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Sorghum
Drought
Wheat
Alfalfa & Hay
Briefs/Updates/Resources
Agricultural News
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Wheat growers urged to scout for aphids and cutworms
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Growers are urged to check their wheat fields for aphids and pale western cutworms as there are likely areas where economic problems could develop. Russian wheat aphids cause tillers to curl tightly and spraddle out from the row.
In addition, their feeding results in yellow or whitish striping of the infested leaf and the outside of the infested tiller tends to turn purplish in color. Thresholds for Russian wheat aphids will range from 10%-20% infested tillers depending on yield potential, value of the wheat, and control costs.
Pale western cutworms feed just above the crown of winter wheat and damage the wheat by cutting off the tiller, making the dead tillers apparent above ground. Treatment thresholds for the pale western cutworms are one to two cutworms per row foot.
Gary Hein
Extension Entomologist
Panhandle REC
Estimating seeding rates for sorghum
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Tables 1 and 2 show results from two dryland studies at Mead. Table 1 yields are from four hybrids at three row spacings. Table 3 shows yields from an irrigated grain sorghum trial at Mead. Research studies indicate that sorghum yields in eastern Kansas are maximized when plant populations of more than 40,00 plants per acre are achieved. This yield response to plant populations was consistent regardless of row spacings in studies conducted in 1995 and 1996 in northeast Kansas.
In general 70% of the seeds planted develop into viable plants, so the actual plants in Tables 1, 2, 3 and 4 would need to be multiplied by 1.43 to get the seeding rates. Grain sorghum has great ability to compensate for conditions. Higher seeding rates are helpful in competing with weeds, but seed cost will be higher. Following are some guidelines to use when selecting seeding rates.
Analysis of Nebraska data indicates that the average yield of single plants at harvest is approximately 1/10 pound of seed at 14.0% moisture. Sorghum weighs 56 pounds per bushel; therefore, 560 plants are required at harvest to produce a bushel of grain.
If a realistic yield goal is 85 bushels per acre, then 85 x 560 = 47,6000 plants at harvest. If 70% of the planted seeds emerge, the number of seeds required per acre will be 68,000 seeds per acre. Increase this rate for early plantings, which have a greater chance for reduced emergence. See Table 5 for yield goal, recommended planting rate, harvest population, and seed spacing for various row widths for sorghum.
In Nebraska, it is better to be on the low side of the desired population rather than the high side. Under heat and drought stress, plants at a lower population have more soil volume from which to draw water and can survive better than a thicker sand. High populations tend to force the crop into stress more quickly when moisture supply is limited. Pay attention to the amount of moisture in the soil profile at planting before determining the planting rate. Sorghum stands of 20,000 have produced yields of 80 bushels per acre. It is generally thought unwise to replant sorghum if the present stand is approximately 20,000 per acre or more.
The size of grain sorghum seed varies among hybrids and from situation to situation, depending on growing conditions. Some lots will have 11,000 seeds or less per pound and others up to 22,000 seeds per pound. Seed number and spacing are important, but pounds per acre is not appropriate determinant of planting rate. Although there may be emergence differences due to seed size, generally no yield differences are found.
Sorghum plants may tiller or develop large heads with more seeds per head to compensate for thin stands. However, heads produced by late tillers may be immature when the head on the main stem is mature, resulting in harvest and storage problems.
High plant populations with fewer tillers are necessary under irrigated conditions and higher rainfall areas; however, excessive stands produce plants with smaller stems and are more susceptible to moisture stress and lodging.
