Growing Malting Barley

• Work very closely with your local malt house or distillery to secure a market for your barley and have a secondary market (feed) planned for your barley planned prior to planting. Work closely with your local Cooperative Extension agent or crop consultant to grow malting barley. North Dakota State has a great summary for feeding barley to beef cows (http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/ansci/beef/as1609.pdf).

• Plant varieties previously grown in your area in the variety trials. Yield, test weight, disease resistance, malt quality, and other traits should be known. Winter varieties typically yield 70-90 bu/A while spring varieties usually yield 40-60 bu/A in the Northeastern US.

Malting Barley Variety Trial in Monroe County, NY

• Malting barley should be grown in well-drained soils with pH from 6.3-7.0. Winter varieties should receive 10-20 lb/A of nitrogen and 10-25 lbs. of phosphorous at planting. Lower spring nitrogen rates (10-50 lb/A) need to be used to keep barley crude protein between 9 and 12% DM. Long-term manure fields may not need any additional nitrogen. A small amount of nitrogen (10-30 lb/A) should be applied to malting barley following a alfalfa, clover, or a grass sod. For other nutrients see the “Fertilizers for small grains” table in the Cornell Guide for Integrated Field Crop Management. If growing for a distilling market do not apply sulfur fertilizer or grow on manured ground.

• Malting barley should be drilled at 1.5 inches deep and at a rate of about 100 lb/A (~2 bu/A). Winter varieties should be planted in September if possible. October plantings have a higher chance of winterkill. Spring varieties should be planted as early as possible. For every day that planting is delayed after April 15^th spring malting barley will have yield losses of 1 bu/A.

• Broad-leaf weeds have been effectively controlled with Harmony Extra in western New York fields. Using 2,4-D should be avoided as some small grain heads have been observed to not fully come out of the boot stage. Organic systems will rely on summer tillage to germinate weeds prior to planting along with appropriate field operations at the time of planting.

• Cereal leaf beetle will be the major insect pest in malting barley. Thresholds are (3 larvae per stem prior to flag leaf stage, & 1 per flag leaf at or after Feekes 9.0). Insecticides labeled for other small grains should include barley on the label. No organic control options are available.

Cereal Leaf Beetle, Photo by Phillip Glogoza North Dakota State University

• Fusarium head blight is the major disease of malting barley. Production of the mycotoxin DON (deoxynivalenol, a.k.a. vomitoxin) occurs when plants are infested with Fusarium head blight. The best control options in New York for Fusarium head blight are Caramba, Proline, or Prosaro applied from grain head emergence through pollination (Feekes 10.5). An additional earlier application at flag leaf may be necessary in wet years. Management of DON in organic systems is dependent on varietal selection and cultural practices to reduce corn and small grain residue.

 Malting Barley at Pollination (Feekes 10.5)

• Malting barley must be harvested as soon as possible when the kernels are ≥20% moisture to preserve a high quality grain. During harvest, the combine’s ground speed and reel speed must be slowed down as much possible in order not to damage the kernels.  Dry at 5-10° F above ambient temperature to prevent heat damage using an indirect heat source. Malting barley should not be sprayed with glyphosate prior to harvest as reduced germination can result, especially in wet years.

A pdf of this entry is located on the Northwest NY Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Team's webpage. (http://www.nwnyteam.org/submission.php?id=292&crumb=grains|3).

 A field of Malting Barley in northwestern NY.

Dealing with Extreme Winter Weather

When the temperatures drop it's important to take extra precautions needed to keep animals, machinery, and yourself warm and safe. 

Image Source

Check out the Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock, & Field Crops Team's webpage (http://www.nwnyteam.org/submission.php?id=311&crumb=livestock|10) for the documents listed below for dealing with extreme winter weather.

Tips on Dealing with Extreme Cold, Kim Morrill Cornell Cooperative Extension

Cold Tractor Operation, Utah State University

Cold Weather Exposure, Ohio State University

Stay warm and safe out there. 

Rain Wreaks Havoc on Corn Silage Quality in 2013

This article was originally written for and distributed to farmers and other members of the agricultural industry in western New York.

Preliminary analyses are indicating that the quality of new crop corn silage is considerably lower in 2013 than in 2012. Higher fiber content, lower fiber digestibility, lower starch content, and smaller ears can all be linked back to higher than normal rainfall this year. Slower than normal dry-down also delayed corn silage harvest on many farms. However it appears that BMR varieties have weathered the storm better than conventional varieties.

