There has been little corn planted to this point. Judging by the phone calls today some of that early planted corn will need to be replanted due to all the wet and cold weather. The question arises how to control the old corn stand and plant back to corn quickly. Continue reading
With planting hopefully right around the corner, many people are thinking about using Gramoxone (paraquat) as a last minute burndown for its effectiveness and lack of replant interval. Gramoxone is a very good broad spectrum herbicide that is “money” on many winter annual broadleaf weeds and also quite good on poa. On the main winter annual weed horseweed (marestail) though, control can range from 30 to 90%. The question is why? So we conducted research this spring to see if time of day Gramoxone is applied has an effect on horseweed control. Continue reading
As reported by NASS on April 20, 2015
CORN PLANTING PRACTICALLY AT A STANDSTILL
Corn producers suffered another week of wet weather that prevented them from planting corn. The crop is only 6 percent planted compared to a five-year average of 43 percent. Strawberry season is running behind normal because of the cold winter followed by persistent rains. Strawberries, normally available at the end of April, are about 2 weeks behind. There were only 1.1 days suitable for field work. Topsoil moisture was 42 percent adequate and 58 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were 59 percent adequate, and 41 percent surplus. Continue reading at Crop Progress 4 19 15.
As reported by NASS on April 13, 2015
CORN PRODUCER’S PATIENCE TRIED
For the second week, producers have been severely restricted from planting corn due to wet weather. Presently, planting is running almost 80 percent behind the 5-year average. Wheat and cattle remain in good condition. Burn down occurred whenever possible. The percent of apples in bloom is in line with the 5-year average. There were 2.6 days suitable for field work. Continue reading at Crop Progress 4 13 15.
As reported by NASS on April 6, 2015
WHEAT IN GOOD CONDITION; PRODUCERS ANXIOUS TO PLANT CORN
Wet weather has benefitted wheat, which is developing well ahead of last year’s crop. Fifty-eight percent of the winter wheat crop showed no freeze damage and 33 had light damage. A limited number of corn acres have been planted because of wet fields. Continue reading at Crop Progress 4 5 15.
Corn planting started in West Tennessee this past week. With corn planting in mind, I keep seeing an advertisement on TV about one-pass programs providing season-long weed control. This advertisement might be true in some places but not in our neck of the woods. Continue reading
In my mind, the past winter was similar to last, with some colder than average conditions. Below is a repeat of an article last year discussing how winter weather affects insect populations. I added some comments, scoring my predictions. Continue reading
Ryegrass questions have become much more prevalent this week. I have had no good answers for the calls on how to control ryegrass that escaped the glyphosate burndown in emerged corn. Herbicides like Accent or Steadfast will not control ryegrass. Liberty tankmixed with atrazine on LL corn would burn the ryegrass back some and is the only even fair option that is available. Continue reading