CMEG Crop Management Extension Group

Field Crop News

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

June 5, 2007    Vol. 07:14

IN THIS ISSUE:

Weather Outlook — Paul Knight, Pennsylvania State Climatologist

About two—thirds of the state received more than a half inch of rain during the past week and about a third of the state had more than an inch. While this was not sufficient to stem the burgeoning deficits that accumulated in May, it was enough to settle the dust! The pattern does not favor widespread rainfall in the next week or two, but does favor above average temperatures with a risk of hot spell during the middle of next week.

Week One (June 5–11): Cool conditions on Wednesday will quickly yield to much warmer weather on Thursday with a brief thunderstorm possible in the north. Friday will be sultry with readings into the 90’s east of the mountains and late day thunderstorms scattered across more than half of the state. It will turn cooler and less humid at the start of the weekend with humid air returning on Sunday and Monday. Most sections will stay dry, but about 15–20% of the area, mainly southern third, should notice an afternoon thunderstorm.

Week Two (June 11–18): A spell of unseasonably hot and humid weather is expected between June 12–15 with many areas reaching 90F. During this time, rainfall will be sparse, except for isolated, slow—moving thunderstorms in the late afternoon. A cool front should end the heat wave during the weekend with a better chance of thunderstorms. There is a chance that much cooler air may arrive during the early part of the next week.

Check out the predicted Growing Degree Days (base 55) for Pennsylvania for the next two weeks at: http://climate.met.psu.edu/data/regional_gdd.php

Weed control: weather and post rescue issues — Dwight Lingenfelter, PSU Weed Science

Since we are dealing with weather and weed control issues similar to past years and those experienced in other parts of the country, we figured it is not necessary to reinvent the wheel regarding discussion on this topic. Therefore, below are some highlights from us and other weed scientists from the Midwest that are very applicable to our situation here in Pennsylvania. The below article contains information from our weed counterparts in the Midwest 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:

  1. Contact herbicides are more phytotoxic on weeds and crop under hot temperatures.
  2. Systemic herbicides may be less effective on weeds stressed form drought or other factors.
  3. Crops and weeds are more prone to herbicide injury when actively growing and free from stress. Crops under stress from hot and dry conditions may be less prone to injury from most herbicide.
  4. Weeds may be stressed for moisture before the crop because of the shallow root system of weeds compared to the crop. Poor weed control may result under these conditions.
  5. In determining cause of crop injury, remember that oil concentrates (COC’s) can be phytotoxic with post emergence herbicides and oil concentrates are excellent tank cleaners for sulfonylurea (SU) herbicides. The oil can cause SU herbicides from previous applications. that have been absorbed onto the plastic matrix of spray tends to go into solution and cause serious crop injury when applying POST to a susceptible crop. Even herbicides applied many tank loads before can be solubilized with oil concentrates.
  6. Liquid nitrogen fertilizer may contribute to slight leaf burn in hot temperatures.

Below are some additional information about hot and droughty weather and herbicide application:

http://www.smallgrains.org/techfile/HRBCD.HTM

http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/drought/ds-21-97.htm

http://www.ipm.uiuc.edu/bulletin/article.php?issueNumber=11&issueYear=2005&articleNumber=8

Eight Basic Steps to Grain Market Planning — John Berry, PSU Lehigh County Educator

1) Establish price objectives based upon costs of production.

Price Objectives = acceptable sales prices.

The minimum price accounts for the cash costs of production and, when covered, allows one to stay in business for the coming year. The maximum includes fixed costs and, when covered, includes profit objectives

2) Keep Abreast of Market Developments

Grain marketers need to become familiar with the indicated price direction for the commodities they are marketing. Since the grain market is a moving target, factors that are affecting the market today may not be relevant tomorrow. Commodity prices can change rapidly.

3) Learn to Use and Understand Historical and Current Basis Information

Basis is a key indicator in all grain sales decisions. The basis should be considered in making every grain marketing decision. Basis must be understood before grain sales can be made effectively.

4) Select the Appropriate Sales Method

Grain sellers have numerous marketing alternatives from which to choose. Grain sellers need to use a combination of alternatives during the course of a marketing horizon. Price and basis levels and, to some degree, commodity outlooks and technical indicators, assist the seller in selecting the appropriate method for each sale.

