Field Crop News

Website Address: http://fcn.agronomy.psu.edu/

May 27, 2005    Vol. 05:05

IN THIS ISSUE:

Mark Your Calendar

Weather Outlook

Production

Pest Management

Agents Corner

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

PENN STATE-PASA ECOLOGICAL WEED MANAGEMENT FIELD Day

Monday, June 13, 1:30-5pm, Rock Springs
Agronomy Farm Pavilion, Centre County
Cost: Free
Refreshments will be provided.

For those trying to get ahead of their weeds, June is a critical month. WeÕll start this afternoon field day with an introduction to Ecological Weed Management, which will include a lesson on weed identification and life cycles. We'll move to the cover cropping trials where no-till, rolling, herbicides, shallow till and other methods of management are under trial. A team of Penn State researchers will discuss using cover crops to manage weeds and improve soil quality, as well as present information on the role of ground beetles in weed seed predation.

This field day will also afford us an opportunity to get an update on the "transition experiment" where Penn State researchers are transitioning corn and soybean crops from conventional to organic production. Presenters from Pennsylvania Certified Organic will be on hand to explain alternative methods of weed and cover crop management that comply with USDA certification standards. WeÕll learn what farmers can do to manage crops during the transition period and hear about current marketing opportunities for organic grain. In addition, 3.0 Pest Management CEUÕs will be offered for those that are Certified Crop Consultants.

To register, please call Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA) at 814-349-9856 ext. 7 or register online at www.pasafarming.org.

TWILIGHT FIELD MEETING

Wheat varieties will be featured at a Twilight Field meeting on Monday evening, June 27 in Lehigh County. Greg Roth will discuss new hard red and soft red winter wheat varieties and their management.

Visitors will be able to see 24 wheat varieties at an on-farm replicated field trial just prior to harvest. The plot is located at the Sterling and Ruth Raber Farm. From Rt 78 take Rt 100 north 3.5 miles, Turn right on Windy Road. The program begins at 6:30 PM. For more information contact Bob Leiby at rel5@psu.edu 610-391-9840.

Bob Leiby, rleiby@psu.edu
Lehigh County Extension

AGRONOMY-INDUSTRY FIELD DAY, JULY 7, 9:30 AM-3:30 PM, LANDISVILLE

Penn State will host a joint Agronomy-Industry field day on July 7 at the Southeast Research and Extension Center near Landisville, Lancaster County. The field day will feature faculty and staff from Penn State's Departments of Crop and Soil Sciences, Entomology, and Plant Pathology and Cooperative Extension Service, discussing the latest developments and key topics in agronomic crop and soil management. In addition, representatives from industry will be present to discuss and showcase their latest technologies. The field day will run from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, and pesticide and CCA credits will be available. The registration brochure and additional information will be in the next Field Crop News.

Dave Johnson, dhj3@psu.edu
SE Ag Research and Extension Center, Landisville

WEATHER OUTLOOK

Exceptionally cool conditions have dominated Pennsylvania during May and while showers have returned during the past week, all of the state is still averaging substantially below average precipitation. The northeast counties have May deficits approaching 2.5 inches, while the southwest corner is only a half-inch below the long-term mean. Temperatures are between 2 and 6 degrees below seasonal levels. There are no immediate prospects for very warm conditions anywhere in the Northeast quarter of the country during the next few weeks, however readings will be closer to normal by the first few days of June. Cool, unsettled weather is expected during the Memorial Day weekend with scattered showers each afternoon, especially on Saturday and Monday. A warming trend at mid-week (May 31-June 2) may be accompanied by some rain in southern and eastern Pennsylvania. Expect below seasonal temperatures to dominate into mid-June with a likelihood of a few days of very warm, sticky weather between June 15-20. There are still indications that the summer will average cool except for a spell of hot weather during August.

Paul Knight, pgk2@psu.edu
Pennsylvania State Climatologist

PRODUCTION

A QUICK LOOK AT HAY PRESERVATIVES

Generally, hay with a moisture content of 20% or less will not spoil during storage. Large round bales should contain hay that is slightly drier (approximately 18%). Unfortunately, field curing hay down to 20% moisture or lower is often difficult without having it rained on once or twice. Hay preservatives may allow baling and storage of hay with moisture levels between 20 and 25%. On certain occasions this may allow hay to be made before it gets rained on.

