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September 3, 1999 Vol. 99.10

IN THIS ISSUE:

Mark Your Calendar

Production

Pest Management

Agents Corner

Mark Your Calendar:

AGRONOMY AG-SERVICE SCHOOLS SET

Ever wonder what the long-term outlook and problems are for Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)? Need a little refresher on Fertility Management for maximum yields and drought conditions? Want to avoid bill collection problems? The Agronomy Ag-Service Schools for 1999 will address these issues and more. Make plans now to attend.

Date Location
Nov. 9 Meadville
Nov. 10 Somerset area
Dec. 7 Williamsport
Dec. 8 Reading
Dec. 9 Lancaster
Dec. 10 Carlisle

Marvin Hall, Agronomy, Forages

Production:

IS ONE MANURE SAMPLE ENOUGH?

In many manure storage systems there is considerable variation in the manure nutrient content, even within the storage unit. For example, in liquid storages the phosphorus content may be several times higher in the bottom of the storage than in the top. Also, because the ammonium nitrogen usually varies significantly with depth in a storage, the manure nitrogen availability to the crop will change as the storage is emptied. In these situations no manure in the storage actually matches the average results from the analysis of a single composite sample.

To overcome this problem, it is recommended that, at least once after a manure storage is constructed, a detailed analysis of the manure he performed to determine the amount and nature of the variation. The process involves sampling the manure periodically as the storage is emptied for field application. Samples may be taken every so-many loads or whenever a significant change in manure consistency occurs. After this intensive sampling and analysis the farmer will have a basis for making manure rate changes or supplemental fertilizer changes to compensate for the variation. If the management of the storage is constant, this intensive sampling may not be necessary every year. Previous results can be used to make adjustments in following years.

To facilitate this sampling, the Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory at Penn State has developed a special kit containing sample bottles and information sheets for five samples, which may be submitted together for this purpose. In addition to the individual analytical reports for the five samples, they will send you a separate summary report detailing the minimum, maximum, average, and a graph showing the variability of the nutrients tested in the five samples. Sample mailers and information forms are available through the laboratory or from county offices of Penn State Cooperative Extension.

Douglas Beegle,
Agronomy, Soils

FALL SCOUTING FOR CORN PRODUCERS

Fall is traditionally the time for grain and silage harvest to dominate the workload for folks producing corn, but it is a good time to do some crop scouting. If the harvest workload is too great, consider hiring a crop scout to take care of some of these tasks.

Early this fall it may be good to carefully monitor fields before harvest. With the warmer than normal conditions we experienced this year, the crop may be maturing earlier than normal. With the weird weather patterns we've had, kernel development techniques like the milkline method are not that great. Monitor moisture contents of silage and grain as you harvest- this is the only way to be sure of attaining the highest quality product.

The condition of the crop left in the field for grain harvest should be monitored as well. We will likely see more lodging problems in the corn this year due to the effects of stress on the stalk quality. We may also see some ear mold problems in the crop this year. Be on the lookout for Fusarium type white or pinkish molds on the ear or any greenish yellow Aspergillus molds that may produce aflatoxin. Suspect molds can be identified by our Plant Diagnostic Clinic.

Fall is also a good time to make rotation decisions. Fall killed alfalfa fields make excellent low-input, drought-tolerant corn fields next year. Remember, you can now use Roundup as a preharvest 3 to 7 days before cutting alfalfa to help control quackgrass, orchardgrass, and other perennial grasses and broadleaves. Check a current Roundup label for more detail. If alfalfa fields are thinning out, consider rotating them next year. If you are considering double cropping after the first cutting next year, make sure the stand is good enough to justify the risk you will generate for the corn crop with this practice. Some producers will rotate alfalfa fields after three to four years even if the stand is relatively good to avoid long corn rotations.

Late fall is also a great time to soil sample fields being rotated to corn and other fields that have not been tested in the last 3 years. On many farms, soil tests can help identify excess nutrients and reduce fertilizer expenditures next spring.

CROPPING SYSTEMS AND THE DROUGHT

Many folks will be rethinking their cropping systems this year because of the toll the drought had on their corn crop. It is important to consider the long term perspective when making these decisions. Corn usually provides the most feed per acre and can maximize nutrient uptake, but it is somewhat sensitive to drought, particularly when grown following corn on the shallower soils.

