1. Field Observations

Corn and soybeans are starting to flower in early-planted crops.

Not much to report on pests this week, but it's clear that the Japanese beetles are out in force, and I expect aphids and potato leafhoppers are high in places that did not receive heavy showers (that will knock them off plants to die in the mud). Now that soybeans are flowering, this is the time to make fungicide applications if your crop is in a field with high risk for white mold:

Have you had white mold in that field before? Is the crop flowering? Is the canopy nearly closed or closed? Then, with the humidity and field moisture most of us have had, you're probably in a relatively-high-risk situation for white mold. Especially if your variety is more highly susceptible.

And winter wheat should be nearing harvest maturity in many places. According to Mike Stanyard (Agronomist, CCE-SWNYDLFC), "If you did not spray a fungicide at flowering, vomitoxin from FHB could be a concern. Look for pink coloration and shrunken kernels in the heads. If these conditions are present, set the combine fans to high and try to blow these light kernels back onto the field."

And if you haven't already, be sure to pre-register for our upcoming Corn and Soybean Seed IPM field day at SUNY Cobleskill. It's free, but pre-registering helps us plan ahead for meals and transportation: https://cals.cornell.edu/events/ipm-strategies-protect-corn-and-soybean-seed-new-york-state-cobleskill-meeting In addition to learning more about our neonicotinoid seed treatment trials, we're offering 1.5 DEC credits (Cat. 1A, 4, 10, 21) and 1.5 CCA credits (Cat. TBD). And lunch! There are still a few spots left!

2. Growing Degree Days (GDD) (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:

See you in the field!