Volume
6 Issue
2 May
26, 2009
Late
Planting or Replanting Crops
The persistent wet soils and rain in the region continue to
interrupt field activities. Though a lot of field work progress was
made from May 18 - 25, farmers will be coming up on the time when
cropping choices begin to dwindle.
Preventing
Early Season Loss in Wheat Caused by Disease
Tan spot symptoms (Figure
1) are commonly seen on wheat when a susceptible variety is
planted into a field with wheat residue. The fungus that causes tan
spot (Pyrenophora
tritici-repentis)
overwinters on wheat residue resulting in abundant spore
production.
MDA reminds
farmers to help protect water quality
by following pesticide labels
ST. PAUL, Minn. ‑ With spring fieldwork in high gear, the Minnesota
Department of Agriculture (MDA) reminds all agricultural
professionals about the importance of observing legally required
pesticide application setbacks to protect state water resources.
Evaluating Winter Wheat Stands
Winter wheat in Minnesota was seeded on 45,000 acres last fall, down
40% from the previous year. Most reports from the region indicate
that survival of winter wheat through the winter was good. Winter
wheat growth was slow this spring due to the cool weather. Many
people may still be evaluating stands.
Control
Pasture Weeds Early
The cool spring has held back pasture growth and even pasture weeds
are slower growing than normal. Biennial plants such as plumeless
thistle and spotted knapweed are still in rosette or vegetative
stages of development and are very susceptible to control with
herbicides right now.
Alfalfa Stand Assessment of Condition and Health
While the calendar indicates the arrival of summer should be soon,
actual conditions across the region better resemble mid spring. It
is getting late for evaluating alfalfa stand survival but the time
hasn’t completely passed and compromised stands should be monitored
through first cutting and into second crop regrowth.
The Key to
High Quality Forages
Forage harvest is just around the corner and a successful harvest of
high quality forage begins with the proper use and set-up of the
mower-conditioner. A key factor in achieving a high quality harvest
is productivity – getting the crop cut and off the field as fast as
possible to avoid weather damage.
You Tube
Video for Alfalfa Stand Assessment
Dr. Dan Undersander, U of Wisconsin Extension forage agronomist has
recorded and posted a new video online
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