May 22, 2008

In this issue

§      Status of early-season pest insects

§      Annual weed control in alfalfa: In-season management

§      Alfalfa harvest: Getting it right will return big dollars

§      Pricing standing forage

§      Net blotch on winter barley

§      Wheat update

§      Regional reports

§      Weather

Status of early-season pest insects

Christina DiFonzo, Entomology

In no particular order, here are some of the insects to keep an eye on over the next 7 to 10 days.

Black cutworm

On May 20, Bruce MacKellar and I found numerous black cutworm larvae (1/2 to 1 inch, perhaps fourth instar; Photo 1) in mats of chickweed in fields in St. Joseph County. The larvae are likely the result of a flight several weeks ago. Corn stands emerging into a live (Photo 2) or freshly killed (Photo 3) weed mat may face considerable stand loss damage. Rescue treatments are effective if applied in a timely fashion. In other words, you have to walk fields to know that cutworms are present. Stand loss may not be obvious from the road if seedlings are emerging into weeds. Target weedy fields for scouting as they are at most risk for infestation. Threshold – 5 percent plants cut. Rescue treatments include products such as Capture, Lorsban, Mustang, Ambush/Pounce, ProAxis, Warrior, Sevin and others.See the Field Crops Insect Control Guide E1582 for a complete product list, insecticide rates and precautions. Note too that the type of Bt toxin in Herculex ECB-protected corn is reasonably effective against black cutworm.

Armyworm

I’m still watching and waiting to see if a significant armyworm infestation develops. Thus far, I have not had any calls about, or personally observed, caterpillars. However, keep an eye on winter wheat fields. Most wheat fields look good so far, and we wouldn’t want to let any of that potential yield go out the back end of a caterpillar.

Alfalfa weevil

Growers in southern and central Michigan may cut fields in the next week or two. For weevil control, cutting is preferred to spraying. There is some suggestion that recent increased spraying for weevil is dampening the impact of the wasps that provided biocontrol. We don’t know this for sure, but extension educators have indicated that producers who have sprayed weevil over the last few years seem to have increasing weevil populations. If spraying is necessary, note pre-harvest intervals, which range from 0 to 28 days depending on product, rate and crop use (hay vs forage).If an infested field is cut, scout the new growth carefully. Just six to eight larvae per square foot is the threshold for weevil larvae after cutting. There are many products to choose from, plus spraying the new growth avoids treating flowers (and potentially killing bees) and achieves better coverage.

Bean leaf beetle

I found bean leaf beetle in alfalfa last week at MSU. Bean leaf beetle often hang out in alfalfa before soybeans emerge, then they head for beans in June. Early-planted beans, which emerge first, are thus at more risk for bean leaf beetle feeding. The early-season threshold on soybean seedlings is fairly high with 50 percent defoliation because soybeans recover well. Cruiser-treated beans should have little or no feeding damage, so focus scouting on early-planted untreated beans.

Grubs

I am still getting calls about grub infestations. There is little you can do after planting for grubs in a field crop, except hope you have the right kind. Phyllophaga grubs (the big June beetle grubs) pupate and emerge as adults early, but since many June beetles have a multi-year life cycle, only a fraction of the population in a given field may pupate now. The rest remain as hungry larvae. As far as annual grubs, the timing of pupation generally progresses in this order: European chafer, Asiatic garden beetle and Japanese beetle. Chafer feeds later into the fall and earlier in the spring, but usually pupates before the other species. Thus depending on which grub infests a field, a later-planted crop may escape damage because the population pupated.

Grub control tactics in order of effectiveness

Granular insecticide or Poncho 1250 > Poncho/ Cruiser 250 (suppression?) > granular or liquid insecticide.Broadcast on the soil surface after planting (good luck with that last one).

Annual weed control in alfalfa: In-season management

Wes Everman, Crop and Soil Sciences

Winter annual weeds can be problematic and reduce forage quality and yield in alfalfa during the spring of the year. The best method for weed management is good stand establishment and to control weeds in the fall or spring with herbicide applications to dormant alfalfa. Several herbicides are labeled for control of grass weeds, broadleaf weeds, or both when applied to dormant alfalfa. However, if you were not able to control your weeds during the fall or spring, postemergence in-season applications may be necessary. Once alfalfa breaks dormancy and has appreciable new growth, most broadleaf herbicides can cause injury to alfalfa. Grass herbicides such as Poast and Select can be used effectively to control many winter or summer annual grass weeds, however be aware of the various harvest restrictions with these herbicides.

