Field Crop News

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

September 29, 2009 Vol. 09:29

IN THIS ISSUE:

Weather Outlook
Soybean Aphid Two Year Cycle
Corn Leaf Diseases
Cut Costs, Don’t Eliminate Them!
European Starling Control
Measuring and Reducing Soybean Harvest Losses
Upcoming Events
Contact Information

Weather Outlook — Paul Knight, Pennsylvania State Climatologist

Chilly weather will slowly moderate as partial sunshine returns on Wednesday afternoon (mainly east) and more sunshine is expected on Thursday. Morning frost is possible in the deeper valleys of western and northern Pennsylvania, both Thursday and Friday. A push of milder, but moister air will arrive on Friday with thickening clouds and a band of showers. A weakening cold front will cross the state on Saturday and be followed by seasonably cool air and a mix of clouds and sun on Sunday. There is a 30% chance that a disturbance will form along this front and bring showers back to the eastern half of the state early next week. A more sustained surge of warmer air should arrive by the middle of next week, preceded by a period of clouds and showers, however, a new surge of chill is likely by the weekend (Oct 9–11).

Despite the very cool weather at the start of the month, the middle of October is expected to average well above normal and then it should turn much colder during the last third of October. There are increasing signs that November will be rather mild in this region and December will turn rather cold and perhaps snowy. The development of a moderate El Nino in the Pacific portends a wetter winter (and probably snowier) in the state with the period December—February expected to average below normal temperatures with much of the chill coming early and late in the season.

Soybean aphids and their two—year cycle — John Tooker, PSU Entomology Specialist

Since being found in Pennsylvania in 2001, soybean aphid has been on a two—year cycle with populations being high in odd—numbered years and low in even—numbered years.

Our recent experience certainly supports this pattern because this year we found fields with thousands of aphids per plant whereas 2008 was generally quiet. In the Midwest this year, however, aphid populations were lower than expected and peaked later in the season than usual, perhaps due to the cooler than usual summer temperatures. Now Midwestern entomologists are finding higher than usual numbers of aphids on buckthorn, the overwintering host of soybean aphid, forcing them to question whether the typical two—year cycle will be disappearing.

Soybean aphid needs two plant species to complete its lifecycle. In summer of course it feeds on soybean, but when soybeans start to senesce, winged aphids move to buckthorn (scientific name: Rhamnus cathartica), which is a relatively common hedgerow species. Buckthorn pictures can be found at http://www.invasive.org/species/subject.cfm?sub=3070 (Incidentally, buckthorn was intentionally introduced to the United States from China well before soybean aphids were accidentally introduced from the same part of the world. If buckthorn had not been present, it is unlikely that soybean aphid could have established.) Aphids then feed on buckthorn and lay eggs, which overwinter. In spring these eggs hatch and young aphids feed on buckthorn for a few generations before winged aphid develop and fly to soybean fields—some of these aphids fly a long way to find soybean. In fact it seems that most of our soybean aphid population in Pennsylvania gets established by individuals blown here from the Midwest.

In the past few weeks, entomologists in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan have been finding really high numbers of aphids on buckthorn. If these high populations are not knocked back by natural enemies, large numbers of aphids could emerge from buckthorn in spring and seed heavy infestations of soybeans in 2010, disrupting the two—year cycle and causing headaches for growers. It is not certain that this will happen, but the scenario seems possible. A similar breakdown of the two—year cycle occurred in the upper Midwest last year when 2008 saw heavy infestations that required treatment.

I have searched some local buckthorn around Centre County, but have found only a limited number of aphids and nothing that looks unusual. However, because most of our aphids seem to travel to Pennsylvania from the Midwest, their aphid populations could be quite relevant for us. I will keep an eye on things, but if you run across some buckthorn turn over a leaf and check for aphids! If you see anything unusual, let me know.

Corn Leaf Diseases — Del Voight, Interim Grain Crop Specialistg

Adapted from Purdue University Plan Pathology.