2013 Corn Silage
In the November 2013 edition of Hoard’s Dairyman, Dr. John Goeser of Rock River Laboratory discusses the decreased corn silage quality in the Midwest and the Northeast, Figure 1. “Starch levels have decreased and NDF (fiber) levels have increased, decreasing energy levels. To make matters worse, TTNDFD (total tract fiber digestibility) has also dropped from last year’s crop.”

Figure 1. Midwest and eastern U.S. region corn silage crop quality from 2011 to 2013.

The data from the Northeast region included 2012 & 2013 samples from over a dozen farms in western New York, Figure 2. Samples included conventional hybrids, BMR varieties, along with some Shredlage corn silages.

Figure 2: Corn Silage Quality Google Map

These changes in fiber content and fiber digestibility are due to the higher than normal rainfall experienced in both regions. Like all plants, corn transfers water from its roots, through its xylem, and out its leaves into the atmosphere. Think of the corn plant as a giant straw. In wet years that straw needs to move a lot more water from the soil into the air. The plant senses this and reinforces the strength of the xylem by adding more cellulose (increase in NDF) and more lignin (decrease in total tract fiber digestibility) in order to handle the increased evapotranspiration load.

Despite these overall trends there were considerable differences between the BMR and the conventional varieties, Table 1. BMR samples had no change in CP content, while conventional varieties lost 0.5% on average. BMR samples also had higher CP content (~0.5% in 2012 and ~0.9% in 2013) than conventional varieties. While all corn silage had increased NDF in 2013, the BMR corn silage experienced less than half the increase (~1.3%) seen in conventional varieties (~4%). Surprisingly, the lignin content actually dropped in BMR varieties (-0.5%), but increased as expected in conventional varieties (+0.2%). BMR varieties also had increased starch content in 2013 (+1.6%) compared to the drop in starch (-3.5%) in conventional varieties. Fiber digestibility as measure by TTNDFD and Dynamic NDF kd also showed that BMR silages dropped less than conventional silages in 2013.

Table 1. BMR & Conventional Corn Silage from Western NY 2012 & 2013

*CP = crude protein %DM, NDF = neutral detergent fiber %DM, Lignin & Starch are % DM, TTNDFD = total tract NDF digestibility, Dynamic NDF kd = % of NDF digested per hour.

Besides changing the plant physiology of the corn silages, forage quality was changed by the high rainfall conditions through high losses of nitrogen throughout the region. Many farms went back in and put on 50-60 lbs/acre of nitrogen as a side-dressing or through drop-nozzles at tasseling. Numerous fields that did not receive any additional nitrogen had smaller than normal ears as a result.

Corn Silage Gets Better with Age & Attention to Detail

This article was originally written for and distributed to farmers and other members of the agricultural industry in western New York.

Leave Corn Silage in the Bunk
It is well-known that feeding “green” corn silage will result in lower milk production than “cooked” corn silage. This change in production is due primarily to the increases in starch and protein availability as the silage cures in the bunk or silo. Generally corn silage needs to be stored for a minimum of 3 weeks to complete the ensiling process. As corn silage sits in the bunk the availability of starch will generally increase up to 6 months of storage. However BMR varieties appear to buck the trend of conventional hybrids feeding poorly with little time in the bunker this year. My observations on farms in western NY that are feeding “green” BMR corn silage indicate little, if any, drop in milk production in 2013. Follow-up research is necessary to confirm if the BMR varieties are truly outperforming conventional varieties in wet years and coming out of the bunk “green,” but the initial observations are promising.

The Corn Silage Shake Down
A number of reports of poorly chopped and processed corn silage have come in from across western New York. Besides chemical analyses, using the Penn State Shaker Box and kernel processing scores to measure physical characteristics can help determine whether or not your corn silage was chopped and processed correctly. When corn silage has been chopped & processed properly most of the material will be in the middle screen of the Penn State Shaker Box, Table 1.

Table 1: Corn silage, haylage, and TMR particle size recommendations for lactating cows.

Source: Penn State University

But there is an exception to these guidelines---Shredlage. A higher portion of the particles (~30%) will be in the Upper Sieve compared to lower percentages found in normal corn silage. No sorting has been observed by dairy cows fed Shredlage. Kernel processing scores are determined by drying corn silage, running it through a series of sieves (Figure 1), and ranking by the percentage of the starch (i.e. the kernels) that pass through the 4.75 mm screen, Table 2. 

