Agronomy

Managing Corn Harvest this Fall with Variable Corn Conditions

By: Jason Hartschuh, CCA, Elizabeth Hawkins, James Morris, Will Hamman, OSU Extension

Thanks to the weather we had this year, corn is variable across fields and in some areas we will be harvesting corn at higher moistures than normal. Stalk quality may also be variable by field and amount of stress the plant was under, see the article Stalk Quality Concerns in this weeks CORN Newsletter. This variability and high moisture may require us to look harder at combine settings to keep the valuable grain going into the bin. Each ¾ pound ear per 1/100 of an acre equals 1 bushel of loss per acre. This is one ear per 6, 30 inch rows in 29 feet of length. Continue reading →

Examining USDA 2019 Acreage and Yield Estimates

By: Ashley Hungerford, Shawn Arita, and Rob Johansson, Office of the Chief Economist USDA. October 3, 2019. farmdoc daily (9):185

2019 has been a turbulent year.  Unprecedented rains during spring, which led to heavy flooding and disrupted corn planting in many states, created a forecasting environment more challenging than usual.  When USDA’s August report delivered much higher than expected production estimates, it resulted in a great deal of questions. Many were shocked by the 90 million planted acres for corn that had been forecasted by NASS, particularly when juxtaposed with the over 11 million corn acres of prevent plant reported by FSA.  Further, many others had felt that yield estimates were too high. This article sheds some light on the different sources of data USDA has for estimating corn production. Continue reading →

Weed Answers for 2020 Start this Fall

By: Harold Watters, CCA, Ohio State University Extension

So this year I am getting even more calls and comments on run away marestail.

“Last year I killed it, this year not so much” is often the remark I hear. And following is my response regarding Horseweed (Conyza canadensis), or Marestail as it is known in Ohio. This may be a new weed to you but the western side of the Ohio and particularly the southwest corner have been fighting it since about 2002. It takes a comprehensive effort, but it can be well managed. Continue reading →

Fall Herbicide Treatments – Even More Important This Year?

By: Mark Loux, OSU Extension

If you have never applied herbicide in fall to burn down winter annuals, or done it only infrequently, this might be the year to make an investment in fall herbicides.  Fall treatments are an integral component of marestail management programs.  They also prevent problems with dense mats of winter annuals in the spring, which can prevent soil from drying out and warming up, interfere with tillage and planting, and harbor insects and soybean cyst nematode. Continue reading →

October 2019 – Weather Prediction

By: Jim Noel, National Weather Service. Previously published by OSU Extension CORN Newsletter

After another hot week (until late this week), a cool down to normal temperatures is expected starting either Oct. 3 or 4 that will last through Oct. 15. Temperatures are expected to return to above normal (but no where near current levels) from Oct. 15-31.

Rainfall will be above normal in northern Ohio this week. The week of Oct. 7 will be normal or below normal but confidence is next week’s rainfall pattern is low to moderate. Above normal rainfall is in the outlook for the second half of October which could slow harvest after Oct. 15. Continue reading →

Considerations for 2019 Wheat Planting

By: Andy Michel, Laura Lindsey, Pierce Paul, OSU Extension

With the autumn rapidly approaching, wheat planting is likely to begin soon. Planting after the Hessian fly free date remains the best chance to avoid issues with insects and diseases, as well as helping ensure good agronomic quality.  Some benefits of the fly free date:

Hessian Fly: Adults of the Hessian fly lay eggs in emerging wheat. These eggs then hatch into small larvae that feed before spending the winter as a flaxseed. The early autumn feeding will stress the young wheat plant right before the winter, resulting in stunted and wilted plants.  Very little egg laying occurs after the fly free date, which helps to limit infestation. Wheat varieties with resistance against the Hessian are available, in addition to seed treatments, which can help limit damage. Continue reading →

Managing Take-all and other Diseases in Wheat after Wheat

By: Pierce Paul, OSU Extension Plant Pathologist

I never recommend planting a small grain crop after another small grain crop, as planting wheat after barley for instance or barley after wheat increases the risk of diseases such as head scab and take-all. However, this year, some growers do not have much of a choice; soybean will not be harvested in time in some fields for them to plant wheat, so they will either have plant wheat after corn harvested for silage or after wheat. If you do end up planting wheat after corn or wheat, here are a few tips that could help to reduce the risk of having major disease problems next spring: Continue reading →

The Agronomic Crops Team will welcome you to the Farm Science Review

By: Harold Watters, OSU Extension

The Farm Science Review this year is September 17, 18 and 19th at the London, Ohio location at the intersection of US 40 and State Route 38. Things at the site actually look pretty good – crops were almost planted on time, grass was mowed pretty much on time, the parking lots have settled since the 2017 fiasco – and more gravel is in place just in case. Tickets can be purchased from your local Extension office, from many ag retailers or on-line at the FSR website: https://fsr.osu.edu/onlineticketform. Map Your Show will help you find and quickly locate what it is you are looking for – https://fsr19.mapyourshow.com/. Continue reading →

From Across the Field – Yield Goal 8/29/2019

Over the past couple of weeks, the various crop tours have traveled the Corn Belt and have made their yield estimates. Looking ahead those projected yields would certainly be welcomed, but they are only going to attainable if Mother Nature is willing to extend the growing season, as crop development is roughly a month behind on average. A later than average frost, which is the long-term trend would certainly help improve yields and reduce grain drying costs.

At our forage program last week, a now retired OSU county agent mentioned that he had a client that many years ago had some 40-40-40 late planted corn; 40 bushel per acre, 40% moisture, with a 40-pound test weight. I certainly don’t think that will be the case this year, however an early frost at this point would only add to the challenges that 2019 has brought. That said, I would suggest that growers take some time, if you haven’t already to investigate propane costs for this fall if you suspect grain moisture will be a factor during harvest. Continue reading →

Questions about Corn Crop Continue

By: Todd Hubbs, Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, University of Illinois. farmdoc Daily.

The USDA’s August crop production forecast delivered a shock to corn markets with much larger production than expected.  Market participants continue to question the size of the 2019 corn crop, in particular, harvested acreage and yield come in for much speculation.

Producers reported they planted 90 million acres of corn and intended to harvest 82 million acres for grain.  Initial reaction to 90 million planted acres with 11.2 million acres of prevent plant corn approached complete disbelief.  The switch into corn acres happened for both the prevented planting decisions and crop planting.  The expansion of corn acres reduced soybean acres in particular.  When matched with FSA data on reported planted acres, the possibility of USDA lowering planted corn acreage by a significant amount this year seems very low. Continue reading →