2012

December

Newsletter Contributors December 4, 2012: Jeff Graybill, Editor (Lancaster), Jennifer Bratthauar (Franklin), Mike Fournier (Bucks), Andrew Frankenfield (Montgomery), Mena Hautau (Berks), Mark Madden (Bradford/Sullivan), Dwane Miller (Schuylkill), John Rowehl (York), Nicole Santangelo (McKean/Potter), Del Voight (Lebanon). University Park Faculty and Staff: Bill Curran, Sjoerd Duiker, Marvin Hall, Greg Roth, John Tooker, and Lisa Crytser
Marketing – What can we be doing? December 4, 2012: Our grain crops are far too valuable to be left at the mercy of the market, yet many growers do just that. John Berry, has some thoughts and suggestions on making a marketing plan.
2012 Penn State Agronomy Weed Trials Report Available On-Line December 4, 2012: Interested in new herbicides for your farm? Curious about how your selected products are performing against others? Data from numerous Penn State herbicide trials will go live later this week. One trial of particular interest to many is the On-farm study of ALS-resistant chickweed in barley.
Soil Testing - Do It Now! December 4, 2012: Did you now that 20% of crop fields lack a current soil test? Del Voight discusses the importance of taking a test and how to properly sample a field.
Soybean Workshops Offered around the State, Week of Dec 10th December 4, 2012: This year a number of participants in the PSU/PA Soybean Board Yield Contest topped 80 Bu/a., many of these growers attended one of the soybean production workshops which were offered last year and are back by popular demand.
Late Planted Wheat Yield Potential December 4, 2012: Three late and wet fall planting seasons in a row. What is the penalty for planting wheat and other small grains after their recommended dates?
Variety Evaluation Data Posted December 4, 2012: Dr Greg Roth tells us that in general, the corn (grain and silage) and soybean yield testing programs have very good data and show some interesting trends. One of these is the trend toward early planted short season soybeans yielding exceptionally well.
2013 CHEMSWEEP Waste Pesticide Disposal Program December 4, 2012: What’s the best way to dispose of unwanted pesticides? PA department of Ag has disposed of over 2 million pounds of unwanted agricultural pesticides.
Fall Herbicide Applications December 4, 2012: Is your cover crop an assortment of winter annual weeds? Del Voight discusses getting a jump on your herbicide program with the pros, cons and recommendations of apply herbicides at this time of year.
Aphids in small grain or grass forage fields December 4, 2012: If conditions are right, aphid population growth can be strong and economically damaging populations may develop. Dr. John Tooker reviews aphid concerns to watch for in winter grains, and hay fields.
Weather Outlook for December 4, 2012 December 4, 2012: After the chilliest November in 12 years and the driest one in 90 years, December will bring a different flavor of weather conditions with mild conditions and more frequent showers.
Next Field Crop News - January 8, 2013 - Happy New Year December 4, 2012

November

Cover Crop Walks November 6, 2012: Penn State Extension has a statewide network of cover crop demonstration plots.
Soybean Production Workshops Scheduled for December November 6, 2012: The Penn State Extension Crop Management Team has scheduled four Soybean Production Workshops the week of December 11, 2012.
Is It Still Worth Establishing Cover Crops? November 6, 2012: Harvesting of soybeans and corn is still not completed in many parts of Pennsylvania, and the question arises - does it still make sense to plant a cover crop at this late date?
Soil Compaction Management - Be Wise Rather Than Clever November 6, 2012: Again we are faced with challenging conditions for corn and soybean harvest.
Adjustments When Planting Wheat Late November 6, 2012: Having lost many combining days because of wet weather, lots of wheat will end up being seeded late. Here are some tips to help compensate for later planting.
Weather Outlook For November 6, 2012 November 6, 2012: After a frosty start in parts of Pennsylvania on Wednesday, clouds will return to the eastern two-thirds of the state by afternoon and a cold rain will commence in the eastern third of the Commonwealth by dusk.

