AGRONOMIC UPDATE – July 27, 2022….From tall to short height…

Topics:

– Growing Degree Day Update/Forecast Maps

– What’s going on in my fields?…..Corn Development, ET rates, Disease, etc. 

– Insect Update

– Soybean Development

TEMPERATURES & GDU ACCUMULATION:

As of July 26th, we have accumulated approximately the following for Growing Degree Units in 2022:

Planting Date     GDD’s2022          Average GDD     Departure from average

April 21                  1766                         1735                                + 31 (+ 1 day)

April 28                  1700                         1685                                +15  (even)

May 9                     1637                          1591                                +46 (+ 2 days)

As one can see from the above numbers, the corn crop is moving along at the normal pace.   We even lost a day or two since last update two weeks ago.   I would agree with this.  Silking and pollination occurred at a normal timeframe.   Let’s look at the upcoming forecasts….

From these maps we see that the next two weeks are predicted to be above normal for temperatures and below normal for precipitation….’and the beat goes on’ as they say….

WHAT’S GOING ON IN MY FIELD?…..Corn Development, Disease, Crop Water Use..

Most of the corn crop is in the R1 (silking) to R2 (Blister Kernel) stage, with some early R3 (Milk).   So far I would estimate that most fields in the area are done pollinating, other than the very last planted acres.   I would expect to see some uneveness in pollination/silking due to the uneven emergence we saw this past spring, especially in the high residue areas of the field.

  • Plant height on the corn crop.   This year is a 180 degree swing from 2021.  Overall plant heights are much shorter than last year across all fields and shorter than normal really.   The sands especially are shorter than normal…shorter than I have seen for some years.  Ear height also is shorter than a year ago.   Last year, most fields had ear height at head high or above.  This year it is chest to groin high.   This should be a positive for harvest and residue management heading into next spring.   However, the factory above ground is not as robust maybe as some years….
  • A captured pollen grain takes about 24 hrs. to grow down the silk to the ovule where fertilization occurs and the ovule becomes a kernel.
  • Overall pollination seems to be good so far.   Finding the usual checkerboard pattern in some fields and some sandy fields are showing a little more skips on the butt of the ear on the bottom side of the ear.  These are the first silks out so could be potential water stress.   Many of the sandy fields have what we would call a ‘Droughty’ look to them, meaning the tassel did not extend out above the last leaves, but more just ‘poked out’ and is almost ‘sitting’ in the last leaf.   This phenomenon could have affected early pollen drop as well.   The crop has definitely been pushed hard over the last month.   At first glance, ear set seems to be normal across hybrids….finding normal rows around each hybrid and ears are starting to elongate….
  • At R1, potassium uptake is essentially complete, and nitrogen and phosphorous uptake are rapid.  Last round of N should be going on over the next 7-10 days.
  • Blister Kernel occurs approx. 10-14 days after Silking.  Starch has begun to accumulate in the watery endosperm and the kernels are beginning a period of rapid, steady, dry matter accumulation that will continue until physiological maturity in approx. 50-60 days after silking.
  • At Blister Kernel, maximum ear length is achieved.  Although not as severe as at Silking, stress over the next two weeks can still have a profound effect on yield through kernel abortion.
  • Kernel abortion from stress can occur through the Milk stage(18-22 days after silking), however when the plant reaches Dough, kernel abortion will no longer take place, and any yield reduction from then on out will be from lower test weight.
  • As far as sunlight is concerned, we are currently running about 8% percent below normal over the last 14 days (last year at this time we were 10% below normal), or from V14-Blister Kernel.  Sunlight, of course, is now a much bigger yield factor, since we are now beginning the crucial grain fill period.   As such, how much sunlight and when it occurs during the grain-fill period, will play a role in overall yield and late-season plant health.   Lack of sunlight early in the grain fill period (i.e. right now) can increase potential for the ear to tip back.
  • Extra stress will occur if sunlight is reduced and temps (especially nighttime) are higher than average.  This stress occurs because, since temps are high (especially nighttime temps), the energy demand on the plant is higher than average; couple this with reduced photosynthesis, and this leads to greater energy in the plant just going to maintain itself and not to filling the ear.  It is an axiom in corn production that when you have to run your air conditioner at night, it is not good corn growing weather.
  • Relative Humidity over the past two weeks has been 8% below normal, with a daily average of 68% RH during this time frame.   This has led to increased ET rates.  This, coupled with continued above normal temps over this same timeframe, and we can see why crop water demands continue to be high….and how much of a God-send the rains of the past couple of weeks have been.
  • ET rates for the past 15 days have been averaging .31 inch/day.  This is .04 inches above the normal of .27 inch/day.   Total ET usage over the past 15 days has been 4.65″.   The rains, indeed, were a blessing!!   The forecasted warm temps will keep these ET rates high for the next two weeks yet….keep in mind corn at Blister Kernel is average of .28/inch per day in normal weather and soybeans are now at peak usage at R3 stage….over .30 inch/day normal.  Maintaining an adequate soil moisture profile will be key over the next three weeks or so.   As you think about irrigation needs over the next two weeks, keep temperatures and relative humidity in mind as we move forward to see what actually occurs to help reduce potential water stress or potential over watering.  If dew points are low (dry mornings), that means relative humidity is low, and ET rates will stay up higher than normal.  On the flip side, if heat indices are high in which a 95 degree actual temperature feels like 110 degrees, then relative humidity is high and ET rates will be average to below average.  Forecasts for next few days are calling for low dew points meaning potentially higher ET rates than normal.
  • So far corn leaf diseases continue to be on the low side.   Seeing mainly Bacterial Leaf Streak, which has increased quite a bit over the last two weeks.   Some fields showing first grey leaf spot as well and we have seen a few Northern Corn Leaf Blight lesions around.  So far not seeing an increase in disease in the areas that had hail back in June, most likely due to the hot, dry conditions.     Crop Focus – Northern Corn Leaf Blight
  • Fungicide application should be on on the first planted fields and going on now, and into next week on the later planted fields.  You want to protect the plant when it is working the hardest, which is silking through milk stage (which is  NOW!).  Reminder, Fungicide will not help control bacterial leaf streak.

