Vol. 19, No. 2, June 3, 2004

In this Issue
Rainfast periods for insecticides
MSU Extension Bulletin E1582 on-line
Timely control of weeds in corn
Summer annual forage grasses for emergency crops
Mark your calendars: MSU Weed Tour rescheduled for July 15
MSU Crop Management and Field Diagnostic School set for July 23
Regional reports
Drier weather arrives

Next issue -- June 10th

Rainfast periods for insecticides

Christina DiFonzo, Entomology

On last week's CAT Alert conference call, I had a request to provide rainfast periods for insecticides. The "rainfast" period of a pesticide is the point at which rainfall or irrigation no longer reduces the performance of the product. The sprays have dried, or the active ingredient has absorbed into the plant and cannot be washed off. Herbicide labels commonly provide information on rainfastness. This is important since the product must be held on the leaf for a certain amount of time to get adequate uptake of the active ingredient into the plant.

Insecticide labels often do not give a rainfast period. I checked the labels of 13 field crops insecticides [Asana, Baythroid 2, Capture 2EC, Decis 1.5EC, Dimethoate, Furadan, Lorsban 4E, Mustang Max, Pounce 3.2EC, Provado 1.6F, Sevin 4F, Warrior]. None list a rainfast period, and few discuss the effect of rainfall or irrigation. For example, the Capture label says "Do not make applications to corn if heavy rainfall is imminent." The Baythroid 2 label states the obvious: "Do not apply in the rain." In lieu of any information on the label, the best bet is to assume that an insecticide is rainfast once sprays completely dry. Many insecticides kill by contact, so insects are exposed at the time of the treatment, dying within minutes or hours of exposure. Thus rainfastness isn't necessarily as important a factor for foliar insecticide sprays as, say, rate or coverage. For residual control of insects, the important factor is UV exposure, as insecticide residues on the plant surface break down faster in direct sunlight than under cloudy conditions.

MSU Extension Bulletin E1582 on-line

The Insect Control Guide For Field and Forage Crops is now on the MSU Field Crops AoE web site. Each crop, chapter, or table is a separate file to make it easier to print off a section of the guide. http://www.canr.msu.edu/fldcrp/e1582.htm

Timely control of weeds in corn

Jim Kells and Kathrin Schirmacher
Crop and Soil Sciences

The wet, cool weather in late May has either delayed or prevented field operations in most of Michigan. For corn planted before this wet period, the ideal timing of postemergence herbicide applications is already here or rapidly approaching. It is important to remember that yield losses from weed competition may occur when herbicide application is delayed too long. This is a major concern when controlling weeds with a total postemergence strategy.

Research conducted at Michigan State University in 1998 through 2001 studied the effect of glyphosate application timing on Roundup Ready corn yield. Glyphosate was applied when weeds reached 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 inches in height. The results of this research are generally applicable to any corn hybrid, including conventional, Roundup Ready, Liberty Link, or Clearfield. However, glyphosate will often control very large weeds and is labeled for application for up to 30-inch or 8-collar corn. Of course, yield losses from early competition will be compounded if the herbicide program does not completely control the weeds or causes corn injury.

Results showed that corn is sensitive to early season weed competition and that delaying glyphosate application can reduce corn yields (Table 1). Yield loss first occurred when weeds reached 6 to 12 inches, depending on the year. In 1999, delaying herbicide application until weeds reached 6 inches resulted in an 18 bu/A yield loss. For more information refer to the article Weed Competition in Roundup Ready Soybeans and Corn on p.149-150 in the 2004 Weed Control Guide for Field Crops (E-434).

Table 1. Corn yield loss in 30 in. rows as affected by time of glyphosate application, East Lansing, MI.

Recommendations
1)    Ideal timing for postemergence herbicide application in corn is when weeds are 2 to 4 inches tall.

2)    To avoid corn yield loss, weeds should be controlled before they exceed 4 inches in height.

