The Soy Report

Finalists for the 2011 WI Soybean Yield Contest are Announced

2011-12-23T10:24:00.003-06:00

2011 was another great year to be a soybean producer in Wisconsin. Even with the production challenges growers faced across the state the average yield was 47 bu/ acre (NASS, 2011) which ranked third nationwide. We also saw a significant increase in the number of entries into the 2011 WSA/WSMB Soybean Yield Contest. The top three entries in the non-irrigated class (in no particular order) were: RnK Devoe Farms, Monroe (planted Pioneer 92Y51), Zenz Farms, Lancaster (planted Asgrow 2403), and S+W Farms LLC, Platteville (planted Dairyland DSR2770/RR). The top two entries in the irrigated class (in no particular order) were: AB Farms, Dallas (planted Pioneer 91M10) and Badgerland Grain Farms LLC, Edgerton (planted Asgrow 2330). The final ranking and awards will be presented at the 2012 Corn Soy Expo to be held at the Kalahari Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells on Thursday February 2nd. The contest is sponsored by the WI Soybean Program and organized to encourage the development of new and innovative management practices and to show the importance of using sound cultural practices in WI soybean production.

For more information please contact Shawn Conley, WI State Soybean Specialist at 608-262-7975 or spconley@wisc.edu

Fall Sampling for Soybean Cyst Nematode

2011-11-02T15:12:00.001-05:00

With soybean harvest almost complete I just wanted to remind everyone that the UW-Madison Agronomy Department, in cooperation with the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board, is offering free soybean cyst nematode (SCN) soil testing for Wisconsin growers. This program is intended for growers to sample several of their fields in order to identify if SCN is present and at what levels. For a detailed history of this program as well as the current state of SCN in WI please see Soybean Cyst Nematode Sampling and Testing in Wisconsin.

Growers will be responsible for collecting soil from fields suspected to have SCN and then sending the sample to the SCN testing laboratory for analysis. They will receive a lab report back with the SCN egg count and a brochure to help plan future rotations and other cultural practices to lower SCN infestation if they exist.

We have a limited number of these free kits available and will furnish them on a first come - first served basis at up to four per farm. Crop consultants, advisors, and crop input retailers are encouraged to request kits for their client’s farms. Each kit has a bag and a prepaid mailer for one soil sample, which should represent about 10-15 acres. Both the postage and lab fees are prepaid ($50 value). Anytime before, during, or right after the growing season are great times to collect soil samples for routine soil fertility analysis and for SCN monitoring.

Soil sample test kits are available now and can be requested from My Linh Do at My Linh Do or at 608-262-1390.

For more information on SCN testing and management practices to help reduce the losses from this pest, please contact: Shawn Conley: spconley@wisc.edu; 608-262-7975.

Don’t Let Your Harvest Go Up in Smoke!

2011-10-05T04:52:00.001-05:00

With only 5% of corn acres harvested as grain complete and 2% of soybeans harvested (compared to last year’s 20%) as of the most recent (October 3, 2011) USDA Wisconsin Crop Progress Report, those running combines, trucks and other harvest equipment are in for a super busy October. It’s important to use the few extra moments and rainy days you do have to take extra steps to reduce the risk of a catastrophic combine fire. The risk is higher when you’re going all out to get the crop out of the field before the first snow flies, especially if you don’t take the time to keep your machine clean and take care of all the required maintenance.

A few years ago when I was an agricultural safety specialist in Minnesota’s Agricultural Engineering Department, my research team and I looked at more than 8,000 fires that had occurred over more than a decade. We dug into the details of 620 of these fires that happened from 1998-2000 and learned some important facts.

October is by far the highest risk month, based largely on the sheer number of hours spent in the field, often with little time to pay full attention to maintenance tasks. Mechanical failures like worn out bearings, slipping belts, etc. were the biggest cause followed by electrical system failure (arcing, sparking, overheating), and simple lack of maintenance. More than three-quarters (76.7%) of fires started in the engine area. While “crop residue” was most often the first material to catch on fire, IF the fire burned into a fuel, oil, or hydraulic line, losses were often catastrophic ranging from tens of thousands of dollars to full losses.

Keep your machine as clean as possible. Depending on the design of the machine and the condition of the crop, you will rapidly learn where crop material will tend to accumulate. Manually remove material and use an air compressor (and safety glasses) to blow off dust, chaff and other material as often as possible. If you notice any type of flickering of lights/instruments, unusual noises (from failing beartings or other mechanical components), or even small leaks in fuel or oil lines, diagnose and fix the problem immediately.

If your combine does catch on fire, pull immediately away from the standing crop and get the engine shut down as soon as you can safely do so. A running engine will continue to “fan” the fire and will often continue to pump liquid fuel into a burning area if you’ve ruptured an oil or diesel line. Get help onto the site immediately by calling 911. Provide the dispatcher with your exact location, staying on the line if necessary so that your location can be detected. Let the fire department dispatcher know you have a farm machinery fire so they can send the right equipment. Do not try to fight the fire with an extinguisher unless you are able to approach it safely.

Every grain combine should be equipped with two ABC dry chemical fire extinguishers – the larger, the better, but they should be AT LEAST 10-pounds with an Underwriters Laboratories (UL) approval. One can be mounted in the cab, and one in an area where you can reach it from the ground without having to climb back into the machine. Check the pressure gauge on all extinguishers often. DO NOT try and test the extinguisher by “releasing” some of the chemical. It will effectively unseal the unit and requiring it to be recharged by a local fire department or other facility with the correct equipment. Many fire departments will also provide advice and will take a look at your extinguishers if you have any doubts or need other fire protection advice.

Finally, check with your insurance agent to make sure all your equipment is appropriately covered. A combine fire can easily cost $150,000 or more. The additional “downtime” can run thousands of dollars a day depending on crop prices, the capacity of your machinery, and the weather conditions. Take time to think about and reduce your risk before it’s too late!