When trying to determine whether to apply herbicides or not, remember in many cases the easiest and most economical solution to winter weed problems is the first cutting. The first cutting will remove the weeds with the alfalfa, and a weed management plan can be established with fall or spring applied herbicides to dormant alfalfa. Herbicide rates and recommendations can be found on pages 98 to 108 in 2008 Weed Control Guide for Field Crops.

In some cases weeds may emerge or continue to grow after the initial cutting, primarily summer annual weeds. Many small weeds can be controlled with herbicides such as Gramoxone Inteon at 1 pt/A, Pursuit at 4 oz/A, Velpar at 1 qt/A, Raptor at 5 oz/A when applied between cuttings. Be sure to make these between cutting applications before one to two inches of alfalfa growth occurs, usually within four to five days. Also be aware of use restrictions for the various herbicides. For example, do not make sequential applications of Pursuit and Raptor within a 60 day period to avoid potential herbicide injury, and be aware of rotation restrictions if the alfalfa stand is nearing the end of its life. Herbicide rotation restrictions can be found on pages 141-143 in 2008 Weed Control Guide for Field Crops.

Most herbicides also have a harvest restriction (usually 20 to 30 days), however a harvest restriction for an application made within four to five days after cutting shouldn’t delay the next cutting substantially. Harvest restrictions for several herbicides can be found on page 107 in 2008 Weed Control Guide for Field Crops. As always, if there is ever any doubt consult the herbicide label.

A proactive weed management program in alfalfa, as in all crops, is often the most effective means to keep your crop weed free and help ensure maximum yield potential.

 Alfalfa harvest: Getting it right will return big dollars

Rich Leep; Forage Agronomist, Crop and Soil Sciences

Alfalfa is an important forage for dairy cows because it provides fiber that effectively stimulates chewing while also providing energy and protein for milk production. The measure of fiber most commonly used to balance diets of lactating dairy cows is neutral detergent fiber (NDF).The optimum concentration of NDF for alfalfa is 40 percent. Alfalfa containing 40 percent NDF allows reasonable grain concentrations in the diet while maintaining adequate diet NDF concentrations. The protein concentration of alfalfa with 40 percent NDF is usually moderate (approximately 20 percent of DM), and additions of low protein grains such as corn allows flexibility in diet formulation for rumen-undegraded protein while avoiding excessive protein concentrations (1).

Delaying alfalfa harvest increases NDF percentage and reduces protein concentration. More grain will be required to increase energy density and decrease the NDF concentration (and filling effect) of the diet. In addition, more supplemental protein will be required to meet the cows’ protein requirements and dry matter intake and milk production will be reduced.

There are now better ways to determine the best time to cut first- and second-crop alfalfa for optimal quality than looking at stage of maturity or the calendar. Using an alfalfa quality “PEAQ” stick or calculating heat units, known as growing degree days (GDD’s), is more accurate. Visually analyzing the alfalfa for the best time to cut is subjective. What’s early bud stage to one grower isn’t necessarily early bud stage to another.

The PEAQ (Predictive Equation for Alfalfa Quality) method was developed in the 1990’s by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers. It uses plant height and maturity stage to estimate the alfalfa’s quality.

Alfalfa growers can track GDD’s on the alfalfa crop themselves as soon as plants break dormancy and actively start growing, which in Michigan is near March 1, using a base of 41°F. However, Alfalfa GDD’s are reported via DTN, and can be obtained for specific sites in Michigan at the Michigan Automated Weather Network (MAWN) http://www.agweather.geo.msu.edu/mawn/.We are near 600 GDD’s now in East Lansing and in early bud stage of growth in alfalfa as of May 22.NDF increases about 0.04 point for each GDD. The heat units accumulate anywhere from 10 to 40 units per day, which translates to NDF increases of 0.4 to 1.6 units per day.

