USDA NASS South Dakota field office reported winter wheat condition at 55 percent poor to very poor and 15 percent in the good to excellent condition. Corn in SD is behind last year’s progress but equal to average at 95% emerged. U.S. corn condition is equal to last year at 63% good to excellent.
Fall cover crops provide multiple benefits to producers. These benefits include pathogen and pest protection, drought protection, weed control, reduced soil erosion, nutrient acquisition and retention, increased soil organic matter, and conservation of soil water by improvement of soil structure that increases infiltration and water holding capacity.
Hazardous Occupation Safety Training in Agriculture (HOSTA) sessions will be delivered across the state this spring (2013) by SDSU staff. HOSTA is a program which aims to educate South Dakota youth about the dangers associated with working on a farm or ranch. Currently, the law states that any individual who is 14 to 15 years old must be trained on the safe operation of tractors, farm machinery, and other hazardous activities in the agricultural industry.
Late planting period starts this weekend (May 25th) for corn in Northern counties of South Dakota. South Dakota producers routinely purchase crop insurance on corn, soybeans, wheat and sunflowers. The most commonly used insurance products have provisions for prevented planting, late planting, replanting, and planting of a second crop. In addition to agronomic considerations for how well a crop may recover or how late a crop could be planted with a reasonable chance of success, several dates are important from an insurance standpoint.
The World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) Report on Friday, May 10th, showed the projections for the 2013-2014 U.S. crops. Few adjustments were made to the 2012-2013 supply and demand estimates.
The new Fusarium (Scab) Head Blight Prediction Center is now up and running. The purpose of this Assessment Tool is to provide producers and crop consultants with a Fusarium Head Blight (FHB/scab) risk assessment tool which leads up to and includes flowering (anthesis).
Soil moisture conditions have changed some with recent snows and moistures. However, in some parts of the state, there still exists the possibility of dry planting conditions this spring. Regardless of soil moisture conditions where you are at, fortunately there is a calculator that can give some useful starter guidelines for various crops, starter fertilizers, and soil moisture conditions.
As March brings in climatological spring, many are anxious for the return to warmer temperatures and longer days. And, in the case of South Dakota, many are anxious for some relief from the ongoing drought that has plagued much of the state in 2012. The latest climate outlooks from the Climate Prediction Center indicate that some improvement in drought conditions may be on its way.
The most important factors in producing a profitable spring wheat field are selecting the best cultivar, providing proper fertility, planting on time, and having a good seedbed to plant into. When selecting a variety, refer to the Variety Recommendations for 2013 contained in the 2012 annual report on Spring Wheat.
Spring wheat can be insured in all counties in South Dakota. In 2012 there were 2.2 million acres of wheat insured in South Dakota across classes at a cost of $32 million to growers and landowners. The most common type of insurance was Revenue Protection, which covers against yield and price risk.
As severe weather makes its way yet again across South Dakota this week, I get asked the question… when will this wet streak end? Not only has it been wet, but a steady dose of wet days. The Aberdeen National Weather Service forecast office provided these tidbits of information...
The moisture we have had in the past several days has been condusive for foliar diseases to develop in wheat. A few fields visited and samples submitted to the SDSU Plant Diagnostic Clinic indicate tan spot and bacterial leaf streak are beginning to develop on lower leaves of the wheat plants
Timely rainfall is more critical than normal this growing season. Only the northeast corner of South Dakota has been removed from the drought designation, though it is still abnormally dry. Only 28% of subsoil moisture in the state is rated adequate to surplus in the latest USDA-NASS crop progress and condition report. Growers abandoning winter wheat and seeding a spring crop may want to consider the answers to these questions: 1) Are some crops thriftier with water and 2) did some crops in 2012 deplete soil moisture more than others?
Most wheat farmers in central and western South Dakota are now faced with deciding what to do with a winter wheat crop having limited yield potential. The last 12 months are an example of the extremely challenging conditions in South Dakota agriculture. Extremely dry late summer conditions led to loss in yields and crop failures in summer crops.
The first week in May is not unusual for a hard freeze across most of the state, as shown in the light blue color. The State Climate Office shows average last dates for 24, 28, 32 and 36 degree air temperatures in the spring. Over the last several days, these temperatures have risen 4-6 degrees in many areas, so we are now in a better range for planting.
The 2012 Field Plot Summaries: Plant Diseases & Fungicide Trials data have been summarized from ongoing Extension Plant Pathology project field trials. The objective of these trials was to evaluate and demonstrate the effects of fungicide seed treatments and foliar fungicides or cultural controls to manage plant diseases in various field crops. Data in the report are presented by crop and by individual study location.
Fungicide seed treatments protect seedlings from both seed-borne and soil-borne pathogens. Seed-borne pathogens can be those inhabiting the seed surface, such as Pythium spp, or those in the interior of the seed (for example loose smut of wheat). Soil-borne pathogens survive in the soil and when they come in contact with the seed or seedling and the conditions are conducive, the infection process is initiated.
