Disease

Statewide Webinar on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Tim McDermott, DMV, Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources in Franklin County, will be co-hosting an informative webinar on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) alongside Dr. Kristy Shaw, DVM from the Ohio Department of Agriculture, and Jenna Gregorich from the Ohio Poultry Association.

📅 When: Wednesday, January 15th, at 12:00 PM
💻 Where: Online (link provided upon registration)
🎟 Cost: FREE and open to the public

This webinar is designed to provide valuable updates and insights into HPAI, covering critical topics such as:

  • Biosecurity measures to protect your flock.
  • Recognizing the signs and symptoms of HPAI.
  • A state-level update on HPAI, including its implications for the poultry industry and even a bit about its effects on dairy.

Why Attend?

HPAI remains a significant concern for poultry owners, farmers, and anyone involved in agriculture. This webinar is an excellent opportunity to:

  • Stay informed about the latest developments.
  • Enhance your biosecurity knowledge.
  • Ask questions directly to experts in the field.

Register Today!

Registration is required, and you can sign up HERE.

We encourage you to share this opportunity with your network! Attached are flyers in PDF and JPEG formats for easy sharing on social media or email. Let’s spread the word to ensure everyone has access to this essential information.

We look forward to seeing you on January 15th!

Soybean Vein Necrosis Virus and Downy Mildew

Soybean field

Article is taken from  https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2024-26/soybean-vein-necrosis-virus-and-downy-mildew by Horacio Lopez-Nicora

As we progressed with our field scouting this past week, it has become evident that Soybean Vein Necrosis Virus (SVNV) is making a noticeable presence in our soybean crops across various regions. SVNV, a viral disease primarily spread by thrips, manifests typically as yellowing and necrosis along the veins of the soybean leaves. Initial symptoms include chlorotic lesions that evolve, resulting in a necrotic, vein-associated appearance. The impact of SVNV on overall yield is still under investigation, but early infection is generally more detrimental. Growers should be vigilant about thrip populations and adopt integrated pest management strategies, including the use of resistant varieties if available, to mitigate the spread of this virus.

Continue reading Soybean Vein Necrosis Virus and Downy Mildew →

Lep Monitoring Network – News on WBC and CEW, Update # 15

Article taken from https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2024-25/lep-monitoring-network-%E2%80%93-news-wbc-and-cew-update-15 by Stephanie Pflaum, Amy Raudenbush, Maddie Brillhart, Nic Baumer, Lee Beers, CCA, Trevor Corboy, Allen Gahler, Don Hammersmith, Mary Jo Hassen, Alan Leininger, Ed Lentz, CCA, Sarah Noggle, Les Ober, CCA, Jordan Penrose, Mike Sunderman, Frank Thayer, Kyle Verhoff, Brooks Warner, Jacob Winters, Curtis Young, CCA, Andy Michel, Kelley Tilmon

We have just finished out our 15th week of monitoring for Ohio pests at the Lep Network. This past week, we have seen a continuation of WBC numbers trending down and a slight increase in the CEW average. As was mentioned last week, WBC populations across Ohio have most likely hit their peak numbers of the season and a decline should be expected. While we are most likely beginning to round out of the peak for this pest, any counties with averages that are still above 7 should continue scouting until their county numbers have significantly declined.

Western Bean Cutworm numbers are peaking in many counties across the state
This past week was our 6th week monitoring for WBC in Ohio. The statewide average for WBC decreased again from 1.9 during the week ending on July 21st to 1.0 for the week ending July 28th. The counties with the highest averages are Sandusky (19.0), Huron (7.0) and Henry (4.8) (Figure 1). While we are relatively certain that we have surpassed the peak in WBC moths for this year and are starting the decline, it is still important to be scouting for WBC egg masses (Figure 2). As mentioned above, if this week’s average topped 7 moths in your county, see below for tips on how to scout for this damaging pest. Counties that should continue scouting this week are: Huron and Sandusky.

