Crops Continue to Progress
It is hard to believe we are already in the middle of July and if you look closely, it shows. Buckeye tree leaves are already showing red leaves which is common this time of the year.
Most of the county was fortunate to get some rain in the last week, which was much needed, as hot and dry continues to be the weather pattern at least through this weekend. During my weekly crop tour across the county, there are tassels and silks appearing in corn fields, which means pollination is among us.
In this week’s C.O.R.N. newsletter Dr. Alex Lindsey describes the impact of heat and moisture has on corn pollination. “Both high temperatures and moisture can also affect pollination success. It is recognized that temperatures above 90 degrees F can cause pollen to be non-viable, but much of the pollen shed in corn occurs in the morning hours before temperatures climb to these levels. Additionally, new pollen is made each day during this phase. The longevity of the pollen shed at lower temperatures can also be affected by the relative humidity. Pollen sheds from the plant with a moisture content of 50-65%, and can lose viability once the moisture content drops to 30%.”
Soybeans are probably the best-looking crop on average, having benefited from the sporadic rains over the past couple of weeks with most in the flower stage. If it remains hot and dry there will be some increased concern regarding spider mites in soybeans. Green bean harvest has also started, as I have seen the harvesters between home and the office over the past couple of days. Second cutting of hay is being made, while short the quality should be relatively high, the exception being where Potato Leaf Hopper are in high numbers.
Also, earlier this week we received word that the 2020 Farm Science Review will be a virtual show this September. More information will be shared in the forthcoming weeks about the 2020 virtual Farm Science Review program and how to engage. Visit fsr.osu.edu for ongoing updates.
This is the second week that we have been back in the Hahn Center and things are working smoothly. Remember that if you need to come up to the office, please make an appointment with either Laura or I, otherwise we can continue to answer questions over the phone or provide curbside service. Things will begin to pick up with preparations for the Jr. Fair livestock shows, set to happen in about a month.
I’ll end this week with a quote from Thomas Edison: “To have a great idea, have a lot of them.” Have a great week.