CMEG Crop Management Extension Group

Field Crop News

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

July 21, 2009    Vol. 09:20

IN THIS ISSUE:

Weather Outlook — Paul Knight, Pennsylvania State Climatologist

The persistent cool conditions will slowly moderate as more humid air seeps into the state. Fewer showers are expected on Wednesday as partial sunshine raises temperatures close to seasonal levels. What showers that do form will likely dampen the eastern third of Pennsylvania. Thursday will be a humid day with widespread showers and embedded thunderstorms, starting in the western counties earlier in the day and reaching the eastern sections by mid—afternoon. Many sections will receive at least a quarter of an inch of rain and parts of central and eastern Pennsylvania could get more than an inch. Leftover showers are likely on Friday — particularly in the eastern half of the state. Rather sultry conditions are expected on the weekend preceding a slow—moving cold front. As the front approaches later Saturday, thunderstorms will erupt in the western half, but should diminish before reaching the eastern sections. More showers are expected on Sunday, primarily in the central and eastern areas. The first few days of next week (July 26–27) should still be warm, but cooler, drier air will arrive by mid—week.

A notable wet period is still likely in August. The hurricane season should have most of the storms develop after August 20. A very cool spell is likely during mid—September, with perhaps an unusually early end to the growing season in the northern counties. However, the latest indications point to a warmer than average September and October. The expected development of a moderate El Nino in the Pacific portend a wetter winter (and probably snowier) in the state.

Western Bean Cutworm Found in Pennsylvania — John Tooker, PSU Entomology Specialist

We have captured our first western bean cutworm (WBC) moths in Pennsylvania. All moths were captured in a pheromone trapping network established in 2009 as a joint effort of Penn State Cooperative Extension, the Department of Entomology, the Crop Management Extension Group (CMEG), and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Funding for the WBC trapping network was provided in part by Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and the Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association.

The first moth was captured on 13 July 2009 just east of Williamsport in Lycoming County. The second individual was found in Franklin Co., east of Chambersburg and the third was found in Tioga Co., about four miles from the NY state line. Further, we have unconfirmed trap catches from Erie County.

You may recall that WBC moths have been steadily moving eastward out of their historic range in the Great Plains. In 2008, they captured in central Ohio (Wayne Co.; < 90 miles from the Pennsylvania border) and WBC has also established in Ontario. Therefore, we anticipated that moths could enter Pennsylvania from the west or north. Based on the limited number of trap catches so far it is difficult to say where the moths are originating, but the Tioga and Lycoming captures might suggest a northern invasion. The Franklin County capture, however, was surprising and could suggest that WBC is already resident in Pennsylvania; it seems unlikely that the moth flew to south central PA from Ohio or New York. It is our hope that further trap catches will provide some insight on the pattern that WBC is spreading across Pennsylvania.

The bottom line is that WBC is here and in a few years, after populations build, growers might begin to see damage to corn ears from this late season pest. It is unlikely that folks will find WBC moths without using pheromone traps. However, if you are interested in deploying traps next year, trapping supplies are not expensive and they are available from various suppliers. We would be keen on having more cooperators. It is also unlikely that growers will see significant damage to their corn for the next few years. Experience from recent invasions of Ohio and Michigan appears to indicate that economically damaging infestations can be found three or so years after moths are first detected. In the meantime, we will continue to monitor this pest species new to Pennsylvania. We are updating a new webpage with details if you are looking for more information. http://ento.psu.edu/extension/field-crops/corn/western-bean-cutworm

Using Cover Crops to Achieve Management and Economic Benefits — Charlie White, Extension Associate

Now is the time to be considering your options for a fall cover crop planting. Traditionally, cover crops have been viewed as a conservation practice to protect soil from erosion and reduce nitrate leaching into groundwater during the winter. While these purposes are noble, you may be more interested in the management and economic benefits that cover crops can provide.