Robert Klein
Extension Cropping Systems Specialist
West Central REC
| Current water storage in Nebraska reservoirs, as of May 5, 2003. | |||
| Lake/Reservoir | Reservoir Storage | Reservoir Active Conservation Pool | Planned Delivery or Availability |
| (acre-feet) | % Full | (in inches) | |
| Box Butte Reservoir | 13,227 | 42.6% | 4 |
| Calamus Dam | 132,590 | 100% | 18 |
| Enders Dam | 13,617 | 30.6% | No release |
| Harlan County Dam | 253347 | 80.4% | 6 |
| Harry Strunk Lake | 28,426 | 79.6% | 7 |
| Hugh Butler Lake | 16,227 | 43.0% | No release |
| Lake McConaughy | 824,700 | 47.3% | 18 to Central |
| Irrigation customers | |||
| Merritt Dam | 75,694 | 100% | 16.5 |
| Sherman Dam | 59,296 | 85.0% | 12 |
| Swanson Lake | 31,931 | 28.5% | No release |
| Conservation | In Storage* | |||
| Storage Capacity | End of April | |||
| (acre-feet) | (acre-feet) | % Full | % Average | |
| Lake Minatare | 50,891 | 7,900 | 13 | 22 |
| Lake Alice | 11,000 | |||
| Little Lake Alice | 1,149 | 17 | ||
| Winters Creek | 2,821 | 262 | ||
| *46,5000 acre-feet of water is to be released for these lakes, with a delivery efficiency of 60-70% expected. | ||||
| Seven reservoirs in Wyoming | ||||
| Conservation storage capacity - 2,787, 800 acre-feet | ||||
| In storage - 1,203,200 acre-feet | ||||
| This is 43% of capacity and 62% of average storage. | ||||
Precipitation from April 1 to May 4 was above normal in all NASS reporting districts and ranged
from 106% of normal in the southeast district to 212% of normal in the southwest district. While
the recent rains have been beneficial for replenishing topsoil moisture, many of the state's
irrigation reservoirs (see table, left) remained at less than half of capacity.
With an eye on the cycle of drought and lower water tables in some areas, several Natural
Resource Districts have instituted or continued moratoriums on new irrigation well drilling. At
this time, 13.24 million Nebraska acres are under these moratoriums. This includes 3.07 million
acres of irrigated and rain-fed cropland.
Sub-soil moisture still mostly short;
moratoriums placed on well drilling
While recent rains have helped replenish topsoil moisture, subsoil moisture is still lacking.
According to this week's report from the USDA Nebraska Agricultural Statistics Service, topsoil
moisture across the state averaged 7% short, 84% adequate, and 9% surplus. Subsoil moisture
for the state rated 14% very short, 42% short, 43% adequate, and 1% surplus.
Market Journal features tips on grain sorghum
The May 9 Market Journal broadcast features discussions of how to grow and successfully market grain
sorghum. Speakers on the show, which is hosted by Extension Ag Economist Doug Jose and
sponsored by NU Cooperative Extension, include: Paul Hay, Gage County Extension educator,
Barb Kliment of the Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board; ZB Mayo, Extension entomologist; Roger Elmore, Extension crops specialist; Roger Selley, Extension agricultural economist; and producers Gerald Simonson and James
Vorderstrasse of Twin Valley Mills near Hebron who will shows viewers their specialty sorghum mill. Visit the Market Journal web site at
marketjournal.unl.edu for information on viewing this or previous Market Journal programs on-line or at down-link sites across the state..
Limited herbicide choices for weed control
in sorghum require planning, diligence
Burndown choices are very similar to those in corn. Atrazine, 2,4-D, Banvel/Clarity, Gramoxone Extra, glyphosate and combinations of these products are all viable burndown options depending on the type of weeds present. Be sure to allow 10 days after 2,4-D application and 20 days after Banvel/Clarity application before planting sorghum.
If you need residual weed control, a preplant herbicide program may be just the ticket. Just as in corn, a preplant herbicide can be applied 0 to 45 days before planting. Preplant treatments for sorghum in continuous row crops include Atrazine, Bicep II Magnum, Bicep Lite II Magnum, Bullet, Dual II Magnum, Dual IIG, Outlook, G-Max Lite, Guardsman Max, Leadoff, Lariat and Micro-Tech. All of these except Atrazine require a seed safener so be aware of what you intend to plant.
If you plan to apply the herbicide as a pre-emergent, Atrazine, Bicep II Magnum, Dual II Magnum, Bullet, G-max Lite, Guardsman Max, Micro-Tech, Lariat and Leadoff are all suitable choices in conventional tillage systems.
