Timely Topics
Corn Traits-Blocks.MOVTest Plot Field Day Review
Thank you to those that joined us at the Herness Farm Test Plot to learn about new product offerings for the upcoming season. One of the topics discussed was the different aspects that go into a "triple stack" versus a "double stack" corn variety. Watch the included video to learn about all those aspects with visual aids!
7/22 In-Season Disease Insight
Check out the linked webpage to see the disease insight for corn for the week of July 22.
*NEW* Pioneer Tar Spot Landing Page
New this year is a landing page published by Pioneer to give their growers the information they need to stay on top of Tar Spot. On this page you can learn about the origin, how to identify, and management suggestions as well as test your identification skills of Tar Spot.
Click on the image and follow the link to acces the page!
Managing Stalk Rot
Anthracnose Stalk Rot
most common
favors warms temps (70-80 F) & high humidity
shiny black areas are a distinguishing characteristic
Gibberella
prefers wet, cool weather during early ear-fill
best identified by splitting stalk where the pith will appear pink or red in color
small black dots may be visible on outside of stalk
Fusarium
favors warm, wet conditions following a period of stress
earliest symptom is wilted plants
plants begin taking on a greyish-green tinge, eventually turning to tan
stalks will feel spongy as the pith disintegrates
when opened, the pith may appear white-salmon pink
roots take on red discoloration
Diplodia
thrives in warm, wet weather like Gibberella
small black dots may be present on stalk near nodes
will not rub off which differentiates from Gibberella
brown stalk discoloration is present
Depending on location, stalk rot organisms may include anthracnose, Gibberella, Diplodia or Fusarium, all of which survive in corn residue and are spread to the next crop by wind and/or rain. Stalk rots can reduce corn yield by killing the plant before physiological maturity. They can also cause plant lodging, increasing harvest losses and impeding harvest progress.
2023 Season Summary
Variability has been a common term used in describing this crop season. From planting conditions and plant emergence to rainfall, all of these critical factors have been variable at best.
Dry soil conditions, small and developing root systems and quickly accumulating heat units stressed plants early but kept synthetic N stable in the soil profile.
July was filled with spotty rainfall that helped to incorporate some side-dress applications.
The largest risk of loss of nitrogen this season came from the volatilization of side-dress urea, as the fertilizer laid on the soil surface for 20+ days without being incorporated by rainfall. When the rains came, synthetic nitrogen was abundant in the root zone.
As pollination and the reproductive stages came, the overall averages and results in our testing were as expected. The plant worked through the excessive and available N and testing levels stabilized to about a 10% advantage in NPI and biomass.
Information by Andy Heath I Commercial Agronomist I Pivot Bio
SO Many Double Ears?
You may have noticed the dark green color in the corn fields this year. While it can also be partially attributed to the lack of rain causing lowered nitrogen loss, most of it is due to an excessive amount of sun this growing season.
Stress (in our area, drought) during the V6 stage of the primary ear growth can also cause disruption and the development of the primary ear.
Vorceed™ Enlist® corn is HERE!
Corn rootworm (CRW) doesn't know what is coming... Vorceed™ Enlist® corn is HERE!
Vorceed Enlist corn delivers SIX modes of insect protection plus FOUR herbicide tolerance modes of action.
With tolerance to glyphosate, glufosinate, 2,4-D choline, and FOPS, Vorceed Enlist corn gives you flexibility and allows you to maximize yield and control weed & CRW populations.
Moisture to Maturity Info & Graphs
Corn requires 10-14 inches of moisture from pollination to black layer.
Soybean plants will require 16-18 inches of moisture from blooming to physiological maturity.
Disease Tracker 7.31.23
Tar Spot
Tar spot reduces yield by reducing the photosynthetic capacity of leaves and causing rapid & premature leaf death.
Optimum Development Conditions:
cool temperatures (60-70 ºF, 16-20 ºC)
high relative humidity (>75%)
frequent cloudy days
7+ hours of dew at night.
as of October 2021
Gray Leaf Spot (GLS)
GLS lesions reduce photosynthetic area, which in turn reduces energy allocated towards grain fill.
Optimum Development Conditions:
warm temperatures (80°F)
high humidity
early lesions begin as small necrotic spots with halos
further development into blockier/rectangular shapes
in late stages, lesions merge to form larger regions
Soybeans of Other Colors (SBOC)
On July 14th, 2023, the USDA revealed that soybeans of other colors (SBOC) will no longer be an official factor in the revision of the United States Standards for Soybeans by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).
This opens the door for US soybeans to be more competitive in the global exports market and increased profitability for growers.
The new policy will take effect on September 1st, 2023.
You can read more on the Federal Ruling here.
Utrisha™ N
Utrisha™ is a biological inoculant developed to revolutionize sustainable farming. The microbes naturally capture nitrogen from the atmosphere and convert it into ammonium, providing the essential nutrients your crops need to thrive. By integrating Utrisha™ with your pest management strategies, it enables you to protect your crops while embracing regenerative practices, paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient agricultural future.
Key Benefits:
improved nutrient uptake
increased tolerance to environmental stress
conveniently stored as a dry-powder formulation
promotes optimal yield potential
Utrisha N Mixing and Handling Guide
Drought Stress
The Midwest heavily relies on corn as a vital crop, but early season drought poses a significant obstacle to its growth, affecting the agricultural economy and food production in the region.
Presently, we are seeing drought during the early stages of corn growth that is capable of delaying germination and hindering root development, resulting in uneven emergence of plants and limited nutrient and water absorption capabilities.
Here are some quick key takeaways:
Shallow planting worsens the situation since surface soil tends to dry out more quickly – target a depth of around 2 inches in most situations.
Insufficient seed-to-soil contact in the furrow can further hinder water movement from the soil to the seed, compounding the effects of dry soil.
Fertilizers placed in the seed furrow may impede germination, particularly in drier soil, as their salt content can draw moisture away from the germinating seed or root tissues.
Dry Weather & Herbicide Activation
As we all know, the 2023 planting season began with a plentiful amount of moisture and cooler temps and progressed into a sweltering month with little to no rainfall. This may have caused some herbicide problems.
Most pre-emergence herbicides need rain to help soak into the soil. It usually takes at least half an inch of rain to make the herbicide to reach the depth where the weed seeds are growing. If the top inch or two of soil is dry when the herbicide is applied, it will need a bit more rain to wet the soil before the water can carry the herbicide down. The amount of rain needed depends on the chemical properties of the herbicide and how well it sticks to soil particles.
Nitrogen
Now is a perfect time to begin considering a Late Spring/In-Season Nitrogen test (PSNT).
Things to Know:
PSNT only measures nitrate, not ammonium fertilizer that has previously been applied or can be sourced from a manure application.
The ideal period to sample is prior to side dressing, when the plant has extracted and collected nitrogen from the soil.
Pair PSNT data with an early plant tissue test to enhance their value.
