Corn Update
We still could use some rain across the region. The cooler temperatures early this week have helped but a lot of corn is still showing stress across the region. More of the early corn is tasseling and starting to pollinate. We are going to get really hot for the remainder of the week. This weather is not favorable for corn and soybean diseases, so that is a plus. We are not seeing any new incidents of tar spot in NY and surrounding states/Canada in the past week.
I am getting reports of armyworm feeding from around the state. Armyworms will feed from the outside of the leaf to the midrib. Plants look ragged like they were shot with a shotgun. During the day they will be hiding down in the leaf whorls. A lot of the worms have been larger and some have been parasitized. They will be near the end of their life cycle and probably not worth spraying. For smaller armyworms, the threshold for spraying is 2 to 3 per plant. This is something we were concerned about with the late moth catches. Check any fields that had a lot of grass prior to post herbicide application or later planted green.
Soybean Update
Soybean development is all across the board. Most are flowering and the early planted fields are just getting into R3 (3/16 of inch pod at one of the four top nodes on the main stem with a fully opened leaf). This stage is a crucial time for applying a fungicide for white mold. Many of the late planted beans are not even at first flower yet. Not many beans have canopied, and some fields are having weed control issues. Be careful of the growth stage restrictions (R1 – R2) of our post products as late applications can results in reduced flowering and pod set. I have also walked a couple of fields dinged with banvel drifting from nearby corn. I am not finding many soybean aphids and a few Japanese beetles are feeding on the top leaves.
As we continue to remain dry, I am concerned about spider mites. If you start to see some circular yellow spots usually starting closer to the road, look carefully for mite activity. As mite populations increase, they will drift with the prevailing winds out into the field and start new areas of infection.
Wheat Harvest Update
This dry weather has been great for wheat harvest. Things have really progressed this week and moistures are low. Yields have been across the board from 60 to 125 bushels. There has been some lodged wheat which has drastically reduced yields. Quality has been excellent with most fields over 60-pound test weight, and I have not heard of a vomitoxin report over 1 ppm yet. Straw yields have also been excellent.
NWNY Soybean Weed Tour
When: August 4, from 10-11am
Where: 2862 Leader Rd., Seneca Falls
Glyphosate-resistant (GR) weeds including waterhemp are an increasing concern for NY field crops. Growers and Industry representatives will have an opportunity to tour and observe effective pre-emergence 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. There is no charge or registration for this event. One DEC certified applicator credit is available.
Next report will be July 30.
Assisting Mike Stanyard and Jodi Letham is Field Support Staff – David Bechtel
