Vol. 20, No. 11, June 23, 2005

Christina DiFonzo, Entomology

The following blurb was written last week, and sent to several outlets (MSU Extension Agents, MABA, Michigan Soybean promotion, DtN). Feel free to distribute this information.

During the week of June 13, soybean aphid (SBA) reports increased around Michigan. Hot spots include Monroe (Southeast Michigan), Kalamazoo (Southern Michigan), and Sanilac (in the Thumb) counties. These are all areas with significant amounts of buckthorn – the overwintering host for SBA.

Reported aphid numbers in infested fields range from 1 to over 500 aphids per plant. Some fields have aphids on many plants, but the average number is still low. Finding a plant here and there in the field with 50 aphids does not mean that the field has "50 aphids per plant." It is common early in the season to find isolated plants with many more aphids than the surrounding foliage. For example, in MSU research plots last week, we found 1 plant with 54 aphids, a second plant with 7 aphids, and 48 plants with no aphids – average = 1.2 aphids per plant. An isolated, heavily infested plant may be the first colonized in that part of the field, or the aphids on such plants may be tended and protected by a nearby ant colony. The threshold of 250 aphids per plant is just that – most if not all plants examined have aphids, and the average number (when you sample and count multiple plants) is 250.

Also note that while reports of heavy aphid numbers are increasing and coming in from multiple locations, there are also numerous locations with no or few aphids (1 to 5% of plants infested), and some counts actually dropped after a heavy rain. Other areas of the state – particularly southwestern counties such as Berrien and Cass, lack buckthorn, and thus do not have local aphids early in the season. Such areas will be colonized later by aphids from neighboring counties or even from Wisconsin and Illinois. This illustrates the importance of scouting for SBA to determine if aphids are present in the field, that the aphid population is growing, and that you are approaching threshold to get the maximum benefit from the spray cost.

This year, infestations are the earliest recorded across the Midwest. Here are my thoughts on aphid management in Michigan given the early colonization.

Scout properly, counting numbers of aphids per plant. In many fields, infestation is still low. Finding several heavily infested plants in a field does not make threshold. 

Stick with the 250 per plant threshold. The 250 threshold is intended to be used on beans in the vegetative stage through flowering. The objective of this threshold is first and foremost to protect flowers and develop pods. Heavy aphid infestation near and at flowering (late V-stage - R2) causes flower abortion. Heavy aphid infestation during pod set and fill (R3-R5) reduces seed weight and size. The ideal situation is to spray as close to flowering as possible – probably the biggest bang for your buck.

Some people are already spraying at 10 to 15 aphids per plant "because in a few days I'll be at 250." Note that the true threshold for soybean aphid is actually higher than 250 per plant – the 250 threshold builds in a 7-day lead time for spray application. In other words, at 250 you have time to get out in the field and treat. So, it is not necessary to treat at a lower aphid number.

Recognize the consequence of spraying too early. At lower aphid populations, beneficial insects control aphids to some extent. By spraying too early (before threshold) you remove predators from the system, allowing surviving aphids to increase quickly. Spraying small beans with low to moderate numbers of aphids before threshold sets you up for a second and perhaps third spray later this season.

If you spray in June, keep scouting, because there is a good chance that aphids will rebound and second spray will be needed in July or August.

If a treatment decision is made, optimize your application by using higher pressure, more GPA and appropriate nozzles. I recognize that with such early infestation, people will tank mix insecticide with glyphosate. Optimize the application for aphid control, not weed control. If insecticide coverage is poor, aphids control will be only fair, but predators will die. Aphids, being all female, will simply rebound quickly to higher numbers than before treatment.

Don't ignore seed-treated beans! Scout them too, because when the seed treatment “runs out,” these fields will be colonized by aphids from neighboring fields. Plan on 35 to 40 days of good aphid control with a breakdown of protection thereafter. Since colonization is so early this year, seed-treated beans may still go over threshold later in July.

