Head Scab Minimal Thus Far, But Stripe Rust is Widespread

Wheat that flowered May10 or earlier has mostly escaped Fusarium head blight (A.K.A head scab). Infections take about 21 days to be fully expressed following infection, so it is still a tad early to know the fate of later flowering wheat fields. I am optimistic, however, that this will not be a big head scab year.

On another front, I am seeing a considerable amount of stripe rust in fields that have not been treated with a fungicide. Neighboring states are seeing the same. Symptoms are very striking and are evident as long, thin lesions filled with masses of very bright yellow-orange spores (see photo). Modern fungicides like Caramba, Headline, Prosaro and the like are highly effective against all rust diseases. As a result, I would not anticipate seeing significant damage from stripe rust in fields treated for head scab (at early flowering, for example). In any event, you might want to go out to your fields at this time and take a peek.

New Aphid Pest on Grain Sorghum – Sugarcane Aphid

Doug Johnson, Extension Entomologist, University of Kentucky

Figure 1. Sugarcane aphid on
sweet sorghum; Shelby Co. TN
2014. Univ. TN.

Over the past two growing seasons a difficult new insect pest of grain sorghum has been found across the mid-south. This new pest is an aphid called the sugarcane aphid, Melanaphis sacchari. Be sure not to confuse this with the yellow sugarcane aphid, Sipha flava, which has been around the lower Mississippi river valley for several years. These are two completely different insects. Before we go any further, it is important that you understand that at present, NEITHER of these aphids have been found in Kentucky. My concern is one of preparation, as both of these aphids are found in western Tennessee and southeastern Missouri.

Weed Science Training on Resistant Weeds & New Herbicide Traits

The UK Extension Weed Science Group is conducting a Weed Science Training from 9 am – 3 pm. Two locations will be offered - June 23, 2015 at the UK Research and Education Center (Princeton, KY) and June 25, 2015 at the UK Spindletop Farm (Lexington, KY).  Please RSVP your location with a lunch count.  

UKREC Princeton - email claurent@uky.edu or call (270) 365-7541 ext 264

UK Spindletop Farm – email jdgreen@uky.edu  or call (859) 257-4898

The Weed Training will cover the following topics:

• Herbicide Resistant Weeds 
• New Herbicide Tolerant Crop Traits 
• Application Stewardship
• Herbicide Symptomology 
• Weed Identification 
• Cover Crops in Weed Management 

This program is being offered to UK Agriculture and Natural Resource Agents, other UK Agronomists, pesticide applicators, crop consultants, crop producers and agribusiness personnel. CCA & Commercial Pesticide Applicator Credits have been applied for. 

For more information email: J.D. Green or Jim Martin or call (270) 365-7541 ext. 203

Update on Price Risk Management Alternatives for Corn and Soybeans

Todd Davis, Extension Economist, University of Kentucky

The potential for farmers to lock-in corn profits with a cash-forward contract has been limited since March. The cash corn price for October delivery has been working steadily lower since the March 31st Prospective Plantings report (Table 1). The average corn price is $0.30/bushel lower from the March 27 price and about $0.16 lower from last month (April 18). Unlike soybeans, cash corn bids were not rocked by the May WASDE and have increased $0.07/bushel above the May 12th cash bid price (Table 1).

2015 UK Wheat Field Day

The annual UK Wheat Field Day is slated for Tuesday May 12, 2015 at the University of Kentucky Research and Education Center in Princeton, KY. Registration will begin at 8:30 and the tours will end at noon (CDT). The field day will conclude with a

Black Cutworm and Armyworm Caterpillars Should be Evident

Doug Johnson, Extension Entomologist, University of Kentucky

Our insect development estimator, using the insect trap captures as our Biofix and current temperatures from the Princeton weather station indicate that egg hatch has begun and small

Signing Up for Customized FHB (Head Scab) Alerts is Easy

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the FHB Alerts at http://scabusa.org/fhb_alert.php.

For the most current FHB Risk assessment and state risk commentaries, go to:
http://www.wheatscab.psu.edu