Continue reading Lep Monitoring Network – News on WBC and CEW, Update # 15 →

Risk of Corn Grain Contamination with Vomitoxin in Ohio in 2024: Projection for the Weeks of July 21 and 29

Corn contaminated by vomitoxin

Article is taken from https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2024-24/risk-corn-grain-contamination-vomitoxin-ohio-2024-projection by Pierce Paul, Jason Hartschuh, CCA, Aaron Wilson, Stephanie Karhoff, CCA

This week we continue providing updates pertaining to the projected risk of grain contamination with the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON), which is commonly referred to as vomitoxin. This week, the focus is on fields reaching the silking or R1 growth stage between July 21 and August 4. Using temperature and RH data from CFAES weather stations across the state of Ohio as predictors, the chance (or probability) of vomitoxin contamination of corn grain was estimated using models developed in the Paul lab. Models were run separately on data from each of nine weather stations for 15 silking dates from July 21 to August 4. Predictions generated by these models should only be applied to corn pollinating during the 15-day pre-silking model prediction window, which may be specific for each area of the state and field within that area.

Based on weather data collected from CFAES weather stations located in Ashtabula (LAT: 41.8846, LON: -80.6978), Franklin (LAT: 40.0112, LON: -83.0442), Noble (LAT: 39.7478, LON: -81.5167), Jackson (LAT:  39.0519, LON: -82.6367), Sandusky (LAT: 41.3503, LON: -83.1219), Wood (Latitude:  41.2847, Longitude: -83.8444), Pike (LAT: 39.0681, LON: -83.0144), Clark (LAT: 39.8633, LON: -83.6721), and Wayne (LAT: 40.7787, LON: -81.9308) Counties, OH, grain developing in corn fields in close proximity to the stations that reach the R1 growth stage between July 21 and August 4 are at high risk of being contaminated with at least 1 ppm DON.     

Our models were not developed to predict whether vomitoxin will be 2, 5, 8, or 10 ppm, they only predict whether vomitoxin will be ≥ 1 ppm. Whether or not contamination will be considerable higher that 1% will depend on other factors such as hybrid maturity and susceptibility, field location, tillage, and crop rotation, as well as weather conditions. Under favorable weather conditions, a highly susceptible hybrid planted no-till into corn stubble will likely be contaminated with vomitoxin well above 1 ppm compared to a tilled field of a moderately resistant hybrid planted after beans.

These model predictions can be used to help you determine if a fungicide for vomitoxin management would be beneficial. However, no single management strategy will be fully effective again vomitoxin. Even with a fungicide application, hybrid resistance is critical for achieving low vomitoxin levels at harvest. Treated fields planted with partially resistant hybrids will often have lower levels of vomitoxin at harvest than treated fields planted with susceptible hybrids. Two of the most effective products for vomitoxin management are Proline and Miravis Neo. These fungicides tend to be most effective when applied at R1 when silks are still wet. Applications made after silks are dry and brown are considerably less effective at reducing vomitoxin. The fungicide must penetrate the canopy and reach the corn silks to be effective.

These models are the first step towards the development of a prediction tool that would be available to growers to run on a daily basis during pollination to assess vomitoxin risk at their field location. The current model development has been generously supported by the Corn Marketing Board through your corn check-off. As more data are collected, models will be developed to predict the risk of higher levels of contamination (2 ppm, 5 ppm, etc etc).

More information on vomitoxin risk assessment and management in corn can be found in this corn newsletter article: https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2024-22/risk-corn-grain-contamination-vomitoxin-ohio-2024-july-8

Estimates of the risk of DON contamination of corn grain are provided at no cost within the state of Ohio. The model developers, The Ohio State University, and funding agencies cannot guarantee prediction accuracy. Users should always consult extension educators and state and field specialist when making disease and mycotoxin management decisions.

Check Roots for Soybean Cyst Nematode: What’s Your Number?

