Vol. 20, No. 17, September 8, 2005

In this Issue
Should you intentionally delay harvest this fall?
Asian soybean rust sentinel plot ccouting report: September 1-8
National Soybean Rust Symposium
Update: EPA reregistration assessment of 2,4-D
Alternative cover crops for fall and winter niches
Your input requested for next Farm Bill
Regional reports
Weather news

Next issue: September 22

Kurt Thelen
Crop & Soil Sciences

There is speculation that the many challenges left in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina may include delays and other problems associated with moving grain to and from ports in New Orleans. Problems with the movement of grain out of the Midwest may result in a very weak price basis (difference between local cash grain price and futures price) at harvest. The weak basis may persuade many growers to store or delay harvest of their 2005 corn and soybean crop. Further aggravating the situation and motivating growers to delay harvest is the projected jump in energy costs associated with Katrina.

Delaying harvest beyond optimum crop harvest moisture usually results in yield loss. The optimum grain harvest moisture to maximize crop yield is generally considered to be between 13 and 15 percent for soybean and approximately 25 percent for corn. Crop yield loss at harvest can be categorized as field loss (sometimes referred to as pre-harvest loss) and machine loss. Field loss is grain that never makes it into the combine including ear drop and seed shattering from the standing crop, and the grain left behind and not picked up by the combine header. Field loss is influenced by weather, relative maturity and other genetic traits. Field loss increases with time as harvest is delayed beyond the optimum harvest moisture. Machine loss, as the name implies, is grain lost by the combine and includes header losses and separation losses from combine cylinders, straw walkers and cleaning shoes. Machine loss also increases with time as harvest is delayed. Research conducted in Wisconsin showed that for every five- to six-day delay in soybean harvest an additional one bushel per acre of grain yield was lost. Table 1 shows the average corn grain yield lost across several Midwest states by delaying harvest. Actual harvest loss can be measured in the field. Finding two kernels of corn or four soybean grains per square foot is equivalent to a one bushel per acre loss in yield.

When considering delaying harvest, it is important to measure the expected increase in harvest and field losses against potential savings in drying and storage costs. Obviously, as energy costs for grain drying increase, the optimum economic moisture at harvest declines. Sam McNeill from the University of Kentucky has developed a spreadsheet to estimate the optimum harvest moisture based on a range of energy cost scenarios. The spreadsheet can be accessed at: www.bae.uky.edu/ext/Grain_Storage/Calculators/

If delaying harvest becomes part of your management strategy for the 2005 crop, the following points should be considered when developing your harvest schedule:

§      Full-season and Bt corn hybrids generally will have greater standability and should therefore be harvested after short-season or non Bt hybrids.

§      Continuous cornfields may have greater corn rootworm damage and should be harvested ahead of cornfields grown in rotation with other crops.

§      Fields observed to have a high incidence of stalk or stem rots are not good candidates for delayed harvest.

§      Fields on poorly drained soils that are prone to stalk or stem rots should be harvested before more well drained fields.

§      Fields experiencing drought stress or other types of stress during the growing season will likely have higher than average harvest yield loss if harvest is delayed.

Modern Corn and Soybean Production by R.G. Hoeft, E. D. Nafziger, R. R. Johnson, and S. R. Aldrich. MCSP Publications, 1520 Yorkshire Dr., Champaign, IL 6182.

Sandy Perry, SBR Sentinel Plot Coordinator
Jan Byrne, MSU Diagnostic Services

Nine scouting reports were filed from the 20 soybean sentinel plots during the reporting week. Two of those were final reports, as the fields no longer have leaves.

No soybean rust has been found on soybeans or other plants in Michigan or anywhere in the North Central Region, including Ontario, Canada.

Plant height: Ranged from 24 to 40 inches.

Degree of canopy closure: Ranged from 0 to 100 percent. Fields are ripening and losing leaves.

Soybean diseases present: Brown spot, bacterial blight and downy mildew were the diseases found most often. There were occasional reports of Phytophthora stem canker and brown stem rot.

Insects present: Soybean aphid populations were either non-existent or extremely low. Bean leaf beetles were present in one field.

Soybean: Charcoal rot

The American Phytopathological Society (APS) will hold a national forum of leaders in state and federal government, grower organizations, researchers, educators, crop consultants, agribusiness, food industry and others to review the United States soybean rust strategic plan and coordinated framework in light of knowledge acquired during the first crop season with Asian soybean rust in North America.

