Wheat Crop Condition Declining Due to Disease

Considerably more head scab (FHB) has appeared this week across KY. The wet May we have just experienced has apparently provided for multiple infection periods and an extended window for symptom expression. A properly timed and sprayed fungicide application appears to have made a significant difference in FHB compared to where fields were not sprayed. But it would be unreasonable to think the

Soybean Market

Since the first week of March new-crop soybeans (November 2009 futures) have gained about $2.40 per bushel. There are a number of factors pushing soybeans higher. First, the value of the U.S. dollar relative to foreign currencies has been steadily declining since March, thereby making U.S. products more appealing to foreign nations. China has shown strong interest in purchasing U.S. old-crop

Corn Crop Planting Progress

According to the USDA's latest Crop Progress report, released today, 62 percent of the corn has been planted. This is less the same time last year when we were at 70 percent and less than the five-year average of 85 percent. For Kentucky, 45 percent of the corn has been planted compared to 39 percent this time last year and to 89 percent for the five-year average.Planting delays due to excess

Flooded Corn

Chad Lee, Extension AgronomistDept. of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of KentuckyAcross Kentucky there are some fields of corn that have been flooded.Generally, if soil temperatures are above 70 degrees Fahrenheit for more than 24 hours, then corn will not survive. Usually the status of the corn crop will be known about two or three days after the flood event.Much more details about flooded

Wheat Disease Update

Up to this point in the season, wheat diseases have been relatively minimal. Early-season soil-borne viruses were not a significant problem, and all indications are that arthropod (insect/mite) –vectored viruses will also be minor players this year. Other foliar fungal diseases, such as those that make up the leaf blotch complex; leaf, stripe, and stem rust; and powdery mildew have also been

Soybean Rust Update

This is the first year that soybean rust (SBR) has successfully overwintered in Alabama, Georgia and Louisiana, without a break in detection. Weather conditions have been favorable to highly favorable for SBR development in those states, plus Arkansas, Florida, and Mississippi for much of this spring. There has been some new SBR activity in Florida and disease incidence is increasing on Kudzu in

Some things to consider when planting corn in May

Jim Herbek and Chad Lee, Extension Agronomists, University of KentuckyThe following was taken from the most recent Corn and Soybean Newsletter on corn planting dates.Use a corn hybrid with the Bt trait for corn borer. University of Kentucky research shows a yield benefit and an economic benefit to Bt corn borer hybrids planted in May. The later the planting date, the greater the yield benefit for

FHB Risk, May 7, 2009

An email from Don Hershman had the following image. The image is from the FHB Risk Assessment Tool at Penn State. http://www.wheatscab.psu.edu/riskTool_2009.htmlMuch of the wheat-growing area is in red or yellow, meaning that we have high to medium risk for FHB, according to the model.See Don's post from May 6, 2009 for more details about head scab and management options.

Armyworm Flight 2009: No consistent story; but there will be caterpillars!

Doug Johnson, Extension EntomologistDept. of Entomology, University of KentuckyEarly captures of armyworm moths appeared to indicate a larger than normal population for 2009. However, after several weeks of monitoring it appears that the capture counts do not indicate an obvious major outbreak situation. This is particularly true of the Princeton, KY trap. We do not yet have enough historic data

FHB May Be Severe in Kentucky this Year

Wheat across central and west Kentucky (which makes up the bulk of the wheat acres in the state) has been in various stanges of flowering since early last week. Many fields are currently at full anthesis or slightly beyond.As we all know, it has rained a lot over the past 5-8 days across much of the state. This wet weather, as well as temperature and humidty conditions, have resulted in a

Current Status of Fusarium Head Blight

Low temperatures and breaks between rain events (up until this past event) have kept the FHB predictive model from indicating even moderate FHB risk (up until now). The block of rain we have just experienced has changed that, so the FHB models are now showing moderate to high risk for spore release in much of central and west KY. I believe conditions will be ripe for spore release beginning

Late Corn Planting Usually Results in Faster Corn Development

Chad Lee, Grain Crops ExtensionPlant and Soil Sciences, University of KentuckyCorn planting in May will germinate, emerge, grow and develop in warmer temperatures compared to corn planted in April. Two critical stages of growth for early season management of corn are at growth stage V6 and V8. The growing point normally moves above ground on V6 corn (corn with six visible collars). If possible, N

Fertility Considerations/Strategies for Late Planted Corn

Lloyd Murdock and Greg Schwab, Extension Soils Specialists and John Grove, Soils ResearchPlant and Soil Sciences, University of KentuckyAt this late stage in the season, priorities should be on planting the corn crop, first, then applying needed fertilizers after planting. Fertilization after the crop is planted is not yield-reducing and, in some cases, can actually cause nitrogen (N)

Avoiding Sidewall Compacting During Late Corn Planting

Lloyd Murdock, Extension Soils SpecialistPlant and Soil Sciences, University of KentuckySidewall compaction can result from planting a crop when the soil is a little too wet. This damaging effect can be even greater on soils with a relatively high clay content at the surface. It occurs when the double disc opener leaves the side wall of the planting furrow smooth and compacted (slick as opposed

Increased Risk of Foliar Diseases in Late-Planted Corn

Paul Vincelli, Extension Plant PathologistPlant Pathology, University of KentuckyRainfall patterns have delayed corn planting throughout much of the state. Late planting increases the risk of damaging levels of certain foliar diseases, particularly gray leaf spot, southern leaf blight, and northern leaf blight.Several factors can contribute to this increased risk: When there is a mix of fields

Planting Dates Affect Corn Insect Management

Ric Bessin, Extension EntomologistEntomology, University of KentuckyPlanting date is one of the more important factors determining the potential for insect problems in field corn. Many may not realize it, but the time at which the seed goes into the ground determines which insect pests are more likely to be encountered. Some pests are favored by early planting dates while others are more likely

Corn Planting Date Effect on Yields

Jim Herbek and Chad Lee, Extension AgronomistsPlant and Soil Sciences, University of KentuckyThis article and others about late-planted corn can be found at the Corn and Soybean Newsletter.Wet weather since late March has delayed corn planting. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, only 20% of intended corn acreage was planted in Kentucky as of April 26 compared to the 5-year

Avoiding Anhydrous Ammonia Seedling Injury

Greg Schwab, Extension Soil SpecialistPlant and Soil Sciences, University of KentuckyThe extremely wet spring experienced over much of Kentucky has delayed anhydrous ammonia applications. When the soil finally is dry enough for field work to begin, corn producers likely will not be willing to further delay planting to allow anhydrous ammonia applications to become safe. The standard