The third step to weed control in sorghum is post-emergence herbicides. Herbicides registered for post-emergence use in sorghum include Aim, Ally + 2,4-D, Atrazine, Marksman, Banvel/Clarity, 2,4-D, Buctril, Paramount, Peak, Permit and certain combinations of these products. Use caution when applying 2,4-D before the 5-inch stage. When the sorghum is taller than 8 inches, 2,4-D, Banvel and Clarity can only be applied with drop nozzles.. Do not apply 2,4-D between the early boot and soft boot stage of sorghum.
Sorghum is also particularly sensitive to herbicides on soils that are coarse textured (sandy) and/or have low organic matter. Many preplant/pre-emergence herbicides are used at reduced rates or simply not labeled for these soils.
For more detailed information including rates and additives, consult pages 53-57 of the 2003 Guide for Weed Management in Nebraska available at NU Cooperative Extension offices or online at http://ianrpubs.unl.edu/fieldcrops/ec130.htm
Brady Kappler
Weed Science Educator
Alex Martin
Extension Weed Specialist
Drew Lyon,
Extension Cropping Systems Specialist at the Panhandle REC: In general, winter wheat stands in much of the Nebraska Panhandle are in excellent shape. There
is some tan spot evident in stubble mulch fields and some winter annual weed pressure in a few
fields, but except for some hill tops, the wheat looks great. The primary concern at this point is a lack of subsoil moisture, which will make timely rainfall
critical for the success of the Panhandle wheat crop. With a few exceptions, soil water below the
top 2-3 feet is very poor. Over the next few weeks, water use by wheat plants will climb to its
maximum level around the boot stage. Current stored soil water will be insufficient to carry the
crop through the flowering and grain fill stages. Some Cheyenne County wheat fields sustained hail damage this week. Generally wheat at this
stage should recover quickly from damage that causes the plants to lay over but not be mowed
off. Yield losses should be minimal. More developed wheat would have more heads above
ground and would be at greater risk for yield loss from hail injury.
David Baltensperger,
Extension Crop Breeding Specialist at the Panhandle REC: Late growth by the wheat crop and equally good conditions for weed germination will require vigilance in monitoring and controlling weeds in many fields. Cutworm control may be critical during the next two weeks.
Southeast
Paul Hay,
Extension Educator in Gage County: At this point the wheat is looking good. The wheat has all jointed and should be in the boot stage in about two weeks. Some producers who were short of phosphorus are seeing slow growth. Cool soil temperatures are slowing the release of available phosphorus from the soil.
State
The USDA Nebraska Agricultural Statistics Service reported Monday that wheat condition
continued to improve across the state last week. Condition rated 7% poor, 34% fair, 47% good,
and 12% excellent, well above last year and near the five-year average. Sixty-one percent of the
crop had jointed, 10 days ahead of last year at 31% and a week ahead of average.
Wheat condition improves with recent rains
Panhandle
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This is the time of the year when spring black stem is most active. Recent cool, wet weather over most of the state provided ideal conditions for its development on the first cutting. Symptoms are evident now as black irregularly-shaped spots on leaves and stems. Infected leaves turn yellow and drop from the plant. Lesions on stems enlarge until most of the stem becomes black. Stems that are girdled by the lesions die.
Spring black stem is our most serious foliar disease and the defoliation it causes affects quality and quantity of the first cutting. There is little in the way of genetic resistance to spring black stem, so the only defense against loss is to scout fields regularly and take an early cutting if the disease is prevalent on the lower half of the plant.
Wheat
Soil-borne wheat mosaic in eastern and central Nebraska remains active because of continued cool, wet weather. The disease will have an impact on yields in fields where plants are stunted because of the virus.
Pockets of wheat streak mosaic are occurring in the Ogallala area. The incidence in this area may relate to the heavy rain in early July 2002 that shattered heads resulting in a volunteer wheat crop before harvest. Another contributing factor could be the mild winter allowing the wheat curl mite vector to stay somewhat active through the dormant season.
