Forage Maturity Across Ohio

Jason Hartschuh, Dairy Management and Precision Livestock, Field Specialist

Warm weather this spring especially over the last couple of weeks has rapidly progressed forage maturity. Harvesting forages at the proper time for the livestock you are feeding is critical to farm profitability. Poor quality forages must be supplemented to maintain livestock. In the southern part of the state, many forage grasses are in head while in the northern part of the state, some varieties of Orchard grass and barnyard grass are in head but most are still in the vegetative stage but will be in head within a week.

 

 

 

Continue reading Forage Maturity Across Ohio

Ohio Crop Progress

Source: USDA
Moderate temperatures and mostly clear skies throughout Ohio provided farmers with favorable conditions to conduct pre-harvest activities, according to Ben Torrance, State Statistician, USDA NASS, Ohio Field Office. Continued lack of significant precipitation resulted in an increase in abnormally dry soil moisture levels. Topsoil moisture conditions were rated 6 percent very short, 37 percent short, 56 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus. Statewide, the average temperature for the week ending on September 17 was 62.3 degrees, 3.1 degrees below normal. Weather stations recorded an average of 0.25 inches of precipitation, 0.59 inches below average. There were 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending September 17.
While row crop progress remained behind the five-year average, favorable crop condition ratings exceeded previous year averages. Sixty-seven percent of corn was in or past dent and 22 percent was mature. Corn for silage was 42 percent harvested. Twenty-seven percent of soybeans were dropping leaves. Corn and soybean condition were 76 and 71 percent good to excellent, respectively. Third cuttings of alfalfa hay and other dry hay were 92 and 71 percent complete, respectively. Fourth cuttings of alfalfa hay were 56 percent complete. Winter wheat was 1 percent planted. Pasture and range condition was rated 63 percent good to excellent, down from the previous week.

Ohio Crop Progress

Source: USDA

Last week’s warm days and mostly fair weather supported crop progress but left some counties excessively dry, according to Ben Torrance, State Statistician, USDA NASS, Ohio Field Office. Topsoil moisture conditions were rated 9 percent very short, 19 percent short, 68 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus. Statewide, the average temperature for the week ending on September 10 was 72.5 degrees, 4.6 degrees above normal. Weather stations recorded an average of 0.27 inches of precipitation, 0.27 inches below average. There were 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending September 10.

Ninety-five percent of corn was in or past dough, 53 percent was in or past dent, and 11 percent was mature. Corn for silage was 27 percent harvested. Eight percent of soybeans were dropping leaves. Corn and soybean condition were 82 and 75 percent good to excellent, respectively. Third cuttings of alfalfa hay and other dry hay were 88 and 58 percent complete, respectively. Fourth cuttings of alfalfa hay were 38 percent complete. Pasture and range condition was rated 68 percent good to excellent, down from the previous week.

Field Observations Thru July 14

Alfalfa

2nd cutting is well underway.  Potato leafhoppers are very active. If you haven’t cut yet, continue to monitor, where damage is increasing, cut as soon as weather permits.

Click here for alfalfa insect scouting calendar

Click here for more information on Potato Leafhopper

Corn

Our corn growth varies greatly throughout the county. Some fields are beginning to tassel and some field are at V8.

V12 to V13 – Six weeks after the plant emerges, V12 begins. Moisture or nutrient deficiencies may reduce the potential number of seeds, as well as the ear size, seriously. These two components of yield have key development during the period from V10 to V17. The length of time for the plant to develop through these stages affects harvestable yield.

Early maturity hybrids normally progress through these stages in less time and have smaller ears than later hybrids. Higher plant populations are needed for earlier hybrids to produce grain yield similar to normal-maturity hybrids in the adapted region. Cultivation of plants at this time will destroy some of the plant roots. Brace roots are developing from the fifth node and the first above-ground node.

V14 to V15 – Seven weeks after the plant emerges, V14 begins. The corn plant at V15 is only 12 to 15 days (around one to five V stages) away from R1 (silking). This vegetative stage is the most critical period of seed yield determination. The number of ovules that develop silks, and thus the number of kernels, is being determined. Any nutrient or moisture deficiency or injury (such as hail or insects) may seriously reduce the number of kernels that develop.

The tassel is near full size but not visible from the top of the leaf sheaths. Silks are just beginning to grow from the upper ears. Upper-ear shoot development has surpassed that of lower ear shoots. A new leaf stage can occur every one to two days.

Brace roots from the sixth leaf node are developing, and the permanent roots have continued to elongate and proliferate, eventually reaching a depth of about 5 to 8 feet and spreading several feet in all directions. In some hybrids, brace roots also will develop from the eighth and ninth leaf nodes or even higher. Some corn plants in North Dakota may only develop 16 leaves.

