April 26, 2007
In this issue
§ Sandhill crane repellent (Avitec) available in 2007
§ Soil-applied residual herbicide benefits in soybeans
§ Soybean seeding rates
§ New crop and pest management soybean hotline
§ Soybean rust and freezing temperatures in the south
§ Soybean rust fungicide update for early 2007
§
Increased
§ Management of foliar wheat diseases, Part 2
§ Fungicide efficacy for control of wheat diseases
§ Fertilizer placement
§ How much winter injury did alfalfa receive from recent low temperatures?
§ Regional reports
§ Weather news
The crane repellent Avitec is available again this summer
for corn in
Crane populations and crop damage have risen over the last
several decades. Harassment methods are time consuming and often do not work,
and simply drive birds to neighboring fields. Recognizing the problem, the
International Crane Foundation in
For agricultural use, anthraquinone is manufactured and sold by Arkion Life Sciences as Avitec. It can be applied as a liquid seed treatment by a commercial seed-treater, or by the do-it-your-selfer in the dry form as a planter box treatment. It is NOT a restricted use pesticide, and you don’t need a DNR permit to apply it. However, you must have a copy of the Section 18 label at the time of application. Avitec repels cranes without harming them. The birds detect the treated seed and avoid feeding on the corn. However, cranes may still be present in treated fields, feeding on other seeds, worms or insects.
In 2006, most of the Avitec used was in the powder form as a
planter box treatment. The state with the highest number of acres treated last
year was
Note that the product label for the dry formulation of Avitec indicates that the powder must be mixed thoroughly into the planter box. Also, graphite and talc should NOT be added when using the dry Avitec formulation. If you have time to get seed treated with the liquid product, that should solve some of these problems and improve consistency. However, used properly, the dry formulation appears to work well.
The target cost for Avitec is about $5 per acre. That price may vary a bit depending on the local distributor. If you have trouble finding Avitec in your area, or are quoted a price considerably above $5, Arkion urges you to call them directly or visit their web site (contact information at the end of this article). They can help you find a dealer and a reasonable price.
Cranes are amazing birds. They are considered the oldest
living bird species, as close as we can get to dinosaurs. But they can also be
destructive to crops. Sandhill cranes return to
Sandhill cranes have
a varied diet, eating plant tubers, seeds, insects, worms, mice, frogs, and snakes.
Some of their feeding – on cutworms, grubs, and other soil pests – is beneficial
to crop production. However, a crane can probe down into the ground with its
long beak and pluck out germinating seed and seedlings as it walks down a row.
A group of cranes can destroy acres of corn in a short period. The majority of
crop damage from cranes is reported from southwestern
Some growers have proposed feeding or baiting cranes by putting seed corn along field edges to lure them away from production fields. Every bird expert I talked to said NO to this idea. Cranes prefer the open middle of fields where they can see potential predators, so they probably wouldn’t stay on bait corn on a field edge. Also, in addition to grain, they eat high-protein food like insects, and thus naturally may wander from the baited area. Finally, baiting might make things worse by drawing additional birds to a field.
Harassment and removal (a nice way to say shooting) of birds
is an option, but it is time consuming. A permit is required to kill cranes. To
get information on obtaining a permit, call the USDA-APHIS Michigan Wildlife
Service office in
Avitec pricing, availability
Arkion Life Sciences LLC
Research on crane repellents, crane biology
International Crane Foundation (ICF)
Baraboo, WI 1-608-356-9462
http://www.savingcranes.org/conservation/our_projects/detail.cfm?did=4&cid=1&aid=43&pid=17
Section 18 labels for Avitec
Michigan Department of Agriculture
http://www.michigan.gov/mda/0,1607,7-125-1569_16988_35290-127656--,00.html
Permits for crane removal
2803 Jolly Road,
517-336-1928
The use of postemergence
(POST) glyphosate in Roundup Ready soybeans has been the primary weed control
program used by many
One way to help overcome
some of these concerns is to implement the use of a soil-applied or
preemergence (PRE) herbicide into your soybean weed control program. Using a
planned PRE residual herbicide followed by a POST glyphosate application can
result in more consistent weed control, reduces the size and number of weeds
present at the POST application timing, and offers greater flexibility in the
POST application window. One of the concerns that many producers have in
implementing a PRE herbicide is the economics. While a PRE herbicide may
increase the cost of your weed control program, resulting benefits often make
up for the cost by increasing weed control and yield. Below are some of the
benefits realized by PRE followed by POST weed control programs.
