August 24, 2006
In this issue
§ Recommendations for removing established legume stands without tillage
§ Herbicide resistance screening available at MSU Diagnostic Services
§ Custom machine rates guide
§ Soybean
cyst nematode field day set for four
§ Regional reports
§ Weather news
Growers have the
option of using tillage and/or herbicides to remove a forage stand. If they
choose to use herbicides, the ideal time to kill an established legume stands
is in the fall. When removing a clover cover crop or an old alfalfa sod, the
most effective and consistent approach to killing these forages is similar. The
field should be mowed in late August or very early September in central and Lower
MSU trials have
shown that a properly-timed fall application of glyphosate should be adequate
at killing the weed and legume species commonly found in an old alfalfa or
clover sod. Glyphosate at the minimum rate of 0.75 lb a.e./A is recommended for
effective results (see Table 1 for glyphosate products and use rates). Always
add ammonium sulfate (AMS) to the spray solution at 17 lb/100 gal. Farmers may
choose to add a growth regulator herbicide, like 2,4-D ester or dicamba, to the
glyphosate for insurance of adequate control of broadleaf perennial weeds. This
practice is fairly inexpensive and may be beneficial under certain conditions
such as applications made under less than ideal conditions. However, if a
growth regulator is added to the tank mix, do not reduce the glyphosate rate as
this could result in lost glyphosate efficacy due to herbicide antagonism.
For the past few
years, MSU has studied chemical methods for the removal of glyphosate resistant
alfalfa. Although glyphosate resistant alfalfa has been available for only a
couple years, it is important that growers know how to remove it when it
becomes necessary. Our results have shown that applications of 2,4-D (at 32
fl.oz./A), dicamba (at 32 fl.oz./A) or 2,4-D + dicamba (at 16 fl.oz./A + 16
fl.oz./A) in early fall or in the spring were more effective at removing old
alfalfa stands than fall tillage alone. It is also critical that the plant
canopy be at least six inches tall and actively growing at the time of
application.
All removal
applications should be targeted when the daytime high air temperatures are at
least 60°F, when there
is adequate soil moisture and preferably during sunny weather. Application
should be made when the leaves are dry, the wind is calm and there is no risk
of rainfall for several hours. The plants should be green, actively growing and
not showing symptoms of frost injury.
Once removed, the
logical rotation crop to following either an old alfalfa or clover sod is corn,
since corn would benefit from nitrogen, produced by the legume. The amount of
nitrogen available will depend upon the density of the legume stand at the time
of removal. Consult extension bulletin E2904-Table 5 for more details about the
nitrogen credits calculated from legume crop rotations (http://web2.msue.msu.edu/bulletins/Bulletin/PDF/E2904.pdf
).
Table 1. Equivalent product rates for different glyphosate formulations at the
recommended minimum application rate (0.75 lb a.e./A) for removing an
established legume stand in the fall.
|
Product |
Acid equivalent (a.e) |
Rate per acre |
|
Roundup WeatherMax / OriginalMax |
4.5 lb a.e per gallon |
22 fl. oz. |
|
Touchdown Total |
4.17 lb a.e per gallon |
24 fl. oz. |
|
Glyphomax XRT / |
4.0 lb a.e per gallon |
24 fl. oz. |
|
Various glyphosate products a |
3.0 lb a.e per gallon |
32 fl. oz. |
a Refer to Table 10 in E-434, Weed Control Guide for
Field Crops. Consult product label for the rate and type of
surfactant needed. AMS should be included at 17 lb/ 100 gal to improve
glyphosate performance.
Herbicide resistance in weeds is a growing concern for
growers, due largely to the recent occurrence and spread of
glyphosate-resistant horseweed and occasional failures to control other annual
weeds in Roundup Ready crops. Currently,
there are more than 180 weed species resistant to one or more herbicides in the
world (Heap 2006) and at least 15 weed biotypes resistant to one or more
herbicides in
Confirming herbicide-resistant weed populations is the first
step of any resistance management program. Verification will provide
If you suspect resistance in any weed species and would like to confirm this, seedheads can be collected upon maturity and submitted to MSU Diagnostic Services for a resistance screen. The next several weeks prior to harvest are perfect for collecting mature, high quality weed seed. Select plants that were definitely sprayed (not along field edges or sprayer skips). Harvest seedheads by cutting the stem just below the seedhead. Place seedheads into a brown paper bag or collect seed in a small envelope or container. Do not seal plants or seed in plastic!
