Fulton County Agricultural News & Events May 2017

A message from Ben…

“Most things that you worry about never happen.” A quote I have heard

many times but I do not know who said it first, but I believe that fits for the thoughts and articles

that make up the April Newsletter. There were a lot of speculation that this year’s wheat crop

was going to be severely damaged by the freezing temperatures. There is some damage but

nothing to the severity that was expected. With that I do want to note that Stripe Rust has been

found in varying degrees in both Lake County, TN and Hickman County, KY. Those with wheat

have most likely treated their acreages with fungicide and managed any Stripe Rust issues. (For

more information see Fungicide Use in Wheat, PPFS-AG-SG-05.)

For those planning on having corn this year, it has been an big build-up only to have rain keep

you out of the field. Most had everything ready to go on April 1 and got off to a good start, only

to now face a complete shutdown with all of the rain. As the fields begin to dry out, monitor

your soil moisture and down pressure. Sidewall compaction can easily occur with these

conditions and therefore restrict root growth out of the furrow and limit nutrient uptake.

Soybeans as always for Fulton County will remain on the majority of the acreage, especially with

current market prices. As one producer told me, “I can lose less with soybeans than I can with

corn.” It will not be long before I start to see soybeans being planted, and some have made the

switch to the new Dicamba resistant varieties. ExtendiMax, Fexapan, and Engina have all been

approved for use in Kentucky. Please monitor the products’ website for the latest updates on

tank mixes, nozzles, buffers, etc. The labels are evolving and new items are being updated. I

have also talked with a representative from Monsanto that is the field representative for issues

concerning ExtendiMax. If you have any issues with the product there is a representative that

will be making farm calls on the product and is only gathering documentation on usage and the

effects off-target movement. At this time, I have not met anyone with BASF or Dupont working

in this capacity. Please be aware of your surroundings, weather conditions, and label

requirements while spraying these new formulas and any pesticide. I have not taken any calls on

drift issues, but have noticed some drift damage already this year. Chemicals can move, and our

winds are constantly changing but we must maintain being good stewards of the land.

I encourage you to take time and read this newsletter for current information in the agriculture

field and upcoming dates of meetings and field days. Like us on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/FultonKYANR

Ben Rudy

Fulton County Extension Agent for

Agriculture & Natural Resources

Cooperative Extension Service Fulton County 2114 S 7th Street Fulton KY 42050-1838 Phone: (270) 236-2351 Fax: (270) 236-1841 extension.ca.uky.edu

UPCOMING EVENTS

May 9 – Wheat Field Day – Princeton

May 19 – Hemp Field Day – Crofton

July 13 – WAVE Counties Ag Day

July 27 – UK Corn, Soybean and Tobacco Field Day - Princeton

http://plantpathology.ca.uky.edu/files/ppfs-ag-sg-05.pdfhttps://www.facebook.com/FultonKYANR

Surface Temperature Inversions and Spray Drift Lee Townsend, Extension Entomologist, University of Kentucky

Usually, when the sun’s energy hits the ground, it warms the air at the surface. This warm air

normally expands and cools as it rises, so air temperature decreases with altitude.

A temperature inversion occurs when a

layer of cool air is trapped below

warmer air. If pesticides are sprayed

during an inversion, spray particles or

vapor stay in the cooler air and do not

disperse normally (Figure 1). It is

unsafe to spray when conditions favor

surface temperature inversion.

A surface temperature inversion is

likely to be present if:

• Mist, fog, dew, or a frost have occurred.

• Smoke or dust hangs in the air and moves sideways, just above the surface.

• Cumulus clouds that have built up during the day collapse towards evening.

• There is a large difference between the observed maximum and overnight minimum temperatures.

• Wind speed is constantly less than 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) per hour in the evening and overnight

• Cool, off-slope breezes develop during evening or overnight.

• Distant sounds become easier to hear.

• Aromas are more distinct during the evening than during the day.