John Shutske,

ANRE Program Director (and Professor, Biological Systems Engineering)

Effect of Freezing on Soybean Seed Yield and Composition

2011-09-15T09:26:00.005-05:00

Greg Andrews from Pierce County received many texts from growers this morning that reported temps ranged from 23 to 29 across the county, 23 in valleys and 27-29 lasting from about 3am to 7am for much of the upland corn and soybean growing regions. His early observations in soybean fields with green stem and leaves indicated that cell rupture and wilting was already obvious (Images 1 and 2). The next question is how much yield loss will this injury translate to. Saliba et al. (1982). reported that the latest growth stage at which significant yield loss occurred due to freeze injury (80% leaf loss) ranged from R6.0 to R7.2 with an average growth stage of R6.6. For the most part the WI soybean crop is in the R6.5 to R7.5 growth stage. This suggests that there is a potential for yield loss, but the extent will be variety dependent. Saliba et al. (1982) also reported that the yield loss from this crop injury will be due to a reduction in seed size and not seed abortion. Lastly, Saliba et al. (1982) suggested no impact on seed protein or oil content when freeze injury occurred after R6.3.

Frost injury to soybean (photos courtesy of Bill Halfman)

Given the dairy industry in the state some growers may consider taking the soybean as a forage. Just remember to contact your crop insurance agent before you do anything.

Literature cited:

Saliba, M.R., L.E. Schrader, S.S. Hirano, and C.D. Upper. 1982. Effects of Freezing Field Grown Soybean Plants at Various Stages of Podfill on Yield and Seed Quality. Crop Science. 22:73-78.

Potential for Soybean Yield Loss Due to Frost

2011-09-14T14:32:00.006-05:00

The threat of a killing frost across WI has many growers concerned about the potential yield loss to soybean. The soybean fields that I have scouted over the last week are well into the the R6 growth stage (full seed: pod containing a green seed that fills the pod cavity at one of the four upper most nodes on the main stem with a fully developed leaf). In fact as of Monday 9/12/11 8% of the soybean varieties had reached physiological maturity (R7) at our Arlington site. On average a soybean plant remains in the R6 growth stage for 18 days; however the range can be as short as 9 days or as many as 30. As we move through the R6 growth stage and into R7 soybean seed moisture declines thus decreasing the risk of yield loss due to frost. Judd et al. (1982) found that seed in green pods which contain 65% moisture are injured at 28 °F whereas seed found in brown pods at 35% moisture was not injured at 10 °F. If frost damage is suspected remember that frost damaged soybeans will dry slower in the field and accuracy of moisture sensors may be suspect (may be 1-2% higher than the moisture meter reading) (PM 1635).

For more information on storage issues and uses of frost damaged soybean read page two of: Frost Damage to Corn and Soybean.

Literate cited:

PM 1635: Frost Damage to Corn and Soybean. http://www.extension.iastate.edu/publications/PM1635.pdf

Judd, R., T.M. Tekrony, D. B. Egli, and G.M. White. 1982. Effect of freezing temperatures during soybean seed maturation on seed quality. Agron J. 74:645-650.

Late Season Soybean Diseases

2011-08-21T08:41:00.008-05:00

The 2011 growing season has been one of great variability in terms of the weather and its impact on soybean diseases. Early season conditions were cool and wet planting which was then followed by high heat and humidity. Now, as reported in the August 19th blog posting, abnormally dry conditions are being reported in several areas of the state. Thus, a common question as we get closer to harvest is, "Given these variable weather conditions, what is the potential effect of soybean diseases on yield?" Based on recent reports and our observations of different field trials, we highlight below several diseases that are popping up in soybean fields and provide specific links for further information about each disease.

In spite of the heat during flowering in many areas, we have seen white mold occurring. This is not necessarily a surprise as we do find the disease each growing season. Based on our current observations and reports though, it appears that the disease intensity is low in many locations, although variation to the soybean variety is being noted.

Also, over the past week to two weeks, we have seen an increase in Frogeye leaf spot. This disease, caused by the fungus Cercospora sojina, was observed in 2010 across the state and conditions in 2011, especially the hot and humid periods that occurred a few weeks ago, were favorable for disease development. In some of the plots that were recently visited, the severity of the disease appears higher than what we observed in 2010, however, levels still appear to be low.

Similar to some of the conditions we saw in 2008, we have seen fields and soybean plants with symptoms of either Phytophthora root and stem rot or stem canker. These two diseases can easily be confused for one another so it is important to make sure a proper identification.

Last, but not necessarily least, we have had several reports and also seen symptoms of sudden death syndrome (SDS). Reports are still being compiled, but based on our observations, the severity of SDS is probably going to be lower than in 2010. With soybean in the R6 growth stage in many areas, it is also important to make sure that the disease identification is correct for SDS, since foliar symptoms are similar to brown stem rot (BSR). In particular, make sure to examine the whole plant, including stems (looking for internal browning due to BSR) and roots (looking for a root rot and also a bluish hue that is the fungus of SDS). Do not just rely on the foliar symptoms to verify your diagnosis of either disease.

Stress on R6 Soybean

2011-08-19T12:10:00.001-05:00

I have logged many miles across Southern WI the past week and have noticed several pockets of soybean that could use some rain. The U.S. Drought Monitor service verifies my wind shield scouting as it places most of southern WI in the abnormally dry category (Image 1). Across southern and central WI the average soybean field I have been in is at the R5.5 to R6 growth stage (full seed). In WI the R6 growth stage on average lasts ~18 days but will range from 9 to 30 days depending upon the weather. Soybean in this stage use about 1/4 to 1/3 inches of water per day. Lack of sufficient water during this growth stage can cause young pods and developing seed to abort reducing the number of seeds per plant (Images 2 &3).

Image 1.

Images 2 & 3. Stress induced seed and pod abortion at R6 soybean.

Soybean plants can reduce the size of their leaf pore openings to reduce the loss of water vapor. This also reduces the intake of carbon dioxide and the manufacturing of photosynthates which slows plant growth. When normal soil moisture returns, normal growth is resumed. This ability to reduce metabolic activity allows plants to tolerate dry spells without dying or harming their ability to resume growth when normal moisture returns.

If stress has severely affected pod set and seed fill, and if livestock feed is needed, soybeans can be harvested as a forage for ensiling. Highest protein and yields are obtained from soybean harvested at the R6 to R7 growth stage. Harvesting soybeans for forage between the R1 and R5 stage will result in a very high quality silage, but dry matter yields will be reduced significantly. Forage quality will be reduced from R5 soybean forward if a conditioning process is used during harvest. Conditioning will cause significant seed shattering.