Christina DiFonzo, Entomology

European corn borer (ECB) numbers are increasing in pheromone traps. Some people report the highest trap catch in five to six years. In southwest Michigan, small larvae are present, and seed corn is being treated. Now is the time to scout for damage and larvae, because once larvae grow larger they bore into the corn plant, and insecticides are much less effective. Concentrate on your earliest planted fields (For second generation ECB later in the season, latest planted fields are at greater risk.). The general threshold for first generation ECB is 50% of plants with shot-holing damage.

See MSU Bulletin E2275, Scouting for first generation European corn borers in field corn, for information and a scouting sheet that takes economics of control into consideration.

The MSU Extension Bulletin Office also carries other great ECB publications:

§      European Corn Borer: Ecology & Management. NCR327 ($5)
§      Bt Corn & European Corn Borer. NCR602, ($3.50)

The contact information for the Bulletin office is 517-353-6740, or on the web at http://web2.msue.msu.edu/bulletins/mainsearch.cfm

Willy Kirk and Phill Wharton,
Plant Pathology

The widespread thunderstorms throughout the state on Sunday (June 5) and the heavy rain that we have had in the past two weeks created ideal conditions for potential late blight outbreaks in many locations. Check the Lateblight.org Stations Comparison web page (http://www.lateblight.org/aggeoaws.shtml) for the station nearest to your location to see if you are at increased risk for a disease outbreak.

Stations with a total of more than 3 DSV's for the past seven days are at increased risk. For the latest news on late blight and other potato diseases in Michigan, check the Michigan Potato Diseases News page (http://www.lateblight.org/news.html).

Willy Kirk and Phill Wharton,
Plant Pathology

In recent months, with the aid of funding from MSU Project GREEEN and in time for the current growing season, the Lateblight.org web site (http://www.lateblight.org) has been re-organized and expanded to make room for a new series of Extension bulletins on potato diseases in Michigan. The lateblight.org web site has been integrated into the new Michigan Potato Diseases web site (http://www.potatodiseases.org).

As part of the upgrade the web site has been moved to a new, faster server and most of the web pages have been updated along with new pages added. The first of the new series of Extension bulletins on late blight is now available for download from the web site (http://www.potatodiseases.org/lateblight-bulletin.pdf) or for purchase at the MSU Extension bulletin office.

In anticipation of the upcoming season, the fungicide rates page (see accompanying table as pdf and on the web site http://www.lateblight.org/fungrate.html) has also been updated with new chemicals available for control of late blight in 2005. For the latest news on late blight and other potato diseases in Michigan check the Michigan Potato Diseases News page (http://www.potatodiseases.org/news.html).

Willie Kirk, Ray Hammerschmidt, and Phill Wharton, Plant Pathology
Chris Long, Crop & Soil Sciences

Some growers in Michigan are reporting 40 to 50 percent of plants with stem blackleg and seed piece decay caused by Erwinia carotovora ssp atroseptica (Eca). That amount of seed piece decay and post-emergence blackleg usually indicates that the seed was frosted at some point, which can happen during transportation. All potato tubers carry the pathogen on their surfaces but normally problems develop only after infection occurs through wounding, frosting or other physical damage. The bacterium is a facultative anaerobe, which means it thrives both with and without oxygen. Eca gets into the sprout and develops rapidly after emergence resulting in a lower stem and root rot. The stem is left with no anchoring and pulls easily out of the ground. Typically, plants affected by Eca are stunted with yellow necrotic leaves and black stems (photos). The stems can also have a characteristic acidic odor after other saprophytic bacteria invade them.

Some cultivars are more susceptible than others and usually early maturing cultivars such as Red Norland, Onaway and other colored cultivars are prone. Other sprouts on the tuber seed piece can compensate but if the temperature reduction was at the surface of the pile of seed in transit then the damage can be extensive and kill all the sprouts on the seed piece. This disease can be particularly important in seed crops as there is a tolerance of 0.5 percent incidence in the growing crop. Generally, in lighter infestations the crop can compensate but when fields have up to 15 percent plant loss, compensation is inadequate. There are no recommendations for controlling blackleg other than rouging out affected plants or post-harvest disinfestations. In severe cases and when wet conditions prevail there is risk of movement of inoculum from plant to plant in the soil.

