This Crop Alert was originally written for and distributed to farmers and other members of the agricultural industry in western New York.
By Bill Verbeten, Cornell Cooperative Extension
Corn Fungicides
Corn reached the tasseling stage (VT) across western New York, Figure 1, and a number of farms have applied fungicides to their corn acres this past week. The yield response to fungicides is quite variable in corn and is dependent on variety susceptibility, weather conditions, tillage system, and rotation. With this year’s cool-wet weather and the pre-tasseling observation of Northern Corn Leaf Blight in Livingston County, con-tinuous corn fields with reduced tillage have a higher likelihood of responding to fungicides this year. For more discussion on this topic see Professor Gary Bergstrom’s presentation. Fungicides can be applied up to the blister stage of corn (R2), but it’s important to remember that a response is not likely in every situation.
Figure 1: Corn Near Tasseling Stage
Spraying Soybean Weeds
Soybean fields are progressing across the region with many of the fields reaching R1 (the first flowers) the past couple of weeks. In most situations the canopy of the soybean fields have not closed yet. Be sure to get out and scout your fields to determine if you need a second pass of herbicide application. Also continue to watch for soybean aphids (250+ per plant is the threshold) as the seed applied insecticides do not control insects beyond 45-60 days after planting.
Small Grain Harvest
High wheat yields (90+ bu/A) with high test weights (55+ lbs/bu) from across the region are coming in. Continue to test for DON before delivering the grain as this year has been very favorable for Fusarium head blight development. Triticale (grain) fields are beginning to be harvested and rye harvest will begin soon as well. Some of the oat fields have also been harvested, but most are at least a week or two away from coming off the fields. Spring barley plants are also starting to dry down but still have soft kernels and green awns, Figure 2, putting them a couple of weeks from harvest.
Figure 2: Malting Barley
Potato Leafhoppers
Most farms in western NY took second cut haylage or hay this past week (although some have taken 3rd cut and others barely have finished 1st cut). Potato leafhoppers are now well-established across our region so monitor the regrowth closely the next couple of weeks and spray if over threshold, Table 1.
Table 1. Potato Leafhopper Threshold for Alfalfa Fields
Financial Assistance Program
From the USDA
We are asking for your help in publicizing as quickly as possible to all producers within your areas about the recently announced 2013 Financial Assistance Program (FAP) for producers in the Targeted States. The FAP funding will be provided to producers in the identified Targeted States who purchase buy-up insurance policies for the 2013 crop year with acreage reporting or inventory value reporting dates prior to September 30, 2013. The identified targeted states in the Raleigh Regional Office’s region are Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia.Bulletin MGR-13-008, provides the program details. The Risk Management Agency (RMA) will provide a fixed premium reduction of $225.00 per crop policy for eligible producers. CAT policies are not eligible for this financial assistance.
Thank you for your assistance in getting the word out about the 2013 FAP to producers in the Targeted States. As always, please don’t hesitate to give the Raleigh Regional Office a call at (919) 875-4880, should you have any questions
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