CULTIVATION

My ‘Hot Take’ for the day….I know the word cultivate is a ‘four-letter word’.  However, the above pictures show what cultivation pass can mean on Palmer/Waterhemp control.   The first two pictures are side-by-side rows of cultivation and no cultivation.  The third picture is another look at that. The last picture is where the cultivator lifted up to cross a pivot road…notice the difference.  Granted weeds will come back in the cultivator rows, but MUCH smaller and less seed production.   Cultivation needs to be a tool in the toolbox again….

SOYBEAN UPDATE

  • Much of the crop is in the late-R2(full flower) to R3(pod set) stage of growth.  The April planting dates are in the late R3 to early R4(full pod) stage.  This is ahead of normal in my opinion.   The heat has also pushed the soybeans along.   Just as in corn in the sands, it appears that plant height in soybeans on the sand knobs and no-till fields will be shorter than normal.  Some 30″ row soybeans in the sand will ‘just’ canopy.
  • Peak water use, nutrient demand, and overall energy demand in the plant occurs at R3 and into R4 stage….i.e. right now and into the next few weeks!
  • ET rates in soybeans reach peak at R3 stage (.30+ in/day) and will continue to stay high through R6(full seed).    See comments above on corn ET rates, as the same applies for soybeans.  One will need to be careful not to water constantly to help reduce disease potential (see below on white mold) due to a constantly ‘wet canopy’.   If White Mold becomes a problem, it will be best to water at night and leave off during the day so the canopy has some chance to dry out.    In heavy soils, when irrigation is needed, we recommend running a heavy irrigation amount (.80 to inch+) and then leaving it sit for a while.
  • R3 is the prime growth stage for fungicide/insecticide applications….some early planted and early maturity fields are in this stage right now with most all fields reaching this next week.  Same goes for any nutrient application such as N, as well.  Now and into next week will be excellent time for application.
  • So far we have not seen any white mold in area fields.  Weather conditions of the past two weeks may have led to decreased potential for this disease to develop, or at least delay its onset.  August weather will determine the severity of any white mold occurrence.   Any 2nd treatments for White Mold need to go on at R3 and should be going on now and into next week.   See the attached link for White Mold management.    Managing White Mold in Soybeans    We recommend Aproach or Delaro fungicide for any white mold control.   High temps and dry mornings will slow the disease down.

