Triticale Forage Harvest Time is Close!
Now is the time to start checking the growth stage of your winter triticale. Many fields will be ready to harvest early next week. Triticale should be harvested at Feekes stage 9 for optimal quality. At stage 8 the flag leaf is just emerging from the top of the plant. At Feekes 9, the collar of the flag leaf is visible. See photo: Growth stage 9 on the left. Note leaf collar on the flag leaf is visible and pushed out of the boot. Stage 8 on the right. Flag leaf collar is not visible and still down in the boot. We have a short video showing the optimal time for triticale harvest and how to determine Feekes stage 9.
Pheromone Trap Update
Black cutworm and armyworm traps were fairly quiet in the Finger lakes. However, cutworms are still coming into the western counties. Degree days are building up fast this week. Most of the counties will hit the 90 DD mark this weekend. This means that early BCW eggs could be hatching.
- Egg hatch around 90 Degree Days
- Plant cutting around 300 Degree Days
- Degree Day data from Network for Environment and Weather Applications, NEWA
Cereal Leaf Beetles are Active
Cereal leaf beetles have emerged from their overwintering spots and are becoming active in wheat fields. I have had calls of mating pairs so egg laying is not far behind. There are no thresholds for adults in small grains. We will talk about scouting for eggs and larvae next week. Oats are the favored food source for CLB but many oats were delayed and so wheat is what’s out there for them right now. I did see some oats out of the ground this week. The May 8 USDA NASS report for NY estimated that only 30% of the oats had been planted.
Winter Wheat Update
All of the wheat I looked at this week was at Feekes Stage 7. This means that the second node is visible at the base of the stem. With the great weather it won’t be long before the flag leaf is peeking out (Feekes 8). Hope you all have that last shot of nitrogen sprayed! There is still some time to get that Harmony Extra or Palisade (growth regulator) applied.
Summary of Alfalfa Height and Prediction of % NDF- May 12, 2022
Height indicators of 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.
As of today, May 12, 2022 alfalfa heights varied between 11-15 inches across locations. The anticipated date to cut grass is around May 15th followed by mixed stands to follow around May 21st and pure alfalfa at the beginning of June.
Numerous variables influence the quality of first cutting, including:
- Age of stand
- Variety
- Soil fertility
- Pest
- Weather
- Last seasons’ cutting schedule
- Last fall’s harvest date
The majority of these variables are specific to each farm and field within a farm. Lab averages of scissor clippings provide little guidance for determining when to begin harvesting on an individual farm. Data source: Dairyland Laboratories, Inc.
It is up to you to get out into your fields scout, sample, and determine the physiological maturity of your crop and plan your dynamic harvest schedule accordingly.