Corn Herbicide Premixes Larry Steckel, Extension Week Specialist, University of Tennessee

Corn Herbicide Premixes. Judging by phone calls over the last week it seems there is a good

number of questions on some relatively new corn herbicide premixes. The three newer corn

herbicide premixes are Acuron, Armezon PRO and Resicore.

Acuron (Dual II Magnum + Callisto + Atrazine + bycyclopyrone) Rate: 2.5 qts/A

Positives

a. Very good resistance management product with three modes of action for control of many

broadleaf weeds.

b. All three herbicides can provide good glyphosate-resistant horseweed and Palmer amaranth

control.

Management Considerations

a. Best way to use this herbicide is to apply it at 1.25 qts/A PRE and then follow with a planned

POST application of a herbicide premix like Halex GT or Capreno.

b. 2.5 qts/A rate of Acuron provides 0.65 lbs ai of atrazine.

Armezon PRO (Armezon + Outlook) Rate: 14 to 24 ozs/A

Positives

a. Typically used POST at a rate of 18 ozs/A.

b. Provides good all-around weed control with good crop safety.

Management Considerations

a. Add 1.5 lbs of atrazine and/or glyphosate to provide more consistent control.

b. Best used as the post application of a planned PRE/POST program.

Resicore (Acetochlor + Python + Stinger + Mesotrione) Rate: 2.25 to 3 qts/A

Positives

a. We have limited research on this premix. In last year’s research it provide good residual

control of grasses and Palmer amaranth.

Management Considerations

a. Sequential applications of Resicore at 1.25 qts PRE followed by 1.25 qts POST worked very

well in last year’s research.

b. Cotton and tobacco plant back is 18 months.

Bicep (Dual II Magnum + Atrazine) Rate: 1.6 to 2.6 qts/A

Positives

a. Has been used on more corn acres than any other corn premix.

b. Provides good all around weed control with good crop safety.

Management Considerations

a. 2 qts/A rate provides 1.55 lbs ai of atrazine.

Corvus (Balance + Thiencarbazone) Rate: 5.6 ozs/A

Positives

a. Balance will provide residual control of Palmer amaranth and horseweed.

b. Thiencarbazone will provide good residual control of many weeds particularly morninglory

species.

Management Considerations

a. Atrazine is needed for best control of Palmer pigweed.

Harness Xtra 5.6, Degree Xtra, Breakfree ATZ (Acetochlor + Atrazine) Rate: 1.7 to 3 qts/A

for Harness Xtra or 2.9-3.7 for Degree Xtra or 2.2 to 3 qts/A for Breakfree ATZ.

Positives

a. The non-encapsulated acetochlor formulations Harness and Breakfree have provided

comparable pigweed and grass control to Dual II Magnum.

b. Degree Xtra is an encapsulated formulation that releases slowly over time. Limited research

has shown about a week longer residual control of pigweeds than other acetochlor formulations.

Management Considerations

a. 2.1 qts/A rate of Harness Xtra provides 1.3 lbs ai of atrazine or 3.5 qts/A of Degree Xtra

provides 1.17 lbs ai of atrazine or 2.5 qts/A of Breakfree provides 1.4 lbs ai of atrazine.

Verdict (Outlook + Sharpen) Rate: 10 to 18 ozs/A

Positives

a. Will provide good residual of Palmer amaranth and grasses.

b. Provides flexibility as can be planted later to soybean if the need arises.

Management Considerations

a. Corn and soybean may be planted after a Verdict application at rates of 5 to 10 ozs/A.

Regardless of herbicide premix selected the best overall weed control will most often be

achieved with some kind of two pass program. One reason this works best is due to being able to

apply more atrazine in two passes (2.5 lbs/A) compared to all in one application (2 lbs/A). A

good approach is to either use Gramoxone Inteon or glyphosate mixed with 16 to 32 ozs/A of

atrazine for burndown. Then follow early post emergence (up to 12” corn) with glyphosate plus

atrazine or even better with one of the post emergence premixes.