Hay preservatives work by inhibiting or reducing the growth of aerobic microbes in moist hay. Most hay preservatives do not improve nutritional quality of the forage, but merely prevent the decline in quality due to heat buildup from excessive microbial action.

Hay Preservatives and Application Procedures

Hay preservatives can be grouped into three categories; organic acids and their salts, ammonia-based, and microbial additives. Propionic acid is the most effective and most tested preservative presently available. It is a liquid, so tanks and a spray application system must be added to your baler. Spray nozzles must be spaced so that the chemical is distributed over all forage as it enters the baling chamber. The amount of active ingredient that must be applied depends upon the moisture content of the hay. Small bales with 20-25% moisture should be treated with about 0.5% propionic acid (as baled basis). The main disadvantage of propionic acid is its corrosiveness and the cost of the equipment necessary to apply the liquid to hay. To overcome this problem, buffered acids and salts of acids have been developed. These products have not been tested as extensively as propionic acid. Buffered acid applied at about 1% (as baled basis) was as effective as 1% propionic when applied to alfalfa hay baled with 30% moisture. Since buffered acids have proven to be as effective as propionic acid, producers need to balance the added cost of buffered acids with the reduced wear they cause on equipment. Salts are granular and need less expensive application equipment. Salts include sodium diacetate and sodium sulfate. These compounds have proven less effective than propionic acid. Application rates of 0.1 to 0.2% (as baled basis) are usually used. Results from a limited number of studies indicate that this type of preservative is effective on hay containing no more than approximately 25% moisture.

Many types of microbial products have been developed recently for use as hay preservatives, but very little positive value has been demonstrated with these products. Nebraska researchers found that inoculating either large round bales or small square bales of alfalfa with 200,000 colony forming units of lactic acid producing bacteria per gram of dry forage had very little effect on hay quality and preservation over a wide range of moisture concentrations. Other types of bacterial inoculants (non lactic acid producers) have been tested with little beneficial results. In general, the microbial products as hay preservatives do no harm but show little proven benefits.

Summary
  1. Propionic acid and anhydrous ammonia (application rates of about 1% of wet forage weight) are the only preservatives that are consistently effective on hay containing 25% moisture.
  2. Other preservatives may be effective, but many have not been scientifically tested.
  3. Preservatives other than ammonia and urea do not improve feeding value, but can reduce storage losses.
  4. It is essential that the moisture content of the hay be known. Hay containing more than 30% moisture should not be baled even with a preservative. Application rates of other preservatives should be modified according to moisture content of the hay.

Marvin H. Hall, mhh2@psu.edu
Forage Management, Crop and Soil Sciences

PEST MANAGEMENT

UPDATE ON THE PA WHEAT CROP AND RISK OF WHEAT SCAB

Reports to date indicate the crop is in good condition, and if conditions remain cool we may have an excellent wheat crop this year. The wheat in the Southeastern and Western parts of the state is beginning to flower this week. Wheat in central parts of the state is heading strongly this weed and will likely flower in the next week. These growth stages are critical for the development of wheat head scab and glume blotch. Both diseases were common in the last two years with devastating impact on yield and in the case of head scab, additional complications in grain marketing that result from the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON).

Penn State has been a lead university in a multi-state effort to predict the risk of head scab epidemics. The models are available on line at: www.wheatscab.psu.edu/

These pre-flowering models are estimated to be 80% accurate given the data used to develop and validate the system. However, we know that errors can occur when conditions during flowering and grain filling stages of growth become highly favorable for disease.

At this time the wheat scab models are predicting low risk of disease when wheat that was not planted into corn residues. Some areas of the state appear to be at a moderate level of risk if wheat was planted into corn residue (>10% ground cover). At this point I would agree with the models. Until very recently we have been very dry and cool in most parts of the state and the fungus may not have had the chance to its reproductive structures. The current cool temperatures may also help limit the development of the fungus and potential infection. At this time we suggest that you check the wheat scab models often to evaluate the risk of disease over the next weeks as our wheat crop moves through these critical growth stages. If we can avoid problems with head scab this year, I think we are looking at a pretty good wheat crop this year.

Erick De Wolf, edd10@psu.edu
Plant Pathology

COVER CROP ROLLER RESEARCH AT PENN STATE

Cover crop roller running over cereal rye.

We are testing the success of using a cover crop roller/cripper on cereal rye and rye/hairy vetch cover crops this summer at our Rock Springs research farm.

