CMEG Crop Management Extension Group

Field Crop News

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

October 16, 2007    Vol. 07:32

IN THIS ISSUE:

Weather Outlook — Paul Knight, Pennsylvania State Climatologist

A more progressive weather pattern has returned to the region with alternating cool and warm spells along with a few more opportunities for showers. In the mean though, the warmth continues to dominate and should make reappearances later this week and again early next week. There are no indications of lasting chill within the next two weeks which means that frosts will be delayed further in most sections.

The first glance at expected winter weather conditions is coming into focus. The role of a spreading area of cool water (La Nina) in the tropical Pacific is becoming more prominent as the area coverage and its coolness has not been seen for 20 years. Typically, a moderate to strong La Nina produces above average winter temperatures in the southern half the nation while Pennsylvania usually is near a storm track alternating between warm and chill and near average precipitation.

Week One (Oct 16–Oct 23): A steady warming trend is underway into Friday. Clouds and some showers will temper the warmth on Thursday as more humid air arrives. A cold front will cross the state from west to east later Friday into early Saturday with some gusty showers. Expect a blustery, duller, cool afternoon on Saturday in all but the southeast portions. A rapid warm—up is likely on Sunday and Monday such that readings may approach record levels for a short time early next week.

Week Two (Oct 24–Oct 30): Expect a highly changeable period with very mild weather giving way to seasonable chill and then returning to warmer conditions. During the frequent ups and downs, some rain will fall, though most sections should still struggle to receive an average amount. New frosts are possible during the cool surge, particularly in the central valleys.

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

National Glyphosate Stewardship Forum II Report Available — Bill Curran, PSU Weed Specialist

The report from the second glyphosate stewardship forum “National Glyphosate Stewardship Forum II: A Call to Action” is now available. The National Glyphosate Stewardship Forum II (NGSF II) was held on March 20 and 21, 2007 and was attended by 46 participants and speakers representing the major commodity groups, ag chem and seed industries, USDA, EPA and university weed scientists. The goal of the NGSF II was to inform these key representatives on the current status of glyphosate—resistant weeds and facilitate a planning process to improve the stewardship of glyphosate. The first National Glyphosate Stewardship Forum was held in November 2004 and the consensus of the participants at that time was that no major problems existed with glyphosate stewardship. However, in the span of 2.5 years between the two forums, significant issues have been reported with the evolution of glyphosate resistance in a number of key weeds. Importantly, these glyphosate—resistant weed populations are causing significant economic problems for growers of several important commodity crops in a number of states. The result of the this ecological change in weed populations was a consensus agreement by the attendees at the NGSF II that problems as a result of poor glyphosate stewardship were escalating and a number of important principle actions were recommended. It is hoped by the organizers of the NGSF II that changes in the use of glyphosate will be adopted by agriculture and growers will give serious consideration to establishing better stewardship of glyphosate and glyphosate—resistant crops before the evolution of glyphosate resistance dominates weed communities throughout the major commodity crops in the United States. The NGSF II was financially supported by the North Central Integrated Pest Management Center.

Purchasing Forage Seeds for Next Year — Marvin Hall, PSU Forage Specialist

Many forage seed sales will be completed within the next couple months. Penn State evaluates many varieties of alfalfa, orchardgrass, tall fescue, smooth bromegrass, timothy, perennial ryegrass and festulolium each year and publishes the results in the Forage Trials Report. This report presents unbiased evaluation of these varieties under Pennsylvania conditions. Check it out at http://cropsoil.psu.edu/pdf/2006_forage_trials_report.pdf before you buy.

Market Outlook — Tom Murphy, Penn State Extension, Lycoming Co.

It’s harvest, crops are coming out of the field at full tilt and price is trending up, and for some crops, sharply. What gives? Corn is making a slow climb again, not back yet to the CBOT high seen in mid—June, but back to the 365+ range with indications of more upward pressure in the near term. Three factors seem to be driving it. The forecast of corn usage to ethanol has been clouded by the drop in gasoline price and blending capacity nationwide. With gasoline price now surging higher, part of that equation could change quickly and traders are factoring that into the corn market now. The Argentine corn crop appears to have some early issues which could be bullish for our U.S. corn crop. And finally, China. The big news the trade is watching is what is happening in China. A very recent report of their corn crop condition showed issues with yield which appears to be taking them from a net corn exporter, to a net corn importer. There are growing expectations that not only will the U.S. be filling some of the export market with China’s past customers, we could be selling China corn as well. So the market trends higher. Beans are enjoying a similar ride, although in a steeper trend up. With crude oil reaching much higher prices, the demand for soybean oil is moving much higher for use as bio—diesel. Following that is palm oil which traded on October 15th at a new record high. Overall the trend in beans continues up. Along the way are the bumps based on weather concerns in Brazil and other factors. But where crude price goes, veg—oil seems to follow and crude is moving up. Although it’s a new world out there in ag commodities based on bio energy and other factors, let us not forget a time—tested adage that “the cure to high prices is high prices”. Plan your marketing carefully.