October

Weather Outlook for October 2, 2012 October 2, 2012: Some unsettled weather for the next few days, along with the first chance of a few wet snowflakes in the state’s coldest regions, highlights this weeks’ weather outlook.
A Reminder About Silo Gas October 2, 2012: Every year, we usually hear of at least one farmer being overcome by silo gas. Since there is still some silage corn standing across PA, it doesn’t hurt to remind ourselves about the dangers surrounding silo gas.
Use Caution When Importing Hay or Straw from Fire Ant Infested Areas October 2, 2012: If you purchase hay or straw from the south, extra precautions to insure your product is free from fire ants needs to be taken.
Fall Soil Testing October 2, 2012: Guessing at your lime and fertilizer needs just doesn’t cut it. Fall is a great time to do your soil testing!
Fall Herbicide Applications – an Integral Part of Marestail Management October 2, 2012: We’ve been hearing about more marestail resistance problems. Fall herbicide treatments are one option for battling this weed.
Taking Another Alfalfa Harvest October 2, 2012: Thinking about harvesting alfalfa yet this fall? Read about some factors to consider when harvesting alfalfa in fall.
Fall Manure Management October 2, 2012: Read about fall manure applications, and in particular, how we should manage manure around fall cover crop establishment.
Beware of Toxic Gases From Manure Storages October 2, 2012: A recent scare at a dairy farm in Montour County reminds us about the dangers from gases that are present in and around manure storage facilities.
Fall 2012 On-Farm Cover Crops Field Days: Coming to 10 Farms near You! October 16, 2012: Come out and learn the benefits of including cover crops on your farm by attending a PSU cover crop field day this fall.
Metaldehyde Use on Slugs in Corn and Soybeans October 16, 2012: Metaldehyde (Deadline products) labeled use in corn and soybeans in jeopardy
Fall Control of Weeds in Wheat and Barley October 16, 2012: Consider the need for weed control in wheat and barley this fall.
Still Time to Kill Those Perennials? October 16, 2012: Is there still time to kill perennial weeds this fall?
Reducing the Potential of Prussic Acid Poisoning October 16, 2012: Watchout for prussic acid toxicity in sudangrass, sorghum, and sorghum-sudan crosses.
Interseeder Field Demonstration Update October 16, 2012: Cover crop interseeder research and demonstrations in 2012
Grain Marketing October 16, 2012: Corn is King (or is it)? Your opportunities are only limited by our imagination.
Weather Outlook For October 16, 2012 October 16, 2012: Expect a spell of traditional Indian Summer for the first half of next week, spoiled at times by cloudy periods and scattered showers, but temperatures should rise well above seasonal levels.

