Pheromone Trap Counts, June 5, 2015
This is the first week this year I am reporting trap counts but we have had most traps out for at least 2-3 weeks. Overall trap catches have been average to light. This week, the trap catches for corn earworm
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New Data Available on Sealing Soils
If you farm old traditional cotton soils, most likely you have recognized that irrigation water tends to run down the row, racing to the tail ditch. If you have noticed this, you have a “sealing soil”. If you are using
Watermark Sensors, Calculating Soil Moisture for Irrigation Initiation.
With irrigation season ramping up quickly, Mississippi State University Extension Service has lots of expertise and programs available to assist with your needs. One tool that we are using to better assess soil moisture and schedule appropriate irrigation is Watermark™
How much Nitrogen have I Lost from Saturated Soils?
Abundant rainfall has soaked corn fields for extended time during April and late May, exposing nitrogen fertilizer to potential loss. This article gives guidelines for estimating potential N loss.
Choose Fungicide Product for Soybean Fields Based on Variety Planted
Choosing a foliar fungicide product for either a common fungicide application at a specific growth stage in the absence of foliar disease or in the presence of disease should be based on the soybean variety planted. Widespread fungicide resistance to the strobilurin fungicides in the MS soybean production system within the frogeye leaf spot fungal population may ultimately change how we use fungicides. Choose a fungicide product based on whether or not frogeye will occur in a susceptible variety rather than choosing a fungicide based on price.
What is Appropriate Timing for the “Tassel Shot” on Corn?
More growers are implementing different “tassel shot” inputs as part of their corn management program. Wet weather and other issues may further complicate application timing of such inputs. This article discusses whether specific timing makes a big difference or not?
Soybean “Mystery Disease” Update
Over the past several years a root disease of soybean has been observed throughout MS as well as adjacent states. Presently, research is being conducted to determine the causal organism(s) involved in the disease. On Wednesday (May 27), plants in several fields were observed throughout the Inverness as well as Leflore County (Quito) area. The fields have historically had an issue with this particular root disease. Some of the general symptoms and signs of the disease and a general update regarding research project are included in this particular post.
Cotton Injury From Early Season Herbicide Applications
Several calls have come in regarding early season herbicide injury in cotton to both myself and Jason Bond. It is not uncommon to see cotton injury from applications of Sequence or metolachlor products mixed with glyphosate and/or Liberty. Undoubtedly, the
MSU-DREC Rice Field Day – July 30, 2015
The MSU-DREC Rice Producer Field Day will be held in conjunction with the annual Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Summer Rice Grower Meeting this year on the afternoon of July 30 at the Capps Center in Stoneville.. The Farm Bureau meeting
Reminder: Scout Schools Start Next Week
Mississippi State University will be hosting 5 scout schools this year. We have transitioned over the years to make these trainings much more diverse than insect pest alone. This year we will be including insects, disease, fertility, weed identification, and
Mixed Bag of Early Season Caterpillar Defoliators in Soybean
Over the last couple of weeks I have had numerous calls about caterpillar pest in young soybeans. Most of these have been concerning beans that are still in the vegetative stages (V2-V5). The species that are being found are bollworm, yellowstriped armyworm, green cloverworm, granulated cutworm, alfalfa caterpillar, cabbage looper, garden webworm, and yellowstriped armyworm.
Soybean Planting Progress
Although the 2015 planting season started out slow, tremendous progress has been made to get this year’s crop growing. According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service in Mississippi, 79% of the soybean acreage is planted as of the week
Identification of Sealing Soils
Surface sealing in the Mississippi Delta typically occurs in soils that have a low clay and organic matter content but have a high silt fraction, i.e., most of our silt loam soils. Surface sealing, from an irrigation management standpoint, is
Moisture Sensor’s Role in Irrigation Initiation.
Last week Dr. Eric Larson wrote an excellent article dealing with corn irrigation initiation. At that time, a few growers had already begun to irrigate. Dr. Larson stressed the importance of accurately assessing soil moisture verses leaf wilting when determining
When Should I Start Irrigating My Corn?
The recent stretch of dry weather has 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.
Soil Moisture Sensor Field Days
Mississippi State University Extension is in the process of planning two soil moisture sensor field days for Summer 2015. Attendee will view demonstrations and presentations of the agronomic advantages of utilizing soil moisture sensors to trigger row crop irrigation presented
Managing Stink Bugs in Seedling Corn
Over the last few weeks we have received numerous calls about brown stink bugs in seedling corn in the Delta region of the state. Stink bugs attack corn by feeding through the stem or even down in the whorl of small corn plants. Typically the area where they feed becomes chlorotic due to enzymes in their saliva.
Use a Sound Corn Nitrogen Strategy to Combat Rainy Weather
Abundant spring rainfall can create havoc with corn nitrogen management by delaying fertilizer application and also promote massive nitrogen loss. These strategies should help enhance crop response during challenging conditions.
Wheat Disease Update: April 24, 2015
For the most part the Mississippi wheat crop is clean with regards to foliar diseases. However, some important issues are occurring that need to be addressed with regards to Fusarium head blight, stem maggot feeding, and general herbicide injury as these three issues can easily be confused with one another at the field level.
Off-target Herbicide Movement to Rice
As rice approaches reproductive growth stages, it is less likely to recover from injury due to off-target herbicide movement.
High Stink Bug Numbers Being Reported in Some Heading Wheat Fields
Calls are starting to come in about stink bugs in heading wheat. It is not uncommon to find numerous stink bugs in wheat after head emergence. Species attacking wheat are typically rice stink bug and brown stink bugs but greens can sometimes be found. While it may seem very alarming, keep in mind it takes extremely high numbers to cause economic damage to heading wheat.
As Crops Emerge, Slug Calls Start
I have recently received a few call about slugs in corn and soybeans. I suspect this will increase when more crops emerge in the Hill region of the state as well. Slug problems usually start on corn first, then move to soybeans, then cotton in our area. This is only because we typically plant in this order. Slugs have been a sporadic problem in MS row crops over the years with increased occurrence since 2004. This has been exclusively a no-till or reduced till problem, particularly no-till behind a grass crop like corn or grain sorghum. Cool wet years are particularly favorable for slug problems to develop.
Now is the Time to Prepare for Pipe Planner!
Pipe Planner offered free to farmers! Delta Plastics is committed to reducing irrigation water use within the Mississippi Delta by 20 percent by the year 2020. Delta Plastics has offered to provide the company’s irrigation management software, Pipe Planner, free
Grain Sorghum Planting and Seeding Recommendations
Strong markets are driving Mississippi growers to plant a lot more grain sorghum than what could have been, considering the recent development of Sugarcane aphids as a threat to sorghum production. This article gives guidelines for getting your sorghum crop off to a good start.
April Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Office of the Chief Economist (with collaboration from a number of USDA agencies) released their monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report today (April 9). At this stage the reports do not carry the level
