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Urea-ammonium nitrate (UAN or 28 percent N) is a liquid material that is approximately a 50:50 blend of urea and ammonium nitrate. This material is a good material for sidedressing N. It can also be sprayed or dribbled in a band on the soil surface between rows of plants, but care needs to be taken to minimize the amount of material that gets on the foliage of plants. Spraying more than 3.5 gallons per acre directly over the foliage will cause some burn.  Since half of the N is in the urea form, applying this material to the soil surface has the same risk of volatile N loss as with granular urea.   Calcium nitrate (15.5 percent N, 20 percent Ca) is a good material to use when additional calcium is need. The N is all in the nitrate form which is readily available for plant uptake, but is also more at risk for loss by leaching or denitrification with heavy rainfall events. Potassium nitrate (13 percent N, 42 percent K2O) is a good material for supplying some additional potassium. Ammonium sulfate (21 percent N, 23 percent S) is becoming more available in the market place. It is a good N source, especially where additional sulfur is needed. There is no concern for volatile N loss when this material is broadcast on the soil surface. Slow-release N materials tend to release N over a 75 to 90 day period depending on the properties. With these materials, all of the nitrogen can be applied just prior to planting, and the N will gradually be released over the growing period of the crop, eliminating the need for sidedressing. Since the N is gradually released over time, the potential for N loss is reduced. Cost of the various nitrogen materials vary considerably. Be sure to compare the costs of materials on the cost per pound of N, not per ton of material. The way to do this is as follows: Cost per lb N = (Price per ton material) divided by (lbs of N in a ton of material). For example, one ton of urea costs $598 and contains 920 lbs N (2000 x .46) Therefore cost per lb N = ($598) ÷ 920 lbs N = $0.65/ lb N.
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New core manuals available Carolyn Randall, PSEP Coordinator Completely rewritten commercial and private certification core manuals are now available from Michigan State University (MSU) Extension.  The manual for private pesticide applicators (Extension Bulletin E3007) includes the National Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Manual and the Michigan Private Core Manual Addendum. The commercial manual (Extension Bulletin E3008) consists of the National Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Manual and the Michigan Commercial Core Manual Addendum.  Including the National Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Manual facilitates reciprocity between states, making it more likely that state regulatory agencies will recognize the credentials of certified applicators working in other states. The national core manual discusses federal pesticide laws and the Michigan-specific addendums add the state of Michigan pesticide laws and regulations. The private applicator addendum also includes private applicator equipment and calibration information. The new manuals are better organized, illustrated, easier to read and more comprehensive than past editions. They also contain more recent information on regulations and pesticide safety recommendations. These manuals are used to study for the initial and renewal certification exams offered by the Michigan Department of Agriculture. After passing the exams, an individual becomes a certified applicator and can purchase restricted-use pesticides. Applicators must renew their certification every three years by retaking the exams or by attending enough MDA-approved seminars to earn credits toward renewal. Each manual is available for $30 from MSU Bulletin Distribution Center or any county MSU Extension office. To find an office near you, visit www.msue.msu.edu.
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Regional reports 1 -- Southwest Ron Goldy Weather Temperatures for the period were generally below to normal with lows from 37oF to 51oF and highs from 60oF to 72oF. Soil temperatures remain around 55oF. There was 1.18 inches of rain from two events on May 7 and May 11. Soil moisture is adequate for all field activities at this time. Conditions have not been conducive for good plant growth even under tunnels. Plants appear yellow and have minimal growth. However, planting of crops continues. Most growers feel they are on schedule with previous years for planting, but plant growth is slow. Crop report Asparagus harvest continues at a slow pace due to weather, and spears are quite sandy due to recent rains. Purple spot is evident in some fields. Tomato planting activity outside tunnels has increased with some fields also being staked. Top growth is slow, but root growth under plastic is good. Early plantings of sweet corn are up, but are yellow and growing slowly. Squash and cucumbers are being directly seeded. Plants under tunnels are growing slowly.
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2 -- Grand Rapids Area Bill Steenwyk Weather Growers are continuing to plant vegetables, but all comment that the unseasonably cool weather is slowing development and some field work. Rainfall has certainly not been excessive, but sufficient to prevent the need for much irrigation and to activate preemergent herbicides in many areas of West-Central Michigan. Crop reports On muck soils, celery and leek is being transplanted. Planting of radish and beets continues. Many acres of onions have emerged and are growing. On upland soils, cabbage and sweet corn fields continue to be established. Established potatoes, peas and green beans are reportedly doing well. Aside from frost damage to the first asparagus picking, the recent reports indicate good productivity. The cool weather, however, is delaying development of almost all crops. Transplanting of warm-season crops such as tomato and pepper is delayed. A few reports of tomatoes in high tunnels and sweet corn under plastic were positive. I have not heard of or seen any problems due to weed, insect or disease pests. One grower reported the first sighting of diamondback moth in cabbage.
