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| Field Crop Advisory Team Alert newsletter | |||||||
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| Vol. 23, No. 5, May 8, 2008 |
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| In this issue Insect notes Avitec Sandhill crane repellent still available in 2008 Soybean Hotline Weed management in continuous corn Update on wheat staging and foliar diseases so far this spring Additional fungicides for Fusarium head blight on wheat this year - Folicur and Caramba Civil rights in employment decisions Regional reports Weather |
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| Insect notes Soybean aphid On May 7, I found one soybean aphid colony on my favorite MSU buckthorn, so as always aphids made it through the winter. In comparison, in springs of bad aphid years, this shrub has had 15 to 20 colonies. Asiatic garden beetle On May 5, Bruce MacKellar, MSUE educator in St Joseph County, and I sampled fields in St Joseph County for Asiatic garden beetle grubs (AGB). We found AGB in all of the fields with sandy soils. This is not a surprise, since populations of several grub species (Phyllophaga, European chafer) tend to be higher in sandy areas, either due to greater egg-laying the previous year, or better grub survival in lighter soils. We found AGB grubs often two to three inches below the soil surface, especially associated with root masses of chickweed. Expect AGB grubs to feed through May on weeds or corn planted into infested fields, then pupate in early June. Note that currently AGB seems to be a problem only in southwest Michigan, in fields with light, sandy soil.
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| Black cutworm Armyworm catches in Kentucky were at record numbers at the end of April and black cutworm catches in Indiana were low to moderate in early May. Storms can carry both cutworm and armyworm moths north towards Michigan from populations to the south. Early-season weed growth is a risk factor for cutworm and armyworm infestations later in late May / June. Eggs are laid, and larvae initially feed on annual weeds. For example, Bruce MacKellar and I found what appeared to be small black cutworm larvae in mats of low-growing chickweed in St. Joseph County this week. Larvae then shift onto the crop after glyphosate applications kill their weedy home. Watch trap catch numbers in Indiana and Ohio to assess the flight coming into Michigan, and check fields after planting for feeding or missing plants. Rescue treatments are very effective at killing larvae if an infestation is found early and the sprays properly timed. Annual Chat’n Chew promo If you need an easy way to keep up with trap catches, visit the Purdue Chat’n Chew Café web site (http://www.agry.purdue.edu/ext/corn/cafe/), which links to all of the regional newsletters. It is a fast way to check on insect levels to the south, and a warning of what is heading north. |
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| Avitec Sandhill crane repellent still available in 2008
Avitec seed treatment is available through a Section 18 for corn in Michigan (as well as Wisconsin and Minnesota). The Section 18 is specifically to reduce crane damage to newly planted field and sweet corn. Legal protection of cranes has resulted in growing populations, thus crop damage from sandhill cranes has risen over the last several decades. Harassment methods are time consuming and often do not work, simply driving birds to neighboring fields. The International Crane Foundation in Baraboo, Wisconsin studied how to prevent damage. Using captive birds, they tested 9,10 anthraquinone-treated seed and found that birds learned to avoid the seed because it apparently tastes bad. Anthraquinone is a natural plant-produced compound with low toxicity. It is currently used as a goose repellent for parks, golf courses, schools and lawns. 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 on-farm 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 such as grubs. Important notes on Avitec use and price In 2006-07, most of the Avitec used was in the powder form as a planter box treatment. The state with the highest number of acres treated was Wisconsin. Dr. Eileen Cullen, the field crops entomologist at the University of Wisconsin, reported few complaint calls, and generally positive feedback from growers using Avitec. The liquid formulation is generally more effective than the dry formulation because 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 the problems and improve consistency. However, used properly, the dry formulation appears to work well. |
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| Weed management in continuous corn Although many people have rotated corn to soybeans or other crops this year, if you are planting corn following corn there are several weed management issues to consider. Herbicide inputs are a greater concern in a continuous corn system when compared to growing corn in rotation with another crop. This is due primarily to increased crop residue levels as well as weed escapes from the previous year. Increased residue levels can decrease the efficacy of many soil-applied herbicides and provide certain weed species, such as small seeded broadleaf and grass weeds, the opportunity to germinate and compete with corn. In a continuous corn system, it is a good idea to plan to use herbicide programs that account for deficiencies in the previous year’s weed control operations. Fields where weed escapes occurred the prior year can leave hundreds or thousands of weed