Soybean Cyst Nematode in hand

Article is taken from https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2024-24/check-roots-soybean-cyst-nematode-what%E2%80%99s-your-number by Horacio Lopez-Nicora

Soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is quietly expanding its presence in Ohio, with increasing numbers across the state. Fields affected by SCN might not show aboveground visible symptoms, but SCN females can be detected attached to soybean roots six to eight weeks after planting. We encourage Ohio soybean growers to actively manage SCN by checking roots for the presence of SCN. If you’re unsure whether you have SCN in your fields, take a walk through your fields with a shovel, digging up plants every 30 to 50 paces. Carefully remove soil from the roots (a water bucket can help) and look for SCN females (Fig. 1). Initially white to cream, turning yellow and eventually brown, SCN females are significantly smaller than nitrogen-fixing nodules (Fig. 1). The SCN females will eventually fill with over 200 eggs, transforming into cysts that protect the eggs and allow them to survive for several years in infested fields. We encourage growers, agronomists, and crop consultants to check soybean roots for SCN throughout July, August, and September.

Figure 1. Soybean roots infested with SCN. Note the significantly smaller lemon-shape SCN female (red circle) attached to roots compared to larger nitrogen-fixing nodules (yellow circle).

Figure 1. Soybean roots infested with SCN. Note the significantly smaller lemon-shape SCN female (red circle) attached to roots compared to larger nitrogen-fixing nodules (yellow circle).

Knowing if you have SCN is the first step in managing it effectively. Watch this video to learn how to check your roots for SCN females. If SCN is detected in your field, a fall soil sample can determine your SCN numbers and help tailor appropriate management strategies. If you are already planting SCN-resistant varieties, checking roots can help evaluate the effectiveness of your resistance management or identify if the SCN population in your field is adapting to those resistant varieties (a shift in virulence).

Maintaining low SCN levels is much easier than reducing high numbers below damage thresholds. With support from the Ohio Soybean Council and The SCN Coalition, we can process up to two soil samples per grower for SCN testing, free of charge [read more here]. Share your #SCNRootCheck photos on social media by tagging @TheSCNCoalition on Twitter and Facebook, and @Ohiosoycouncil on Twitter and @ohiosoybeancouncil on Facebook.

Risk of Corn Grain Contamination with Vomitoxin in Ohio in 2024: July 8 Projection

Article taken from https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2024-22/risk-corn-grain-contamination-vomitoxin-ohio-2024-july-8 by Jason Hartschuh, CCA, Pierce Paul, Stephanie Karhoff, CCA

Mycotoxins, specifically deoxynivalenol (DON), commonly referred to as vomitoxin, has become a significant problem for Ohio corn growers. What was once considered an every-ten-year problem, has now become a yearly challenge in some sections of the state. DON contamination of grain is often associated with Gibberella ear rot (GER), a disease caused by the fungus Fusarium graminearum. The Ohio State University Cereal Pathology Lab led by Dr. Pierce Paul has been researching and developing weather-based models to predict when weather conditions are favorable for DON contamination of corn grain. The current models have an 80% accuracy at predicting when conditions are favorable for grain to be contaminated with at least 1 ppm DON, meaning that based on data collected so far, the models are correct about 8 out of 10 times at predicting whether DON contamination will reach or exceed 1 ppm.

The fungus that produces DON infects corn ears during pollination while silks are wet (R1 growth stage). Each week, we will be updating the models and share estimates of the chance of grain in various parts of the state being contaminated with at least 1 ppm DON. This information will be made available through the C.O.R.N newsletter. Predictions generated by these models should only be applied to corn pollinating during the model’s prediction model’s prediction window, which is specific for each area of the state and field within that area. As a result, each week predictions will likely change for the corn that is pollinating based on changes in weather conditions. Similarly, during any given week, predictions will likely change from one field to another based on hybrid maturity, planting date, and weather condition, all of which affect the silking/pollination window.

