Tips series of articles for the local media. This past week’s topic was Kentucky Bluegrass. So if you would like to find out more about this type of turfgrass, see her article that is attached. This is also the time of year that many field days will be happening in our region. One of the first of them is the Western Ohio Precision Ag Day on July 11 in Miami County. This field day will offer 3 hours of fertilizer certification credit that you can get if you have yet to become certified. We are currently planning a similar field day in Hardin County for August 23 near Forest as well. I will get you further information on that event as we develop the agenda and finalize events for the day. Until then, you might want to look at the attached flyer and consider attending the Miami County field day. I went to it last year and it sparked the idea of doing a similar one here locally this year.
Turf Tips – Kentucky Bluegrass
Western Ohio Precison Ag Day Flyer 2017
Upcoming local events this week include a Farm Bureau Summer Social event at the Hardin County Heritage Farm (fairgrounds), Thursday, June 22 starting at 6:30 pm. There will be a sundae bar, cake walk, scavenger hunt, bingo, and the movie ‘Farmland.’ RSVP by calling 419-447-3091 or email hardin@ofbf.org if interested in attending. Later this week on Friday, June 23 our Master Gardeners will be hosting a statewide Plant Diagnostic training clinic open to other county Master Gardener Volunteers so that they can improve their plant insect, disease, and nutrient deficiency diagnostic skills. This workshop will run the entire day at Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative. In closing, I have included some agronomy articles from the CORN Newsletter below that you might be interested in reading.
Mark
Don’t Delay Wheat Harvest – Laura Lindsey
Wheat harvest date impacts both grain yield and quality. Delaying wheat harvest puts the crop at risk for increased disease, lodging, sprouting, and harvest loss. Last year in Clark County, we evaluated wheat harvested on June 29 (at 12% moisture content) and July 8 (at 14% moisture content). Grain moisture increased between June 29 and July 8 due to 0.58” rain between the two dates. When wheat harvest was delayed until July 8, yield decreased by 9 bu/acre, test weight decreased by 2.9 lb/bu, and DON level increased by 0.86 ppm. Using a grain price of $4.50/bu and discounts from a local elevator, the difference the delayed wheat harvest resulted in a loss of $87/acre compared to the June 29 harvest. With funding from the Ohio Small Grains Marketing Program, we are continuing this research. However, we will be comparing grain yield and quality of wheat harvested at ~20% moisture to ~13% moisture.
Using accumulated heat units to predict leaf development in corn – Peter Thomison
When estimating yield losses in corn due to hail, frost, and other types of plant injury, it’s essential to establish the stage of plant growth at the time damage occurred. It’s also important to know corn stage of development in order to apply post-emergence chemicals effectively with minimum crop damage. Counting leaf collars to determine the vegetative stage is feasible until the lower leaves can no longer be identified. At about the V6 (six leaf collar) stage, increasing stalk and nodal growth combine to tear the smallest lower leaves from the plant. This results in degeneration and eventual loss of lower leaves which makes it difficult to locate the lower leaves (especially the first rounded leaf). When identification of specific leaf collars on plants is not possible, how can the leaf stage of development of a field be estimated? To answer this question, read more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2017-17/using-accumulated-heat-units-predict-leaf-development-corn.
Hot weather this past week – Jim Noel
Last week’s forecast remains on track. After a cool week last week we expect a much warmer than normal week this week. Temperatures will run some 5-7 degrees above normal. After the recent dry period, it does look like rain chances will be increasing this week. Due to summer convection, rainfall will be quite variable, but most everyone should get something. Rainfall will likely range from 0.25 to 1.50 inches. Most will average 0.50 to 1.00 inches though. The roller coaster ride looks to continue for the rest of June. The week of June 19th will return to cooler than normal temperatures with temperatures about 5 degrees below normal. Rainfall will average close to normal from 0.75 to 1.25 inches in many places. Rainfall for the 2-week period on the attached image will be at or above normal in the eastern half of the corn and soybean belt. The week of June 26th will switch back to warmer and drier than normal. The outlook for July and August still calls for somewhat warmer and drier than normal.
Side-Wall and Pinch Row Compaction – John Fulton
2017 has been a “wet” spring for planting which also can cause compaction issues; side-wall and pinch-row compaction. Compaction of any kind can lead to emergence issues and possible yield loss. Identifying compaction is the first step in understanding the consequences during the growing season and at harvest while also beginning to consider options for mitigating if long-term consequences appear to be in place. Today, many central-fill planters operate in Ohio with some carrying fertilizer tanks mounted at the center portion. This equates to a lot of weight being carried at the center of the planter and possibly by the tractor. Wet soil conditions at planting increase the risk of side-wall and pinch-row compaction. It is important as corn and soybeans emerge, to not only scout for pest, disease and nutrient issues, but also look for compaction issues caused during planting. Go to https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2017-16/side-wall-and-pinch-row-compaction to finish reading this article.
We’ve been slimed — Slugs impacting corn and soybean crops in Ohio – Andy Michel, Kelley Tilmon
The mild and rainy planting season not only delayed getting our crops in, but also favored slug populations to thrive. We have been receiving many calls on slug damage, especially in cover crops that have just been killed. As the cover crop dies down, the slugs hang around and wait to feed on the emerging corn or soybean. At this point, heavily damaged fields may consider slug baits that contain metaldehyde or iron phosphate to prevent further feeding, although these control options are expensive and time is running out since the slugs are maturing into less damaging stages. There has been some discussion on using 28% UAN to control slugs—getting adequate slug control with this tactic is extremely difficult, and also runs the risk of burning crop foliage. Hopefully, as our crops grow (and given the predicting heat and lack of precipitation in the forecast, it may be quick), they could be able to grow out of the damage. As long as the growing point has not been damaged, both corn and soybean could withstand some feeding without a significant loss in yield.
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