Summer annual forage grasses for emergency crops

Rich Leep
Forage Agronomist

Summer annual grasses are used for summer pasture, green chop, hay, and silage. Annual grasses are normally used as emergency forage. The most common annual grasses used in Michigan are sudangrass, hybrid sudangrass, sorghum-sudangrass hybrids, and forage sorghum.

Desirable characteristics such as rapid growth, excellent drought resistance, and good response to fertilizer and water, make summer annual grasses attractive to use in an overall management scheme for forage production.

Sorghum-sudangrass hybrids produce about the same amount of feed as sudangrass when used for pasture. When used for green chopped forage, yields of sorghum-sudangrass hybrids usually exceed sudangrass or forage sorghum. Forage sorghums are best suited for silage. Making sorghum-sudangrass into hay is difficult because of the slow drying time.

Sudangrass. True sudangrasses have fine stems, tiller extensively when conditions permit, and can regrow rapidly. Thus, they are more suited to pasturing than other types of sorghum. It is popular for annual hay and late summer pasture. Piper sudangrass is low in prussic acid content and has good drought and disease tolerance. Piper is a Wisconsin release that has good regrowth after pasturing and is the leading sudangrass hybrid.

Hybrid sudangrass. Hybrid sudangrasses result from a cross among true sudangrass strains that are available primarily as commercial varieties. They are similar to true sudangrass varieties, but yield slightly more in a three-cut green chop or hay system. Their prussic acid content is generally between that of true sudangrass and sorghum-sudangrass hybrids.

Sorghum-sudangrass hybrids. Sorghum-sudangrass hybrids are the most numerous of the various types of summer annual grasses. Most of these are available as commercial hybrids. They are high producing forage grasses, but more than 50 percent of their yield usually comes from their stems. Their rate of regrowth after repeated clippings or grazing is lower than that of sudangrass. Thus, sorghum-sudangrass hybrids sometimes gain or milk less than those consuming other summer annuals, apparently due to lower energy content. When these hybrids are cut at immature stages, quality is higher but yields are much lower.

Sorghum-sudangrass brown mid rib (BMR). Brown Mid Rib increased digestibility of the stems by reducing the quantity of digestible lignin. Lignin content is reduced approximately 40-60% depending upon environmental conditions. The reduction in lignin increases cellulose and hemicellulose content, both are more digestible than lignin. Since lignin is a structural component of the stem, by its reduction stems are somewhat softer and more limber. BMR annual forage grasses should be planted at the same rate as Sorghum-Sudangrass.

Forage sorghum. Forage sorghums are usually tall growing, and mature late in the growing season. Often called "sweet sorghum," forage sorghums often have sweet and juicy stems and many have relatively small grain heads.

Forage sorghums usually yield more silage dry matter per acre than corn without irrigation. However, yields of TDN per acre are usually lower from forage sorghums than from corn.

Grazing forage sorghums is not recommended. They usually contain much higher levels of prussic acid than other summer annual grasses and can be dangerous to graze even when plants are completely headed, especially when young shoots are present. Forage sorghums can be cut for hay, although their stems dry very slowly after cutting.

Pearl millet. Pearl millet is a tall, warm season, annual grass. It originated in Africa and India where it was used for both forage and grain. It was introduced into the United States in the 1850s and became established as a minor forage crop in the southeastern and Gulf Coast states. Improved varieties or hybrids are generally leafier and shorter than older varieties. The solid stems are often densely hairy and usually 3/8 to 3/4 inch in diameter. Leaves are long, scabrous, rather slender, and may be smooth or have hairy surfaces. Leaves, as well as stems, may vary in color from light yellowish green to deep purple. A good stand of pearl millet will produce plants with relatively fine stems and profuse leafy growth. Pearl millet has a significantly higher leaf to stem ratio than other forages such as sudangrass, sorghum-sudan and foxtail millets.

The plant tends to tiller profusely under favorable climatic conditions and at times when it compensates for uneven stand establishment. Prop roots arise from the lower nodes to help support the maturing plant. Regrowth potential after harvesting is comparable to sudangrass and much greater than foxtail millet.