Goss's Wilt of Corn

2011-08-16T17:43:00.006-05:00

We are starting to receive an increase in the number of reports, calls and/or emails regarding Goss's wilt of corn. Goss's wilt is caused by the bacterium, Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. nebraskense. This disease has been on the increase in the past two years, including being found in numerous seed corn and sweet corn fields in Wisconsin in 2010. Significant yield losses can occur in very susceptible hybrids.

Symptoms of Goss's wilt include: distinct light tan/yellow to gray lesions, with wavy or irregular margins that follow the leaf veins. Within the lesions, dark green to black specks or flecks [freckles] are common and the lesions often have a shiny appearance due to the bacteria oozing onto the leaf surface. As symptomology progresses, lesions can coalesce causing whole leaves to be blight, and furthermore, there can be wilting and stalk degradation leading to entire plant death. To examine the stalk for Goss's wilt, split the stalk and look for an orange to brown color with water-soaked and slimy tissue.

Currently, there is no good, in-season management tactic for control of Goss's wilt. As a bacterial disease, foliar fungicides are not effective.

Reports from Wisconsin follow on several recent reports from surrounding states. The links below will take you to several of these bulletins, which also provide several excellent photos of this disease:

1) Illinois

2) Iowa

3) Minnesota

Since yield losses can be significant, it is important to properly diagnose Goss's wilt in order to develop an effective management plan. This disease can be confused with another bacterial disease, Stewart's wilt, as well as fungal diseases like Northern corn leaf blight and Diplodia leaf streak. We recommend that you submit samples for proper identification of Goss's wilt to the Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic. Make a note of the hybrid from fields where Goss's wilt was found and talk to your seed dealer about hybrids that have better Goss's wilt ratings if this disease has been confirmed. Cultural management includes tilling fields immediately after harvest and burying residue. Planting corn into the same field in the next growing season is not recommended. Instead, rotate to a non-host crop like soybean.

The Official 2011 WI Winter Wheat Performance Test Results

2011-08-05T09:01:00.013-05:00

Wisconsin saw a 37% increase in winter wheat acres harvested (315,000) in the 2010 -2011 growing season compared to the previous year. The forecasted yield for the 2011 crop is 68 bu/a, up 4 bu/a from last year. The increase in winter wheat acres was due to timely corn and soybean harvest coupled with increased commodity price. Wheat that was established in a timely manner last fall looked very good to excellent going into winter dormancy; however some areas had delayed emergence and poor fall growth due to dry soil conditions. Late planted wheat suffered from poor tiller development that led to thin stands and weed control problems. Spring growing conditions were mostly favorable across the state; however excessive rainfall did impact wheat in some low lying areas. Warmer-than-normal temperatures in July accelerated crop maturity, however yields were largely unaffected by the hot weather.

Winter wheat yields were variable across our testing locations due to variable rainfall, planting date, and disease pressure. Wheat yields at the Janesville, Lancaster and Arlington, and Chilton locations averaged 86, 102, 97 and 71 bu/a, respectively. Wheat yield and test weight at Chilton was reduced due to variable stands and poor tillering caused by adverse weather conditions (extremely wet and cool early spring) as well as delayed harvest caused by frequent rainfall events. Overall, winter wheat test weights were excellent in 2011. No winterkill was noted at any location in 2011.

Please visit www.coolbean.info to view the official results.

Preliminary Wheat Yields

2011-07-20T08:36:00.003-05:00

Spotty rains and high humidity have somewhat slowed wheat harvest, however progress is being made across Southern WI. We harvested our Janesville winter wheat variety trial yesterday (7/19/11) and will move on to Lancaster today. Grain moisture was relatively high (19%) as we started cutting borders and fill at 12:30 pm. Once we entered the plots grain moisture was <17% and dropped to 13% by the end of the day. Preliminary data (not adjusted for moisture) showed yields varied from 70 bu per acre to the mid-90's, variety dependent. Test weights were also very good and roughly averaged 59.5 lb per bu.

2011 WI Soybean Yield Contest Entry Deadline Approaching (August 1, 2011)

2011-07-11T05:09:00.007-05:00

Now that your soybeans have started to bloom and the canopy is closing it is a great time to pick the field or fields you plan to enter into the 2011 WI Soybean Yield Contest.

The top prize for each contest class in $1,000.

For contest rules and entry forms please either visit www.coolbean.info or contact.

Shawn P. Conley
Soybean and Wheat Extension Specialist
Department of Agronomy
University of Wisconsin, Madison
1575 Linden Drive
Madison, WI 53706
Office: 608-262-7975
Cell: 608-279-6211

To enter the 2011 WI Soybean Yield Contest there is a $75 fee per entry.

The deadline to enter in August 1st, 2011.

Good luck and Coolbeans!!!!!

Examining Risk Factors Associated with White Mold in Soybean

2011-07-01T08:23:00.013-05:00

I just spent the past three days participating in various field days in the western part of the state. These travels really provided an excellent opportunity to examine stand quality across the different field crops, in particular the soybean crop. Soybean stands were pretty variable across these areas, ranging from some really good looking soybean to areas where the stands were struggling quite a bit. Given that many of these fields were last in soybean during 2009, when we had excellent conditions for white mold to develop, this was a topic that was on the minds of many of the producers and consultants.

With soybean moving into the early flowering period, now is a good time to think about several risk factors that can be integrated to determine if using a management tactic like foliar fungicides is warranted.

(1) What has been the previous history of white mold in my fields? In several of the meetings during this past week, multiple growers indicated that white mold was their main disease affecting soybean yield. During these discussions, it was also clear that they recognized that they either needed to, or had already changed several of their production practices to better manage this disease. Recognizing the risk to white mold is critical for constructing both a short- and long-term management plan for reducing the risk of this disease it is important to maintain good records for previous occurrences of white mold as well as field history information like the crop rotation, soybean variety, row spacing, plant population, and general weather conditions.

(2) How does planting date and relative maturity affect risk? Early planting, late-maturing, and varieties with a bushy architecture can all contribute to increased close canopies. This year, from our discussions with various growers, the planting date is much more variable than in 2010 so it remains to be seen how much that affects differences in flowering dates around the state. Many of the fields we visited were planted weeks later than last year.