The technical program will include discussion of the latest information on:

§      Detection and prediction systems for soybean rust - how well did they work in 2005?
§      Fungicide efficacy and application studies.
§      Pathogen genetics - what does the sequence say?
§      Host resistance - sources of partial resistance to soybean rust.
§      Marker assisted selection - what's in progress?
§      Pathogen biology - epidemiology, additional hosts, inoculum sources.

Poster viewing to start 8:00 PM on November 14; Technical program begins at 8:00 AM Eastern Time (9 a.m. CT) on November 15 and ends at 4:00 PM on November 16

Website: http://www.apsnet.org/online/sbr/

Kathrin Schirmacher and Jim Kells
Crop & Soil Sciences

As one of the most widely used herbicides in the United States, the reregistration of 2,4-D is of great importance to farmers. The loss of 2,4-D would translate into higher costs of food production and weed control expenses.

The EPA released its reregistration assessment of the herbicide 2,4-D on August 8, 2005. The Agency completed a 17-year review of the herbicide including assessment of its safety under the Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA). The EPA process concluded that if used according to product instructions, 2,4-D does not pose an unacceptable risk to human health or the environment.

For more information about 2,4-D visit http://www.24d.org

Sieg Snapp
Horticulture and Crop & Soil Sciences

A living cover is the best protection available against erosion and nutrient loss. Farmers are aware of this, and often sow a cold-tolerant cereal such as wheat or rye to provide winter cover. Alternative cover crops are being experimented with as biological soil renewers, to promote an aggregated soil with reduced compaction and greater yield potential. Chief among these novel species are brassicas – e.g., Oriental mustard variety ‘Pacific Gold’ – and legumes such as hairy vetch and sweetclover. The interest in brassicas is high due to the potential for bio-fumigation properties associated with the glucosinolates in the plant tissue (these are the compounds responsible for the ‘hot’ taste of mustard).

In general, mustard will establish well if broadcast to 0.5-inch and harrowed or irrigated into sandy soil. At time of planting the soil temperature has to be at least 40 to 45°F in the soil surface. Recent research findings indicate that maintaining moisture is important as well as adequate soil temperature, particularly in a dry fall. Not all farmers have access to irrigation, and other options are being tested at KBS-MSU and East Lansing MSU sites, including sowing of seed in combination with a manure treatment. This has been shown to consistently enhance biomass produced by over 25 percent, compared to biomass from cover crops sown in the absence of manure amendments.

Hairy vetch is the coldest tolerant annual legume that is grown widely as a cover crop. The good news is that it can be planted as late as mid October and survive across much of lower Michigan, although no significant growth will occur until Spring, unless it is planted earlier (by late September). Hairy vetch produces more biomass than almost any other legume grown as a winter annual, and it is widely adapted to different soil types and climates. However, it has a vigorous climbing growth habit which makes it very difficult to manage if winter wheat or other winter cereals are grown as crops and hairy vetch is not recommended for use in fields where winter cereal production is planned or currently grown. Red clover is a better-suited winter legume for integrating into a winter cereal production system.

Hairy vetch also has an undesirable trait called hard seed, from 3 to 15% of the seed depending on the seed batch and variety of hairy vetch. My laboratory is collaborating with Dr. Sarrantonio at University of Maine to select for vetch species and varieties with greater cold tolerance and reduced percentage of hard seed. Hard seed causes problems as is facilitates the long-term survival of hairy vetch seed in the soil seed bank (up to 20 years survival), and thus enhances the potential of hairy vetch to become an undesirable plant in the future, e.g., a weed. Winter survival of hairy vetch varies with the variety. Unfortunately currently it is difficult to buy a specific variety of hairy vetch. Research indicates that ‘common’ hairy vetch, that is, a locally-grown hairy vetch from your nearest forage seed or mill is likely to be the most adapted to your area. We are investigating vetch genotypes from Siberia and other areas where we expect greater cold tolerance may be present, but at the moment it appears that ‘common’ hairy vetch can generally outperform named varieties of hairy vetch such as AU Early Cover.