Forage radish (branded as “Tillage Radish” in some cases and similar in characteristics to oilseed radish) is one cover crop that has been shown to provide a wide range of benefits. In studies in Maryland, forage radish seeded in late summer increased yields of the following year's corn and soybeans by 10% in about half of the experiments conducted over the course of 7 years. Forage radish roots can grow through compacted plow pans, creating pores which the roots of the next crop can follow to access water stored in the subsoil. This action may only translate into yield increases in fields with compacted soil or in years when drought stress is a yield limiting factor, however. One drawback to forage radish is that the minimal residue cover it leaves behind can allow surface soil to dry out from evaporation faster than with a high residue cover crop.

The nitrogen contribution of cover crops is an important benefit that shouldn’t be overlooked. Forage radish can take up in excess of 150 lbs N/acre in the fall and will release it early in the spring as the winter killed tissue decomposes. In fact, nitrogen release by forage radish is so rapid in the spring that it is important to plant your next crop as early as possible in the spring to prevent the N released from leaching beyond the root zone. Many of the studies of corn following forage radish at the University of Maryland applied N fertilizer to the corn at conservative rates (120 lbs N/acre) so the N that was stored and released by forage radish could be fully utilized by the next crop. If you continue to apply the full rate of N fertilizer based on the yield potential of your field, the additional N contributed from forage radish will be of little benefit.

Another management benefit of forage radish is the weed suppression in fall and winter provided by its dense canopy. The weed suppression, coupled with its winter killing and rapid residue decomposition allows for spring planting of the next crop without a burndown herbicide, saving chemicals and trips across the field. In—season weed control is still necessary, however.

One of the major obstacles to the use of forage radish in Pennsylvania cropping systems is the need for an early planting date to allow for growth during the warm part of the fall. In most parts of Pennsylvania, forage radish should be planted by September 1 to achieve full growth with a large taproot to penetrate compacted soil and a dense canopy to smother weeds. However, research in Maryland showed that forage radish planted until October 1 still took up similar amounts of nitrogen as the early planting dates even though total biomass production was much less.

Cereal rye is the most commonly used cover crop in Pennsylvania but must be managed carefully to maximize benefits while minimizing costs. Cereal rye is often used for a late fall cover crop planting, such as after soybean or corn grain harvest, because it will persist through the winter and continue growing in the spring. However, the benefits of a late planted rye cover crop such as N retention, organic matter additions, and a mulch residue are dependent on allowing time for sufficient growth in the spring, which can delay planting dates of the next crop. Planting cereal rye earlier in the fall, such as immediately after corn silage harvest, can be advantageous as sufficient growth will occur during the fall to obtain its benefits and you can terminate the cover crop earlier in the spring. The nitrogen contained in rye residues is more slowly available than with radish, but will still contribute to the nitrogen needs of the next crop.

Hairy vetch is another potential fall cover crop that can contribute nitrogen to the next crop through biological nitrogen fixation. A hairy vetch cover crop can accumulate between 60 and 250 lbs N/acre if time is allowed for sufficient growth in spring. As with rye, allowing for this spring growth may mean a later planting date for the next crop. Crimson clover is another legume cover crop that has worked well in Pennsylvania. Nitrogen stored in the vetch or clover tissue is released to the next crop faster than with rye, but not as fast as with forage radish.

More than just a conservation practice, cover crops should play an integral role in your cropping system. When you take into account the nitrogen contribution, weed control, moisture conservation, and soil quality benefits provided by cover crops, it is easier to see how using them can add to the profitability of your farm.