The delayed planting of spring wheat and oats is a real concern among growers and agronomists producing these crops for grain. Additionally, the shortage and high cost of hay for livestock producers has also created interest in raising these cool-season crops.
As we approach the first days of May, we are in a critical time for stored grain on the farm. The average daytime temperature typically changes from 40° F in March to 70° F in May. While we are not experiencing normal spring temperatures this year, it is important to remember that the change from cold to warm can cause grain storage concerns and can reduce the storage shelf-life if grain is not managed correctly.
Our recent heavy snowfall has been welcome to replenish some of our region’s dry soils. The snow also brought comments and questions concerning the nitrogen within the precipitation in that it will help green up our pastures and winter wheat. We measured and analyzed the snowfall received in Brookings, SD about 30 hours after it had fallen.
The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the in-house research arm of the US Department of Agriculture. The ARS conducts scientific research to solve agricultural problems of high national priority. The North Central Agricultural Research Laboratory in Brookings is the only ARS facility in South Dakota and an important part of the national network of ARS labs.
Leafy spurge flea beetles will soon be emerging and can be found on the leafy spurge plants. Mid June is the normal time of the year when we start collecting the flea beetles for distribution in South Dakota. Now is the time to start watching for the emerging adult flea beetles, however with the cooler temperatures we have had this spring emergence of the flea beetles may be a week or so later than normal.
Spring is a season of hope. It is appropriate that the first day of spring occurs during National Agriculture Week, March 17-23. It is a time to recognize the abundance provided by agriculture, and celebrate the opportunity it holds for South Dakota and humanity. As farmers once again move into the fields to plant crops, and also begin calving and lambing season, it's important to keep in mind the challenges ahead.
In October 2012, Terry Hand was appointed by Governor Daugaard to serve on the South Dakota Wheat Commission. Hand, along with his two brothers Michael and David, raise spring and winter wheat, sunflowers, corn, and milo near Midland, SD. In addition, the family runs a cow/calf and back grounding operation. The Hands also have an official advisor, their father James David Hand.
Wheat production and trade in North America has been an important industry ever since Europeans came across the vast prairies of the West and Northwest. Red wheat, in particular, was transplanted to North America by Russian Mennonites between 1874 and 1884. The Mennonites who settled in Kansas in the late 1800's brought with them seeds of Turkey Red Wheat, a hard winter wheat, which proved to be a productive staple for future American families.
Ag states throughout the nation, but especially across the Midwest, have been tagged “fly-over states.” Nationwide, people often consider this area someplace to cross as fast as possible, and many of us don’t think we have much in common with the states on the coasts either. Ag states do, however, have a huge impact on the economy and food production worldwide. Now is your chance to voice your opinions and to influence policy design.
Leo Warrington, Bristol, SD has been appointed by Governor Dennis Daugaard to the South Dakota Wheat Commission. Warrington has been farming since 1973. He presently farms 1000 acres in a crop rotation that includes wheat, corn and soybeans. Warrington has operated a seed cleaning facility in Bristol since 1990.
In August 2010 Governor Rounds appointed Clint Vanneman, a wheat producer from Ideal, SD, to the South Dakota Wheat Commission Board of Directors.“This is an exciting time to be in production agriculture,” says Vanneman. “There are significant challenges facing us and I look forward to working on initiatives to address these issues.”
Wheat can be made into products ranging from noodles to bread to cake flour. Each product requires wheat with different characteristics. Interactions between genetics, management, and climatic conditions impact the ability to produce wheat with specific characteristics.
In August 2007, Governor Rounds appointed Chet Edinger to the South Dakota Wheat Commission. Edinger farms with his brother as part of the Edinger Brothers Partnership. He and his family live in Mitchell but farm in Aurora County with some land in Davison and Sanborn counties.
Every year, the fate of the entomological world is discussed by 2,000-3,000 entomologists at the annual meeting of the Entomological Society of America (this year held in Knoxville, TN). Often, a hot topic is clearly identifiable from this meeting. This year is no exception: the major theme of the meeting was nothing less than the next generation of insecticides: RNAi-based insecticides.
SDSU Extension publishes the South Dakota Pest & Crop Newsletter each week to provide growers, producers, crop consultants, and others involved in crop production with timely news pertinent to management of pests, diseases, and weeds in South Dakota.
Noxious weed are problems for landowners and farmers regardless of what the year is like. Nearly 1.9 million acres of statewide noxious weeds were reported in 2012. Statewide losses from them exceed $140 million annually. Noxious weeds are characterized by their ability to spread rapidly and are not controlled by normal management practices.