It is not always feasible to pre-germinate or irrigate recently planted cover crops, so we are experimenting to develop a simple ‘priming’ technique to prepare cover crop seed. This involves a short soak of seed in water (about two to six hours), followed by either immediate planting or drying the seed for use at a future planting date. ‘Primed’ seed hydrates the seed and activates enzymes in the seed, which can increase the vigor of the young seedling. It is a technology used in production of some crops, such as most commercial seed for carrots and sugar beets, which are commonly primed. Primed seed that has been dried can be kept for several months before it is planted; this is unlike pre-germinated seed which must be planted immediately. The difference between the two technologies is that priming requires a short soaking period followed by drying the seed (which allows flexibility regarding the planting time), whereas pre-germination of seed usually involves a longer soak treatment and requires immediate planting of the seed. These are some of the technologies which can be considered as tools for enhancing cover crop establishment in the harsh environment of the fall seed bed, where cool temperatures and a rough seed bed after harvest often provide a less then ideal condition for germination and growth.

To sum up, fall planted mustard will need about 45 days from planting to incorporation. Mustards are rapid growing species and can become a weed in a subsequent crop, so it is very important to not let this cover crop produce seed (Snapp, S.S. and D.R. Mutch. 2003 Cover crop choices for Michigan vegetables. Michigan State University Extension Bulletin. E2896, see http://web4.msue.msu.edu/veginfo). Hairy vetch is a winter annual and often produces very little biomass in the fall, but early spring growth can be substantial. Incorporate shoots from alternative cover crops into the top 6 inches of the soil via flail chopping, immediately followed by disking. This will optimize soil and plant tissue contact, one of the keys to promoting healthy soil and over the long run, healthy crops.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns has sent out the following message asking for input from the public in forming the next Farm Bill:

“Part of my job is to have a vision for the future of agriculture – a vision that results in programs and policies that support today's farmers, ranchers and rural residents as well as the next generation. Although the current Farm Bill does not expire until 2007, the policies that will replace it are already a hot topic of discussion. That's why I've asked America's farmers and ranchers to tell us how our farm policy is working and how we can make it better. Starting in July, we are conducting a series of Farm Bill Forums throughout the nation. We want to provide the opportunity for the entire agricultural community to have a say in the policy-making process.

I do not begin this discussion with preconceived notions about the outcome, but I do believe it is important to provide some structure to guide the debate. To help us determine the best course for a new Farm Bill, I've asked our stakeholders to answer six questions that I believe get to the heart of farm policy.

§      How should farm policy address any unintended consequences and ensure that such consequences do not discourage new farmers and the next generation of farmers from entering production agriculture?

§      How should farm policy be designed to maximize U.S. competitiveness and our country's ability to effectively compete in global markets?

§      How should farm policy be designed to effectively and fairly distribute assistance to producers?

§      How can farm policy best achieve conservation and environmental goals?

§      How can federal rural and farm programs provide effective assistance in rural areas?

§      How should agricultural product development, marketing, and research-related issues be addressed in the next Farm Bill?

Comments may be submitted electronically via the Internet at the USDA Farm Bill Forums web page: www.usda.gov/farmbill or by sending an e-mail to FarmBill@usda.gov.

We will use the feedback we receive to help us determine the best course for a new Farm Bill. In addition to addressing the six questions, we will also hold specialized listening sessions on other important programs authorized by the Farm Bill such as food assistance and education.”

Regional reports

Ned Birkey

Weather
Weather has continued to be above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation. As of September 6, the Dundee weather reporting station recorded 6.5 inches less rainfall than 2004, for the time period going back to April 1. We are also 15 percent ahead of last year’s GDD. Neither of these statistics is of any surprise to farmers here. Some farmers have been deep ripping wheat ground and have found only dry soil conditions.

Commodity reports
Alfalfa quality has been good this year because of the lack of rain on downed hay. Potato leafhoppers levels are very low. Some fourth cutting is finished while others haven’t gotten a third cutting put up yet. There has been some renewed interest in seeding alfalfa partly because of high corn input costs and soybean pest problems.

Corn is suffering from gray leaf spot, northern corn leaf blight and anthracnose leaf diseases. Some plants have quickly had the top and all the leaves affected and have essentially all brown leaves. Even the ears are dropping on some varieties. European corn borer numbers are rising, indicating that a third generation is active now. There could be significant stalk damage and lodged plants for fields not harvested in a timely manner. No one wants to pay high corn drying charges, yet suffer ear losses in the field.