While corn leaf disease patterns are often more noticeable this time of year, it is too late to manage them. However it is wise to determine the hybrids performance in resisting plant diseases. The major rule in managing leaf diseases is similar to wheat, in that one strives to keep the leaf that feeds the ear clean of disease. Infections below that point typically have less of an impact on corn yield. Most if not all recommendations, particularly for no till corn, emphasize hybrid selection to manage diseases.

Applications during tasseling are also an option. Data from across the east and Midwest is variable and the key to determine the need to treat is related to specific field conditions. Remember, good information collected now will make next summer’s decisions easier. In some studies with industry and universities, it appears that fields that have observable disease infecting the lower leaves, fields with hybrids that are prone to disease infection, and reduced tilled fields that are showing signs of infection are fields that may prove to return a profit. In some industry hybrids, 60% of hybrids showed a response above the economic return. Universities found that a fourfold response occurred in fields showing disease infection.

Most of the studies suggested an average of 8 bu/acre resulted in fields where a disease is present in the east. In the southern climates responses to a fungicide treatment of 15 bu/acre, were observed by Universities. The thresholds developed are based on typical crop markets. Current markets may certainly have changed but the key to the best response is the infield observation of what diseases exist and to what extent. From a practical stand point with the number of fields that were converted to no till this season, growers that utilized the same hybrid in two consecutive years should take a serious look at fungicide applications on corn. In Pennsylvania research is underway looking at the affects of fungicides on grain and also the silage impact as well. If one does choose to apply a fungicide read and follow label directions and be sure the application equipment can get high enough above the canopy to provide proper coverage.

	Disease Name: Gray Leaf Spot Pathogen: Fungus. Cercospora zeae-maydis Symptoms: Initial lesions appear as greenish black water soaked circular areas with chlorotic halos, expanding into oval and then the diagnostic parallel sided rectangular brownish gray lesions. Conditions: Infection is favored by extended warm, wet, humid weather. Inoculum Survival: Infected crop residue (leaves and leaf sheaths). Inoculum Dispersal: Airborne spores. Management: Select hybrids with resistance (tolerance based on risk), two year crop rotation, cleanly plow under infected residue.
	Disease Name: Anthracnose Leaf Blight Pathogen: Fungus. Colletotrichum graminicola Symptoms: Small, oval to elongated water-soaked lesions enlarge to become brown, spindle shaped spots with yellow to reddish-brown borders. Lesions may coalesce and blight entire leaves. Older lesions will turn gray in the center with small black specks (acervuli with sterile black hairs). Leaf blight may be followed by top kill and stalk rot. Leaf blight rarely causes large yield losses. Stalk rot phase is most important (see Anthracnose Stalk Rot). Conditions: Favored by cool to warm, wet, humid weather, continuous corn with reduced tillage. Inoculum Survival: Infected crop residue (leaves, leaf sheaths and stalks), seed (endosperm). Inoculum Dispersal: Airborne spores. Management: Resistant hybrids, rotate corn with nongrass crops. Cleanly plow under infected residue.
	Disease Name: Common Corn Rust Pathogen: Fungus. Puccinia sorghi Symptoms: Initial symptoms are chlorotic flecks on leaf surfaces. Flecks develop into oval to elongate reddish brown powdery pustules on upper and lower leaf surfaces. Reddish brown spores break through the leaf epidermis. Pustules become brownish-black as they mature. Usually not a serious disease in hybrids. Conditions: Disease favored by cool (66 F optimum) humid weather. Inoculum Survival: Spores blown into the Midwest from the South. Does not survive winter in Indiana, except possibly in rare years along the Ohio River. Inoculum Dispersal: Airborne spores. Management: Resistant hybrids. Foliar fungicides may be useful in seed production fields.
	Disease Name: Southern Corn Rust Pathogen: Fungus. Puccinia polysora Symptoms: Similar to common rust except pustules occur almost exclusively on the upper leaf surface, rarely on lower. Pustules are more orange than brick-red and slower to break through epidermis of leaf than common rust pustules. Conditions: Favored by high humidity and temperatures around 80 F. Inoculum Survival: Spores blown into the Midwest from the South. Does not survive winter in Indiana, except possibly in rare years along the Ohio River. Inoculum Dispersal: Airborne spores. Management: Resistant hybrids. Foliar fungicides may be useful in seed production fields.
	Disease Name: Northern Corn Leaf Blight Pathogen: Fungus. Exserohilum turcicum Symptoms: Long cigar-shaped gray-green or tan lesions. Conditions: Favored by extended wet, cool, humid weather, minimum tillage, continuous corn. Usually occurs during or after pollination. Inoculum Survival: Infected crop residue (leaves, husks, stalks). Inoculum Dispersal: Airborne spores. Management: Resistant hybrids. Foliar fungicides may be useful in seed production fields. Cleanly plow under infected residue.
	Disease Name: Northern Leaf Spot Pathogen: Fungus. Helminthosporium carbonum (Race 3) Symptoms: Narrow, small, linear to oval shaped leaf lesions. Lesion type may vary with the genotype of host and isolate. Lesions are grayish tan and surrounded by a light to darkly pigmented (usually purple) border. Chain-like leaf lesions are often produced. Conditions: Favored by moderate temperatures and high relative humidity, minimum tillage, continuous corn. Inoculum Survival: Infected crop residue (leaves, husks, stalks, seed). Inoculum Dispersal: Airborne spores. Management: Resistant hybrids. Disease is primarily a problem in seed production fields with certain highly susceptible inbreds. Foliar fungicides may be useful in seed production fields. Cleanly plow under infected residue.

