Farm Focus Hosts 2008 Field Day on July 29

A variety of speakers will address issues on the minds of local and regional farmers at the Farm Focus Field Day being held on Tuesday, July 29 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Van Wert, Ohio. Local agri-businesses and equipment dealers will be on hand with demonstrations of their newest products and equipment pertaining to today’s farming needs. The Farm Focus committee invites all area farmers and agri-business persons to attend the field day which is free and open to the public. For more details visit...http://farmfocus.osu.edu/

Soybean Defoliators

With soybeans beginning to enter their flowering stages, we need to remind growers of the various defoliators that are starting to make their presence known. These defoliators include Japanese beetle adults, first generation bean leaf beetle adults, Mexican bean beetle adults, green cloverworm larvae, and grasshoppers, and all are now being found throughout the state. In terms of defoliation, it would be unusual for any of the above mentioned insects alone to cause significant defoliation throughout a field. However, a complex of two or more might cause defoliation levels to rise above threshold levels. Remember you need to sample from numerous locations in the field to get a good idea of what is happening across the entire field. For fields with large populations of Japanese beetles, remember that these beetles will congregate; finding one Japanese beetle means you will usually find a lot of them in the same area. Thus, at least for this insect, you need to make an extra effort to sample from numerous locations in the field to get a better idea of what is happening across the entire field. Growers are advised to initiate scouting procedures over the next few weeks to prevent defoliation from reaching the 15-20% defoliation threshold during the reproductive growth stages, R1-R5, which then rises to 20-25% during growth stage R6 late in the summer. When sampling, check numerous places within the field, avoiding the field edges which often tend to have higher levels than the rest of the field. A list of labeled insecticides for control of all these soybean defoliators is available at http://entomology.osu.edu/ag/545/soy545.pdf .

Corn Pollination Underway in Many Ohio Corn Fields

During the past week, tassels began appearing in corn fields that were planted in late April and early May. However the pollination period is going to vary widely across the state this year.

According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service ( http://www.nass.usda.gov/oh/ ), about a third of our corn acreage was planted on or before May 4, then due to persistent rainy conditions, another third of our corn was planted over the next three weeks, and the remaining third of our acreage was planted (or replanted) in late May and early June. The late planted corn will not be tasselling until early to mid August. The pollination period, the flowering stage in corn, is the most critical period in the development of a corn plant from the standpoint of grain yield determination. Stress conditions such as drought or hail damage have the greatest impact on yield potential during the reproductive stage. The following are some key steps in the corn pollination process. For more on corn pollination click ...http://corn.osu.edu/#C

Another good source of information is the following: http://www.agry.purdue.edu/ext/corn/news/timeless/Tassels.html

Wheat Harvest - Baling Straw - Double Crop Beans

Wheat harvest is just getting underway and preliminary wheat yields being reported are in the range of 70-80 bushels per acre. Initial fields reported did not have fungicide application so there will be an interesting comparing of notes once the final fields are harvested. Double crop soybeans are being planted into ideal moisture and soil conditions. Stay tuned next week for an update on Wheat yields and double crop bean planting.

Double Cropping Soybeans After Wheat

For many of you, double cropping has become second nature with our early wheat harvest. Some growers may plant this year in order to capture potential profits with soybeans in the teens. Please take a moment to review some production practices that will give you the greatest chance of a bountiful harvest.

Click here for more info...Double-Cropping Soybeans Following Wheat

Wheat Harvest Underway- Will Rain Hamper Season?

The wheat harvest is well underway in Pickaway and Ross Counties. We may be dealing with weather challenges in the next few days, so take a moment to read what our specialists are suggesting for a wet wheat harvest.

Click on this link to access the following article:
A Wet Wheat Harvest Season Ahead

Soybean Growth Stages

Soybeans on the average are at growth stage V5. Some soybeans are approaching the R1 stage which is the beginning of flowering. It is important to understand the growth stages especially when considering the application of a fungicide for disease control. Be sure to read the label of the specific fungicide that you may use and apply at the appropriate growth stage of soybeans. Consider the following when determining the economics of fungicide applications:

1. Disease pressure and/or forcast

2. Varietal suseptibility

3. Crop rotation

4. Crop Growth Stage/Maturity

5. Field Environment (River bottoms vs. upland)

6. Grain Prices

7. Cost of fungicide and application

Hail Damage Assessment Time

Two hail adjustor's have been in my office today and I thought it would be time to give you some idea to the damage inflicted on crops this past Monday. The following link is an excellent place to visit. Bob Neilsen, Purdue Corn specialist has a gallery of pictures of hail damage to young corn at different growth stages. http://www.agry.purdue.edu/ext/corn/news/timeless/HailDamageYoungCornGallery.html

Another excellent link is: Recovery From Hail Damage to Young Corn This site will give more detailed information regarding yield potential of the crop according to growth stage and severity of the damage. You might want to review this before the hail adjusters visit.