Using a PRE herbicide
will control a number of weeds that would have emerged and competed with the
crop as it becomes established. While early-season competition may not be a factor
if the POST application is timed appropriately, (remember that weeds can
increase in size in a number of days and if you are trying to spray a large
number of acres or you become delayed in your applications due to rain)
early-season weed competition can become a problem. Remember, for timely POST
applications to avoid yield losses due to early-season weed competition MSU
recommends weeds should be controlled before they are 4-inches in height in
7.5- and 15-inch rows and 6-inches in height in 30-inch rows.
Several weed species
have continual emergence or emerge only later in the season. These species can
include: annual grasses, giant ragweed (
In
Control of perennial
weeds is more effective in the later stages of growth (bud to flower stage). Because
PRE residual herbicides will provide initial control of annual weeds the POST
glyphosate application may correspond more appropriately to the stage of growth
needed for perennial weed control.
One possible long-term
benefit from including a PRE herbicide in your weed control program is the
implementation of herbicide resistance management strategies. A PRE herbicide
would include another mode of action into the weed management program and
reduce the number of weeds present for the POST application. Ultimately, these
two benefits will relieve the selection pressure of a glyphosate-only weed management
system. This has become a much greater concern as we see more
glyphosate-resistant weeds being reported around the
Recent research conducted in the North Central Corn Belt
suggests that soybean planting populations may be able to be dialed back
somewhat without compromising yield, or more importantly, profitability. Research
conducted throughout the
What does this mean
for
Several things to consider when operating on the low end of the optimum planting population range include managing in a manner that maximizes emergence and seedling survival. Calibrate your drill or planter to ensure that seed drop is adequate and uniform across all rows. This is important to do every year as seed size and planter mechanical efficiency and wear can vary from year to year. Avoid planting when soil conditions are less than optimal to facilitate good seed to soil contact and seedling germination. Inoculate soybean seed with Rhizobium bacteria regardless of field history. Finally, if planting early in the season, consider using fungicide treated seed (be sure it is labeled for use with your soybean inoculant) to protect against soil borne root diseases.
The updates and recommendations for each topic area will be
recorded by Michigan State University Extension specialists. Messages will be
updated as often as needed to provide
The soybean hotline is a new and valuable resource for
You’ve probably read about the soybean rust found in early March on soybean residue from a bin of soybeans produced in Iowa in 2006, but if you haven’t you can read about it at the link listed here: http://www.plantpath.iastate.edu/soybeanrust/node/394 . Even though it’s early in the season, I thought that I’d start giving you some updates on what is happening with soybean rust so far this year further south.
On April 7-8, record low temperatures in the Florida
Panhandle dipped below freezing for several hours. It is not known how this
might impact the spread and build up of soybean rust on kudzu, but it will
probably slow it down for a while. Before the frost, warm temperatures had
increased the growth of kudzu throughout the Southeast. Scouting efforts are
already underway on kudzu and emerging soybeans in southern sentinel plots.
Soybean rust has been detected on kudzu in nine
Editor’s note: see the national tracking web site for soybean rust at: http://www.sbrusa.net/
Previously available only for soybean rust under a special
Section 18 emergency use label, Domark
(Valent USA Corporation) has received a new label (Section 3) allowing use on
soybeans for soybean rust (as both a preventative and a curative), and a number
of other soybean diseases.