September

2012 Custom Applicator Training September 4, 2012: September 12, 2012, Penn State Southeast Agricultural and Research Center (Landisville Farm), Manheim, PA
Seed Testing Information for Farmers September 4, 2012: Know before you grow…
Don’t Delay Planting Cover Crops September 4, 2012: Plant on time to get the most benefit for meeting your goals
Check Fields for Foliar Diseases and Ears Molds Now September 4, 2012: Now is the time to be scouting your corn and soybean fields, not for potential fungicide applications, but to plan for harvest and next year’s variety/hybrid selection.
Grain Marketing: Unheard of Prices May Cause Marketing Paralysis September 4, 2012: Are grain prices really as high as we think?
Spring 2012 On-Farm Cover Crop Plots: Spring Pre-Burndown Biomass Yields September 4, 2012: Findings from on-farm cover crop demonstration plots.
Noteworthy Items About Crop Insurance September 4, 2012: Always check with your crop insurance agent
Use Care When Planting Forage and Pasture Crops September 4, 2012: Seeding depth and soil contact are critical, date of planting affects stand and yields
Weather Outlook for September 4 September 4, 2012: Changeable weather, not much relief from wetness in the east
2012 Custom Applicator Training September 11, 2012: September 12, 2012, Penn State Southeast Agricultural and Research Center (Landisville Farm), Manheim, PA
National Farm Safety Week September 16 -22 and last edition of “The PSU Ag Safety Newsletter” September 11, 2012: Agricultural Safety & Health…A Family Affair is the theme for National Farm Safety & Health Week 2012, which runs from September 16 – 22.
Conservation Message Continues to be Relevant September 11, 2012: Today is 9/11 and it seems only proper to remember what happened 11 years ago.
Soybean Pod Splitting Reported September 11, 2012: A farmer in York County called this week to say that some of the pods on his soybeans were splitting open and that some seeds were sprouting.
Sentinel Plot Program in Soybeans September 11, 2012: The Sentinel Plot Program funded by the Pennsylvania Soybean Board is winding down for this year.
Arrested Ears Update September 11, 2012: We continue to get reports of arrested ears from around the state but some of the most common are here in Centre County.
Knapweed Toxicity in Horses September 11, 2012: In early August 2012, a horse owner in the Northern Allegheny County reported a neurologic condition in her horse believed to be caused by the ingestion of a weed.
Bean Leaf Beetles and Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs in Soybeans September 11, 2012: Bean leaf beetle and brown marmorated stink bug remain the most relevant late season insect pest species in soybeans, though neither is well represented in our sentinel fields (see accompanying article in this issue of Field Crop News).
Disease Update September 11, 2012: As we wind down the corn and bean season there are a few disease issues that come to the forefront.
Weather Outlook for September 11 September 11, 2012: Expect three more days of mainly clear skies and a steady warming trend.
'Erosivity': The Ability of Precipitation To Cause Erosion September 18, 2012: Today is a rainy day in Happy Valley. The rain started last night and is expected to last throughout the day with bouts of very intense precipitation.
Marketing – How Do You Take In Relevant Information? September 18, 2012: I tend to record and track numbers, but have difficulty making sense of patterns or developing conclusions from a spreadsheet filled with figures.
Crop Insurance Update September 18, 2012: It is best if the below information is distributed to producers prior to the 9/30 enrollment/policy change deadline.
Tips for Keeping Combine Losses Low September 18, 2012: There are combine heads that force air back into the platform to assist in reducing harvest as well as other types of heads.
Minimize Soybean Harvesting Loss and Maximize Cost per Bushel September 18, 2012: Over the last several years of working with what I consider the top soybean producers in Lebanon County I have learned the importance of timely harvest of soybeans.
Sentinel Plot Program in Soybeans September 18, 2012: The Sentinel Plot Program funded by the Pennsylvania Soybean Board is winding down for this year.
Grain Sorghum September 18, 2012: I had an interesting field trip with two crop advisors and their clients in Franklin County last week evaluating grain sorghum.
Arrested Ears Feedback September 18, 2012: We got some interesting feedback on our arrested ears article last week that I wanted to share.
Weed Management Considerations for Fall Small Grains September 18, 2012: Over the next few weeks, winter barley and wheat seeding will commence. Here are a few points to consider during this process.
Weather Outlook for September 19, 2012 September 18, 2012: A couple of dry days are anticipated to round out the end of the work week before another batch of showers arrives on Saturday.
Fall Pesticide Dealer Manager Certification Training September 25, 2012: Do you sell restricted use pesticides in Pennsylvania? Time is running out for you to obtain your free pesticide Dealer Manager Certification from the PA Department of Agriculture.
Corn Pith Weevil September 25, 2012: While scouting for European Corn Borer, a new insect was recently discovered in the top of corn stalks this fall. Read about the Corn Pith Weevil, and where in Pennsylvania it was found.
Marketing – What are the Alternative Marketing Methods? September 25, 2012: Take a look at some different options you have for marketing your grain. Here, we discuss some pros and cons of each.
Sustainable Stover Harvest Strategies September 25, 2012: What has research taught us about stover harvest? Here, we offer some practical tips on stover management.
Biennial and Perennial Weed Control is Best in the Fall September 25, 2012: From killing sod stands to managing those tough perennial weeds, fall is an excellent time for weed control. Get some tips for those hard-to-manage weeds.
Weather Outlook for September 25, 2012 September 25, 2012: A few unsettled days with some showers in the near forecast, followed by some temperature swings, highlight the weather outlook.