Siberian foxtail millet. Siberian Foxtail Millet is the most commonly grown hay millet in the upper Midwest. It is a early maturing hay millet, ready for harvesting 55-65 days after planting. Siberian is extremely hardy and drought tolerant, making excellent quality hay.

German foxtail millet. German Foxtail Millet is a longer season type than Siberian, being ready to harvest 65-70 days after planting. German Millet is taller with a coarser stem than Siberian. German Millet can produce more forage than Siberian and because of its increased stem size takes better management than other foxtail millets

Japanese foxtail millet. Japanese Foxtail Millet is distinctly different from other foxtail millets. Japanese is much taller and produces very coarse hay that contains fair feed value. This high tonnage annual forage works well in some rotations.

Utilization of summer annuals
Summer pasture. Sudangrass and sorghum-sudangrass can provide supplemental summer pasture when cool-season grasses go dormant and the feed supply is short.

Sudangrass and pearl millet produce better pasture than sorghum-sudangrass because they are usually leafier. They also provide a more uniform supply of feed for grazing and support higher daily gains or milk production. Sorghum-sudangrasses produce higher yields, but are better used to support livestock on maintenance or lower productivity levels.

Graze the summer annual grasses in a short, rotational grazing system. Subdivide fields into three or more pastures so that each pasture can be grazed down in 7-10 days. Stagger the date of planting each pasture by about 10 days so that grazing will begin on each pasture when growth is at the appropriate height. This rotation system allows maximum production of quality forage.

Graze sudangrass when it reaches 15-20 inches in height and sorghum-sudangrass hybrids when they are 18-24 inches tall. Danger from prussic acid poisoning will be low when grazing is delayed until grass is this tall. Graze down rapidly to 6 inches of stubble before moving livestock to a fresh pasture, and do not graze regrowth until 18 inches of growth accumulates. If growth is more than 36 inches tall, harvest as hay, green chop, or silage since grazing cattle will trample and waste much of the forage. Regrowth will be more rapid following cutting this taller growth than if it is trampled.

Summer grazing lasts about two months. During this time each acre of these pasture can provide feed for one to six mature dairy or beef animals. Grazing management and soil fertility and moisture will determine total production.

Sudangrass, sorghum-sudangrass hybrids, and forage sorghum pastures are not recommended for horses because kidney ailments may develop.

Green chop. Sorghum-sudangrasses are well suited to a green chop program. Under a 3-4 cut system, the forages produce higher yields than other summer annual grasses. Field losses are less from green chopping than from grazing or haying. However, the fast rate of growth of sorghum-sudangrass results in variable amounts and quality of feed throughout the growing season. When grass is young and growing rapidly it may contain 20 percent crude protein and produce a highly succulent feed. As the crop grows taller and nears maturity the protein content may drop to 7 percent or less, and a course, fibrous, low quality green chop is produced.

Nitrates can become a problem in a green chop program under certain growing conditions. Do not feed green chop that has heated in the wagon, feed bunk, or stack, or that has been held overnight. Nitrates are converted to nitrites as plants respire; nitrites are about 10 times more toxic than nitrates.

Hay. For good quality hay, harvest sudans and sorghums before heads emerge or when they are 30-40 inches tall. These hays will contain slightly less protein than alfalfa hay and as much energy as good quality alfalfa hay. Use of a conditioner will aid in field drying. Field drying will usually take several days to dry to satisfactory levels.

Silage. Forage sorghums for silage usually have about 75 percent of the energy value of corn silage per unit of dry matter, while other summer annual grasses have 60-75 percent of the value of corn silage. Most summer annuals need to be wilted or mixed with dry feeds to make satisfactory silage. Silage is often cut after frost to reduce moisture, especially with forage sorghums.

Seeding
Seedbed preparation. A firm, well-prepared seed bed is needed for good seed-soil contact and rapid germination. Conventional, minimum, or no-till drilling can be used for establishment.