Topguard (Cheminova, Inc., flutriafol) is a triazole
fungicide. Consult the accompanying table for a complete listing of fungicides
currently registered for soybean rust in
Soybeans: Fungicides
approved (Section 18) or registered (Section 3) for soybean rust management in
|
Active ingredient |
Product (trade name) |
Section 18 start date |
Section 18 expiration |
Section 3 Registration status |
|
azoxystrobin |
Quadris |
none |
none |
Registered
|
|
azoxystrobin + propiconazole |
Quilt |
covers use in 2005, 2006 and 2007 growing seasons |
expires 11/10/07 |
See
propiconazole. |
|
chlorothalonil |
Bravo, Echo, Equus |
none |
none |
Registered |
|
flutriafol |
Topguard |
New for 2007 covers use in 2007, 2008, and 2009 growing seasons- |
Expires 2/12/10 |
Registration
decision expected in 2009 |
|
myclobutanil |
|
covers
use in 2005, 2006 and 2007 growing seasons |
expires 11/10/07 |
Tolerance
approved; Registration decision expected in early 2007 |
|
propiconazole |
Tilt |
covers
use in 2005, 2006 and 2007 growing seasons |
expires 11/10/07 |
Registered
but final label is being reworded. |
|
PropiMax |
covers
use in 2005, 2006 and 2007 growing seasons |
|||
|
Bumper |
covers
use in 2005, 2006 and 2007 growing seasons |
|||
|
propiconazole + trifloxystrobin |
Stratego |
covers
use in 2005, 2006 and 2007 growing seasons |
expires 11/10/07 |
Registered
but final label is being reworded. |
|
pyraclostrobin |
Headline |
none |
none |
Registered |
|
tebuconazole |
Folicur |
covers
use in 2005, 2006 and 2007 growing seasons |
expires
11/10/07 |
Registration
decision expected in mid 2007 |
|
Orius |
covers
use in 2005, 2006 and 2007 growing seasons |
expires
11/10/07 |
||
|
tebuconazole + pyraclostrobin |
Headline SBR |
covers use in 2005, 2006 and 2007 growing seasons |
expires
11/10/07 |
Not
submitted for Section 3 registration |
|
tetraconazole |
Domark |
covers use in 2005, 2006 and 2007 growing seasons; 2 applications/season requested |
expires
11/10/07 |
Registered
as of 4/4/07 Note:
Rates have been decreased on the Section 3 label to 4-5 fl oz/A (from 4-6 fl
oz/A) with a maximum of two applications. |
Credit: Kent L. Smith, Plant
Pathologist, UDSA, ARS, AO Office of Pest Management Policy; Marty Draper,
National Program Leader,-Plant Pathology, CSREES; and Brian Hughes, Product
Registration Manager,
For the second year, I will be providing Michigan-specific commentary about weather conditions, wheat diseases and wheat developmental stages for the Penn State Fusarium head blight (FHB) model website. The Michigan Agricultural Weather Station Network (MAWN) weather station locations (48) have been added to the model website, providing significantly increased coverage for the state. The Penn State Model predicts the risk probability of epidemic conditions based on observed weather patterns. Separate models are used for spring and winter wheat. The winter wheat model is based on the interval of time that relative humidity is 90 percent or greater, with temperatures between 48 and 85°F (9 -30°C). Wheat is most susceptible to FHB infection during flowering. The model uses weather conditions observed during the seven days prior to the flowering date you select to predict the level of risk. You can select a risk prediction based on the previous seven days weather, six days and a 24-hour forecast, or five days and a 48-hour forecast.
The
The models have an accuracy of about 80 percent given the data used to develop and test the models. They are intended as a decision aid to be used along with other resources, such as weather forecasts, grain markets and local expert advice to help you with disease management decisions. Weather conditions that take place during flowering and grain fill of the crop are not part of the model, and could significantly affect the development of disease and accumulation of mycotoxins. This year, state-specific commentary will be available for all 24 states included in the model.