The roller was fabricated by our very talented Agronomy Farm field technician and mechanic Mr. Cory Dillon and is based on a roller designed by the Rodale Institute. The Rodale Institute is leading a project where they plan to fabricate and field test at least ten cover crop rollers around the country with farmers. Several other universities including Michigan State, Illinois, and Georgia are also testing cover crop rollers.

The use of a roller/cripper for managing cover crops has several potential benefits. One potential benefit in using a roller/cripper is having the ability to control and manage cover crops without the use of herbicides or tillage. The success of this depends on cover crop species and the stage of development at the time of rolling. Other factors may also be important. Even in conventional no-till systems, rolling may allow for reduced herbicide use by aiding in the control of the cover crop. Another potential benefit of rolling cover crops is maximizing the mulching/physical barrier attributes of the cover. The action of rolling and compressing the cover crop should increase the weed suppression potential of the cover as well as provide a better barrier to reduce soil water evaporation. Finally, some organic farmers are using a roller prior to plowing down the green manure cover crop and claim that it allows better incorporation of the cover crop residues and consumes less energy than other types of pre-tillage management such as mowing.

Rolled cereal rye and rye/vetch lying flat after rolling.

If you you'd like to see and hear about our first experiment with the roller/cripper, join us for the EcoWeed Management Field Tour on June 13 at the Rock Springs Agronomy Farm. See the registration information at the beginning of this newsletter.

Bill Curran, wcurran@psu.edu
Weed Science, Crop and Soil Sciences

WEED CONTROL: WEATHER AND POST RESCUE ISSUES

The dry cool weather we have been experiencing can greatly influence weed control. The following article contains information from Dr. Mark Loux and Mr. Jeff Stachler at Ohio State University regarding postemergence herbicides, weather, and corn injury potential.

Weed control is less than ideal in many corn fields, even where preemergence herbicides were previously applied. Some things to keep in mind as you assess weed control and make decisions on postemergence treatments:

Although weeds may be escaping preemergence treatments, the weed population in these fields is going to be much lower than fields where no herbicides have been applied. So, the timing of postemergence application is probably less critical with regard to minimizing yield loss due to weed-crop competition. However, postemergence grass herbicides in corn are most effective when grasses are not more than 3 to 4 inches tall, and application timing should be based on the size of grasses in the field (unless grasses are absent from the weed population).

Injury from postemergence corn herbicides is more likely when the health of the corn plants is less than ideal, as in a number of corn fields where corn is currently struggling. We generally advise delaying postemergence applications until the crop resumes active growth, when it is better able to metabolize herbicides. The risk of injury from ALS-inhibiting herbicides is increased during periods of cool weather, such as we are experiencing this week. We have occasionally observed an increase in the frequency of stunting, yellowing, and internode shortening (stacking) when ALS inhibitors were applied to corn under cool conditions. We suggest avoiding postemergence applications to corn for a few days based on the following: 1) the health of the corn crop is less than ideal; 2) cool and cloudy conditions can increase the risk of herbicide injury; and 3) weed growth should be minimal under the cool weather conditions.

On a final note, corn development under this spring's weather conditions may result in somewhat shorter plants for a given growth stage, compared to other years. In other words, a plant in the V5 stage might be only 13 inches tall this year, whereas in other years it might be 16 inches in height or taller. Staging corn properly is important to reduce the risk of injury from ALS-inhibiting herbicides (Accent, Option, Hornet, etc). Labels of products containing an ALS-inhibitor generally allow broadcast application through the V5 or V6 stage of corn development, and also specify a maximum corn height.

ADJUVANTS AND COMMON POST HERBICIDE TANK MIXTURES

The use of adjuvants with post herbicides is a critical component for effective weed control. Almost all foliar-applied herbicide labels recommend which kind of adjuvant to include in the tank when a particular product is applied alone. However, when herbicides are tank mixed, the choice of adjuvants (i.e., crop oil concentrate (COC), methylated or modified seed oil (MSO), nonionic surfactant (NIS), or ammonium nitrogen fertilizer (NH4), which includes ammonium sulfate (AMS) or liquid nitrogen (UAN)) is more difficult and sometimes not directly stated on herbicide labels, or worse yet, they conflict with each other. Below is a list of some typical post herbicides and the directions as stated on their labels regarding adjuvants and tank mixtures.