Of the rust diseases, stripe rust continues to build up to high levels in the southern plains (see map). Oklahoma reports hot spots of stripe rust on susceptible varieties in the north central part of the state which puts Nebraska directly in the pathway of the inoculum as the spores blow north. We haven't found stripe rust in Nebraska yet, but it will undoubtedly make its appearance before June.
Powdery mildew was reported on wheat in northeast Nebraska. This disease is not common, but our cloudy, overcast weather will promote its development. Heavily fertilized, dense wheat stands are likely candidates for powdery mildew. The disease symptoms are an off-white powdery growth on leaves and stems. It doesn't present a serious threat this early in the season, but could become a factor if it moves onto the upper leaves and head during grain fill.
This fall, more growers are expected to plant hard white wheat thanks
to the farm bill's 20-cent per bushel incentive payment effective for crops
harvested in 2003-2005, said Drew Lyon, dryland crops specialist at NU's
Panhandle Research and Extension Center at Scottsbluff. However, eastern Nebraska farmers need to hold off on planting hard
white wheat because growing current varieties in more humid areas, such as
the eastern part of the state, can be risky, he said.
"In humid areas, current varieties are likely to sprout in the head,
which reduces the crop's value," Lyon said. "Southwest Nebraska and the
Panhandle are best suited for the crop. Not that it couldn't be grown in
the east, but the risk of sprouting is greater."
Hard white wheat must be kept separate from hard red winter wheats
and other grains. Wheat is reduced a full grade for every 1 percent
contamination with a contrasting class of grain. There are more elevators set up to handle hard white wheat in the Panhandle and southwestern part of the state.
"This just can't be hauled into any elevator," the Institute of
Agriculture and Natural Resources specialist said.
To qualify for the incentives, hard white wheat acres must be
certified at a local Farm Service Agency and the variety must be declared
to the purchaser at time of delivery. Certified seed isn't required, but
growers who plant it will receive a $2 per acre reimbursement during the
2003 crop year. That is in addition to the 20-cent per bushel incentive
payment.
"Hypothetically, hard white wheat has a lot of value to it," Lyon
said. "However, growers and elevators must have a sufficient supply for any
economic benefit."
Ron Stoddard, executive director of the Nebraska Wheat Board, said
hard white wheat production is growing. Last year, there were 6,000 acres
planted to hard white wheat in Nebraska and this year production is
projected to be 38,750 acres. In 2004, that number is expected to double.
"I would say the time is quickly approaching when hard white wheat
will probably be a crop planted in eastern Nebraska," Stoddard said. "Right
now, it is riskier than what I would choose to plant because of the
possibility of the sprouting in the head."
Breeders at NU and elsewhere are working on traits that will reduce
the chances of sprouting, and these new varieties should be available in a
few years, he said.
"As for elevators in the eastern part of the state, they should be
able to get online quickly as production shifts to the east," Stoddard
said. "We are seeing a continual switch to hard white wheats. At 38,000
acres, white wheat production is less than 3% of (Nebraska's) total
wheat production, but in 10 years it could be the predominant class."
Most hard white wheat produced in Nebraska is grown under contract
with milling companies.
The most common hard white wheat variety planted in Nebraska is
Platte, ConAgra's production variety, Stoddard said. General Mills plants
Nu-Frontier on its dryland acres and Nu-Horizon on irrigated areas. Trego
is next in acres planted followed by Nuplains, bred by UNL plant breeder
Stephen Baenziger and Robert Graybosch of the U.S. Department of
Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service.
For more information on hard white wheat, including variety
descriptions and performance, seed suppliers and general information, visit
the university's white wheat Web site at: www.hardwhitewheat.unl.edu.
The Nebraska Wheat Board helps fund NU's wheat breeding program,
conducted in cooperation with the IANR Agricultural Research Division.
Sandi Alswager
Farm bill sparks interest in hard white wheat options
Favorable provisions in the new farm bill are
sparking increased interest in growing hard white wheat, but current
varieties may not be suited for all of Nebraska, a University of Nebraska
dryland crops specialist said.