INSECT UPDATE – Corn & Soybeans

  • Keep scouting for Western Bean Cutworm larvae.  Moth flight has been higher than last year, but so far infestation levels have been on the low side, just enough to warrant treatments in most sandy fields.   From GDU data, we expect that the flight is 80% complete.  Any potential treatments should be on, or going on ASAP, as we are now finding small larvae on the ear tips, on top of the silks.  Any delay in treating, and they will be too far into the ear tip for control.  Overall infestation levels are not super high, but many sandy fields still have the potential to have infestation levels that will cause economic damage.
  • Corn Rootworm pressure has been somewhat lower than last year, although fields that were not beetle-bombed last year still saw higher incidence of root lodging and heavy adult beetle counts.    Adult rootworm beetle control should already be on, or going on now if planned….Steward insecticide by FMC is an excellent choice for control
  • Overall insect pressure in soybeans has been very light.   Begin scouting next week for Bean Leaf Beetles as they will begin feeding on developing pods over the next few weeks.  So far we are not seeing much for Soybean Aphids.   If you have made an insecticide application already, or are going to, this should give you season long control unless a severe outbreak of one of these insects occurs.
  • Dectes Stem Borer – be on the lookout for this insect starting now and into harvest.  We saw quite a bit of this in our area last year, especially south and east of Elgin.  Watch field edges first and let us know if you are seeing wilted and dying plants as they move in from the grassy edges.  If you see this, keep these fields in mind for earlier harvest.  Dectes Stem Borer in Soybeans
  • Seeing a few small colonies of Corn Leaf Aphids(dark green aphid) in area corn fields.   They tend to proliferate under cooler and damper conditions, so we may see their numbers increase in the area.   They are not an economic concern, but you may begin to notice them as you walk through your fields.
  • We are just starting to see our first Spider Mite colonies…..very small and on the very bottom leaves.   However, if temperatures turn out as forecasted and relative humidity stays lower than average, infestation levels will increase.  Keep an eye out for this insect over the next month or so.

Please mark your calendar for the Pioneer Annual Customer Appreciation Supper  which is set for Friday, August 19th.  Invite will be coming out soon!

Please contact us with any questions or comments you may have!   Thank you for your business!!

Starman Seed Service, Inc.

 

 

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AGRONOMIC UPDATE – JULY 13, 2022….the beat goes on….

Fun fact: A single tassel produces approximately 5+ million pollen grains….

Topics:

– Growing Degree Day Update/Forecast Maps

– Corn Plant Height…no two years alike

– What’s going on in my fields?…..Corn Development, etc. 

– Fungicide/Disease in Corn

– Insect Update

– Soybean Development

As of July 12th, we have accumulated approximately the following for Growing Degree Days in 2022:

TEMPERATURES & GDU ACCUMULATION:

As of June 17, we have accumulated approximately the following for Growing Degree Units in 2022:

Planting Date     GDD’s2022          Average GDD     Departure from average

April 21                  1401                         1328                                + 73 (+ 3 days)

April 28                  1335                         1277                                +108  (+4 days)

May 9                     1272                          1187                                +85 (+ 3 days)

Current GDD numbers are running 3-4 days ahead of normal across all planting dates.  We have picked up some ground from the warm temperatures over the past month.