Timely Weed Control

Timely applications of herbicides will enhance the effectiveness of the specific chemistry of the product as well as the successful eradication of problem weeds. Soybean development is at or approaching the ideal time to control weeds. Most herbicides work best when applied to small actively growing weeds. So scout those crop fields now and determine is the time is right for your post emergent weed control strategy.

This link will give you great weed control information. http://agcrops.osu.edu/weeds/

Determining Corn Leaf Stages

Most university agronomists prefer the leaf collar method in determining the stage of development of a corn plant. It is important that growers understand how to identify the various corn growth stages as many products applied to corn especially fungicides have a direct relationship between timing of application of a fungicide and the stage of crop development. When determining the growth stage of corn using the leaf collar method, count only leaves with visible leaf collars (see photo). The off color green band at the base of the leaf near the stem of the plant is the leaf collar. For example if a plant has three visible leaf collars, then it is described as the V3 leaf stage or vegetative 3 stage.

Bean Leaf Beetles

Bean leaf Beetle activity is alive and well in soybean fields. There are two generations of this beetle during the growing season. Beetles can be yellow, tan or red in color with distinct black triangular mark between the wing covers, behind the head (black spots may or may not be present on the wing covers). Damage occurs as a result of defoliation and pod feeding. Classic feeding damage on the leaves appears as a shot hole appearance. Economic threshold during the vegetative stage is 40% defoliation. Soybeans at this time are at the V2 growth stage. Continue to monitor fields at this point. Defoliation reports are from 1% to 25%.

2, 3, 4, even 7 inches of Rain. What to Expect?

Recent intense rainfall events (technically referred to as “toad stranglers” or “goose drownders”) have caused flooding of low-lying corn fields or ponding in poorly drained swales within fields. Other areas within fields, while not technically flooded or ponded, may remain saturated for lengthy periods of time. What are the prospects for recently submerged corn fields?

For more information click here...http://www.agry.purdue.edu/ext/corn/news/timeless/PondingYoungCorn.html

10 Tips to Get the Most out of Your Sprayer

Dr. Erdal Ozkan
Extension Agricultural Engineer
Ohio State University

Paying attention to certain things will help you improve the accuracy and performance of your sprayer and save you money. Applying chemicals with a sprayer that is not calibrated and operated accurately could cause insufficient weed, insect or disease control which can lead to reduced yields. The following “Top Ten” list will help you improve the performance of your sprayer and keep it from failing you:
1) Check the gallon per acre application rate of the sprayer. This can only be determined by a thorough calibration of the sprayer. Use clean water while calibrating to reduce the risk of contact with chemicals. Read OSU Extension Publication AEX-520 for an easy calibration method (http://ohioline.osu.edu/aex-fact/0520.html).
2) How the chemical is deposited on the target is as important as the amount applied. Know what kind of nozzles are on your sprayer and whether or not their patterns need to be overlapped for complete coverage. Make sure the nozzles are not partially clogged. Clogging will not only change the flow rate, it also changes the spray pattern. Never use a pin, knife or any other metal object to unclog nozzles.
3) In addition to clogging, other things such as nozzle tips with different fan angles on the boom, and uneven boom height are the most common causes of non-uniform spray patterns. They can all cause streaks of untreated areas that result in insufficient pest control and economic loss.
4) Setting the proper boom height for a given nozzle spacing is extremely important in achieving proper overlapping. Conventional flat-fan nozzles require 30 to 50% overlapping of adjacent spray patterns. Flood-type nozzles require 50% overlapping. Check nozzle catalogs for specific recommendations for different nozzles.
5) Know your actual travel speed, and keep it steady as possible. Increasing the speed by 20% may let you cover the field quicker, but it also cuts the application rate by 20%. Similarly, a reduction of speed by 20% causes an over application of pesticide by 20%; an unnecessary waste of pesticides and money.
6) Pay attention to spray pressure. Variations in pressure will cause changes in application rate, droplet size and spray pattern. At very low pressures, the spray angle will be noticeably narrowed, causing insufficient overlap between nozzle patterns and streaks of untreated areas.
7) Don’t waste your chemical. After all, you have paid for it. Spray drift wastes more chemicals than anything else. Don’t spray when the wind speed is likely to cause drift. Don’t take the risk of getting sued by your neighbors because of the drift damage to their fields. Keep the spray pressure low if it is practical to do so, or replace conventional nozzles with low-drift nozzles. Use other drift reduction strategies: keep the boom close to the target, use drift retardant adjuvants, and spray in early morning and late afternoon when drift potential is less.
8) Carry extra nozzles, washers, other spare parts, and tools to repair simple problems quickly in the field.
9) Calibrate your sprayer periodically during spraying season to keep it at peak performance. One calibration per season is never enough. For example, when switching fields, ground conditions (tilled, firm, grassy) will affect travel speed which directly affects gallon per acre application rate. Be safe. Pesticides are poisons. Read the chemical and equipment instructions and follow them. Wear protective clothing, rubber gloves and respirators when calibrating the sprayer, doing the actual spraying and cleaning the equipment.