Introducing other crops like alfalfa, wheat and soybeans into a rotation will limit total feed production potential but will reduce the risk of drought. These crops can improve corn yields on the remaining acres due to more timely planting and rotational effects on the corn. Thus as we move to shallower and more droughty soils the proportion of drought resistant crops in the rotation should increase in a cropping system.

Crop rotation decisions are complex, especially on dairy farms, since nutrient management is an increasingly important consideration and because the rotation is dominated by the feed requirements of the operation. Typical rotational responses of dairy farms that are plagued by drought have been to reduce corn grown for grain acres and substitute some soybeans, barley or more alfalfa or grass. Some producers grow forage sorghum as an alternative silage crop for heifers. These substitutions are most applicable when these crops can be included in the feed program with minimal effects on production or sold to purchase high quality feeds. Based on the economic analyses I have been involved in with several projects, these substitutions seem justified when long-term corn yields average less than 90-100 bushels per acre.

The bottom line is that each operation needs to continually carefully evaluate cropping options based on long term yield data, cost of production records and the cost of purchased alternative feeds.

CORN PRODUCTION TIDBITS

New insecticide delivery system. Novartis Seeds and Zeneca have announced a seed delivered rootworm insecticide that consists of Force ST delivered with Novartis Pro Shield technology. The insecticide has been approved by EPA in June 1999 and is labeled on field corn, popcorn, seed corn and sweet corn to control rootworm, cutworm, wireworm, white grub, and seed corn maggot. Marketing is set for 2000.

GMO's making the news. In an August 31 press release, ADM stated that due to extensive media coverage and heightened consumer demand; they are now encouraging their suppliers to segregate all non-genetically enhanced (conventional) grain in order to preserve its identity. This could mean that all corn and soybeans regardless of their EU approval status must be segregated by producers at harvest if it's intended for sale to elevators that have grain contracts with ADM.

In a follow up to this release the National Corn Growers Association announced " Growers would welcome this grain segregation advisory, if it means that ADM is willing to pay a premium in order to have an assured source of conventional corn."

Our surveys of local grain markets have indicated no problems for marketing any of the GMO or genetically enhanced corn hybrids.

Greg Roth, Agronomy, Corn and Sorghum Management

Pest Management:

CORRECTION TO RECROP INTERVALS IN FIELD CROP NEWS 99:9

In the last issue of the Field Crop News, some replant intervals were incorrect. Please note the following corrections. We are sorry for any inconvenience.

Table 1. Revision to portions of Table 1 in Field Crop News 99:9. Recrop intervals for some specific soybean herbicides.
Herbicide Alfalfa Clover Sorghum Barley Oats Rye Wheat
  Months to planting
Canopy 10 12 12 4 30 4 4
Canopy XL 12 18 10 4 30 4 4
FirstRate 9 30 9 30 30 30 3
Raptor 9 18 9 4 9 4 3

IOWA STATE DEVELOPS NEW ON-LINE PIGWEED IDENTIFICATION GUIDE

A new pigweed species identification guide is now available on-line through Iowa State University. The guide includes a number of problem pigweed species such as redroot, smooth, Powell, and common waterhemp. The waterhemp species have become a major weed problem in corn and soybean in areas of the Midwest and could become a problem in the Northeast in the future. This new guide could be helpful in identifying the correct Amaranthus species when a problem occurs. The guide can be accessed at the following URL: http://www.weeds.iastate.edu/weed-id/waterhemp/default.htm.