The above maps are the 6-10 & 8-14 day temperature and precipitation outlooks issued July 12th.  The hot, dry weather will continue the current GDD trend.

Based on the above numbers, when can we expect to silk?  If we look at P1366 genetics we see that it takes approx. 1380 GDU’s to silk, this means that we would should approximately be silking on this hybrid on any April planting dates and 3-4 days yet on May dates.   Hybrids such as P0622 (1270 GDU’s to silk) are starting to tassel.   In other words, we can expect to see most all April planted fields begin tasseling this week, with heavy pollination shed occurring mid-next week into the following week….May dates the following week   How the crop emerged this spring will play a role in tassel timing.  However, we are tasseling about 3-4 days ahead of what we thought we would a month ago.

Corn Plant Height…no two years alike…

To quote some information from Bob Nielsen from Purdue and Tom Hoegemeyer from UNL.

The mature corn plant height depends on three factors:

  1. Amount of solar radiation on the top leaves during growth
  2. Water
  3. Temperature

We usually don’t have issues with solar radiation in Nebraska.  This year water was more of a factor. Much of the young corn plant’s development was in drier than normal growing conditions. There was adequate moisture for growth but nothing like we have experienced in recent years….in fact, we are currently 6+ inches below normal for the year, even counting the nice rains we received last week.

Water availability and temperature impact growth rate. Cell division is affected much less than cell expansion, and slower growth rates lead to slower root development, further limiting water uptake and nutrients. Slower cell expansion leads to shorter internodes and smaller leaves, and this leads to less water uptake and light interception, CO2 uptake, further impacting growth. Because of these changes, we have less internode elongation and thus early planted corn tends to be shorter than later planted corn.   June temperatures were also the exact opposite between 2021 and 2022.  First half of June was above normal temperatures in 2021 with normal temps after that.  In 2022, the first half of June was normal temperatures and the second half above normal temps…the same period we had reduced rainfall and had to rely on irrigation….

Will conditions leading to shorter corn impact yield? Not necessarily. More important to the final yield of this year’s crop is the heat and moisture stress that the crop is now experiencing as it moves into pollination.  With high heat forecast for the coming week, this could be a concern in reduced water areas.

What’s going on in my field?….

