Some wheat fields are looking less green than we hoped for but not surprising due to the continued mini-monsoons we keep winding up with. A good bit of the wheat crop is at the flag leaf stage meaning it is too late to add additional N at this point. Continue reading
Disease levels in Tennessee have increased over the last couple of weeks. I have gotten more reports on stripe rust, a few fields with powdery mildew, have seen leaf blotch (Septoria blotch) in every field, and with wheat beginning to bloom Fusarium head blight is on the disease radar. Continue reading
I’m writing this article a little in jest, making fun of insect pictures that are texted or emailed to me for identification. However, with the good cameras available on many phones, a picture can really help. Continue reading
As reported by NASS on April 22, 2013
CORN PLANTING STILL DELAYED
Corn producers made the most of the four days of planting weather last week but still lag behind where they would like to be. Planting is about a week behind the five-year average pace. Cotton and soybean plantings have yet to begin, but that is not unusual for this time of year. The wheat acreage has been top-dressed and was reported in good-to-excellent condition with the crop just starting to head. Continue reading
Amongst all the corn planting don’t forget to check on your wheat. So far disease levels, in general, have remained low in wheat fields in Tennessee, but that can change quickly. Continue reading
Based on the number of calls coming in, a combination of 1) applying N in early February (especially liquid N) and 2) continued wet weather has led to N deficiency symptoms showing up in some wheat fields. Variations in green color within a field can be due to application method as well as weather or soil conditions. Continue reading
I thought I would put a plug in for a good article written by my counterpart at Mississippi State University (Dr. Angus Catchot). See this link for everything you wanted to know about calibration and more: Calibration Tips for Insecticides.
As reported by NASS on April 15, 2013
CORN PLANTING CONTINUED AT A SNAIL’S PACE
Growers report corn planting progress has been set-back by a week and a half from normal and a full three weeks behind last year’s record pace due to cooler than normal temperatures and wet fields. Moderate weather finally returned late last week and accelerated the wheat and fruit crop development but these crops still remained behind normal development. Pastures were greening and growing rapidly and were rated in mostly good to excellent condition. Continue reading