Resist Mudding in Corn... or at Least Try to Minimize Problems

When you Do (Reprint from Grain Crops Update website 4/30/15) Dr. Chad Lee, Extension Agronomist-Lexington, University of Kentucky

The wet weather and calendar increase the urge to get back into the fields earlier. Getting into the

field "one day too soon" can result in sidewall compaction and/or surface compaction that will

put the corn crop further behind all season.

Below are some images that serve as reminders of what happens when fields are planted too wet.

Most fields in Kentucky have multiple soil types and some slope. In these fields, the soils will

dry out at different paces. A producer could plant a field and 60% is suitable while the remaining

40% is too wet. These fields are the most challenging. In addition, all the equipment may be in

one area and one field may be borderline wet while the others are in good shape. Most producers

are going to plant the wet field and move to the next location.

Since many producers are going to get into some fields a little too

wet, consider some following options (note: none of these are as

ideal as waiting for better soil conditions, but we are being

realistic):

1) Back off the down pressure on the springs or air bags. Wet soils

don't take as much down force to get the corn at the proper depth.

Backing off the down pressure will lighten the pressure on the

sidewall as well. The seeding depth needs to remain at about 1.5 to

2 inches deep for most soils. Anything shallower than that could

cause rooting and lodging problems later.

2) Consider using a spike-tooth closer. Spike-tooth closers will

crumble the sidewall and reduce compaction, some. I have been to fields where the divets from

the closers were visible 5 weeks later... and the corn was stunted. If the spike-tooth closer is

making divets, then the field is way too wet to plant!

3) Reduce the closing wheel pressure. The closing wheels provide some pressure to close the

Visible slot from planting. Undamaged corn in the field is at tassel/silking, but the plants with sidewall compaction are not close to tassel.

seed furrow. This is necessary to insure good soil-to-seed

contact. But, in wet fields, less closing wheel pressure is

needed.

4) Be sure that your tractor and implement tires are

properly inflated. Tires at the wrong pressure can lead to

more compaction and reduce fuel efficiency.

5) Try reducing any extra weight on the planter. If you

have fertilizer tanks or

boxes on the planter, you

might want to keep them

empty in these wet

fields.

There most likely is no need to adjust corn seeding rate.

"Mudding-in" is less than ideal, but a couple thousand extra

seeds per acre most likely will not improve the odds of good

emergence. (There is some evidence that in soybean, increasing

seeding rate by about 120,000 to about 200,000 seeds per acre

could improve emergence in crusted soils. But that is a different

scenario.) If the conditions for corn emergence are poor, then an

extra seeding rate probably will not help.

Be careful with vertical tillage and other implements used to "dry out" the soil. They may dry out

the upper couple of inches, which will help with seed placement, but they also could cause

compaction at the tillage depth/point of tool-soil contact. As such, seeding could go very well,

but the compaction just beneath the seed could hurt root development later. If mud is sticking to

the units, then the compaction risk is real. Any curved blade run at an angle (i.e. a disk) is at a

higher risk for causing shear compaction at the blade tip than a unit that runs straight (or wavy)

blades straight up and down and in line. All implements run some risk of causing compaction.

The key issues are the amount of down-pressure developed by the implement and the number of

blades transmitting that pressure into the soil. Minimize down-pressure by setting the implement

to maintain the desired operating depth. Do not operate an implement ‘wheels up’, with the full

weight of the implement riding the blades into the soil deeper than needed.

Finally, planting a wet field is done so at your own risk. There are some very good logistical

reasons as to why to mud-in fields. There are no good agronomic reasons to do so. You may beat

the odds and get a great stand of corn with limited to no problems from mudding-in corn. But,

the odds favor problems occurring later in the season. Be sure to scout these fields early to

identify problems. Such problems could change how you manage the fields (and market your

crops) later in the season.

Divets from an "aerator" run over the field in

an effort to dry it out. The result was

compaction near the soil surface.