We recommend growers take their first cutting when GDD’s hit 750 (base 41°F).That will give you 40 percent NDF, which is ideal for high-producing dairy cows.

A few years ago, MSU Extension educators tested alfalfa quality at many sites on Michigan farms. Alfalfa was harvested based on the information from tracking GDD’s, using the PEAQ stick, looking at the calendar, and at physiological indicators like bud formation. Samples were harvested and analyzed using wet chemistry.

In the first cutting, the PEAQ and GDD’s were equally effective at predicting the 40 percent NDF target. In the second cutting, the PEAQ stick narrowly edged out GDD’s as the more accurate method. Both were better than the other two. However, GDD’s and the PEAQ sticks didn’t work as well with subsequent cuttings because we tend to get into drier weather in July and August.We recommend once you get to later cuttings, use either hand clippings for analysis or growth stage.

Whether to use the PEAQ stick or track GDD is a matter of personal preference. GDD can be tracked on a computer, but using a PEAQ stick in the field gives you the opportunity to scout for insects and monitor plant health at the same time.

Growing degree days and using PEAQ does not work for fields containing grass.If grass is present, then harvesting in the late boot stage of maturity will result in better forage quality.

Pricing standing forage

Roy Black; Agriculture, Food and Resource Economics

Note: Many of the concepts and some of the language in this fact sheet are adapted from "How to Price Standing Forage" by Ted Bay, Rhonda Gildersleeve, Ken Barnett, and Dan Undersander, University of Wisconsin Crop Manager Fact Sheets, May 15,2008. However, there are some significant differences in approach.

Sales of standing forage require an estimate of market price and a method of determining yield ─ whether forage is sold by the bale, ton, or acre ─ as a starting point for negotiations between the buyer and seller. This fact sheet describes a method to help determine a starting point for short-term sales; it is not intended to be used for long-term contracts.

What is a reasonable hay or haylage price?

Forage prices reflect inventories, demand, acreage, current season yield potential, and yield risk and reflect differentials for attributes or quality. Current hay prices are much less readily available than prices for corn, soybeans, and wheat. A source of information for Michigan hay price estimates is the “The Michigan Hay Listing Network" developed with the cooperation of the Michigan Forage Council, Michigan Farm Bureau, and Michigan State University Extension. It is at the webpage http://web2.canr.msu.edu/hay/.

The University of Wisconsin Polk County Extension Service provides a weekly summary from AMS/USDA sources for the Upper Midwest that is available on internet. There is often significant regional variation in price because of the cost of transport and local conditions but the site provides a useful reference point. The webpage is   http://www.uwex.edu/ces/forage/pubs/hay_market_report.htm

The haylage price is usually estimated by adjusting the hay price for the difference in moisture content between hay and haylage and differences in handling and storage cost that may exist between time of purchase and use.

The seller of standing forage’s perspective

The farm with the standing forage looks at the cost savings that would be incurred if the forage were sold as a standing crop versus sold as hay. Costs of harvesting and, perhaps, storage would not be incurred. Also, depending upon the structure of the contract in terms of risk sharing, the farm may avoid yield and quality risk. Thus, on a per acre basis they are looking at gross revenue less costs not incurred with, perhaps, some adjustment for risk.

The buyer of standing forage’s perspective

The buyer of standing forage usually is looking at the value of time, place, and form of the forage. They typically have the capacity to harvest, haul and store the forage. Buying the forage standing in the field may provide more quality control, assurance of access, form desired, and/or locational advantages over direct purchase. They have a similar perspective to the seller; namely, what costs am I saving by purchasing standing forage versus the “finished” product. Thus, they are also looking at the price of the finished product, hay, as a reference point and asking what costs they save by purchasing the crop standing in the field and additional risk they may be incurring.

How do I estimate yield?

Since both the buyer and the seller use price per ton in the market as a reference point, estimation of yield is critical in pricing standing forage. Historic records for the field provide one starting point if they are available. Stand evaluations provide an alternative for estimating yield potential but need to take into account the age of the stand, fertilizer program and weather. Sale based on actual yield can be used and impacts the risk borne by both buyer and seller. Actual yield can be determined by weighing loads or estimated by weighing a few bales and counting total bales harvested.

