Fall armyworm moth counts have sky rocketed!
Capture of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) moths has sky rocketed as indexed by the UK-IPM pheromone baited traps at the UK-REC in Princeton, KY.(Fortunately this does not seem to be the situation in Lexington.) Last week (20 Aug 2010) our capture was a normal, 52 moths/trapweek; today’s count (27 Aug 2010) is 1,038 moths/trapweek! Please view the graphs at: http://www.uky.edu/Ag/IPMPrinceton/counts/fall/fawgraph.htm. Because our trapping network captures the adult moths, we have a heads up on the caterpillar (damaging stage) population that will occur in several weeks. This is the largest capture of FAW in ca. 15 years of trapping and is almost three times larger than the second largest single capture. See more information in Kentucky Pest News of Aug 31, 2010.
Corn earworm (aka soybean podworm) moth flight increases dramatically.
Capture of adult corn earworm (CEW) moths in the UK-IPM pheromone baited traps at Princeton, KY has increased dramatically. The total capture of CEW moths for the week ending 27 August 2010 was 484, up from 82 on Aug 20th. This is the second largest capture of CEW moths in the ca. 18 years of monitoring, with the largest being 525 moths / trapweek in August 2001. This is not as dramatic an increase as we are experiencing with fall armyworm, nevertheless it is pretty unusual. (See: Fall armyworm moth counts have sky rocketed! in Kentucky Pest News 31 Aug 2010).
It is too late in the season for corn earworm to be of any importance on corn, but this pest also feeds on the pods of soybean, especially late maturing varieties. Caterpillars (the damaging stage) resulting from these moths will begin to appear in 1-2 weeks. Those individuals involved in soybean production should scout their fields for the presence of this insect. Corn earworm can be especially damaging because it feeds directly on the pods and seeds. Additionally, it is difficult to scout as it does not feed to any great extent on soybean leaves. One has to get into the plants and look directly at the pods to find this pest.
Kentucky Pest News can be viewed at: http://www.ca.uky.edu/agcollege/plantpathology/extension/kpnindex.htm
Friday, August 27, 2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Corn stands looking weak from stress
Chad Lee, University of Kentucky
In the the Aug 17, 2010 edition of Kentucky Pest News, Dr. Vincelli warns of aflatoxins and diplodia in corn. Another concern is final stand of the corn crop. Much of the corn crop was under stress from heat and a lack of water. Those conditions usually cause the each plant to pull photosynthate from the stalks and put them in the ear in an attempt to produce seed. While this helps each overcome some yield losses, it also causes stalks to become weak.
As you prepare for this early harvest, check fields for stalk strength and, if possible, harvest weak stands first. The easiest way to check for stand strength is to grab the stalk at about your shoulder height and pull the stalk toward you. Release the stalk and if it returns to its normal upright position, the stalk strength is still good. If the stalk does not return to the upright position, the stalks are weak.
In addition to weak stalks, I have had reports and I have visited some fields where ear attachment to the plant is very weak. In the worst situations, ears have been found on the ground. . . typically, heavier ears. There may be an interaction between environment and hybrid. So, if you have a field like this, please email me at cdlee2@uky.edu and let me know the hybrid and field conditions. Obviously, such fields need to be harvested sooner rather than later.
Those of you who have farmed for a while know that a summer of stress often brings challenges at harvest. This year appears to be no different.
In the the Aug 17, 2010 edition of Kentucky Pest News, Dr. Vincelli warns of aflatoxins and diplodia in corn. Another concern is final stand of the corn crop. Much of the corn crop was under stress from heat and a lack of water. Those conditions usually cause the each plant to pull photosynthate from the stalks and put them in the ear in an attempt to produce seed. While this helps each overcome some yield losses, it also causes stalks to become weak.
As you prepare for this early harvest, check fields for stalk strength and, if possible, harvest weak stands first. The easiest way to check for stand strength is to grab the stalk at about your shoulder height and pull the stalk toward you. Release the stalk and if it returns to its normal upright position, the stalk strength is still good. If the stalk does not return to the upright position, the stalks are weak.