Recent freezing temperatures in
Cause: Wheat leaf rust, Puccinia triticina (fungus).
Symptoms: Infections first appear on the lower leaves. Reddish-orange
spore masses of the fungus break through the leaf surface leaving an orange
powder that rubs off the leaf. As the crop develops and matures, leaf rust
generally appears on upper leaves of plants and severity increases.
Disease cycle: The fungus can survive on wheat during a mild
winter or when covered by deep snow, or be carried in on wind currents from
more southern areas as the wheat crop develops in spring.
Conditions favoring the disease: Temperatures of 60-80ºF and conditions that
promote leaf wetness in the canopy for extended periods of time, such as rain,
ground fog and dew increase the severity of leaf rust.
Management: The primary means of controlling leaf rust
is to use resistant varieties. Scout fields from around heading to flowering.
Several foliar fungicides are labeled for control of rusts. Check the label for
application timing if a fungicide is used. The threshold for fungicide
applications is an average 5-10 pustules/ flag leaf (averaged over 30-50
leaves). Avoid spreading the disease on clothing or farm equipment. Clothing,
boots and farm equipment contaminated with rust spores should be cleaned before
entering healthy fields.
Cause: Stripe rust, Puccinia striiformis.
(fungus)
Symptoms: Stripe rust appears as long stripes of small
yellowish orange pustules on the leaves. The pustules are masses of rust
spores. It can be confused with leaf rust, but the stripe rust pustules are
arranged in rows, or stripes, while the leaf rust pustules are scattered on the
leaf. Wheat is the only host for stripe rust.
Disease cycle: Stripe rust usually arrives in the north on
wind currents from more southern wheat growing areas. It survives down south on
volunteer wheat until it can infect newly planted wheat in fall and winter.
Conditions
favoring the disease: Stripe
rust is favored by cool, humid weather. Disease development is most rapid
between 50 and 60ºF. The disease is inhibited when night time temperatures
reach 65ºF or temperatures for several days in a row reach the mid 80's.
Management: The primary means of controlling both leaf
rust and stripe rust is to use resistant varieties. Several foliar fungicides
are labeled for control of rusts. Fungicides aren’t commonly used for stripe
rust unless the disease occurs early in the season. Check the label for
application timing if a fungicide is used. Avoid spreading the disease on
clothing or farm equipment. Clothing or boots contaminated with rust spores
should be cleaned before being worn to walk through healthy fields. Likewise,
rust can spread from contaminated farm equipment. Clean contaminated equipment
before using it in a field of healthy plants.
Image Captions: Leaf
rust
Stripe rust
Photo credit for
both: Lee Siler, MS
|
Flag leaf emergence (Feekes GS 8) |
Flag leaf collar visible |
Heading (Feekes GS 10.5) |
Beginning of flowering |
|
Stratego-
trifloxystrobin+ |
Quilt-
azoxystrobin + propiconazole |
Quilt-
azoxystrobin + propiconazole (wheat only) |
Folicur-
tebuconazole |
|
|
Propimax-propiconazole |
Tilt-
propiconazole |
|
|
|
|
Headline-
pyraclostrobin |
|
|
|
|
Quadris-azoxystrobin |
|
The North Central Regional Committee on Management of Small
Grain Diseases has developed the following information on fungicide efficacy
for control of certain foliar diseases of wheat for use by the grain production
industry in the
|
Product |
|
Rate/A (fl. oz) |
Powdery
mildew |
Stagonospora leaf/glume
blotch |
Septoria
leaf blotch |
Stripe
rust |
Leaf rust |
Head scab |
|
Headline 2.09 EC |
Pyraclostrobin 23.6% |
6.0 to 9.0 |
G1 |
VG |
VG |
E2 |
E |
NR |
|
PropiMax 3.6 EC |
Propiconazole* 41.8% |
4.0 |
VG |
VG |
VG |
VG |
VG |
F |
|
Quadris 2.08 SC |
Azoxystrobin 22.9% |
6.2 to 10.8 |
F(G)3 |
VG |
VG |
E2 |
E |
NR |
|
Quilt 200SC |
Azoxystrobin 7.0% Propiconazole 11.7% |
14.0 |
VG |
VG |
VG |
VG |
VG |
NR |
|
Stratego 250 EC |
Propiconazole 11.4% Trifloxystrobin 11.4% |