Table 1 can be used to estimate relative yield for individual cuttings.

Table 1. Approximate yield distribution for 3- and 4-cutting alfalfa systems¹

Cutting

% of Total
Yield

 

Cutting

% of Total
Yield

1

40

 

1

35

2

30

 

2

25

3

30

 

3

20

 

 

 

4

20

 

¹Source: Dr. Dan Undersander, Department of Agronomy at University of Wisconsin – Madison.

For example, if yield in a three cutting system is expected to be 4.5 tons/acre, first cutting yield would be 4.5 tons × 0.40 = 1.8 tons/acre.

If chopped for haylage, the moisture content of the haylage would have to be determined to convert haylage yields to hay equivalent by the formula:

.

For example, if first crop haylage yield is 3.9 tons/acre of haylage at 40 percent dry matter, and dry hay is expected to be 87 percent dry matter, this haylage could be converted to hay equivalent as follows:

= 1.8 ton/acre

What is the quality of the standing forage?

Timeliness of cutting and the percentage of alfalfa versus weeds in the stand will impact forage quality. A dense, clean stand of pure alfalfa or mixed with a high quality grass should be of higher value than an older stand with weeds and would deserve a premium in a competitive forage market.

What are harvest costs of standing forage?

Table 2 provides an estimate of selected harvest costs for Michigan. If forage needs to be transported some distance, hauling costs should also be factored into harvesting costs.

Table 2. Approximate harvesting costs for selected tasks ($/cutting)²

(labor $10.50/hr for unskilled tasks.$13.00/hr for skilled task, 3 cuttings, 4 to.5 ton hay/acre)

Mower/conditioner

$13.50/acre

 

Chopping forage, pull type pick-up head

$5.50/ton

Raking

$6.65/acre

 

Round baling(1,000 lb with wrap)

$10.00/bale

Round baling (600 - 800 lb)

$7.25/bale

 

Small square bale

$0.52/bale

²Source: Dennis Stein, Extension Educator, MSU, “Spring 2008 Machine Work Rates for Saginaw Valley of Michigan”. A more complete list of tasks is available at http://www.msu.edu/user/steind/

Steps in calculating the price of standing forage?

The following steps provide a starting point for negotiations from the seller’s perspective:

§      Estimate the price/ton for the average quality hay that would be expected to be produced from the field (cutting).

§      Estimate the yield/acre.

§      Calculate the gross revenue: price × yield.

§      Estimate costs not incurred if forage is sold standing in the field instead of as hay.

§      Price/ acre = Gross revenue/acre – Cost/acre saved by selling as standing forage in field.

§      There may be an adjustment in this price for risk depending upon the terms of the contract.

For example, if the field is priced on a per acre basis prior to harvest, the buyer is absorbing the yield and quality risk associated with weather.

The steps are similar for the purchaser. They are estimating the additional costs they incur if they purchase standing forage versus as dry hay. Thus, their costs for standing forage shouldn’t exceed the purchase price in the field plus the additional costs. However, the buyer’s cost structure, pricing of form and ability to better control quality, and pricing of risk may differ from the seller.

Example:

§      First cutting with an expected yield of 1.8 ton hay / acre of dairy quality (weather cooperating). Assume 700 lb round bales and $8.00/ton hauling charge.

§      Hay @ $165/ton (average across potential quality reflecting harvest risk).

§      Costs not incurred are $71.80/acre or $71.80 / 1.8 = $39.90 / ton.

§      Price / acre = 1.8 ton × $165/ton - $71.80 = $225.20/acre.

§      Price / ton = $225.20 / 1.8 = $125.10 / ton.

§      Further adjustments might be warranted for risk, partly depending upon whether potential variability in quality was reflected in price.

The seller and buyer would make similar calculations reflecting their perspectives and information. This would provide a starting point for discussion and negotiation.

Risk

Lower than expected yields or weather delays lowering forage quality can greatly reduce the net gain of purchasing standing hay. Producers need to adjust numbers in these examples to reflect current market conditions, yield and harvest timeliness. The value of risk is difficult to estimate, but can be based on a typical value of the desired hay quality.

