Irrigation equipment is running non-stop as water use really ramps up for corn and soybeans. I am including approximate amounts to water each week for post silking corn and beans that are entering the reproductive stages. Continue reading
The link below is a slide set put together by Kevin Ferguson, UT Extension Area Specialist-Farm Management and contains farm management information for drought related beef cattle management decisions including a culling strategy, tax implications, and the three biggest mistakes made by cattlemen.
Drought Related Beef Cattle Management Decisions Continue reading
The call of the week has been about spider mites in cotton. The hot, dry conditions are ideal for spider mites and worsens their potential impact on the crop. UT recommends treatment when 30-50% of plants are showing signs of injury and Continue reading
As reported by NASS on June 25, 2012
DRY CONDITIONS PREVAILING
The high pressure system holding over Tennessee caused a continuation of the hot and dry weather last week. Virtually all of the featured weather stations across the state now show considerable precipitation deficits indicating moderate drought conditions. Soil moisture reports indicate that moisture levels in the state were 60 percent short to very short in West Tennessee, 80 percent short to very short in Middle Tennessee, and 70 percent short to very short in East Tennessee. The effects of the extended dry spell on crops have begun to show, but most crops continue to be rated in fair-to-good condition. Corn development remains well ahead of normal with seventy percent in the silking stage, but plants are twisting in many areas. Continue reading
This article was prepared by Dr. Chris Main, former Cotton Extension Specialist.
Plant growth regulators. Many cotton acres are planted to new varieties in 2012 and producers do not have much experience with PGR applications to these new varieties. Continue reading
Prices are reported as of Thursday, June 21, 2012. Corn, soybean, and wheat prices are up while cotton prices are down for the week through Thursday. The September U.S. Dollar Index closed Thursday at 82.49, up 0.52 for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 12,574, down 251 points today and 193 points since last Friday. Crude Oil closed at 78.20 a barrel, down 6.13 a barrel for the week. It may sound like a broken record, but weather and the Dollar are the main influences on the market this week. Continue reading
Based on moth trap catches, the second generation flight of southwestern corn borers (SWCB) is already beginning at some locations. This second generation will pose a threat to non-Bt corn and an even greater threat to any relatively late planted corn. This threat will be mostly isolated to places where there was a substantial first generation moth flight. Continue reading
Yes, I would expect tarnished plant bug activity in cotton to pick up over the next several weeks. Plant bug infestations have been average at best in most locations over the previous two weeks. However, we’ve observed many plant bugs in Continue reading