Date of seeding. Sudangrass and sorghum are warm-season grasses. Seed should be planted into soils when average soil temperature is above 60 degrees F. Plan the seeding date to produce desirable feed when needed. Stagger planting dates to aid rotational grazing. It takes at least six weeks after planting before usable forage is available. Later plantings will result in lower yields due to summer droughts and fall frosts.

Planting rates. Recommended planting rates depend on row spacing. Broadcast and narrow-row spacing are preferred for sudangrass and sorghum-sudangrass hybrids because they result in shorter plants with finer stems. Total forage yield will be similar for different row spacing because sorghums and sudangrasses tiller. Removing the primary growing point at the first cutting enhances tillering. First-cut yields are usually higher for broadcast or narrow-row seedings than for 20 - 40 inch rows. Plant 15 to 20 lbs/acre seed of pearl, German, Japanese or Siberian millet if planting with a grain drill. Forage sorghums should be planted at 12-15 lbs/acre with a grain drill. Use 6-12 lbs/acre for pearl millet. Sudangrass and sorghum-sudangrass is seeded at 20-30 lbs/acre in 7 inch rows with a grain drill. Higher seeding rates help in producing finer stems, which is desirable for grazing and hay.

Planting depth. Seed to a depth of 1-2 inches, depending on soil moisture conditions. Seeds planted too deep do not emerge well and poor stands may result.

Fertilization. Summer annual grasses have fertilizer requirements similar to those of corn. With rapid growth, apply sufficient nitrogen at planting to ensure establishment and high first-cutting or grazing yields. Apply 40-80 pounds of nitrogen per acre at planting and an additional 50 pounds after the first cutting or grazing. Phosphorus and Potassium should be applied based upon soil test recommendations.

Prussic acid poisoning. Cellular damage to sorghums and sudangrasses from frost, wilting, bruising, drought, excessive soil nitrogen, or deficiencies in soil phosphorus or potassium can result in prussic acid poisoning in cattle. Prussic acid poisoning consists of the following sequence of events: plant cells rupture and cyanic acid (HCN) forms from cyanogenic glycosides; cattle consume forage with elevated HCN levels; HCN is absorbed from the rumen; HCN binds to hemoglobin; asphyxiation and death occur. Poisoning is most likely after a frost when animals consume the leafy regrowth. Regardless of season, plants less than 18-24 inches tall should not be grazed. Suspect forage should be harvested as dry hay or silage. Both harvest methods tend to reduce hydrocyanic acid levels.

Nitrate poisoning. High dietary nitrate levels can overload the animal's ability to detoxify this chemical and can result in death due to asphyxiation. In the rumen, nitrate is reduced to ammonia, which is absorbed into the bloodstream or converted into microbial protein. High dietary nitrate levels that overload this microbial reduction system cause an accumulation of nitrite in the rumen. This nitrite is then absorbed into the bloodstream where it binds to hemoglobin in place of oxygen. This deprives the tissues of oxygen and causes abortions and asphyxiation.

Sorghums and sudangrasses can accumulate high levels of nitrate during environmental conditions that decrease plant growth rate, including water stress, lack of sunshine and high nitrogen fertilization. Plants usually absorb nitrogen as nitrates and synthesize protein. However, during stress, the synthesis rates decrease and nitrates accumulate. Cattle should not be fed forages with nitrate levels greater than 2 percent. Nitrate analysis can be obtained from numerous commercial laboratories.

Seed availability. Most commercial suppliers of seed carry varieties of sorghums, sudangrasses, hybrid-sudangrasses, and sorghum-sudangrass hybrids and millets. Check with your local supplier for availability and variety characteristics. MSU does not routinely test varieties of annual grasses and therefore does not provide variety recommendations.

Mark your calendars: MSU Weed Tour rescheduled for July 15

In last week's Field Crops CAT Alert we announced that the MSU Weed Tour, originally scheduled for June 30, would be rescheduled due to persistent rains that have delayed planting throughout most of Michigan. Good news!! With a couple of days of no rain and some luck we were able to plant some of our weed research trials over the weekend and would like to invite you to make plans to attend the 2004 MSU Weed Tour on Thursday, July 15. The tour will provide an opportunity to look at research plots and participate in some short field presentations. The format will be similar to previous year's with field crops in the morning and horticultural crops in the afternoon. For the morning tour, participants will be able to compare their favorite corn and soybean herbicide programs to other commercial programs. More information and registration forms will be included in next week's issue of the Field Crop CAT Alert. -- Christy Sprague and Jim Kells.

