Field Crop Update, June 20, 2024
Erik Smith, Area Field Crop Specialist/Team Leader
Central New York Dairy and Field Crops
1. Weather Outlook
2. Growing Degree Days (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:
3. Pest Monitoring
BCW = Black Cutworm
TAW = True Armyworm
Corn crops are still at risk of black cutworm until around the 5th true leaf has emerged. So keep on the lookout. Thankfully numbers are low, but we're not quite out of the woods just yet.
I'm seeing reports of early tar spot on corn in the midwest, so please be on the lookout for that as well - and let me know if you suspect any in your crops. NY corn planting was delayed by the rain, but that doesn't mean the diseases and pests were likewise delayed in areas where they are originating.
We should have some more potato leafhopper updates in the coming weeks, but we've certainly seen some high numbers this year already. Highest numbers have been in pure alfalfa stands and of course, new seedings.
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