Contracts signed well before harvest and full season contracts should reflect a lower price due to greater risk the buyer is assuming. In contrast, an agreement made close to harvest would be much closer to the current hay price because the buyer knows the status of the crop being purchased.

The Wisconsin Forage Team suggests a risk premium of 10% to 20% of gross revenue with the range dependent upon the timing of when the contract is established relative to information about yield and quality.  A 10% risk factor, for our example, would be a reduction in the price of about $30/acre or $16.50/ton. Note, the bargainers need to be sure they are consistent in whether their setting of marketable yield and average price already reflect the vulnerabilities of producing forages or whether an additional adjustment is needed.

Final consideration

A written agreement prior to start of harvest is recommended and should include price, when payment is due, method of determining yield when selling by the ton, and other pertinent factors. A written contract clarifies the sale agreement for all parties and provides a record to eliminate differing memories of what was agreed to.

Net blotch on winter barley

Diane Brown-Rytlewski
Plant Pathology

Symptoms of net blotch (Pyrenophora teres) appeared in a campus research plot and a grower’s field of winter barley in Ingham County this week. The foliage had numerous small dark green to light brown spots, and some larger parallel brown stripes and blotches with yellow halos. (see photo) Wheat is not affected by net blotch.

Although there is relatively little barley grown in Michigan, this fungal disease is common wherever barley is grown. As symptoms advance, stripes get larger and can expend the length of the leaf. Lesions can cover and kill entire leaves if disease is severe. Disease may also infect the barley kernels. The fungus spreads mainly from barley residue and volunteer barley plants, but can be transmitted on seed. The disease is favored by windy conditions, high humidity and temperatures in the 60°F to 80°F range. If infected seeds are planted, emerging shoots can be infected after the seeds germinate. Prevention is the best way to deal with net blotch, including crop rotation, removal of crop residue and volunteer plants using resistant varieties and starting with clean seed. If infection has already taken place, there are several fungicides labeled for net blotch.

Wheat update

Diane Brown-Rytlewski
Plant Pathology

The season has been cool and dry so far – too much so for most foliar diseases. For the low levels of foliar disease we have had, fungicides are not needed. Even though weather is expected to warm over the next week, but there still isn’t much rain in the forecast. Wheat is at flag leaf to boot stage in much of the state. Now is a good time to scout for foliar diseases. Take the time to scout your fields for foliar diseases and determine whether disease thresholds have been reached before making the decision to apply a fungicide. Thresholds: Powdery mildew: two to three spots per leaf (averaged over 30 to 50 leaves) on the leaf below the flag leaf. Septoria and Stagonospora: one to two lesions per leaf (averaged over 30 to 50 leaves) on the leaf below the flag leaf. Leaf rust: 5-10 pustules/ flag leaf (averaged over 30 to 50 leaves).

Unless there are high levels of foliar disease (based on scouting) it would be better to delay a fungicide application until flowering to control head scab, if one is even needed for scab. It may not be. It is still too early to tell what the weather might bring in the way of scab risk for this year. The risk prediction map for Michigan is at http://www.wheatscab.psu.edu/riskTool.html. Right now, the entire state shows low risk for an epidemic of fusarium head blight. If needed, an application of fungicide at Feekes 10.5.1 (about 15 to 20 percent of heads flowering) with products labeled for head scab would also control foliar diseases that may be present. That is the optimum time for head scab control, and it is only about a three to four day window. Applying foliar fungicides now before wheat is headed will not provide protection from fusarium head blight later on – it is too early. Fungicides containing strobilurins (Stratego, Quilt, Headline, Quadris) are not recommended once wheat has reached boot stage and beyond, as DON (vomitoxin) levels may increase if conditions are favorable for fusarium head blight later on. The latest fungicide efficacy chart can be viewed at http://ipm.msu.edu/cat08field/pdf/5-22wheatchart08.pdf.

Regional reports

1 – Southeast

Ned Birkey

Weather

Weather has been cooler than normal and dry over the past week, allowing soybean planting to continue.  Soil temperatures remain close to and even below 50°F over the past week and actually have not changed much for the month of May.

