Please note: Our next issue will be published July 13. We switch to publishing twice a month at this time of the season since fewer options are available for pest management.

When scouting corn and soybeans this year it quickly becomes obvious that the cold wet period experienced in mid-May dramatically exposed the spatial variability within fields. Stands that appeared uniform at emergence now are highly variable in plant size and vigor. The stress of excess water and associated limited root growth magnifies field spatial variability and can reveal problem areas within the field. Some of the soil and field factors revealed by the variable plant stands include the location of tile lines/areas needing tile, areas with soil compaction, slope and surface drainage, and the nutrient status associated with various soil types. Problem areas are easily visible by the presence of plants that are relatively shorter, less vibrant, and paler in color. Some of this variability will be mitigated as the growing season progresses, provided we return to a more “normal” weather pattern. However, the early season conditions experienced this year will likely result in some very colorful yield maps this fall.

Variable rate nitrogen application is an example of how plant variability assessment data can be used within the same season it is acquired. Highly variable corn fields are generally good candidates for variable rate nitrogen applications. Pale to yellow plants in poorly drained heavy soils are often symptomatic of nitrogen loss due to denitrification. The same symptoms on coarser well drained soils can indicate nitrogen loss due to leaching. Variable rate nitrogen application can be accomplished on many levels. On its simplest level, growers can identify deficient areas, selectively sample with a PSNT, and manually adjust N application accordingly. Information on PSNT is available through your local MSUE office. Some agri-business firms offer variable rate technology using hand-held measuring instrumentation or on-the-go plant assessment and rate adjustment. Conditions of restricted root growth associated with wet weather can exacerbate Manganese (Mn) deficiency in soybean. These problems typically appear on high pH soils or muck soils. Several foliar applied products are commercially available to treat Mn deficient soybeans. Please see last week’s article on tank-mixing Mn products with glyphosate.

In many cases, there is not much that can be done this growing season to address the revealed problem areas, but growers can use the information to their advantage to make some long-term changes that will likely have a positive effect on future crops. Several obvious water-related fixes include mapping the location of gullies to identify where grass waterways may be needed and mapping drowned out areas to reveal where extra subsurface drainage may be effective. Areas of the field showing Magnesium deficiencies (striped corn) could be marked out and targeted for an application of dolomitic lime after harvest. Quite often these areas are associated with acidic sand hills and hillsides on relatively higher elevations within fields. Magnesium deficiency can also be addressed in-season by foliar applications of Mg products such as Epsom salt. Soil compaction areas will be revealed due to their inability to rapidly drain water and in severe conditions water may pond in long ribbons across the field associated with wheel traffic patterns. These areas should be identified and targeted for deep tillage when soil conditions allow in the fall to address the compaction.

In addition to scouting fields on foot, aerial imagery can be an effective tool to characterize spatial variability. This can be as simple as going up in your neighbor’s plane and snapping a few pictures. In addition, commercial aviation firms can be procured to take aerial imagery although the costs associated with this service can be significant. On a more sophisticated and expensive level, computer technology can be used in conjunction with digital aerial imagery to quantify spatial variability based on plant and soil light reflectivity. Finally, those colorful yield maps obtained this fall, used in conjunction with scouting reports taken today, can be instrumental in helping identify where specific problem areas exist.

There were 8 samples received from sentinel plots during the reporting week of June 21-28, 2006. The following is a compilation of the reports.

Growth stages: 4 plots=V3, 2 plots = V6, 1 plot=V7, 1 plot=R3.

Plant height: Ranged from 5 to 10 inches.

Degree of canopy closure: Ranged from 10 – 40 percent and averaged 24 percent.

Soybean diseases present: Low levels of Brown Spot (3 plots).

Comments: This is the first week that we received soybean samples. Most samples were in good condition. A few samples had Brown Leaf Spot (Septoria), but the majority showed no signs of pathogens.

A visit to the farm safety and security tent could turn out to be the ounce of prevention that’s worth a pound of cure for visitors to Ag Expo, July 18-20 at Michigan State University (MSU).

Show attendees can learn how to be prepared for emergencies by visiting the new agricultural security tent. The exhibit will cover a number of issues, including farmstead wildfire prevention, methamphetamine awareness, theft of anhydrous ammonia, avian influenza and general farm safety and security.

