CMEG Crop Management Extension Group

Field Crop News

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

August 8, 2007    Vol. 07:23

IN THIS ISSUE:

Weather Outlook — Joseph W. Mays, Office Assistant

The hot and humid conditions experienced last week will continue across the U.S. with a series of thermal ridges bringing the above normal temperatures. Coupled with scattered high pressure regions most of the country will remain relatively dry and sunny, except for isolated afternoon thundershowers. A single synoptic disturbance exists over Wisconsin and is delivering rain across the Central Plains. The low pressure system will exit the States on Thursday, but its trailing cold front and subsequent stationary front will continue to produce rain and scattered thunderstorms from northern Missouri, across the Mid—Atlantic states, and north through Maine until Saturday evening.

Week One (August 8–15): The warm and humid weather Pennsylvania has been experiencing comes from the state being positioned in the warm sector of a synoptic low pressure system. The synoptic low’s cold front will enter the state on Wednesday morning, producing heavy rain and the possibility for strong thunderstorms along Lake Erie. Rain and thundershowers will be prevalent in northern PA on Wednesday morning and early afternoon. As the trailing cold front progresses eastward, rain will once again impact the state on Thursday and Friday, after a brief reprieve Wednesday evening. The weekend and the beginning of next week will revert back to warm and dry conditions.

Week Two (August 16–23): A trough will push its way into the Northeast at the beginning of week two and linger in the region until Sunday. The trough will bring cooler, below average temperatures but no significant precipitation. When the trough exits during the weekend, a small disturbance may enter Pennsylvania resulting in moist conditions once again.

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

Market Outlook — Tom Murphy, Lycoming County

The Board price for corn has been trending somewhat sideways for the past week with a small upward move the past two days. We are now past most of the pollination issues in much of the nation and any weather concerns are now more drought related in areas of the country affected in that way. I just returned from the Eastern Shore and most of that area is very dry with short corn and many areas very droughty. There are regions that have been harvesting silage for two weeks due to this issue. I also had a chance to see a cross section of the eastern corn belt over the weekend from Virginia to Mississippi and much of that area was under stress as well. The bottom line is we appear to be very dry from many regions of the eastern part of the U.S. from NY through the south. The mid west has received much of the rain they need to finish out the corn crop and take it to what is looking to be a good harvest. More industry predictions are starting to weigh in on a new crop price headed to the $3.00 price range on the Board. Basis locally is still good and could show signs of improvement with the PA crop outlook heading lower with the dryness in much of the state. If you still have corn in the bin to sell, most regions of PA report buyers making old crop offers in the $4.00 range. Soybeans are starting to show signs of stress as well and we know that August is when that crop is determined. Many areas of the state have bean plants shorter then normal. We still have some time to make the crop if we have sufficient rain shortly. Many of the double crop beans after barley in the Eastern Shore will have very poor yields, if any, which could have impact on bean price in the lower tier of PA. And lastly on the same theme, hay is being discussed more widely in short supply. Growers in PA are already starting to arrange for shipments from Ontario and the far Midwest in the low $200’s per ton. If you see you are going to be short for forage this winter, you may want to inquire with your local Extension office for resources to identify suppliers in PA and out of state.

Southeastern Pennsylvania
Grain Range Avg Contract for Harvest
Corn No. 2 3.77-4.05 3.92 3.37-3.45
Wheat No. 2 5.88-6.15 6.09 4.97-5.02
Barley No. 3 2.70-3.15 2.92 2.70
Oats No. 2 2.50 2.50 ---
Soybeans No. 2 7.95-8.20 8.02 7.96-8.20
*Gr. Sorghum --- --- ---
Ear Corn 105.00-115.00 107.60 ---
Western Pennsylvania
Grain Range Avg
Corn No. 2 3.60-3.95*3.25 3.65
Wheat No. 2 4.50-5.45 5.06
Barley No. 3 --- ---
Oats No. 2 1.50-2.25 1.95
Soybeans No. 2 7.56-7.75 7.65
Ear Corn 115.00 115.00
South Central Pennsylvania
Grain Range Avg
Corn No. 2 3.65-4.20 3.88
Wheat No. 2 5.00-5.75 5.41
Barley No. 3 2.75-3.10 2.95
Oats No. 2 2.50-3.00 2.65
Soybeans No. 2 7.30-7.80 7.63
*Gr. Sorghum --- ---
Ear Corn 110.00-120.00 117.75
Central Pennsylvania
Grain Range Avg
Corn No. 2 3.90-4.05 4.00
Wheat No. 2 6.00 6.00
Barley No. 3 2.65-2.75 2.71
Oats No. 2 1.80-2.50 2.30
Soybeans No. 2 7.60-8.10 7.86
Ear Corn 105.00-120.00 115.50

Keys to Silage Harvest Success — Paul H. Craig, Dauphin County

Moisture Level at Harvest
Probably the most critical condition for proper silage harvest is the whole plant moisture level. Silage feeding trials show the best performances when silages are harvested from 65% to 70% moisture. Unfortunately at higher moistures, seepage and poor fermentation can cause additional feeding challenges. Each storage type has specific moisture guidelines for producing best quality.

