1. Field Observations

Most corn I've seen lately is V5-V6, so this is our window for side-dressing (until V7-V8), and is nearing the end of the window of susceptibility to black cutworm (until V6). Our numbers have been low (see section 3), but later plantings may be at risk - so keep an eye on your fields!

2. Growing Degree Days as of June 14th (See: Climate Smart Farming Growing Degree Day Calculator)
Growing degree days (GDD) are calculated by taking the average daily temperature and subtracting the base temperature for development of a given organism ((High + Low)/2 - base temp = GDD). For corn silage, we are using base 50/86, as corn development starts at 50 degrees F and ceases above 86. Check your location and planting date:

I know I sound like a broken record, but early planting dates are near record highs, while later planting dates (through mid-late May) are closer to the 15-yr averages:

3. Pest and disease monitoring
A. Black cutworm (BCW), western bean cutworm (WBC), and true armyworm (TAW) in corn.

This week, trap numbers remained low. This means that oviposition (egg-laying) may be low, but larval activity will be relatively high. Once again, check your fields until v6 (around 12") for cutworm damage:

B. Potato leafhopper in alfalfa. *No action needed within a week of harvest

C. Fusarium head blight in grains. As winter grains are flowering, now would be the time to decide whether to protect crops from fusarium head blight. According to the Fusarium Risk Tool, the risk in our region is currently low, except for eastern Fulton County and east of Schoharie in the Gallupville/Berne area, as well as Herkimer county north of the Mohawk where the risk is medium if your crops are currently flowering: