1. Field Observations

The diseases have started to show up in corn and soy crops. Specifically, northern corn leaf blight (2 top photos) and white mold (2 bottom photos). While rescue treatments are not economical at this point, infestation is important to note for future crops. Rotation always helps (at least some) but be mindful in the future of the weather conditions and condition of the crop at flowering to see whether a fungicide application is necessary in fields with a history of these diseases. Seek out resistant or tolerant varieties if possible!

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, we are using base 50/86, as corn development starts at 50 degrees F and ceases above 86. Check your location, planting date, and silking date. Silage corn needs 750-800 GDD (depending on hybrid maturity) after silking to reach a whole plant DM of 32%. Under typical late season dry down conditions we can expect the crop to reach 35% DM four to seven days later (Remember that we can expect to accumulate 20-25 GDD per day, or even up to 30, so this is not a large window). For more details, see this article. No matter what the numbers say, always check your crop to see how close you may be to harvest:

3. Pest Monitoring

Potato leafhopper (PLH) in alfalfa - Fields sampled by Ashley Bound and Emily Anderson (CCE Chenango), working with local FFA chapters across our region to sweep alfalfa fields this year (funding provided by the Chobani Community Impact Fund).

Fields elsewhere in our region that are usually swept were either recently cut or the weather prevented us from sweeping this week. So we'll try again next week:

Action thresholds are determined by comparing average crop height and average number of potato leafhoppers per sweep (at least 3 sets of 10 sweeps in different parts of the field) using a 15" diameter sweep net.

*No action needed if crop is within 1 week of cutting. If not, use a short-residual insecticide.