Critical corn growth stages

Table 5. Postemergence Herbicides in Corn – Grasses

Table 6. Postemergence Herbicides in Corn – Broadleaves

Soybeans

Soybeans are starting to look a little bit better, however, there are still a lot of “yellow” beans throughout the county.  Two possible reasons are Yellow Flash and Soybean Cyst Nematode.  Other possibilities are seedling diseases and water-logged roots, more information on these topics next week.

After planting, the second biggest challenge we face is timely weed control.  If you haven’t already made a postemergence application, it might be time to check your fields.  Most beans (and weeds) are at stage that might warrant an application.  The links below will contain OSU Herbicide rating for postemergence applications.

Soybean Postemergence Weed Control – Grasses

Soybean Postemergence Weed Control – Broadleaves

Soybean Growth & Development – R1: Beginning Bloom

 

  • Open flower at any node on the main stem
  • Flowering begins at 3rd to 6th node (V6 to V10 stage)
  • Flowering period is 3 to 4 weeks
    –Begins ~6 to 8 weeks after emergence
    – Peaks R2 to R3; ends ~R5
  • Vertical root growth rates increase rapidly
    – As much as 1.3 to 3.2 in/day

Wheat

Wheat harvest has come to an end and most of the straw is in the barn.  From what I hear, wheat yields were pretty good with little to no disease issues.

If you removed the straw, remember to account for the additional fertilizer removal when planning for fertilizer needs next year.  Read more here.

Double crop beans have been, or are being planted now.  Click here for the Double Crop Soybean Production Guidelines from Dr. Laura Lindsey.

Misc. – Something you don’t see everyday.

I can honestly say that I have never seen one of these before! Click on the picture to see the video. If you know what it is, put your answer in the comment section.  Be sure to check back next week for the answer!

… AND THE ANSWER IS – Horsehair Worm

https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef613

County Rainfall Update

Corn Water Requirements

Soybean Water Requirements

Field Observations Thru July 7

Alfalfa

Recent weather has delayed 2nd cutting in many fields.  Potato leafhoppers are very active.  Continue to monitor, where damage is increasing, cut as soon as weather permits.

Click here for alfalfa insect scouting calendar

Click here for more information on Potato Leafhopper

Corn

Plenty of moisture and some welcome warm weather – What a difference a week makes!

Warmer weather has slowed slug activity and the rapid corn growth is helping these plants escape (outgrow) this damage.

Our corn growth varies greatly throughout the county.  Most of the county is between V6 and V12. However, there are some fields at V12 and beyond.

V10 to V11 – The corn plant begins a steady and rapid increase in nutrient and dry-matter accumulation. The time between the appearance of new leaves is shortened, with a new leaf appearing every two to three days.  Demand for soil nutrients and water are relatively high to meet the needs of the increased growth rate. Moisture and nutrient deficiencies at this stage will influence the growth and development of the ears markedly. Fertilizer, especially phosphorus and potassium, is needed near the roots, which do not move appreciable distances in most soils. Dry soils also may make needed nutrients less available.

I have received a few questions about postemergence herbicide applications.  Click the links below for OSU Postemergence Herbicide Ratings.

Table 5. Postemergence Herbicides in Corn – Grasses

Table 6. Postemergence Herbicides in Corn – Broadleaves

Soybeans

Ok, many soybean fields just don’t look good, especially for this time of year.  While scouting your bean fields, check for seedling diseases and water-logged roots.

Warmer weather has slowed slug activity however beans are still growing slowly and may not be able to outgrow the feeding yet – Continue to monitor your bean fields for slug feeding.

Click here for slug information

Our Soybean  growth varies throughout the county.  Most of the county is between V3 and V6. However, there are some fields at and approaching R1.

V3 through V6 – The third trifoliolate (V3) stage takes place when three trifoliolates are unrolled. In case of damage to the growing point, axillary buds permit the plants to compensate for yield or final productivity.  The unrolling of six trifoliolates indicates the V6 stage. The root system continues to grow, even expanding across a 30-inch row spacing.  The V growth stages continue as long as a plant continues to produce trifoliolates. Determinate soybean plants complete most of their vegetative growth when flowering begins. Indeterminate plants produce trifoliolates until the beginning of the seed formation stage (late reproductive period).

Wheat

When, When, When will the wheat be ready??  Wheat harvest is just getting started.  A little sunshine and continued warm weather would certainly speed up the process.

Planning on planting beans after wheat? 

Click here for the Double Crop Soybean Production Guidelines from Dr. Laura Lindsey.

Click here to view herbicide restrictions prior to planting.  Table 23 from the Ohio Weed Control guide lists these restrictions.