(3) What variety have I planted and what level of partial resistance does this variety have for white mold? During the discussions, there were several questions about "what soybean variety" should I consider planting. Keep in mind that there are no varieties with complete resistance to white mold but there are partially resistant varieties available. What this means is that in years where white mold occurs, the severity of the disease will be less than in a susceptible variety. If you are not sure what the level of resistance is to white mold in the variety you are currently using, asking your local extension agent or seed dealer to help you find that information is important. Also, do not be shy to ask how that rating was determined.

(4) What was the plant population I planted? When I asked many of the growers what their current plant populations were, the common answer ranged from something like "140,000 to 160,000 plants per acre" to "one bag, one acre". Previous research has shown that when the plant population is greater than 175,000 plants per acre, the risk of white mold can increase. It is advisable to consider to taking stand assessments across your fields with a history of white mold to accurately determine the average plant population in those fields.

(5) What is the row width of my soybean? We saw a wide range of row widths in our travels from 7.5" to 30" as well as twin rows. Narrower row spacings can lead to faster and more complete canopy closure, which can increase the risk of white mold. Several growers commented how they had moved to wider row spacing to improve air flow through the canopy especially in fields where they had a history of white mold.

(6) What conditions favor the development of white mold? There are several environmental conditions that need to occur to increase the risk of white mold. Sclerotia (the overwintering structure of the pathogen) in the top two inches of soil can germinate to produce apothecia under high moisture and cool soil conditions (40 to 60 F). Apothecia can produce millions of spores called ascospores and these can infect the plant through senescing flowers. Infection is favored by a dense canopy during the flowering period and rain, fog, or dew which result in a shaded and moist microclimate within the canopy. Temperature is key driver in this process. Cool maximum daily temperatures (< 85F) are more favorable conditions for disease development.

After considering all of these factors, in-season management of white mold is focused on determining if there is a need for a foliar fungicide application. The use of a foliar fungicide should be part of an overall integrated program that is based on all of the risk factors previously discussed. Over the past two years, results from our white mold fungicide trials in Wisconsin have not shown a consistent result meaning that, while there has been some reductions in white mold in some of the trials, this has not always translated in increased yields. We have also not seen a consistent response by specific fungicide products meaning results differed between the years. Over the years, the best results across University studies have shown reductions as high as 60%, although several factors can influence this response. In particular, the best timing remains in the early reproductive developmental stages like R1 (initial flowering). Also, adequate plant coverage is needed to get the fungicide to the site of where infections occur (the flowers). Flat-fan spray nozzles that produce a fine to medium droplet size (200 to 400 microns) provide the best fungicide coverage. Canopy density also needs to be considered since this can affect the necessary volume of water needed to achieve optimal coverage, as a greater volume is needed when there is a heavy canopy density.

For further information about white mold management please check:

http://fyi.uwex.edu/fieldcroppathology/soybean_pests_diseases/white_mold/

Early Planted Soybeans Starting to Bloom

2011-06-23T09:19:00.002-05:00

I spotted my first soybean flower yesterday at the Janesville, WI variety trial site which was planted May 4th. As we enter the soybean reproductive growth phase there are a few things to keep in mind. The first is that soybean will produce flowers for ~3 to five weeks, depending upon planting date and environment. Soybean will abort anywhere from 20 to 80% of the flowers that they produce. Generally it is the first and last flush of flowers produced that are most likely to be aborted.

Second of all the timing window for our glyphosate applications in soybean are quickly closing.

"Monsanto has clarified the definition of “throughout flowering” in regard to the latest stage that glyphosate can be applied to glyphosate-resistant soybean. Soybean flowering is defined as the R2 growth stage. The R3 growth stage begins when one of the four top nodes with a fully developed leaf has a 3/16 inch long pod. With this definition, glyphosate can be applied through the R2 growth stage, but not after the R3 stage begins. Applications made after the R3 stage are off-label applications."

On average it takes ~ 4 days to move from R1 (beginning flower) to R2 (full flower) and ~10 days from R2 to the start of R3 (beginning pod). That means we have ~2 weeks for glyphosate applications to occur.

Next, wheel track damage made from ground applications may start to reduce yield. Sprayer wheel traffic from first flower (R1) through harvest can damage soybean plants and reduce yield (Hanna et al. 2008). Our research suggests that an adequate soybean stand (more than 100,000 plants per acre) planted in late April though mid-May can compensate for wheel tracks made when a field is sprayed at R1. Yield loss can occur, however, when wheel tracks are made at R1 or later in thin soybean stands (less than 100,000 plants per acre) or late planted soybeans. Regardless of stand, plants could not compensate for wheel tracks made at R3 (early pod development) or R5 (early seed development). The average yield loss per acre is based on sprayer boom width (distance between wheel track passes). In our trials yield losses averaged 2.5, 1.9, and 1.3% when sprayer boom widths measured 60, 90, and 120 foot, respectively. Multiple trips along the same wheel tracks did not increase yield loss over the first trip.

Lastly, for white mold questions please refer to the following information: White Mold in Soybean in 2010: Factors to Consider

Image 1. Soybean crop beginning to bloom.

Do Foliar Applications of Sugar Improve Soybean Yield

2011-06-14T12:25:00.018-05:00

High commodity prices have led growers to consider many novel soybean inputs. One input that has garnered considerable attention is the foliar application of sugar products to increase soybean yield. The objective of this research was to evaluate soybean yield in response to various sources of foliar-applied sugar across four states in the Midwest. Field research studies were conducted at Arlington, Wisconsin; Urbana, Illinois; St. Paul, Minnesota; and West Lafayette, Indiana in 2010.The four sources of sugar evaluated in this study were:

granulated cane sugar
high fructose corn syrup
molasses
blackstrap molasses.

All treatments were applied at the equivalent rate of 3 lb sugar a^-1 and applied at 15 to 20 gal a^-1. The treatments consisted of an untreated check, all four sources of sugar applied at V4, granulated cane sugar and blackstrap molasses applied at R1, granulated cane sugar applied at V4 and R1, and blackstrap molasses applied at V4 and R1.

No positive or negative (phytotoxic) effects were visually observed on the soybean foliage at any location within 10 days following foliar applications (data not shown). Furthermore, sugar did not increase soybean yield within location (data no shown) or across locations [P = 0.60 (Figure 1)], regardless of source. While this study cannot conclusively prove foliar applications of sugar will not increase soybean yield, the authors conclude that other management strategies to improve soybean yield should take precedence over applying sugar.