Cut costs, don’t eliminate them! — Jonathan Rotz, Franklin County Educator

As I was working on my father—in—law’s dairy farm this weekend I couldn’t help but think of the current economic situation facing all dairy farmers and most of agriculture in general. Things are tight and because of this costs need to be reassessed. As I was bedding up some cows I thought of how crucial some costs really are. Take the straw I was using at that point. I could have just eliminated the use of the straw to cut costs, however we all know the long term affects of that would be devastating in cattle health and production. This got me thinking about all the upcoming costs on the agronomic side of farming and where we may try to eliminate costs that may hurt us in the long run. Here are some of my thoughts.

Soil testing is a practice we preach all the time, and the fall is the best time to do it. Although this can be a low cost practice it may be one that gets a scrutinizing eye as we hit hard times. Depending on your current testing practices you may have some room to cut costs here, but they should not be eliminated. If you soil test every year you can probably take a year off. Use last year’s soil tests along with this year’s crop grown and yield to estimate nutrient removal and thus see what nutrients need to be added for next year’s crop. If you haven’t soil tested in over three year you ought to consider taking soil samples to check where you are at.

Once you have soil tested, the question always is where do I spend money first? The most important area in soil health and nutrient availability to the plant is pH. If you have low pH (low depends on crop but typically no lower than 6.0) lime is the best product you can buy. Dollar for dollar this will return the greatest on your investment. Soil pH is a driver in many other nutrient cycles as well as the microbial population in the soil. If you have only one product you can buy for your soils make it lime. This year we have seen many cases around the state of poorly inoculated soybeans, one of the contributing factors to this has been low pH.

Fertility in the form of commercial fertilizers is always a large expense on most farms. Many farms in this area do have the availability of manure, however many of us need to supplement our manure nutrients with fertilizer. One of my biggest concerns at this point in time is potassium. Due to last year’s high prices for potassium many decided to take a year off of buying potassium and mine some of the potassium in the soils. This year due to excellent rainfalls many of us have experienced yields at the high end of our expectations; this means more potassium has been used. Now we are in a situation where very few may want to invest again in potassium even thought the price is falling. This could set us up for some deficiencies. If I were to offer one suggestion on potassium fertilizer at this point it would be this. If you have manure at your disposal get it tested for nutrients. If commercial potassium is more expensive then nitrogen, apply your manure at a rate to supply potassium and supplement with nitrogen. If you are going into corn the use of a mid season nitrogen test such as the PSNT or Chlorophyll meter along with sidedressing can save money as well. In addition to potassium make sure you keep an eye on boron levels on alfalfa. This year we have had great yields so therefore if you are harvesting silage of any type, hay, and/or fodder you have a lot of nutrients in your bunkers, silos, and barns.