Continue reading Risk of Corn Grain Contamination with Vomitoxin in Ohio in 2024: July 8 Projection →

Avian Influenza Detected in Dairy Cattle

On Monday, March 25th the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Center for Disease Control (CDC) issued a statement confirming the identification of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in dairy cattle located in Texas and Kansas. They have suspected that HPAI may be a contributing factor in the unclassified illness affecting older, mid to late lactation dairy cattle in several herds in New Mexico, Texas, and Kansas over the past two months. It is not yet clear if all reports of the unclassified illness are caused by HPAI. The full press release from USDA can be found here. The OSU Extension Vet Med team worked on a factsheet attached here. The following are answers to common questions producers and the general public may have about this outbreak.

OSU Precision Livestock Farming education series

Technology is changing the way we manage plants and animals. When someone says Precision Agriculture, we often think about crop production but there are many opportunities for technology to enhance our abilities to care for livestock. This winter OSU Extension is offering a glimpse at some of these technologies through hour-long weekly webinars. Each week we will have an expert join us to discuss a precision livestock topic for the species of livestock they work with, or forage production. These technologies are allowing us to improve animal husbandry and management efficiency.

The webinars will be from Noon until 1:00 PM throughout the winter 2024 months on January 31, February 7, February 14, February 21, February 28, and March 6. You can register to attend all of the topics or just the one of interest to you.  Registration is located at http://go.osu.edu/PLF24 or you can scan the QR Code below.  

Reach out to Jason Hartschuh at hartschuh.11@osu.edu with questions. To see the official flyer on Precision Livestock Farming flyer

Monthly topics include:

  • January 31, 2024 – Utilizing Drones and remote imagery to determine forage quality and quantity in pastures and hay fields. Speaker: Dr. Josh Jackson, UK Extension
  • February 7, 2024 – How does precision livestock farming relate to swine health? Speaker: Dr. Talita Pilar Resende, OSU Extension
  • February 14, 2024 – Sprinkler Effects on Cooling Water Use, Litter Moisture, and Broiler House Environment. Speaker: Dr. Tom Tabler, UT Extension
  • February 21, 2024 – Benefits of Data collection at lambing using RFID and handheld recorders. Speaker: Dan Persons, Shearwell Data
  • February 28, 2024 – Activity and temperature monitoring systems for dairy calves, heifers, and cows, Speaker: Jason Hartschuh, OSU Extension
  • March 6, 2024 – Pen-side Diagnosis of BRD pathogen, Speaker: Mohit Verma, Purdue Extension

Farm Science Review is just around the corner!

LONDON, Ohio – More than 50 companies will join the ranks as exhibitors for the 61st Farm Science Review Sept. 19-21 at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center. The new exhibitors represent various sectors in the agriculture industry including livestock handling, equipment advancements, agronomic technology, agricultural policy, and more.

Paulding County Extension Office has tickets for sale at a discounted price total of $10 per ticket. Tickets will be for sale until Monday, September 18 at noon. Continue reading Farm Science Review is just around the corner! →

Tar Spot and Fungicide Survey for Farmers and Crop Consultants

From Iowa State University Extension:

Planting is nearly here and folks are busy – but we are hoping you can help us with a tar spot and fungicide survey. This survey is the creative component for a Masters of Agronomy student, Kelsey Richie. She is hoping to get a better understanding of how tar spots may affect farmers’ decisions around fungicides. There are two surveys, one for farmers and one for crop specialists. If you could spare some time to complete the survey, it would be greatly appreciated.

The survey is only open until May 1st, so please give your input soon.

2023-2024 Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide

The 2023-24 Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide is now available.  The easiest way to get a hard copy is to order from the website https://mdc.itap.purdue.edu/item.asp?Item_Number=ID-465.  You can also download the guide for free.

This guide provides conventional pest management recommendations for commercial tree fruit, small fruit, and grape producers throughout the Midwest and surrounding states. These recommendations have been formulated to provide up-to-date information on pesticides and their application.

eFields Partnering with Growers to Evaluate Xywayâ„¢ Fungicide

By:  Sarah Noggle

Northern Corn Leaf Blight Symptoms

Northern Corn Leaf Blight Symptoms

Preventing significant yield losses from disease is likely on the forefront of growers’ minds following the 2021 growing season. A new product in our disease management toolbox is FMC’s fungicide Xyway™ LFR®. OSU Extension eFields program is partnering with growers to conduct on-farm trials evaluating the effect of an at-plant soil application of flutriafol (Xyway) on corn health and yield. Information from this trial will be used to improve corn disease management recommendations for growers throughout the state.