Soybeans have gone very rapidly from R6 to R7 stage with substantial leaf drop over the past week. The evening low temperatures in the 40s a week ago must have triggered plants to stop all future growth. Some farmers are anticipating harvesting early fields in two weeks. We could have harvest starting around September 20. Aphids and Japanese beetles are gone and plants are too yellow to exhibit sudden death syndrome symptoms. We have had confirmed SDS in Monroe County in late July. Some farmers are wondering why soybeans seem to have so many “new” pest problems.

Wheat ground is being worked up in anticipation of seeding.

The MSU Corn and Soybean plots in Lenawee County are both signed are ready for viewing. The Corn Plot is located on Holloway Road, east of Britton Highway. The Soybean Plot is located on Bucholtz road, east of Holloway Road, north of Deerfield.

The sky-high price of fuel and fertilizer will impact farmer decisions for 2006 and is increasing the custom rates that farmers are charging for fieldwork.

Despite all the heat and crop problems, farmers are generally cautiously optimistic about corn and soybean yields. The rains over the last two weeks of July probably “saved” the crops from substantially lower yields. Farmers are also generally glad that 2005 is coming to a close.

Mark Seamon

Weather
Cool nighttime temperatures are providing a break from hot conditions which is helping some crops with drought stress. Most crops are beyond assistance from rainfall due to excelled maturity from dry conditions and accumulated growing degree days.

Limited rain has fallen in some areas.

The eastern Thumb area is an exception to the dry conditions since they have received more rainfall in the recent past.

Commodity reports
Regrowth of alfalfa is slow due to limited moisture. The month of September will see very limited hay harvest due to overwintering concerns with harvest at this point in the year.

In sugar beets, cercospera leafspot is still a concern with plenty of innoculum and warm temperatures but limited leaf wetness has slowed the spread of this disease. An extended period of high moisture conditions could still cause significant leaf burndown where leafspot has not been controlled up to this point. The overall outlook for yield is still good since most beet fields have developed well and are accessing moisture from the subsoil.

Corn is maturing quickly. Some of this caused naturally by accumulation of GDD and others by drought stress. Some areas are nearing the 2400 GDD mark which is where many locally grown hybrids will be physiologically mature (black layer). With continued warm temperatures, this could start some early harvest in September.

Soybeans have dried down prematurely in some places due to drought stress. Fields with variable soils are showing stressed areas from lack of soil moisture to finish the crop. This has taken some yield potential from most fields since the upper pods that developed under great conditions have aborted or reduced the number of beans per pod. Natural senescence is also causing maturity especially in shorter maturity varieties. Harvest may begin within a week on the most advanced fields.

Most early dry beans have been harvested while some later planted beans are still green. Yields of harvested beans have been variable as growing conditions have been and as variety tolerance to stress is also variable.

Jeff Andresen
Agricultural Meteorology
Geography

A cool front will make its way slowly across southern Michigan and out of the state Thursday (September 8) before stalling out over the Ohio Valley. This will allow high pressure to move into the region for the next several days and set the stage for a warm and mostly dry weekend. A warm front will approach the state by late Friday into Saturday morning, possibly setting off a few showers and thunderstorms, mainly in western and northern sections of the state. Most areas will remain dry. After the warm front moves through, look for winds to shift to a southerly or southwesterly direction and for a noticeable increase in temperatures. Another cool front will approach from the west by late Sunday or Monday, bringing a chance for thunderstorms again, initially for northern sections of the state early next week and by late Tuesday or Wednesday in the south. Temperatures will warm from highs from the low 70s north to upper 70s south and lows from the low 50s north to upper 50s south Thursday to from near 80 north to the upper 80s south and lows from the mid 50's north to mid 60's south by Saturday and Sunday and continue into early next week. Some 90EF maximum temperatures will be possible again, especially in southern and central sections of the state.

In the medium-range time frame, some changes are in store with respect to precipitation. The forecast guidance suggests a well-defined upper air troughing feature across western North America with ridging across the east. While this pattern would lead to a general continuation of warmer than normal temperatures across Michigan, precipitation should be on the increase with the best chances for rainfall across the northern Great Plains and portions of the Great Lakes regions.

The NOAA CPC 6-10 day and 8-14 day time outlooks covering September 13-17 and 15-21 are virtually identical. They call for above normal temperatures statewide and for precipitation totals to range from near normal levels in extreme southeastern sections of the state to above normal levels elsewhere.