August

Upcoming Events August 7, 2012: Upcoming crop management events from around Pennsylvania
USDA-NRCS Rolls Out Soil Health Campaign this Fall August 7, 2012: U.S. farmers can expect a new emphasis on soil health by USDA-NRCS, formerly called the 'Soil Erosion Service'.
Estimating Corn Yields August 7, 2012: As corn growers continue to assess their 2012 corn crop for fall harvest as grain or silage, the kernel count method is a quick yield estimate tool than can be used.
Sentinel Plot Program in Soybeans August 7, 2012: The Pennsylvania Soybean Board is funding a Sentinel Plot Program, which is being managed by Penn State Extension and The Dept. of Entomology.
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Populations Patchy but Some Local Populations are Large August 7, 2012: I spent yesterday scouting brown marmorated stink bug populations in Lancaster County.
Corn Ear Molds and Harvest Strategy August 7, 2012: As we move through the season and observe damage from pests like ear-attacking insects and birds, it is also important to realize that the injury caused by these will leave your crop exposed to secondary pests like the fungi that cause ear molds.
Summer Seeded Oats for Forage Production August 7, 2012: This summer’s wide spread drought has created concern by many dairy producers related to the potential for short forage supplies next year.
Weather Outlook August 7, 2012: Very warm and more humid air will seep back into Pennsylvania as clouds begin to develop in the western half of the Commonwealth.
Penn State Extension Field and Forage Crops Team and Newsletter Contributors August 13, 2012
Upcoming Events August 13, 2012
Herbicides and Fall Cover Crop Establishment August 13, 2012: Do corn and soybean herbicides influence fall cover crop establishment?
Strategies to Maximize Energy Production from Grain Crops August 13, 2012: Here are three ways to increase the potential energy harvested from corn acres this fall and winter
Sentinel Plot Program in Soybeans August 13, 2012: Sentinel insect and disease pest plot in soybeans report for the week
Visit with the Penn State Extension Field and Forage Crops Team at Ag Progress Days This Week August 13, 2012
Weather Outlook August 13, 2012: Warm and humid and showers likely then turning cooler over the weekend followed by a warming trend next week
Field and Forage Crops Team and Newsletter Contributors August 21, 2012
Upcoming Events August 21, 2012
Late Season Weed Control in Corn and Soybean August 21, 2012: Hopefully you’re still not needing to control weeds in corn and soybean, but if you are....
Foliar Diseases Developing in Many PA Corn Fields August 21, 2012: The return to wet humid conditions has primed many PA corn fields for an increase in disease pressure. Now is a critical time to walk your fields, assessing disease severity and not only planning for harvest but also looking towards next year.
Sentinel Plot Program in Soybean August 21, 2012: This week’s insect and disease report for soybean - Sponsored by the PA Soybean Board.
Cover Crop Establishment Timing August 21, 2012: When should I plant a fall cover crop? Results from some past PSU cover crop research is summarized.
Pricing Standing Corn in the Field August 21, 2012: There are a number of factors to consider in assessing how to price corn for silage or grain.
Grain Marketing Tips August 21, 2012: PSU's John Berry offers some grain marketing advice.
Welcome Alicia Spangler, New Agronomy Educator for Armstrong, Indiana, Westmoreland Counties August 21, 2012: We welcome a new extension educator to Western PA.
Weather Outlook August 21, 2012: Mostly dry through early next week, but then the chance for rainfall from tropical storm Isaac.
Upcoming Events August 28, 2012: 2012 Custom Applicator Training – September 12, 2012, Penn State Southeast Agricultural and Research Center (Landisville Farm), Manheim, PA
Plan Your Strategy for Cereal Grain Health Now August 28, 2012: Take actions now that will enhance your small grain crop’s health this fall and into the next year.
Get Ready for Corn Silage Harvest August 28, 2012: Early reports note that many hybrids are at drier whole plant moistures than anticipated by producers.
Don’t Rush Winter Wheat Establishment August 28, 2012: A reminder not to get too anxious when it comes to establishing small grain stands.
Grain Storage Preparation and Maintenance Saves Quality August 28, 2012: Starting out with a clean grain bin free of old, insect-infested grain is essential to getting a good start .
Western Bean Cutworm Update August 28, 2012: Western Bean Cutworm Monitoring Network is winding down with record numbers.
Sentinel Plot Program in Soybeans August 28, 2012: Reports from the past week indicate very mild insect and disease pressure, though Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs seem to be severe in at least one field.
Status of Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs August 28, 2012: Brown Marmorated Stink Bug populations continue to be sporadic in field crops.
Fall Fertilization of Forage Crops August 28, 2012: In the late summer and fall, K especially becomes a nutrient of agronomic concern.
Weather Outlook August 28, 2012: High pressure will dominate the middle part of the week…rain likely on the weekend

