From Across the Field – Knee High by the 4th of July?

While the heat and high humidity over the weekend and into Monday may have been uncomfortable for us, it sure made the corn across the region grow. Corn growth and development is based on growing degree days, which have accumulated rapidly the past couple of weeks. Most of the earlier planted corn in the county looks good and will be closer to shoulder high by Independence Day. There is still a fair amount of later planted corn to be side dressed, to provide nitrogen for the rest of the growing season. Conditions just haven’t been ideal to apply that fertilizer due to the wet conditions (again) this spring. Continue reading

Local Agronomic Insect Trapping Report 6-26

For the week of 6/17-6/23. No traps at the economic threshold for treatment for Western Bean Cutworm (WBC), European Corn Borer (ECB), or Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB).

WBC:

Freedom – 3
Monroe – 0
Pleasant – 0
Bartlow – 0
NWARS – 0

ECB:

Freedom – 0
Bartlow – 9 army worm moths in trap

BMSB:

Flatrock – 0 male; 0 female; 0 nymphs

 

Reminders About Dicamba

By Mark Loux, Ohio State University Extension herbicide specialist

This is the time of year when we received our first call about dicamba problems in soybeans in 2017. We can probably expect any problems to become evident soon, based on the timing of postemergence applications and timeline for development of symptoms.

Off-target issues have already developed in states farther west and south, and we would expect at least some to occur here, unless we’re really lucky. The symptoms of dicamba injury show in new soybean growth within approximately 7 to 21 days after exposure, and most of our soybeans receive postemergence applications from early June on. Continue reading

Brown Spot and Frogeye: Know The Difference

By: Anne Dorrance, Ohio State University Extension plant pathologist.

Frogeye Leaf Spot in Soybeans. Photo by OSU Extension

As farmers and consultants have been out checking their soybean stands, they are finding spots on the leaves. The most common spotting on the unifoliates and first leaves is caused by Septoria glycines. This is a fungus that overwinters on the previous soybean crop residue and in modern cultivars it is limited to the lower canopy. Continue reading

High Temps, Sunlight Heighten Risk of Blue-green Algae in Farm Ponds

By: Pat Melgares, Kansas State University Extension
Previously published on Drovers online

The looming hot, summer weather and potential for lots of sunlight may bring with it a cause for concern among livestock producers.

Those conditions, combined with the often stagnant nature of farm ponds, heightens the risk of toxic levels of blue-green algae in producers’ watering sources, says Kansas State University beef veterinarian A.J. Tarpoff. Continue reading

From Across the Field – Livestock Education Opportunities

Just when things get good in terms of moisture and crop condition, the rain finds its way back into the region. Being set back another week will only add to the weed pressure that is already evident in some fields. The rain has also slowed progress on some of our nutrient management on-farm research trials. This year in Henry County my research efforts are focused on corn side dress nitrogen. With farmer cooperators we are evaluating nitrogen rates in corn and comparing the use of liquid swine manure at side dress to commercial fertilizer. Continue reading

Local Agronomic Insect Trapping Report 6-19

All insect traps have been set. I will report trap counts based on the township the traps are in. In 2018 in Henry County I have traps set for Western Bean Cutworm (WBC), European Corn Borer (ECB), and Brown Marmorated Stinkbugs (BMSB). There is also a WBC trap at the NW Agricultural Research Station near Hoytville.

WBC:

Freedom – set
Monroe – set
Pleasant – set
Bartlow – set
NWARS – set

ECB:

Freedom – set
Bartlow – set

BMSB:

Flatrock – 0 male; 0 female; 0 nymphs

 

Former “Billion Dollar Bug” is Mounting a Come Back

By: Sonja Begemann, Farm Journal Seeds and Crop Production Editor
Published previously on AgWeb Daily

One billion dollars. Prior to Bt technologies farmers lost $1 billion annually to corn rootworm—in the form of chemical costs or actual yield loss. With resistance to traits that once killed the pest on the rise, it might just nibble its way back to a billion-dollar price tag.

Corn rootworm (CRW) poses a double threat—the adult snips corn silks, and if unchecked could prevent successful pollination and kernel development, and the larvae munch on roots which leads to risk for disease and plant stress. CRW was once controlled by traits but with resistance on the rise is now at risk of running rampant: it’s time to find a solution to slow the spread of resistance. Continue reading

Hay Moisture Levels

By: Chris Penrose, OSU ANR Extension Educator, Morgan County and Dan Lima, OSU ANR Extension Educator, Belmont County. Previously published on Ohio Ag Net.

With the limited opportunities and short windows many have had to make hay so far this year, some hay may have been made at higher moisture levels than we would like. Moisture levels have a direct effect on hay quality. What we have found to be a consistent number in the literature is 20% moisture maximum. To be more specific: Continue reading