Conversations this week have centered on the forecast lows over the coming weekend, boll maturation at temperatures averaging below 60F, and slow activity of defoliants and boll openers. In this blog, I briefly tackle each of these issues. Continue reading
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed additional mitigations and regulations on the use of atrazine. The open comment period will close this Friday October 7. If you are interested in commenting see this link. I know that it is a very busy time of year but please consider making a comment on this topic. You all are the experts since you steward this herbicide, on many acres, each spring and your comments have more value than many that are sent. Continue reading
Every fall we travel around the state and observe the overall success or failure of weed control in our row crops. From the Palmer amaranth standpoint a few too many fields look like a failure. Particularly, from Gibson county across to Lauderdale county cotton and soybean fields ranged from clean fields to fields with more weeds than one would like (Picture 1) to completely grown up pigweed messes (Picture 2). Continue reading
This has been a big week for defoliation. Most of the calls have consisted of one or two questions. First, how long should I wait on acres that are nowhere near ready and second, what is the concoction when the weather is this cool? In this blog, I share a few thoughts on timing and some results from a strip trial we completed in cool conditions during 2020.
Our 2022 cover crop variety trial results are in! If you are thinking about putting in a cover crop this fall, check out which varieties and mixes did best. Entries were evaluated in both an early and late planted trial (early Oct., early Nov.) and under two termination timings (early Apr., early May). In addition to information on biomass, our report has data on which cover crops provided the best canopy cover throughout the season, estimated nitrogen release to the succeeding cash crop, and forage characteristics for those interested in grazing their covers. 21-22 TN Cover Crop Variety Test Report
On October 18th at 10:00 am there will be a pond meeting on aeration. Fisheries Biologist Bob Robinson from Kasco aerators will be discussing everything about aerators. He will even have a couple of types there to see. The meeting will be at:
468 Charlie Owen Rd in Covington TN.
There is a covered pavilion with picnic tables and chairs as well as a restroom. Memphis Net and Twine and Kasco are sponsoring our lunch so I will need a head count. Please call the office at 901-476-0231 or email me at beckymuller@utk.edu or Jeff Via at 901-476-0231 or jvia@utk.edu if you plan to attend.
The West Tennessee Research and Education Center (WTREC) would like to cordially invite you to the 2022 University of Tennessee Cotton Tour. This event is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 21st at WTREC (605 Airways Blvd., Jackson, TN 38301). Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m. with the tour departing at 8:15. The tour will end at noon with lunch. University of Tennessee Extension and Research personnel from across the state will be presenting on a wide range of pertinent topics. Pesticide Re-certification and CCA points will be available. The agenda can be found by clicking here. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Soybeans were up; corn, cotton, and wheat down for the week.
Should producers start managing price risk for the 2023 crop? Yes. On September 16, December 2023 corn futures were $6.20/bu and November 2023 soybean futures were $13.66/bu. Some producers will be looking to hedge new crop production (and this would be a prudent risk management decision for many), however given volatility and the potential for increased margin requirements a more cost-effective strategy may be bridging the price risk gap until crop insurance prices are determined in March. Continue reading at Tennessee Market Highlights.