July

Weather Outlook July 3, 2012: June was a very dry month across Pennsylvania. Only portions of Lancaster and York counties tallied above average rainfall. The largest deficits were in the western quarter of the state where less than a 30% of the normal rain fell.
Insects Active in Crop Fields July 3, 2012: Potato leafhopper populations continue to be very high across the Pennsylvania. Growers are likely to be aware of this issue as ‘hopperburn’ is evident in many alfalfa fields.
Western Bean Cutworm Moths are Active in Pennsylvania July 3, 2012: Again in 2012, Penn State Extension and the Department of Entomology are trapping for western bean cutworm. Pheromone traps have been deployed in approximately 20 counties to search for moths of this species.
Summer Cover Crop Seeding July 3, 2012: Small grain harvest has started and some fields are still open after a challenging spring.
Sentinel Plot Program in Soybeans July 3, 2012: Readers may recall that the Pennsylvania Soybean Board is funding a Sentinel Plot Program, which is being managed by Penn State Extension and The Dept. of Entomology.
Commodity Marketing July 3, 2012: O.K. - I bet you didn’t think we’d see harvest corn near $7.00 and soybeans above $14.00 twice in one marketing year. Do you recall the feelings you may have had when you thought the season highs were behind us just a few weeks ago and you hadn’t priced enough 2012 crops, yet?
Southeast Pennsylvania Summer Twilight Meeting July 3, 2012: Mark your calendar to attend the Southeast Pennsylvania Summer Twilight Meeting on August 21, 2012, 4:30 pm registration, followed by dinner and program at 5:00 p.m.
Saving Soil (and Money) on Your Farm July 3, 2012: Do you know all the options you have to address gullies that cut through your fields? Do you use the same herbicide program year after year and could you save money by changing it up?
Upcoming Events July 12, 2012: Upcoming crop management events from around Pennsylvania.
Common Teasel is the Weed for This Week July 12, 2012: Common teasel is very apparent right now, particularly along roadsides, but it can also be found occasionally in pastures and along field edges.
Foliar Applications of Fungicides on Corn during Drought Conditions July 12, 2012: The continuing drought has many growers asking questions about foliar applications of a fungicide on tasseling corn.
Managing Crops in a Severe Drought July 12, 2012: Many areas of Pennsylvania are experiencing a severe drought due to the lack of rain since late May.
Dry Weather and Weed Control July 12, 2012: Many of the soybeans and some other crops are still being managed for weeds. However, with much of the region in drought, there is some concern about the success in trying to control certain weeds under these dry conditions.
Sentinel Plot Program in Soybeans July 12, 2012: Readers may recall that the Pennsylvania Soybean Board is funding a Sentinel Plot Program, which is being managed by Penn State Extension and The Dept. of Entomology.
Insects Active in Soybeans and Corn July 12, 2012: Insect and mite pest populations continue to build across Pennsylvania, but of course they are not everywhere.
Weather Outlook July 12, 2012: The past week has brought some reprieve of the very dry conditions across extreme western Pennsylvania that was discussed in last week’s weather outlook.
Upcoming Events July 17, 2012: View upcoming Penn State Extension Crop Management educational events
Western Bean Cutworm Moths Are Flying July 17, 2012: Penn State Extension established the Western Bean Cutworm Monitoring Network again this year. This pest species has been present in Pennsylvania for at least three years now, but we have yet to receive any reports of infestations of caterpillars.