Table 2. Kernel Processing Scores & Percentage of Samples

*Corn Silage Processing Score, 551 Samples, CVAS 2006 Crop Year

Most of the corn silage has room for improvement as less than 10% of all samples have optimal processing scores. Again Shredlage corn silage is the exception to the rule as most samples have received “Optimally Processed” rankings when analyzed for kernel processing scores. The reason why most scores are lower than desired is that adjustments are often not made to the chopping equipment during harvest. 

Figure 1. Kernel Processing Score Sieves

Whether you are chopping your own corn silage or rely on a custom operator the only way to know whether or not your silage is being chopped and/or processed correctly is to get out in the bunk and measure it as it’s starting to come in. While it is too late to change this year’s silage, you can run next year’s freshly chopped silage through the Penn State Shaker Box on farm when the first load comes in and send a sample off for kernel processing score analysis at most of the commercial labs. If nothing else, get out of the tractor and down into the bunk to have a closer look at your corn silage. Using these tools and your experience will help make the necessary adjustments to theoretical length of cut and processing roll settings in order to improve the physical characteristics of your corn silage in future years.

Soil Sampling

Now that most crops are off it’s a good time to review the basics of soil sampling before heading out into the fields this fall and winter. Monitoring soil pH and fertility is the foundation of productive fields and pastures. Soil needs to be sampled regularly and with the proper technique in order to build a successful fertility program on every acre.

Soil Sample Timing

Soil sampling generally occurs every 3-4 years on each field. In the “green-gold” rotation common on many dairy farms (3-4 years haylage, 3-4 years corn/corn silage) the soil is usually sampled in the fall before turning over the haylage field to first year corn. Similarly, farms growing corn, soybeans, and a small grain rotation will often sample after the small grain is harvested before rotating back to corn. In short rotations of corn and soybeans or continuous corn it is not uncommon for soil sampling to occur every 2-3 years. Any new ground acquired by a farm should be sampled as soon as possible. Sometimes crops show possible visual signs of nutrient deficiency, Figure 1. In these cases a soil and a tissue sample should be sent to lab to confirm a deficiency.

Figure 1: 

Corn with N and P deficiency from high rainfall, cool temperatures

Soybeans with K deficiency and downy mildew

 

Alfalfa with K deficiency from early season flooding

Soil Sample Analyses

It is important to use the same commercial lab for testing over time because analysis techniques are slightly different between labs.  In most situations testing for potassium, phosphorous, pH, and organic matter are adequate for planning fertility programs. Nitrogen is not stable in the soil and is lost over the fall and winter months. Testing in the spring prior to nitrogen application, or in a year like 2013 where we had high rainfall after the nitrogen fertilizer was put on, is more appropriate. Sometimes soils are analyzed for calcium and magnesium for specialty crops or those trying to “balance” cation exchange ratios. Regular liming supplies enough calcium and using dolomitic lime will supply magnesium. Additionally many of soils regularly contribute calcium, potassium, and magnesium to crops. While some people have spent their entire careers trying to prove there is a response to a specific Ca:Mg:K ratio in the soil, the consensus across the nation is that there is no response to managing these ratios in agricultural soils. Sulfur is similar to nitrogen and isn’t tested for in soil analyses in most cases. With the cleaner air in recent years most fields now respond to 15-25 lb/A of sulfur per year. Micro-nutrient analysis may be beneficial on sandy or muck soils, along with soils having low organic matter  and extreme pH levels that have not received manure in recent years.

Soil Sampling Methods

Soil sampling can be done on an entire field, in targeted management zones, or on a grid. For fields 20 acres or less the entire field is often the sampling area. Using a soil probe, Figure 2, sample two dozen spots throughout the field in a zig-zag pattern, Figure 3, at 6-8 inches deep and place into a plastic bucket for mixing. Metal buckets will add some micro-nutrients to the soil samples and should not be used. Thoroughly mix all of the samples and then take a subsample (usually about 1-2 cups worth) to send to a laboratory. Be sure to avoid sampling areas of the field that have had manure or lime piles recently, are known to be compacted (the headlands), or are low lying areas wetter than the rest of the field.