Storage Type Optimum moisture content
Bunkers/Piles 65–70%
Bags 60–70%
Concrete Uprights 62–67%
Sealed Uprights 50–60%

Determining Moisture Level
Visually looking at a corn plant is not an accurate method to determine harvest. A starting point to begin monitoring plant moisture levels is when the ear begins to dent. At this stage sugar in the kernel is being converted into starch and the kernel begins to shrink. When the milk line, which shows the change from milky starches to hard starch in the kernel, is ½ of the way down the kernel, whole plant moistures will be close to optimum moisture levels, on average 63%. Unfortunately crop moisture levels can vary greatly across hybrids and locations at ½ milk line, (ranges – 53 to 73%). Do not depend on this method for accurate moisture levels.

The best method is to cut representative stalks, shred them and run an accurate moisture determination test. After denting, whole plant moisture levels will decrease approximately 0.6% per day. Silage harvest can be predicted but additional monitoring of moisture will be needed. As plant moistures approach 62%, the dry—down rate rapidly increases. Don’t get caught with too dry silage.

Length of Cut
Recommendations for length of cut for silage vary depending on crop condition. Drier crops should be cut finer to produce smaller particles that minimize air pockets. Use of highly digestible hybrids requires a slightly longer cut to maintain effective fiber. General recommendation is a 3/8 inch theoretical length of cut (TLC) but more mature crops may require a shorter length. For non—processed silage the recommended chop length is 3/8 to ¾ inch TLC. Some farms rely on their nutritionists to fine tune the chop length based on farm specific conditions. Take the time now to tune up your chopper or consult with your custom chopper and nutritionist.

Height of Cut
Most areas of PA are not worried about having abundant silage yields this year but in some localized areas silage yields may be outstanding. In recent seasons some producers are cutting silage at a 10 to 20 inch height. This practice reduces silage fiber and lignin percentage and increases starch and energy content. However, silage yields are reduced five to ten percent. Higher chopping can also be used to change whole plant moisture contents. By cutting higher the higher moisture content of the lowest part of the stalk will remain in the field. High chopping can allow harvesting 3 to 4 days earlier. Higher chopping may be an option if excess forage dry matter is available. However, this will increase the final cost per ton. To balance this trade—off between quality and yield, the decision should be based on an economic assessment that considers feeding options.

Processing Silage
At lower whole plant moistures, crop maturity may affect silage quality. Fiber and starch digestion decreases as corn dries down. Processing at harvest may be needed to maximize digestion on more mature crops. The goal of processing is to ensure breakage of the kernel and cob to assist digestion. Processing also can affect fiber length so choppers equipped with a processor typically lengthen their cut to ¾ inch.

Fall Fertilization of Forage Crops in 2007 — Mark Madden, Bradford County (with Paul Craig, Dauphin County & Doug Beegle, Soils Specialist)

Penn State’s soil fertility recommendations reflect soil test levels and yield goals specified by the crop producer. Recommendations are made for a three year period and are applicable provided cropping plans and management are implemented as detailed on the soil test information sheet. Recommendations account for existing nutrient test levels, annual crop uptake and any additional amount necessary to incrementally build soil test levels into the optimum range over three years.

This year has been particularly dry in many areas of the state and forage crop yields are down significantly. As a result, we can expect nutrient removal by the crop to be down significantly too. The circumstances of 2007 might suggest we can reduce our fall fertilizer applications accordingly and perhaps save a few dollars in the process.

The principal nutrients of concern for leguminous forages are P and K. An alfalfa crop, for example, removes approximately 15# P2O5 and 50# K2O per ton of yield and at a typical yield of 5 ton will remove a total of 75 lbs and 250 lbs, annually respectively. This removal is built into the soil test recommendations. If yields are reduced and soil test levels are optimum or above, this maintenance application of P and K can be reduced accordingly. If these nutrients have already been applied or if the application is not reduced, both of these nutrients are stable in the soil and remain in place until utilized by the crop. The main downside to having this extra K in the soil is that alfalfa is a luxury consumer of K. This means that if there is extra K available, the crop will take it up whether is needs it or not. This can result in high K levels in the forage and less K available for future uptake.

In the late summer and fall, K especially becomes a nutrient of agronomic concern. Potash in the plant is largely found in the plant cells serving as a regulator of numerous metabolic processes. A major benefit of sufficient K in the soil is winter hardiness provided it is available in time for uptake by the crop before dormancy occurs. Thus, if soil test levels are in the low optimum or below optimum range, recommended K should be applied, even though yields are reduced due to drought. This should help to improve winter survival for the long term benefit of the stand.