Sentinel Plot Program in Soybeans July 17, 2012: Readers may recall that the Pennsylvania Soybean Board is funding a Sentinel Plot Program, which is being managed by Penn State Extension and The Dept. of Entomology.
Consider Herbicide Rotational Crop Restrictions for Late Summer/Fall Planted Crops July 17, 2012: If corn harvest begins earlier than normal this year because of drought, herbicide selection can help dictate what rotational crops can be planted.
Consider Forage and Grazing Restrictions for Corn and Soybean Herbicides July 17, 2012: With the dry weather and unusual year we have experienced, some growers may need to harvest corn for forage earlier than normal this season. In addition, some soybeans are still receiving herbicide applications.
Assessing Potential Drought Impacts July 17, 2012: The dry and hot weather has everyone concerned about corn yields across the state.
Weather Outlook July 17, 2012: Nearly three-quarters of Pennsylvania is abnormally dry and about a quarter of the Commonwealth is moving into moderate drought status. The weekend rains brought some relief, mainly to the southern counties on Sunday.
Upcoming Events July 24, 2012: View upcoming Penn State Extension Crop Management educational events.
The Dust Bowl: 2012 vs. 1930’s July 24, 2012: The Weather Channel published an interesting article comparing the drought of 2012 with the Dust Bowl years.
Marketing: Supply & Demand? July 24, 2012: Talk about a weather market!
Don’t Forget About ALS-Resistant Weeds July 24, 2012: We’ve been hearing a lot over the last five plus years about glyphosate-resistant weeds but much less about other types of herbicide resistance.
Sentinel Plot Program in Soybeans July 24, 2012: The Pennsylvania Soybean Board is funding a Sentinel Plot Program, which is being managed by Penn State Extension and The Dept. of Entomology.
Western Bean Cutworm Moths Are Laying Eggs July 24, 2012: Last week we reported that Penn State Extension’s Western Bean Cutworm Monitoring Network is detecting relatively high moth populations.
Visit the New Crops, Soils and Conservation Building at Ag Progress Days July 24, 2012: Come visit us at the new J.D. Harrington Crops, Soils and Conservation Building at Ag Progress Days - August 14-16, 2012
Maximizing the Benefits of Your Crop Insurance Policy July 24, 2012: Your “Summary of Protection” or “Schedule of Insurance” should have arrived within a few weeks of when you filed your acreage report.
Weather Outlook July 24, 2012: The drought situation in Pennsylvania has not changed significantly within the past week, but rain over the past 7 days has brought some relief particularly to western and southern sections of the state.
Upcoming Events July 31, 2012: To view upcoming events in the near future, check out this link.
Grain Marketing July 31, 2012: Corn and Soybean Conditions Across the US including PA.
Soybean Vein Necrosis Virus July 31, 2012: Soybean Vein Necrosis Virus (SVNV) confirmed last week in PA
Mid-Atlantic Precision Agriculture Equipment Day July 31, 2012: Attend the Mid-Atlantic Precision Ag Equipment Day, August 8, 2012 in Denton MD.
Replanting Thin Forage Seedings July 31, 2012: Some considerations about trying to thicken up those forage seedings.
True Armyworm and Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Populations Become Noticeable July 31, 2012: Scout now for true armyworm and brown marmorated stink bug
Sentinel Plot Program in Soybeans July 31, 2012: Good news - reports from the past week indicate that insect and disease populations remain low.
Five Acre Corn Club Registration Deadline July 31, 2012: Five Acre Corn Club Deadline Tomorrow - August 1 - Act Now!
Wheat and Barley Variety Evaluation Data Now On-line July 31, 2012: Check out the 2012 wheat and barley variety evaluation data. It's now available on-line.
Weather Outlook July 31, 2012: Some chance for rain showers during the next week. Keep your fingers crossed.