The source of this data is:

Furseth, B. J., Davis, V., Naeve, S., Casteel, S., and Conley, S. P. 2011. Soybean Seed Yield Was Not Influenced by Foliar Applications of Sugar. Crop Management. Accepted: 6/1/11.

Please visit:
http://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/sub/cm/brief/2011/sugar/ to view the entire manuscript.

Fusarium Head Blight Update - June 13, 2011

2011-06-13T07:43:00.003-05:00

While most of the wheat in Wisconsin has flowered, there are still areas where flowering will occur over the next few days to week. I just spoke with Mike Ballweg in Sheboygan County and wheat closest to the lake is in the Feekes 10.2 to 10.4 range, meaning 1/4 to 3/4 of the inflorescence are visible. A check of the Fusarium head blight forecast from June 12 indicated that there were a few pockets around the state where the risk was higher than we have seen earlier in the week. In particular, along Lake Michigan, there is a moderate to high risk and this risk remains moderate to high over the next 24-48 hours. Forecast temperatures indicate cool conditions in this area and there are scattered chances of rain over the next few days. Another factor to consider is that in this part of the state over the past few years, we have heard many reports of dockage or rejection of grain due to Fusarium head blight. This is an area where much of the wheat has followed corn silage, so noting what your previous crop was can also help determine if the risk of infection may be higher. Make sure, however, to check closely the wheat growth stage before making a decision to apply a foliar fungicide since timing is critical for suppression of the FHB and fields may vary greatly in terms of flowering especially as you move inland from the lake. Please see our earlier postings and articles about different foliar fungicides for suppression of FHB as well as pre-harvest intervals based on products.

New Seed Treatment Poster for Corn and Soybean

2011-06-06T14:36:00.003-05:00

With an increase in the number of seed treatments registered for corn and soybean in Wisconsin, it can be a bit daunting to understand what the different products are, and what pest they are targeting or if they are marketed to improve seedling health. Richard Proost and I recently finished a new poster entitled, "What is on your seed" to help take some of the confusion about seed treatments away. This poster provides a current list of seed treatments that are registered in Wisconsin. Products are listed by the number of active ingredients, treatment type, and then alphabetically by product trade name. The list is not provided based on efficacy data nor is an endorsement or criticism of one product over another, rather the list is meant as a general guide. As always, consult current label directions for using any pesticide.

Fusarium Head Blight Risk - June 6, 2011

2011-06-06T10:10:00.002-05:00

Currently, wheat in many areas of Wisconsin is starting to flowering or will be over the next few days. The current risk for Fusarium head blight is low based on the Fusarium Head Blight Prediction Center. Rainfall has been rather light the past 7 days, although some locations received rainfalls upwards of 0.30 inches or more this morning (6/6) in thunderstorms that are passing through the state. The next 2-3 days will be extremely hot with temperatures in the low to mid 90s. From the National Weather Service, it looks like the next chance for rain is Wednesday into Thursday, when air temperatures are also suppose to cool off. Based on these factors, the recommendation for using a foliar fungicide for suppression of FHB is not recommended. We will continue to monitor conditions as the week progresses and provide any updates as necessary.

Fusarium Head Blight - Foliar Fungicides

2011-06-01T07:37:00.002-05:00

As we move into flowering in the wheat, in addition to determining if conditions for Fusarium head blight warrant the application of a foliar fungicide (currently, the risk for FHB is low around the state), it is important to pay attention to fungicide product labels since not all products labeled for wheat suppress FHB and many have tight restrictions based on growth stage or pre-harvest interval. Each year, the North Central Regional Committee on Management of Small Grain Diseases (NCERA-184) updates a fungicide efficacy chart. Ratings are based on field testing of products across locations and years and ranged from "poor" to "excellent".

Focusing here on suppression of FHB, I will break things down first by efficacy and then by harvest restrictions. The best suppression occurs with the well-timed application of triazole-based products, although they are not all equal. A strobilurin-based compound would not be recommended, as there is evidence to suggest that there can be an increase in the mycotoxin contamination.

In the triazole group, the following products are rated as "good": Caramba 0.75 SL, Prosaro 421SC, Proline 480SC. The following products are rated as "fair": Folicur 3.6 F (also includes generic compounds). Products containing propiconazole (e.g., Tilt 3.6 EC or equivalent generics) are rated as "poor". All of these products have a 30-day preharvest restriction, while Tilt has a harvest restriction based on growth stage (Feekes 10.5).

Lancaster and Janesville Winter Wheat May 31 2011

2011-05-31T18:11:00.002-05:00

Finishing the two-day trip to check on our wheat studies, today I visited the Lancaster and Janesville locations. Wheat at both of these locations is rapidly advancing, with Lancaster being at a very solid Feekes 10.5 (inflorescence completely emerged), while at Janesville, the growth stage ranged from Feekes 10.1 (first inflorescence spikelet visible) to 10.5 (inflorescence completely emerged).

With where the wheat growth stages are in the southern part of the state, this means we should be paying critical attention to the weather and risk of Fusarium head blight infection. A check of the Fusarium Head Blight Prediction Center today for the southern third of Wisconsin indicated that the risk of FHB infection was low, except for a few pockets along the Illinois border that were in the moderate range. However, looking at the one to three day forecast, the risk of FHB infection is predicted to be low. A foliar fungicide would not be recommended at the current moment. We will continue to monitor conditions during this week as well as over the next couple of weeks to provide updates for the risk of FHB as well as management recommendations. For information regarding products that can be effective at suppressing FHB (with well-timed applications), please check here. Pay close attention to individual fungicide labels especially in regards to the latest growth stage that a product can be applied as well as any pre-harvest intervals for applications.

What about other diseases? As I scouted at both locations today, there were three main diseases noted including BYDV, Septoria lead blotch, and powdery mildew. Across the four locations assessed the past two days, the BYDV at Lancaster had the highest incidence and the incidence of this disease at Janesville was similar to what we observed at Arlington yesterday. Powdery mildew also appeared to be slightly more severe at Lancaster than at the other locations, although symptoms were still mostly in the lower canopy to the flag-3 or flag-2 leaf, depending on variety. The two videos below provide some pictorial evidence of what was being seen for both diseases at Lancaster.