Kitty O’Neil and Sieglinde Snapp
Horticulture

Introduction
Is it possible to balance short-term crop production goals with long-term soil quality improvement? Absolutely. It’s ideal. In today’s world however, emphasis is often placed on short-term performance to the exclusion of longer-term considerations such as soil quality. History tells us that striking a balance between short-term and long-term strategies yields the best overall results. Still, agricultural producers and researchers face difficulties placing sufficient emphasis on long-term solutions when the impacts of short-term management are so immediate and when focusing on short-term objectives occasionally conflicts with achieving long-term goals. Both producers and researchers pursue a delicate balance.

Historically important changes in agricultural technologies
Over the past 50 to 100 years, many important advances have transformed agricultural production systems and resulting soil quality. The transition from horse-drawn implements to the use of tractors and other machines made it possible to cultivate larger fields more intensively. Farming was subsequently concentrated on fewer, larger, more labor-efficient operations and soil tillage increased in both intensity and frequency. After World War II, the introduction of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers led to remarkable increases in crop yields. With the use of fertilizers, perennial legumes and animal manure were no longer considered necessary sources of nutrients and crop and animal production subsequently became “unlinked.” Economic forces since these times have motivated many producers to shorten crop rotations and to eliminate some lesser-valued crops completely.

On many farms, lower value crops are being used less in rotations. There may be long-term consequences of not including wheat and other small grain cereals or forages in vegetable rotations, as these crops have important benefits for soil characteristics. Wheat contributes a large amount of organic soil input in the form of many fine roots and additionally, winter wheat needs no tillage for 11 months per year – both features improve soils. Short-term impacts of increased tillage, reduced organic inputs and shortened rotations are immediately noticeable and are exploited for short-term economic benefits. But what about the long-term impacts of practices? This question can be answered best with long-term investigations.

Farmers are keenly aware that crop rotation systems and management history are important determinants of soil health and tilth, but information is still limited on the tradeoffs with short-term strategies. For example, how does consistent use of winter cover crops and wheat rotations improve soil quality? Is it advantageous to frost-seed redclover in wheat, and what are the tradeoffs in terms of impact on plant parasitic nematodes, scab and soil organic matter? Is a high organic matter input treatment, such as a summer cover crop or application of manure necessary to start improving organic matter? Which cover crops will improve soils the fastest? These are questions that are beginning to be addressed by long-term experiments.

Nature of agricultural research and experimentation
During the 19th century, a few forward-thinking agricultural scientists around the world realized the great importance of agroecosystem experiments and research for providing information on both short- and long-range impacts of new and emerging agricultural practices. Rothamsted Experimental Station in England was established in 1843; in the United States, the Morrow Plots were initiated at the University of Illinois in 1876. Both continue today, more than 125 years later. Researchers in each experiment set out to compare relative productivity and soil depletion effects of common crop rotations with unrotated, continuous crops and the effects of annual application of animal manures. As new agronomic options were developed, these experiments were modified to include new technologies such as no-till planting systems, synthetic fertilizer and pesticide inputs and organic methods.

More recently, newer long-term studies have been established such as the Long Term Ecological Research project in Michigan (1987), the Long Term Research on Agricultural Systems (LTRAS) project in California (1993), and a number of potato-rotation trials at Montcalm Research Farm by Michigan State University faculty and cooperators, designed to look at effects of rotations, cover crop and manure practices in irrigated potato systems.

Long-term research findings
Important principles in our present-day, basic understanding of agricultural systems are outcomes from these long-term projects. For example, the Morrow plots quickly demonstrated the yield advantage of rotating crops and of annual manure amendments. Later, these Illinois researchers confirmed the yield benefits of synthetic fertilizers. At the time, this was a very controversial subject.