10.0 |
G |
VG |
VG |
VG |
G |
NR |
|
Tilt 3.6 EC |
Propiconazole* 41.8% |
4.0 |
VG* |
VG |
VG |
VG |
VG |
F |
|
Folicur 3.6 EC4 |
Tebuconazole* 38.7% |
4.0 |
G |
VG |
VG |
E |
E |
G |
1 Efficacy categories: NR=Not Recommended; F=Fair;
G=Good; VG=Very Good; E=Excellent
2 Efficacy may be significantly reduced if solo
strobilurin products are applied after infection has occurred
3 (G) indicates greater
efficacy at higher application rates.
4 Folicur does not have a federal label, but may have
Section 18 emergency registration in some states (including
*There may be other generic propiconazole and tebuconazole products available
(check with your supplier).
This information is provided only as a guide. It is the responsibility of the
pesticide applicator by law to read and follow all current label directions. No
endorsement is intended for products listed, nor is criticism meant for
products not listed. Members of NCERA-184 assume no liability resulting from
the use of these products.
Placement of fertilizer in the seed furrow (pop-up) or 2 inches below and 2 inches (2x2) to the side of the seed can enhance early plant growth, especially in cool soil situations. Soils tend to warm more slowly under no-till and reduce tillage systems where there is more plant residue. At a 2x2 placement, there is minimal risk of any plant injury. Placement of fertilizer directly below the seed increases the injury, especially with limited soil moisture or with some fertilizers that may release volatile ammonia, such as ammonium thiosulfate.
Placing fertilizer with the seed (pop-up) has the greatest risk of injury, but can be done safely at low rates. The primary concern is with the amounts of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K2O) being applied. General guidelines from several land-grant universities are to limit the total amount of N + K2O to 5 lbs/acre for sandy soils to 10 lbs per acre for clayey soils. At 3 gallons per acre a 9-24-3 fertilizer supplies 4 lbs N + K2O per acre and a 10-34-0 fertilizer supplies 3.4 lbs N per acre. Therefore, in sandy soils the rate of liquid pop-up fertilizer should be limited to about 5 gallons per acre, whereas in loam and clay loam soils up to about 8 gallons per acre can be used.
The warm temperatures in late March may have gotten the alfalfa into trouble. Fortunately, while the weather progression from a warm, dormancy-breaking late March to a bone-chilling early April has provided reasonable cause for concern; early field observations are providing some comfort, at least for the moment.
The potential for winter injury is always difficult to predict, but we continue to try to do it anyway. Whether our predictions turn out right or wrong, perhaps there is benefit in getting us to think about it and into alfalfa fields to see how they’re progressing.
In the northern two-thirds of
In the southern third of
The critical low soil temperature that actively growing (fully out of dormancy) crowns can tolerate is unknown and certainly influenced by many factors. Our best guess for healthy plants is somewhere in the range of 20 to 25°F, but I’ve seen lower estimates. And alfalfa plants don’t go from fully dormant to fully out of dormancy overnight, at least from a chemical composition perspective. It’s likely that freezing tolerance is lost gradually as the plant comes out of dormancy and crown buds elongate to form legitimate amounts of herbage. Thus, plants that have little herbage development, say 1-3 inches, likely have more freezing tolerant crowns than those that are further along, say 6 inches or more. But as herbage development progresses and thus ground cover increases, crown insulation is also improved. Yet the herbage is fully exposed. Air temperatures in the low 20s can kill the growing point of shoots, so at a minimum, it is likely that there was considerable shoot damage to fully emerged shoots in early April. Healthy plants (with unfrozen crowns) will recover via a second round of crown buds once temperatures warm up again.
