As Purdue University’s Extension Forage Specialist, there is one forage production practice recommendation that draws my ire and has become a major pet peeve; so much that every time the recommendation is offered I think I lose another hair follicle on my head and legs.
No surprise, as reported in last week’s Pest&Crop, the “landing spots” for the many black cutworm moths into the state are now being realized. Another encouragement to scout high-risk corn and soybean fields as they emerge. Black cutworm larvae, some near pupation, were reported cutting soybean seedlings in Southwest Indiana. The river bottom fields, lush with weeds earlier this spring, had lost 4 to 8,000 plants/acre from the damage. Because of soybeans ability to compensate for lost plants, and the size of the cutworm larvae, no treatment will be necessary in these fields. Fortunately, the damage was scattered throughout, rather than concentrated in areas of the fields. If replanting, or filling-in, is being considered, the following publication may be of help, click HERE. In West Central Indiana, black cutworm damage was being reported in one-leaf sweet corn planted into cover crop residues. Most plants had some leaf feeding, and cutting[Read More…]
Armyworm Pheromone Trap Report – 2023
Cool mornings and warm afternoons have made conditions pleasant across the state.
To make excellent quality hay, the forage needs to be cut at the right growth stage and packaged into a bale at the right moisture content without incidence of rain damage.
Wheat is starting to head out across the central and northern Indiana, with flowering not too far behind.
It is that time of year when much cool-season grass and legume hay is being made in Indiana.
As a young agronomist, one of the first things I learned was that when assessing corn emergence and stand establishment following planting, is that it is always important to have a shovel with you.
Mechanical conditioning the crop with rubber rollers (shown in picture) or steel rollers reduces hay drying time Harvest of cool-season perennial grasses and perennial legumes is beginning soon. Getting a standing forage crop that measures 75 percent moisture or more to a safe baling moisture of 18 to 20 percent moisture is “easier said than done”. Changing weather fronts pass through every third or fourth day making it a challenge to quickly dry hay. Research has shown that properly conditioning forage crops is the single most effective way to reduce curing time. Making the proper settings on your mower-conditioner will ensure the best economic return. When conditioning a forage crop, the goal should be to have 90 percent of the crop’s stems show some signs of a cracking or limpness. No more than 5 percent of the leaves should show signs of bruising or blackening from the conditioning process —[Read More…]
The weather has been absolutely beautiful over the past few days. Temperatures have finally rebounded, vegetation is green again, and agricultural crops are beginning to emerge from the freshly planted fields. Despite the warming temperatures, we still have not dug ourselves out of the below-normal start to May. Through the first ten days of the month, Indiana averaged 0.7◦F below normal (Figure 1). The largest departures occurred in climate divisions 6 and 9, which were 1.6◦F and 1.9◦F below normal, respectively. Angola, located in Steuben County, was the coldest location with an average temperature of 50.9◦F (4.0◦F below normal). Evansville was the warmest with an average temperature of 63.4◦F, which was 2.0◦F below normal. Accumulated Modified Growing Degree Days (April 1 – May 10) continued to run within 60 MGDDs of normal throughout the state (Figure 2). Statewide, MGDDs have accumulated between 160 and 420 units since April 1. Four-inch[Read More…]
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