The accompanying graph shows losses of soil organic matter (SOM) from 1904 to 1973 for three crop rotations in the Morrow plots. Each of the three rotations is either unamended or amended with a combination of manure, limestone and rock phosphate. Without amendments, the continuous corn plot lost 37% of the SOM present in 1904 while the two- and three-year corn rotations lost 26% and 23%. When these three rotations are amended annually, SOM losses are limited to 13%, 6% and 7% for continuous corn, two-year and three-year corn rotation. However, even with manure and a three-year rotation, 1904 levels of SOM have not been maintained. Findings from other long-term studies suggest that SOM losses can be alleviated further, or even avoided altogether with a greater inclusion of perennial forages such as hairy vetch, alfalfa or clover in the rotation.

Practical applications of long-term research findings
Low-residue crops such as beans, pickles, onions or potatoes do not return a significant quantity of plant biomass to the soil. These rotations can be improved with cover crops, green manures and other organic amendments. Options for infusing more plant biomass into a low residue vegetable rotation include using a small grain as a rotation crop, including a high-biomass cover crop or amending with compost or manure. A combination of cover crop and manure has shown advantages in a six-year potato-vegetable rotation study in Michigan.

An important finding for our research has been about the trade-offs between using wheat versus corn as a rotation crop for vegetables. In most cropping years, growing potatoes or a vegetable after wheat and especially wheat-red clover (frost seeded) rotations has consistently yielded higher than crops grown after sweet corn. However, in a very cold spring year (2003), corn-based rotations did the best. This may be because soil nitrogen (even when recommended practice of multiple split applications is followed) is tied up by the higher organic matter residue pools in the wheat rotation system. The corn residues appear to have only limited benefit for long-term organic matter, which is the bad news, but on the positive side, they do not tie up nitrogen in a cool spring. Our research continues on how to design a cropping system with the right combination of residue management and combining cover crops with manure or manure with different rotation systems – the goal is to find a combination that releases nitrogen when it is needed (even in cold springs), while still building organic matter.

Long-term cropping system studies have taught us that even the more recent cropping history of a field can be important for current productivity and trends in SOM. If a field has gone five years without a cover crop, organic amendments or a small grain rotation, consider using one or more of these options to boost productivity and SOM.

Consider including a “resting” or “rebuilding” year for depleted soils. Instead of a cash crop, grow a high biomass green manure for an effective soil amendment. Grow alfalfa for a season, or plant sorghum-sudan grass or cowpea as a summer soil improvement. Consider these crops in combination with an amendment of manure or compost for additional benefit. Use a winter rye plus hairy vetch cover crop, or a wheat with frost-seeded clover rotation with a manure amendment to make a positive impact most quickly.

Conclusions
Management decisions made each day influence short-term success and long-term progress. A well-balanced approach to decision-making can accomplish both short- and long-term productivity and soil improvement goals. If cash crops are consistently followed with a cover crop, and if cover crops are allowed to grow large enough to provide significant biomass, a long-term goal of improving soil tilth and enhancing soil organic matter over time becomes realistic. Emphasis on short-term goals only is not likely to result in maintenance or improvement of soil quality in the long-term. An occasional “rebuilding” year is important to include when planning field operations to bring a depleted field back up to full potential.

Anna Fiedler and Doug Landis
Entomology

For many years, entomologists have recommended conserving insect predators, parasites and pollinators around the farm or garden to help suppress pests and increase crop yields. But what can you do to promote these beneficial insects? MSU research is investigating the role that native plants may play in helping to enhance the abundance and performance of these helpful arthropods.

Many beneficial predators and parasites (AKA natural enemies) and all pollinators rely on plant nectar and pollen to help sustain them. In addition to these food sources, plants can also provide needed alternative prey and shelter from adverse environmental conditions. For example, one important parasite of the European corn borer in Michigan, the wasp Eriborus terebrans, will live for over 14 days in corn fields if provided with a nectar substitute, but only two days if sugar is denied. Further research indicated that these food resources were typically not present in Michigan cornfields but that wasps needed to travel to field edges to find them. Survival of E. terebrans was even greater if it could find flowering plants in hedgerow and woodlot edges where temperatures were moderated.

