CMEG Crop Management Extension Group

Field Crop News

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

November 7, 2006    Vol. 06:26

IN THIS ISSUE:

Weather Outlook — Paul Knight

Cool, wet weather will dominate the region on Wednesday. Heavy rain is likely in southeastern sections of the state (more than 2 inches in some spots). A respite from the cool conditions is expected on Thursday into Saturday. Provided morning fog dissipates, afternoon readings should reach the upper 50’s in the northern mountains to just above 70 in the southeast. A cold front will bring another round of showers during Saturday. Seasonably cool weather will follow for Sunday and part of Monday before more showers return later Monday and early Tuesday. A majority of the days between November 14 and 21 should be above normal temperatures and rainfall should also be plentiful and regular. Early indications point to a risk of very cold weather during the month of January in much of the eastern United States.

Penn State/PDMP Silage Testing Program Data Available — Greg Roth, Grain Crop Management

We recently posted data for our 2006 Penn State/PDMP silage testing program on the corn and soybeans website (http://cornandsoybeans.psu.edu/). We have continued to try to improve the program based on input from nutritionists and the seed industry.

A few changes that we instituted this year included a the switch to 30 hour digestibility data compared to 48 hour, use of the new Milk 2006 data for comparing milk production potential from the hybrids, and inclusion of two year data for hybrids that were entered in 2005 and 2006. We also expanded our short season testing to two locations in Bradford and Tioga Counties and expanded the range of hybrid maturities evaluated there.

This year the crop dried down rapidly and some sites were harvested a bit drier than we would have liked. We also noticed that the yield and forage quality (NDF, NEL) were lower than anticipated for the medium and late maturity hybrids. I attributed this to the August drought stress, which severely impacted grain fill of the medium and late season hybrid groups. Often the yields of these hybrids are 2–3 tons/acre (35% DM) higher than the early medium season (106–110 day) hybrids.

When comparing hybrids in our testing program, remember that many of these hybrids were screened by seed companies for these traits before they were entered. As a result we tend to get some of the better genetics available and the range in forage quality among hybrids could be less than you would encounter by randomly selecting hybrids not screened for silage production.

As you evaluate the hybrids, first consider traits that are important to you. This could include yield and another forage quality trait, like Milk/ton rating. Identifying hybrids that are consistently in the top group for each of your selected traits using the multi—location data is a good start to identifying potential hybrids for your farm. Hybrids that are within one LSD of the top hybrid are not statistically different than the top hybrid for that trait. We have included two charts with the spreadsheets that allow visual comparisons of the hybrids for milk/ton, yield and milk/acre ratings that include LSD bars. Also, consider the biotech traits and other agronomic factors in consultation with your seed industry representative in making your final selections.

Fall Control of Weeds in Wheat and Barley — Bill Curran, Weed Management

Dense populations of winter annual weeds can compete with wheat and barley in late fall and early spring and slow the rate of crop development potentially reducing yield. If winter annual weeds like common chickweed, henbit, and others emerge with the small grain and are left unchecked, the potential impact on yield could be great. In these situations, it may make sense to kill these weeds in the fall rather than early spring. Harmony Extra is the most broad spectrum herbicide for broadleaf control. In addition, there are several herbicides now labeled for grass control in wheat and fall may be the best time to make an application. Remember that cool (less than 50 F) cloudy days can reduce herbicide activity. The following table summarizes fall herbicide options for small grains. Check a current herbicide label for the latest use information.

Link to herbicide recommendation table. (http://fcn.agronomy.psu.edu/tables/miller0626table1.pdf)

Sorting Through the Hybrid Trait Maze — Greg Roth, Grain Crop Management

Hybrid selection is becoming increasingly complex and difficult to sort out. First we have hybrid performance considerations, then we have the traits and their value and now we are seeing trait discounting and other programs that involve discounts on crop chemicals. In addition, there are intangible factors that include your feeling towards issues like using biotech hybrids or handling soil insecticides. So, it’s not an easy process.

