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30
Mar
2012
Recent Updates
29
Mar
2012
Questions on Poor Burndown of Cover Crop Wheat
29
Mar
2012
There have been numerous reports of poor control of cover crop or volunteer wheat with glyphosate + dicamba or glyphosate + dicamba + Leadoff over the last ten days. This poor control has been somewhat spotty and not occurred in every field. Earlier those very same treatments were providing consistent control of wheat across the board. The question is why the wheat control is inconsistent now with Continue reading
25
Mar
2012
Sugarcane Beetles in Corn; Cereal Leaf Beetle in Wheat
25
Mar
2012
My counterpart, Dominic Reisig, in North Carolina wrote a couple of good articles that are worth a look (linked below). Sugarcane beetles, like just about everything else, are out early this year. Ed Burns, Extension Agent in Franklin County, reported “about a hundred beetles” at his shop lights last week. I typically start getting calls about this pest beginning in early May, but count on potential problems to start earlier this year.
Sugarcane beetles are active (Dominic Reisig, NCSU)
Cereal leaf beetle update (Dominic Reisig, NCSU)
23
Mar
2012
Weekly Crop Marketing Comments
23
Mar
2012
Cotton prices are up while corn, soybean and wheat prices are down for the week. The June U.S. Dollar Index before the close is at 79.58, down .50 for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average before the close is down 152 points for the week at 13,080. Crude Oil was trading before the close at 107.09 a barrel, down 0.49 a barrel for the week. The soybean to corn ratio which reflects November soybeans compared to December corn is now at 2.37 to 1 up from 2.05 to 1 at the first of the year. This is still in favor of planting corn, but soybeans have closed the gap. Continue reading
23
Mar
2012
Perennial Foxtail Confirmed in Hayfields
23
Mar
2012
Co-authored with Jeff Via (UT Extension, Fayette County).
For some time, Extension Agents have preached that properly managed pastures and hayfields can provide much of the feed needed for livestock (horses and cattle). We taught that when well-managed, theses forages can provide an inexpensive, high quality feed. Poorly managed pastures and Continue reading
21
Mar
2012
Corn Planting Kicks Off in Tennessee
21
Mar
2012
Gentlemen, start your planters! We have a little corn in the ground this week. Rain kept most folks from planting corn extremely early, and that may turn out to be a good thing if April weather becomes as volatile as we know it can be. Weather conditions look favorable for planting next week— with mostly dry and mild temps after this next system passes through. We are not “too early” at this point and I hope that folks with several acres ahead of them will be able to at least start planting corn during the last week in March. Continue reading
21
Mar
2012
Managing Mid-March Emerged Palmer Amaranth
21
Mar
2012
Quite a few reports coming in from folks who are finding Palmer Amaranth up in their fields. We have found some that were over an inch tall today (March 20). Some have expressed concern that the Palmer amaranth is up this early. Though it definitely could be an issue if allowed to get large and thick by planting, it could also be a positive. Continue reading
20
Mar
2012
Controlling Tillage Turnips Prior to Planting
20
Mar
2012
Judging by recent phone calls the tillage turnips did not freeze kill. Some are 18” tall and as big around as your wrist. The question is how to control them this spring with so much growth. Continue reading