IANR News and Publishing
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Conventional alfalfa plantings involve several tillage operations to prepare a seedbed, followed by drilling the alfalfa seed. Some folks, though, save time by using a floater or air seeder rather than a drill. This saves time by requiring less tillage since it's best to leave the field slightly rougher than normal. The floater or air seeder then spreads seed much faster than a drill. But, make sure the custom applicator is experienced at spreading the seed evenly.
After broadcasting the seed, incorporate the seed into the soil just a little. Two quick passes with a flat harrow or roller seems to work best. Do not disk because that puts much seed too deep.
No-till or low till seedings also can save much time. Small grain, bean, and even corn and sorghum stubble can be used. If residue is heavy, first shred or chop stalks so they are spread across the ground more uniformly, and so the drill can cut through them easier. Also, if the field has much ridging from previous crop rows, disk lightly to level the ground so future trips across the field will not be so rough.
If weeds already are present, spray a burn-down herbicide like Roundup or Gramoxone before planting if the light disking didn't get them. Then seed no-till, and be ready to use a post-emerge herbicide like Pursuit, Raptor, Poast, Select, or Buctril for early weeds. You still must seed alfalfa by May 15 on dryland or June 1 with irrigation for best results.
This is the 12th year for the University of Nebraska's plastic pesticide container and crop
protection drum recycling program, which already has collected nearly 474 tons of recyclable
plastic containers, said Larry Schulze, NU Cooperative Extension pesticide coordinator. Last
year the program recycled more than 85 tons of plastic into products such as shipping pallets,
drain tile, dimension lumber and parking lot tire bumpers.
The program accepts pressure-rinsed or triple-rinsed 1- and 2.5-gallon plastic pesticide
containers. They must be clean and dry, inside and out. Caps, labels and slip-cover plastic labels
must be removed.
Twenty-three of this year's 44 collection sites accept 15- and 30-gallon plastic crop protection
chemical, crop oil and adjuvant drums. These drums must be thoroughly rinsed and should not be
cut or opened in any way.
Mini-bulk, saddle tanks and nurse tanks, which can be made of fiberglass or plastics not
compatible with the recycling program, are not accepted.
Applicants should prepare containers before taking them to the site; they should clean, rinse and
drain containers and drums and put the rinsate back in the spray tank; remove and properly
dispose of booklets and caps from containers; and remove and properly dispose of plastic
shrink-wraps from containers. Glued-on paper labels can be left on the container.
Schulze coordinates the program with the help of NU extension educators and natural resource
conservation service development councils. A national coalition of agri-chemical manufacturers
funds the effort through the Agricultural Container Recycling Council.
Recycling sites are listed alphabetically by county. Sites accepting 15- and 30-gallon plastic
drums are noted. For more information go to the pesticide safety program link at
http://PestEd.unl.edu/recycle.htm.
All-year collection sites:
Ralph Anderson, Extension Educator in Buffalo County: We welcomed the recent moisture, with
amounts varying from about two inches to more than seven inches for the month. Less than 10% of the
spring crop was planted by May 5; producers are very anxious to get back into the fields. We certainly
should have enough moisture to germinate the crops, activate the herbicide and keep alfalfa, wheat and
grass growing for several days, if not weeks. We look forward with hope to continued rains throughout
the summer to assure that the drought is broken and adequate rains will be available.
Douglas Anderson, Extension Educator in Thayer and Nuckolls counties: Hail storms caused
about 15% damage to isolated fields. Field work has been interrupted by the rains -– a report of a
puddle in northeastern Nuckolls County could not be confirmed. Less than 10% of the corn has been
planted, although some has already emerged from the early planted fields. Pastures are slow to green
up and there already are early reports of weevil damage in alfalfa.
Gary Zoubek, Extension Educator in York County: We received about 1 inch of rain over the
weekend and about 1.3 inches last week. Producers are 50-60% done with corn planting and have
started soybean planting. When field condi-tions dry, I’m sure planting will continue as quickly as
possible. The moisture was sure welcome for pastures and dryland fields.