Probably the best approach is to consider the net value of the hybrid package based on your total pest management inputs and the anticipated yield and crop price and then factor in some of the intangible factors. Note that next year our corn price may be considerably higher. Here are a few considerations on the biotech traits that I consider for us here in Pennsylvania:

Herbicide resistance to glyphosate and glufosinate have value in situations where you: 1) may want try to cut costs with a lower rate residual herbicide program, 2) have some weed management issues that are difficult to address otherwise, 3) have other fields with these traits in corn, soybeans or alfalfa that could be getting a mid season post herbicide application that could result in drift injury or 4) have trouble getting post emergence herbicides applied before they may cause some injury to the crop.

Corn borer resistance has most value in longer season areas, longer season hybrids or later planted corn. Benefits are probably greater in silage fields (higher value crop) and in those fields where corn may stand well into the fall. Also, monitor corn borer in your refuge fields and use this as an indication of the potential typical pressure you encounter in your area.

Corn rootworm resistance has most benefits in corn on corn fields where corn rootworm is a potential pest. We have not documented the corn rootworm variant that lays eggs in soybeans in Pennsylvania. We have also seen improved performance of these products on fields with drought or soil compaction issues that have corn rootworm pressure.

When making your hybrid selection decisions, it is critical that you develop an effective refuge management or herbicide stewardship plan with your seed industry representatives. These technologies are very effective but require serious management to avoid resistance development in the weeds and insects we are trying to manage.

Not a Loss of Marketing Information Available on the Web — Craig Williams, Tioga County Extension

In times of busy schedules, how do you collect Ag news on your own schedule? It’s nice to be able to log onto the Web at anytime you want to have your coffee in the morning and catch the Ag news at the same time.

In times of rising corn and bean markets and lots of talk of Ethanol and Bio diesel plants, there are many places to get information on market updates. In this note, I am talking about one of the sites that you could view on your own time frame. If you like to have Ag News on your computer, this is one site that you can log on to on your own time schedule. If you’re up at 4 am for coffee, you can log on to get the latest news

The www.agweb.com web site is part of the Farm Journal Media group.

One of the features is the AGDAY Internet TV where you can watch the Morning Ag news broadcast at anytime of the day you log on. This broadcast covers many agriculture topics that are in the news. You can also access specific news topics such as Crops, Dairy, Cattle, Hog or Equipment. As in all University newsletters, we are not endorsing this site as much as bringing it to your awareness. If you have a favorite Ag News Website that fits my rules, send it to me and I will compile a list. Send it to Craig Williams at jcw17@psu.edu

Stored Grain and Insects — John Rowehl, Cumberland County Extension

Sanitation and surface treatment of grain bins should be sufficient to control insects for a six to nine month period.

If you are not able to clean out the bin or don’t fumigate under floor areas, or if you think the storage period may be longer, application of a residual insecticide to the grain as it goes into storage will help keep insects controlled. Actellic 5E is labeled for this use on corn. A dust formulation of malathion (check the label) may possibly still be available for this. If you do not treat the whole bin this way you can treat the last load going in with a protectant or mix in a Bt product into the top four to six inches of grain in the bin to control Indian meal moth.

During winter months, the cool temperatures keep insect activity in check but as spring approaches and grain temperatures rise above 40–500, insects can become active and reproduce. If insect populations do develop in your bin, in most cases, your only option is to fumigate. Aluminum or magnesium phosphide is labeled for grain fumigation. You must be a certified applicator to use these products. Remember, fumigation only kills insects that are present and does not provide long—term residual protection. As soon as the fumigation is complete, insects can begin re—infesting grain.

A handy reference you might want to download is the University of Tennessee 2006 Insects in Farm Stored Grain http://www.utextension.utk.edu/publications/pbfiles/PB1395.pdf

What’s Going on in the Commodity Markets? — Andrew Frankenfield, Montgomery County Extension

Tuesday morning, November 7th cash corn price delivered to one of the Lancaster Mills was $3.58, January and February prices were in the $3.80’s and $3.64 for Fall of 2007. Soybeans were $6.24 cash price, $6.48 for January, $6.60 for February and $6.55 for November 2007. July 2007 wheat was $4.37.

Although there is certainly the possibility that corn prices could move higher in the weeks ahead, don’t sit on your 2006 corn assuming that $4–5.00 corn is just around the corner and that 2007 corn will reach that price level as well. Now is the time to look at making sales of both old and new crop corn. There is no reason that a variety of sales method could not be employed to take advantage of current price levels and setting price targets for both higher and lower prices at which to make sales to insure you have a chance to take advantage of further price rallies or to protect yourself against a price downturn.

