Over the past several years many have had concerns about scouring rush creeping into crop production areas. Scouring rush is not a typical agronomic weed. It normally grows along fence rows, ditch banks, and low lying areas. However, in long term no-tillage production systems scouring rush is increasingly encroaching into crop production areas.
As reported by NASS on May 7, 2012
SCATTERED SHOWERS PROVIDE LITTLE RELIEF
Unusually high temperatures and sunny days combined to minimize the benefits of scattered showers that fell in many areas across the state. Reporters in all regions reiterated the need for a general soaking rain. Row crops were holding on with three-fourths of the corn and winter wheat acres rated in good-to-excellent condition. Crop development continues to advance well ahead of the normal pace. Pastures declined some from the previous week, but cattle were reported to be mostly good condition. Other farm activities this week included post-emergence herbicide and fertilizer applications, cutting hay, scouting for insects and diseases, harvesting strawberries, and continued assessment of freeze damage on fruit crops. Continue reading
Overall, I’m not getting any reports of widespread problems in any crop, but there has been a smattering of several things including … Continue reading
Just by driving through Tennessee there is no doubt we are a corn state this year. It seems like everywhere you look there is a field of corn. Much of this corn will get the “layby” application applied over the next 10 days. Continue reading
As reported by NASS on April 30, 2012
A GOOD GENERAL SOAKING RAIN NEEDED!
Rainfall totals throughout most of the state last week were below normal, which led to short-to-very short soil moisture supplies in almost forty percent of the farmland. All crops and pastures, however, remain rated in mostly good-to-excellent condition with development advancing well ahead of the normal pace. Continue reading
What started out as a decent chance of rain today (Thursday) is quickly turning into isolated pop-up showers for a lucky few for most of the state except east Tennessee. The good news is our crop is young, water needs are low, and I think our corn and bean crops are in decent shape water-wise. But, as temperatures warm up and plants begin to grow, more water will be needed to support plant growth. Our earliest planted corn is at or near V-6 and some irrigation may be needed where Continue reading
There have been a number of reports of pre applied herbicides not becoming activated in corn. In most cases a significant stand of Palmer amaranth is up with the corn. Continue reading
Many, many questions have been received over last week about how to manage the supply of nitrogen in light of more acres of early planted corn, and the need to plant cotton. While all forms nitrogen may not be readily available we need to keep perspective on our options. Continue reading