Callisto is used at 3 fl oz/acre but some labels suggest a reduced rate of 1 to 2 oz. Callisto can be tank mixed with Accent, Basis Gold, Steadfast ATZ and others. If used alone or in most combinations, add COC (not MSO) plus NH4.

Celebrity Plus is used at 4.7 oz and can be mixed with Accent, Atrazine, or Distinct. NIS and NH4 must be included whether applied alone or in a mixture.

Distinct is applied at 4 oz, but some labels suggest rates as low as 1 oz when tank mixed with other post herbicides. For best results use NIS plus NH4 under most conditions. MSO may be used instead of NIS when tank mixing Distinct with Option or Equip.

Equip should be applied at 1.5 oz/acre and must include MSO and NH4 if used alone or in combination with atrazine, dicamba (e.g., Banvel, Clarity), or Distinct. (Currently, Callisto is not listed on the Equip tank mix label.) NIS and COC are not recommended for use with Equip or unacceptable weed control will result.

Lexar at up to 3.5 qt/acre can be applied early post and tank mixed with atrazine, Accent, Basis, Steadfast, and 2,4-D. NIS is recommended, but COC can be used at a reduced rate of 1%v/v (1 gal/100 gallons spray solution). Do not use MSO, UAN or AMS if Lexar is applied post, unless directed by a specific tank-mix partner label.

Lumax at 2.5 qt/acre can be applied early post and tank mixed with Accent, Basis, Steadfast, and Steadfast ATZ. NIS is the recommended adjuvant. COC, MSO, and NH4 are not recommended and may cause injury to emerged corn.

NorthStar can be applied alone or in a tank mix at 5 oz/acre. NIS or COC/MSO must be included in the spray mixture, but the addition of NH4 is optional. Atrazine, Accent, dicamba or Marksman are common tank mix partners. Callisto is not listed as a tank mix partner.

Option is applied at 1.5 to 1.75 oz/acre and MSO and NH4 should be included whether it is used alone or in combination with atrazine, Banvel, Clarity, Distinct, Northstar, or Callisto. (This recommendation differs with the Callisto label.) Certain pre-grass + atrazine premixes (e.g., Degree Xtra, Keystone, Guardsman Max, etc.) also can be tank mixed with Option. NIS and COC are not recommended for use with Option or unacceptable weed control will result.

Steadfast ATZ is used at 14 oz/acre and can be tank mixed with atrazine, dicamba, Marksman, Distinct, Callisto, and Hornet. COC plus NH4 are the recommended adjuvants, however, NIS or MSO can be substituted. It does state that MSO should not be used with Callisto tank mixes. Also, NIS is permitted in place of COC in tank mixes that include dicamba (including Distinct), however overall weed control may be reduced.

Yukon is used at 4 oz/acre and should include COC or NIS plus NH4 if applied alone or in tank mixture with Accent or Beacon. However, use only COC if combined with atrazine.

When applying post herbicides consider other factors such as, maximum corn height/growth stage restrictions, maximum weeds heights, and rainfastness. Some herbicides such as Beacon, Distinct, Celebrity Plus, Northstar, and Spirit have a minimum restriction of 4-inch tall corn.

For additional information on postemergence herbicides and their restrictions, please refer to the Penn State Agronomy Guide Tables 2.2-12; -14; -15; -17; and -18; or on the web at http://agguide.agronomy.psu.edu/

LATE SPRING MULTIFLORA ROSE MANAGEMENT IN PASTURES

As spring progresses, multiflora rose begins its growth and eventually will bloom in late May/early June. Several tactics can be used to control this problem weed and these methods will be briefly discussed.

Mechanical control methods include mowing, which requires repeated mowings per season for several years, and excavating, which involves pulling individual plants from the soil with heavy equipment. Biological controls have also been used and two of the more prominent biocontrol agents include using herbivores such as goats or sheep to graze back the brush and allowing a wild biocontrol agent called rose rosette disease (RRD) to take its toll. If managed properly, goats and sheep can help control multiflora rose. Some research has shown that initially 8 to 10 goats and/or sheep pastured with compatible livestock (cattle) can help reduce rose and other brushy infestations. RRD is believed to be a virus which is slowly spreading into our region of the country. It is quite noticeable in many areas of central Pennsylvania right now where the terminal branches display deep red foliage and malformed growth (witches broom). Plants infected with RRD usually die within two years. RRD is running wild in Pennsylvania and is not something that can be easily managed or manipulated. An unfortunate characteristic of this disease is that it also can attack ornamental roses which can be problematic for rose enthusiasts.

