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Showing posts from May, 2018

The Color Yellow

prepared by:  Dr. Jochum Wiersma,  Small Grains Specialist at University of Minnesota Although not nearly as heart-wrenching as the novel 'The Color  Purple   ', Memorial Day weekend is often the time that the color yellow is a cause for concern in spring wheat, barley, and oats. This year is no exception. The cause in this time doesn't appear to early-season tan spot just yet but more so heat canker. The hot and windy weather this past weekend were ideal conditions to cause this physiological phenomenon. More details about early season yellowing in general and heat canker specifically can be found here and here .

It didn't rain. What is the fate of my soil-applied herbicide?

Photo. Common waterhemp in corn (Credit: Angie Rieck-Hinz, Iowa State University). Note: Tom Peters, Extension Sugarbeet Agronomist with University of Minnesota and North Dakota State University, recently posted the article “ It Didn’t Rain. What is the Fate of my Soil-Applied Herbicide? ” He discusses the effects that the recent dry soil conditions and lack of rain might have on soil-applied herbicides in the article, reprinted below.  While the herbicide active ingredients might be different for fields planted to corn and soybean, the effects of dry soils on pre-emergence herbicide activation is the same. In 2017 Lisa Behnken, Crops Extension Educator in southern Minnesota, spoke about these very challenges in corn in this video . The message to use a preemergence herbicide in 2018 was well received for growers with fields where waterhemp is their primary weed. There was a flurry of activity last week to apply preemergence products and to take advantage of the forecast for ra

Prevented Plant Insurance Coverage Dates

Heavy spring rains resulting in flooded fields have delayed planting for many farmers in southern Minnesota.  Many of these farmers will have to decide what to do when the final planting dates of May 31 for corn and June 10 for soybeans ( RMA Maps for Final Plant Dates in MN ). The USDA’s Federal Crop Insurance Corporation policies have prevented planting provisions for payment if planting cannot occur before the final plant date.  There are also options to plant after the final planting date, but with reduced insurance coverage. For most of Minnesota, the final planting date for corn is May 31. It is May 25 for northern counties.  The final planting date for soybeans in Minnesota is June 10. The late planting period extends for 25 days after the crop's final planting date at this point the insurance coverage is reduced to 55% for corn and 60% for soybeans.

Upper Midwest Tillage Guide

The Upper Midwest Tillage Guide is a collaboration between the University of Minnesota Extension and North Dakota State University. The Upper Midwest Tillage Guide is a regional resource for producers and agronomic personnel who are interested in reducing tillage, but who may not feel comfortable choosing the best options for their specific operation. The guide lays out the benefits of various equipment types and tillage options and is conveniently broken into four chapters that may be read consecutively or individually. I. A brief history of tillage and tillage research Part I explores the benefits of tillage from a historical perspective. II. Tillage implements, purpose and ideal use Part II describes equipment components, depth of tillage, and typical residue covers for various tillage implements. III. Reducing tillage intensity Increased soil structure, organic matter, and reduced soil erosion are some of the many benefits of reduced tillage discussed in Part III.

Early-season scouting sets stage for current and future crops

Planting time in NW MN.   Planting is both a stressful and exciting time of the year as farmers race to cover many acres in a short period of time.   Near the University of Minnesota’s NW Research and Outreach Center in Crookston, many farmers have finished planting both sugar beet and spring wheat acres and have moved on to corn and soybean.   Many fields are still occupied with tillage implements and anhydrous tanks as people work long hours to complete essential tasks before the 1.5 inches of rain forecast to start Thursday.   

Gearing Up for the Use of Dicamba Tolerant Soybean Technology in 2018

prepared by: Andrew Thostenson, Pesticide Program Specialist, North Dakota State University and Liz Stahl, UMN Extension educator - Crops. Note: Andrew Thostenson, Pesticide Program Specialist with North Dakota State University, recently posted the article “ Gearing Up for the Use of Dicamba Tolerant Soybean Technology in 2018 .” He discusses some very good points pertinent to Minnesotans, considering the delayed start to planting this season, in his article reprinted below. It important to note there are some differences between Minnesota and neighboring states in label requirements for dicamba formulations labelled for use on dicamba-tolerant soybean. In addition to the federal label changes announced in 2017 for Xtendimax by Monsanto, Engenia by BASF, and FeXapan by DuPont, these additional protocols are also in place in Minnesota: Cutoff date: Do not apply after June 20. This is expected to help in reduce potential for off-target movement and injury potential to

Sugarbeet Planting Delay Means a Change in Strategy for Waterhemp Control (05/03/18)

prepared by:  Tom Peters,  Extension Sugarbeet Agronomist,  U of MN  &  NDSU Delay in start to sugarbeet planting means growers targeting waterhemp as their most important weed control challenge need to reevaluate their weed control strategy. Sugarbeet Planting Delay Means a Change in Strategy for Waterhemp Control Delay in start to sugarbeet planting means growers targeting waterhemp as their most important weed control challenge need to reevaluate their weed control strategy. Waterhemp germinates and emerges at approximately 350 cumulative growing degree days, base 48 or approximately May 10 in west central Minnesota and May 15 in the southern Red River Valley. Sugarbeet planted on April 30 will not reach the 2-leaf stage until May 16 or after waterhemp has begun to emerge. It means we must use a preemergence herbicide. Which one? There are three herbicide options. Strengths and weaknesses of each option included Dual Magnum can be applied preemergence using th