I dug up alfalfa plants from several areas in my alfalfa
trials of varying ages in
§ Areas to watch more closely this spring include: south-facing slopes and coarse-textured soils where alfalfa likely got the earliest start.
§ With shovel in hand, take a walk through all of your alfalfa fields soon. Look at how much growth has progressed and how symmetrical that growth appears. Asymmetric spring growth is a sign of winter injury. Ascertain whether the shoot tips appear killed.
§ Dig up some plants and look closely at the crown, crown buds and taproots. Any evidence of rot now would be from previous stress. Crown/root tissue that’s been frozen recently will be soggy initially when warmed, and then it will appear more dehydrated in a week or two.
§ Where initial shoots become frozen, healthy crowns have adequate crown buds to replace those shoots, but probably at some energy cost. These stands would benefit from a delayed cutting at some point during 2007 to ensure root reserves get replenished.
§ Monitor stands on a weekly basis since injury may not be readily apparent.
§ After there is about 6 inches of viable shoots, take stem counts in several places in each field. Fewer than 40 stems/ft2 means the stand isn’t worth keeping; an average of 40 to 55 stems/ft2 is borderline. An average of more than 55 stems/ft2 means the stand is in good shape.
§
If you’re seeing enough damage to give you
reasonable cause for concern, begin planning for other fields you could sow to
new thick stands of alfalfa. In southern
§ If high quality hay/haylage inventories are low, stands that appear somewhat questionable may be worth keeping at least for a first cutting.
§
If you decide to terminate the stand either now
or after one cutting, plan to follow with a grass crop that can benefit from
the free fixed N left behind by the alfalfa. Corn silage is generally the
highest tonnage option. Italian ryegrass is a high-quality “annual” grass
option that can provide multiple cuttings and high yields in the seeding year.
Small grain-pea mixtures (if peas are affordable and planting can be done
early) can provide good quality forage within two months after planting.
Our weather over the past two weeks has been snow, rain, and cold and even very warm temperatures. February was the coldest month on record, according to Toledo TV weathermen. We finally had an 80+-degree day this past Sunday, which was the first 80-degree day since September 17, 2006, about 216 days ago.
The weather this winter and spring has been extremely variable; warm and cold, snow and rain. Farmers in this area are generally behind in their normal spring fieldwork and planting progress, with no wheels turning now after a cold and drenching rain that started yesterday and is continuing today and forecast into tomorrow. Some good news is that the Red Wings got past the dreaded first round of the playoffs.
Alfalfa has greened up and is growing, with many fields about four to six inches tall. I have not seen any alfalfa weevil feeding in my hay field.
Corn planting started on April 10, with gradually more planters operating as fields have dried up, weeds controlled and fertilizer applied. Perhaps ten percent of the corn is planted as the weather has improved during this past week and early this week. I have not seen any emerged corn as soil temperatures have only gotten to +50 degree for one day this month. Most fields are clean of weeds with more spring tillage than normal. Some wheat fields have been torn up and planted to corn.
Oats have been planted and are emerged.
Soybean planting also started on April 10, though only a few acres are planted. One large acreage farmer is planting all corn this year, no soybeans, including 400 acres of wheat going into corn.
Wheat fields look good because the poor ones are now going into corn. Most fields are at Feekes’ growth stage 4.
Warmer and drier weather occurring last week provided 5 to 6 continuous days suitable for field work. Widespread rains fell on Wednesday, April 25 bringing field work to a standstill.