“These are issues people are interested in and concerned about,” said Mark Hansen, emergency management programs coordinator for MSU Extension. “We think Ag Expo is a good way for us to provide information on those topics.”

Visitors will have the opportunity to talk with experts and watch videos on a large-screen projector every hour on topics such as agricultural safety, farm rescue and methamphetamine. They may also attend a session titled “First on the Scene,” to be held from 10 a.m. to noon each day during the show. The session provides accident response training to prepare people to be the first person on the scene of an accident. Emergency vehicles--including a mobile methamphetamine education lab and Hummer fire truck--will be on display.

Ag Expo features commercial farm equipment from throughout the Midwest and several Canadian provinces on the 35-acre main exhibition site and the 40-acre field demonstration area.

The event runs from 9:00 AM. to 4:00 PM. July 18, 8:00 AM. to 7:00 PM. July 19, and 8:00 AM. to 3:00 PM July 20. Admission to the grounds and parking at Farm Lane and Mt. Hope Road are free. For more information about Ag Expo, call 800-366-7055 or visit www.agexpo.msu.edu.

Ag Expo is sponsored by the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Learn the essentials of building compost piles using horse manure and bedding by attending small-farm composting demonstrations at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM daily during Ag Expo, July 18-20 at Michigan State University (MSU).

Large livestock operations may have equipment that simplifies the composting process; but owners of a few horses, sheep, goats, cattle, hogs or poultry may not have access to tractors, buckets, turners or other large implements. MSU Extension Equine and Manure Management Team members will demonstrate bin composting, active aeration and passive aeration windrow composting methods. They will also demonstrate the use of small-farm equipment including tractors and manure spreaders in manure management.

Horse owners who compost will reap many benefits, including reduction of manure pile volume by 50 percent, conversion of manure to useful nutrients for use in the pasture or lawn, elimination of parasite load associated with raw manure, and reduction in odors and flies.

For more information about Ag Expo, call 800-366-7055 or visit www.agexpo.msu.edu.

Insect predators, parasites and pollinators are critical components of healthy agricultural systems. However, modern agricultural landscapes frequently lack habitats that provide the pollen, nectar and shelter resources that these beneficial insects need to thrive. Establishing and managing native plant habitats in fields, orchards and conservation buffers is a growing trend in sustainable agriculture. At our second annual field day, you will:

• Learn which plants have been identified through MSU research as the most effective at attracting beneficial insects.
• See new native plants that will be tested for their attractiveness to beneficial insects.
• Learn which natural enemies common at native plants can help control your crop or garden pests.
• Seed a prairie strip with hand broadcast and seed drill methods.
• Visit a native plant nursery to learn about plant selection, seeding establishment, and maintenance.

View our registration form for more details. Want to learn more but can’t attend the field day? Visit our web site at: http://ipm.msu.edu/plants/home.htm

Regional reports
1 -- Southeast
Ned Birkey

Corn is doing better with normal temperatures for growing degree-days with advanced fields at the V11 growth stage. First (overwintering) generation of European corn borer trap count numbers are tampering off. All the re-plant corn will be a target of the second generation ECB coming in July. Japanese beetles are flying in cornfields, though not causing any damage. Commercial pesticide applicators still have some cornfields to work in because of the replant situation.

Oats are headed out and fields look good.

Soybeans are still struggling with some fields showing yellowing in areas with high soybean cyst nematodes and sandy soils. Advanced fields are at the V6 and R1 stage, but there are still some fields, or parts of fields, that have not yet been planted. No aphids or rust in the Monroe or Lenawee sentinel plots. Post herbicide spraying needs to continue as farmers can get into fields. Some farmers are using lighter weight tractors even with spray tanks that are only half full to get through wet areas of fields. Soybean aphid suction trap is up and running at the Extension office in Monroe. Weeds have the upper hand in some fields that have not had post herbicide applications. No appreciable insect damage.

Wheat is still struggling to stand upright because of high wind damage in many fields. Harvest will begin in 7 to 10 days. There is some Fusarium head scab, but not much and I do not think we will have a problem with vomitoxin. Some Glume blotch and some hail damage can also be found. The storms a week ago have lowered our yield prospects with all the lodging. The MSU Wheat Variety Trial location in Lenawee County has dramatic differences in lodging of the various varieties. A few armyworms can still be found, but no outbreak has been reported.