Allan Vyhnalek, Extension Educator in Platte County: There was 2.75-6.0 inches of rain across the
county last week. Except for the sandy ground near Duncan, planting progress was slowed
considerably. Lowland flooding along Shell Creek and other tributaries occurred after both rains. In
places, upland erosion is considerable and some spots may need to be replanted.
Ralph Kulm, Extension Educator in Holt County: Recent rainfall has greatly improved the outlook
for winter wheat. It is jointing and looking good. Corn planting has been slowed by the cool, rainy
weather but is probably 70% complete. Alfalfa and cool season pastures, as well as weeds, are
responding well to the moisture. Native warm season pastures will need warmer days than we’ve had
recently to get started.
Noel Mues, Extension Educator in Furnas County: Approximately 3.5 inches of moisture during
April and early May has created considerable improvement for spring planting. Producer outlook is
much improved, even if they’ve had to wait for topsoil to dry out for continued planting. The rains have
greatly improved winter wheat and pastures; however, subsoil moisture continues to rate well below
average. Area lakes are still well below normal causing concern for irrigators.
Jennifer Chaky, Extension Educator, Plant Pathology: Samples received at the NU Plant and
Pest Diagnostic Clinic between April 28 and May 5 included:
Wheat - Nitrogen deficiency (Keith Co), wheat streak mosaic virus (Keith Co), Russian wheat aphid
(Franklin Co), problems with shallow planting (Nuckolls Co);
Alfalfa - chemical injury (Custer Co), spring black stem and leaf spot (Brown Co).
For a schedule, provided in Universal Time (UTC), of when the signal may not be available,
visit: http://www.waasperformance.raytheon.com/sis/sis.html For help in converting the UTC
(commonly referred to as GMT or Greenwich Mean Time) to local time, visit the following Web
site: http://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/utc.html
According to the Web site, the suit covers two claim groups: Corn Loss recovery provides
compensation due to the existence of Cry9C in the general U.S. corn supply alleged by plaintiffs
in the litigation and Property Damage Recovery compensates class members who demonstrate
loss on sale or additional expenses resulting from Cry9C pollination of a class member's
non-Cry9C corn or commingling of non-Cry9C corn with Cry9C corn.
All Corn Loss claims must be postmarked or received no later than May 31, 2003, and all
Property Damage claims must be postmarked or received no later than July 31, 2003, according
to information on the Web site.
If you don't have access to the Internet, further information is also available via a toll-free phone
number: (888) 833-4317.
45 sites recycling pesticide containers
Farmers and other pesticide applicators can recycle empty, plastic pesticide containers at 45
collection sites across Nebraska this year.
May-August inspection and collection sites:
Sites collecting and inspecting pesticide containers only on specific days:
Site collecting pesticide containers by appointment only:
Steve Ress
Communications Coordinator
UNL Water Center
Field updates
Ron Seymour, Extension Educator in Adams County: Corn planting was about 30%
complete before last week’s rainfall brought it to a stop. The surface of most fields is fairly wet.
Planted corn is germinating, but little has emerged. Wheat and alfalfa have improved
significantly. Wheat plants are jointed, most with two visible nodes. Most alfalfa plants are
budded but few have begun to bloom. Pasture grasses are growing, but improvement is slow.
GPS signal expected to be interrupted
From May 9 through May 16, the FAA will be conducting tests and training on the WAAS --
Wide Area Augmentation System. Some tests may result in broadcast signal outages which
would affect producers and consultants using WAAS with their GPS (global positioning system)
units. These would include Garmins, Pocket PC GPS antennae, and some submeter units.
Extension Educator in Dodge County
StarLink claim
deadlines near
Deadlines are fast approaching for Nebraska corn producers filing claims in a pending
StarLinkTM class action lawsuit. Visit the Nebraska Corn Board Web site at
http://www.nebraskacorn.org where you can link to the Non-StarLink Farmer Litigation site. It
includes on-line and printable claim application forms and information on the issues, litigation
and possible settlements.
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