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.
The wheat has really progressed well over the past two weeks. Some stands that one might think were borderline on keeping have made good progress during that time. Continue reading
Once we start to thaw out from winter, wheat as well as diseases will start to grow and develop. In some areas stripe rust has already shown up, which may indicate an increased disease risk in wheat this year. Continue reading
A number of calls have come in concerning weed control in wheat. Continue reading
The 2015 version of PB1768, Insect Control Recommendations for Field Crops, is now available online at UTcrops.com. Hard copies will soon be available and distributed at UT county and crop production workshops.
The following is an updated version of an older article … The next 4-5 weeks is the time to consider making a foliar application for aphids in wheat. I’ve discussed the potential value of managing aphids to prevent the spread of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) in a previous article. A late-winter, foliar insecticide application, at least on wheat not having an insecticide seed treatment, has shown a consistent yield benefit in my testing over the last five years (figure below). Continue reading
I’ve recently received several calls concerning N applications on wheat. Although this cold front has made it easier to get across wet fields, it is still early for the first split in a late winter/early spring split-N application approach. To make the most of the first split, target ‘spring greenup’, or the period in which wheat breaks dormancy and begins to grow rapidly (typically Feekes 3 or Zadoks 25). Delaying applications until this point can help ensure the applied N is available to the developing crop by reducing the potential for N loss. The current N demand of the dormant crop Continue reading