3 -- West Central
Fred Springborn

Weather
We had variable rainfall this week. Rain has ranged from mere drops to 1 to 2 inches over the area with a few spots of damaging hail. Highs have been in the upper 70’s with lows in the upper 50’s and mid 60’s.

Commodity reports
Variable is the word for corn. Growth stages range from V1 on replanted corn to V5 to V10 on most fields. Many fields are highly variable in growth within the field.

Dry bean planting is generally finished. Many fields have their first trifoliate. Soybeans range from Vc - V5 -V6. Most RR beans have been sprayed.

Wheat has turned. Septoria glume blotch is apparent in several fields. Head scab symptoms can be found in many wheat fields at very low levels. Oats growth is progressing well nearly all fields are headed.

With hay and forage, harvest of second cutting is underway. Potato leafhopper is present in many fields and warrants monitoring.

5 -- Thumb
Mark Seamon

Weather
Pleasant seasonal temperatures have blessed us for most of this week. Variable rainfall has come from thunderstorms across the area that dropped nearly nothing in some places to more than 2 inches of rain in others. A few days of sunshine has seemed to improve many crops.

Commodity reports
Alfalfa regrowth continues to look good. Rainfall has kept this crop growing quickly. Some areas that received less rainfall noticed a slow down in growth.

Most corn fields are looking good to very good. Maybe it is partly because we can’t see the drowned out areas from the road anymore. Plant health appears very good with uptake of nitrogen, adequate soil moisture, and temperatures near 80 degrees with sunshine. This combination is sure making a difference in this crop. Many fields are now 5 feet tall. Replanted areas are also growing quickly and looking healthy.

In sugar beets, top growth continues to add quickly to the crop canopy. Some later and variable stands are now filling in nicely. Weed escapes can be noticed in some places where weeds are poking out above the crop canopy.

The soybean crop has made the most progress among all crops this week. The slow growth of the past six weeks may be finally ending. Plants are adding trifoliates quickly now and flowering. A plant color change has also been noticeable recently. The change from pale green to dark green makes this crop appear healthier and is a sign of good nitrogen production from the nodules. Weed control has been a challenge in some places especially where growers are using a conventional herbicide program and have been rained out of the field for more than a week.

Most dry bean fields look pretty good with good stands. The areas that received heavy rains shortly after planting have had some challenges. The full effect remains to be seen.

The upper air pattern of the past several days across North America included a ridge across western sections of the U.S., a trough over the Great Lakes region and another ridge just off the eastern shore in the western Atlantic. This pattern led to highly variable rainfall totals over Michigan during the past week with flooding in some areas and abnormally dry soils reported in others. In general, typical summerlike weather conditions are expected during the next week. A cool front is expected to move into Michigan Saturday (July 1) and linger across the Great Lakes region through early next week, and will serve as our next major weather-maker.

In the short term, a few isolated showers or a thundershower are possible both Thursday and Friday (June 29-30), with the vast majority of the state remaining dry. More widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected statewide Saturday through Monday. Overall rainfall totals during the next 5 days are expected to reach a quarter to half inch over most of the state where rain falls, with some 0.50-1.00" totals possible over southern sections of the state. Some thunderstorms may reach severe limits Saturday, with strong winds and hail being primary threats. Dry weather is expected to develop across the state by Tuesday and continue through much the middle of next week in association with an area of high pressure. Temperatures through Monday will remain close to slightly above the climatological normals, with highs generally ranging from the low 70's far north to the mid 80's south. Low temperatures will generally range from the low 50's north to the low 60's south.

Medium range forecast guidance basically suggests a continuation of the pattern described above with a slight eastward progression of the ridging feature that has brought hot and dry weather to much of the western U.S. The NWS Climate Prediction Center 6-10 day outlook covering July 4-8 calls for near normal temperatures and for below normal precipitation totals. During the 8-14 day period (July 6-12), the outlook once again calls for below normal precipitation totals, with mean temperatures forecast to range from near normal levels across Lower Michigan to above normal over the Upper Peninsula. These outlooks suggest increasing soil moisture deficits and crop moisture stress symptoms in some sections of the state missed by recent rainfall (especially western sections)