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3 -- Oceana County Norm Myers Weather Weather has been very dry with relatively cool temperatures. The rain early this morning was less than 0.2 of an inch. We’ve had a couple of nights down into the 30’s, but no frost over the last week. Crop report Most asparagus growers are now on their third picking going into the fourth picking. Yield and quality have been surprisingly good. We are seeing very little white cutworm damage even where no insecticide was applied. I did talk to one receiver who had seen a couple of asparagus beetles, but until the temperatures warm up and we get a little rain, we are not anticipating big problems with this pest. Fresh market prices are still good with no complaints from processors about not receiving enough product yet. Planting of asparagus crowns for new fields continues. Carrot planting is mostly finished with a few processors stretching out their planting dates longer than usual. Oat and barley cover crop is doing well and I haven’t heard of any replant situations. Some irrigation will probably gear up if we don’t get significant rain today. Planting of sweet corn for local farm markets is in full swing, but cold soils may slow those growers up a little.
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4 -- Mason-Newaygo counties Jim Breinling Weather Temperatures in the area during the past week have been cooler than normal with highs averaging about 60ºF and lows generally in the range from 35ºF to 45ºF. At the Ludington Enviro-weather station, lows of 32.1ºF were recorded on both May 8 and May 10. Precipitation amounts on May 11 in the area were minimal with none reported at Ludington. Even though there has been only 0.42 inches reported at the Ludington Enviro-weather station for the month of May to date, drying soil conditions have allowed planting of both vegetable and field crops. Some irrigation of vegetables has begun in Newaygo County. Crop reports Peas continue to do well as the cool weather pattern prevails. Plantings are now at the 5th and 6th node stage of growth. Carrot planting continues in Newaygo County. Growth in early planted fields is now at the first true leaf stage. There has been one field that has been replanted due to poor stand. Emergence of onions seems variable with some plants already at the flag stage, while others are just breaking through the soil.
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5 -- Macomb, St. Clair and Lapeer counties Hannah Stevens
Weather and crop conditions Field work was halted by about 0.7 inches of rain throughout the region on Sunday and Monday. It was not unwelcome and is helping the growth and development of seeded and transplanted crops and holding the soil. Cool, breezy and sunny conditions prevailed otherwise. Maximum temperatures reached about 71ºF this week with minimums in the high 30’s and an average temperature at the Romeo station of 51ºF. Growers are getting ready to plant and transplant warm season crops. Some fertilizers are in short supply at this time, hopefully a temporary condition. Crop reports Seeded fields and transplanted onions are becoming established with good stands. This spring finds us monitoring for onion maggot adults and injury. No injury found yet. Good cole crop weather finds cabbage doing well. In lettuce, seeding and transplanting continues. Early sweet corn is now two inches tall and many seedings emerged this past week. For the small acreage of asparagus that we have in the region, harvest began last month and was halted by the sub-freezing temperatures of April 30. It is now under pressure from common asparagus beetle. Garlic is a popular commodity for farmer’s market shoppers who appreciate locally grown stiff-necked varieties. The crop over-wintered well and is thriving this spring.	Sticky traps in onions.
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Weather news Jeff Andresen Agricultural Meteorology Geography A significant change in the upper air pattern across North America is expected during the next few days with the formation of a deep troughing feature expected across the Great Lakes region by this coming weekend. This pattern is expected to continue for much of the next one to two weeks and should lead to cool and cloudy conditions this weekend and much of next week. In the short term, high pressure will briefly move into the region behind the cold front that passed through the state Wednesday, May 14, leading to the chance for some scattered frost in northern and central sections of the state Wednesday night and Thursday morning. Fair and dry weather is expected statewide Thursday. By late Friday, a second cold front will approach the state from the west and bring the chance for showers statewide continuing through much of the weekend. High temperatures during the next several days will generally remain in a range from the mid-50's north to mid-60's south with lows ranging from the upper 30's to the low or mid-40's. While most nights during the next week are expected to be cloudy and with some wind, it is important to note that with relatively cold expected aloft, frost and freezing temperatures are a possibility on any given night should clear, calm conditions develop. This would be especially true on low-lying areas such as muck soils where cold air tends to pond at night. Growers are thus urged to remain vigilant for the possibility of frost, monitoring forecasts frequently for latest updates. In the medium‑range forecast period, outlooks for the Great Lakes region are dominated by the upper air pattern mentioned above with more cloudy and cool weather expected. Not surprisingly, both 6-10 day and 8-14 day outlooks covering May 19-23 and May 21-29 call for below normal temperatures. Precipitation totals during the 6-10 day period are forecast to range from near normal levels across eastern sections of the state to below normal levels in the west. Near normal precipitation totals are expected statewide during the 8-14 day time frame. Enviro-weather update We are happy to report that six new automated weather stations have recently been added to the Enviro-weather network: Arlene, Berrien Springs, Coldwater, Hickory Corners (MSU Kellogg Biological Station), Keeler and Romeo. Many thanks to the sponsors of these sites and to local MSU Extension personnel for making this possible. On a related note, a new option is now available for downloading automated weather station data. Users may choose to download data in Comma Separated Value (CSV) format, which makes the transfer of data to spreadsheet-oriented software such as Microsoft Excel much easier. To use the new feature, go to the Michigan Automated Weather Network site at http://www.agweather.geo.msu.edu/mawn/ and select a station of interest. Next choose the >Custom Reports (Data‑on‑Demand)= function. Select your preference of data type: daily, hourly, or five minute data (this feature will also be available for growing degree day totals within the next week or so). Finally, select your data output format in either ASCII/HTML (the only previous option) or CSV (comma‑delimited), which is the new option.

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