On that note, I remind you again, that John Berry and I will be collaborating with a number of our Extension and industry colleagues to present a series of Winning the Game grain marketing seminars based on post—harvest and pre—harvest scenarios. These 3 ½ hour sessions are intended to advance the participants through what constitutes a good grain marketing plan, how to set it up, how to set it motion, and making it work to be profitable for your operation. Historical trends are discussed, new market conditions are examined, and tools to reduce commodity market risk are covered. Our evaluations of past sessions indicate the simulated marketing exercise we offer during the session is one of the fun highlights of this short class. Farmers continually tell us they like the simple nature of the marketing plan they develop as an outcome and they are implementing them for greater profitability. If you would like to hold either a pre—, a post— or both in your area, contact your local Extension Educator, John Berry, jwb15@psu.edu or Tom Murphy, tmurphy@psu.edu. Dates of currently schedule seminars are:

Post Harvest Sessions:
December 6th, Armstrong Co.
December 11th, Dauphin Co.
December 12th, Berks Co.
December 18th, York Co.
January (TBA), Montour Co.

Pre Harvest Session:
January 29th, Dauphin Co.

Southeastern Pennsylvania
Grain Range Avg Contract for Harvest
Corn No. 2 3.63-4.07 3.83 3.71-4.00
Wheat No. 2 7.82-7.98 7.95 6.20-6.30
Barley No. 3 2.90-3.80 3.55 3.50
Oats No. 2 2.70 2.70 ---
Soybeans No. 2 9.17-9.33 9.23 ---
*Gr. Sorghum --- --- ---
Ear Corn 97.00-110.00 103.50 ---
Western Pennsylvania
Grain Range Avg
Corn No. 2 3.60-3.80 3.61
Wheat No. 2 6.50-7.85 7.17
Barley No. 3 3.00 3.00
Oats No. 2 1.90-2.50 2.11
Soybeans No. 2 8.64 8.64
Ear Corn 105.00-115.00 110.00
South Central Pennsylvania
Grain Range Avg
Corn No. 2 3.80-4.10 4.01
Wheat No. 2 4.90-6.50 6.27
Barley No. 3 3.00-3.40 3.17
Oats No. 2 2.50-3.00 2.56
Soybeans No. 2 8.75-9.20 9.00
*Gr. Sorghum --- ---
Ear Corn 114.00-130.00 121.80
Central Pennsylvania
Grain Range Avg
Corn No. 2 3.80-4.05 3.43
Wheat No. 2 8.89 8.89
Barley No. 3 2.75-3.00 2.88
Oats No. 2 2.30-2.70 2.46
Soybeans No. 2 8.25-9.31 9.05
Ear Corn 97.00-119.00 111.33

How to increase organic matter content — Sjoerd W. Duiker, Soil Management Specialist

In the last issue of Field Crop News I encouraged farmers to request soil organic matter content when they send in their soil samples for soil fertility testing. In this issue I’d like to address how to increase soil organic matter content. Soil organic matter is a dynamic soil property, and continuous work is required to maintain or increase its value. The ultimate source of almost all organic matter in soil is plant material. Through photosynthesis plants sequester carbon, oxygen and hydrogen in their tissues. The chemical energy stored in the new compounds can now be used by heterotrophic organisms such as bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, annelids (worms), arthropods (mites, springtails, beetles, ants, centipedes, maggots, termites, grubs, spiders, millipedes), vertebrates (mice, squirrels, farm animals, humans). Historically, the emphasis has often been on the soil organisms that harm our crops, and the purpose was to eradicate them. Now we have come to the realization that the vast majority of organisms in soil perform important functions that help soil maintain or improve its suitability for crop production. The question becomes how to feed the soil organisms. Here are some principles and practices that can help sustain soil life and increase organic matter content:

1. Have living vegetation in the field continuously. Plant roots have their own particular effects on soil quality. Fibrous, fine root systems stimulate soil aggregation. Taproots help following crop roots explore subsoils and stimulate water infiltration and aeration of subsoil. Living plants in the soil at all times protect leachable nutrients against loss to the subsoil. In addition, many soil organism live in the ‘twilight zone’ between root and soil (the rhizosphere), where they ‘graze’ on the root surface. What do they eat? — root exudates, secretions and sloughed—off root cells. There is now research to suggest that the root systems of plants contribute twice as much organic material to the soil during the growing season as what remains in the root system at the end of the growing season. All this organic matter feeds soil organisms.