5) Become Familiar with Contract Information and the Language of the Marketplace

Grain sellers can obtain cash market contract information from local grain dealers. Information pertaining to contract specifications for futures and options can be gotten at the Chicago Board of Trade’s Web Site, go to http://www.cbot.com. It is important for grain sellers to learn the language of the marketplace. Trading commodities is easier to communicate once one becomes familiar with market lingo.

6) Plan Sales According to Cash Flow and Income Needs

At times it may be necessary to haul grain to market due to the necessity to meet financial obligations. Sometimes a predicted storm can make it necessary to make the proper arrangements to get grain hauled immediately. At other times, it may be necessary to defer income from cash grain sales into the next tax year.

7) Select a Broker (if this is one of your marketing choices)

It may take some time and effort to find an appropriate broker. Farmers who trade commodities are excellent sources for information pertaining to brokerage firms that they use. However, it is the grain seller’s responsibility to seek out an individual that they are comfortable with. Suggested questions to use when selecting a broker for trading agricultural commodities:

8) Make Necessary Adjustments

The nature of the grain marketing business requires grain sellers to adjust their market planning accordingly. Sometimes that requires offsetting a position previously taken in options or futures that is later determined to be a bad decision. At other times, it will mean sticking to your decision and seeing a transaction through.

Grain Market Outlook — Tom Murphy, PSU Lycoming County Educator

The grain market seems to have factored in that the corn and soybean crops are in the ground for most of the nation and now weather seems to be the key part of the story. As I write this, the market is reacting to anticipated dry conditions in much of the Midwest expected through this week. Look for lots more on this factor over the next 8 weeks. Prices for corn are headed back up after taking a dip over the last week. Corn is recovering from much of the slump in price seen in May. USDA has lower the national average yield forecast to 150.3 bu./acre. That coupled with the expected need for an additional 1 billion bushels of new corn going to ethanol production in the U.S., exports ahead of pace compared to last year, and the low carryover of corn stocks, is moving price upward. Soybeans are hitting price territory not seen since mid—summer 2004. These new contract highs for beans are coming partly from a forecasted 11% overall drop in acreage going to beans in 2007 compared to last year. Soy—based biodiesel is still making big gains pushing demand with it, not only domestically, but in many countries worldwide. Oilseeds collectively are moving higher today in the world markets due to this and carrying soybeans there. And Asian Rust potential in the U.S. is still a worry, more so than last year due to the location of where it over wintered and how far it has moved already. Wheat is also seeing increases due to dropping international export potential (Ukraine, Russia, etc), expected decline in ending stocks numbers, and use as feed to replace higher priced corn. Although prices are rising, there are potential bears in the woods. If you are making a profit on the crop in the ground with current prices being offered, it might be a good time to visit your local grain buyer(s) and see what prices you can contract locally for a portion of your expected yield. Although you want to sell everything at the peak, you don’t know when that is, and it is most important to sell at a profit.

Southeastern Pennsylvania
Grain Range Avg Contract for Harvest
Corn No. 2 4.25-4.55 4.34 3.78-3.85
Wheat No. 2 4.75-5.20 4.99 4.71-5.10
Barley No. 3 2.70-3.30 2.93 2.50-2.75
Oats No. 2 2.25-2.80 2.43 2.00
Soybeans No. 2 7.70-7.97 7.81 7.91-8.10
*Gr. Sorghum --- --- ---
Ear Corn 120.00-129.00 123.17 ---
Western Pennsylvania
Grain Range Avg
Corn No. 2 3.57-3.88 3.69
Wheat No. 2 4.10-4.25 4.15
Barley No. 3 1.75 1.75
Oats No. 2 2.00-2.25 2.12
Soybeans No. 2 7.48-7.50 7.49
Ear Corn 102.00-107.00 104.33
South Central Pennsylvania
Grain Range Avg
Corn No. 2 4.10-4.36 4.26
Wheat No. 2 4.50-4.90 4.66
Barley No. 3 2.50-2.80 2.66
Oats No. 2 2.15-2.50 2.27
Soybeans No. 2 7.47-7.68 7.53
*Gr. Sorghum --- ---
Ear Corn 117.00-125.00*100 119.13
Central Pennsylvania
Grain Range Avg
Corn No. 2 4.10-4.40 4.18
Wheat No. 2 4.40-4.71 4.56
Barley No. 3 2.50-2.80 2.70
Oats No. 2 2.25-2.70 2.37
Soybeans No. 2 7.60-7.75 7.67
Ear Corn 114.00-125.00 117.88

