July 5, 2006

July 5, 2006

CORN-

"Knee High by Fourth of July" was easily met this year as it has been for several years with the move toward earlier planting and better hybrids. This year we were looking at taselling by the Fourth of July.

A lot of fields range from VT to R1 (silking). According to the weekly report 10% has reached silking and nearly 70% is rated good to excellent across Illinois. You can see some leaves curling during the 90+ weather to conserve water loss during the heat of the day.

As the tassels and silks make themselves available, almost immediately they are being bombarded with Japanese Beetles or corn rootworm adults. The Japanese Beetles continue to be the concern across the area.

A review of the threshold for this pest- when 3 or more beetles are found per silking ear, silks have been clipped to less than 1/2 inch AND pollination is less than 50% completed.

Corn rootworm adults that have emerged will also being clipping silks and the economic threshold for this pest is 5 or more per ear with clipping observed before pollination is completed.

My concern is that we will see a combination effect from these two pests. Certainly we've been dealing with these insects for a couple of years, but as corn rootworms are becoming more of an issue, we are also seeing the Japanese Beetles, in large numbers.

If you are dealing with a field that has met the threshold for either of these insects, consider an insecticide that may provide some level of residual control. Consult the Illinois Agricultural Pest Management Handbook for insecticides labelled for control. One pre-caution is that the pyrethroid insecticides may lose some efficacy when temps are above 90 so examine the options.

SOYBEANS-

Japanese beetles have most certainly found their way into soybean fields now. Their damage is easy to notice as you approach a field. After feeding on the upper leaf surface and leaving behind the veins, leaves quickly turn brown and appear lace-like. A review of the economic threshold for this crop- When defoliation has reached 30% and the crop is not at bloom, or when defoliation has reached 20% and it's between bloom and pod-fill. Estimate for this level in a least five areas of the field.

One thing we have not been faced with this season is an increased threat of soybean rust. Since there has been little development of this disease in the Gulf States, it is unlikely that there is ample inoculum to spread to the Midwest. The second find of rust on soybeans was made late last week in an Alabama sentinel plot. They found only 5 lesions on a total of 3 leaves. Since the crop is flowering, we'll continue to monitor for the disease in sentinel plots across the US. In order to help those of us focus will be on identification of the disease but they'll talk about plant resistance, epidemiology of the disease, and chemical control trials.

TREES-

A concern for homeowners is the issue with Emerald Ash Borer being found in Illinois in June in Kane county. In order to assist the IL Dept of Agriculture with the calls about ash trees, we're providing information to homeowners.

There is a myriad of issues with ash trees in Illinois. There are several diseases, including ash yellows, verticillium wilt and ash decline. There are also lilac/ash borer that can be a problem.

Posted by Kelli Bassett at 1:54 PM

July 5, 2006

June 28, 2006

Japanese Beetles seem to be the hot button this week in much of the area. I have actually seen them emerging since the first week of June. They will be present for around six weeks to complete this portion of their life cycle. They live for approximately 30-45 days as adults and complete only one generation per year.

Right now they are feeding heavily upon many landscape plants and also row crops. Most of their damage usually occurs in pockets or hot spots in the field as they emerge from neighboring turf and grassy areas.

The concern for producers is how severely they will defoliate corn or soybean fields. As we move into July, they will continue to emerage and eventually feed on corn silks. The thresholds that have been developed suggest controlling the beetles when 3 or more are feedng on the silks of an ear that has not finished polinating. Insecticides recommended include those in the carbamate, pyrethroid and organophosphate families. Along with many others, I suggest being cautious with these pests. It will be better to have one timely insecticide application instead of two untimely applications. Applications made now may not have enough residual to control those feeding in late July. However experience will be a key in determining if treatment is warranted before silking due to levels of defoliation.

Western Corn Rootworm adults are also emerging. Some reports suggest that this is about 2.5 weeks earlier than normal. If you are considering deploying traps for Western Corn rootworm Adults in soybean fields, deploying them in Mid-July rather than late July is recommended.

I have been scouting the area sentinel plot in Montgomery County and the field looks good. A lot of the soybeans have initiated flowering. Drilled beans have filled in rows though 15 and 30 inch fields continue to close the gap. Many fields have had the first round of post herbicide applied. It is important to watch for weeds that may not be controlled. Waterhemp, lambsquarters, giant ragweed and marestail have become increasing common in soybean fields and control levels may not be as consistent. As ragweed and lambsquarter plants are susceptible to stalk boring insects, we can sometimes see these species linger because the herbicide is not being translocated by the plant.

If producers are concerned with a particular population and its response to a herbicide or lack of response, they can contact campus and they will work with the producter to determine if it is a resistant population.

Posted by Kelli Bassett at 12:10 PM

May 31, 2006

Weekly Report

Wheat- Overall the local crop looks promising. It is in Feeke's growth stage 11.1- Milky Ripe. Observations from fields show little head scab and some developing leaf rust. The Illinois Wheat Association is conducting the Southern Illinois Wheat tour today to assess the regional crop condition and make yield estimates.

Round Bale Storage- If you are leaving round bales outside until feeding, consider a few steps to decrease the amount of spoilage and dry matter loss. Make the bale as large as the equipment, baler and loader will permit. As you increase the bale size, the percentage of loss due to spoilage decreases. Place bales with the flat ends together and leave at least 3 feet between rows to allow the water to run off of each bale. Orient the bales rows from North to South and remember to store them away from tree lines and waterways. Both of these encourage bales to stay wet, increasing the amount of spoilage.

Corn- It has recovered from the previous spell of cool, wet weather. The growing point is out of the ground and some of the upper leaves are brushing my knees as I walk through fields. Recall that it takes approximately 85 GDD's for each leaf collar to develop through V10 and then it falls to 50 GDD's as the plant continues to tasselling. With the warm weather our area has experienced, the crop has returned to a healthy green color. Reports of insects are few at this point. We've been hearing from our southern counterparts that European Corn Borer Moth flights are underway. Keep an eye out in the next few weeks for these moths and larvae in early planted cornfields, especially those that are not Bt hybrids.

Soybeans- This crop has really taken a beating so far this year. First we had the cool weather accompanied by rain. Then, most of the area experienced some heavy rainfall on Wednesday, May 24. This caused some soils to crust which has slowed soybean emergence. There have also been reports of isolated incidents of hail damage across the region. Make sure that you are doing stand counts to determine if replanting is necessary. For more information about soybean stands, consult the Illinois Agronomy Handbook.

Posted by Kelli Bassett at 9:32 AM