  • Overall much of the corn crop looks good!   The unevenness from the residue remains, but is now somewhat hidden.  Much of the corn crop is in the V14-VT stage, with tassels beginning to poke out along tree lines, etc., depending upon hybrid and planting date.  This is slightly ahead of last year.   From V10-VT, corn gains a new color every 50 GDU’s, or about every other day.   
  • Kernels per row began around V12 and is continuing through and up to tassel stage
  • Nitrogen needs will continue to grow through tasseling and into early reproductive stages.  Nitrogen uptake in corn – very rapid now through tassel (up to 4-8 lbs per day).  Today’s hybrids use nitrogen later in the growing season and into the reproductive phases.  You will want to keep that last shot of N available for after tasseling….40-50#   This year so far, we haven’t experienced conditions that usually lead to N loss from leaching or denitrification….overall color looks good!   The warm temps should see more N potentially available in the soil profile through mineralization.
  • We are now into the rapid growth and accumulation of dry matter by the plant.  The window for brittle snap is still open over the next 7-10 days.
  • Under field conditions, pollen shed usually occurs in the late morning and early evenings.
  • Pollen shed will extend for one to two weeks, but if field is uniform in plant emergence and height, pollen shed is 80% complete in 5-7 days from full tassel emergence.
  • At tassel, vegetative development is now complete; maximum plant height and root depth is achieved.
  • VT overlaps with R1 (silking stage) when visible silks appear before the tassel is fully emerged.  By definition, growth stage R1 (Abendroth et al., 2011) for an individual ear is defined when a single silk strand is visible from the tip of the husk. An entire field is defined as being at growth stage R1 when silks are visible on at least 50 % of the plants. This whole field definition for growth stage R1 is synonymous with the term “mid-silk”.
  • A captured pollen grain takes about 24 hours to grow down the silk to the ovule for fertilization.
  • Peak pollen shed usually occurs in mid-morning.   Some research indicates that pollen shed decreases after temperatures surpass 86F.   A second “flush” of pollen often occurs in late afternoon or evening as temperatures cool.   Pollen shed may occur throughout most of the day under relatively cool, cloudy conditions….. Crop Focus – Corn Pollination Success
  • Weather conditions influence pollen shed.  If the anthers are wet, the pores will not open and pollen will not be released.   Thus, on an average summer morning following a heavy evening dew, pollen shed will not begin until the dew dries and the anther pores open.  Similarly, pollen is not shed during rainy conditions.   Cool, humid temperatures delay pollen shed, while hot, dry conditions hasten pollen shed.
  • Generally 2-3 days are required for all silks on a single ear to be exposed and pollinated, with the silks on the butt of the ear emerging first.  The silks will grow from 1-1.5 inches each day and will continue to elongate until fertilized.  If not pollinated, silk elongation stops about 10 days after silk emergence due to senescence of the silk tissue. Unusually long silks can be a diagnostic symptom that the ear was not successfully pollinated.
  • Silk emergence and growth is dependent upon turgid pressure within the plant, in other words how much water is available in the plant to cover all of its needs.   If this is limited, (ie. dryland, low-gallon wells, etc.) silk emergence will be slowed and delayed with potential to miss the pollen shed.   Under severe water stress conditions pollen shed will still take place like normal, however, silks can be delayed, which means potential for poor pollination.
  • It takes approximately 55-60 days from silking to physiological maturity.  So if a field is silking on July 15th, it will need until September 15th to reach maturity, given average weather.  Current 6-10 and 8-14 day forecasts call for above normal temperatures, which should give us a GDD accumulation of 27-30 GDU’s per day.
  • High nighttime temperatures (ie. any stress) begin to play a role in final yield during grain-fill as this causes the plant to work harder to maintain both yield and overall plant health, thereby lowering potential final yield.

Corn Leaf Disease/Fungicide

  • The next four to six weeks will be critical for disease infestations and fungicide applications.
  • Begin scouting now and through the next few weeks for disease infestations.  So far, leaf disease load in area cornfields is very low, mainly bacterial leaf streak and a few GLS lesions.  We are not seeing any Tar Spot in the area.  If it shows up, it will be much later in the season and at low incidence as this disease has to move in from the east.
  • If you are planning on only one fungicide application, the best timing for this application is after pollination as the crop is working the hardest and has the highest demand for energy at this time.  We want to protect as much of the leaf surface as possible in this time frame, which is from pollination and the two weeks after.   Corn on corn acres are always a good place to start with fungicide applications.
  • While any hybrid can have a response to foliar fungicides, hybrids such as P0622, P0924, P0950, P0908, P0995, P1185, P1366 & P1563 are hybrids to focus on first for higher probability of response from foliar fungicides, especially if gray leaf spot infestations are high…..2022 Pioneer Corn Fungicide Response Considerations ….This attachment is a list of Pioneer hybrids and their potential response to a fungicide application for Gray Leaf Spot and Norther Corn Leaf Blight.  The chart also shows staygreen and stalk strength ratings for each hybrid.   This chart can help with fungicide management decisions.
  • See attachments on disease and fungicide management – Maximizing Foliar Fungicide in Corn and Bacterial Leaf Streak
  • Fungicide Efficacy for Control of Corn Diseases.   This attachment shows efficacy by active ingredient for different leaf diseases, for the current fungicides on the market.