Chilton and Arlington Winter Wheat May 30, 2011

2011-05-30T14:00:00.005-05:00

Over the next two days, I will be traveling to all of our wheat plots around the state. For each blog posting, I will also be embedding some short videos that I take at each site showing how the stand looks and also anything that looks a little interesting. Today, we start with Chilton and Arlington.

Chilton:

On my drive up to Chilton this morning, I couldn't help but notice lots of wheel tracks in the majority of winter wheat fields! At Chilton, the Winter Wheat Performance Tests looks very good. The growth stage is Feekes 8 (flag leaf emerging) to Feekes 9 (flag leaf ligule and collar visible). The wheat head is right around the nodal area for the flag-2 leaf. From a disease perspective, things look really clean. There is a a little bit of BYDV, some Septoria leaf blotch and also powdery mildew. The key observation for Septoria and powdery mildew is that the symptoms are really only around the base of the plants. Right now, a foliar fungicide would not be warranted here at the Chilton performance tests.

Arlington:

At Arlington, the wheat is looking great. Similar to Chilton, the main diseases noted included BYDV, Septoria leaf blotch, and powdery mildew. Outside of BYDV in the upper canopy, the symptoms and/or signs of Septoria and powdery mildew are in the lower canopy near the base. Wheat ranges from Feekes 8-9 (flag leaf emergence) to the boot stage (Feekes 10) to some early heading depending on the wheat variety. In addition to monitoring for foliar diseases, this also means we need to turn our attention to monitoring the risk of Fusarium head blight. While we are probably a few days off from early flowering for some of the varieties, a current check of the Fusarium Head Blight Prediction Center indicates that the risk of FHB is low throughout the state. The one to three day prediction's are also indicating a low risk of FHB around the state.

Wheat Scouting Update and Disease Thresholds

2011-05-16T19:51:00.005-05:00

With some warmer weather last week, wheat growth stages moved along from what we had seen in previous weeks. A check of some of our research studies found that the wheat was at the Feekes 6 and 7 growth stages (first and second nodes ). This is an important time to be out in the wheat and scouting to determine if the use of a foliar fungicide will be needed as we move into flag leaf emergence (Feekes 8). The flag leaf is the most important leaf, accounting for upwards of 50% or more of the final yield and a goal with the use of a foliar fungicide is to protect this leaf. While we have received a few questions about powdery mildew and also noted a little bit of Septoria leaf blotch in some of our trials, we have not had widespread reports of wheat diseases so far this growing season.

Looking ahead, there exist some thresholds as you scout at Feekes 7 and 8 to determine if a foliar fungicide may be warranted.

At Feekes 7, the thresholds are:

Powdery mildew: check the uppermost leaf - the threshold is an average of five pustules per leaf.

Wheat leaf rust: check any leaf - the threshold is an average of one pustule per leaf.

Septoria leaf blotch: check the uppermost leaf - the threshold is 25% of the leaves having expanding blotches

At Feekes 8, the thresholds are:

Powdery mildew: check from the flag-2 leaf (2nd leaf below the flag leaf) and upward - the threshold is an average of five pustules per leaf on the flag-2 leaf.

Wheat leaf rust: check from the flag-3 (3rd leaf below the flag leaf) and upward - the threshold is an average of one pustule per leaf on the flag-3 leaf.

Septoria leaf blotch: check from the flag-2 and upward - the threshold is 25% of the leaves having blotches

If you note disease in the lower canopy but not on any of the leaves discussed above, consider increasing the frequency of your scouting to determine if there is evidence of new pustules or blotches moving into the upper canopy.

For further information regarding factors to consider for determining the need for a foliar fungicide recommendation, please check here.

For information regarding the efficacy of several foliar fungicides against different wheat diseases, please check here.

Results across our different studies the past few years have indicated that the best response to a foliar fungicide application has occurred when powdery mildew was the target and the wheat variety was susceptible. When the wheat variety was resistant to powdery mildew, we have not seen a consistent response, if at all.

Planting reminder for 2011 Soybean Yield Contest Announcement

2011-05-16T16:38:00.002-05:00

The Wisconsin Soybean Program has announced the 2011 WI Soybean Yield Contest. This contest encourages growers to challenge themselves to produce higher yields and to be rewarded for their efforts. Top growers will be recognized for achieving high yields while using sound, environmentally friendly production practices that are profitable as well.

Trophies and cash prizes will be awarded to first, second, and third place winners in each of two contest classes: non-irrigated and irrigated. The winner is the entry that has the highest soybean yield based on bushels per acre at 13 percent moisture.

Contest brochures, rules and entry forms can be found at www.coolbean.info.

For more information feel free to contact Shawn Conley at 608-262-7975

Status of early planted soybean (Early relative to 2011 weather)

2011-05-13T11:38:00.009-05:00

Understandably most growers are still concerned about getting all of their corn planted and debating when they should switch their corn relative maturity (Corn Hybrid Relative Maturity Switch Dates for 2011). This coupled with cool soil temperatures has delayed the progress of our 2011 soybean plantings. Many resources suggest that soybean should not be planted until soil temperatures reach 50° F and to tell the truth we were nervous to start planting our soybean variety trials until those temperatures where achieved (Table 1). With that said I, like many, saw the calendar date and have recently experienced several week delays in May due to wet weather so decided to start planting soybean on May 4^th (This is called the do as I say not as I do paradigm). Given the soil temperature and lack of accumulated gdu's (28 based on soil temp and base 50° F) I was surprised to see how far the soybean development has progressed to date. This furthers my thought that the base temp for soybean germination is less than 50° F. That is a topic for another day.

For more detailed information regarding soybean emergence please see Predicting When Soybeans Will Emerge.

Table 1. Soil temperature monitored at 2 inch depth at the Arlington Agricultural Research Station in 2011.

Image 1. Developmental images of soybean planted on May 4^th at Arlington, WI in the long term-rotation study.

Wheat Disease Update

2011-05-02T19:55:00.002-05:00

Had the chance to check the wheat at both Arlington and Janesville today (Monday, 5/2). The wheat growth stage was Feekes 4 (Zadoks 30), on average, and was also looking very good at both locations. At this growth stage, we have often received many questions as to whether the use of a foliar fungicide is warranted? Scouting in these fields indicated that there was very little of note in terms of disease. What was noted was just a little bit of Septoria on the lowest leaves and our recommendations would not be to spray a foliar fungicide at this time for that disease.