seeds in the soil seed bank. Using the same herbicide program two years in a row can potentially compound the problem creating greater weed populations and weed control issues in the future. Additionally, many weeds have a relatively long emergence period, which generally makes two-pass weed control programs more successful. Due to greater residue in a continuous corn system, full rates of soil-applied herbicides are recommended to manage weeds. Total postemergence herbicide applications can be used effectively; however, ensure that weeds are not taller than 4 inches before making applications. Delaying preemergence herbicide applications after corn emergence can extend the residual window of activity and reduce late-season weed emergence. Be sure to follow the precautions given in last week’s Field CAT Alert when delaying preemergence applications. Several residual preemergence herbicides can also be applied with herbicides that provide foliar activity to control emerged weeds. In general, a planned two-pass herbicide program of preemergence and postemergence weed control strategies will provide the most effective weed control. Although glyphosate-resistant weeds have not been observed in Michigan row crops, continue to reduce the risk of glyphosate-resistant weeds by varying herbicide modes of action, especially on weeds that can be problematic to control with glyphosate alone. Where glyphosate-resistant corn was grown last year, consider using herbicides with different modes of action on the most problematic weeds to reduce selection pressure for glyphosate-resistant weeds. Herbicide Sites of Action are listed on pages 16-17 in the 2008 Weed Control Guide for Field Crops. |
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| Update on wheat staging and foliar diseases so far this spring Much of the wheat in the state is at Feeke’s 5 (full tillering ) to Feeke’s 7 (second node). However, wheat in some Ingham county fields is already at Feeke’s 8 (flag leaf emergence). Feeke’s growth stage 6 has one node and Feeke’s growth stage 7 has 2 nodes. The flag leaf is the final leaf that emerges. As the flag leaf sheath extends, (Feeke’s 9) pollen development is occurring in the immature wheat head that is developing inside the stem. Nodes can be determined by feeling along the main stem for a swelling or bump. The stem can also be sliced open with a knife or razor blade to see the number of nodes and their position on the stem. Unless disease pressure has been really heavy early on (and it hasn’t been this year), once flag leaf occurs is the time to scout to determine the need for foliar fungicides applied at flag leaf. Foliar disease pressure up to this point has been very low due to warmer, drier weather than usual, and there has been little need for fungicides. Rainfall expected this week and weekend and cooler temperatures may make conditions more favorable for the development of disease, so now is a good time to review several common early foliar diseases. Powdery mildew often shows up low in the canopy, early on in the season, although it isn’t prevalent this year. Foliar symptoms are powdery-white spots on the leaves and stems, becoming grayer with age. Temperatures between 59-72°F are favorable for powdery mildew, especially with high humidity. If mildew stays low in the canopy, it rarely causes significant loss to yield. Powdery mildew is more of a concern if it continues to climb and get up on the flag leaf. With cooler weather and rain on the way, continue to monitor your fields and evaluate the level of infection at flag leaf to the boot stage. In general, the threshold for fungicide treatment is 2-3 powdery mildew spots per leaf on the leaf just below the flag leaf which averaged over 30-50 leaves sampled randomly in the field. Septoria leaf blotch shows up on lower leaves as tiny yellow flecks. These develop into angular tan to brown lesions containing black pinpoint specks. Temperatures in the 50-68°F range along with conditions that are windy and wet favor spread of the disease. Septoria usually appears during the period of wheat growth from stem elongation to flag leaf emergence. Since this disease overwinters on wheat stubble, planting successive small grain crops allows the fungus to build up in the field, especially under no-till or minimum tillage. Determine the need for fungicide treatment by scouting at flag leaf emergence and the boot stage. The treatment threshold is an average 1-2 lesions per leaf (averaged over 30-50 leaves) on the leaf below the flag leaf. Wheat varieties differ in their level of susceptibility to foliar diseases. Your own past knowledge of how varieties performed in your fields is the best guide to which varieties need to be watched closely for disease. There is no substitute for actually getting out in your fields to scout them for diseases. For a guide to see how specific red and white varieties have performed in trials across the state, visit the MSU Variety Trials website, www.css.msu.edu/varietytrials/wheat/ At the variety trial site, I have noted differences among varieties in their ratings for susceptibility to powdery mildew. However, I have not noted much difference when varieties were rated for susceptibility to Septoria. More complete information on managing foliar diseases can be found in the fact sheet, Management of Foliar Wheat Diseases at the Field Crops AoE website. There are a number of fungicides that are effective against foliar diseases. A table that rates the efficacy of fungicides against foliar diseases of wheat is contained in the fact sheet.
