Another reason to wait for herbicides on wheat!

Rain may have came but a great drying day on Saturday.  Another sure sign that spring is here, I found a group of giant ragweeds starting to emerge.  For those who have planted wheat in fields with history of GR now is not the time to make an application of 24d or Banvel.  As spring moves forward with some warm moist weather I believe that we will see more rags emerging in those darker soils that warm up first.  There are options to control this in wheat later when we go after the garlilc.

And were off!!!!

So as I promised I am going to commit time to keep you all up to date on the daily/weekly happenings around my territory.  Today the sun is shining and the ground is soaking up the moisture.  Wheat top dress is almost ready to begin, just waiting on the ground to cooperate.  As we begin to look at the wheat to determine staging and tiller growth we must take into consideration our goals for fields as far as yield, end use and productivity.  Today I still believe we should be placing our first shot of N down and begin plans for a second in crop application for maximum crop production.  If there were ever a year in which you wanted to evaluate fungicides, this is the year.  Commodity prices are good, and potential for disease and insect pressure could be there.  As I begin walking wheat fields over the weekend I will keep you up to date on my findings.
Stay tuned....

2011 planning

Just some thoughts as I see opportunities coming up.  If you are planning on applying a fungicide to your beans or corn, now may be the time to buy that product.  Companies are offering some great rebates if product is paid for by an early date this spring.  Arguments go both ways concerning fungicides.  They are not a "cure all" for yield.  I would argue that all cylinders need to be firing in order to maximize yield. 
It starts with ground prep, followed by seed selection, treatment, inoculation, and weed/insect control.  If these cylinders are not firing properly, it is probably safe to say that opportunities to maximize yield have already been limited.  If high yield is what your looking for, start at the beginning and make sure you give this seed a fighting chance.  Fungicides definitely play a large part in protecting and increasing yield, if the management strategy is in place. 
To coin a phase from my SAA with Winfield Solutions - "We need to quit treating our beans like a red headed step-child" When we drop 32K pop on corn and at harvest we come to expect 32K in field.  If we would end up with 28K we would seriously consider changing something in the management practice.  So why are we OK when we drop 180K beans and at harvest we are simply satisfied with 130K final stand.  I understand yield is not dramatically affected at this pop, but what about the other 50K we left behind?
So as we approach final decisions on soybeans and corn with fungicides, ask yourself, am I giving this crop the best possible chance at yield.  If so, I would now take a look at products that will help maximize yield and help take you to the next level. 

Its Back!!!

USDA Authorizes Genuity® Roundup Ready® Alfalfa for Spring Planting
Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) allowed DEKALB® Genuity® Roundup Ready® Alfalfa for planting, announcing its decision of "deregulation without conditions." For the first time since 2007, farmers will have the choice to plant the crop. DEKALB® Genuity® Roundup Ready Alfalfa is now available for distribution and sale again. (source : Monsanto Company)

What a ride this has been!  As we look forward to the 2011 spring planting season for alfalfa, we now have an option for weed control without giving up yield, quality and persistence. 

Most years we struggle to control weeds in alfalfa during its dormancy period with products like metribuzin.  It seems by the time the snow has lifted, the alfalfa has broke dormancy and given the chickweed and perennials a chance to grow in competition with the alfalfa.  In the past this has left us with limited options on in season weed control.

Roundup Ready alfalfa does not have a fit for everyone, especially those who require or need a grass companion crop.  In this case there are options for great alfalfa depending on the needs of the grower.  Whether it be a heavy cutting schedule, insect control or a 2-3 cutting a year schedule their are specific alfalfa's that have a fit for most needs.  If your having trouble finding that right fit, give me a call and we can find a solution. 

Auggie
740.808.2108

2011 - What lies ahead

So here we are in my first full year with a blog.  I will be posting at a minimum of once a week through the slower months and as many as needed as the season tightens up.  It is my goal to keep the agriculture community up to date with timely, up to date information as I see it unfold.  With that said, stay tuned and lets let this season unwind!

Wireworm 10/28/2010

After a long hot muggy day scouting corn and beans I have come to the conclusion, I will never be as young as I am today!

