Extension Update by Gary Zoubeck [April 18, 2013]

Coming Events

• April 22 – Extension Board Exec Mtg., 8:30 p.m., Extension Office, York

Cropping Update
We had another great weekend.  It was great to get about .5” of rain Saturday evening and about 1.4” for the week.  It looks like we have a few more chances for rain this week; we can sure use the moisture to continue to fill our profile.  I checked the CropWatch website and the soil temperature has not warmed up much this past week; it averaged 44.3° F for the week ending Saturday, about 5.0° F below normal.  That link to the UNL’s Crop Watch website is:  http://cropwatch.unl.edu, then click on the weather link at the top of the page.

Crop Scout Training Course Planned
I received some information from Keith Glewen, Extension Educator, that they’ll be conducting a training for entry level scouts.  The course will be May 7, from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. with registration at 8:30 a.m. at the University’s Agricultural Research and Development Center near Mead.

Topics will include: how corn and soybean plants grow and develop, soybean and corn insect management, identifying weeds – plant morphology, using a key to identify weed seedlings, crop diseases and quiz, and nutrient deficiencies.

The cost is $125. Fees include lunch, refreshment breaks, workshop materials, and instruction manual. Registrants should preregister one week in advance to reserve their seat and to ensure workshop materials are available the day of the training session. Updated reference materials are included in this year’s take home instruction manual.

For more information or to register, contact the ARDC, CMDC Programs, 1071 County Road G, Ithaca, Neb., 68033, call 402-624-8000, fax 402-624-8010, or visit http://ardc.unl.edu/cmdc.shtml.

Yard & Garden
We’ve continued to have our typical, not-so-typical Nebraska weather.  High temperatures have varied greatly for the past week from the high 60’s to the low 30’s.  What extremes, and it does not look like it’s going to change much the coming week and probably not warming up much.

If you’re a gardener, did you get out a week ago and get a little planting done?  I did, and I’m not sure the cole crops that were not cover with plastic milk jugs will do very well.  I think the ones that were covered will do ok!  I compiled a list of suggested planting dates for vegetables in our area.  It can be found at: http://york.unl.edu/water-environment, so if you’re new to our area, it’s a good reference.  Our averaged last 32° F temperature is April 22.  I’m not sure if that will be the case this year or not, only time will tell.

If you did not have an opportunity to seed damaged areas of turf last fall or dormant seed them this early spring, I just received a Turf iNfo update from Zac Reicher, Professor of Turfgrass Science.  He indicated that spring seeding of cool-season turf like Kentucky bluegrass or tall fescue is difficult because of pending summer, weed pressure, and/or disease issues. Late summer (August) is easily the best time to seed cool-season grasses, but sometimes turf must be seeded in the spring.

Zac, shared the following tips that should help improve the success of spring seeding:

• Seed as soon as possible to maximize the amount of time seedlings have to establish before summer weather.  Mid-May is usually the cut-off for spring seedings and later seeding dates increase the chances for having to do it over in August.
• Improve the seed-soil contact by aerifying, power raking, and/or hand raking before seeding. After seeding, a light raking will further mix the seed and soil or a light rolling will push the seed into better contact with soil.
• Water lightly and often to keep the seedbed moist. Mulch will also work to conserve water, but use sparingly and so at least 30-40% of the soil is still visible through the mulch. Additionally, straw mulch often brings in weed seeds which may become problematic.
• Avoid any preemergence crabgrass herbicides over the top of the seedings and if they have already been applied, wait to seed in August unless products containing siduron were used. However, there may be some options for professionals so contact me at the email address below if you have this situation.
• Weed control is important because weeds will quickly take advantage of the thin turf. Following are general guidelines, but check the label of your product for specifics:

• Mesotrione (Tenacity) or siduron (Tupersan) can be used in the seed bed and will likely provide three to four weeks of PRE control of crabgrass.
• SquareOne (quinclorac+carfentrazone) can be applied within 7 days after emergence (DAE) of tall fescue or Kentucky bluegrass for POST control of crabgrass and broadleaf weeds.
• Mesotrione (Tenacity) can be applied POST to Kentucky bluegrass or tall fescue at 28 DAE to control crabgrass and some broadleaf weeds.
• Dithiopyr (Dimension , Dithiopyr) can be applied once the root system is well established and after at least two mowings for PRE/POST control of crabgrass.
• Quinclorac (DRIVE XLR8 , Quinstar , Quinclorac , and others) can be applied PRE or 28 DAE of Kentucky bluegrass or anytime over tall fescue for POST control of crabgrass and some broadleaf weeds.
• Carfentrazone (QuickSilver) can be applied at any time after seeding for POST roadleaf weed control.

• Since the seedlings will not develop a good root system until next fall, low rates of fertilizer applied frequently will be most effective. Applying 0.5 to 0.75 lbs N/1000 sq ft every 4 to 6 weeks until mid-June should help the grass fill in.
• Again because of poorly developed root systems, keep the newly seeded areas well-watered all summer.
• Mow as soon as the first few seedlings reach the mowing height for the area. Early and frequent mowing will encourage the seedlings to spread.
• If hot and humid weather is in the forecast, a fungicide application maybe needed to minimize damping off, pythium, and/or brown patch. Night temperatures >68F are conducive to these diseases, but hopefully will not occur for a couple of months.”

Check out all the latest Turf iNfo updates at: http://turf.unl.edu/.

As I had indicated in my March 11 column, I tried my hand at dormant seeding of turf tall fescue on Friday, March 8.  I’ve been watching those areas closely, and I’m starting to see some new seedlings emerge.  I’m hoping they’re mostly fescue seedlings, but I’m also seeing weed seedlings, so we’ll see how the dormant seeding turns out.

Nebraska LEAD Applications for Group 33 Now Available
It’s hard to believe that we’ve already had 32 LEAD Classes!  Terry Hejny, Nebraska LEAD Program director just announced that they’re recruiting “Up to 30 motivated men and women with demonstrated leadership potential will be selected from five geographic districts across our state.”

The Nebraska LEAD Program is designed to prepare the spokespersons, problem-solvers, and decision makers for Nebraska and its agricultural industry.

Applications are due no later than June 15 and are available via e-mail from the Nebraska LEAD Program. Please contact Shana at sgerdes2@unl.edu.  You can also request an application by writing Nebraska LEAD Program, Room 318 Biochemistry Hall, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 68583-0763, or by calling 402-472-6810. You can visit www.lead.unl.edu for information about the selection process.

In addition to monthly three-day seminars throughout Nebraska from mid-September through early April each year, Nebraska LEAD Fellows also participate in a 10-day National Study/Travel Seminar and a two week International Study/Travel Seminar.  Seminar themes include leadership assessment and potential, natural resources and energy, agricultural policy, leadership through communication, our political process, global perspectives, nuclear energy, social issues, understanding and developing leadership skills, agribusiness and marketing, advances in health care, and the resources and people of Nebraska’s Panhandle.

Nebraska LEAD Program Fellows (participants) generally fall between the ages of 25-55 years of age. It’s a great program, and I’d encourage potential participants to check out the lead website:  www.lead.unl.edu.

Oil Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Rule Information
I’ve received a few calls about the SPCC program.  The deadline is May 10 but is actually October 1, 2013, due to the Federal continuing budget resolution.  The Farm Bureau recently had a web program about this issue.  See the Farm Bureau link that follows for information about the program rules and things you need to do to prevent potential spills: http://www.nefb.org/articles/85004/oil_spill_prevention_control_and_countermeasure_spcc_rule_information.  An archived link of the webinar is at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBwTlVy8izw.  It includes a great question and answer session.