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| Additional fungicides for Fusarium head blight on wheat this year - Folicur and Caramba
In Michigan, we have a lot of people to thank for helping make the Section 3 label for tebuconazole (Folicur) happen this spring. Tebuconazole, also known as Folicur, has been given a full Section 3 label by the Environmental Protection Agency for use on wheat and barley. Michigan received a state label for Folicur yesterday. We should thank Lois Rossi, Director of the Registration Division at the Office of Pesticide, Programs for EPA with her efforts to work with us to resolve the barriers that have held up registration of Folicur for the past 11 years. When told that tebuconazole would not be available for use by producers this year, the North Dakota Grain Growers Association along with regulators, researchers from NDSU, the North Dakota Ag Department, NDSU Extension Plant Pathologist Dr. Marcia McMullen, ND Pesticide Registration Coordinator Jim Gray, the National Association of Wheat Growers, Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers, University of Minnesota Extension Plant Pathologist Charla Hollingworth, Montana Grain Growers Association and the South Dakota Grain Growers Association banded together and took the initiative to make it happen. A Section 2ee label was also granted, which allows for tank mixing of Folicur and Proline, at a rate of 3 oz each per acre. The mix of the two products actually performed better at reducing DON (vomitoxin) and controlling head scab symptoms than either product alone in multi-state Uniform Fungicide Trials sponsored by the U.S. Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative over multiple years. Michigan also received a state label for new triazole fungicide for fusarium head blight, Caramba (metconazole) yesterday. Caramba’s performance in the Uniform Fungicide Trials has been comparable to the Proline/Folicur mix. Caramba is made by BASF. Check for product availability this season with your suppliers. Labels for both Folicur (http://www.ipm.msu.edu/cat08field/pdf/5-8folicur.pdf) and Caramba (http://www.ipm.msu.edu/cat08field/pdf/5-8caramba.pdf) are available in pdf format, or at MSU County Extension office or supplier. |
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| Civil rights in employment decisions While many federal laws protecting equal employment opportunity exempt small businesses, Michigan laws do not. Michigan laws protect religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, marital status and disability. As long as the specific disability is unrelated to the individual’s ability to perform the duties of a particular job or position with or without reasonable accommodation. Whether an applicant is a union member or an applicant’s veteran status also are questions that should have no place in employment decisions. Most laws apply to all employment decisions, including hiring, training, evaluation, promotion, compensation, discipline and termination. But questions on how to treat everybody fair and equally often come up during the selection process. As a general rule, all questions during the selection process should be relevant to the job to be filled. On an application form such questions may include name, address, phone number, the job the applicant is applying for and a summary of the applicant’s background (e.g., education and training, work history, special qualifications and skills). Citizenship and ethnicity are not typically relevant to agricultural jobs and therefore need to be avoided on application forms. An employer concerned about hiring applicants who will later fail to provide the required documentation for the I-9 form, may include a question in the application form such as “Are you legally eligible to work in the United States?” It is important to remember that many questions, which must be asked after a job candidate is hired, need to be avoided before the job has been offered. Everybody who participates in the hiring process must be familiar with the relevant qualifications, skills and experience of the job or jobs to be filled. Often times, small differences in how a question is asked differentiate a legitimate question from a discriminatory one. For example, “When did you attend college? When did you graduate?” could be construed as discriminatory on the basis of age; “How long did you attend college? Did you graduate?” are legitimate questions, if education is a relevant job qualification. By writing up questions before an interview, discriminatory practices can be avoided. In addition, interviewers should take notes during the interview in a neutral language. All interviewers must be trained how to ask legitimate questions and what topics to avoid with job applicants. If an applicant brings up any of these topics, such as family and children, disability or religion, it is best to not dwell on such information and to not ask any follow-up questions. The best practice is to follow the general rule to only ask job related questions and avoid all others, even if they legally can be asked in Michigan, such as sexual orientation. Also, interview questions should be similar for all job applicants. This information serves educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For more information go to www.msu.edu/user/bitsch, under “News” click on “Civil Rights and the Hiring Process” or click on “Agricultural Labor Issues in Michigan” for a list of available newsletters. |
