2023 National Wheat Contest
It is not too late to enter. The deadline registration is May 15. It costs $100 to enter and you must be a member of the National Association Wheat Growers (NAWG). Here is the link to the application and contest rules. Remember, the national wheat contest now has a raw yield category which puts NY into the ball game. The rules and entry form can be found here.
Wheat Growth Stages and Nitrogen Timing
Our winter wheat around the region looks pretty good despite the recent cool and wet weather. Most of our wheat is into Feekes Stage (FS) 6, jointing, this week. FS 6 means that the plant is no longer concerned about putting on new tillers and is focused on stem elongation and grain development. If you can feel a small bump (first node) in the lower stem, than you are at FS 6. See the picture below. The main stem in the middle has a second node (FS 7) while the two tillers still only have one node visible.
An excellent visual guide to winter wheat growth stages and development from the University of Wisconsin can be found here
This is also an important time to apply your nitrogen. Whether it is the second round of your split-applied program or your first shot on a field with plenty of tillers, now is the time to get the nitrogen applied!
Herbicides and Wheat
Plants are also more susceptible to herbicide injury after FS 6. It is crucial to understand what stage your wheat is in to avoid unnecessary yield losses and off label applications.
- Osprey Xtra can be applied up until FS 6 (jointing) for roughstalk bluegrass or cheat control.
- Applications of 2,4-D, Banvel, Clarity, MCPA can be risky after FS 6 and is not recommended. Some labels allow up until FS 9 (Boot Stage) but the risk gradually increases from FS 6 to FS 9.
Significant Flights of Black Cutworm and Common Armyworm Moths have Arrived
On April 20, Common Armyworm (CAW) and Black Cutworm (BCW) were first detected in our pheromone trap network in the region. On April 26, two of our traps caught significant numbers of CAW. This week, three of our BCW traps caught a significant number of moths (see yellow highlights in chart below). So, what is a significant number of BCW? Many universities determine a significant flight of BCW as 9 moths over a two-day period. We do not look at our traps daily, only weekly, so we cannot be as accurate. Now that we have reached these numbers, we will start to monitor the number of degree-days accumulated (base 50°F). It takes roughly 300 degree-days for BCW larvae to be big enough to cut corn plants (4th instar). This is not a scientific process but it gives us a good idea of when we should be out there monitoring for damage. The wheat looks good so far. Let’s hope that CAW numbers continue to stay low!
Summary of Alfalfa Height and Prediction of % NDF- May 4, 2023
1st Cutting Forage Quality Update
This is the first week of monitoring 1st cutting for quality this year. Our procedure consists of using alfalfa height to predict Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) for alfalfa, alfalfa/grass mixed and grass stands. Alfalfa height has proven to be a reliable indicator of NDF values in the field.
Height indicators alfalfa and grass for NDF content are below:
- In general, we say 100% grass stands should be cut when nearby alfalfa is 14 inches tall to achieve the desired 50% NDF.
- Begin cutting 50/50 mixed alfalfa and grass stands when nearby alfalfa is 22 inches tall for the desired 44% NDF.
- Begin cutting 100% alfalfa stands when alfalfa is 28 inches tall for desired 40% NDF.
Predicted days to cut are based on daily NDF increases for grasses of 1% point, 50/50 mixed stands of 0.8% points and alfalfa of 0.5% point. NDF usually increases about 0.8 to 1.2/day for grasses expecting the lower end of that range in cooler weather and the higher end in warmer. Alfalfa NDF increases about 0.4 to 0.7/ day again depending on temperatures. Predictions are adjusted for the coming week’s weather and right now assuming normal growth.
In the below table locations around the region are listed where we have measured alfalfa height. You can use the location and elevation as a guide to conditions that may be similar to your farm.
As of today, May 4th, 2023 alfalfa heights averaged 12 inches across all locations with grasses averaging 15 inches. Triticale and rye are swiftly approaching harvest stage. This was driven by the short burst of warm weather. Now, the region is experiencing prolonged rainfall that may delay harvest. The silver lining is that temperatures are expected to be below 60 degrees during the day and lower 40F, upper 30F at night. According to Tom Kilcer, when this occurs, the quality of forage often holds. Tom has observed headed triticale with the same digestibility as flag leaf under these conditions. Tom notes: “The 12-hour NDFd may drop but the 30-hour NDFd holds. Thus, the forage may still be good for high producers and excellent for the middle group. If you are forced to make wetter forage, we suggest to chop it like we learned with sorghum – 3/4 to 1 inch long to reduced leachate. Use a homolactic inoculant and we suggest a higher rate to make up for potentially lower sugars. We have made perfectly fermented triticale at upper teens and lower 20 dry matter. We don’t like hauling all that water but you may not have a choice with the weather hand dealt this year.” If your grasses are heading out and it warms up, begin harvest as the quality will change quickly and it won’t be long before you need to create a separate pile for heifer feed.
It is important that you get first cutting off in a timely manner for quality purposes, so please communicate in advance with your team on how you are going to plant corn and successfully harvest 1st cutting. Additional fields to be added to next report.
Next report will be May 11.