Figure 2: Soil Probe

Figure 3: Soil Sampling Pattern

Soil samples also can target management zones within the field. Often these areas will follow differences in soil type or areas mapped by yield monitors. For farmers pursuing variable rate fertilizer application and seeding rates it is best to start with three types of management zones: high, medium, and low yielding. Sample these areas in the same way as described above by taking 2-3 samples per acre in each management zone. A number of farms have done grid sampling on 1-3 acre squares in western New York. This is the method that was widely used initially in the Midwest for precision agriculture management. While a number of farms still take the mountain of soil samples necessary to do this, many have moved toward sampling management zones to save on costs while still having the capability for variable rate management.

Bottom Line:
1. Soil sampling needs to occur on a regular basis (every 3-5 years) in order to apply the proper amount of nutrients required by each crop and maintain a proper soil pH.

2. Standard soil testing measures ph & mineral nutrients (K, P, Ca, Mg, Mn, B, Zn, etc.). Testing soils for nitrogen and sulfur require a different type of test and more careful sampling.

Crop Alert: October 11, 2013

This article was originally written for and distributed to farmers and other members of the agricultural industry in western New York.

Fumes in Manure Lagoons from Gypsum Bedding

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) fumes were detected during agitation of a manure lagoon on a farm that used recycled drywall for bedding in the region. These fumes can be deadly to people and livestock and form when gypsum is mixed with manure and stored under anaerobic conditions. The use of gypsum bedding is banned in the United Kingdom because of this risk. According to Wikipedia, "Hydrogen sulfide ... is a colorless gas with the characteristic foul odor of rotten eggs; it is heavier than air, very poisonous, corrosive, flammable and explosive." A factsheet with more information is avaibable at http://www.nwnyteam.org/submission.php?id=303&crumb=dairy|1.

Planting Small Grains in October

With the delayed soybean harvest the planting of winter wheat, winter triticale, winter barley, and winter rye has been and continues to be late across western New York. These grains can still be planted in October, however they will produce little above ground growth prior to the winter. Applying high amounts of nitrogen in the spring split over two or three applications will still result in yields comparable to earlier planted wheat fields. However spring forage yields will only be about 2 tons DM/acre (about 5-6 as fed/acre) for October planted small grains compared to to 3-4 tons DM for early September plantings. Temperatures across the region will be ideal for planting these grains this coming week reaching the mid 60s. Planting with a drill and increasing the seeding rate are vital for successful late season planting. Seeding rates should also be adjusted based on soil conditions, Table 1.

Table 1: Winter Wheat Seeding Rates

Seeding rates are millions of seeds per acre.

Source: Ag Focus September 2013.

Seeds should be drilled 1-1.5 inches deep for good emergence. See examples below on how to calculate million/pounds of seed per acre.

Live seed % = Recommended rate / Percentage of live seed = Rate/acre
Example: 1,350,000 seeds / .90 live seeds = 1.48 million seeds/acre

To figure out how many pounds per acre, use the following formula.
Seeds per acre / # seeds/lb. = lb./acre
Example: 1,450,000 / 13,000 = 111.5 lb./acre

Starter Fertilizer. At the 2013 Soybean and Small Grains Congress, Peter Johnson emphasized that wheat should not be grown without a starter fertilizer. Yield losses of at least 8 bu/acre are common when starter fertilizer isn't used. He stressed that phosphorus was most important for wheat. He used the example that while soybeans only need 1 pound of P and corn 5 pounds for strong seedling establishment wheat needs 15 pounds. Follow soil sample recommendations and remember wheat grows best at a pH around 6.3. We have seen an increase in the number of fertilizer boxes and liquid applicators going on drills in recent years.

Fall Silage Harvests
Corn silage continues to be harvested throughout the region, especially in areas delayed by the continuing rain. Fourth (and in some cases 5th) cut haylage, oat silage, and sorghum-sudangrass silage have occurred and will continue through the end of October across western New York. While there have been a number of frosts that have stopped corn growth (and some of the sudangrass fields) it will take more severe frosts (low 20's) to stop the growth of all other silage plants. Drying will take longer under the cooler fall conditions. Chop and ensile these crops once the plants reach at least 30% DM and inoculate the haylage, small grain, and sudangrass silages with a Lactobacillus inoculant.

Osprey Herbicide Reminders from Danny Digiacomandrea, Bayer CropScience

Several questions have come up about using Osprey Herbicide in the fall. Our experience in NY so far is only with spring applications which have worked extremely well! Russ Hahn at Cornell has done some fall application research and so far spring applications have looked the best. 
• Osprey labeled at 4.75 oz/acre on winter wheat only. Do not use on barley.