MSU Crop Management and Field Diagnostic School set for July 23

Farming is a continuously changing venture. To help growers, agribusiness reps, Extension agents, agency personnel and others stay abreast of changes in Michigan corn and soybean production, Michigan State University (MSU) is sponsoring its second annual Crop Management and Field Diagnostic School, July 23 on campus.

Participants will have the opportunity to hone their field decision-making and problem-solving skills as they interact with MSU Extension specialists in small groups while participating in hands-on field activities.

The school will focus on such topics as how crop growth stage affects insect pest populations and thresholds; the challenges of using a glyphosate-only weed control system; fine-tuning corn nitrogen rates to maximize profitability; and scouting for soybean diseases, taking samples for diagnosis, and preparing for the potential arrival of soybean rust.

Approval is pending for RUP credits and 6.0 continuing education units for certified crop advisors.

The $125 registration fee is due July 20. Participation is limited to the first 125 paid registrations. For more information contact any MSU Extension office or call 517-355-0271, ext. 108 or e-mail lisaingr@msu.edu. A brochure with registration form is available on the IPM web site at: http://www.ipm.msu.edu/CAT04_fld/pdf/6-04FldDiagnBrochure.pdf

Regional reports

1 - Southeast

Mike Score

Weather
Wet weather continues across the region, resulting in scattered flooding, moderate crop loss, and delayed corn and soybean planting.

Commodity reports
Corn producers who planted before May 5^th are generally happy with their decision to plant early. Record rainfall in the month of May has resulted in relatively minor flooding, particularly in low lying areas of fields. Corn that is up is growing rapidly. Fields that received early herbicide applications generally have good to excellent weed control. Those who chose to delay planting and those who could not finish planting before rainfall set in are beginning to think about changing cropping intentions. This is troubling to growers who applied nitrogen fertilizer very early in the spring. The logical second choice for most growers would be soybeans. High nitrogen application rates raise production concerns now that fields may be converted over to soybean production.

The soybean situation parallels corn in many ways. Beans that were planted early are up and growing, except in areas where there is standing water in fields. In general it has been better to absorb minor flooding losses than it is to be waiting for fields to dry out. It seems as if major rainfall is occurring on a two to three times per week schedule. Under best scenarios planting could resume next week for corn and soybeans.

Wheat is growing well. Lodging has not been a major problem yet this year. As reported last week, there was some hail damage from earlier storms. Still, considering the weather patterns of this growing season the wheat crop is in pretty good shape.

2 - Southwest

Bruce MacKellar

Weather
Heavy thunderstorms over the holiday weekend brought significant rainfall once again to Southwest Michigan. Producers may have been able to work on planting on Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning, but rainfall totals of 1.5 inches in much of the southern portion of the region have slowed field operations during the first week of June. The outlook for warmer and drier conditions may help us to finally get soybeans finished up during the next week here.

Commodity reports
For alfalfa, three days of dry weather in the forecast will undoubtedly lead to a good deal of first cutting hay being cut. Be sure to watch for potato leafhopper activity in your early re-growth alfalfa. Potato leafhopper numbers are on the increase in Southwest Michigan. The insect pest can be particularly a problem in alfalfa that is in the 1 to 3 inch stage of growth following first cutting.

Armyworms have been found to be above threshold in some wheat fields in St. Joseph County this week. The treatment threshold is 4 larvae per square foot before head emergence, 2 larvae per square foot after heads have emerged. Look for leaves with ragged margins, a telltale symptom of armyworm feeding. Click on the following link for MSU insecticide recommendations for armyworm control in wheat:

http://www.canr.msu.edu/fldcrp/15smallgrain04.pdf

The extended period of wet and cloudy weather has increased the incidence of powdery mildew approaching or on the flag leaves. Wheat is in the early grain fill stages right now in southern areas of the region. This means that we are really beyond the window of application of fungicides to wheat. The warmer and drier forecasted conditions should help to alleviate the spread of powdery mildew on the flag leaves.