Soil Temperature and Moisture and Seed Treatments

2011-04-23T11:40:00.010-05:00

While today's (Monday) weather has been the sort of day we have been lacking recently, the USDA-NASS Wisconsin Crop Progress for April 25th indicates that in almost all of the reporting districts, subsoil moisture is either adequate to surplus! As we get itchy to be in the fields planting, a very relevant question to ask is if seed treatment fungicides will be effective in soybean in 2011. Our experience over the past few years has been that these products can be a cost-effective management tool. We have seen consistent responses in both inoculated and non-inoculated trials for some products. Several factors drive this response including soil temperature and soil moisture. Below are the soil temperature and soil moisture levels for Arlington and Chilton over the past 30 days. What should be rather obvious is that the soil temperature dropped steadily as the month progressed. Temperatures have only recently begun to increase but are still holding in the mid-40's. Soil moisture has been good at both locations and increased with either recent snows or rain. As such, right now conditions are at such where the use of a seed treatment may be warranted and effective, especially in reduced tillage to no-till environments.

Arlington soil temperature and soil moisture.

Chilton soil temperature and soil moisture.

2011 - Foliar Fungicides for Field Crops

2011-04-13T19:52:00.003-05:00

With grain commodity prices remaining strong, we have updated our "Number of bushels needed to cover the cost of a foliar fungicide application" table for 2011. We will be shortly updating this record on the Field Crops Plant Pathology website. For 2011, we have the estimated bushels across a wide range of commodity prices as well as fungicide costs and application prices. Commodity prices range from $3 to 13 per bushel while fungicide cost and application prices range from $13 to 27 per acre. Fungicide prices were estimated from several sources, including consultation with industry colleagues. In general, the breakeven number of bushels (across the range of prices) ranges from 1 to 9 bushels per acre. This is meant to be a guide as other costs can include wheel track damage in wheat and soybean with fungicide applications, if made using ground equipment. Our best results for response to a fungicide application are when conditions are favorable for disease development and we have knowledge of the variety reaction to specific diseases that can cause yield loss.

Early Assessment of Wheat Stands Suggest We are Off to a Great Start

2011-04-06T10:25:00.002-05:00

A visual survey of our Arlington, Janesville, and Lancaster winter wheat variety trials suggest that green-up of the 2011 winter wheat crop is occurring 5-7 days later than last year. We were unable to accurately assess our Chilton site last week due to delayed crop development. Our green-up assessment at the southern locations suggest very little winter-kill occurred (Image 1). Given the calendar and the inclement spring weather-to-date growers and retailers are anxious to apply nitrogen. It is important to remember that the functional purpose of spring N is to 1. stimulate tillering and 2. provide crop nutrition. If ample tillering (> 70 tillers per square foot) has occurred growers can delay N applications up to pre-joint (Feekes 4-5; Zadoks 30). This practice will aid in minimizing early spring N loss. Applications of N made after this growth stage may lead to wheel track damage. If growers have < 70 tillers per square foot it is important to get across those fields as soon as possible to minimize yield loss due to low tiller/head counts.

(Lancaster variety trial - T. Wood)

2011 Winter Wheat Workshops

2011-04-02T11:20:00.004-05:00

Thank you to everyone who participated in our recently completed winter wheat workshops! We had a great time over the three days and really enjoyed the discussions and interactions with everyone. We will be posting shortly on the Field Crops Plant Pathology website notes from the meeting and a summary of participant evaluations. In the meantime, enjoy a few of the photos from the workshop!

Merging of Soy Health and Field Crops Plant Pathology Websites

2011-03-25T08:37:00.004-05:00

I just wanted to take this opportunity to announce that we have a new and integrated website for diseases of field crops. This new website is called: Field Crop Pathology. The URL for this site is: fyi.uwex.edu/fieldcroppathology. For those who have used the Soy Health webpage (and we know that it has been a lot of you), please be assured that the content that was on that website will be fully integrated into our new site. We have been working to standardize the presentation of the material on Soy Health with our new website.

On the new Field Crop Pathology website will be information about diseases of corn, soybean, wheat, and alfalfa. We have tested the search function on the main page and are quite happy with the results for finding materials on this site. We also linked from our main page to several of UW-and UW-Extension associated websites (among others) that we know you are also interested in using. On the Main Page, I will try to write periodic updates about new information available on the website.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions that you have about the new website. We welcome your feedback. We will not be taking down our current websites until we have fully integrated our materials.

Thanks and have a great weekend!

Paul

WSMB Offers Free Soybean Cyst Nematode Testing

2011-03-21T11:05:00.007-05:00

The UW-Madison Agronomy Department, in cooperation with the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board, is again offering free soybean cyst nematode (SCN) soil testing for Wisconsin growers. This program is intended for growers to sample several of their fields in order to identify if SCN is present and at what levels. For a detailed history of this program as well as the current state of SCN in WI please see Soybean Cyst Nematode Sampling and Testing in Wisconsin.

Soil sample test kits are available now and can be requested from My Linh Do at My Linh Do or at 608-262-1390.

For more information on SCN testing and management practices to help reduce the losses from this pest, please contact: Shawn Conley: spconley@wisc.edu; 608-262-7975.

Fusarium Head Blight Alert System - 2011

2011-03-02T12:02:00.002-06:00

The U.S. Wheat & Barley Scab Initiative FHB Alert System will again be active in 2011. In addition to adding two more states, there will be options for users to customize the system to target their geographical area better. The goal of the alert system is to enable users to have improved notice (i.e., more timely) about the potential for scab outbreaks. The alert system is tied to the Fusarium Head Blight Risk Assessment Tool and integrates information from predictive models with commentary from state extension specialists. The forecasting system will be available in early March.

Just the Facts - Glyphosate Impact on the Environment

2011-02-14T10:16:00.003-06:00

Recently, we have received an increased number of emails and phone calls regarding the negative interactions of glyphosate with micronutrients and plant diseases. There is a considerable amount of literature in both scientific and popular press about this topic. Bob Hartzler at Iowa State University has done an excellent literature review and discussion of this topic, which was presented at the 2010 ISUE Integrated Crop Management Conference (Ames, IA). The take-home message of Bob's article is that although these interactions cannot be completely ruled out because of where they most likely occur (rhizosphere), there is no empirical data to suggest that there is a widespread negative impact.