Water Management

Below are some key water management tips to keep in mind:

  • The greatest yield loss from moisture stress occurs in the period two weeks prior to two weeks after pollination.  For the next two weeks, the corn crop will be at its peak water usage, with ET rates of .30+ inches per day – higher when temps are in the mid-90’s and higher yet when combined low humidity….the hot, windy days we experienced recently saw .45-.50 ET rates/day!
  • ET rates over the past two weeks have been above normal.  Normal daily ET rates for the past two weeks is .28/day…we have averaged .36/day in 2022….30% higher than average…no wonder it was difficult to keep up on sands!  Thankfully we have received some timely rainfall in this period.  However, we are now fast approaching peak water use in corn, and with the potential higher temps forecasted for the next couple of weeks, it will be important to stay on top of overall water needs by the crop.
  • At present, we are seeing fairly good root depth according to the soil moisture probes….sandier soils are 16-28” (better than average) and heavy soils are 24-40+” (average) depending upon plant date, conditions and soil type.  Remember that maximum plant height and root depth are achieved once the plant tassels.

Insect Update

Western Bean Cutworm egg masses can be found in area, sandy fields.  Keep these tips in mind over the next few weeks:

  • To scout for this insect, check the sandier fields first and look on the upper side of the leaf for a white, or purple, egg mass.  These will be found on the upper 1/3 of the plant.
  • We will again have the pheromone moth traps located west of Elgin.   Current numbers are trending higher than last year at this time.  Check back on this website, under Grower resources, for updated moth flight counts.
  • Treat when the fields are 95% tasseled.  Use high rates of a Capture-like product to give you 3-4 weeks of residual control.
  • WBC are attracted to those fields that are closest to tasseling.
  • Once a field has been tasseled, any egg masses that hatch will see the larvae head straight to the ear tip, so treatment soon after tasseling is critical.
  • AML versions of Pioneer hybrids offer control of WBC/Corn earworm.  No need to treat these hybrids for WBC – these include P0622AML, P0908AML, P1366AML, P1563AML, & P2042AML.

Corn Rootworm

Adult beetle emergence is occurring right now, and will continue over the next few weeks.  Monitor your continuous corn acres for adult beetle populations to:

  • prevent high numbers interfering with pollination through silk-clipping.  There is a higher potential for this to occur this year than past years due to timing emergence of the adults and potential for high overall numbers of beetles.  The uneven plant emergence and slower growth in the residue areas means the adults will have an extended period for silk-clipping.
  • help with rootworm control in your continuous corn acres.  Strongly recommended to use Steward insecticide (by FMC) for control of adult beetle populations to help with next year’s control of rootworm.  This product has shown excellent results for both kill and residual, upwards of 30 days.

Grasshoppers….seeing light feeding in both corn and soybeans from small grasshoppers.   Keep monitoring for this insect if conditions stay dry.

Soybean Development

  • Most of the soybeans in our area are at late-R1 (Beg flower) to late-R2 (Full flower).  I would not be surprised to see early R3 (pod set) on some fields next week.   Most fields are finally coming around and growing, but like the corn, some 30″ row, sand fields may not fully canopy….some fields are still showing leaf cupping…..crop growth is also uneven in some fields in those areas with high crop residue….much like many corn fields.
  • Soybeans should be nodulating heavily at this stage.   At the beginning of the reproductive stage, soybeans will still put on 50% of their vegetative growth.
  • Crop water use in soybeans starts to increase rapidly at full flower, peaks at R3 and will stay high through R6, or full seed  Flower stage is usually the time when the soybean plant begins to pull from the deeper root zones….we can see this happening on the soil moisture probes in the area.
  • We continue to see a yield response from a fungicide application in soybeans, either at R1 for white mold (applications of which should be on already) and/or a later R3 (pod set) stage of growth.  Environmental conditions over the next two months will determine disease incidence and overall level of disease infestation.  Just a reminder, keep an eye out for Frogeye Leaf Spot  in soybeans as not all fungicides control this disease.  This disease is normally not an issue in our area and many varieties have very good tolerance to this disease.  See attachment for more info on this disease….Frogeye Leaf Spot in Soybeans
  • White mold attachment:  Managing White Mold in Soybeans

Thank you for your business!!   Please let us know any questions or concerns you may have!!

Starman Seed Service, Inc.

 

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