Similar observations have been repeated in various cropping systems with many different types of natural enemies. This has resulted in recommendations for habitat management that include maintaining or planting species that provide floral resources in or near crop fields, orchards and vineyards. One curious fact about these recommendations is that the plants most commonly cited for this purpose, such as buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima), faba bean (Vicia faba), dill (Anethum graveolus) and coriander (Coriandrum sativum) are all annuals and none are native to the United States. We were interested in learning if native Michigan perennial plants could provide similar resources. Furthermore, we wanted to determine if a succession of flowering species could be found that provide floral resources over much of the growing season.

We selected 46 native Michigan plants based on their reported bloom period and ability to survive in agricultural habitats. All of the species selected historically grew in prairie or savanna habitats (scattered trees with an understory of prairie species). Native species were established as plug or 1qt size plants in the fall of 2003 and contrasted to the non-native annuals planted as seed the following spring. During the 2004 growing season, we counted the number of open flowers at each plant species weekly to determine bloom order and time of peak bloom. We also collected, counted and identified natural enemy insects at each plant species weekly during peak bloom.

Results from 2004 showed that plant bloom periods do overlap, which means that we can pick a subset of the most attractive plant species and still provide nectar and pollen to natural enemies during the entire summer. During the early season (May through mid-June), the native cow parsnip (Heracleum maximum) attracted three times more natural enemies than the next most attractive plant, the non-native sweet alyssum. Other attractive native plants blooming in May were Virginia strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) and round-leaved ragwort (Senecio obovatus). During the mid-season (July through mid-August) the non-native faba bean, buckwheat and coriander were the most attractive plants, followed by the natives yellow giant hyssop (Agastache nepetoides) and hoary vervain (Verbena stricta). During the late season (mid-August through September), the native boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) was more attractive than any plant, followed by sweet alyssum and the natives: New England aster (Aster novae-angliae), Riddell’s goldenrod (Solidago riddellii) and smooth aster (Aster laevis). The total number of natural enemies in a sample increased dramatically throughout the growing season. During the early season, up to 12 natural enemies were collected per sample, while during the mid-season we collected up to 33 and in the late season up to 83 natural enemies per 30 second sample, respectively.

The first full growing season for these perennial plants was 2004. Already in 2005 we are seeing that many species are far more robust and are producing greater floral area than in 2004. As these species mature, it is likely that they may compare even more favorably to the non-native annuals.

While this research is just beginning, we have found several Michigan native plants that are very attractive to natural enemies and show promise for habitat management. On-farm demonstration/research has been initiated to determine if these plants can be reliably established as strips in crop fields and if this translates into improved pest management. An additional benefit of this approach is that while formerly common, many of these prairie and savanna species have almost completely disappeared from our agricultural landscapes. If proven effective, we may once again enjoy the subtle beauty of these native Michigan plants in our agricultural landscapes.

For more information
Attend the August 10 MSU Field Day on Enhancing Beneficial Insects with Native Plants. Additional field day information and registration forms are available at: http://ipm.msu.edu/plants/home.htm

Due to increases in costs, Diagnostic Services has had to increase fees for samples. The new fees are listed below and are effective immediately. The fees are per sample. (Charges for out-of-state samples are double – herbicide resistance and pesticide analysis are increased by 50 percent for out-of-state samples.).  

Plant health analysis
The cost for visual inspection for infectious and non-infectious diseases, insect injury and herbicide injury; pathogen culturing; pH and soluble salts as well as in house ELISA tests is now $20 and Bacterial identification by BIOLOG ä is now $25.00

Weeds and plants
Common plant identiciation will still be done for no charge and keyout plant ID is now $10.00. Standard herbicide resistance tests for a single site of action is now $50.00 with an additional $20.00 for each additional site of action. Contact the lab for pricing of more extensive tests.

