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Purdue Field Day to Feature Research on Sorghum’s Value as a Forage Crop

August 8, 2024 - From Issue:
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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…]

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Little Bugs in Corn Ears

August 8, 2024 - From Issue:
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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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Reminder: 2024 OISC Clean Sweep Pesticide Disposal

August 1, 2024 - From Issue:
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********LAST REMINDER********* **********Forms are due August 9, 2024*********** The 2024 OISC Clean Sweep Pesticide Disposal participant form is attached and available via the OISC website at the link below. Clean Sweep Pesticide Disposal Link: https://oisc.purdue.edu/pesticide/clean_sweep.html If you are planning on participating in the program, please complete the attached 2024 OISC Clean Sweep participant form and return the form to me via the contact info on the form. Please keep the info form as that form has the dates and locations. If you are an organization, such as Extension, Purdue Pesticide Programs, Solid waste Districts, Recycling districts, media and other organizations please forward the attached participant form onto all interested parties. The program would not be a success without all you do getting the word out!

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Corn Leaf Aphid Populations Plummeting from Fungal Disease

August 1, 2024 - From Issue:
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Corn leaf aphid (CLA), is typically an occasional presence in cornfields within the Midwest – they can be found in most fields closer to harvest time, when corn is starting to senesce and they don’t/can’t have much impact. They are typically not a pest of concern during the summer months. This year is different! In Indiana and throughout the Midwest, this aphid has made its presence known this year. We don’t know all the reasons why this year’s populations have been so much worse, but it is very likely progression of remnants of Hurricane Beryl from south to north (July 8 and 9) distributed winged aphids throughout our region; this is a common route of aphid transport. Since last week’s Pest&Crop article, winged aphids have been found on multiple plants/crops, including many that CLA are unable to feed on. This morning while running the dog in the yard, John Obermeyer[Read More…]

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Take Time to Evaluate Yield, Quality, Resistance, Persistence When Selecting Forage Varieties

August 1, 2024 - From Issue:
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Many times, I get frustrated when I go to the grocery store. The task seems simple enough; purchase a can of beans. The problem for me as I stare up and down the bean shelf is there are too many darn bean choices. Some are no spice, low spice, medium spice, or hot spice. Some are white beans, red beans, black beans or brown beans. Beans are labeled by Company A through Company G. Some are higher price, moderate price or lower price. The beans are canned, in glass, or in a plastic bag. After complete evaluation, I make my decision on what bean type I am going to buy after too much valuable time has passed. Then, I need to move up the aisle and do the same thing with corn and carrots. Needless to say, but I will, “I don’t like to shop for groceries”. I hope you[Read More…]

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A Break Before More Rain

July 26, 2024 - From Issue:
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Several weeks ago, Indiana received enough rain to eliminate drought across the state, leaving behind just a few counties in Abnormally Dry (D0) status.  Fortunately, this week has been relatively quiet, allowing many areas to alleviate flooding issues.  The U.S. Drought Monitor kept those Abnormally Dry areas nearly the same this week (Figure 1), so how might things change?  Will this recent dry period re-introduce Moderate Drought (D1) and/or expand those Abnormally Dry areas?  Or will more rain keep Indiana in a more normal situation where precipitation passes through every few days, separated by typical Midwest hot and humid conditions? First, it is important to review what has been happening across our state.  Over the past two weeks, Figure 2 shows that most of Indiana has receive above-normal precipitation except for southeastern and southern Indiana.  However, even those locations are within one inch of normal amounts (based on the 1991-2020[Read More…]

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Evaluate Forage Species and Varieties before Purchase

July 24, 2024 - From Issue:
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To reach full potential of the forage part of the business, Mother Nature must comply with provision of excellent growing conditions, but the manager (you) must be part of a successful team with Mother Nature and professionals, too. Employing a proper soil fertility program, seeding at a proper time, using a correct seeding rate, and harvesting/grazing at the right growth stage are part of the decisions that need to be made. Crop scouting and following through with management decisions during the growing season are critical to success. But before all of the above can be done, deliberating what forage species and varieties within a forage species will be used to renovate an existing stand or establish a new hay or pasture field need to be done, too. The things I ultimately consider when seeding perennial forages are yield, quality and persistence. Summer-annual forages can’t survive winter temperatures, but potential yield[Read More…]

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Communicate Seeding Date Carefully – Someone is Listening

July 24, 2024 - From Issue:
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I was asked to come to a field in early April many years ago by a young producer. The producer and the seedsman that sold the alfalfa to the producer met me at the field. The cause of concern was that there was an expectation of green alfalfa growing after breaking winter dormancy in Mid-March. Instead, what was seen at my height of 5’ 10” was light brown soil; not a trace of green from anything was seen. I dropped to my knees and got my eyes within 12 inches of the soil surface. What I saw was what had been an outstanding stand of alfalfa seedlings, at least 24 dead alfalfa seedlings per square foot, no more than 1-inch in height that were the same color of the soil. I asked the producer when he seeded the field. He replied, “October 7”. The “Best Management Practice” would have been[Read More…]

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Red Crown Rot of Soybean: What to do if you suspect it is in your field

July 24, 2024 - From Issue:
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Red crown rot of soybean has become a new concern this season in Indiana after a few localized occurrences have been found in previous years (see map, Figure 1A). We also have our first reports for 2024. This disease is caused by the soilborne fungus, Calonectria ilicicola. At this point in the field season, we are on the hunt to determine how widespread the issue may be here in Indiana. Therefore, we need your help in documenting red crown rot and collecting samples. What to look for: The disease may appear in patches in a field similar to our other soilborne diseases such as sudden death syndrome (SDS) and brown stem rot (Figure 1B). Early foliar symptoms may also mimic these diseases, which include chlorosis (yellowing) and necrosis of leaf tissue between leaf veins (Figure 1C). Therefore, it is important to take a few plant samples and check out the[Read More…]

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