Field Crop Update June 16, 2022
Erik Smith, Area Field Crop Specialist
Central New York Dairy and Field Crops
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:
Field Crop Update June 16, 2022 (pdf; 879KB)
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Cash Rent and Custom Harvest Survey
To date, there is limited information available about rental rates and fees for crop harvesting. Farms can use this valuable information for their farm business planning to help improve decision making and profitability.Farmers Can Join MeatSuite For Free!
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2. Connect with more local customers. In the past year the MeatSuite.com farm directory had 8,300 visits from New York consumers. Farm profiles get as many as 25 views per month from potential local customers. We also spotlight MeatSuite farms on social media and bring attention and purchases to farms through highlights and giveaways.
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Farmers can visit https://www.meatsuite.com/farmers/ to create a free farm profile. You must list at least one product for your farm's profile to go live. You'll also have access to Cornell's free Meat Price Calculator, a helpful tool for pricing your meat to make a profit.
While you're on MeatSuite, check out the "Creating Consumer-Friendly Bulk Meats" publication on the log-in page. It has tips on how to create bulk meat products that are easier for first-time buyers to say "yes" to.
If you have any questions as you create your farm profile or products, we're here to help! Please email Matt LeRoux at mnl28@cornell.edu.