June

Weather Outlook June 19, 2012: After a period of near, to slightly below, seasonal temperatures and low humidity, hot and noticeably more humid conditions will enter the state for the middle of the week ahead of an approaching cold front.
PDA Urges Producers to Report Crop Damage Promptly June 19, 2012: As we have heard reports of some significant damage from both armyworm and late blight, the PA Department of Agriculture reminds producers of the following process to report crop damage
What to Expect from Foliar Fertilizer Programs June 19, 2012: Strong commodity prices have encouraged producers to look for ways to increase their yields even if it is only for a few bushels. Retail businesses have of wide array of available foliar fertilizers for producers to try to get those few bushels. Before using a foliar program one should review university research summaries and ask if the concept is sound.
Weed Management in Double-Crop Soybeans June 19, 2012: With the barley and wheat crops coming off earlier than normal this year, double-crop soybean planting should be as popular as ever. Weeds are generally less of a problem in double-crop soybean because of the delayed planting date.
Poisonous Pasture Weeds June 19, 2012: As hot and dryer weather arrives in Pennsylvania, poisonous plants in pastures become a greater concern. Slow growth of pasture grasses can easily result in overgrazing, which means that grazing animals might not have sufficient forage intake and start eating some less desirable plant species.
On-Farm Soybean Network Update June 19, 2012: Penn State Extension, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Soybean Promotion Board, has initiated the Pennsylvania Soybean On-Farm Network to evaluate some key production practices and conduct demonstrations on soybean around Pennsylvania.
Using Plant Analysis to Diagnose Nutrient Deficiency Problems June 19, 2012: Plant analysis is a valuable tool for monitoring crop nutrition and diagnosing suspected plant nutrient deficiency problems.
Field Crop News, Vol. 12:14, June 5, 2012 June 5, 2012
Field Crop News, Vol. 12:15, June 12, 2012 June 12, 2012
Field Crop News, Vol. 12:16, June 19, 2012 June 19, 2012
Field Crop News, Vol. 12:17, June 26, 2012 June 26, 2012
Weather Outlook June 26, 2012: A warming trend will began on Wednesday and it should lead to a spell of uncomfortably warm, humid conditions from Thursday into the first half of next week. The boundary with mild, dry air to the north will waver across parts of Pennsylvania during this period leading to several opportunities for thunderstorms.
Insect Issues: Growing Insect Populations June 26, 2012: As the worst of the armyworm outbreaks seem to be in the past, we are able to turn our attention to other pests of concerns.
Soybean Stand Counts June 26, 2012: Soybeans are growing rapidly around the state with early planted beans flowering but a lot of the later planted fields are still filling in. There is still some time now to do some stand counts.
Sentinel Plot Program in Soybeans June 26, 2012: Insect pests and pathogens are annual problems in soybean fields. To manage these threats to crop production, extension personnel typically recommend an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that relies heavily on understanding local populations of pests and the threats they pose to crop fields.
Keep and Eye Out for New Pigweed Species June 26, 2012: At the "Farming for Success" field day last week at Landisville, we heard about a couple of pigweed problems in the region. One involved a lack of control of smooth or redroot pigweed in corn with glyphosate.
Grain Marketing June 26, 2012: It’s still a weather market! Big acres of corn got planted in 2012. If the current projections for double cop soybeans are true – we’ll have big acres of beans planted for 2012. A “normal” 2012 yield is calculated to overcome the significant low-stocks we had following the 2011 harvest. Of course, “it’s not in the bin, yet!”
Five Acre Corn Club Registration June 26, 2012: With the excellent early season growth and development this year, we could have potential for some 300 bushel yields in some fields this year. These conditions are ideal this year for the ear size development needed for ultra high yielding crops.
Blue Mold Present in Lancaster and Chester Counties June 26, 2012: Blue mold has been found growing in several tobacco fields in southern Lancaster and Chester counties. Growers need to be aware of the disease and take appropriate action. Under warm moist growing conditions this disease can spread quickly and has the potential to significantly damage the local crop.