13
Jul
2018
It's pollination time in Southern Indiana and this agronomy update is all about checking how well your corn is pollinating.
Categories: Agronomy, S Indiana
Tags:
9
Now is the time that many of you will be making some decisions regarding fungicide and insecticide applications on your soybeans.
29
Jun
High heat and humidity, especially like we have experienced this summer, creates a perfect breeding ground for diseases such as gray leaf spot. Because of this, you may find that your corn fields are in need of a fungicide application.
21
Do you know the difference between Phytophthora Root Rot and Fusarium Wilt in soybeans?
Check out this quick Agronomy Update video from Beck's agronomist, Steve Gauck to learn more about the signs and symptoms of both diseases, and how to tell the difference in the field.
Tags: Beck's Blog, Agronomy Update, Steve Gauck, indiana agronomy, Phytophthora root rot, Fusarium Wilt
May
Planters have continued to roll across fields in the Midwest over the last few weeks and soybeans have finally started to emerge. Now is a great time to evaluate your stands and see if there are any issues that need to be addressed.
Categories: S Indiana
Tags: soybeans, Agronomy, Steve Gauck, indiana agronomy, ILeVO, Halo Effect
16
Aug
2017
In 2016, many parts of southern Indiana experienced a bad outbreak of Southern Rust that caused yield loss in a lot of areas. Many farmers have seen an influx of this disease present in their fields again this year. However, there has also been a large presence of Common Rust in corn fields this year as well. Check out this latest video to learn more about the visual differences between the two diseases and what you can expect in terms of long term effects and yield loss.
Tags: Beck's Blog, Beck's Agronomy, Steve Gauck, indiana agronomy, southern rust, Common Rust
12
23
Late last week I evaluated a soybean field that was suffering from slight stunting that was caused by a herbicide application.
28
Apr
Scouting your wheat now is critical to preventing Fusarium head scab in your fields. Get to know and understand the wheat growth stages and timing and be prepared to apply fungicide when necessary.
Tags: Agronomy, Agronomy Update, Scouting, Steve Gauck, Wheat, Head Scab, Fusarium Head Scab
5
Over the past few weeks, many farmers have called me jokily asking, “is it too early to plant?”
My answers always seem to be long, with a lot of details and factors, as I try to help them determine if it is or isn’t too early. With that said, let’s look at our ideal planting dates and things you need to consider before planting.
Tags: planting, Practical Farm Research, Agronomy Update, Steve Gauck, indiana agronomy, PFR, Early Planting, Planting Dates, Seed Treatments
8
Feb
We have been experiencing warmer than usual temperatures this winter in Southern Indiana. In terms of wheat, this warm weather has not concerned me as it is what happens in early spring that affects yield the most. The two factors that have the biggest impact on our quest to achieving high-yielding wheat are scouting and nitrogen (N) management. As you begin to evaluate your wheat stand, one of the most important things to remember is to perform stand checks. This can be done with a 1 x 1 ft. square, as shown below. Be sure to take counts at multiple locations that represent different landscape positions in your fields.
Tags: Agronomy, Steve Gauck, Wheat, indiana agronomy, nitrogen management, Ag Chat, stand checks. tiller, Feekes growth stages, burnt leaf stages, split nitrogen applications
22
2016
With wheat harvest officially underway across southern Indiana, I wanted to offer you a few tips about harvest and planting double crop soybeans.
When preparing to harvest wheat, the ideal moisture is between 14 to 20 percent. Below 14 percent moisture we start to see yield loss and we could also run the risk of a rain lowering test weight and quality. Air drying wheat will give you the best quality. For long-term storage, make sure to dry your wheat to 12.5 percent moisture.
Tags: Beck's Blog, AgTalk, Agronomy, Agronomy Update, Wheat Harvest, agronomist, Beck's Agronomist, indiana agronomy, Indiana wheat, Steve Gauck Agronomy, Head Scab, double crop soybeans, vomitoxin
2
Despite its deceivingly short height, wheat has reproductively matured well over the last few weeks. I have seen a few leaf diseases this year (mostly minor infections) but if you are thinking about fungicides, make sure to first determine if you are concerned about leaf diseases or head scab (Fusarium head blight.) When it comes to leaf diseases, we should be most concerned with keeping the flag leaf (last leaf out before the head) as clean as possible. About 50 percent of a wheat plant's yield comes from energy made by the flag leaf.
Tags: Beck's Blog, AgTalk, Agronomy, Agronomy Update, Head Scab in Wheat, agronomist, Beck's Agronomist, indiana agronomy, Indiana wheat, Steve Gauck Agronomy, fungicide in wheat
25
Many farmers have been asking about wheat and nitrogen (N) management. As you begin to evaluate your wheat stand, one of the most important things to remember is to perform stand checks. This can be done with a 1 x 1 ft. square, as shown below. Be sure to take counts at multiple locations that represent different landscape positions in your fields.
Tags: Beck's Blog, AgTalk, Agronomy, Agronomy Update, agronomist, Beck's Agronomist, indiana agronomy, Indiana wheat, Steve Gauck Agronomy, evaluating wheat stands, tiller counts, nitrogen management, freeze injury in wheat
6
2015
Applying Nitrogen (N) to wheat can be a tough decision this time of year. Many of us have no intention of scouting fields in this weather, but a quick look at your wheat fields can help make some decisions on N rate and timing.
Categories: Agronomy, S Indiana, E Indiana
Tags: Agronomy Update, Steve Gauck, Applying Nitrogen, Wheat
Oct
2014
With the recent rains many of us are starting to wonder how fast corn will dry down in the field. Many factors can contribute to drydown. Plant characteristics can influence in-field drydown, but weather conditions strongly influence drydown.
Tags: Agronomy Update, Steve Gauck, Harvest 2014, Corn Drydown Rates
4
Sep
As harvest starts to approach and we are working to get combines and grain bins ready, don’t forget to keep an eye on your corn fields. Many of us are hoping for a great crop, but as this year continues to look more like the crop of 2009, there are a few things we need to watch.
Tags: Agronomy Update, E. Indiana, S. Indiana, Ear Rot, Keeping Watch on Your Fields
1
As wheat harvest has begun across southern Indiana, I wanted to leave you with a few tips about harvest and planting double crop soybeans.
Tags: Beck's, Agronomy Update, Wheat Harvest, Steve Gauck, S. Indiana, Head Scab in Wheat, Planting Double Crop Soybeans