Late Spring Multiflora Rose Management in Pastures — Dwight Lingenfelter, PSU Weed Science

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, can be costly, time—consuming and laborious. However, these are viable means for multiflora rose management. Also, management techniques which include biological controls have been used. Two of the more prominent biocontrol agents are rose rosette disease (RRD) and herbivores such as goats or sheep. RRD is a virus which is slowly spreading into our region of the country. Multiflora rose plants infected with RRD usually die within two years. Though RRD may not eradicate the multiflora rose problem, it should help reduce it over the long run. If managed properly, goats and sheep can help control multiflora rose. 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.

Although the above control practices help, several herbicides 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, Crossbow and glyphosate. Glyphosate has been more effective in PSU research at fall application time. Some of the newer products like Milestone and ForeFront are not effective on multiflora rose.

Cimarron or Cimarron Plus can be used as a broadcast or spot treatment. For best control apply either product at a rate of 1 oz/A plus a surfactant for broadcast treatments or 1.0 oz/100 gallons water plus surfactant for spot treatments. Applications should be made in the spring, soon after plants are fully leafed—out. Rose plants must be less than 3 feet tall for treatment to be effective. There is no application to grazing interval for 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

Pre—sidedress Nitrate Testing for Corn — Andrew Frankenfield, PSU Montgomery County Educator

Sidedressing time is quickly approaching in earliest planted corn fields. As the cost of nitrogen continues to rise, you do not want to apply more nitrogen than your corn crop needs. There are couple pre—sidedress tests available to identify which fields need additional nitrogen and which do not.

The Early—Season Chlorophyll Meter Test for Corn is a portable, hand—held device that instantaneously measures the greenness of the corn plant in the field. The testing is targeted on corn fields that are at the V6 stage (6 leaf collars) and fields that have a high organic nitrogen history (manure the previous year and/or the first year after alfalfa or other legumes). The limitation of the Chlorophyll Meter is that no more than 15 pounds of nitrogen can be applied at planting as starter or UAN with herbicides because it will give the meter a false high reading. For more information about the chlorophyll meter contact you local extension office. Check out the chlorophyll meter Agronomy Facts 53 at http://cropsoil.psu.edu/extension/facts/agfact53.pdf

The Pre—sidedress Soil Nitrate Test for Corn (PSNT) is a soil nitrogen test which uses a 12 inch deep soil sample when the corn is at least 12 inches tall. For more information on the PSNT visit Penn State’s Agricultural Analytical Services Lab at http://www.aasl.psu.edu/PreSideress.HTM

Bean Leaf Beetle in Pennsylvania: An Emerging Pest — Del Voight, PSU Lebanon County Educator

Bean leaf beetles have been recognized as a potential pest of soybeans in Midwestern states for some time, but we have seen increasing populations of this pest in southeastern counties of the state for the past several years. With the mild winter, we may see increased levels of overwintering beetles that may cause injury to emerging soybeans. Feeding on emerged soybeans should be visible soon. The beetles can cause defoliation and stand reduction which can impact soybean yields. In some cases the bean leaf beetle can also transmit the bean pod mottle mosaic virus, which can also cause yield loss and can cause green stems in mature soybeans at harvest.

