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Posts From Erick Larson, State Extension Specialist - Grain Crops

The Tassel Shot: What is the Best Timing? Updated

🕔23:25, 4.Jun 2013

More and more growers are applying various management inputs around tassel stage in order to improve efficiency and corn productivity. This article discusses how crop physiology affects the potential yield response and appropriate timing.

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How to Estimate Nitrogen Loss resulting from Saturated Soils Updated

🕔18:42, 14.May 2013

Persistent rainfall has periodically saturated corn fields for several weeks this spring, prompting questions regarding potential nitrogen fertilizer loss. This article gives guidelines for estimating potential N loss.

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Corn Replanting Guidelines and Management Issues with Wet Weather Updated

🕔14:16, 26.Apr 2013

Unrelenting rainfall continues to delay much field-related progress. This article gives suggestions for making corn replant decisions and keeping up with crop needs, such as nitrogen fertilizer application.

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What is the Cut-off Date for Planting Corn? Updated

🕔22:07, 4.Apr 2013

As rains continue to delay corn planting progress, more concerns are rising regarding the appropriate “cut-off” date for planting corn. Recent MSU research gives a solid basis for addressing this question.

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Top Ten Keys to High Corn Yields Updated

🕔21:19, 14.Mar 2013

You must provide numerous resources and management to optimize the opportunity for corn plants to produce high yields. Of course, favorable weather plays a huge role as well. This article describes areas where we can improve corn yield potential.

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When is it Time to Start Planting Corn? Updated

🕔21:44, 3.Mar 2013

March is here, expectations are high and our fields may dry out soon, if rain holds off. So when should we start planting corn? This article gives tangible recommendations for determining suitable planting time when nature throws us curveballs.

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2013 Spring Nitrogen Fertilizer Recommendations for Wheat Updated

🕔21:42, 14.Feb 2013

Wet, saturated soils certainly complicate issues associated with nitrogen fertilization of wheat fields in the Mid-South, and we have had our fair share early this spring. This article gives guidelines for getting better wheat response to your fertilizer dollars.

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Bird Repellent Available for Corn Seed Updated

🕔21:00, 14.Feb 2013

If you need some help deterring blackbirds or other ground-feeding birds from ruining your corn stand, you can make plans now regarding the product Avipel.

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2013 Grain Sorghum Hybrid Recommendations Updated

🕔17:53, 9.Feb 2013

Included are Mississippi State’s suggested grain sorghum hybrids for planting during the 2013 season. These hybrid recommendations are intended for dryland production.

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2012 MSU Corn Hybrid Demonstration Program Results Updated

🕔14:34, 24.Dec 2012

The MSU Corn Hybrid Demonstration Program evaluates superior corn hybrids from numerous seed companies who participate in the MSU Corn for Grain Hybrid Trials. Our objective is to provide you more opportunity to evaluate premier corn hybrids and substantially supplement the information gathered in the University Hybrid Trials.

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Wheat Seeding Tips for Successful Stand Establishment Updated

🕔11:31, 1.Nov 2012

A lot of wheat is being seeded now as soils dry and harvest season is winding down. That is a good thing because early planting often contributes to multiple issues which can drastically limit wheat productivity in Mississippi and the Mid-South. This article gives rate guidelines and other tips for successful seeding of small grains.

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2013 MSU Short List of Suggested Corn Hybrids Updated

🕔15:18, 25.Oct 2012

This effort lists those corn hybrids which have demonstrated superior grain yield performance in the MSU Corn for Grain Hybrid Trials. Approximately 80 corn hybrids representing the vast majority of seed companies in the Mid-south participate in the MSU hybrid trials. This information should help you better assess relative corn hybrid productivity and profitability in future seasons for either irrigated or dryland culture.

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2012 MSU Short List of Suggested Wheat Varieties Updated

🕔11:08, 25.Aug 2012

This article lists those wheat varieties which have demonstrated superior productivity in the MSU Wheat and Oat Variety Trials and summarizes their characteristics. This impartial information should help you better assess how many variety traits potentially work to affect wheat performance on your farm next season.

