Straight from the Horse's Mouth

Duane A. Lienemann, UNL Extension Educator, Webster County August 21, 2009 Edition There is certainly a feel of fall in the air even if we are only 2/3 of the way through August. There may be some validity to those that suggest we may have an early Fall, usually signaled by an early frost. Some people have told me that they have heard the locusts sing several days ago. I have not heard them as yet, but it does conjure up remembrances of the old saying my Grandfather used to say “From when you hear the locusts sing - 6 weeks till frost they will bring.” Some people look at the falling leaves or the blooming of the mums, still others point to the gathering activities of the squirrels. Whatever the “signs” may be, one thing is certain--some of our crops are not ready for a frost. Our soybeans (especially dryland) need some more time. It is good to see that a lot of the corn is dented, which tells me that most people will probably be starting to shut down their irrigation wells. It will likely be a bit longer before we can start shutting down on soybeans. For you that want some rules of thumb on last irrigating times you may want to refer to a UNL NebGuide which can be found at: www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/epublic/live/g1871/build/g1871.pdf If you don’t have access to internet just give me a call and I will get a copy to you. Even with the dry conditions we have been experiencing in South Central Nebraska, we are still seeing quite a bit of diseases, primarily with grey leaf spot in corn. I know that many producers sprayed with fungicides early on, or have kept a very close eye on the disease to see how close it comes to the ear leaf. I think we could be pretty much out of the woods on corn diseases at this point. While we have been watching the corn we find out that soybeans are not immune. Sudden Death Syndrome in Soybeans: I have been getting several questions about sick looking soybeans, many of which are simply environmental, lack of water and growing days. That being said, I have had reports coming in of Sudden Death Syndrome soybeans located in northern Webster and southern Adams County. According to UNL Plant Pathology Extension Specialist, Loren Giesler, Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) has been found in many fields in Nebraska over the last two weeks. This outbreak appears to be more widespread than in any year since it was first confirmed in Nebraska in 2004. Most affected fields have small areas with the disease and large areas are not being impacted. Sudden Death Syndrome of soybeans is caused by a member of the fungus family - Fusarium. Does that sound familiar –especially if you raise wheat? You normally think of this disease hitting in wet years, which it does, but it also needs to be pointed out that many producers are adapting earlier planting strategies which favor SDS development. Soil compaction and high fertility levels also have been associated with increased levels of SDS. I suggest going to www.CropWatch.unl.edu for more on this disease, or just give our office a call. At this time SDS appears to becoming widespread in Nebraska, but it can be effectively managed. If you have a large area of fields affected, avoid early planting and use resistant varieties next year. Thus far, seed treatment has not been shown to be effective. You may want to consider several things while you think about what you are going to plant next year. I know that for some reason grain sorghum has lost favor to many growers over the years. They say it is because of two four letter words – “itch” and “cane”, which I do remember and understand. There also however does seem to be some discrimination when it comes to the farm bill and even for chemical companies for herbicides. I for one, however, think that grain sorghum (milo - as we always referred to it) is a wonderful grain crop. It is one of the most efficient water users, and holds up very well in drought type conditions that we seem to have an abundance of. It is also one of the best stalk grazers out there for cattle. Given my choice I would always take milo stalks over corn stalks. Why do I mention grain sorghum? It goes beyond my fondness for the crop. It comes to mind because of an event coming to our area. I think that it deserves mention in this column. You may want to put September 9 on your calendar, here’s why. Grain Sorghum Field Day: All producers, interested people and especially grain sorghum growers are invited to attend the 2009 Sorghum Field Day to be held Wednesday, September 9 at the John Dolnicek farm at Lawrence, NE. The event starts at 5:00 pm with a tour of the Hybrid Demonstration Plot located 1 mile east, 1 mile north and ¼ mile east of Lawrence. Representatives from commercial seed companies will be on hand to discuss their plot entries and farmers will be able to see and evaluate field performance for themselves. The plot also includes Brown Midrib Sorghum Hybrids from UNL’s Husker Genetics for demonstration and discussion of the improved nutrition and forage quality. The plot is sponsored annually by the Nebraska Grain Sorghum Producers Association, UNL Cooperative Extension, the Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board, participating seed companies, and agri-business. This year’s sponsorship also includes the United Sorghum Check-off Program. A dinner, featuring sorghum cookies for dessert, will be served at 7:00 pm. The evening program will also include an address by Virgil Smail, MS, Ph.D., Executive Director of the United Sorghum Check-off Program, to share the background, vision and projects of the national sorghum check-off. For further information, please contact Ken Herz, NeGSPA Director and Plot Coordinator, at Lawrence. The preceding information comes from the research and personal observations of the writer which may or may not reflect the views of UNL or UNL Extension. For more further information on these or other topics contact D. A. Lienemann, UNL Extension Educator for Webster County in Red Cloud, (402) 746-3417 or email to: dlienemann2@unl.edu