Soil Fertility Challenges — Paul Craig, Dauphin County

Recently a grain producer inquired about a large area of one of his corn fields. In the middle of this field the corn plants were only ¼ of the height of the immediately adjoining corn within the same field. In addition to the height difference the small corn plants were purple, red, yellow and all other kinds of odd colors. The area was approximately 50 feet wide and went the entire length of the field. What was amazing was the fact that on either side of this poor area the corn looked great, dark green, tall and growing really well. (Figure 1)

During the investigation it was observed that the roots of the poor corn were very stunted and misshaped. Corn in the good area did not exhibit any of these symptoms. There was no sign of root feeding by corn rootworms or other insects. (Figure 2)

Soil tests were taken from the poor area and from the immediately adjoining 6 rows of good corn. Phosphorous and potassium levels from both areas were in the above optimum range in both samples. However the soil pH was below optimum in both samples. In the good area the pH was 4.9. In the poor area the pH was 4.2! Looking at the pattern of poor growth in the field it was apparent that during a previous lime application this part of the field was missed. Was it the last lime application or perhaps an application made many years ago? This is not known.

Dr. Doug Beegle, PSU Soil Fertility Specialist commented that the good area of the field was probably able to compensate for the low pH of 4.9 by having access to above optimum levels of P and K. However at the extremely low (4.2) pH levels the high levels of available aluminum ions in the soil that are associated with low pH, were probably toxic to the roots and limited growth and uptake of nutrients even at above optimum levels.

Even and accurate spreading of nutrients, limestone and manures is critical to maintain proper soil fertility and to provide abundant nutrients and optimum growing conditions for all agronomic crops. Proper soil testing programs are also important to monitor soil fertility levels. Over applying P and K cannot make up for the lack of other soil nutrients or alarmingly low soil pH levels. Take some time now to properly collect soil samples from your wheat stubble fields to ensure optimum growing conditions next season.

Feeding Concerns with DON Infested Wheat — Mena Hautau, Berks County

Wheat harvest is winding down, but questions are still surfacing about handling DON infested grain for feed. Last weeks’ newsletter gave an overview of key issues. For more detailed information regarding feeding DON infested grain and other mycotoxins, go to the publication, “Mold and Mycotoxin Problems in Animal Feeding”. http://www.das.psu.edu/research-extension/dairy/nutrition/pdf/mold.pdf

Marketing Update — John Berry, Lehigh County

It is often difficult for me to separate what happens around me from what happens in a larger context. Locally, I see grain crops that are generally stressed. Except for corn that made the early planting dates, we have some fairly ugly fields in southeast and south central PA. Delaware looks even worse. With much early rain and now a virtual drought their crops are suffering unless irrigated. Uneven fields. Replants that that look very sad. Double crop beans barely out of the ground. Colleagues report Maryland is similarly poor as DE. I’m trying to forget the wheat experience of 2009.

But, we are small potatoes in the global grain markets. We have relatively no impact on prices whatever our crop harvest. So, let’s look at marketing from this wider view. Sounds to me like plenty of acres were planted to corn in the U.S. What would be the expected price range when we have record or near record acres planted? Global demand will drive some part of the price picture from here through winter of 2010. Expecting a “normal” U.S. yield — these bushels need a home. Oil below $70 will challenge some of the expected industrial uses.

Soybeans may hold out some hope of higher prices. Global demand continues for now. S.A. did not get what they might have in a better season. Not quite the acreage switch some expected.

Soft red winter wheat — what can you say? With such a small market in pretzels and pastries, and production capacity on other continents I cannot see much light at the end of this tunnel. Our prices will continue to hinge on demand and supply of other wheats. The volatility and negative basis will not be easy to handle.

The world population grows. These people want to eat. What business is better situated than farming in this scenario? Managing our resources may be the key to making money when we can and conserving money when we have to.

What’s your plan for crops in the ground and those we will plant for 2010? Email me your ideas at johnberry@psu.edu

Contributors: Extension Educators: John Berry (Lehigh), Paul Craig (Dauphin), Genny Christ (Cumberland), Jeff Graybill (Lancaster), John Rowehl (York), Craig Williams (Tioga). State Specialists: Doug Beegle, Sjoerd Duiker, Paul Knight, Dwight Lingenfelter, John Tooker, Charlie White.

Editor:Mena Hautau (Berks)

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