We’re nearing the time when we may be seeing some aphid activity in wheat. The most important aspect of managing aphids in general is scouting. Scouting should begin roughly 100 ft or 20 paces from the field edge. Individual stems and leaves should be inspected for aphids or signs of damage.
The moisture we have had in the past several days has been condusive for foliar diseases to develop in wheat. A few fields visited and samples submitted to the SDSU Plant Diagnostic Clinic indicate tan spot and bacterial leaf streak are beginning to develop on lower leaves of the wheat plants
Why calibrate? Many sprayers spend a good share of time identifying weed problems and what control is available. However all that time is wasted if time isn’t spent getting the sprayer ready for the field. A properly calibrated sprayer will provide effective control results and will allow for the best weed control possible.
With many winter wheat acres zeroed out, some producers will be using what wheat they have for forage or planting other forage crops. Before making plans to apply herbicides, fungicides or insecticides to crop fields intended for forage, make sure to check label restrictions for haying or grazing. Pre-harvest intervals for fungicide products range from 7 to 45 days before cutting for hay. Pre-harvest intervals for insecticides applied to wheat range from 7 to 30 days.
While leaves are barely out on trees in eastern South Dakota, arthropods are already active in the western parts of the state. Last week, I have had several reports of confirmed brown wheat mite (BWM) infestations in West River. These spider mites belong to the family Tetranychidae, the same mite family as the two-spotted spider mites. They also do well in dry conditions, and lack of moisture likely contributed to outbreaks of these mites on wheat. BWM populations will decline rapidly if it rains; another good reason to hope for some moisture to aid the wheat crop this year.
As of April 28, 2013, about 51 % of the state’s winter wheat crop was rated between fair and good by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Although there are many reports of winter wheat fields being abandoned, for those few acres of winter wheat that remain, there is still one more constraint to think about: wheat diseases.
Despite recent rain and snow storms, chances are still high that producers will face dry planting conditions, which also brings unique challenges in treating weed problems. While annual weeds will grow slowly in these conditions, there will typically be large numbers of seeds ready to grow following spring rains.
As severe weather makes its way yet again across South Dakota this week, I get asked the question… when will this wet streak end? Not only has it been wet, but a steady dose of wet days. The Aberdeen National Weather Service forecast office provided these tidbits of information...
Producers using no-till practices have observed that crop yields can greatly exceed expectations based on nutrient and water supply. For example, Ralph Holzwarth, who farms near Gettysburg, SD, has averaged 150 bu/ac of corn on his farm for the past 6 years. We were surprised with this yield, as corn yields in eastern South Dakota (Brookings County) averaged 140 bu/ac during this same time interval.
Tillage erosion is the downslope movement of soil by tillage. During tillage, soil is lifted and gravity moves soil downslope. Soil movement by tillage increases with slope steepness. However, net soil transport by tillage is determined by the change in slope. Soil movement by tillage very slowly levels the land surface.
In response to seasonal flooding, iGrow has put together a collection of the latest news updates, articles, and flood relief information to help get your farm and community on the path to recovery. Learn more inside!
Timely rainfall is more critical than normal this growing season. Only the northeast corner of South Dakota has been removed from the drought designation, though it is still abnormally dry. Only 28% of subsoil moisture in the state is rated adequate to surplus in the latest USDA-NASS crop progress and condition report. Growers abandoning winter wheat and seeding a spring crop may want to consider the answers to these questions: 1) Are some crops thriftier with water and 2) did some crops in 2012 deplete soil moisture more than others?
How far has carryover nitrogen moved in our soils with the moisture we have received mostly this spring. Soil nitrate-N is water soluble, so it can move with the infiltration of the precipitation. However, movement of water and nitrate-N within the soil is complex and all the nitrate-N doesn’t move exactly with the water wetting front.
The first week in May is not unusual for a hard freeze across most of the state, as shown in the light blue color. The State Climate Office shows average last dates for 24, 28, 32 and 36 degree air temperatures in the spring. Over the last several days, these temperatures have risen 4-6 degrees in many areas, so we are now in a better range for planting.
The single most limiting factor to crop yields in central SD is moisture. This could be especially true this year after coming off a dry summer, fall and most of the winter. Luckily we have had some recent snows. While no-till is extremely important in saving additional soil moisture, it is not the only management practice that can be used to save water.
Our recent heavy snowfall has been welcome to replenish some of our region’s dry soils. The snow also brought comments and questions concerning the nitrogen within the precipitation in that it will help green up our pastures and winter wheat. We measured and analyzed the snowfall received in Brookings, SD about 30 hours after it had fallen.
Soil moisture conditions have changed some with recent snows and moistures. However, in some parts of the state, there still exists the possibility of dry planting conditions this spring. Regardless of soil moisture conditions where you are at, fortunately there is a calculator that can give some useful starter guidelines for various crops, starter fertilizers, and soil moisture conditions.