Crop/Weather report for week of July 18

Weather- The week started off fairly dry with temps in the high 80's to low 90's and some fairly humid conditions. Thursday brought storms and varying amounts of precipitation throughout the county. The rest of the week and into next week it looks like we will return to high 80's, low 90's and slight chances of rain.

Crops- Crops around the county, for the most part, continue to look good. There has been some barley harvested and reports sound good. I hesitate to put yield and quality figures on here because there is so little harvested and any information I get is all second-hand.

Pests- I have received a few calls regarding grasshoppers this week. The issue now is size of the grasshoppers. As they get bigger, they are harder to control. The USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has a great grasshopper website which can be found here.

EARC Field Day set for Wednesday, July 28

The MSU Extension Agricultural Research Center (EARC) will be holding their annual field day on Wednesday, July 28, beginning at 9:30 in the morning. Tours of the research plots will be given with talks focusing on research being done on:

• Biofuels and biobased products
• Sugarbeet and small grains
• Irrigation
  
• Dry Beans and Alternative Crops

Following the field day, a groundbreaking ceremony will be held for the new EARC/Richland County Extension building and that will be followed by a steak fondue lunch. Pesticide credits can be obtained by both private and commercial applicators in attendance.

Crop/Weather report for week of July 18

Crops- Overall crops are continuing to do well. I overheard a comment about dryland corn looking almost as good as irrigated corn in areas of the county. Although I have not personally seen any harvest taking place, it would not surprise me if there were some peas and some barley that are being harvested or will be very shortly.

Our forage crop continues to grow well also and a few people have brought in oats that they will be harvesting for forages to check for nitrates. As of yet, we have not had a positive nitrate test and I don't think it will be a problem this year, but it does not hurt to check. For a great MontGuide on nitrates in forages, click here. Most of our alfalfa crop has had the first cutting taken off and grass hay is nearing that mark as well. Some of the alfalfa will be ready for second cutting shortly.

Weather- The week started out dry and hot and looked like it would continue through the end of the week. Thursday and Friday, however brought varying amounts of rain across the county. Totals ranged from a couple of tenths to an inch of rain, depending on location in the county. With the rain came cooler temperatures as well.

Pests- Still nothing major to report on pests in our crops. I did have a producer bring in some peas that he was going to cut as part of a forage crop and they did have some ascochyta on them. I have not seen any reports that the forage would be detrimental for cattle to eat but it did confirm that there is some ascochyta out there. Not at levels that I am overly concerned about, however.

Crop/Weather report for week of July 11

Crops-Crops continue to progress well. This week we accumulated a great number of heat units and the crops continue to grow well. Much of the hay crop has been cut but there is still some that is being taken off.

Weather-Weather this week has shifted back to more normal conditions. Not much natural rainfall fell last week and little to none this week so many of our crops under irrigation are starting to receive water from that source.

Pests-Still not much to report in the area of diseases, insects, and weeds. I have seem some ascochyta on some of our pulse crops and a little bit of fusarium here and there but nothing major. Grasshoppers continue to be an issue that producers have questions about but I haven't personally seen much damage, will be keeping an eye on that.

Crop/Weather report for week of June 27

Crops-County-wide crop progress continues to move along well. Much of the spring wheat crop is at or approaching the boot stage and looks to be doing very well. I have received a few calls about forage barley and when to cut it for a hay crop. The short answer is to cut at the early dough stage. Waiting until after will increase protein some but will cause a decrease in tonnage. A good portion of the hay crop got cut and most of it baled prior to the recent round of showers and storms. However, there is still some hay down and hay that needs to be cut that may have to stay in the field until the weather system has moved through.

Weather-The beginning of the week we saw conditions perfect for hay production and accumulation of heat units for our growing crops. The end of the week has brought storms and wind but it looks like we are almost finished with this batch. Currently the prediction is for warmer/drier weather to finish this week and for this to continue into next week.

Pests-Still not much to report on the pest front. With that being said, I would encourage scouting of your wheat fields for scab. Especially in areas where it has been found in previous years.