Identification. Bean leaf beetles typically are yellow and usually can be distinguished by four quadrangular, black marks on their wing covers. However, these beetles frequently are without markings on the wing covers and range from red to yellow. The most reliable character is a small, black triangle between the “neck” and wing covers. This marking is always present and distinguishes the bean leaf beetle from other beetles in soybean. Examples of the bean leaf beetles and variation of coloration shown in the Iowa state publication: http://www.ent.iastate.edu/imagegal/coleoptera/beanlb/beanleafbeetle_composite.html

The bean leaf beetle can be confused with some other spotted beetles that can be found in soybean, such as the twelvespotted lady beetle, Coleomegilla maculata; the multicolored Asian lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis; and spotted cucumber beetle, Diabrotica undecimpunctata. Photos of the lady beetles can be found at http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/icm/2002/5-20-2002/ladybean.html

Life Cycle. Bean leaf beetle adults over—winter in PA. The over winter survival of the beetles is highly affected by below freezing winter temperatures. In an Iowa State University study, beetle mortality ranged from 41 to 95% depending on the severity of the winter. They determined winter severity is best predicted by an index of degree days below a base temperature of 32F from October 1 to April 15. No data is available for Pennsylvania, but it is likely the index would be low following this past winter and overwintering populations should be high.

The beetle has two generations per year in PA. It is actually the second—generation beetles, which emerged from the soil to feed on pods last fall and then spent the winter in hibernation, that attack seedling soybeans in the spring. The females of this generation lay eggs in the soil that then develop into first—generation beetles that emerge in late June and July. These first—generation adult populations usually peak in the late vegetative or the early reproductive soybean stages, whereas the second—generation adults peak during the pod—fill stage. The feeding by first—generation beetles on soybean leaves seldom results in economic yield losses, but the second—generation feeding on pods in late summer can be very significant.

Scouting Considerations — Overwintering Adults

The earliest planted and germinated soybeans will be the most attractive to overwintering beetles and for this reason those fields need to be priority. In Iowa State research, bean leaf beetle populations often begin to appear in early to mid May, peak in late May and then decline in mid June.

Our Penn State recommendations are to treat if 20% of the plants are cut and the stand has gaps of 1 foot or more; or if at least 1 seedling per foot of row is destroyed. The Iowa State economic threshold for VC (cotyledon stage) stage soybean with a $5/bushel soybean cost and a $10 per acre treatment cost would be four beetles per plant or 30.4 per foot of row. At V1 and V2 the thresholds increase to 6.2 and 9.8 beetles/plant. Populations this large are rarely seen but may be possible on rare occasions.

If bean pod mottle virus symptoms such as crinkled leaves or green stems in soybeans have been observed in soybeans, then lower threshold levels and more aggressive treatment may be warranted. This article from Iowa State describes their management recommendations for dealing with fields with a history of bean mottle virus: http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/icm/2002/5-6-2002/blbearlyman.html. Bean leaf beetle populations can also be reduced with Cruiser seed treatment, which is now labeled on soybeans. I have confirmed bean mottle virus in Lebanon County and suspect wider spread throughout the soybean growing region.

Management.

If above threshold levels of bean leaf beetles are observed in the field then consider treating with one of the following;

Insecticides for control of bean leaf beetles in soybean. PSU Agronomy Guide 2006
Insecticide Amount/Acre Harvest Interval (days)
Note: If a seed treatment containing Nicotinoid compounds (Cruzer, Poncho, Gaucho) are utilized these products are providing control in research plots of the over—wintering populations.
Ambush 2EC* 3.2-6.4 ounces 60
Asana XL* 5.8-9.6 ounces 21
Dimethoate* 1.5 pint 5
Lorsban 4E* 1-2 pints 28
Mustang* 3.0-4.3 ounces 21
Penncap-M* 2-3 pints 20
Pounce 3.2EC* 2-4 ounces 60
Sevin many formulations 0
Fury 3-4.3 ounces 21
Baythroid 2E 1.6-2.8 ounces 45
Larvin 18-30 ounces 28
Neemix 4.5 See label 12
Warrior/ ProAxis 1.92-3.2 ounces 45

Summary. At this point, you should be on the lookout for the bean leaf beetle and its damage in emerging soybeans. If levels are above threshold, consider some control options. Later in the season, we should initiate scouting for the first and especially the second generations. We will cover these procedures in subsequent newsletter articles. Also, be on the lookout for symptoms of the bean pod mottle mosaic virus.

Upcoming Events:

Small Grains Field Day
June 20, 2007
Wednesday, 9:30–2:00
Penn State Rock Springs Agronomy Farm, Centre Co.
Cost: $10
Lunch and handouts will be provided.