Nematodes
Basic nematode analysis is now $20.00 and total community nematode analysis is now $50.00. Hg type testing is $50.00. Verticillium analysis (for potato stem/soil) by wet sieving is $20.00 and by dilution plating is $15.00. Both Verticillium analyses on a single sample is $35.00.

Insects and arthropods
Charge for common insect ID remains no charge while keyout insect ID is now $10.00

Pesticide analysis
Costs for individual pesticide tests / multi-pesticide tests are as follows:

Ned Birkey

Weather
Weather has been cool, then moderate and now warm over the past week with widely scattered and some isolated and locally heavy rain showers. Our area is still generally very dry with some corn leaves rolling. We have already had six days of over 90 degrees in June, more than the entire 2004 growing season, and we have hot weather forecasted for next week.

Commodity reports
Alfalfa first cutting is nearly complete. Potato leafhopper populations in advanced second cutting fields are present though not quite at threshold levels. Farmers should scout fields regularly. We have two high quality sweep nets for sale at $40 each, left over from our March 23 IPM Shortcourse. Prices are generally good for first cutting hay – most of which was made without getting rained on.

Corn is suffering from a lack of moisture. Advanced fields are at the V8 leaf stage. Many fields have uneven growth primarily because of variable soils and moisture holding capacity. European corn borers are present and at high enough levels to warrant scouting the tallest fields. Most fieldwork in corn is finished, though some cultivating remains in the latest planted fields.

Oats are headed out and continue to look very good given the dry and very warm conditions over the past several weeks.

Soybeans suffer from aphids with spraying in some fields. Thresholds have been reached using the 250 aphids per plant or the new “speedier counting of soybean sucker” method. Varieties with Cruiser Max insecticide do not seem to have aphids in the two fields that I have seen. Spider mites are another problem. Both soybean rust sentinel plots have been GPS’d and also do not show other problems.

Wheat is turning fast with blanks in every head. I have only seen a couple of fields however. The lack of rain should limit scab this season and the heat will limit yields.

Miscellaneous
It looks to be a troublesome year for soybean farmers, though prices have rebounded a bit. The dry conditions in June may be of benefit later this year as corn roots become established better than in years when the early part of the growing season is wet. The MSU Wheat Variety Trial in Lenawee County is located on Holloway Road, between Hoagland and Britton Roads.

Bruce MacKellar

Weather
Rainfall totals vary greatly over the region. Some areas adjacent to Lake Michigan have received very limited amounts of precipitation from the last several storms. Other areas have received favorable to heavy rainfall from slow moving thunderstorms over the last 4 weeks. In general, the condition of the crops depends greatly upon the rainfall received over this period. Warm conditions anticipated over the next 2-3 days (90+) will spur the rapid growth of crops where there is adequate moisture, and stress crops where precipitation is lacking. We are beginning to run irrigation systems fairly seriously in St. Joseph and parts of Kalamazoo Counties.

Commodity reports
Early planted commercial corn is V8 to V10 with the majority at V6 or beyond. The crop continues to grow well. The majority of the crop is just about to progress beyond the height where nitrogen side-dressing operations are comfortable. There has been some European corn borer moth flight activity in night, as well as reports of first instar larvae feeding some fields. At this time, activity appears to be short of threshold on commercial corn.

Seed corn growth is progressing nicely. Since it is generally developmentally behind commercial corn, side-dress and cultivation activities are continuing. Some seed cornfields have been treated for corn borer larvae. For the most part, stands look excellent and the crop continues to look good.