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| Regional reports 1 -- Southeast Ned Birkey Weather The weather has been mixed up again, with warm, then cool temperatures and generally very little precipitation. General rains of about a half-inch came last Friday, May 2 and another half-inch gain yesterday afternoon, with more forecast for the southern areas of the region today. Farmers have welcomed these rains, though the tile lines are not running. Crop report Alfalfa is growing very well, about 12 to 14 inches tall with some alfalfa weevil feeding. No potato leafhoppers yet, though it is still early for this insect to come up from the south. Stands are thinner than normal and several farmers are already calling about putting in new seedings. The price of hay has dropped from winter with $5 for small, square bales. Corn planting is about complete except for wet fields. Advanced fields are at the V1 growth stage as minimal soil temperature of about 50ºF is slowing down emergence. Most fields will be emerging now. Fertilizer prices seem to be increasing gas and even diesel prices. Soybean planting is continuing. Already some double crop soybean seed has been ordered and paid for at full price. The earliest emerged soybeans are at the VC stage and no insect feeding has been noted. Wheat is generally at the Feekes growth stage 6 with some advanced fields at stage 7. Most fields continue to look very good and will love this cooler, cloudy weather. Topdressing is finishing up and some weed control is being applied. A few very thin fields are apparently staying in wheat, though weed control will be a major problem. Miscellaneous Farmers have generally caught up with their planting progress. The price of diesel on the farm is a hot topic, though most farmers are not changing their tillage practices. |
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| 2 -- Southwest Bruce MacKellar Weather Warm conditions with excellent levels of moisture for fieldwork and planting were the story in southwest Michigan this last week. Rainfall on May 7 slowed down planting progress, but with precipitation totals running in the ½-inch range, we should not be out of the field for long. With the outlook for cooler temperatures this next week, recently planted crops may take longer to emerge than those planted earlier. Crop report Commercial corn planting has progressed rapidly in St. Joseph and Cass counties, but producers have been a bit slower to progress in Van Buren and Allegan counties. Relatively few acres have emerged at this point. Planting progress probably ranges from 85 percent in St. Joseph down to 50 percent in some of the other counties. In looking for places to conduct research on the Asiatic garden beetles, we found at least some AGB larvae in most fields in southern St. Joseph County, and a few black cutworm larvae feeding on the winter annual weeds. It may be wise to keep track of the fields that had higher levels of winter annual weeds or cover crops at the time of tillage to help you to prioritize fields to scout for black cutworms. Asiatic garden beetle white grubs: We were able to find a couple of fields in southern St. Joseph County that had high levels of AGB larvae. Quite often, the larvae were found to be feeding on the roots of winter annual weeds, primarily chickweed and henbit. It at least appears as though the larvae are using the winter annual weeds to help bridge until the corn or other crops begin to grow and produce root mass. For more information on AGB, visit the St. Joseph County MSUE Ag Website at: http://web1.msue.msu.edu/stjoseph/anr/anr.htm Seed corn planting is just getting underway this week. We have seen great conditions for planting seed corn in most of the southwest region. We have seen an increase in the number seed corn fields that are being planted in 20 inch rows. Soybean planting is progressing rapidly in St. Joseph and other seed producing areas, slower in the rest of the region as producers there focus on corn planting. Some fields that were emerged were damaged by the frost on April 30. More recently planted soybeans are beginning to emerge and stands look pretty good. Some producers applied a little water on the fields to help with germination. You can definitely see some of the effects of the frost from April 30 on alfalfa fields with tips showing some whitening or yellowing. We have found most fields have at least some very early instar (1-2) alfalfa weevil larvae in them. The most advanced injury that we saw was probably in the 10-15 percent tip feeding range, well below the 40 percent threshold at this point. It would probably be prudent, however, for most alfalfa producers to keep an eye on their forage fields while planting consumes most of our time. Wheat is mostly in the Feeke’s stage 6, with some advanced fields at Feeke’s 7. The fields that I have seen do not have problems with diseases, weeds or aphids at this point. |
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| 3 -- West Central Fred Springborn Weather Rain showers over the past few days have slowed field work a bit across the region with ½- to ¾-inch on May 2 and 3 and another ¼-inch on May 7. High temperatures have been in the upper 60s to low 70s. Low air temperatures have been in the 30s and 40s the lowest being 32 at Freemont on Sunday. Low soil temperatures have been in the mid 40s to low 50s Crop report Alfalfa growth is progressing well with many stands at 10 to 12 inches in height. Frost damage has been light for the most part. Very little alfalfa weevil damage has been observed. Grasses are 12 to 16 inches and growing rapidly. Approximately 30-40 percent of the corn crop is planted. Early planted fields have emerged. Ten to 15 percent of the soybeans have been planted. Wheat is in growth stage Feeke's 6. A number of fields are showing injury symptoms from applications of 28 percent UAN solutions. Disease pressure is low. Oat planting is complete. Most fields emerged with good stands.Rye varies in development from Feeke’s stage 7 to 9. Early fields are in boot. |