While it may be tempting to simply bin as much corn as possible in anticipation of even higher prices, think about strategies that can take advantage of current price levels and protect you from falling prices. You might consider selling some corn now, and place a storage hedge on the rest you have in the bin. You might consider selling all your corn and stay out of the storage business the rest of the winter. You might consider selling your corn and re—own the crop on paper, either through the futures market or the options market. If you do decide to take the risk of storing corn with no price protection, at least keep in mind a “backstop” price; one in which you will begin making sales if prices should fall below current levels. The thing to remember is that revenue is the name of the game. Price times bushels equals revenue and it is important to know how much money you need from your corn to pay input costs and generate profit. If the revenue gained from sales right now translates into profit, there is nothing wrong with insuring profit on some of your corn right now.

Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that with every pricing method available, you will give up something to get something else in return. When you make the sale you will give up the chance for a higher price, but in return, you have established a floor price that protects you from falling prices. Very few people can hit the home run and sell all their corn at the highest possible price. What’s important is understanding the language of historically high prices and having a marketing plan that gives you the best possible opportunity to make profitable sales over time.

A workshop dealing with post—harvest marketing decisions is going to be held at the Berks Ag Center on December 11, 2006. In this workshop, participants gain a greater understanding of the seasonality of post—harvest grain prices, learn to evaluate their grain storage opportunities and explore the marketing tools available to capture post—harvest “carry” premiums. As part of the workshop, participants test their grain marketing skills with a fast—paced marketing game that simulates a complete year of grain marketing. They see the results of their decisions, not just for one year, but also against 15 years of actual market prices. For registration information email John Berry at jwb15@psu.edu or call 610-391-9840 if you have any questions.

Sections of the article are taken from "Corn Market Review" Alan May, Extension Economist, South Dakota State University.

Fall Tillage and Soil Erosion — Sjoerd Duiker, Soil Management Specialist

A substantial amount of fall tillage has been completed prior to alfalfa, grass or small grain establishment. This practice is still quite common in Pennsylvania, despite the threat it presents for soil quality degradation. Fall tillage sets one up for substantial winter erosion in our undulating landscape, especially if the soil is left bare. Rainfall erosivity, a measure of the aggressiveness and intensity of rainfall, is lower in the fall and winter than the summer, when intense thunderstorms regularly hit our state (especially the southeast). Sometimes there are exceptions, like last year when heavy rainfall hit the state early October causing significant erosion in alfalfa fields established in September.

But even if rainfall is gentle, the soil moisture content is often high in the fall, and the absorptive capacity of the soil to take in moisture is limited. So if a soil is exposed to the elements and already near saturation, runoff will result. This runoff can easily carry away soil that has been tilled prior to crop establishment, as I was shown a few years back in northwest Pennsylvania in a recently established orchard grass stand.

Another aspect of tillage in general is the fact that topsoil is gradually moving downhill with gravity. In Pennsylvania, most soils have a topsoil that has a silt loam or sandy loam surface horizon, underlaid by a soil with a heavy texture such as clay, clay loam or sandy clay loam. When the topsoil moves downhill, the heavy textured subsoil is exposed. Usually, the subsoil starts to be mixed with low—organic matter topsoil, as can be seen as bright—colored spots showing up in recently plowed fields. The end result is a soil that gradually looses its structural stability, which crusts easily in the spring. In addition, it is hard to produce a good seedbed on the clay knobs, resulting in poor stands there.

I hope all these negatives encourage growers to seriously consider obtaining or renting a no—till drill or have a custom operator establish their closely spaced crops with no—till practices.

Contributors: State Specialists: Bill Curran, Sjoerd Duiker, Ron Hoover and Greg Roth. Extension Educators: Paul Craig (Dauphin), Del Voight (Lebanon), John Rowehl (Cumberland), Kevin Fry (Armstrong), Andrew Frankenfield (Montgomery), Mena Hautau (Berks), Dave Messersmith (Wayne), Craig Williams (Tioga) and Dwane Miller (Schuylkill)

Editor: Dwane Miller, Extension Educator, Schuylkill Co.

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