Several plants caught my eye today, I noticed stunted plants with the emerging leaf beginning to die.  After digging up the few that I found, I came to the conclusion that we have a mild infestation of wireworms in some corn fields.  Right now they are not following a pattern as far as field location.  One was no-till corn following soybeans, the other was chisel plowed wheat stubble going to corn. 

Both fields had a pre emergent application of an insecticide at labeled rates.

Further soil digging did not find any around the other plants but on occasion I would find a wilted plant as pictured above.  No rescue treatments are effective and these fields are no where close to limiting yield.  Scouting is a very important part of our regimen and this year it has paid big to our growers.  If your not looking at your fields and constantly monitoring them - problems such as this might go undetected.  Future use of In-furrow insecticides or 2x2 row applications need to be implemented into your practice once this insect has been detected, as well as a insecticide seed treatment.

 Life cycle of this insect may be as much as 2-6 years.  Worm potential can be determined using a Bait station technique.  Average of one wireworm per station is equal to economic infestation.

Scouting Report as of May 27th, 2010

Wow, has it ever been hot!  Can't believe we are complaining about the temps in May! 

Corn is 99.99% planted with beans really gaining momentum this week, drills really rolling today as I was out and about.

Looks like we are going to miss the rain, which isn't so bad side dress could be finished up by the middle to end of next week.  Memorial day looked as if it was going to be a day to relax earlier this year, but with untimely rains over the last few weeks we are going to push through the weekend and get some momentum going into next week.

Been over quite a few acres the past couple days, seem to be early on some as weeds are slow to emerge.  Typical problem fields are showing their ugly faces as rags and johnson grass are growing faster ever.  Corn has begun to dig into Nitrogen really well, the dryness has forced roots to begin to dig for moisture. 

Extreme and Sharpen burndown apps for pre-emergence is looking great!   Very synergistic effect!

Had a few questions concerning burndown on SB's.  Thoughts on fields that have had Valor XLT and Envive applied for no-till burndown.  A lot of these fields had applications in early April with very little sun and heat during application.  Chickweed and other winter annuals are not dying?  Valor and Classic seem to have a much better burndown when applied with sun and heat, we did not have this early.  Fix - addition of glyphosate at pint rate will dramatically increase the winter annual burndown for very little input cost.
Canopy/Sencor  products will help with burndown of winter annuals, but truely lack the marestail control that seems to be of great importance!

Residuals post in corn - with weeds coming on strong in some fields, we are still a ways off from canopy.  Addition of  Prowl H20 or Laudis will help with residual on specific weeds if early applications need to be made due to heavy weed pressure early. 

As always please call with questions!

Have a great weekend if you have it off............

Auggie Smith - CCA
740-808-2108

Monday May 24th, Scouting Report

Officially started the sweep scouting corn fields for weeds today!  Corn staging anywhere between V2 - V6, and looking amazingly well. Still finding some seedling blight in saturated fields as well as a minor presence of slugs in fields where heavy residue is an issue.  Corn seems to began to outgrow slug pressure for the most part. 

Words of the day - Poke weed, Bur Cucumber, Giant Rags and P Vines, spent part of the day in southeastern part of territory and Cuc's were very easy to find with lateral growth of 1-3 inches.  Pre-emergent herbicides have been on the ground in some cases 40 days and we are for the most part two-pass weed control.  Grasses are slow to emerge, but with temps in the 80's this week it should bring 'em on.  Spraying will soon start and side-dress is well underway. 

Final day of scouting CLB, rechecking fields that were below threshold last week.  Looks like feeding over the weekend never slowed down!  Finishing up spraying tomorrow.  Final numbers 70-80% of fields that were checked insecticide was applied.
Glad this is over!

Remember, Proactive vs. Reactive.  Will begin tissue sampling for micro-nutrients this week.  There seems to be a lot of buzz concerning micros and limiting top end yield.  I have heard and seen a lot of products that are being applied without any real good reason why.  We have teamed up with WinField Solutions and are working with a program called Nutrisolutions.  We are proactively selecting fields that have good macro nutrient levels and testing for micro deficiencies.  If sample represents low levels and conditions are right a application of a micro such as Max N ZMB, Max N Mn, or Ascend might be needed.

As always please call if you need anything!

