Field Observations Thru May 5

Throughout the growing season I will post information on different pests or issues I am seeing in our fields in Knox County.  This week, not much happening in our fields due to the cold, wet weather. Below are a some to observations to keep an eye on.

Alfalfa Weevil

 Even with the chilly weather we have experienced the last 2 weeks,  we have accumulated enough growing degree days for alfalfa weevils to be active. These cold temperatures may have slowed feeding but the temperatures haven’t been cold enough to kill the weevil larvae.  We are concerned that as soon as it warms they will speed up their feeding again with a vengeance.  Scout your fields now, not when excessive feeding grabs your attention.  Keep in mind that at a certain point, early harvest is preferable to treatment.

Click here for Alfalfa Weevil Scouting Guide

Here is a video about scouting weevils in alfalfa:  https://forages.osu.edu/video

Alfalfa Weevil Update  – C.O.R.N. Newsletter

Wheat 

Even with chilly temps wheat is growing at a good pace.  Most of our week is passing through Feekes 7 and is in (or soon will be ) in Feekes 8.  As our wheat approaches Feekes 9 it is time to scout your fields and evaluate your stand/yield potential and determine if fungicide applications are warranted.  2023 Wheat Fungicide Ratings can be found in this post from earlier this week.

Critical Juncture For Crop Basis & Your Marketing Strategy For The Remainder Of ’22 Crop

On this episode of the Purdue Commercial AgCast, Nathanael Thompson and James Mintert explore what’s been taking place in the Eastern Corn Belt on corn basis, the May/July CBT corn spread, as well as the July/September CBT corn spread, and discuss how you might pursue some marketing strategies for the remainder of the ’22 crop that you might have in storage.

Click the image below to listen to the view the

 

Expect to See More Ticks Statewide this Season

Farm and Dairy (Previously Published online with Farm and Dairy: May 1, 2023)

Backyard lovers, campers, outdoors enthusiasts, and pet owners beware. If you thought last year’s tick season was bad, just wait. This year has the potential to be even worse.

Ticks — and the diseases they carry — are on the rise in Ohio and will likely continue to increase. There has been a steady increase in tick-vectored disease numbers in Ohio each year, and officials don’t expect to see a reverse of the trend, said Tim McDermott, an educator with Ohio State University Extension, the outreach arm of The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).

“While you can encounter a tick during any season, spring marks the beginning of heavy tick season, and this year, the tick population statewide is expected to continue to rise,” he said.

McDermott said there are multiple factors contributing to the increase in tick-vectored disease, including global climate change, tick range expansion, and increasing numbers of wildlife living in close proximity to people.

 

Continue reading Expect to See More Ticks Statewide this Season →

Summary of Coffee & Grain Markets Webinar Available

The USDA’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report for April reveals a consistent picture of the old crop. Southern Latin American countries, such as Argentina and Uruguay, continue to suffer from drought damage, whilst other South American countries, such as Brazil and Paraguay, have a strong harvest outlook, which will likely lead to an increase in overall crop supply from South America compared to last year.

Click here to view the complete summary.

 

Wheat Growth and Development – Feekes 7

Today managing your wheat crop requires knowledge of the different growth stages of the plant.  Growth stage identification is critical for scouting and proper timing of fertilizer and pesticide applications.  Each week throughout the rest of the growing season I will discuss the various wheat growth stages I am seeing in our wheat fields and management issues at each stage.  This week I will focus on Feekes 7.  While growth stage does vary throughout the County, most of our field are at or beyond Feekes 7 growth stage.

Feekes 7 – Second node of stem visible

This stage is characterized by the rapid expansion of the head and a second detectable node. Look for the presence of two nodes—one should be between 1.5 and 3 inches from the base of the stem and the other should be about 4 to 6 inches above the base of the stem. These nodes are usually seen as clearly swollen areas of a distinctly different (darker) shade of green than the rest of the stem.  The next-to-last leaf is just visible.

Note: the upper node may be hidden by the leaf sheath; you may have to run your fingers up the stem to feel for it.

If only one node is present, then your wheat is still at Feekes Growth Stage 6. Wheat will still respond to N applied at Feekes 7.0 if weather prevented an earlier application; however, mechanical damage may occur from applicator equipment. Demand for water and nutrients increases. Temperatures lower than 24 degrees Fahrenheit can damage the developing head.

If you need a reminder on how to determine if wheat is at Feekes GS 7, watch this video.

Management

Plant growth regulators may be applied at this growth stage. Scout for insects, weeds, and diseases.

Weed Response to Postemergence Herbicides in Small Grains

When determining your herbicide program for spring applications, the stage of the wheat crop should be considered.  The majority of wheat herbicides labeled for application at certain wheat growth stages have very short windows in which they can be applied.  The popular broadleaf weed herbicides 2,4-D and MCPA are efficient and economical, but can only be applied for a short period of time between tillering and prior to jointing in the early spring.  Wheat growth stages and herbicide timing restriction are outlined in a in a post last week (Herbicide Applications on Winter Wheat).

Another consideration you should take into account when planning a spring herbicide application is the plant back (or recrop) restrictions to double crop soybeans.  Many of the herbicides listed in Table 19,  have soybean plant back restrictions greater than the typical three month time period between spring applications and double crop soybean planting.  The soybean plant back restrictions greatly reduce the number of options available to wheat producers who double crop soybeans after wheat.

Herbicide Applications on Winter Wheat

When determining your herbicide program for spring applications, the stage of the wheat crop should be considered.  The majority of wheat herbicides are labeled for application at certain wheat growth stages and some commonly used herbicides have very short windows in which they can be applied.  The popular broadleaf weed herbicides 2,4-D and MCPA are efficient and economical, but can only be applied for a short period of time between tillering and prior to jointing in the early spring.  Wheat growth stages and herbicide timing restriction are outlined in Figure 1.