New Dicamba Products Receive Approval for Use in RR2Xtend Soybean

J.D. Green , Extension Weed Scientist, University of Kentucky

Two dicamba formulations, XtendiMax^TM (Monsanto) and Engenia^TM (BASF), received federal EPA approval in December for use with RoundupReady2Xtend soybean. In addition to federal registration, a pesticide must also be registered and approved within a state before it can be sold. The XtendiMax^TM product received state approval in early January for applications in Kentucky. The Engenia^TM product is still pending state approval, but is anticipated in the near future. These products can be applied before or immediately after planting Roundup Ready 2 Xtend Soybeans or as an in-crop application from emergence (cracking) up to and including the beginning bloom (R1 growth stage of soybeans). The RoundupReady2 Xtend soybean technology provides another tool for targeting weeds that have developed resistance to other herbicide chemistries, but should be combined with other herbicide options and weed management tools for best herbicide resistance management. Because of the chemical characteristics of dicamba, good stewardship by applicators will be required to lessen the potential for off-target movement and damage to sensitive crops and other plants.

Armyworm Moth Captures are Abnormally Large.

Doug Johnson, Extension Entomologist, University of Kentucky

Armyworm moth.

Recent moth flight of armyworm (AW), in western Kentucky has been much larger than is normal for this time of year. It is not terribly unusual to see problems with this insect on pasture and forage grasses in late June and July, especially in central Kentucky This year’s much larger AW flight during late July and August in western Kentucky is truly unusual. It is difficult to know what to make of this because it has no precedence in our data set. Nevertheless, the fact is they are here.

Generally, I would expect to be looking for fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera fugiperda,at this time of year, but our moth captures for this insect in both central and western KY have been quite low, perhaps because the cold winter and spring pushed their overwintering locations farther south, and/or they were later beginning their annual northward migration. Even so we have seen some localized but significant populations in south-central KY.

  The data we see on the armyworm moth flight of course, describes the movement of adults, which are not the damaging stages. It is the juvenile, caterpillar stage that will appear in September that might pose the threat. Moth flights in the earlier portion of the season followed a relatively normal pattern. Our most common problem with AW comes in May on small grains and that is what we saw this year. Also, there is often a small bump in flight in June and July that usually doesn’t amount to much. Those events were relatively normal this year. What is different this year is that following that relatively normal flight in June and July we have another and much larger flight in July and August that will produce caterpillars in September.

Armyworm Caterpillar

AW has a very broad host range; it eats on many plants but really prefers grasses. On the whole, corn and grain sorghum should be too close to maturity for much damage. However, late planted soybeans and forage crops, most especially newly seeded forage crops could be in some danger.

Producers are advised to keep an eye on very late planted / late developing soybeans, along with forage crops, particularly grasses and most especially newly planted grasses, and grass-alfalfa mixes. There is no established threshold for this pest in these circumstances, but populations around 4-6 worms per sq.ft. probably require treatment.

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).

RP Crop Insurance Projected Price and Safety-Net for 2015

Todd Davis, Extension Economist, University of Kentucky

The 2014 Farm Bill has made crop insurance the foundation of a crop farm’s safety-net. This safety-net’s projected price, which sets the minimum revenue guarantee for Revenue Protection (RP) insurance, is based on the closing prices for the November soybeans and December corn futures contract during the entire month of February. The 2015 projected price for corn and soybeans are $4.15 and $9.73 per bushel, respectively. The revenue guarantee provided by crop insurance continues to decline from the record price levels of 2011 when the projected prices for corn and soybeans were $6.01 and $13.49 per bushel, respectively.

Focus on These Two Things, Cut Costs Elsewhere

Chad Lee, Extension Agronomist, University of Kentucky

Farmers are looking where to cut production budgets for 2015. Three of my colleagues and I were honored to speak at the National Commodity Classic this year. During our presentation, one of my colleagues closed out our session by saying that the two things farmers need to do is: 1) use appropriate soil-applied fertilizers based on soil tests; and 2) use highly effective weed control, which probably includes a soil residual herbicide. All of us in the room agreed that these are probably the two things many farmers will cut in 2015.

Poor or No Soybean Nodules in Many Fields

Chad Lee, Extension Agronomist, University of Kentucky

A field with soybeans with nodules
and soybeans without nodules. 

Several soybeans have turned yellow in the past few weeks and further examination revealed little to no nodules. The problem has occurred with seed inoculated in the bag and seed inoculated at the farm. It has even occurred in cases where a 2x rate was applied at the farm. Several brands of inoculant have been indicated. It has occurred in fields all across the state. The problem has occurred in full season soybeans and in double-crop soybeans.

University of Kentucky Student Learns about US Ag in China

Please see this excellent article written by Katie Pratt. John is a graduate student working on high yield soybeans funded by the United Soybean Board. He had a great opportunity to see how our ag products are marketed and used in China. Click here for the article.

Soybean High Yield Checklist

Chad Lee, Extension Agronomist, University of Kentucky

These soybeans went 90 bu/A
and hit every point on the checklist.

Based on the responses to the Corn High Yield Checklist we decided to define the key parameters to getting high soybean yields. You will see a lot of similar points between this checklist and the one for corn. Both of these checklists are intended to be a framework for where high yields start.

Soybean High Yield Checklist

Freeze Damage to Soybeans and Harvest Options

Chad Lee, Extension Agronomist, University of Kentucky

Freeze Damaged Soybeans. Image courtesy of Curt Judy

The freezing temperatures wilted leaves and killed soybeans in some fields across Kentucky. Now that temperatures have warmed up again, we can better determine how to manage the crop from here.

The vast majority of soybeans were done growing and seeds were in the process of drying down. Those plants were at full maturity where the leaves had dropped, the pods were brown or tan and the seeds were yellow instead of green. Seed moisture was less than 20%. For those soybeans, the freeze events delayed drydown a little but did not harm the plants or the yield.

Field Challenges around Kentucky

Chad Lee, Extension Agronomist, University of Kentucky

There have been a lot of field challenges around the Commonwealth this season. Each week, I have been trying to update a set of images with problems and what we think the answers are. I have been circulating this with our County Extension Agents and they think we should share this with everyone. If we are seeing these problems, you may be as well.

Just keep in mind, that these images are our best ideas about what is wrong in the fields. If you have suggestions or ideas, please pass those along to me. Thanks.

Click here to access the pdf. I plan to update it about each week.

Soybean Aphid & Other Insects in Double-Crop Soybeans

I have received several reports and questions from Extension agents, consultants and company reps concerning near economic threshold populations of Soybean Aphid (SA). Fortunately, all of these fields so far are in R6 or later stages. However, in addition a number of these reports included the observation that there are many other fields that are still in the R3 to R5 stages. These earlier stage plants will remain at risk to SA until they reach the R6 growth stage. These are the fields in which you should spend your scouting time.

The SA economic threshold is 250 aphids per plant, on 80% of the plants, with an increasing population. This threshold holds through plant stage R5. For more mature plants a great many more aphids per plant would be required to provide a benefit for an insecticide application. The exact number is currently under investigation but it is likely at least 500 aphids per plant and may well be 1000 aphids per plant.

In addition there have been scattered questions concerning stinkbugs and bean leaf beetles. Both of these insects are still present and will be feeding directly on the pods. At least one report I have seen, contains stinkbug numbers much greater than the threshold and bean leaf beetle populations very near thresholds. Both of these insects bear close observation as beans progress to maturity.