Crop report

Alfalfa harvest will commence once soils dry out, which may be this weekend with the favorable forecast of warm and dry weather.  We are not at the bloom stage, though planting and other field work progress. A favorable forecast will have dairy and those farmers concerned about hay quality starting to cut.  The first cutting has very few weeds and should be of much better quality than other years’ first cutting.  I have not seen any potato leafhoppers, and alfalfa weevil feeding has not been a big problem.

Barley is headed out with nice stands. The yield potential appears very good. Conditions have been generally dry, which has suppressed disease development.

Corn planting is finished with most fields emerged, short and generally yellow in color with the cool soil temperatures. Weeds have also been slower to emerge.  Farmers are calling inquiring about tweaking their nitrogen rates. Most fields are at the V2 growth stage. Several fields of corn have been planted into fields with volunteer wheat and weeds, which would be where we expect armyworms to migrate.  Wireworms can be found on the southern slopes of sand hills.

Soybean planting should finish up this weekend, and farmers are pushing to make that happen.  Most fields are planted, but are just cracking through as soil temperatures are cool.

Wheat is at the Feekes’ growth stage 10 –in the boot. Heads have not emerged though they will before the weekend is over with a warm up of temperatures into the 70s. Fields are generally free of disease and weeds, though I heard yesterday of weed control sprays going on recently. It is possible that those fields were at Feekes’ stage 8 or less. Twenty-eight percent nitrogen fertilizer applied to some fields at Feekes’ stage 9 has severely burned many flag leaves with overlapping spray visibly apparent of brown leaves. I saw a field of wheat being cut with a mower- conditioner yesterday.  Fields that I have been in have not had any substantial diseases, and the flag and flag minus one leaves look very good.

Miscellaneous

     Farmers are generally pleased with the planting progress of May, even though soil temperatures have remained cool for the entire month of May.

2 – Southwest

Bruce MacKellar

Weather

  Conditions have remained cool, but drier in the southwest region over the last week.  The extreme lower portion of the region has received rainfall from several systems that have skirted below lake Michigan as they have moved to the east, providing for some temporary slow downs in field work in Berrien, Cass and St. Joseph counties.  Some areas received just under an inch of precipitation last weekend.  The cold weather continues to keep later planted crops from emerging, but so far the seeds look viable for crops that have not emerged for up to two weeks.  Warmer conditions expected for the Memorial Day weekend should help push these crops through the soil.  

Crop report

Commercial corn planting is all but wrapped up in most areas in the southwest.  Corn has definitely become a lighter shade of pale with the cold conditions, but should recover with warmer temperatures.  The most advanced fields are V2.  We have seen a fair number of black cutworm larvae in fields huddling along cover crop or chickweed masses in burned down fields.  I would encourage growers to target fields with winter annual challenges. Cover crops burned down later are good places to keep an eye on in terms of scouting for damage. Look for ragged leaf margins on corn plants as an easy visual key for scouting.  Smaller larvae tend to feed on leaf margins, larger larvae tend to clip plants off near the ground.  There seems to be a fairly wide size range of larvae in the field, meaning that there could have been several moth egg laying periods.  There is no good way short of diligent scouting to determine if your fields will have problems with cutworms.  There are few indications of many other insect problems at this point.  Weeds are beginning to emerge, but they too have been slowed down by the cold temperatures.  Some preemergence herbicides have been on the field for more than a week without significant rainfall to move the material into the soil.    

Seed corn planting has continued to progress at a good pace. Cold temperatures still make the process of determining when to plant for pollination delays a challenge. The early emerged seed corn is around V1. 

Soybean planting is moving towards completion as well in the seed corn production areas.  Planting progress continues to be less as you move north and west, closer to Lake Michigan. Cutworms may be an issue on soybeans as well, so the discussion in the commercial corn section of this report should apply to beans as well.   