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Insect Management in Late Planted Grain Sorghum Updated

🕔11:39, 18.Aug 2012

Mississippi producers planted 65K acres of grain sorghum this year, up from 52K acres in 2011, and 12K acres in 2010. Grain sorghum traditionally in MS has been considered a “step child” crop that went on the worst dry land

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Yield Reduction from late-season Corn Defoliation?

Yield Reduction from late-season Corn Defoliation? Updated

🕔16:12, 27.Jul 2012

There is some late-planted Mississippi corn which has not reached physiological maturity. This corn may have its yield reduced somewhat by severe problems or stress. Included is a chart which may help assess potential corn yield reduction or risk.

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When is the Best Time to Start Corn Harvest?

When is the Best Time to Start Corn Harvest? Updated

🕔21:26, 21.Jul 2012

Corn harvest will be upon us much sooner than normal and expectations are generally much higher than recent years. However, we still need to get this corn crop out of the field and safely deliver it to market. Methods to successfully harvest your corn crop may vary depending on several factors.

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Late Season Corn Irrigation and Termination Updated

🕔17:35, 22.Jun 2012

This season’s corn crop, particularly that planted in early March, is extraordinarily early. However, it will still need additional irrigation or rainfall to finish the crop out. This article discusses crop progress and methods to schedule and terminate irrigation water for corn.

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Appropriate Timing for Optimizing Corn Yield Response Updated

🕔22:54, 19.Jun 2012

Interest in mid-season application of various inputs has certainly increased as we try to improve corn productivity through better management. This article discusses how corn physiology plays a primary role in determining corn yield response and appropriate management timing.

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Corn Hail Damage and other Storm Issues Updated

🕔17:01, 27.May 2012

Corn fields in several areas of the state unfortunately took a beating from hail and wind associated with storms May 20-22. Several different types of damage may have occurred depending upon the type of storm, including hail damage, lodging and greensnap. This article will describe how much damage may have occurred.

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When should I start Irrigating Corn? Updated

🕔20:59, 4.May 2012

Dry early season conditions have prompted much conversation about the proper time to initiate irrigation for corn. This scenario usually generates a lot more anxiety than necessary because early season wilting is certainly not something we are very accustomed to.

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How to Plant Corn for Higher Yields Updated

🕔14:35, 19.Mar 2012

Corn is quite unique because much of its potential productivity is determined during the planting process. Thus, corn is often much more responsive or dependent on variables implemented during planting than other Southern crops. This article gives planting guidelines for enhancing corn productivity.

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Exemption granted for Corn Seed Bird Repellent Updated

🕔22:36, 13.Mar 2012

We are pleased to announce the EPA has granted the Mississippi Department of Agriculture a Section 18 emergency exemption allowing the use of anthraquinone, which is an unregistered product marketed as Avipel on field or sweet corn seed for the purpose of repelling blackbirds and cowbirds in newly planted corn fields in the state of Mississippi.

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Grain Sorghum Hybrid Recommendations Updated

🕔17:34, 21.Feb 2012

There is considerably more interest in growing grain sorghum this year. This article gives some suggestions and resources for evaluating hybrids which could be suited for dryland grain sorghum production in Mississippi.

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Spring 2012 Nitrogen Fertilizer Suggestions for Wheat Updated

🕔18:20, 9.Feb 2012

Warm winter weather has promoted wheat to begin growing much earlier than normal this spring. This can make decisions regarding nitrogen application timing quite challenging and different from field to field. This newsletter will give several pointers to help make good decisions.

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2011 MSU Corn Hybrid Demonstration Program Results Updated

🕔15:17, 20.Dec 2011

The MSU Corn Hybrid Demonstration Program evaluates superior corn hybrids from numerous seed companies who participate the the MSU Corn for Grain Hybrid Trials. MSU Extension Service Agents coordinate locations with grower cooperators in their region, and supervise plots during the season. Our objective is to provide you more opportunity to evaluate premier corn hybrids and substantially supplement the information gathered in the university hybrid trials.

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