Summer just had to throw us a going away party in the form of extreme heat!
Summer just had to throw us a going away party in the form of extreme heat!
For those of you with late plantings of sweet corn or field corn that is still in the late stages of silking, do not let your guard down!
Pattern changes, like the one we’ve experienced in the middle of the month, are quite typical for August.
August is in full swing, and schools are back in session, but let’s remember that it’s still summer, meteorologically-speaking!
The vast majority of corn has long ago completed pollination. There are the late-planted fields that have yet to do so.
Southern corn rust has now been confirmed in four counties (Knox, Dubois, Warrick, and Shelby) this week in Indiana (Figure 1). While tar spot continues to be documented across the state (Figure 2). I suggest if you have not gotten out and looked for these diseases now is the time. Even if your corn is approaching black layer it will be important to document tar spot in your fields for the future disease management decisions. There are currently 41 counties with a positive confirmation of tar spot (Figure 2). As we are learning this season when we have had favorable environmental conditions there may be pockets of tar spot even in areas that have not seen the significant yield impacts previously. In the map all gray counties indicate that tar spot was found in the county in previous seasons. I have been getting many questions on if a late season[Read More…]
After a period of hot and humid weather where heat indices reached triple digits in some locations, we welcome cooler than normal temperatures for the next several days. It is still summer, though, so sweaters, mittens, and scarves will not be necessary! There were a few temperature records broken over the August 5-6, 2024, period, but surprisingly none otherwise across Indiana. What a nice reminder that we are usually hot and humid this time of year! In fact, the July 2024 average daily temperature (as well as the average daily maximum and minimum temperatures) were very close to normal. Does this mean global climate change is not real? Absolutely not! The key word there is “global” and while the average temperatures for the month were near normal, the variability and extremes illustrate how much the atmosphere has been agitated. Which brings us to precipitation. July’s precipitation was well above normal[Read More…]
In several weeks, some livestock producers will be chopping whole-plant corn that will be placed in an anaerobic environment so fermentation can occur. During the ensiling process, toxic gasses of nitrogen dioxide (N02) and nitrogen tetroxide (N204) are produced when nitric oxide comes in contact with oxygen. Nitrates that have not been converted to true protein are the source of nitrogen oxides. Nitrates accumulate in plants when drought and/or when excess nitrogen is present in the soil. Nitric oxide is colorless and nitrogen dioxide is reddish brown. These gases have caused permanent lung damage in people; and have killed both livestock and humans. Greatest concern is the first few days after putting the chopped forage in the silo structure or bag. However, care should be taken for ten days after packing occurs. These silo gases float down a tower silo chute and into a barn or confined area. Whenever toxic[Read More…]
Diverse types of sorghum provide many opportunities for use as a valuable forage resource. Sudangrass and sorghum x sudangrass provide valuable grazing opportunities in the summer months; they can also be ensiled as traditional chopped silage and baleage. Forage sorghum is a good alternative to corn silage, particularly on droughty soils and where the tar spot fungus has been problematic on corn. A news release regarding the forage sorghum field day to be held on September 10 was prepared by Ashvini Malshe with Purdue Agricultural Communications follows. Please share the opportunity with others about the field day. WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University Extension will host a Forage Sorghum Field Day on September 10 at the Feldun-Purdue Ag Center (FPAC) in Bedford, Indiana. “Compared to corn, forage sorghum has attributes of being more drought tolerant, has less nitrogen requirements and no host relationship with the tar spot pathogen,” said Keith[Read More…]
As folks get out to inspect corn ears, especially in northern counties where western bean cutworm is a greater concern, they will find “little black bugs,” especially where kernels are damaged. Their presence is in response to previous damage to kernels, which includes insect and/or bird feeding, hail, etc. In addition, hybrids with short ear husks seem to be more prone to exposing kernels, making easy access for rootworm and Japanese beetles to compromise ear tip kernels while feeding on silks. These small, opportunistic insects are feeding on decaying kernels and subsequent molds, NOT directly damaging the crop. They are simply fulfilling their niche in the cycle of life, “clean up in Aisle 3.”
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