Recent Updates

06 Aug 2015

Crop Progress

06 Aug 2015
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As reported by NASS on August 3, 2015

DESPITE HOT AND DRY WEATHER, CROPS LOOK PROMISING

Despite the heat, crops were reported to be in mostly good to excellent condition. Showers have been widely scattered throughout the State and crops look either good or stressed depending on where you are in the county. The weather, however, has been ideal for cutting hay. Conversely, in East Tennessee, vegetable crops are struggling and disease pressure is high because of wet conditions. Sugarcane aphids are showing up in grain sorghum, increasing the need for scouting and spraying. Continue reading Crop Progress 8 2 15.

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05 Aug 2015

When can I quit worrying about sugarcane aphid in sorghum?

05 Aug 2015
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This has been a common question, and the short answer is you could potentially have to spray for sugarcane aphids until near the time harvest aids are applied. The direct effect of aphids on yield will diminish rapidly after soft dough. Unfortunately, there are some bad experiences with  Continue reading →

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05 Aug 2015

Headworm Control in Sorghum

05 Aug 2015
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Corn Earworm
Corn Earworm

My counterpart in Mississippi, Dr. Catchot , wrote a good article last week on this topic (link here). Headworms are a common problem, especially on later milo. This includes corn earworm, fall armyworm, and sorghum webworms. Typically corn earworm is the most common species present. The treatment threshold for corn earworm or fall armyworm in one or more larva per head. Count sorghum webworms as equivalent to 1/3 of a corn earworm … they are smaller and do less feeding. Continue reading →

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05 Aug 2015

Cotton Insect Update

05 Aug 2015
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A few cotton fields have reached the point where insecticide applications can be terminated. There are reports of lingering plant bugs, increasing stink bugs, and a smattering of spider mites and bollworms in fields. This is pretty standard stuff for this time of year and should be expected in later cotton over the next couple of weeks. Below are a few points to consider. Continue reading →

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03 Aug 2015

Sulfur Deficiencies in Cotton

03 Aug 2015
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Tyson Raper (Cotton and Small Grains Specialist) and Frank Yin (Systems Agronomist)

Figure 1: Sulfur deficiencies in the upper canopy of blooming cotton during the 2015 season. Photo courtesy Mr. Bob Sharp.
Figure 1: Sulfur deficiencies in the upper canopy of blooming cotton during the 2015 season. Photo courtesy Mr. Bob Sharp.

Sulfur (S) deficiencies have been becoming more common in cotton fields in recent years.  This is in part due to a reduction in sulfur emissions from manufacturing plants and diesel fuels.  Nitrogen (N) and S deficiencies are commonly confused- particularly late in the season.  Although both cause chlorosis of leaf tissue, the mobile nature of N within the plant results in deficiency symptoms first appearing low in the canopy.  In contrast, S is very immobile in the plant and, as a result, S deficiency symptoms first appear in new growth near the top of the plant.  Continue reading →

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03 Aug 2015

Market Highlights

03 Aug 2015
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Corn, soybeans, cotton, and wheat were down for the week. For the third straight week December corn and November soybean futures declined. After a high of $4.54 on July 14th, December corn futures have retreated more than 70 cents. Similar to corn, soybeans have decreased $1.05 since reaching a high of $10.45 on July 14th. Improved weather conditions have been the primary factor in the price declines. Continue reading at Tennessee Market Highlights.

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31 Jul 2015

Identification of PPO-Resistant Palmer Amaranth

31 Jul 2015
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Identification of PPO-resistant Palmer amaranth has been a concern for many over the past couple of weeks. I am sure many of the Palmer amaranth escapes in West Tennessee are not due to resistance.  However some definitely are.  We are up to 4 counties now where the Palmer amaranth with the PPO-resistant gene has been identified. So how can one tell if Palmer amaranth that escapes FlexStar, Ultra Blazer or Cobra is due to resistance or another issue? Continue reading →

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