Weather-While there was quite a storm that covered most of Richland County on Friday, July 22, one farmer mentioned that the rain that it brought, for the most part, proved to be more beneficial than the hail and winds were detrimental. Some areas of the county, however, did receive more hail than others, so farmers in those areas do not necessarily share the same sentiments.
Small Grains-Wheat, barley, oats, and durum continue to make substantial strides toward maturity. Most of these grains have headed out and a substantial amount of them are starting to turn.
Sugarbeets-At a recent field day event, it was mentioned that more than 1,000 acres either did not get planted or was planted and then got drowned out. The acreage that remains, however, is progressing nicely.
Forages- Much of the irrigated alfalfa is ready for or has been cut for the second time. Most of the dryland acreage has been cut for the first time as well.
Pests- Still no major issues on the pest front. There have been quite a few planes flying this week applying fungicides over sugarbeet fields, however. Some cercospera and rhizoctonia has been spotted but not at damaging levels.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Some areas drying out too fast
Weather- In a classic case of "be careful what you wish for" we are now approaching the other end of the spectrum in reference to available moisture. Many fields are drying out and our producers who use irrigation have been pouring the water to their crops. The forecast, however, does have chances for showers for the rest of the week.
Crops-This warm, dry weather has really allowed for crops to progress through their various growth stages quite rapidly. Most all of the cereal grain crops have-or-are headed out and are looking very good. Corn is coming along well also and just about all of the first cutting hay crop has been harvested. Some producer's have started their second cutting or will be starting very soon. Sugarbeets have really taken off as well as the safflower and our pulse crops.
Pests- There are still some weed escapes out there as the early wet weather followed by dry days with too much wind have not really allowed for many days suitable to spray. Some reports of ascochyta and/or anthracnose have come in from pulse producers but fortunately there were not many and I have not seen or heard of head scab yet. I will be conducting another cutworm moth sampling session in August to determine levels/presence of these pests.
Nutrient Management-The spring rains have ultimately lead to leaching of some of the nutrients put down earlier in the year. This is showing up in many of our crops. For a guide on conducting tissue samples, visit http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/cpr/soils/plant-tissue-testing-interpretation-7-7-11
Crops-This warm, dry weather has really allowed for crops to progress through their various growth stages quite rapidly. Most all of the cereal grain crops have-or-are headed out and are looking very good. Corn is coming along well also and just about all of the first cutting hay crop has been harvested. Some producer's have started their second cutting or will be starting very soon. Sugarbeets have really taken off as well as the safflower and our pulse crops.
Pests- There are still some weed escapes out there as the early wet weather followed by dry days with too much wind have not really allowed for many days suitable to spray. Some reports of ascochyta and/or anthracnose have come in from pulse producers but fortunately there were not many and I have not seen or heard of head scab yet. I will be conducting another cutworm moth sampling session in August to determine levels/presence of these pests.
Nutrient Management-The spring rains have ultimately lead to leaching of some of the nutrients put down earlier in the year. This is showing up in many of our crops. For a guide on conducting tissue samples, visit http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/cpr/soils/plant-tissue-testing-interpretation-7-7-11
Friday, July 1, 2011
We are at moderate to high risk for Fusarium Head Blight
Recent predictions from the Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) risk assessment tool, created by Penn State University, labels Eastern North Dakota as being in the moderate to high risk area for the disease. If you have planted spring wheat varieties that are moderately susceptible or susceptible to the disease, you are highly encouraged to do some scouting and determine what stage of development your wheat is at. The DON model for barley developed in North Dakota also has the area listed as moderate to high-risk for that disease as well.
The FHB risk assessment tool can be found at- http://www.wheatscab.psu.edu/riskTool_2011.html
There are several sites available that are helpful in determining what stage of development wheat and barley crops are in. For an in-depth look at determining growth stages visit http://plantsci.missouri.edu/cropsys/growth.html
The FHB risk assessment tool can be found at- http://www.wheatscab.psu.edu/riskTool_2011.html
There are several sites available that are helpful in determining what stage of development wheat and barley crops are in. For an in-depth look at determining growth stages visit http://plantsci.missouri.edu/cropsys/growth.html
Fields continue to dry out
Weather-
This week has brought warmer, dryer weather with it. Mid-week highs reached the 100 plus range and, as such, has allowed us to catch up on some much needed heat units. Crop development is still somewhat behind where we would be in an "average" year, but we are starting to make up for lost time. According to NOAA's website the forecast for the rest of the week and into next week looks good as well with highs in the 80's and slight chances for additional precipitation. Realizing that some people will absolutely not like to hear this, a little rain would not necessarily be a bad thing.
Forages-
Quite a few acres have been cut and baled since last week. Forage quality seems to be fairly good as producers were able to cut, have good weather for drying, and bale in a relatively short period of time. There is still some hay that needs to be cut by a vast majority of it is baled. This is great news for the fields that did not get flooded out, however there are some fields that were not as fortunate, so producers are considering whether or not to put in a crop like millet, sudangrass, or a cover crop mix.
Crops-
I will add this as a second post, but our wheat and barley producers need to be paying attention to the Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) and DON forecasting models for wheat and barley respectively. According to the models, we are now in moderate to high risk for these diseases. To see this information, click here. If you have susceptible winter wheat, spring wheat, and/or barley, it is imperative that you check your fields, determine their growth stage and, if they are flowering or near flowering, strongly consider a protective fungicide application.
The recent string of good weather has really helped the sugarbeet acres that got planted this spring. While they got off to a slow start, they are now looking much better and growing really well.
Pests-
Aside from the scab risk to wheat and barley that was mentioned above, not much has been reported regarding pest issues with our crops. Pulse producers should be scouting for signs of ascochyta and anthracnose on those crops and, if found, should treat ASAP.
This week has brought warmer, dryer weather with it. Mid-week highs reached the 100 plus range and, as such, has allowed us to catch up on some much needed heat units. Crop development is still somewhat behind where we would be in an "average" year, but we are starting to make up for lost time. According to NOAA's website the forecast for the rest of the week and into next week looks good as well with highs in the 80's and slight chances for additional precipitation. Realizing that some people will absolutely not like to hear this, a little rain would not necessarily be a bad thing.
Forages-
Quite a few acres have been cut and baled since last week. Forage quality seems to be fairly good as producers were able to cut, have good weather for drying, and bale in a relatively short period of time. There is still some hay that needs to be cut by a vast majority of it is baled. This is great news for the fields that did not get flooded out, however there are some fields that were not as fortunate, so producers are considering whether or not to put in a crop like millet, sudangrass, or a cover crop mix.
Crops-
I will add this as a second post, but our wheat and barley producers need to be paying attention to the Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) and DON forecasting models for wheat and barley respectively. According to the models, we are now in moderate to high risk for these diseases. To see this information, click here. If you have susceptible winter wheat, spring wheat, and/or barley, it is imperative that you check your fields, determine their growth stage and, if they are flowering or near flowering, strongly consider a protective fungicide application.
The recent string of good weather has really helped the sugarbeet acres that got planted this spring. While they got off to a slow start, they are now looking much better and growing really well.
Pests-
Aside from the scab risk to wheat and barley that was mentioned above, not much has been reported regarding pest issues with our crops. Pulse producers should be scouting for signs of ascochyta and anthracnose on those crops and, if found, should treat ASAP.
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