2. Design crop rotations for crop residue return. Leading no—till farmers in South America design their crop rotations based on crop residue return. They strive for 5 tons/A/yr of crop residue (dry matter). Because of our colder winters it is not necessary to return this much in Pennsylvania, but perhaps a laudible goal would be 3 tons/A/yr. This number is pulled from the air and needs confirmation through scientific research. Average values of crop residue return with grain production in Pennsylvania would be 3 tons/A for grain corn, 3 tons/A for rye (for grain), 2 tons/A for wheat and barley, and 1 ton/A for oats and soybeans. All residue should be left in the field. This simple example reveals the challenges we face and the need for growing more than one crop per year. Our highly extractive practices where we harvest all biomass (straw, hay, silage, energy production) may need revision in the light of a residue return goal. Some farmers in South America even sacrifice one cutting of hay to feed the soil. It also becomes important to get high amounts of biomass out of our cover crops to meet crop residue goals.

3. Eliminate tillage. It is now firmly established that no—till works on all soils in Pennsylvania, considering that farmers are successful with this practice in all agroecological regions of our state. Tillage is like stoking the fire — it burns up organic matter. Eliminating it is important if we want to increase organic matter content. Unfortunately, one year of tillage can erase soil improvement achieved through many years of no—tillage. It is therefore important to practice no—till continuously. In long—term no—till soils, microbial activity is higher than in tilled soils. Fungi are more prevalent in no—till soils than in tilled soils. The fungal hyphae (hairlike structures) are an important explanation of improved soil tilth at the surface of no—till soils. Crop residue at the surface of no—till soil is essential earthworm habitat and feedstock.

4. Add organic matter inputs The primary sources of organic residues in crop production are manure and compost. Bedded manure contains more organic material and will lead to greater gains in organic matter content than liquid manure. All liquid manure is not equal, either: swine manure contains fewer solids than dairy manure, and can be expected to contribute to small gains in organic matter.

Hybrid selection considerations — Greg Roth, Grain Production Specialist

Soon seed sales for the 2008 season will be underway in full swing. Indications are that seed corn prices will be increased this year. Yield reports this fall have been impressive with many attributing the higher yields to outstanding stress tolerance of modern hybrids.

Ordering seed corn in the fall has some key advantages: often considerable discounts are available, there can be tax benefit from expenditures in a year with good crop prices and many of the leading hybrids are in good supply. The downside is that sometimes all of the performance information is not summarized in time for fall hybrid selection. One compromise is to lock in some seed purchases early, particularly for the proven hybrids and then fill in your lineup later based on some performance information.

Consider some of these key points as you approach hybrid selection this fall.

1) Select biotech traits carefully and use them where they will provide the most return.

2) Base selections on multiple sources of information: performance reports, seed industry hybrid characteristics and on—farm performance information.

3) Consider disease resistance issues carefully for high risk situations. Also review secondary characteristics for specific situations. One example would be husk coverage in bird damage prone fields.

4) When assessing performance information, it is increasingly important to review the conditions of the test. Were there agronomic issues that could have influenced the hybrid ranking? For example a test following corn with significant corn rootworm pressure and drought could favor the rootworm Bt hybrids in a test.

5) Check out Penn State corn hybrid performance information at: http://cornandsoybeans.psu.edu/ Our 2007 corn silage data will be online by November 8th. We are in the final stages of summarizing our yield and quality information.

Hybrid selection is a critical management consideration. Take time to make it a priority this year.

Upcoming Events

2007 Keystone Crops and Soils Conference — Time is short to get registered for the 2007 conference scheduled for October 23–24 at the Harrisburg/Hershey Holiday Inn in Grantville PA. The conference is hosted by Penn State Capital Region Agronomy Team and the PennAg Agronomic Products Council. The registration deadline is Friday, October 19th. Register by contacting Amy Bradford @ 717.651.5920

Contributors: Dept. Crop & Soils Science: Sjoerd Duiker, Marvin Hall, Greg Roth, Bill Curran, Dwight Lingenfelter and Paul Knight, PA State Climatologist; County Agents: Kevin Fry (Armstrong), Mena Hautau (Berks), Andrew Frankenfield (Montgomery), Tom Murphy (Lycoming), Jeff Graybill (Lancaster) and Mark Madden (Sullivan)

Editor:Mark Madden, PSCE Sullivan County

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&

Readers can subscribe electronically to this newsletter at the Field Crop News Web site.

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.

Information presented above and where trade names are used, they are supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Penn State Extension is implied.

This publication is available in alternative media upon request.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to programs, facilities, admission, and employment without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance, or qualifications as determined by University policy or by state or federal authorities. It is the policy of the University to maintain an academic and work environment free of discrimination, including harassment. The Pennsylvania State University prohibits discrimination and harassment against any person because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Discrimination or harassment against faculty, staff, or students will not be tolerated at The Pennsylvania State University. Direct all inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy to the Affirmative Action Director, The Pennsylvania State University, 328 Boucke Building, University Park, PA 16802-5901, Tel 814-865-4700/V, 814-863-1150/TTY.