The earliest planted corn is probably at the 5-6 collar stage. Some of these fields are getting nitrogen applications this week. European corn borer moth emergence is spreading north. Cutworms have been clipping some of the later planted corn. Armyworm damage can be found in some no-till cornfields or those that have not been sprayed yet. Weed control is variable depending on where water ponded or erosion has occurred in fields. Most fields will have adequate weed control from pre-emergence sprays, but some fields will undoubtedly need to be spot sprayed to clean up problem areas.

 Seed corn planting progress varies widely from area to area. Some fields have had to be torn up and planted for the second time to get the proper delays for pollination. Corn that was planted early looks fairly good at this point.

Early planted potatoes are flowering. While there are Colorado potato beetles around, insecticide programs applied at planting seem to be doing a good job of controlling the pest.

Soybean planting continues in southwest Michigan. The early-planted soybeans have been taking a beating in areas of fields where water has been standing. There has been some feeding on soybean leaves by bean leaf beetles. Cutworms are working on later planted soybeans. The threshold for cutworm feeding is 5 percent of the stand. Especially watch fields that had green material in them later in the season for cutworm damage.

For current pest information in Southwest Michigan, visit the St. Joseph County Ag Web Page at:

3 - West Central

Fred Springborn and Roger Peacock

Weather
Hooray! Only a half an inch of rain fell this week in Montcalm County. Scattered light rain fell on Wednesday leaving only 0.1 to 0.3 of an inch. Temperatures have remained warm over last week, high air temperatures from the mid to upper 60's F and lows in the 50's F. Soil temperatures remain warm with low soil temperatures in the 50's F.

Commodity reports
Alfalfa is budding. Alfalfa weevil can be observed in many fields. Feeding injury is at or above threshold in some areas. Generally growers are waiting for field conditions to permit harvest as many fields, especially those with only fair to poor drainage, remain very wet. Base 41 GGD totals as of May 31 are: Ionia 893, Entrican 800, Big Rapids 732, and Fremont 794.

Pastures are over maturing rapidly but wet soil conditions are preventing harvesting surplus or clipping to improve regrowth.

For small grains, wheat is flowering. Powdery mildew has been observed on flag leaves in some fields.

Corn planting is progressing. Armyworm has been observed in a few fields of emerged corn.

Soybean planting is progressing though well behind normal. It appears that acres intended for corn will shift to beans if and when they dry out.

4 - Central

Paul Gross

Weather
The region received scattered showers over the past week. Many farmers have been able to get into fields this week and resume planting. Many are surprised with the variability on their farms. Some fields have dried enough to plant while others are saturated. Many of the fields will be too wet to plant and growers are considering the prevented planting options on their crop insurance policies.

Commodity reports
The corn crop is nearly 80 percent planted. We should wrap up planting this week if the weather cooperates. The early-planted fields look surprisingly good despite the saturated fields and areas that were under water for short periods of time. The yields potential look good at this time.

Soybeans are being planted where field conditions allow. Unlike corn, the early-planted beans stands did not do very well with all the water. I expect several fields to be partially replanted. There is concern with seedling diseases.

The wheat crop is heading in the northern part of the region and is flowering in the southern parts. We are seeing more powdery mildew and septoria than we have seen over the past weeks. Several growers have made fungicide applications to control scab.

Alfalfa harvest has begun where field conditions allow. We are seeing alfalfa weevil feeding in most fields. Yields are good and quality should be good if the weather holds.

Sugar beets stands are variable and weed control has been challenging. Many growers are just now getting into fields to make herbicide applications.

Oats and barley stands are beginning to look better with the warm weather and fields begin to dry out. Yield potential seems good at this time.