Although the above control practices help, several herbicides can provide good control of multiflora rose, especially when applied during the bud to bloom growth stages. Three foliar applied herbicides suggested for late-spring/summer are Cimarron or Ally, Crossbow, and glyphosate. Glyphosate has been more effective at controlling multiflora rose in PSU research at fall application time.

Cimarron (Ally) can be used as a broadcast or spot treatment. Apply Cimarron at a rate of 0.5 to 1 oz/A plus a surfactant for broadcast treatments or 1.0 oz/100 gallons water plus surfactant for spot treatments. (Ally can only be applied at a rate of 0.3 oz/A) Applications should be made in the spring, soon after plants are fully leafed-out. There is no application to grazing interval for Cimarron or Ally.

Foliar applications of Crossbow can be effective on multiflora rose. For spot treatments, use 4 to 6 oz/3 gallons water and spray until foliage is uniformly wet. For broadcast applications, use 1.5 to 4 gallons of Crossbow in enough water to deliver 10 to 30 gallons of spray per acre. Early to mid June is an excellent time to make these applications. Follow-up treatments may be necessary. An interval of 14 days is required for lactating dairy if using 2 gallons/A or less.

Glyphosate can be used as spot treatments on isolated patches of multiflora rose. Apply a 1 percent solution (about 1 qt/25 gallons water) of glyphosate with a hand-held sprayer. Uniformly wet leaves and green stems, but avoid runoff. Application should be made in late summer or early fall when plants are actively growing (after fruit formation). A 14 day interval is required for grazing animals.

No matter which control tactic is used, follow-up maintenance practices are a must for long-term control. Removal of dead brush, annual mowing and adequate soil fertility are examples of practices that should be used to maintain control of multiflora rose and in turn, will encourage pasture growth.

For more information on multiflora rose and its management refer to the publication Agronomy Facts 46: Multiflora Rose Management in Grass Pastures. A copy can be obtained through your local county extension office or online at http://cropsoil.psu.edu/extension/facts/agfact46.pdf

Dwight Lingenfelter, dxl18@psu.edu and
Bill Curran, wcurran@psu.edu
Weed Science, Crop and Soil Sciences

Agents Corner

Capital

The first three weeks of May were notable for lower than average temperatures and very low rainfall. The morning soil temperature at two-inch depth in no-till with corn stalks is 45 degrees, in conservation till and conventional till, the 2-inch soil temperature is 48 degrees. Purpling is evident on a lot of two-leaf corn. Our first significant rainfall (0.75") this month came on May 20. Showers are predicted for the next 72 hours (May 24 through 26) and outside temperatures are ranging from lows in the 40's to highs in the 50's.

Some replanting has been occurring on very early planted fields. Soybeans are germinating well, although the earliest planted fields are not uniform in emergence. Wheat is flowering and will have shorter than average straw. Oats range from fair to good. Grass hay was short. First cutting of alfalfa was decent and close to normal. Weather has been good for baling all sorts of hay.

No-till fields with a history of slug populations should be checked closely for slugs. Slow crop growth, overcast skies, moisture and cool temperatures favor slugs. Crops will be vulnerable during the coming few weeks, until corn reaches V-6. Deadline M-P slug bait at the labeled rate (10 lbs/A) should be used when slug damage affects 50% of leaf area on corn less than V-6.

Mark Goodson, mgw1@psu.edu
York County

Northeast

Until May 24, field work continued largely unabated in the Northeast and I would suggest 80% of the corn has been planted. Much of our small grain production is limited to oats and I can report good growth and development of this crop. Significant rain reportedly falling elsewhere in the state during that week managed to steer clear of these parts. Assorted and widely spread showers; however, are giving us a tenth inch here or a few tenths there but nothing to relieve the unseasonably dry conditions regionally. Tillage is possible but surface dampness at this point will likely gum the planter so I expect a hiatus in planting until after the holiday weekend. Grass forages look ragged and yields of all first-cut forages will be low. Our local agronomic suppliers are delighting in the frustration of keeping up with brisk limestone sales which will certainly be a favorable long-term aspect of the spring we're experiencing.