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| 4 -- Central Paul Gross Weather Rains over the past week varied from north to south. The north part of the region received upwards of two inches of rain last week and this week limiting field work. The southern parts received less than 0.5-inch of rain. In areas where field conditions allowed planting, progression is rapid. Soil temperatures are still in the low 50s, but the calendar says plant. Crop report Corn planting in the region is nearing 75 percent complete and should wrap up over the next week if fields dry out. There are still plenty of fields that are too wet to plant. Most farmers are reporting just average conditions. The early planted corn has emerged, and you can row corn in the fields. Soybean planting is progressing and is nearing 40 percent planted. We expect planting progress to speed up as farmers wrap up corn planting and focus on planting beans. No reports of emergence at this time. The wheat crop is in Feeke’s 6-7 with no reported diseases. Most of the nitrogen and weed control has been applied. Growers that still need to apply weed control should choose a non growth regulator herbicide to avoid injury. Continue to scout the crop for disease and other problems. Alfalfa is 8-10 inches tall and growing steady. No reports of alfalfa weevil at this time. Continue to scout for this pest. New seedings have emerged and are looking very good. Locally, the growing degree days for alfalfa are currently at 200 base 42. Oats are all planted and most have emerged. The stands are very good at this time. Sugar beets are planted and beginning to emerge. |
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| 5 -- Thumb Bob Battel Weather We received about ¼-inch of rain on Wednesday, May 7 and about a half-inch total during the past week. Alfalfa continues to look good with growth at about 12 to 14 inches. No insect activity has been reported. Corn planting is nearing completion. Warmer temperaturess would help emergence. Sugar beet emergence has been good with the limited moisture really helping out. Wheat continues to look good for the most part. Growth stage for most wheat is at Feekes 5 or 6. Soybean planting is progressing nicely. |
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| Weather news Aaron M. Pollyea, Geography A relatively zonal, west to east jet stream pattern is expected across North America during the next one to two weeks, which should lead to an unsettled weather pattern across the Midwestern United States including Michigan. In the short term, the cool front that moved across the state Monday, May 5 is expected to stall near the southern border of the state and serve as a focusing mechanism for showers and thunderstorms through the middle of the week. Best chances for rainfall have already happened in all sections of the state late Tuesday through yesterday, but there is still a chance for minor rainfall in the extreme south eastern portions of the state on Thursday. Fair and drier weather is expected again by Friday continuing into the weekend with a significant chance for rainfall early next week. Temperatures will remain steady through much of the state from the upper 40’s in the north to the upper 50’s in the south. Low temperatures should fall from statewide levels in the 40's Wednesday morning to a range from the low 30's north to near 40ºF south by Friday morning. Some frost and freezing temperatures are possible in inland northern sections and some inner sections of the lower peninsula of the state later this week, especially Friday and Saturday mornings. Temperatures are expected to moderate (upward) a few degrees by the weekend, although means will likely still remain below normal. A low Pressure system is expected to move over the state on Monday, but temperatures will remain in the 50’s in the north to the low 60’s in the south, with morning lows in the upper 30’s to mid-40’s. There will be slight warming by Tuesday with temperatures reaching the mid-60’s in some portions of the lower peninsula. Current medium‑range forecast guidance suggests more of the same recent pattern, with a series of upper air troughs moving eastward across the United States leading to an active storm track across the Great Lakes region. Both 6-10 day and 8-14 day outlooks covering May 13-17 and May 15-21 call for below normal temperatures and for above normal precipitation totals. Long lead outlooks New NOAA long lead outlooks for the upcoming few months reflect a significant weakening of the La Niña event that has been in place across the equatorial Pacific region since last fall. The outlook for the month of May calls for a continuation of an active storm track across the western and Midwestern United States, leading to a forecast favoring cooler and wetter than normal conditions for Michigan and the Great Lakes region. However, given the recent weakening of La Niña conditions in the Pacific, there have been additional changes in the longer lead forecast periods (mainly moderations in precipitation forecast). For May through July, mean temperatures and precipitation totals in Michigan and much of the Midwest are forecast to remain in the “climatology scenario” with near equal odds of below, near and above normal values. The outlook for the middle and latter parts of the upcoming summer is identical for Michigan, with more of the climatology scenario expected for both mean temperatures and precipitation. In a change from previous outlooks, only some western sections of the Midwest (e.g. sections of Nebraska and Kansas) are expected to remain drier than normal through the middle of the upcoming growing season. |
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