Southwest Missouri Field Crop Report for July 10

Contact: Jill Scheidt, agronomy specialist
Tel: (417) 682-3579 
E-mail: scheidtjk@missouri.edu 

LAMAR, Mo. –Jill Scheidt, agronomy specialist with University of Missouri Extension in Barton County, scouted area fields on July 10 to prepare this week’s field scouting report.

BEETLES AND GRASSHOPPERS 

Japanese beetle and grasshopper feeding was seen in area corn and soybean.  Threshold levels for defoliation in corn and soybeans are 20 percent defoliation before bloom/pollination and 30 percent defoliation during or after bloom/pollination.

During pollination, only while the silk is green, threshold for Japanese beetle in corn is when three plus beetles are clipping silks to less than one-half inch.  A high rate of 10.3 oz/acre Hero is recommended to control Japanese beetles. 

“Be sure to walk far into the field to determine threshold levels.  Japanese beetles often feed only on the edges of fields and therefore do not require treatment,” said Scheidt. “It is also difficult to control Japanese beetle because they come in flights so insecticide residual usually only controls the first flight and not the following flights.”

HOLCUS SPOT 

Holcus spot was seen in corn fields also.  Holcus spot is identified by round to elliptical spots, ranging from 2-10 mm in diameter.  Lesions first appear water soaked and later become white to tan and eventually turn dry and brown. 

“Holcus spot can often be mistaken for herbicide damage,” said Scheidt. Holcus spot usually is not severe; crop rotation and tillage are the recommended control, although not very effective because of the broad host range of holcus spot.

SOYBEANS COUNT

According to Scheidt, there are two methods to estimate soybean population.  Measuring off 10 feet in one row and dividing by certain numbers according to row spacing, or using a hula hoop.

Go to at least three areas in each field and count population estimates in three spots within the three different areas to get the best population estimate.

MORE INFORMATION

The weekly field scouting report is sponsored by University of Missouri Extension and Barton County Extension. For more information on this scouting report, or to learn how to receive it a week earlier by telephone, contact the MU Extension Center in Barton County, (417) 682-3579.

Southwest Missouri Field Scouting Report for June 26

Contact: Jill Scheidt, agronomy specialist
Tel: (417) 682-3579
E-mail: scheidtjk@missouri.edu

LAMAR, Mo. –Jill Scheidt, agronomy specialist with University of Missouri Extension in Barton County, scouted area fields on June 26 to prepare this week’s field scouting report.

Based on her scouting stops this week, Scheidt says wheat is in the hard dough stage.

“Producers who are thinking about harvesting early should proceed with caution. If harvesting wet wheat, producers should dry wheat as it is going into the bin and make sure the first load is completely dry before adding more wheat,” said Scheidt.

If the grain bin is filled all at once, the wheat at the top of the bin will not dry and may sprout due to humid conditions that occur in June and July. Harvest wheat at 13.5% moisture in order to prevent fungus development in the storage bin.

This week, Scheidt did find signs of deer and birds feeding in soybeans.

“If the leaves and cotyledons are completely eaten, it is very likely the plant will not come back. This is usually not too big of a problem,” said Scheidt.

Rust and holcus spot were seen in corn; however, neither are a big concern. Holcus spot is identified by elliptical to round lesions on the leaves. The tan colored lesions appear watersoaked and larger lesions often have a yellow halo around the border and look similar to chemical drift.

Armyworm feeding was also seen in corn. Armyworm feeding can be identified by irregular and pinhole shaped holes where armyworms have fed inside the whorl. Treatment is justified when 25 percent of corn seedlings are damaged.

“I have also been getting a lot of calls about poison hemlock and Queen Ann’s lace in pastures. Poison hemlock has purple or red blotches on the stem and has a hollow stem. Queen Ann’s lace is hairless and solid green on the stem. Poison hemlock is toxic to livestock and can be toxic when baled if livestock eat enough of it,” said Scheidt.

For more informaiton on poison hemlock see: http://ipm.missouri.edu/IPCM/2012/2/Weed-of-the-Month-Poison-Hemlock/
MORE INFORMATION

The weekly field scouting report is sponsored by University of Missouri Extension and Barton County Extension. For more information on this scouting report, or to learn how to receive it a week earlier by telephone, contact the MU Extension Center in Barton County, (417) 682-3579.