2008 Purdue Top Farmer Workshop

A new article entitled 2008 Top Farmer Crop Workshop—Adding Value to Every Acre You Farm has been posted to the TFCW site. You can access the article by clicking on Monthly Update on the main TFCW page: http://www.agecon.purdue.edu/topfarmer/update.asp

The 2008 workshop agenda is now posted on the Top Farmer web site (http://www.agecon.purdue.edu/topfarmer/conference.asp), as well as lodging, parking, registration, and other information. We hope you will find interesting and insightful what we have in store for you this year, and we look forward to seeing you in July! If you have attended in the past few years, you will be receiving a hard copy of the program with a registration form in the mail in the next few days. To reserve your spot now, go ahead and register on-line at : http://www.conf.purdue.edu/TOPCROP.

We are offering a $100 registration discount this year to first time attendees (applies to full registrations only). Use the discount code TCFIRST when you register on-line, write this code on the mail-in form, or mention this if you register via phone. We encourage you to forward this email to any of your farming colleagues that you think might benefit from this program.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about this year’s program—and be sure to mark July 20 through 23 on your calendar.

Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture

WASHINGTON, May 27, 2008 -- The U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) today released “Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.3 (SAP 4.3): The Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture, Land Resources, Water Resources, and Biodiversity in the United States.” The CCSP integrates the federal research efforts of 13 agencies on climate and global change. Today’s report is one of the most extensive examinations of climate impacts on U.S. ecosystems. USDA is the lead agency for this report and coordinated its production as part of its commitment to CCSP.

“The report issued today provides practical information that will help land owners and resource managers make better decisions to address the risks of climate change,” said Agriculture Chief Economist Joe Glauber.

The report was written by 38 authors from the universities, national laboratories, non-governmental organizations, and federal service. The report underwent expert peer review by 14 scientists through a Federal Advisory Committee formed by the USDA. The National Center for Atmospheric Research also coordinated in the production of the report. It is posted on the CCSP Web site at:

http://www.climatescience.gov/Library/sap/sap4-3/default.php.

The report finds that climate change is already affecting U.S. water resources, agriculture, land resources, and biodiversity, and will continue to do so. Specific findings include:

Grain and oilseed crops will mature more rapidly, but increasing temperatures will increase the risk of crop failures, particularly if precipitation decreases or becomes more variable.

Higher temperatures will negatively affect livestock. Warmer winters will reduce mortality but this will be more than offset by greater mortality in hotter summers. Hotter temperatures will also result in reduced productivity of livestock and dairy animals.

Forests in the interior West, the Southwest, and Alaska are already being affected by climate change with increases in the size and frequency of forest fires, insect outbreaks and tree mortality. These changes are expected to continue.

Much of the United States has experienced higher precipitation and streamflow, with decreased drought severity and duration, over the 20th century. The West and Southwest, however, are notable exceptions, and increased drought conditions have occurred in these regions.

Weeds grow more rapidly under elevated atmospheric CO2. Under projections reported in the assessment, weeds migrate northward and are less sensitive to herbicide applications.

There is a trend toward reduced mountain snowpack and earlier spring snowmelt runoff in the Western United States.

Horticultural crops (such as tomato, onion, and fruit) are more sensitive to climate change than grains and oilseed crops.

Young forests on fertile soils will achieve higher productivity from elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Nitrogen deposition and warmer temperatures will increase productivity in other types of forests where water is available.

Invasion by exotic grass species into arid lands will result from climate change, causing an increased fire frequency. Rivers and riparian systems in arid lands will be negatively impacted.

A continuation of the trend toward increased water use efficiency could help mitigate the impacts of climate change on water resources.

The growing season has increased by 10 to 14 days over the last 19 years across the temperate latitudes. Species’ distributions have also shifted.

The rapid rates of warming in the Arctic observed in recent decades, and projected for at least the next century, are dramatically reducing the snow and ice covers that provide denning and foraging habitat for polar bears.

USDA agencies are responding to the risks of climate change. For example, the Forest Service is incorporating climate change risks into National Forest Management Plans and is providing guidance to forest managers on how to respond and adapt to climate change. The Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Services Agency are encouraging actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon sequestration through conservation programs. USDA’s Risk Management Agency has prepared tools to manage drought risks and is conducting an assessment of the risks of climate change on the crop insurance program.

