Do you know what herbicide damage in soybeans looks like? Over the past week, I have responded to a number of calls from farmers whose soybeans were showing symptoms of damage from metribuzin herbicide.
 

Beck’s agronomist, Chad Kalaher, provides an update to last week’s wheat webinar on freeze damage.

I have received a number of calls from customers over the past few weeks, so I wanted to provide some updates on a few of the hot topics as we continue to monitor the development of our corn and soybean crops. 

Most of the wheat in our area was planted between October 1-10, with the majority planted by October 7. Along with timely planting, the warm fall promoted excellent fall growth and tillering for overwintering. I noticed a few challenges this spring where seeding depth was too shallow or significant residue created poor seed-to-soil contact. I continue to see that the best stands are the ones where residue has been evenly-distributed and lightly incorporated with a vertical tillage tool or disk prior to seeding. No-till also continues to work well where the seed is placed deep enough for good seed-to-soil contact.

Soil fertility tests can be a moving target since soil chemistry is constantly changing, the soil is a living organism, and crop removal is different each year. Because of these and other factors, results can be dynamic over time. Potassium soil test results this fall have been lower than expected, even with a proper history of recent K₂O fertilization. In talking with several farmers and reputable Midwest soil testing lab scientists about these results, lower potassium readings have led to many questions this fall.

As harvest begins, it’s extremely important to review and execute your soil sampling and analysis plan. Due to potential sampling and lab screening delays, don’t wait until all your fields are harvested to initiate this process. Be sure to ask for soil test analysis including the basics plus CEC, base saturations and micronutrients. In 2015, spring soil and tissue samples collected during the growing season continue to indicate common nutrient deficiencies that are not being addressed in many fertility plans. Many farmers who have their pH, phosphorus, and potassium at optimum soil test levels may be ignoring important yield-limiting nutrients.

Spring was challenging for many farmers due to inconsistent weather patterns, fluctuating temperatures and heavy precipitation. In most cases, stand reductions in corn and soybeans were a result of this. Some corn experienced an imbibitional chilling effect and/or corkscrewed mesocotyls. Replant was necessary where very heavy rainfall occurred shortly after planting and prior to crop emergence. Most of the agronomic challenges experienced were related to cool and/or wet conditions. In some areas, stand challenges were magnified by timing of a herbicide application and specific herbicide chemistry, especially in soybeans. In corn, interveinal leaf striping and rapid growth syndrome were both found near V3-V6. Again, both of these can be related to environmental conditions and typically improve with favorable conditions.

Other than cool soil temperatures during much of April, most farmers experienced near ideal soil conditions (moisture and texture) for planting corn. For April-planted corn, 10-15 days to emergence has been a common range. As of May 6, all the corn I have looked at that was planted on or before April 24, has emerged. If you have corn that was planted in April, that has been in the ground for more than 14 days and has not yet emerged, a field visit may be necessary to determine the cause and evaluate the potential need for replant.

With the cold temperatures we experienced last week, I wanted to share some key points on the effects of freezing temperatures on wheat. Some of this information is courtesy of our regional product specialist in Ohio, Mark Apelt.

Soybean Emergence Issues
A large amount of soybeans were planted throughout the area May 7-12. Unfortunately, on May 14 the weather turned unseasonably cool and wet, with daily high temperatures only reaching the 50s for four consecutive days.

Sulfur Deficiency in Corn
Sulfur is an essential nutrient for crop production. Historically, however, sulfur has not been a common component of crop fertility programs. Sulfur has naturally been supplied through atmospheric deposition, manure application, and mineralization of organic matter.

Nitrification Inhibitors for Sidedressing Nitrogen (N)
Many growers are or will be sidedressing corn shortly. One question we often get this time of year is, “Do I use a nitrification inhibitor?” As is often the case, it is not an easy answer.