Hello,
This has been an interesting planting season so far. What started out as dry and warm, has changed to wet and cool and even added snow and frost in addition to the latest heavy rains. Statewide, USDA has corn planting at 27% and soybean planting at 20% completed. I believe Hardin County is further along than that number with some corn fields being able to row and a few soybean fields emerging. Hopefully soil temperatures will warmup and fields will become fit again soon so planting can resume. The same attached Ohio Crop Weather report for May 10 has 79% of wheat rated good or excellent.
Planting was the topic of conversation at Friday’s Virtual Ag Coffee Hour and June’s meeting will focus on On-farm Research. Speaking of on-farm research, I encourage you to take a look at past studies at https://digitalag.osu.edu/efields or stop by the Extension office for a copy of the latest eFields book for ideas to try on your farm and let me know if you have interest in a field trial. Lately, I have been checking four sets of armyworm and black cutworm traps around the county. See the article below for information about that project. Just this past week, I set two European Corn Borer traps on both the east and west ends of the county to monitor the New York and Iowa strains of this corn pest.
If you haven’t kept up on reading Hardin County OSU Extension AgNR news releases either in the paper or online, I’ve included recent articles about Spring Pesticide Reminders, Anhydrous Ammonia Safety, 2020 County Crop Yields, Alfalfa Weevil Damage, and Cold Weather Corn and Soybean Emergence.
Spring Pesticide Safety Reminders News Release
Anhydrous Ammonia Safety News Release
Cold Weather Corn Soybean News Release
Are you planting any non-GMO soybeans this year and looking for recommendations for weed control? If so, check out the new attached fact sheet written by OSU Extension Weed Scientist Mark Loux. On-farm research and fact sheets are two of the many ways that OSU Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension serves Ohio residents. See the attached ANR infographic for many more examples of impact from our programs.
Herbicides-nonGMO Soybeans Fact Sheet
If you are a cattle producer and still need Beef Quality Assurance Certification, I have included a flyer listing both virtual and in-person opportunities being offered by Crawford County Extension. If you are a backyard poultry producer, you may be interested in the upcoming Virtual Poultry Clinic being offered May 25 by Jefferson County Extension that is included with this email.
Beef Quality Assurance Certification
As I wrap up this edition of the Hardin County Agriculture and Natural Resources Update, I want you to be aware that USDA is improving and retargeting existing programs, creating new efforts to reach a broader set of producers, and bringing a new perspective and outlook to how USDA delivers assistance to producers in need. See the attached information sheet for details of this USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers. I have also included a flyer for a May 26 webinar “Principles of Soil Health” for dairy feed suppliers sponsored by American Farmland Trust. Below are ag crops articles posted below that you may be interested in reading.
CFAP2 USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers
Principles of Soil Health Webinar
Mark
Numbers of Black Cutworm and True Armyworm Moths Increasing but Remain Relatively Low – Andy Michel, Kelley Tilmon, Curtis Young, Clifton Martin, Lee Beers, Beth Scheckelhoff, Eric Richer, Cindy Wallace, Mark Badertscher
Over the past few weeks, we have caught an increasing number of both black cutworm and true armyworm moths in our traps (see https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1yl_FeI5IJKkBVfdvKJuE6pWkd58OVhCyHeZ6SZM-ePE/edit?usp=sharing ). While our weekly total may be high (119 for true armyworm, and 111 for black cutworm) the numbers are much lower when we look at the number of moths caught per trap and per day. Most of our traps are reporting far less than 2 moths trapped per day. Of course, these traps only indicate that flight is occurring. As we progress through the season, growers should continue to monitor these counts and check both corn and wheat fields for any early appearance of feeding or damage. On wheat or a rye cover crop, look for evidence of defoliation. Armyworms can often be found on the ground underneath debris and its best to look for them on cloudy days, or during dusk/dawn. Black cutworms are more difficult to spot, so look for the presence of corn that has been cut, or holes near the base of the plant. See our fact sheets at our webpage (https://aginsects.osu.edu/home, under Extension Publications).
Growing Degree Days vs. Calendar Days – How Long Will Emergence Take? – Alexander Lindsey, Greg LaBarge
When we examine crop emergence post-planting, two factors can impact speed of emergence – soil moisture content and soil temperatures. If soil temperatures are lower, it can take more calendar days for emergence to occur meaning rowing corn may take a little more time. In the Ohio Agronomy Guide, emergence should begin to occur after approximately 100 air GDDs. Finish reading this article at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/13-2021/growing-degree-days-vs-calendar-days-%E2%80%93-how-long-will-emergence
Adapting Burndown Programs to Late-Planted Situations – Mark Loux
It’s déjà vu all over again. We have run this article every few years, and it seems like maybe the frequency is increasing as we deal with wet and cold weather that delays planting. The questions about this have not changed much, and neither have the suggestions we provide here. One of the most common questions, predictably, is how to kill glyphosate-resistant marestail and giant ragweed and generally big weeds in soybeans when it’s not possible to delay planting long enough to use 2,4-D ester. Continue reading this article at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/13-2021/adapting-burndown-programs-late-planted-situations
Wheat Between Feekes 8 and 10 and Disease Concerns – Pierce Paul
Additional authors: Maira Duffeck and Marian Luis
Wheat is now between Feekes 8 (flag leaf emergence) and Feekes 10 (boot) across the state. Feekes 8 marks the beginning of the period during which we recommend that you begin scouting fields to determine which disease is present and at what level. Septoria tritici leaf spot is usually one of the first to show up, and it has already been reported in some fields. So far, it is restricted to the lower leaves and severity is low in most of the affected fields. This disease is favored by cool (50-68F), rainy conditions, and although it usually develops early in the season, it really does not cause yield loss unless it reaches and damages the flag leaf before grain fill is complete. Read more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/12-2021/wheat-between-feekes-8-and-10-and-disease-concerns
Alfalfa Weevil Infestations Becoming Severe in Some Fields – Mark Sulc, Aaron Wilson, Kelley Tilmon, Greg LaBarge, Curtis Young, Andy Michel, Beth Scheckelhoff
Alfalfa fields across Ohio have been observed with alfalfa weevil infestations, some with high numbers and severe feeding damage to the alfalfa. Accumulation of heat units (growing degree days or GDDs) for alfalfa weevil growth have progressed across Ohio and are now in the 325 to 575 heat unit range indicative of peak larval feeding activity. We are about 2 weeks ahead of GDD weevil accumulation last year. Find out more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/12-2021/alfalfa-weevil-infestations-becoming-severe-some-fields
Mark A. Badertscher
Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator
OSU Extension Hardin County
1021 W. Lima Street, Suite 103, Kenton, OH 43326
419-767-6037
hardin.osu.edu