This field day will showcase our winter wheat and winter barley variety trials, weed control issues and no—till small grain management efforts on the research farm. We will also be addressing crop insurance issues related to quality in small grains and will be reviewing some of the work with winter and spring canola on the farm this year. Certified Crop Advisor CEU’s will be available at this event.

You must pre register with Lisa Crytser at Penn State to ensure you have a spot at lunch and on the wagons. Please pre—register by phone (814–865–2543) or download a brochure at http://smallgrains.psu.edu/ Credit card registrations will be accepted.

American Forage and Grassland Conference
June 24–26 — in State College
For more information check out http://www.afgc.org/mc/page.do?sitePageId=42837&orgId=afgc

Combined Agronomy Industry / Manure, Crops, Pests & No—till Field Day
Penn State Landisville Research Farm
Friday July 6th, 9:00 AM–3:30 PM
Topics will include: Weed Management in No—till; Composting: Mortality and Nutrient Recycling; Nutrient Balance Sheet and Act 38; Farm Bill and Bio—Fuels Updates;
Herbicide Trials and Chemical Industry Updates; and Cover Crop Management. Featured equipment: No—till equipment of all types: Planters, Drills, Residue Managers.
Manure handling and spreading equipment with demonstrations (water only.)
Registrations: Lancaster Extension, 717–394–6851 $3.00 in advance, $5.00 at the door
Questions? Jeff Graybill 717–394–6851. Landisville Research Farm, Dr. Dave Johnson 653-4728

Agronomic Weed Management Research Tour at Penn State
July 10, 2007
Tuesday, 9:00–12:00 noon
Penn State Rock Springs Agronomy Farm, Centre Co.
Cost: $15
Lunch and handouts will be provided.

A number of experiments will be showcased and available for viewing including many of the new corn and soybean herbicide programs plus the latest information on herbicide resistance, cover cropping and weed management research. Certified Crop Advisor CEU’s will be available at this event.

You must pre register with Lisa Crytser at Penn State to ensure you have a spot at lunch and on the wagons. Please pre—register by July 3, 2007 by phone (814-865-2543) or email (lac8@psu.edu).

2007 Penn State Agronomic Field Diagnostic Clinic — July 24 and 25
July 24 and 25
Penn State Rock Springs Agronomy Farm, Centre Co.

The dates and topics for our annual Diagnostic Clinic have been set. As in the past, the Clinic is a one—day event conducted at the Penn State Agronomy Research Farm near Rock Springs, PA. This year’s Clinic will be held on Tuesday, July 24 and then repeated on Wednesday, July 25, 2007. The topics include cover crop selection and management, no—till planter adjustments and attachments for use in cover crops, an overview of biomass crops for alternative energy use, nitrogen management issues, and pest management topics. As always, various credits will be offered.

Registration forms will be mailed and posted on our CMEG website (http://cmeg.psu.edu/) as time gets closer, so you can register and get additional information on each of the topics.

For additional information or comments about the Diagnostic Clinic contact Dwight Lingenfelter at (814) 865-2242 or by email, DwightL@psu.edu.

Ag Progress Days — August 14–16

Contributors: Dept. Crop & Soil Sciences: Marvin Hall, Dwight Lingenfelter, Paul Knight County Extension: Paul Craig (Dauphin), Andrew Frankenfield (Montgomery), Mena Hautau (Berks), Kevin Fry (Armstrong), Dave Messersmith (Wayne), Lee Miller (Beaver County), Thomas Murphy (Lycoming) Susan Alexander (Jefferson), Del Voight (Lebanon) and Mark Madden (Sullivan/Bradford)

Editor: Andrew Frankenfield, Montgomery County Extension

Upcoming Events

Real time pest and heat unit activity: http://psu.zedxinc.com/cgi-bin/site.cgi?location=2&user=psu#

Calendar of Events: http://www.events.psu.edu/cgi-bin/cal/webevent.cgi?cmd=opencal&cal=cal209&

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If you have problems subscribing or wish to cancel your subscription, please contact Lisa Crytser by e-mail at lac8@psu.edu or by phone at 814-865-2543.

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