In addition to weak stalks, I have had reports and I have visited some fields where ear attachment to the plant is very weak. In the worst situations, ears have been found on the ground. . . typically, heavier ears. There may be an interaction between environment and hybrid. So, if you have a field like this, please email me at cdlee2@uky.edu and let me know the hybrid and field conditions. Obviously, such fields need to be harvested sooner rather than later.
Those of you who have farmed for a while know that a summer of stress often brings challenges at harvest. This year appears to be no different.
Wheat planting when futures are high and seed might be short
Chad Lee and Jim Herbek, University of Kentucky
Many producers locked in wheat contracts for 2011 at or over
$7 per bushel and some are growing wheat for the first time in five years.
There are rumors that seed supply is tight. If these rumors are accurate, there
may be some temptation to skimp on seeding rates in order to cover more
acres. If you are one of those
producers, just know what your risks are by cutting back and proceed with
caution.
Maximum wheat yields normally require a final stand of 30 to
35 plants per square feet, but under the right conditions, stands as low as 20
plants per square foot will yield well. Getting a successful stand requires
several things, including timely seeding, an accurate seeding rate, correct
seed depth (1.0 to 1.5 inches), adequate soil moisture, and no seedling
diseases.
Wheat should be planted from about October 10 to October 30
for most of Kentucky. This window is normally provides the best opportunity for
getting a good stand and good growth before the cold winter months. Seed rates
can be 30 to 35 seeds per square feet, but if you are considering dropping back
a little, this is the time to try it. If planting occurs after October 30, then
the seed rate should be 35 to 40 seeds per square foot. These seed rates assume
a standard germination of 90%. For seed lots with lower standard germinations,
a higher seeding rate is needed.
Drill calibration is absolutely necessary to dropping the
correct amount of seeds. This process takes time and should be conducted with
each seed lot you receive. If you do not have the time and/or patience for this
procedure, then hire someone to calibrate your drill. This procedure will
benefit your wheat production system. Guidelines on calibrating wheat drills is available in the
ID:125 Comprehensive Guide to Wheat Management, Chapter 4 “Planting and Drill Calibration” http://www.uky.edu/Ag/GrainCrops/ID125Section4.html.
Adjusting the drill for planting depth also takes time but
will result in better stands. These adjustments need to be made in the field on
the day of planting. Field conditions change from day to day and the pressure
needed to get the desired depth may change day to day as well.
So, if you decide you are short on wheat and you want to
skimp on seed, be sure you know the conditions in which you are planting. If
possible, try to skimp in situations that will still provide a chance for good stand
establishment. In a year when a large part of the 2011 crop may already be
sold, skimping on seeding rates should only be used as a last resort.
Wheat in 15-inch rows will work but might cost yield
Chad Lee and Jim Herbek, University of Kentucky
With the increased interest in wheat from futures prices and
the anticipated increased acres planted this fall, many farmers are asking if
they can use their 15-inch soybean planter to plant wheat. The quick answer is
yes, but you might loose some yield.
We have investigated three varieties of wheat at Princeton
and Lexington in 15-inch and 7.5-inch rows at Princeton and Lexington for the
past two years, giving us four environments. We tested varieties that were
known to be prolific, meaning that they produce a lot of tillers. Yields were
excellent, ranging from 70 to just over 120 bushels per acre. In two
of the environments, there were no differences in yield between 15-inch and
7.5-inch rows. In the other two environments, yields in 15-inch rows were about
8.5% less than yields in 7.5-inch rows.
Based simply on this research, if yields in 15-inch rows are
8.5% less than yields in 7.5-inch rows and futures prices are $7 per bushel, a
field of 500 acres will net about $30,000 more with 7.5-inch rows. Trucking and
storage have not been included in these returns. However, If we assume the
$30,000 over 500 acres, that is a difference of $60 per acre.
So, instead of converting your 15-inch planter to wheat, you
might want to consider contracting with someone who has no-till drill and
drilling the wheat in 7.5-inch rows. If contracting is not an option and you
are not in the market to buy a grain drill, a 15-inch planter can work… it just
might yield a little less. If you
do use a 15-inch planter, try to find a variety that produces a lot of tillers.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Check Corn for Pollination and Seed Set
Cory Walters just posted an article about how good prices look right now for corn. In addition, the corn crop looks great from the road. But before you decide to contract that rest of your expected yields, get into the fields and make sure pollination went well.
