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.

Hurry up and slow down

Snow seems to have brought things to a halt. With an predicted 5-8" of snow coming sometime Tuesday field work has been put on hold.

Facebook | Links on "United Landmark"

Facebook Links on "United Landmark"

Wheat topdress

Wheat topdress is underway in Fairfield County, with later than normal soybean harvest, and excessive moisture wheat stands need to be evaluated for stand and potential yield.  If historic plans are in place to split apply N, this would be a good time to apply the first shot of N on wheat with less than perfect growth and stands....

Southern Ohio Agriculture

This is my attempt to jump into the techno age of communication. It is my hopes that I can blog daily on the changes of plant growth, moisture, weed emergence, herbicide efficacy, and the growing season in general in southern Ohio. Stay tuned as we are 90 days to kick-off.