Corn planting began on Friday, April 20 and proceeded until Wednesday, April 25.Corn planting is estimated to be 5 percent completed
Very few soybeans
have been planted. Remember to calibrate your drill and inoculate all of your
seed. If you plan to plant early, consider using a seed treatment labeled for
pythium, as this soil-borne pathogen is prevalent in southwest
Cold temperatures in early April damaged early leaf and stem growth. Alfalfa is 4 to 6 inches tall. Alfalfa weevil larvae have begun feeding in the Paw Paw area. Growers should evaluate the health of their roots and crowns. Root and crown tissue should be firm and white. Plants having soft or discolored tissue will not be productive or survive long.
Wheat stands vary from excellent to poor. Most of the wheat is at growth stage 5. Growth regulator herbicide can be applied until you can feel the first node at the base of the stem. Evaluate your stands and make replant decisions carefully. All nitrogen fertilizer applications should be completed as soon as soil conditions permit.
Spring has arrived, we hope. Minimum soil temperatures as recorded at the MSU Experiment Farm in Entrican have been in a range of 40 to 47 degrees for the last week – 10 degrees warmer than the previous week. Rain showers have been very light this week with only a tenth or two reported over most of the area.
Wheat was virtually unaffected by the recent cold snap. Many fields do have a few necrotic leaves similar to fertilizer burn. Wheat is in Feeks growth stage 4-5. By in large, the wheat that got planted last fall looks good. Winter annual weeds continue to grow well and many fields will need to have the herbicide applied soon.
Oat planting is progressing well with 25 percent plus of the crop planted.
Sugar beet planting is progressing rapidly where soil conditions will allow. We are seeing fewer acres of sugar beets this year in this western edge of the production area.
Corn planting has begun despite the cool temperatures with 5 percent of the crop planted on some of the well drained soils.
New growth on alfalfa at good sites, with a history of good fertility is 4-6 inches. There are some dead leaves from our winter rerun, but over all conditions look good. New seedings are being established.
Grass and pasture fields are also in the 4 - 6 inch growth stage. Serious grazers have started fast rotations to stage future utilization of forages.
The region has received scattered showers over the past week. Some areas of the region are too wet for field work, while farmers on lighter soils are able to plant. Soil temperatures range from the mid forties to mid fifties. Field operations include fertilizer applications, burndown and pre-emergence herbicide applications.
Corn is being planted where field conditions allow. Farmers that are able to plant are reporting very good field conditions.
The wheat crop is in Feekes 3-4 growth stage. The weeds seem to be growing very well. Growers are advised to scout wheat fields for weed size and growth stage. We are seeing chickweed as a problem in several fields. If you have chickweed, herbicide applications should be made as soon as possible as this weed can become very competitive with the crop. Some stands were hurt by excessive water standing this spring.
Oat planting and alfalfa seeding is progressing as field conditions allow.
The alfalfa crop seems to have come through the winter in very good shape. Growth is 4-6 inches and does not seem to be hurt by the cold temperatures of a few weeks age. It appears harvest will be on schedule this year.
Most of the sugar beets have been planted at this time.
Following a period of mild temperatures and a resumption of
growing degree day accumulations, and spring fieldwork activity late last week,
cooler temperatures have returned recently in association with an upper air
troughing feature moving into the region. On the surface, an area of low
pressure will move through the
Warmer and drier weather is expected to develop Saturday and
should continue into early next week. Daytime temperatures will reach the mid
50's north to near 60 south, gradually warming to the 60's to near 70 by
Saturday. Low temperatures will range from near 30 north to the low 40's south,
warming to the 40's to low 50's by Sunday. Medium range forecast guidance
suggests the eventual return of a troughing feature across the western
The official NOAA 6‑10
day and 8‑14 day outlooks (covering May 1-5 and May 3-7) both call
for above normal temperatures and above normal precipitation totals statewide. It
is important to note that the warmer and wetter than normal forecast covers the
vast majority of the
New