As we try to manage this current time of tight economics we need to take a good assessment of cutting costs without hurting ourselves in the future. With good soil tests you may be able to find some areas where you can cut costs, however we want to maintain enough nutrition in the soil to allow for good yields in the years to come. Many times if we get behind in nutrition in the soil it will take a long time to get it back. Additionally, if we don’t have soil tests we will need to wait until we see deficiency in the crop before we know that we are behind. At that time we have lost yield and that can be a costly mistake.

As always if you have any questions on this feel free to contact myself or you local extension educator.

European Starling Control and Programs Available — Kevin Fry, Armstrong County Educator

As winter approaches, now is the time to think about control of pest birds on the farm, especially starlings. These birds are most often a problem in winter and spring. Starlings have been cited as the number one nuisance bird in Pennsylvania. Other pest birds in Pennsylvania include pigeons, house sparrows, Canada geese, and black birds. There are many problems associated with birds on the farm, including spread of disease, unsanitary conditions, feed loss, and annoyance to animals and humans alike. Control measures require careful consideration and persistence to be effective.

The Problem
Birds can have a negative impact on the profitability of a dairy farm. One concern is the potential for disease transmission. Since birds can travel easily from farm to farm, they pose a threat to farm biosecurity. But, according to a recent study, birds can carry diseases such as Salmonella, but they are not considered important reservoirs of Salmonella organisms on the dairy farm. Of much greater concern is the amount of protein birds can consume from livestock feed. Starlings can consume up to 50% of their body weight in grain each day; 100 starlings can consume approximately 8.5 pounds of food per day or 1.5 tons per year. The average PA farm where Wildlife Services has conducted European starling control has between 2,000 and 5,000 birds. Without control this could result in 30–76 tons of feed loss annually. It is estimated that overall bird populations cause an annual loss of $100 million to U.S. agriculture.

Control Methods
The ideal scenario is to stop the bird problem before it becomes a major issue. Keys to success include: start early before birds form a strong attraction to the site; be persistent until the problem is solved; and use a combination of strategies. Control measures include trapping, birdproofing, cultural methods and habitat modification, frightening, repellants, shooting, and toxicants. Starlings, pigeons, and sparrows are not protected by federal or state laws. Control methods can include any combination of the following:

Live trapping — Use live birds as a decoy to catch 100 or more starlings a day, which then can be euthanized. Non—target species of birds should be freed.
Exclusion and bird—proofing — Cover all openings such as eves and ridges with bird-proof netting or plastic strips. Potential perch sites should be modified or protected.
Cultural Methods/Habitat Modification — Limit access to feed and water by covering and using exclusion methods where animals eat. Make sure water levels in waterers are low enough so birds cannot perch on the edge to drink. Clean up spilled grain.
Frightening — Start when a problem begins to develop. Vary the location, intensity and types of scare devices, notifying the local police and neighbors if necessary. Examples include distress or alarm calls, noise makers, exploders, propane cannons, bright objects, eye spots, hawk kites, mylar tape. Avitrol is also a frightening agent, covered in more detail under Avicides later in this article.
Shooting — Can be a very effective population control for smaller numbers of birds. Best used as a dispersal technique, rather than population control, for larger bird numbers. Safety is a concern. Notify authorities and neighbors if necessary.
Repellants — Includes the use of sticky products on ledges or beams, to discourage roosting.
Avicides — Avitrol, Starlicide Complete, and DRC–1339 are toxicants currently approved for use in Pennsylvania. More specific information about each follows. A pre—bait process should be used for all avicides, and to gain any measure of success, the process should be done in cold weather, below freezing, when the ground is covered with snow — limiting access to other feed sources. For several days, the untreated pre—bait is placed in a carefully selected place, safe from consumption by other animals. After acceptance of the pre—bait is established, and NO non—target birds are present, the toxicant is added. Depending on the toxicant used, treated birds will usually die within 24–36 hours. Dead birds can be disposed of in the trash, manure pit, buried, or incinerated — as long as it complies with local regulations. The use of toxicants in PA is regulated by the PA Department of Agriculture. Specific questions regarding labeling, registration status, and pesticide applicators licensing should be directed to the Department. Be prepared to give the exact product name and the EPA Registration Number.