Wheat continues to flourish under these cool conditions.  Development ranges from Feekes’ stage 10 back to Feekes’ stage 9.  There has been some discussion about timing of fungicide applications to protect plants from leaf diseases and head scab.  At this point, we have not seen much in the way of leaf diseases except a little powdery mildew in the lower canopy.  For those who are irrigating wheat, there may be more potential issues with powdery mildew or fusarium head blight in areas where the irrigation is the heaviest, especially in systems where cornering arms attach to the main parts of the pivot.  This may not be a huge issue, but may provide an opportunity to focus scouting activities in these locations or portions of the fields that have low air flow.   

Alfalfa harvest has begun in many fields in southwest Michigan.  Some of this harvest may be spurred on by a lack of feed for horses, cattle or sheep.  Cass County CED/ANR Educator Dan Rajzer reports that first cutting alfalfa yields will be lower than normal this spring where alfalfa weevil larvae continue to be found in many fields across the region.  Numerous fields have been treated with insecticides to control alfalfa weevil larvae.   

Base 41 GDD accumulations for select weather stations in southwest Michigan at May 20 are: Kalamazoo 621, Battle Creek 642, Niles 588, Allegan 574 and Coldwater 542.

Dairy growers often start cutting alfalfa at 750 Base 41 GDD’s to achieve top hay production and quality.  With warmer temperatures in the forecast, we may reach the 750 GDD threshold in some areas of the region in 7-10 days. 

We have also been seeing an increasing number of fields in the southern portion of the region that have weed control problems with wild oats.  The weed seems to compete very well with alfalfa and is capable of reducing yields where it is thick.  Many fields along the Michigan and Indiana border have challenges with this weed species after a three to four year stand life.

3 – West Central

Fred Springborn and Roger Peacock

Weather

Another generally dry week has allowed planting progress to continue over the region. Rain showers that have occurred have been very light with only 0.1 to 0.15 of an inch of rain received. Many soils and crops are getting quite dry and irrigation rigs have been running in some locations. High temperatures have been in the upper 50s to mid-60s. Low air temperatures have been in the 30s and 40s. Low soil temperatures have been in the upper 40s to mid-50s.
Crop report

Alfalfa growth is progressing well with many stands at 14 to 18 inches in height. Low levels of alfalfa weevil damage have been observed. A few producers have made insecticide application below threshold levels out of forage supply and quality concerns. Growing degree day base 41 (GDD 41) are near 500 at weather stations around the area. New alfalfa seedings are mostly emerged with good stands. Pastures are growing and maturing rapidly, the spring flush challenge is on.

The majority of the corn crop is planted. Early planted fields are at V2. Much of the crop that has emerged is pale green to yellow due to the cool temperatures. Some of the heavier textured soils have some crusting issues

Sixty to 80 percent of the soybean crop has been planted with a few fields emerged.

Wheat is in growth stage Feekes’ 7 to 9 with the majority in 8. Disease pressure remains low with powdery mildew present in some varieties low in the canopy. The soils in many fields are getting quite dry in the Montcalm area.  

Oats are doing well in the cool weather with good stands. Early fields are at Feekes’ 6. Rye is heading.

Sugarbeet stands are generally good with two leaf pairs.

No dry beans have been planted as of today in the Montcalm area.

4 – Central

Paul Gross

Weather

The cooler than normal temperatures have slowed crop emergence and growth over the past week. Soil temperatures remain near 50°F. The region was mostly dry over the past week with just light evening showers Wednesday, May 21. This dry weather has allowed most farmers to wrap up planting. It is expected that most crops will be planted by Memorial Day, May 26. Most farmers would agree that we could use a good warm soaking rain.

The corn crop is planted with emergence slow. Stands are generally good. Most of the emerged crop is yellow and needs some warm weather. A few growers were using the rotary hoe this past week, as some fields had crusting problems. Weeds are slow coming and will need herbicide applications soon.

Soybeans are over 90 percent planted. The early planted beans are emerging. For the most part, emergence is good. No reported problems at this time. Scout fields for weeds and make timely applications.

The wheat crop is in Feekes’ 9 with the flag leaves fully emerged. No disease problems have been seen at this time. There are reports of light powdery mildew in some fields. Now is a good time to evaluate just how precise your fertilizer applications were this spring. We are seeing lots of streaks in the fields due to uneven applications. Continue to scout fields and monitor weather to time fungicide applications if needed. It will be important to monitor growth stages, and know when flowering occurs. If you need assistance in identifying the growth stage of your wheat, please contact your local county extension office.