Mark Madden, mmadden@psu.edu
Sullivan/Bradford County

Northwest

Greetings from the great Northwest. The season for us thus far can be characterized as cool and dry. We've had enough moisture for germination, growth and herbicide activation but have really enjoyed the luxury of nearly unimpeded field work for the season to date. We're basically a week or two behind on growing degrees and crop development. However, overall things are progressing pretty well.

I have been monitoring soil temperature at the two inch depth since the middle of April. As unseasonably warm air temperatures the third week of April soared from the 60's to almost 80°F, the soil temperature low hit 51.0 and 53.8 on the April 19th and 20th respectively. With drier conditions than normal, a lot of ground was worked and oats and hay crop seedings went very well. Even a little corn got planted in mid-April. However, reality was quick to return the fourth week of April with a fairly significant snowfall, some freezing nighttime lows, and a few cool showers. Soil temperatures quickly dropped to and remained in the low 40's essentially through the first week of May. Mothers' Day actually brought the return of 50°F soils lows and with three of four exceptions, the daily lows have remained at 50°F or above ever since. Although early planted corn germinated, it didn't emerge until much before corn planted the second week of May, when the majority of our corn planting began. I think the drier than average conditions allowed the early planted (mid-April) corn to survive 3 to 4 weeks of cool soil temperatures before emergence. One of the earliest farms to plant corn in April has replanted. Corn planted after the first week of May was generally emerged in ten days to two weeks. The overall result is that any corn around here that's up is generally at the first true leaf stage, regardless of when it was planted. Soybean planting has generally followed close behind corn planting, but I am not aware of many acres of emerged soybeans quite yet.

Hay crops appeared to grow slowly and our usual harvesting of grass early in May was delayed to the end of the third week of May. In general, yields appear typical, that is 1.5 to 1.75 tons of dry matter per acre. However, on two new 2004 seedings on better ground, the yields were 1.93 and 2.40 tons of dry matter per acre! The 200+ acres of orchard grass on this 130 head dairy filled the bunk over the weekend. Quality should be good and that producerÕs forage inventory for the year is about taken care of before the season has really even got going.

Legume and mixed stands harvest has begun and is also progressing well. Mercer County has three producers participating in a USDA NE-SARE Grant to evaluate Potato Leafhopper Resistant Alfalfa against a traditional variety. Plots in the study were established in spring 2004 and suffered through an abnormally wet growing season with heavy weed pressure. Thus far, 2005 has exhibited high pressure from volunteer clover, and relatively short plant height. On the positive side, alfalfa weevil pressure has been minor on the majority of fields scouted. Producer field days are planned for late August to discuss results of this alfalfa study in both Mercer and Centre Counties.

Finally, small grains appear to be doing well. Winter wheat is generally about the boot stage and appears to have over-wintered well. The timely planting of spring oats has that crop making good progress as well.

All in all crop progress has been excellent, albeit a little cool and a week or two behind normal. With a little warmer weather and a least some nominal continued precipitation, we're apparently off to a pretty good start with a hopeful potential for a good to great season. Good growing to all.

Joel M. Hunter, CCA, jmh7@psu.edu
Northwest Dairy Team, (Crawford County)
and
Gary Micsky, gwm6@psu.edu (Mercer County)

Southeast

Cloudy skies and an occasional few drops or showers seem to be dominating the weather pattern. After a long dry spell, the region finally saw some relief on Friday (4/20) with a soaking rain. All but the last bit of corn has been planted, and most is emerged (but looking rather yellow). Soybeans planted seem to be a bit more variable with some producers finished, while a few others are only half complete. The earliest planted beans have emerged, but the majority were planted within the last week. Wheat is in head, and appears to be a bit short. Some dairy producers have taken off haylage, but very little dry hay has been made. With corn and beans in the ground, most producers are looking to turn to hay making, but by the looks of the weather forecast, it may be a little while.

Dwane Miller, dmiller@psu.edu
Schuylkill County

Southwest

Crop planting progressed very rapidly through the middle of May. The dry weather at the beginning of May allowed many farmers to get most of their corn planted. The rains over the past week were greatly needed as the soil was dry enough to begin cracking in some areas. The moisture as well as the warmer temperatures have stimulated rapid growth in the oats. Some farms have started a first cutting of hay, although the current wet weather is slowing down that process. Orchardgrass fields are pushing heads in Bedford County. All hay is short for the first cutting.

Melanie Barkley, meh7@psu.edu
Bedford County