We welcome your additional questions and comments on this subject.

Paul and Shawn

Rick DeVoe of RnK Farms wins the 2010 WI Soybean Yield Contest

2011-02-07T15:10:00.005-06:00

Rick DeVoe of RnK DeVoe Farms was crowned the 2010 WI Soybean Yield Contest winner. Rick planted Trelay 2252RR that yielded 75.9 bushels per acre. James Sprecher of Meadow Lane Farms, Inc placed second with a yield of 74.8 bu per acre (Jung 1248RR2Y). John Jones placed third with a yield of 68.6 bu per acre (Pioneer 92Y30).

2011 Winter Wheat Workshops

2011-01-22T12:44:00.001-06:00

The 2011 Winter Wheat Workshops will take place March 30 and 31, and April 1. The theme for the 2011 workshops is, “The Timeline of Decisions for Wheat Management”. Topics include wheat growth staging, disease and insect diagnostics, nitrogen and weed management, and post-harvest management issues including cover crops, nutrient implications of straw harvest and manure applications. Participants will be able to work “hands-on” with plant material to improve their knowledge of growth staging in relation to management decisions.

Speakers for the 2011 workshops include: Shawn Conley (State Soybean and Small Grains Specialist), Paul Esker (Field Crops Extension Plant Pathologist), and Jim Stute (UWEX Rock County).

Registration will begin at 10:30 AM with the program to start at 11 AM and be finished by 3 PM. Lunch will be provided.

The cost for the workshop is $10. Continuing education credits will be requested.

Workshop locations are:

March 30: Randys, 841 East Milwaukee Street, Whitewater, WI

For more information, contact Heidi Johnson, UW-Extension Jefferson County, (920) 674-7295.

March 31: Marshfield Agricultural Research Station, 2615 East 29th Street, Marshfield, WI

For more information, contact Richard Halopka, UW-Extension Clark County, (715) 743-5121.

April 1: Kewaunee County Highway Department, E4280 County F, Kewaunee, WI

For more information, contact Aerica Bjurstrom, UW-Extension Kewaunee County, (920) 388-7141.

Finalists for the 2010 WI Soybean Yield Contest are Announced

2010-12-13T14:10:00.002-06:00

2010 was a great year to be a soybean producer in Wisconsin. Not only did we achieve a state record soybean yield of 50 bu/ acre (NASS, 2010), but we also have the opportunity to crown our inaugural WI Soybean Yield Contest winners. The top three entries (in no particular order) were: RnK Devoe Farms, Monroe (planted Trelay 2252RR), Jones Farms, Bangor (planted Pioneer 92Y30), and James Sprecher of Meadow Lane Farms Inc., Spring Green (planted Jung 1225RR2). The final ranking and awards will be presented at the 2011 Corn Soy Expo to be held at the Kalahari Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells on February 3^rd. The contest is sponsored by the WI Soybean Program and organized to encourage the development of new and innovative management practices and to show the importance of using sound cultural practices in WI soybean production.

For more information please contact Shawn Conley, WI State Soybean Specialist at 608-262-7975 or spconley@wisc.edu

First Note - 2011 Winter Wheat Workshops

2010-11-24T14:15:00.002-06:00

As you plan your 2011 winter meeting schedule, this is a first note to say that we will again be offering our winter wheat workshops that have been taught in 2009 and 2010, respectively. We have locked in dates and tentative locations (i.e., counties) with more details to follow.

Currently the workshops as scheduled for:

March 30: Jefferson County
March 31: Wood County
April 1: Kewaunee County

We have decided to take a slightly different approach with the presentation of workshop material for the 2011 program under the heading, "The Timeline of Decisions for Wheat Management". We look forward to offering a very hands-on program for these workshops and hope that you are interested in the program!

We will provide more details over the next month or so as details are finalized.

Happy Holidays!

Survey Request - Fusarium Head Blight Prediction Center

2010-11-01T19:06:00.004-05:00

Fusarium head blight (FHB) of wheat has been an important problem in Wisconsin with regional disease outbreaks occurring between 2007-10. The disease causes significant yield loss and damaged grain is often contaminated with the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON), commonly known as vomitoxin. The disease is best managed through a combination variety resistance, and timely application of fungicides when weather conditions elevate the risk of disease development. In recent years, there has been considerable effort to predict the risk of FHB and the need for fungicide applications in wheat. The web-based prediction tools provide daily estimates of disease risk for 25 states east of the Rocky Mountains. This multi-state effort requires considerable resources to maintain, and scientists involved in the project would like to gather some input to justify continued investment of time, computing resources and funds needed to sustain the effort.

If you have used these tools during the 2010-growing season, we would like to hear from you. Please take a few minutes to complete this on-line survey that will help us evaluate, improve, and maintain the system.

The survey is available here.

Note: If you have trouble with the link, please use the following webpage:

http://www.hostedsurvey.com/takesurvey.asp?c=2010Us121326

Resistance to Strobiliurin Fungicides

2010-10-20T15:06:00.003-05:00

Today (20 October), a report out of the University of Illinois confirmed that a field in Tennessee where frogeye leaf spot was found and sprayed twice with a strobilurin fungicide but still had high levels of the disease was because the pathogen that causes the disease (Cercospora sojina) was resistant to the fungicide. This finding was based on laboratory assays that examined the sensitivity of the isolate obtained from the field in Tennessee with baseline isolates and compared against active ingredients like azoyxstrobin, pyraclostrobin, and trifloxystrobin. These are the active ingredients that are found in fungicides such as Quadris, Headline, and Stratego.

What does this mean for Wisconsin? Most importantly, this serves as a very important reminder that the use of fungicides should be done based on several factors, including knowledge of the variety planted and if there is resistance to the targeted diseases of interest, followed by active scouting during the growing season to assess if conditions would warrant a fungicide application. Misuse or overuse of a foliar fungicide can increase the risk for resistance. Specifically for frogeye leaf spot in 2010, we did see symptoms in many fields, but severity was low on average. However, this is the sort of information that should be used to build a working knowledge of the specific diseases that may affect production fields in order to most effectively build a long-term management program.

Based on our data from Wisconsin over the past several years, in the majority of situations a foliar fungicide was not found to be needed and would have been an additional cost to production.