At each field site, an untreated control will be compared to plots treated with Xyway (applied in-furrow and/or 2×2). Additionally, growers also have the option to include a third treatment of Xyway (in-furrow/2×2) + VT/R1 Foliar Fungicide. For this study, a minimum of three replications is required, and four are preferred. Plots must also be randomized to eliminate bias due to plot order. Plots should be at least 500 feet long to ensure accurate yield monitor data.

If you are interested in hosting an on-farm trial, contact Paulding County ANR Extension Educator Sarah Noggle at 419-399-8225 or noggle.17@osu.edu or Rachel Cochran, Water Quality Extension Associate at cochran.474@osu.edu.

eFields is a program at The Ohio State University program dedicated to advancing production agriculture through field-scale research. To learn more visit digitalag.osu.edu.

Tar Spot confirmed in Paulding County

Tar Spot was confirmed in Paulding County on September 7, 2021.

This week Tar Spot was confirmed in a cornfield in Paulding County. Below is a picture of what to look for when scouting for Tar Spot.  For more information on Tar Spot please see the links:

  1. https://crop-protection-network.s3.amazonaws.com/publications/tar-spot-filename-2019-03-25-120313.pdf 
  2. https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/22-2021/tar-spot-showing-early-year-note-diagnosis
  3. https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2021-30/tar-spot-more-widespread-cross-state-ohio-2021

Thanks,

Will a Second Fungicide be Worth the Cost for Tar Spot Management?

Please note: While I have not observed Tar spot in Paulding County, we have had many reports of Tar spot in Hardin and Hancock Counties, and in previous years in Fulton County. Please contact Sarah Noggle if you believe you have Tar spot.  

CPN 2018. Published August 19, 2021. DOI: doi.org/10.31274/cpn-20210820-1

By:  Darcy Telenko, Purdue University; Martin Chilvers, Michigan State University; Alison Robertson, Iowa State University; Albert Tenuta, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs; and Damon Smith, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Tar spot has quickly become a widespread concern on corn this season (2021) across much of the upper Midwest U.S. and portions of Ontario, Canada. This is especially concerning after reasonably localized epidemics resulted in low or no yield reductions over the past two seasons. This season the tar spot fungus has infected corn plants early and is rapidly increasing in many areas of the upper Midwest corn belt. The speed at which the epidemic is now moving and the crop growth stage across much of these acres (ranging from tassel to early dough) has resulted in questions about what in-season management approaches might provide an economic benefit.

Characteristic tar spot signs on a corn leaf. Image: Darcy Telenko

When is the best time to apply a fungicide for tar spot management?

Like most of the other diseases of corn, the timing of fungicide application to hedge your bets against tar spot generally is at tasseling (VT) to the silking (R1) growth stage. Recent regional research has demonstrated that while there might be little yield benefit with an application at the V6 growth stage, a single application of fungicide at VT-R1 on average can result in as much as 7 bushels or more yield compared to not treating. This is compared to just 2-3 bushels at the V6 timing and suggests that farmers are more likely to recover their fungicide costs if applying just one application at VT-R1. In the absence of tar spot and southern rust, spraying at V6 AND VT-R1 also has not resulted in economically positive returns. This practice, on average only results in an additional 1 bushel of yield compared to one application at VT-R1. There is no considerable return on investment (ROI) with two-pass fungicide programs for many corn diseases. But what about the tar spot situation this season? What do the data say about a second fungicide application to manage tar spot if I have already sprayed at VT-R1 and the disease is continuing to increase?

Continue reading Will a Second Fungicide be Worth the Cost for Tar Spot Management? →