Waterhemp Herbicide Plot Tour August 9 in Waterloo
Glyphosate-resistant (GR) weeds including waterhemp are an increasing concern for NY field crops. Growers, consultants and Industry representatives will have an opportunity to tour and observe effective preemergence and postemergence applied herbicides for controlling waterhemp in Enlist soybeans. Dr. Vipan Kumar, Cornell weed scientist, will lead the tour through the small plot treatments and discuss the impact of these integrated herbicide strategies, with multiple modes of action, from a resistance management standpoint. No cost, no reservations needed. Questions? Call Mike Stanyard @ 585-764-8452.
Where: 1853 Whiskey Hill Rd., Waterloo (Behind Modern Masonry)
When Friday, August 9: 10:00 – 11:00
1.0 DEC Certified Applicator Credit will be available.
Tar Spot Update
I have had a couple folks ask me about scouting for tar spot. Is it too early? That’s a good question. If you compare the tar spot map of this year and 2023, we are way ahead of positive counties across the whole country. This week we have new detections in eastern Michigan, one county closer in Ontario and two more counties in central PA. We know that certain hybrids and BMR’s can be more susceptible. Much of our corn is at VT (tasseling) through R2 (blister) and it is time to decide about spraying a fungicide or not. Keep an eye out for it while you are out scouting. Here is a review article on tar spot that I wrote for AgFocus in 2022, https://nydairyadmin.cce.cornell.edu/pdf/newsletter/pdf344_pdf.pdf. When scouting, look for the distinct raised, black, shiny spots that can’t be wiped or scratched off. If you suspect that you have found tar spot, please take a picture and text it to me (585-764-8452) and I’ll be happy to come out and take a look.
Soybean Scouting
Soybeans have really come on this week. Canopies are closed or close to it depending on row width and planting date. Most are at full flowering to R3 (pod 3/16” long at one of the top four nodes). There are a few farms that planted double crop soybeans after the early wheat harvest. They came up in three days with the heat and moisture and look great. Still not finding soybean aphids, which is good news. There are a lot of Japanese beetles feeding on the upper leaves right now. The beetles feeding damage can look concerning but if you look at the total leaf area on the plant, it is usually a very small percentage. I’m not seeing any leaf diseases and white mold has not shown itself yet, but conditions are perfect for those crops that have canopied. There are some other fungi emerging from the soil out there that can be confused with white mold mushrooms. Birds nest fungi is one that is prevalent right now. It is named because the later stage is cup shaped and looks like it has eggs “in a nest”. It is not harmful to the soybeans. White mold fungi look like miniature toadstools with a flat top. Also, if you gently dig them up, they will be connected to the black reproductive structure (sclerotia).
Soybean Yield Contest Deadline August 14
The soybean contest entry deadline is earlier than normal and only 3 weeks away! Entries are all on-line this year at https://nycsga.memberclicks.net/2024yieldcontest#!/.
Next report will be July 31.