We have received several reports from county agents of fields with poor pollination. Perhaps the most unsettling report came from Tom Miller, Extension agent in Ballard County, who said that pockets of a field had poor pollination. Plants in the same row had good pollination while others had terrible pollination. (One of his images is attached to this article.) At this point, hot dry weather and slight variations as to when pollen drop occurred appears to be the best explanation. This is unsettling, because the whole field looks excellent from the road.
So, if the silks are dry, then pull back the husks and look at the developing "blisters" or seeds. You know how a good ear of corn should look... even number of rows, pollination from the base to the tip of the ear.
If the silks are still wet, but pollen drop appears to be complete, then you can gently remove the husks and get an estimate of pollination. To do this, make a cut through the husks with a sharp pocket knife along the ear. Start at the base of the ear and slice up to the tip. Make a second slice on the other side of the ear. If you have done a good job making the slices, you should be able to gently pull off the husks without removing the silks. If silks come off with the husks, then get a new ear and start over.
Once you have successfully removed the husks and kept the silks on the ear, hold the ear at the base and gently shake it. You may want to point the top of the ear towards the ground. As you gently shake, silks will fall from the ear if pollination has occurred. Again, you are hoping for all of the silks to fall from the ear. Pollination normally occurs from the base of the ear and then moves toward the top. If you happen to get an ear where the silks near the base fall off, but the silks near the top do not, then pollination may not be complete in the field.
We have received several reports from county agents of fields with poor pollination. Perhaps the most unsettling report came from Tom Miller, Extension agent in Ballard County, who said that pockets of a field had poor pollination. Plants in the same row had good pollination while others had terrible pollination. (One of his images is attached to this article.) At this point, hot dry weather and slight variations as to when pollen drop occurred appears to be the best explanation. This is unsettling, because the whole field looks excellent from the road.
So, if the silks are dry, then pull back the husks and look at the developing "blisters" or seeds. You know how a good ear of corn should look... even number of rows, pollination from the base to the tip of the ear.
If the silks are still wet, but pollen drop appears to be complete, then you can gently remove the husks and get an estimate of pollination. To do this, make a cut through the husks with a sharp pocket knife along the ear. Start at the base of the ear and slice up to the tip. Make a second slice on the other side of the ear. If you have done a good job making the slices, you should be able to gently pull off the husks without removing the silks. If silks come off with the husks, then get a new ear and start over.
Once you have successfully removed the husks and kept the silks on the ear, hold the ear at the base and gently shake it. You may want to point the top of the ear towards the ground. As you gently shake, silks will fall from the ear if pollination has occurred. Again, you are hoping for all of the silks to fall from the ear. Pollination normally occurs from the base of the ear and then moves toward the top. If you happen to get an ear where the silks near the base fall off, but the silks near the top do not, then pollination may not be complete in the field.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Grain Market Update, July 18, 2010.
Since the first week of July Corn, Soybeans, and wheat futures prices have all significantly increased. December 2010 corn futures reached contract lows before rebounding $0.62 (or 18%) to close around $4.07 on Friday, July 16, 2010. Corn futures have not been this high since the beginning of March. November 2010 soybean futures gained about $0.85 (or 9.4%) to close around $9.85 on Friday, July 16, 2010. It was the end of April when soybean futures last closed at these levels. September 2010 CMEGroup wheat futures have gained about $1.07 (or 22.3%) to close around $5.87 on Friday, July 16, 2010. Seven months have passed since wheat futures last reached current levels.
For corn, the USDA crop progress report for the week ending July 12, 2010 indicates that 73% of the nation’s crop is rated good to excellent. This is up slightly from the previous week and about the same this time last year. For Kentucky, the USDA crop progress report indicates that 65% is rated good to excellent.
For soybeans, the USDA crop progress report for the week ending July 12, 2010 indicates that 65% of the nation’s crop is rated good to excellent. This is down slightly from the previous week and about the same as this time last year. For Kentucky, the USDA crop progress report indicates that 68% is rated good to excellent.