5 - Thumb

Mark Seamon

Weather
Finally a break from saturated soil! Field operations have resumed this week in many areas. Scattered rainfall has kept some fields wet.

Commodity reports
A few alfalfa fields have been cut with just a few blossoms showing. The weather forecast of three days without rain gives hope to many growers that they can get this first cutting baled or chopped with good feed quality. Weevils can be found in most fields but plans for cutting and low populations have not required spraying.

Weed control in sugar beet fields is still a concern with wet field conditions and large weed size, but many growers are getting good weed control considering the circumstances. Cutworms have been found damaging stands in isolated fields. Sidedress nitrogen applications are being made where possible.

Many early-planted cornfields are looking very good. Some cornfields that have drowned out areas and some that were under water for an extended period will be replanted. Most growers are switching to a shorter maturity variety this week. Armyworms and cutworms have been found in isolated fields. Sidedress nitrogen is being applied (some after soil nitrate testing to adjust N rate).

This week wheat is showing peak flowering in most fields in this area. A fungicide application has been made to many fields of wheat in the Saginaw Valley due to concerns of head scab. Powdery mildew and Septoria are easy to find in most fields but remain on lower leaves only.

A huge portion of the soybean crop will be planted this week and early next week. Field conditions are looking good again where planting is occurring. Early-planted soybeans are looking good.

6 - Northern Lower Peninsula

Dave Glenn

Weather
Dry and warmer weather has finally lasted long enough to get back into the field. Rains the past week have been just heavy enough to keep fields from drying sufficiently. Potato fields are marginal and there is worry of clods in wet soil that may be a problem in the fall.

Commodity reports
Corn ranges from the 4 four-leaf stage to still in the bag. The corn that is emerged is very yellow and stressed. With a chance of frost on Friday morning (June 4), growers are holding off herbicide applications (while the weeds continue to grow).

Wheat is at Stage 7-8 with heading about a week away or more in some fields. There have been no reports of powdery mildew or other problems to date. All fields I have walked are very clean. Weeds are the big issue for the thinner, later planted fields.

Soybeans are still going in the ground with the earlier planted beans just peeking through the ground. Worry about maturity in beans has generated a lot of discussion.

Most dry beans started this week with the warmer and dryer weather. They are still right on time and hopefully will have great conditions to get them out of the ground quickly.

Alfalfa and hay is sporadically good. Grasses and dandelions have taken over some older fields. The newer planted fields look excellent with great growth. Harvest is about 7 to 10 days away yet based on 750 GDD (base 41).

Drier weather arrives

Jeff Andresen
Agricultural Meteorology
Geography

After a record-setting wet May in many sections of the state, jet stream flow across North America is expected to take on a more transient character during the next week. The result will be a changeable but drier weather pattern across Michigan and the Great Lakes region. In the short term, high pressure centered over Ontario Thursday morning (June 3) will bring fair and dry weather to the entire state and region through at least the middle of the upcoming weekend. Temperatures will remain at below normal levels through Saturday, with highs ranging from the 60's north to the 70's south, and lows from the 30's north to 40's south. A slow but gradual warming trend is likely during the same time frame. Isolated frost will be a possibility in interior northern areas of the state Friday morning. The next chance for rainfall will be late Saturday in Upper Michigan and statewide Sunday as a frontal system makes its way eastward across the region. Present indications are that most precipitation associated with this system will remain south of Michigan, with only scattered rainfall expected. More widespread precipitation will be possible once again by the middle of next week. Look for temperatures to increase to above normal levels (70's north to 80's south) by Monday and Tuesday of next week as well.

In the medium-range time frame, the NOAA CPC 6-10 day outlook (covering June 8-12), calls for above normal temperatures statewide, with precipitation ranging from near normal in southeastern sections of the state to above normal in the north. For the 8-14 day period covering the 10th-16th, the outlook calls for temperatures to range from near normal in northwestern sections of the state to above normal in the southeast. Precipitation is forecast to range from near normal in southern sections of the state to above normal in the north.