Soybeans have been the most problematic crop in southwest Michigan this season. Some of the earliest planted fields are at R1 (Initial Flowering). While most fields look good, there has been substantial talk about the final stands of drilled soybeans this season. Soybeans planted in 30-inch rows or in 15- to 20-inch rows with narrow row planters or with the new air assisted soybean seeders have excellent populations. Fields that were drilled and seeded at high rates seem to have adequate stands. Fields seeded at normal rates seem to have lower populations this season. While a relatively limited number of fields have been replanted, there are a lot of drilled fields getting by on limited populations. Dry soil conditions at planting time and perhaps seed being planted too deep are the most common thoughts on why stands appear to be thin, but the problem is widespread throughout the southwest portion of the region. We are also seeing a lot of brown spot on soybean leaves this season. Since this pathogen is often considered to be a “splash up” disease, the intense rainfall from thunderstorms may have contributed to the infection in many fields. So far, it is mostly the lower leaves that have been affected. Soybean aphids are being found in sporadic intervals across the region. Chris DiFonzo was in the region on June 22 looking at fields and visiting with growers at field stops in Cass, Van Buren and Berrien counties. Aphids are being found in pockets where buckthorn is close by. However, the good news is that the number of fields infested in this region are very limited compared to the rest of the state. Some fields in Kalamazoo County and further to the east are at 100 or more aphids per plant. We feel that it is important for growers to keep an eye on their fields for this pest. The treatment threshold remains at 250 aphids per plant, which should give you a five to seven day window for treatment before yields are threatened. We think it is important to keep in mind that in areas where aphids are not currently being found, as soybean aphid populations increase in Wisconsin and Illinois, we can expect to begin to see atmospheric deposition of the winged alates. In recent years, this has occurred in the first to second week in July. We will keep you abreast of further developments on soybean aphids and movement of soybean rust as more details become available.

Early planted snap beans are continuing to grow well. Potato leafhopper numbers have been fairly low, but steadily on the increase. We anticipate that growers should be looking for this pest on their fields.

In alfalfa, some second cutting harvest is underway. Most alfalfa is looking good. We think that growers should be monitoring their fields for potato leafhoppers. Some fields have been treated for this pest. With thunderstorms in the forecast over the weekend, second cutting may be delayed for a short period.

Wheat is beginning to turn now. The crop is looking pretty good with little signs of head scab.

Fred Springborn

Weather
The weather this week has been cool, dry and mild. Much of Montcalm County still has adequate topsoil soil moisture at this time. Many parts of the region, particularly to the north and west, remain dry and are in need of rain. High temperatures have been in the lower 70s to lower 80s. Low air temperatures have been in the mid 50s dipping into the upper 40s F.

Commodity reports
Oats are heading. Cereal leaf beetle is present but below threshold in many fields. Wheat is starting to turn in a few fields.

Corn growth has progressed. Much of the crop is in the V8 to V10 growth stage. European corn borer moth flight continues with decreasing numbers of moths being caught in pheromone traps this week.

Dry bean planting is nearly complete. Dry bean growth ranges from just planted to 2 trifoliates.

First cutting alfalfa harvest is complete. Second cutting will start in the coming week. Potato leafhoppers are present in alfalfa fields and should be monitored.

Paul Gross

Weather
There were widely scattered showers across the region over the past week. The amounts of rain were barely measurable. The region has adequate soil moisture at this time. In some cases soils are to wet to finish planting dry beans, making herbicide applications and finishing sidedress nitrogen applications. For the most part farmers are pleased with the way the crops look.

Commodity reports
The corn crop looks very good and is progressing with warm weather and adequate soil moisture. There are areas of fields that have drowned out because of excessive rains. Corn borer moth trap catches have increased last week so we expect that egg laying is under way with hatch expected in the next few days. Some fields are still in need of herbicide applications.

Soybeans are V-2 to V-3. We are seeing a lot of bacterial diseases in the lower leaves. Several fields have been scout this past week in Isabella County and no aphids have been found. Scout fields regularly for aphids.

The wheat crop is beginning to turn. There are a few fields with some evidence of scab but they are few and far between. There is septoria in several fields. It appears that the crop will be average at best but you never know until the combines get into the fields. One farmer said he expects to begin harvest in three weeks.