Misc. – Something you don’t see everyday.

I can honestly say that I have never seen one of these before! Click on the picture to see the video. If you know what it is, put your answer in the comment section.  Be sure to check back next week for the answer!

County Rainfall Update

 

Field Observations Thru June 30

Alfalfa

The time for 2nd cutting is getting closer, for some fields 2nd cutting has happened.  Continue to monitor fields for potato leafhopper.

Click here for alfalfa insect scouting calendar

Click here for more information on Potato Leafhopper

Corn

Our corn growth varies greatly throughout the county.  Most of the county is between V2 and V6. However, there are some fields at V8 and beyond.

Click here for more information on the V3 – V4 growth stage

Click here for more information on the V5 – V6 growth stage

If you  haven’t scouted your fields lately, check them now for slugs.  Slugs have been very active this year, even when we had warmer temps.  I know several fields throughout the county that have been treated.

Click here for slug information

Beans

Beans just aren’t looking very good, for a variety of reasons – emergence problems, stand counts, too much water, not enough rain, SLUGS (!), poor root development, etc.  Make sure you are scouting your fields now to determine plant health.  A 4 year comparison of Ohio eFields on-farm research has shown that soybean plant populations as low as 80,000 plants per acre can produce yield equal to or greater than plant populations of 120,000 and 160,000.

Click here to see research summary.

As I mentioned above in the corn section, if you  haven’t scouted your fields lately, check them now for slugs.  Slugs have been very active this year, even when we had warmer temps.  I know several fields throughout the county that have been treated.

Click here for slug information

Wheat

Wheat maturity is delayed a bit this year.  Mother nature, growth regulator applications or fungicide applications all could play a part in this.    If you are planning on double-crop soybeans remember to pay close attention to herbicide restrictions prior to planting.  Table 23 from the Ohio Weed Control guide lists these restrictions.

County Rainfall Update

Field Observations Thru May 26

Alfalfa

Most of our first cutting is complete.  If you have not mowed yet continue to monitor for alfalfa weevil.  As regrowth starts begin to monitor for potato leafhopper.

Corn

What a difference a week makes.  Most of our corn is now planted and about 50% has emerged.

 

Soil Crusting

Soil crusting is still an issue.  Continue to scout for emergence problems.  A few fields saw a return of the rotary hoe to help break the crust and aid in crop emergence.

Beans

Like corn, bean planting is coming to an end.  Soil crusting is also an issue in many of our bean fields. Continue to scout these fields for emergence problems.  Read more here.

Slugs

Slug damage was a problem early in a few fields.  The forecasted warm and dry weather should help to eliminate this problem.

 

Wheat

Scout for disease and insects:

Cereal Leaf Beetle Scouting Information

Powdery Mildew Scouting information

Head Scab Scouting Information

Most of our wheat is nearing a time when a decision must be made.  All of the wheat fields that I have looked at are showing no signs of disease pressure.  Here are some factors to consider

  1. No existing disease pressure
  2. The head scab forecast system is showing a very low chance of scab
  3. Fungicide cost can range from $12 – $18/acre plus application charges
  4. New crop wheat price is hovering around $6.20/bushel
  5. The 6 – 10 day precipitation outlook is for below normal rainfall and mild temperatures.

READ MORE HERE

Field Observations Thru May 19

Throughout the growing season I will post information on different pests or issues I am seeing in our fields in Knox County.

We are making a lot of planting progress this week.  Maybe not the most ideal conditions, but, we are getting seeds in the ground!  Below are a some to observations to keep an eye on.

Alfalfa

Not many changes this week, continue to scout fields for Alfalfa Weevil.

Click here for Alfalfa Weevil Scouting Guide

 

 

Corn

Soil Crusting

When heavy rains occur after planting, soil crusting can become a concern, inducing a shallow hard layer on the soil surface that forms due to rapid drying (e.g., warm days and wind).  This can affect seedling emergence.  Click here for more information.

Planting Depth

Occasionally check and verify planting depth.  When we get in a hurry sometimes we let a few things slide.  Improper planting depth can haunt you later in the season.

Plant Stand

Most of our early planted corn has emerged.

Now is a good time to take a few stand counts to evaluate your plant stand.  For 30 inch rows, measure 17′ 5″ and count the number of plants.  Multiply the number of plants you count by 1,000 to determine your plant stand.  Click here for more information.  Plant Stand Table

Click here to read the following post from OSU Agronomists Osler Ortez, Laura Lindsey, Alexander Lindsey

Soybeans

Same story as corn.  Check for emergence issues, planting depth and stand counts for early planted beans.  Check back next week for more detailed information on these issues.

Wheat

Continue to scout wheat, especially if you are considering a fungicide application.  More information can be found in this post.