For more information, please visit:
http://www.usda.gov/oce/global_change/
http://www.climatescience.gov/Library/sap/sap4-3/default.php or
http://www.sap43.ucar.edu/.

Weather Trends for June

AgCrops Team Crop weather

May summary: It was a cool and damp month in most locations. Temperatures averaged several degrees below normal reducing evapotranspiration rates (which was a significant reduction). Rainfall was close to average with a tendency toward above normal rainfall in the south and normal in the north.

There were pockets of below average rainfall in central Ohio and far northwest Ohio and far northeast Ohio. Toledo and Columbus and Pittsburgh stations were below average, Dayton and Cleveland were near average and Cincinnati was above average. The cool weather which is very La Nina like made it seem much wetter of a month with little evapotranspiration.

June outlook: A change toward above normal temperatures is expected for June. Rainfall will be near average but that will come with high variability. It appears above normal rainfall is on tap in northern Ohio while a little below normal may occur in the south and average in between.
This week will see the best chances for rain especially north of I-70 Tuesday/Wednesday. Temperatures will reach 85-93 Thu/Fri. The high soil moisture content will keep temperatures from getting too high (a good thing). Next week will see highs mostly in the 80s, a few 90s far south. A few rain chances early and late in the week again especially in the north.
The following week will see more isolated storms with warm weather.

Source: James Noel, NOAA, Wilmington, Ohio

James.Noel@noaa.gov

Wheat Pollination

This is a critical time to scout wheat fields for disease and insects. Pollination is occuring in wheat fields throughout Ross and surrounding counties. See the latest issue of the C.O.R.N. newsletter for cereal leaf beetle larvae control as several other timely crop issues.

Cereal Leaf Beetle

Growers should scout their wheat fields for cereal leaf beetle larvae activity. I identified cereal leaf beetle larvae feeding on wheat in Southwestern Ross County yesterday. Larvae were present at economic threshold levels of 2-3 larvae per stem. Larvae were feeding on the flag leaf creating the classic window pane affect. This is a critical time for wheat during flowering. Any damage to the flag leaf can cause significant yield losses.

Seedcorn Maggot in Late Planted Field Crops

Source- Ron Hammond, Andy Michel, Bruce Eisley

We have already received reports of corn and soybean fields having stand reductions because of seedcorn maggots. These have come from fields that either had a cover crop or manure tilled into the soil. Being that there are no curative treatments at this time, many growers are considering replanting. Additionally, because of the wet and cool conditions in some parts of Ohio that have prevented planting, we are reaching a situation in many unplanted fields where weeds are becoming larger.

Last week in the C.O.R.N. newsletter (http://corn.osu.edu/index.php?setissueID=228), Mark Loux discussed this latter situation and the need to apply herbicides in addition to tilling the soil. Tilling heavy weed growth can be similar to tilling a cover crop or manure in its ability to attract seedcorn maggot flies. Thus, the potential in these fields for seedcorn maggot problems is higher than if they had been tilled and planted earlier when weeds were small.

In these situations, growers should consider an insecticide seed treatment if not already on their seed. Whereas both Poncho (clothianidin; corn only) and Cruiser (thiamethoxam; both corn and soybean) do an excellent job at controlling seedcorn maggot, our studies have suggested that Gaucho (imidacloprid) does not offer acceptable seedcorn maggot control on soybean.

Ohio Farm Custom Rates- 2008

Barry Ward, Leader Production Business Management, OSU Extension and Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics (AEDE)

Click here for the PDF Version of Ohio Farm Custom Rates--2008
Many Ohio farmers hire custom farm work in their farm business or perform custom farm work for others. Custom farming rates traditionally have been arrived at by a series of calculations and negotiations. One of the most common ways custom farming providers and consumers arrive at an agreeable custom farming rate is to access University Extension summarized surveys. Ohio State University Extension and the Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics have historically published farm custom rates to assist farm businesses with this important task.

“Ohio Farm Custom Rates 2008” is based on survey results from 205 Ohio farmers, custom farmers and farm managers. The custom rates presented may differ from rates in your region depending on availability of custom operators & machinery, timeliness, operator skill, field size & shape, crop conditions, performance characteristics of the machine being used and demand for custom farming services.

Custom farming rate increases for 2008 include custom Corn Harvest at $25.45/acre, Conventional Corn Planting at $15.11/acre, Drilling No-Till Soybeans at $15.68/acre, and Spraying Chemicals (Self-Propelled Sprayer) at $6.36/acre. These represent increases of 6%, 5.7%, 10.4%, and 11.6% respectively over 2006 Ohio custom rates. Other operations show similar 4 year rate increases. Higher machinery, fuel and labor costs have contributed to custom farming rate increases over the past 2 years. For more information on custom farming rates and other Farm Management Topics see our Department Farm Management Website at:
http://aede.osu.edu/programs/FarmManagement/