If your interested in a great day of learning, join me at our local Answer Plot in South Charleston on June 15th.  More details to follow.

http://www.answerplot.com/

Auggie Smith - CCA
740-808-2108

Cereal Leaf Beetle

Cereal Leaf Beetle has hit Fairfield County, current scouting reports are showing the eastern half of the county have seen more activity than north and west. 
Don't panic, how often are you out looking at your wheat this time of year.  Usually we have some numbers of CLB in our wheat that never hits threshold.
Take the time to evaluate the damage the insect is causing.  It is really unknown why we have seen increasing numbers of CLB over the past few years, some say mild winters, and follow theory that decreasing numbers of beneficial (wasps) have some effect.  Regardless, checking you wheat over the next 5 - 10 days should be at the top of you list. 

If you haven't seen CLB larvae before, it looks very similar to a small tan or black slug, usually feeding upon the flag leaf.  As you walk out of a wheat field with CLB you will notice black tar like stains on you pants and boots. This is a layer of slimy fecal material. They feed on the leaf surface between veins, removing all the green material down to the lower cuticle, resulting in an elongated windowpane in the leaf. Severe feeding damage gives the field a frosted appearance (see pic).

Treatment thresholds occur when 3 or more larva are present per stem, or for larger plants, treat when greater than 1 larva per flag leaf.
Be very careful with insecticides as they vary with PHI's as far out as 30 days.
If you have questions or would like help scouting you wheat please call as always :
These pics were taken today

740-808-2108
Auggie Smith CCA

Alfalfa Weevil

Prior to the recent rain we received weevil was a hit and miss target.  With cutting around the corner some fields could withstand waiting, where as others needed application.  Current weather will probably bring on more feeding and re-evaluation will be needed based on what I am seeing (call if you need fields looked at).  Some fields have been slow to emerge with crusting taking place prior to rainfall.  Stay tuned for replant information. 
For the most part corn has emerged very well, we are approaching V2 in corn and the pre's are working great.  Soybeans are 40-50% planted and are on their way!  If you still have the chance to treat, chances are good it will pay!  Don't forget Inoculant!

Frost

Here is some good information concerning the recent frost as we begin to start evaluating soybeans and corn.  Below is information concerning alfalfa sent to me from Agronomist Randy Welch, Sr. Alfalfa and Forage Agronomist with Winfield Solutions, out of Wisconsin and Minnisota.

Parts of Ohio were hit with frost recently. The following article from Bob Nielsen at Purdue is very good at explaining the process of determining damage. In any case, the bottom line on diagnosing the severity of frost or low temperature injury to corn or soybean is that you generally need to wait three to five days after the weather event before you can accurately assess the extent of damage or recovery. Recognize that cool days following a frost event may slow the plants’ recovery and delay your ability to assess their health.

We must also consider the difference between a light frost and lethal cold temperatures. A light frost generally occurs at temperatures warmer than 28 degrees F. Lethal cold temperatures are those at or below 28 degrees.

Corn: A light frost prior to the 5 leaf stage will generally not kill a plant entirely. The above ground parts will likely be damaged but the plant will recover. Lethal temperatures for a period of time (a moving target but usually a few hours) can kill a plant even prior to the 5 leaf stage. The growing point may be below the ground but the plant actually freezes to that level.

Soybeans: If we maintain a live “axillary bud” following a frost or freeze event the plant will survive. Axillary buds develop at each leaf axil of the plant and can take over as the growing point (primary bud at the top of the plant) if forced to. If the plant is dead below the cotyledons start doing stand counts.

Alfalfa

New seedings: Damage to new seedings has been minimal due to their excellent frost tolerance. To determine if damage has occurred examine plants - they will first appear to wilt and then die over the next 3 to 5 days. If plants die back to the ground, the plant is dead. At least one set of leaves must have escaped damage for recovery to be expected. Determine the number of living plants per square foot. If more than 20 plants per square foot remain, stand will survive in good shape. As stands are thinner than 15 plants per square foot consider top seeding alfalfa.


Established stands: Evaluate the stands to determine 1) if less than 30 % stem tops are damaged, 2) if most or all stem tops are damaged, and 3) if the stems are frozen back to the ground. Damaged means wilting (usually visible in about 24 hours after frost) or yellow to brown discoloration (usually visible 3 to 5 days after the frost).