Even though we are in the middle of the growing season, and yields to this point are uncertain, price changes are not all supply driven. Since the end of the first week in June, the nominal U.S. broad dollar index, which measures the value of the U.S. dollar relative to major trading partners, has fallen over 3%. Commodity index funds for both corn and soybeans have been in a sideways position for the past few months. For corn, speculators are net long, meaning there are more longs or purchases than shorts or sales of futures contracts, indicating a slight sense of bullishness. For soybeans, speculators are net short, indicating some bearishness.
Prices will continue to be volatile given unknowns in U.S. yields (i.e., weather), global economy, and size of crops from competing nations. Price expectations should not be based upon speculation but upon profit expectations. For questions and comments please contact Cory Walters at cgwalters@uky.edu
For corn, the USDA crop progress report for the week ending July 12, 2010 indicates that 73% of the nation’s crop is rated good to excellent. This is up slightly from the previous week and about the same this time last year. For Kentucky, the USDA crop progress report indicates that 65% is rated good to excellent.
For soybeans, the USDA crop progress report for the week ending July 12, 2010 indicates that 65% of the nation’s crop is rated good to excellent. This is down slightly from the previous week and about the same as this time last year. For Kentucky, the USDA crop progress report indicates that 68% is rated good to excellent.
Even though we are in the middle of the growing season, and yields to this point are uncertain, price changes are not all supply driven. Since the end of the first week in June, the nominal U.S. broad dollar index, which measures the value of the U.S. dollar relative to major trading partners, has fallen over 3%. Commodity index funds for both corn and soybeans have been in a sideways position for the past few months. For corn, speculators are net long, meaning there are more longs or purchases than shorts or sales of futures contracts, indicating a slight sense of bullishness. For soybeans, speculators are net short, indicating some bearishness.
Prices will continue to be volatile given unknowns in U.S. yields (i.e., weather), global economy, and size of crops from competing nations. Price expectations should not be based upon speculation but upon profit expectations. For questions and comments please contact Cory Walters at cgwalters@uky.edu
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Hot, Dry Weather at the Worst Time for Corn
Chad Lee, Extension Agronomist, Plant and Soil Sciences
Much of Kentucky has turned hot and dry at the worst
possible time for corn. About half of the corn crop was silking or complete with silking as of July 5,
2010, according to the USDA Crop and Weather Report. Corn is most sensitive to stress around silking and blister development. In
addition, corn uses the most water at silking, as much as 0.35 inches per day.
Pollen shed and pollination is improved when temperatures
are mild. The majority of pollen is shed in the morning after the dew has
dried. A second release of pollen may occur in the late afternoon or early
evening as temperatures cool again. The hot, dry weather we are currently
experiencing does not favor good pollination. The hot weather will tend to dry
out both the pollen and the silks. Temperatures above 100 F can kill pollen.
The good news is that most corn fields will pollinate for
about 14 days and most pollen shed occurs when temperatures are a little
cooler. So, even when conditions are hot and dry, the corn plant will attempt
to work around those poor conditions. The bad news is that high temperatures
seem to quicken pollen shed. Taking the good with the bad: each field still has
a chance for successful pollination.
For corn that was through pollination before things turned
dry, abortion of kernels is a possibility. The corn plant will recognize that
water reserves are low and abort kernels near the tip of the ear, first. Very
high plant populations can increase the water stress and increase kernel
abortion.
What can you do about
it? Unless you have irrigation, not much can be done on the agronomics. If
you are marketing the current crop on the futures, you might want to be more
cautious with your yield targets. Of course, a good rain in the next couple
days will solve most of our problems.
Sources:
R.L. Nielsen, Tassel Emergence and Pollen Shed, July 2010. Purdue. http://www.agry.purdue.edu/ext/corn/news/timeless/Tassels.html
R. Elmore. Corn Development from R1 to R6. Iowa State. http://www.agronext.iastate.edu/corn/production/management/growth/yield.html
Kentucky Weekly Crop and Weather Update. July 5, 2010.
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