Fees associated with herbicide-resistant weed testing are
generally $50 per sample per herbicide site of action (ie: ACCase inhibitors,
ALS inhibitors, Photosynthesis inhibitors). Each additional site of action is
$30 per sample. Two exceptions to these fees are horseweed (a.k.a. marestail, Conyza canadensis) and common lambsquarters
(Chenopodium album) collected from
Please contact Steven Gower (517-432-9693, sgower@msu.edu) with any questions regarding sample collection. Send samples to:
MSU Diagnostic Services
101 Center for Integrated Plant Systems
Attn: Steven Gower
Many farmers in
Because there is no standardized market structure for custom machine services, determining a fair price can be difficult. Some fields may be very small, rocky or very weedy, or non-farm road traffic and transport of the equipment to the field can be difficult. These and many other factors can influence the cost of custom machine work locally, either higher or lower than the average numbers listed below.
Some custom machine rate numbers for the following items might be helpful for farmers to use as a guide as they settle up accounts for tillage or other work. The following numbers are average rates from bulletin E-2132, which means half of the survey numbers are lower and half are higher. All rates are per acre unless otherwise noted.
|
Moldboard plowing |
$15.00 |
|
Chisel plowing |
$12.50 |
|
Mulch tilling (disk-chisel) |
$13.15 |
|
V-ripping (14 inches deep) |
$15.75 |
|
Tandem disking |
$10.15 |
|
Soil finisher |
$11.25 |
|
Field cultivator |
$ 8.40 |
|
No-till corn planting |
$17.70 |
|
Drilled, minimum till soybeans |
$14.40 |
|
Mowing and conditioning hay |
$10.25 |
|
Baling small square bales of hay |
$ 0.50 per bale |
|
Baling small square bales of straw |
$ 0.45 per bale |
|
Tractor rental 100-149hp |
$28.60 per hour |
|
4 wheel drive tractor over 175 hp |
$47.90 per hour |
|
Custom spreading lime without GPS |
$11.00 |
|
Pull type pesticide spraying |
$ 6.15 |
|
Harvesting wheat |
$21.30 |
|
Hauling grain (not sugar beets) |
$ 0.17 per bushel or $2.25 per loaded mile |
Dennis Stein, District Farm Management Educator for the
Thumb area of
Doane’s, as well as Ohio State, Purdue and the University of Illinois, do surveys in their states, which provides other sets of numbers for farmers to consider.
Remember that the MSU survey of custom rates was done in 2002, which means that fuel and other costs have gone up considerably since that time.
Soybean producers can learn strategies for dealing with the soybean cyst nematode (SCN) and view SCN-resistant soybean varieties during the 2006 Soybean Cyst Nematode Field Day, set for four locations across the state.
The event will be held August 29 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM in
Lenox; August 30 from 10:00 AM to noon in
Guest speaker George Bird, nematologist and Michigan State University (MSU) professor of entomology, will discuss selection of nematode-resistant varieties and soil quality improvement for SCN management.
MSU Extension, the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee and the soybean industry recognize SCN as a devastating pest that severely limits soybean yield in the state. The variety trials that will be discussed during the meeting are a combined effort by MSU Extension researchers, the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee and agricultural businesses.
All soybean farmers are invited to attend. There is no
charge to attend the event, and a complimentary meal is provided at all
locations. Preregistration is required for the Lenox and Edwardsburg sites and
requested for the
For more information about the Lenox session, call Lapeer
County MSU Extension at 810-667-0341; for
Research and the Soybean Cyst Nematode Field Day are supported by the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee and are parts of the Soybean 2010 project.
For the past two weeks, we have generally had above normal temperatures and virtually no rain. Some isolated showers of up to one inch have occurred, though no general rains, although most farms will get some rain today. Our area has been dry for the entire month of August.
Alfalfa third cutting is under way with very good quality. Potato leafhoppers are above threshold.