Alfalfa is progressing slowly.  We have used the PEAQ stick in several fields around Isabella County and found the crop in PEAQ 32-35. Harvest is expected to begin next week; if we get the promised warm weather over the weekend. There is light alfalfa weevil feeding, but nothing over the threshold has been reported. Spring seedings look very good.

The oat and barley crops are doing very well with the cooler weather. No reported problems at this time.

5 – Thumb

Bob Battel

Weather

The weather situation can be summed up as cool with daytime temps ranging in the 50-60°F range, and night time temps dipping into the 30s and 40s. Warmer temperatures would be welcome to help our growing and planted crops.

Crop report

Wheat continues to look good for the most part. Most fields are at Feekes’ growth stage 8. Many fields have a bit of powdery mildew low in the canopy, but nothing that would justify spraying to control the powdery mildew.

     Some alfalfa has slight tip feeding on about 10 percent of the plants with no visible alfalfa weevil larvae. Plants are approximately 25-26 inches tall and in the early bud stage with approximate NDF values of 35 percent according to the PEAQ stick. No potato leafhoppers or any cutting of hay has been reported so far, but it is expected that hay will be cut by next week. New seedings seem to have good emergence. A 40 percent NDF level is usually attained at approximately 750 alfalfa GDD from March 1, 38 percent NDF is attained at approximately 680 alfalfa GDD.  Alfalfa GDDs are different from corn GDD and calculated using a base of 41°F from March 1. 


Alfalfa growing degree days through May 20

Avoca

595

Lapeer

587

Saginaw

559

Emmett

542

Sandusky

505

Pigeon

493

Bad Axe

480

Standish

390


     Sugar Beets are at the 2 to 4 leaf growth stage.

Early emerged corn is at the V2 to V3 stage. Plants are yellowish in color and need some warm days to bring in good color.

Soybean planting is for the most part complete. Some soybeans are beginning to emerge, and are in the crook to cotyledon stage.

Weather news

Jeff Andresen
Agricultural Meteorology
Geography

An upper air troughing feature across northeastern North America will maintain cool temperatures over the Great Lakes region for one more day before finally retreating eastward and temporarily giving way to a broad ridge of high pressure. The ridge should result in a rapid warming trend for the upcoming holiday weekend.

In the short term, clouds are expected to be on the decrease Thursday, May 22 with mostly sunny and dry weather expected Friday, Saturday and most of Sunday. High temperatures Thursday will remain at much below normal levels from near 50ºF far north to near 60ºF south. Low temperatures both Friday and Saturday morning will drop back to the mid- and upper 30s north to the low 40s. Some scattered light frost is a possibility Friday and Saturday mornings in inland, northern sections of the state.

Further ahead, surface winds Saturday will shift from the northeast around to the southwest as the upper air ridge approaches from the west. Temperatures this holiday weekend should climb into the upper 60s north to near 80ºF south with lows in the 40s to low 50s. In terms of precipitation, dry weather is expected statewide through Saturday, with a chance for showers and thunderstorms beginning late Sunday in western sections of Upper Michigan, and then spreading south and eastward into the Lower Peninsula overnight Sunday into Monday (Memorial Day) as a cool frontal approaches from the west. That cool front is expected to stall out somewhere from west to east through the region just south of Michigan, and may lead to the chance for more rainfall Tuesday, especially in southern sections of the state. Otherwise, dry weather is expected for middle and latter parts of the work week next week.

In the medium-range forecast period, the upper air ridge mentioned above is expected to give way to a flatter, more west to east flow pattern for the 6-14 day period across the Midwest. The National Weather Service 6-10 day and 8-14 day outlooks covering May 27-31 and May 29 through June 4 both call for mean temperatures to range from below normal levels in northern sections of the state to near normal in the south. Precipitation totals during the 6-10 day period are forecast to range from below normal levels north to near normal levels in the south, increasing to above normal levels statewide during the 8-14 day period.