Bill Curran, Agronomy, Weed Science

WEED OR VALUABLE PLANT - YOU DECIDE

A number of plants that are commonly grown as forage, cover, and for wildlife habitat potentially face a State or Federal ban that will not allow their continued use and propagation. Crownvetch as well as birdsfoot trefoil, tall fescue, reed canarygrass and perhaps other "crops" have been part of a list of plants that are considered in the minds of some as invasive alien plants and will be part of a government initiative to limit their further spread and certainly their further sale. Most of the plants on this list are indeed problem weeds in some environments, but from an agronomist view, crownvetch, birdsfoot trefoil, tall fescue, and reed canarygrass do not belong on this list. There is a great deal of activity among producers of crownvetch seed and other targeted plants as well as those who sell plant seeds to remove these species from the list of "invasive noxious weeds". If common sense prevails, a number of plants presently on the list will eventually be removed from any potential ban. At the moment there is no law that limits the sale or propagation of any of these species, but government agencies (Dept. of Interior, PennDot etc.) are already removing these plant from their list of approved species for whatever purpose. The government agencies probably want to be in compliance when and if a law is passed that outlaws these common crop species. Unfortunately, even if some of these species are removed from the "hit list", they will already be tainted for having been put on the list at all.

It is interesting that there are no plants native to North America on this list, but such natives as poison ivy, common ragweed, wirestem muhly, hemp dogbane, horsenettle and common pokeweed have to be more of a problem than the above "crops" in many managed and unmanaged environments. The controversy over "native species" being crowded out by "non-native species" is certainly at the center of this initiative. If a plant has little or no redeeming value and is growing where we don't want it (is a weed), then let's attempt to remove or reduce its presence whether it's alien or not. But, if a plant provides a useful benefit that is deemed important to society, lets preserve and manage it, whether it's alien or not.

Nathan Hartwig, Agronomy, Weed Science

Agents Corner:

ARMSTRONG/INDIANA/WESTMORELAND COUNTIES

Corn silage harvest is gearing up. Most of the corn I've checked has been in the mid to low 70% moisture range, with a few samples already below the 65% mark. Last winter, many of the manure piles in the region revealed hard corn kernels and incomplete grain utilization. Several producers are trying kernel processors for the first time this year, so it will be interesting to see how the feed quality looks this winter. In general, the corn crop doesn't look too bad, although isolated pockets of severely drought-stressed corn do exist. Only a few samples were high in nitrates, which is a relief to many livestock producers.

The last few days have been kind to haymakers, with sunny skies, low humidity, and decent drying temperatures in the 70s. Pastures and grass hay crops are still very short in most cases, however. Some livestock owners are grazing corn and hay fields, and some may plant small grains as a means of fall forage production. Many producers will attempt a late fall harvest of alfalfa because of some favorable regrowth in the last few weeks. Small grain yields seemed to be quite good this year. One progressive operation mentioned this was one of the best years they've had for oats, with some fields yielding around 100 bushels per acre.

As with much of western PA, a major factor in yield reductions is due to white-tailed deer (and turkeys too!). If any of you folks out east want to experience some real hunting opportunities, plan a trip this fall or winter beyond the Allegheny Plateau. You won't be disappointed, and you'll be helping some of our producers, too.

Rob Stout
Armstrong County

CRAWFORD COUNTY

Crawford County's 54th Annual Fair was last week and it seems we can always count on Fair week to provide a little rain. This year was no exception. Some lucky areas got over three inches, while most areas got somewhat less. I have heard some suggestions that maybe the fair should be rescheduled in order to get some rain when we could really use it.

All in all we are doing pretty well, or even very well relative to other parts of the state and the Mid-Atlantic Region. Our oat and wheat crops were quite good with ideal harvesting conditions. Most good managers have taken three or four cuttings of hay to this point and a good fourth or fifth cutting is expected. Some production and quality on middle cuttings suffered some due to limited moisture and leafhopper pressure in alfalfa. Grasses have performed remarkably well. The corn crop is looking quite good with at least average yields or better anticipated. Much of the corn is at the dent stage or beyond and moisture monitoring to determine when to start chopping for silage should be taking place now. Most of the corn does seem to have nicely filled ears. Available nitrogen did not seem to be a problem this year. The soybean crop is also looking average to good with few or no reports of either spider mite damage or white mold. Some late summer forage seeding is being considered, but both the calendar and the soil moisture are posing some uncertainty.

Certainly all of the depressed prices are disappointing, but we can count our blessings that we're among the very few in the East this year that have had decent crops despite the limited moisture. Like most others, we are hoping and praying that groundwater and soil moisture levels will return to more normal levels, preferably sometime after harvesting is completed.