We can hope, if not expect, improved grass growth during the seasonably cooler and wetter months of late summer and fall. Phosphorus and K management and removal figures on grasses are similar to what was discussed above for alfalfa. In addition though, grasses also respond to N and yields will be increased from by adding some N for an improved fall harvest. On average, grass hay requires about 50 lbs N per ton of production. So applications should be based on applying 50 lb N/A for every ton of yield expected from the fall growth. Try to time this application so that the N is in place just before the weather starts to stimulate grass out of summer dormancy and vigorous growth resumes. Management considerations for N are no different in the Fall relative to Spring. Losses from urea and UAN can be reduced with spreading prior to a soaking rainfall or by using a urease inhibitor like Agrotain® which can help to stabilize surface—applied N for a few weeks if rain isn’t immediately forecasted. The worst case would be to spread urea on a wet soil right after it rains. Ammonium sulfate does not volatilize so immediate rain or using an inhibitor are not necessary. Still rain is necessary at some point to get the N down to the roots.

The bottom line is if soil tests for P or K are below optimum apply the recommended nutrients to all perennial forage crops. Even if yields are reduce due to drought this is critical for the long term health of the stand. If soil tests are optimum or above, applications of P or K can be reduced by 15 lb P2O5/A or 50 lb K2O/A for every ton the yield is expected to be lower than the recommendation. For grasses, N should be applied at a rate of 50 lb N/ton of expected yield near to when the crop breaks summer dormancy.

No—till Carbon Credit Payments to Farmers — H. Grant Troop, Capital Region No—Till Agronomist

PA No-Till Farmers Can Now Be Paid to Sequester Carbon. All green plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen through the process of photosynthesis. Carbon is stored in both above ground (stems, leaves, buds, etc.) and below ground (roots & associated parts) plant tissues. The carbon molecules in roots remain stable underground unless disturbed by tillage or other soil disturbances which allow carbon atoms to combine with oxygen (CO2 gas) and then escape into the atmosphere. No-till crop production practices result in higher levels of carbon being stored in the soil. No-till crop producers can now earn income in the carbon credit market for storing carbon which in turn reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

No—till farmers can contact a carbon sequestration credit aggregator for further information and/or signup. Two Chicago Climate Exchanged approved aggregators which are available are the National Farmer’s Union Carbon Credit Program at www.nfu.org or http://carboncredit.ndfu.organd the Iowa Farm Bureau Carbon Credit Program at www.iowafarmbureau.com/carbon . If you have further questions please contact H. Grant Troop, Capital Region No-Till Agronomist at grant.troop@rcdnet.net

Visit Ag Progress Days August 14th–16th

Ag Progress Days is for Farmers… Agriculture is a demanding business. To compete, you need information on the latest management practices, research, and technology. You need to find out about new equipment, goods, and services. You need to stay on top of changing regulations. At Ag Progress Days, you’ll find one-stop shopping: commercial exhibits featuring the latest goods and services, state-of-the-art field machinery demonstrations, cutting-edge Penn State research, opportunities to “ask the experts,” and much more.

Ag Progress Days features:

For additional information about APD, please see http://apd.cas.psu.edu/

Energy from Agriculture Featured at Ag Progress Days

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and a number of private businesses will team up to offer a glimpse at the future of “green” energy in the Keystone State at Ag Progress Days, Aug. 14–16.

The latest in alternative energy sources derived from farms and forests will be on display in the Agricultural Renewable Energy Tent on West 10th Street. “Visitors can see how agricultural crops and the state’s abundant forest resources can provide the raw material for biofuels and electricity,” says Tom Richard, associate professor of agricultural and biological engineering.

“They can learn how biodiesel is helping the environment and decreasing our reliance on foreign oil, and how anaerobic manure digestion can provide electricity for the farm while reducing odor.”

Penn State researchers, state officials, energy company representatives and agricultural producers will be on hand to answer questions about green energy. Displays will focus on wood—based ethanol, biodiesel, anaerobic digestion of manure and alternative grain fuels.

Also attending will be commercial vendors interested in working with farmers on agricultural energy projects, including Keystone Biofuels, Amerigreen Energy and Chemtool Inc. Equipment company New Holland — which has supplied three tractors to Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences for a demonstration project involving the use of 100 percent biofuel — will also be present. The state Department of Environmental Protection will also be represented in the tent.

Penn State’s Ag Progress Days is held at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs, nine miles southwest of State College on Route 45. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 14; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 15; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 16. Admission and parking are free.

For more information, visit the Ag Progress Days Web site at http://apd.cas.psu.edu.

Contributors: Dept. Crop & Soil Science: Marvin Hall, Sjoerd Duiker, and Dwight Lingenfelter. Extension Educators: Paul Craig (Dauphin County), Andrew Frankenfield (Montgomery County), Mark Madden (Bradford County), H. Grant Troop, (No—till Agronomist), Jeff Graybill (Lancaster County), Tom Murphy (Lycoming County).

Editor:Jeffrey Graybill, CCA— Lancaster County

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