Corn can use some rain for added test weight as most
corn is dented. Some fields have lower leaves firing, though other fields have
nice, green plants, top to bottom. I am planning to fly around
Soybeans are really showing some stress, with sudden death syndrome, soybean cyst nematodes, spider mites, Japanese beetles, bean leaf beetles, manganese deficiency, Sclerotinia white mold, but no western bean cutworm! I was in one soybean field with true white grubs – only the third time that I have seen this problem in soybeans. Yields are suffering and will continue to do so without an inch or two of rainfall yet this month. Rains in July have brought on late season weeds, which are a real problem in some fields, while others are clean as a whistle. Bayer will be having a fall farmer meeting on September 12 to promote some new herbicides and fungicides. Based upon the weeds present now, farmers will do even more fall weed control than in the past. The Monroe and Lenawee aphid and soybean rust sentinel plots have been very clean, with only a few aphids present.
Wheat stubble has been mowed or sprayed for weed control. Field tile and lime are also being applied into wheat ground. Deep chiseling and ripping has been very beneficial but has made the tractors smoke.
Our soybean sulfur and soybean cyst nematode soybean plot
field day will be Tuesday, September 5, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Arting Farms,
Dry weather has persisted in
The majority of the corn crop ranges in maturity from milk stage to dent. Silage harvest will begin in the next week on a few farms. Second generation European corn borer moth flight is still occurring at moderate levels. On August 22 an average of 11 moths were caught in pheromone traps up slightly from 9 the previous week.
Dry bean harvest has begun on a few early cranberry bean fields. The majority of the crop is turning leaves. Harvest will be in full swing in the next 10 to 14 days weather permitting. Common bacterial blight has been observed in several dry bean fields this year.
Hay harvest has progressed well in the last two weeks. Most producers are finished with third cutting alfalfa. Potato leafhopper injury has been an issue in many fields.
The region received varied amounts of much needed rain Wednesday evening (August 23). Some areas went from extremely wet during wheat harvest in early August to very dry. The rains will bring relief to a soybean crop that is trying to fill pods. The region could use an additional 1 to 2 inches. Field activities include weed control and tillage in wheat stubble and getting wheat ground ready for fall planting.
The corn crop is looking very good. Many growers think they may have yields similar to 2005 in fields with good stands. The recent rains will be helpful in finishing off the crop. Our GDD are somewhat ahead of last year’s pace. Silage harvest will begin as the crop matures. It is important to get whole plant moistures to determine when to harvest silage. Visual estimates are seldom accurate.
The soybean crop will really benefit from the recent rains. Many fields have good yield potential where stands are good. We are seeing several different root and stem diseases.
Harvest of third and fourth cutting alfalfa is underway. Most are reporting very good yields and quality. Potato leafhoppers are still present in fields over threshold. Summers seedings have been planted and will benefit from yesterday’s rain.
Dry beans are a few weeks away from harvest. The crop has had a hard time all season. The wet spring and summer has brought numerous bacterial diseases. We expect yields to be below average.
Most of the area has become very dry in the past two weeks. Soil moisture conditions were good coming into August, but have been nearly depleted throughout the month.
Cercospera leafspot continues to be the main concern among sugar beet growers. Some fields are showing significant infestation while other fields protected by fungicides are clean. Most of this crop looks good, but some areas with excessive rainfall have significant drowned out areas.
The corn crop looks very good. Some foliar problems are showing up in some fields (possibly Stewart’s wilt or northern corn leaf blight). Leaf samples have been taken to MSU for analysis, but results are not yet available. Most fields have begun to dent. Some fields are showing significant firing from the bottom of the plant.
Visual appearance of most soybean fields looks good. Fields with lighter soils and sand knolls are showing drought stress. The lack of rainfall in August has reduced the yield potential of most soybeans. This critical pod fill period is very important to yield potential. Hopefully, the good soil moisture coming into August helped with pod fill for the most mature pods.
Most dry bean fields are maturing. Some look very good with consistent maturity while others have green plants, yellow plants and dead plants. Lack of late season rainfall has reduced yield potential, but some beans will be good yielding.
An unsettled weather
pattern will continue for
Showers and
thunderstorms will be possible again across the state late Thursday evening
into Friday with a continuing chance through at least Saturday and possibly
Sunday. Best chances for rainfall during the next couple of days will be over
northern and western sections of the
Medium range
forecast guidance calls for a generally west to east zonal pattern over much of
North America with weak troughing features over the Pacific northwest and
northeastern United States and a broad, relatively flat ridge over the middle
of the continent. The official NOAA Climate Prediction Center 6-10 day and 8-14 day outlooks (covering August 29 through September 2 and August
31 through September 5) both call for above normal temperatures statewide. Both
outlooks call for the upper air ridge to effectively suppress precipitation
over much of the