Avitrol — Avitrol is a restricted use pesticide used as a frightening agent for starlings, blackbirds, grackles and cowbirds. Only a small portion of the bait is treated, and only a few birds will die. The intent of this product is not to kill a large number of birds, but to act as a frightening agent. The affected birds act in an erratic manor, and emit distress calls which frighten other birds from the area.

Starlicide Complete — In January 2002, Starlicide Complete was put back on the market in Pennsylvania. This product is registered for the control of starlings and blackbirds around livestock and poultry operations. The toxicant (0.1% 3–chloro p—toluidine hydrochloride) is pre—packaged with bait. Fresh product must be used for it to be effective. Poisoned birds will usually die within 24 to 36 hours, often at their roosting site which is potentially not on the farm. Although the dead birds are not dangerous to predators, they should be disposed of to prevent spread of diseases they may carry, and for good sanitation. Starlicide Complete is a restricted use pesticide.

DRC–1339 — USDA / Wildlife Services in Pennsylvania has a starling control program available to farmers in 16 counties in Southwestern PA. The Cooperative Livestock Protection Program (CLPP) is focused in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Butler, Blair, Cambria, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Huntington, Indiana, Somerset, Washington, and Westmoreland counties. In addition to starlings, the program provides assistance in controlling black vultures, Canada geese, and eastern coyotes. This program utilizes a bait treated with the toxicant DRC–1339 (the same toxicant found in Starlicide Complete), and will usually kill birds within 24 hours. This procedure has been found to be quite successful. The toxicant destroys the bird’s kidney function, and is quickly metabolized, thus eliminating any possible secondary poisoning. This toxicant is presented in its technical form, and can be mixed with different baits, at a different strength than Starlicide Complete. The toxicant is registered for USDA use only.

USDA Wildlife Services is a Federal agency that requires reimbursement for program costs. The cost for producers within the 16 participating counties is $250 per year, regardless of the number of treatments necessary. Producers located outside of the 16 counties are still eligible to participate but cost will vary according to mileage, time, materials, and the number of birds present on the farm, for more information contact Wildlife Services at 866–487–3297. It is possible for neighboring farmers to request service at the same time, thus cutting down on mileage and time expenses.

Measuring and Reducing Soybean Harvesting Losses — Del Voight, Interim Grain Crop Specialist

Adapted from the fact sheet that Charles W. Shay, Lyle Ellis and William Hires produced from the Missouri Department of Agricultural Engineering

Grower reports are coming in on some tremendous bean yields. Yields reported from early group 3 beans are in the mid 70’s and one grower reported a mid80’s yield. Moistures are in the 14% area. There is no substitute for timely soybean harvest. With rains in the forecast I would envision some tremendous shatter loss potential as the shrink swell cycle begins. In one case during a soybean contest harvest we took the harvest early and then finished the field three weeks later. As a result there was about a 20 bushel per acre difference in a three week period! Further just last year I was asked to check a field and even before the combine entered the field I measured 12 bushels per acre on the ground from premature shattering. Again delay harvest of three weeks. The point here is that when beans are ready it is time to get them in the bin. It has been my experience that once 95% of the pods turn brown about a week later its time to combine. That may mean some green leaves are still on the stalk. I still remember John Yocum referring to the fact that after the plants first reach harvestable moistures dry matter losses occur simply by the alternating day night. I found the following excerpts from a Missouri article useful during harvest to capture the losses that may occur during harvest.

Numerous tests of soybean combine losses show that up to 12 percent of the soybean crop is lost during harvest. Harvesting losses cannot be reduced to zero, but they can be reduced to about 5 percent. Combines can be operated to reduce losses without affecting the harvesting rate. This guide describes the major sources of loss. Consider shatter losses of 2 percent acceptable. Average losses are 5 percent or more.

Tips for keeping combine losses low

Your best guide for correct combine adjustment is your operator’s manual.

Remember that more than 80 percent of the machine loss usually occurs at the gathering unit. The following suggestions will help keep these losses to a minimum.