• Postemergence activity only, no residual

• Controls rough stalk blue grass and suppresses cheat (under NY 24c Special Local Needs label – Check the federal label for more information), good activity on chickweed and henbit

• Make timely applications. This will provide best control and is key to eliminating

early weed competition. Research shows enormous yield benefits from early weed

removal. 

• Maximum label size of rough stalk bluegrass is 2 tillers

• Maximum label size of susceptible broadleaves is 2 inches tall

• Application prohibited once wheat has reached jointing stage

• Do not combine Osprey with liquid fertilizer application

• Do not top-dress liquid or dry within 14 days of Osprey application

• Must use an adjuvant

Application of OSPREY® Herbicide must include a non-ionic surfactant plus ammonium nitrogen fertilizer or a methylated seed oil or a “basic blend” type adjuvant. Use only spray grade quality urea ammonium nitrogen fertilizer (28-0-0 to 32-0-0 at 1 – 2 qt/acre) or ammonium sulfate fertilizer (21-0-0-24 at 1.5 – 3 lbs. /acre). When ammonium nitrogen fertilizer is used in tank mixture with OSPREY® Herbicide, transient leaf burn may occur. Do not use additives that alter the spray solution below 6.0 pH. Best results are obtained at spray solution pH of 6.0 – 8.0. Organosilicone-based surfactants or crop oil concentrate surfactants are not recommended for use with OSPREY® Herbicide – See label for complete details!

• 15 GPA, flat-fan nozzles, no flood jets or air-induction nozzles

• Air temps: for best results spray when day temps are 50° or higher and night temps

stay above freezing

• Read and understand product label before use

• Questions contact Danny Digiacomandrea 585-330-3263 dan.digiacomandrea@bayer.com

Fall Tillage Management

This article was originally written for and distributed to farmers and other members of the agricultural industry in western New York.

As the crops come off the fields, many tillage operations will take place this month across western New York. Fall tillage operations are often needed to manage residue, smooth out ruts in the field, dry out the soil, in addition to incorporating lime, fertilizer, and manure. A number of best management practices can be used to greatly reduce the risk of soil erosion.

Plant a Cover Crop

In October winter rye is the only reliable crop that will provide some cover over the winter. Many farmers in the region have successfully planted this crop after their fall tillage operations. Very few growing degree days are left so plant as soon as possible with a drill and increase the seeding rate from 2 bu/A to 3 bu/A. Timely spraying or spring tillage will be necessary to effectively control this cover crop. With warmer weather during the early part of the month, plantings of winter triticale and winter barley have a better chance of establishment before the winter.

Increase Surface Residue

Increasing the surface residue to 30% ground coverage from 0% results in a 50% decrease in soil erosion, Figure 1. Smaller decreases in soil erosion occur as more residue is left in the field. Managing low residue levels is easier than large amounts of corn stalks, straw, and other material in the spring while greatly reducing soil loss.

Figure 1: Effect of residue cover on soil erosion, expressed as the percent of that occurring relative to that for a bare surface. 

Adapted from Laflen and Colvin (1981).

Till on a Contour

If ground must left open over the winter without much residue or a cover crop, tilling on a contour perpendicular to the direction of run-off can reduce soil erosion, Figure 2. In some parts of western New York strips of crops are still planted on the hill contours to further prevent erosion losses. However there are still soil erosion losses during the tillage operations on the sides of hills. Adopting reduce tillage practices on the hill-slopes will further decrease soil losses.

Figure 2: Farming on the Contour

Source: Allamakee Soil & Water Conservation District, Iowa

Changs Tillage Equipment

Every piece of tillage equipment has a different impact on soil erosion. Often there is another piece of iron that can meet your needs while reducing erosion. Check out the NRCS’s Tillage Guide (http://www.nwnyteam.org/submission.php?id=39&crumb=soil|7) for more information. Using shallow tillage at an angle across the field can fill in ruts from previous field operations while reducing the destruction of soil structure. Vertical tillage equipment has become popular in recent years due to their shallow tillage of the soil while preparing a desirable seedbed.  Soil with good structure is more resistant to erosion. This is due to root channels from previous crops, some residue on the soil surface, and high populations of earthworms (and other animals) that create channels for water to flow more quickly through the soil ultimately resulting in less soil erosion.

Bottom Line:
1. Farmers can minimize soil erosion caused by fall tillage by planting cover crops, leaving some residue, tilling/farming on a contour, and changing the piece of tillage equipment used.