Joel M. Hunter, CCA Agronomy,
Crawford & Erie Counties

JEFFERSON COUNTY

The corn crop in Jefferson County continues to look good. The hay crop is short both in quantity and height; but at least there is something. The rains in August have helped, but streams and ground water supplies are still low. A unique interesting problem occurred the other day with one of our local dairy farmers - his alfalfa field was filled with toadstools/mushrooms (amanitas). The ones in the my reference book that he thought were the ones in his field were listed as two of the more deadly amanitas. A phone call to the Department of Veterinary Science at Penn State and some checking on their end - advised the farmer not to feed the cattle any of the mushroom (amanita) tainted hay or poisoning and death could occur. It wasn't simply a few morels or field mushrooms that wouldn't cause any concern, but indeed some "very poisonous" ones. It just goes to show - identify those mushrooms before you or anything considers consuming them.

Susan Alexander
Jefferson County

LEBANON COUNTY

Now is the time to get cover crops established to ensure decent stands going into winter. Many producers opt to broadcast rye and not take the time to drill the crop, which may mean higher yields in the spring. Many producers claim it's too time consuming to drill when other crops (corn and soybeans) need to be harvested at the same time. Is it worth the time? This article will discuss some of my work this last season which examined whether cover crops should be drilled or broadcast. The most common cover crop in our area is winter rye (cover crop rye) and often producers harvest this crop in the spring as ryelage. Last year some producers approached me to find out whether drilling or broadcast seeding methods differed in yield and by how much. In addition, some producers wanted to find out whether triticale would out-yield rye. For this reason strip plots were planted on four farms last fall where rye and triticale (Trical 102) were drilled vs. broadcast in the same field.

This spring, I harvested the cover crop forage (1/1000th of an acre), and determined yield. Moisture was determined by using a Koster Tester™. The plots showed that drilled rye out-yielded broadcast rye on three farms by an average of one ton per acre dry matter(DM) or 1.7 tons on a wet weight basis. On one farm, the drilled rye produced 4.3 Ton DM/acre while right next to it, the broadcast crop yielded 2.9 ton DM/acre. As for triticale, we found little difference between it and rye in terms of yield. Triticale seed costs more than rye, but in theory, can result in more leaves and potentially better quality.

This demonstration research certainly suggests that drilling rye rather than broadcasting the seed can increase forage yield. However, more field research is needed to show these differences in Lebanon County and elsewhere. Regardless of the type of cover crop or method of seeding, quality forage can be produced, while holding soil and nutrients in place over the winter. For a complete list of my plot results or for the cover crop fact sheet, please call the Lebanon County Extension office.

Del Voight
Lebanon County

LYCOMING COUNTY

The conditions here have improved somewhat with the recent rains. The corn that had been drying down prematurely (or dying) has now maintained a more normal appearance and producers have slowed down their early chopping. Some of it will still not recover and that is being ensiled but much of it is still gaining some dry matter. Silage yields are averaging 11 to 14 tons per acre throughout the area. Overall predictions for this area is for a corn crop that is 60 to 70% of normal. With many dairies in the area, many more acres of corn will be going into the silo this year vs. what is usually taken for high moisture or dry corn. On the good side, the price for corn seems to be holding and the local basis is expected to be good for the fall crop.

Soybeans are still the bright spot in this area. Early beans are looking real nice on most farms with some of the plants almost five feet high. Later planted and double crop beans were hit harder with the dryness but seem to be podding relatively well. The area has received 3+ inches of rain recently and that is benefiting them as they complete pod-fill. Drought conditions don't seem to affect beans as much as the other crops.

The occurrence of white mold on beans this season is low which is also attributed to the dry conditions. Hay in the area is recovering and even grazing is starting to show some possibilities again. Third cutting alfalfa was poor for most people except those who took it off late and benefited from the rain. Fourth cutting is showing some life again and we anticipate a good late yield. Hay supplies in the area are still low overall and the market price for hay continues to increase. We have had dairies already buying hay from other areas of the state and country.

Tom Murphy
Lycoming County

William S. Curran
Associate Professor Weed Science
email: wsc2@psu.edu

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