1) If less than 30% of stem tops show wilting/browning from frost, do nothing. Enough stems remain to provide good growth and yield of first cutting. Stand will have some yield reduction of first cutting but will recover completely on second cutting.


2) If most or all stem tops are damaged and stand is less than 10 inches tall, do nothing. The growing points have been killed but the alfalfa will form new buds at lower leaf junctures (axillary buds) and continue growing (first cutting might be delayed). Alfalfa may demonstrate some horizontal growth. Mowing existing top growth will not enhance recovery. If stand is over 12 inches tall, harvest and allow to regrow. None of the alfalfa that was frozen in the Midwest was over 12 inches when frosted to our knowledge. Note that frozen material may be high in nitrate.


3) If all stems on a plant are frozen back to the ground, the plant in dead. This extent of frost damage has not occurred in the Midwest to our knowledge. However, if observed and fewer than 5 plants per square foot remain, consider rotating to another crop and replanting alfalfa in another field to avoid autotoxicity.

Thanks and give a call if you need anything!

Auggie

"Yuma" ight take a look at your alfalfa

Early indications are showing some weevil activity in alfalfa.  I have began scouting for this pest, and will update on findings in the next couple days.  Idealy using the alfalfa weevil stem count method is my choice for determining treatment.  If you have trouble with this please contact me for scouting.  I will hopefully have all current customers scouted in next 2 days.  Yuma (agrisolutions brand Lorsban) is product of choice, call for rates.  PHI of 14-21 days for this product.  Will keep you posted!

Back to blogging!

As I set in my truck and think about all that has been accomplished over the last 21 days, I tip my hat to an incredible employees, growers and staff in my local area. With lack of sleep and tempers a roaring everyonr has made it to this weekend healthy. I thought I might have more time to blog on events through the initial planting season, unfortunately time has flown by and we are 80-90 percent planted on corn and a few beans have made it into the ground.
So, I am going to touch on some things I have seen happen and what is yet to come!
Temperatures have been cooler, which has slowed down winter annual growth. Don't be fooled they will take off with a vengeance. Marestail has been slow to rear its head, but again they too will come. E-99 is still a great choice in your burndown for soybeans @ .67 pint per acre, with a 7 day wait. As we get closer to planting sharpen at a one ouncr rate with a tank mix partner pa Extreme will help the best in no-till fields that you can't wait the required time. I see a big fit for this program was we get closer. Call me for exact details.
Wheat should he sprayed by now for winter annual and garlic. As we get closer to flag leaf application of a fungicide may be a wise investment if you have not already treated with headline early.
First cutting of hay is right around the corner. Weevil at this point are not a economic problem un the area. Remember fertilizer application needs for your hay crop are very beneficial if split once after first cutting and tgr remainder applied after last cutting. For those of you interested in the benefits of micro-nuirients in alfalfa, doliar feeding is one of the best ways to get the most efficient use of micros . Max-N-alfalfa is the product of choice. Personal on farm trials have shown faster regrowth than those that have not been treated.

Wheat Stand Evaluation

Now that the snow is off, I had some time to evaluate wheat stands.  As a whole wheat yield potential seems to be on average.  This is preliminary, assuming that we do end up with 3 tillers/heads per plant.  A true yield evaluation really needs to be done once we can count heads and kernals.  Right now there are still alot of plants that have not tillered, mainly in fields that were planted late and are laying very wet this spring.  Fortunatly there are not many fields that have holes due to ponding. 
The year is shaping up to be a good one to split apply nitrogen if you currently do not. The early application of N will help with tiller developement. Winter annuals are out in large numbers. Chickweed, purple deadnettle, and pennycress are main weeds present with garlic starting to put on some new growth. 
Fields of concern right now are those with 4-12 tillers per foot of row.  I don't believe we need to act now, but there is some concern.  An options for this situation includes and early application of N and re-evaluation of stand.  We can take some credit of N if stand is eliminated and rotated to corn. Currently 150 bu corn has a financial advantage over 50-60 bu wheat, if there is no need for rotation or value put on the straw.