Second cutting of alfalfa is just getting under way. Some are just finishing up first cutting. There is some leafhopper pressure in many fields. Fields should be scouted with a sweep net to determine leafhopper numbers and take appropriate action. Many fields will be cut within a week, and the regrowth should be scouted also.

Dry beans are emerged and doing well. There are still a few fields that will be planted as fields dry out. Many field are getting the first cultivation.

Sugar beets are filling the rows and doing fine. Field activities include cultivation and herbicide applications.

Mark Seamon

Weather
A little break from the rain and winds has helped to get a lot of field work done in the past week. Some wet fields are still drying out but most are in a good position with soil moisture.

Commodity reports
Regrowth on earlier cut hay fields looks very good. A few fields are being cut for the first time after a couple of weeks of poor hay cutting weather.

In sugar beets, leaf growth is progressing nicely with some 22-inch rows being very close to canopy and 30-inch rows getting close. Weed control is being challenged due to most growers being rained out of the fields for nearly two weeks. Herbicide product and rates will be adjusted to try to catch these larger weeds. Bacterial leafspot has been found. Please check these spots carefully as they appear very similar to cercospera leafspot. Bacterial leafspot does not require control and is dependent on weather for development.

The wheat crop continues to look good in most fields. Hail that fell a couple of weeks ago caused some head injury with a couple spikelets to half of the head being dead and bleached. Fusarium headscab has been found but at very low levels. Hopefully this disease won’t progress.

The corn crop is looking good to very good in most areas. Some growers are still sidedressing nitrogen while fields that have full nitrogen applications are showing very good growth and color.

Soybean growth is looking good. Weed control applications are being made as quickly as possible due to large weeds caused by delayed weed control. Soybean aphids are easy to find in some fields with most plants hosting a few to other fields that are showing very few to no aphids. Be sure to remember the threshold for aphid control is 250 per plant.

Planting progress in dry beans in the past week has been made where possible but has been limited due to soil moisture. Earlier planted fields are showing nice stands with some drowned out in low areas.

Jeff Andresen
Agricultural Meteorology
Geography

In the wake of summer solstice, midsummer day, and the arrival of astronomical summer, an upper air ridge will build across the Midwest, bringing summer-like weather to Michigan for much of the upcoming week and possibly longer. In the short term, high pressure that brought fair and cooler weather to the state on Wednesday (June 22) will move eastward, allowing much warmer, more humid air back into the state on southwest winds. A cool frontal system will approach and move through the state from the northwest late Thursday into Saturday, bringing the chance for rainfall across the state, beginning in northwestern sections late in the day Thursday and continuing statewide Friday into early Saturday. Odds for rainfall with this system will likely be greater than with the frontal passage last Tuesday, although moisture will still be somewhat limited and aereal coverage of precipitation is expected to remain scattered with some areas remaining dry.

Precipitation totals where rain falls will generally remain in the 0.10- to 0.25-inch category with a few totals between 0.25 and 0.50 inches. While the rainfall will be welcome over most sections of the state, it will likely not end the unfavorably dry conditions from northwestern Lower Michigan southward to southwestern and south central sections of the state. Drier, somewhat cooler weather is expected once again Saturday and Sunday behind the front, followed by a wind shift to the south and a return of above normal temperatures on Monday continuing into next week.

Temperatures will reach much above normal levels warm from daytime highs from the upper 80s to low 90s Thursday and Friday before falling back 10 degrees Saturday and Sunday. High temperatures in the upper 80s to low 90s are a good bet again by early next week. Low temperatures will warm from the 40s to low 50s Thursday morning to the 60s to low 70s by Friday.

Medium range forecast guidance calls for the upper air ridge mentioned above to become the dominant weather feature in the one to two week time frame. The NOAA Climate Prediction Center 6-10 day (for June 28 through July 2) and 8-14 day (covering June 30 through July 6) outlooks both call for above normal temperatures state- and region-wide. Precipitation totals are forecast to range from below normal levels across much of the Lower Peninsula to above normal in western sections of the Upper Peninsula.