Extension Update from Jenny Rees

Jenny’s REESources-August 15, 2016

UPCOMING EVENTS:
Aug. 23:  West Central Crop and Water Field Day, http://extension.unl.edu/statewide/westcentral/fieldday/
Aug. 24:  CMDC Late Season Clinic, ARDC near Mead, http://ardc.unl.edu/crop.shtml
Aug. 25:  CMDC Corn/Soy Production School, ARDC near Mead, http://ardc.unl.edu/crop.shtml
Aug. 26-Sept. 5: Nebraska State Fair, Nebraska State Fairgrounds, Fonner Park, Grand Island, NE
Sept. 13-15: Husker Harvest Days, Husker Road, Alda, NE

Crop Update:  Much of the corn in a several county area is in the dough to early dent stage.  The heat has really pushed this crop along and greatly impacted our non-irrigated crops.  Our Hybrid Maize model simulations also show a 10% and greater potential of reduced non-irrigated yields compared to the 30 year average for the Clay Center area south in the State.  Irrigated yields appear to be on track for near the long-term 30 year average.  Al Dutcher, Nebraska State Climatologist showed Grand Island having 25 days with maximum temperature over 90F in June and July compared to 15 total last year (14 of these 25 occurred in June this year).  In Lincoln, 32 June and July days were over 90F in 2016 vs. 23 in 2015 (19 of the 32 occurring in June this year).  Low night-time temperatures are also important to reduce respiration occurring in the evening.  Al shared that for June and July 2016 in Grand Island, there were 12 occurrences with night-time temperatures above 70F compared to 6 in 2015.  For Lincoln, there were 18 occurrences of this compared to 12 last year.  Tip-back on corn ears is a concern many are talking about in fields this year, most likely due to heat we experienced during the pollination period.  We’ve seen spidermites become a nuisance in fields; as we approach hard dough in corn, economically treatments may not benefit the crop according to Colorado State economic thresholds.  More information about soybean thresholds and products labeled for use in corn and soybeans can be found in the following CropWatch article:  http://go.unl.edu/szva. 

Most soybeans are in the seed filling stages.  I’ve shared we’ve been seeing Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) and some scattered cases of frogeye leaf spot for several weeks now.  Additional things to scout for include defoliators such as wooly bear caterpillars and others in which we were seeing the moths flying a few weeks ago.  Also be scouting fields for soybean stem borers.  Look for wilted trifoliates.  Follow the trifoliate to where it attaches to the stem.  If there is a hole in the stem, it most likely is the soybean stem borer.  Count the number of plants you see in 100 with this symptom and continue to do so as we approach harvest.  This can help you harvest those fields with greater infestation earlier to avoid lodging.

Wheat:  As you consider varieties for next year, I’d encourage you to check out the yield results from the wheat variety trials at: http://cropwatch.unl.edu/winter-wheat-variety-test-results.  Considering the three-year averages is very important to see which varieties show consistency around a range of weather conditions and disease/insect factors.  Also a reminder to have your wheat seed cleaned and treated with a fungicide seed treatment.  This is important regardless if you use bin-run seed or are purchasing disease-free, certified seed.  The fungi causing diseases such as smut survive in the soil and on harvested seed.  The fungi infect the germinating seed (if not treated with a fungicide) after planting, and grow systemically within the plant with no sign they are there until head emergence.  To reduce dockage/load rejection from smut diseases at the elevator next fall, cleaning your seed and having a fungicide seed treatment prior to planting is the only way to prevent and manage this.

Corn and Soybean Production School:  Nebraska Extension is offering a Late Season Crop Diagnostic Clinic Aug. 24 and a Corn and Soybean Production School Aug. 25. Both sessions will be at the Agricultural Research and Development Center, 1071 County Road G, near Mead.  Aug. 24 topics include corn and soybean disease analysis; crop scene investigation; end-of-season pivot checkup; field to market – quantifying sustainability in crop production; hail damage in soybeans; and summer forages for silage and hay. Nine Certified Crop Adviser credits are available.  Aug. 25 topics include implications of growth and development on corn management; hail injury and corn recovery; cover crops in corn; tradeoffs associated with planting early-maturing corn hybrids; and how not to be a “you don’t know Jack” soybean agronomist. Six and a half Certified Crop Adviser credits are available.  During the Aug. 25 corn and soybean production school, participants will compare multiple maturities in the same field, Glewen said. The various growth and development stages will be used to demonstrate the impact that management practices could have on final yield.  Registration for both clinics begins at 7:15 a.m. The Aug. 24 training runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the Aug. 25 session is from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Early registration is recommended to reserve a seat and resource materials. For more information or to register, contact Nebraska Extension CMDC Programs, 1071 County Road G, Ithaca, NE 68033, call(800) 529-8030, email cdunbar2@unl.edu or visit http://ardc.unl.edu/training.shtml.