Make sure that knife sections, guards, wear plates and hold—down clips are in good condition and properly adjusted.
Use a ground speed of 2.8 to 3.0 miles per hour. To determine ground speed, count the number of 3–foot steps taken in 20 seconds while walking beside the combine. Divide this number by 10 to get the ground speed in miles per hour.
Use a reel speed about 25 percent faster than ground speed. For 42–inch–diameter reels, use a reel speed of 11 revolutions per minute for each 1–mile–per–hour ground speed.
Reel axle should be 6 to 12 inches ahead of the cutter bar. Reel bats should leave beans just as they are cut. Reel depth should be just enough to control the beans.
A six—bat reel will give more uniform feeding than a four—bat reel.
Complete the harvest as quickly as possible after beans reach 15 percent moisture content.
A pick—up type reel with pick—up guards on the cutter bar is recommended when beans are lodged and tangled.

For a specific methods and sheet to take to the field refer to this publication and enter your own information. You may also call me directly for copy to have on hand. http://muextension.missouri.edu/xplor/agguides/agengin/g01280.htm

Upcoming Events

Cover Crop Field Day — October 9^th in Jefferson County.

Agenda includes:

Viewing the results from the aerial rye seeding
No—till planting demonstrations
Tours of cover crop plots containing 16 different mixtures
Manure spreader calibration demonstration
Animal composting

For more information and registration, http://jeffersonconservation.com/ or call 814–839–7463.

Keystone Crops and Soils Conference — October 27 & 28

For more information and registration, view the conference brochure.

Contact Information

Contact information for article authors and contributors can be found at:
State Specialist — http://cmeg.psu.edu/specialists.cfm
County Educators — http://cropsoil.psu.edu/people/extension/extensionedlist.cfm

Contributors: Extension Educators: Jonathan Rotz (Franklin), Joel Hunter (Crawford), Kevin Fry (Armstrong), Mark Madden (Sullivan), Grant Toop (Lebanon), and Genny Christ (Cumberland). State Specialists: John Tooker, Dwight Lingenfelter, Ron Hoover, Marvin Hall, and Sjoerd Duiker

Editor: Kevin Fry, Armstrong County

Upcoming Events

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Northeast PA No-Till Conference

Location: Harford Volunteer Fire Company, Harford, PA

Time: February 10, 2010

Details: Contact: Ryan Koch at ryan.koch@pa.usda.gov

Thursday, February 11, 2010

5th Annual North-Central PA No-Till Conference

Location: Bloomsburg, PA

Time: February 11, 2010

Details: Contact: Ryan Koch at ryan.koch@pa.usda.gov

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Professional Crop Producers' Conference

Location: Holiday Inn, Grantville, PA

Time: February 16 and 17, 2010 (2 day event)

Details: The conference features Dwayne Beck from South Dakota on crop diversity in continuous no-tillage, Ray Archuleta with presentations on soil quality and nutrient management, and Charlie Sniffen on forages and animal nutrition. CCA CEUs will be available. Contact Sjoerd Duiker sduiker@psu.edu for more information.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Professional Crop Producers' Conference

Location: Holiday Inn, Grantville, PA

Time: February 16 and 17, 2010 (2 day event)

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Grazing School

Location: Berks County Agricultural Center, Leesport, PA

Time: February 25, March 4, March 11, 2010 — 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm (3 part series)

Details: Contact: Mena Hautau, +1-610-378-1327. This is a three-part series. You must attend all classes to receive credit. (4 Grazing)

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Grazing School

Location: Berks County Agricultural Center, Leesport, PA

Time: February 25, March 4, March 11, 2010 — 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm (3 part series)

Details: Contact: Mena Hautau, +1-610-378-1327. This is a three-part series. You must attend all classes to receive credit. (4 Grazing)

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Grazing School

Location: Berks County Agricultural Center, Leesport, PA

Time: February 25, March 4, March 11, 2010 — 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm (3 part series)

Details: Contact: Mena Hautau, +1-610-378-1327. This is a three-part series. You must attend all classes to receive credit. (4 Grazing)

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Northwest Grazing Conference

Location: Dubois, PA

Time: March 16, 2010

Details: Contact Adam Dellinger at adam.dellinger@pa.usda.gov