Sidewall compaction stunting small corn. The slot from the seed furrow is visible.

WAVE Counties Ag Day

Currently planning is still in progress for the first WAVE Counties Ag Day that will rotate

between, Ballard, Carlisle, Fulton, and Hickman County. This year the event will be held on

July 13th in Wickliffe. Events will include an appreciation breakfast and vender displays.

During the appreciation breakfast, they will announce the selection of the River Counties: Ag

Business of the Year, Farmer of the Year, and Friend of Agriculture of the Year. Copies of these

applications can be found in the back of this newsletter. If you would like more information or

to become involved in planning this event please contact me or email: wave.ag.day@gmail.com.

Timely Tips Dr. Roy Burris, Beef Extension Professor, University of Kentucky

Spring Calving Cow Herd

● Prevent grass tetany! Provide magnesium in the mineral mix until daytime temperatures are

consistently above 60oF. Mineral supplement should be available at all times and contain a

minimum of about 14 percent magnesium. Make sure that your mineral mix also contains

adequate selenium, copper and zinc. You can ask your feed dealer about the UK Beef IRM

High Magnesium Mineral.

● Watch cows and calves closely. Save every calf (you can cull/sell them later). Calves can be

identified while they are young and easy to handle. Commercial male calves should be

castrated and implanted. Registered calves should be weighed at birth.

● Cows that have calved need to be on an adequate nutritional level to rebreed. Increase their

feed after calving. Don’t let them lose body condition.

● Don’t “rush to grass” although it can be really tempting. Be sure that grass has accumulated

enough growth to support the cow’s nutritional needs before depending solely upon it. Cows

may walk the pastures looking for green grass instead of eating dry feed. This lush, watery

grass is not adequate to support them. Keep them consuming dry feed until sufficient grass is

available to sustain body condition. We’ve spent too much money keeping them in good

condition to lose it now!

● Make final selection of heifer replacements. Consider vaccinating with a modified-live BVD

vaccine.

● Purchase replacement bulls at least 30 days prior to the start of the breeding season. Have

herd bulls evaluated for breeding soundness (10-20% of bulls are questionable or

unsatisfactory breeders). Get all bulls in proper condition for breeding.

● If you are going to use artificial insemination and/or estrus synchronization, make plans now

and order needed supplies and semen.

● Prebreeding or "turn-out" working is usually scheduled for late April or May - between the

end of calving season and before the start of the breeding season (while cows are open).

Consult your veterinarian about vaccines and health products your herd needs. Make

arrangements now for products needed and have handling facilities in good working order.

Dehorn commercial calves before going to pasture.

mailto:wave.ag.day@gmail.com

Fall Calving Cow Herd

● You may let calves creep-graze wheat or rye, if it is available. Calves will benefit from extra

feed until spring grass appears.

● Consult with your veterinarian about a preweaning working of the herd.

● Pregnancy check cows now and cull open ones at weaning.

● Reimplant feeders.

● Plan marketing strategy for feeder calves.

Stockers

● "Condition" purchased calves prior to grazing. They should be processed and fed a

conditioning diet prior to being placed on pasture. You can also use this time to introduce

them to electric fences which are used in rotational grazing.

● Don't go to pastures too soon, give plants some growing time. Then stock at two to three

times the July rate and rotate rapidly.

● Provide a good mineral supplement which contains a rumen modifier (Rumensin, Bovatec,

etc.) along with adequate levels of copper and selenium. The UK Beef IRM Stocker mineral

with Monensin will work well in this case.

General

● We’ve made a muddy mess this winter, so be prepared to reseed bare spots.

● Get everything ready to make high quality hay in May! Have equipment serviced and spare

parts on hand. Order baler twine now. Be prepared to harvest an adequate supply of hay

when you have the opportunity. Re-supply the extra hay that you fed out of the barn. This

past winter caused most producers to exhaust their hay supply, so it’s time to re-stock.

● Make plans to improve hay feeding areas to avoid muddy conditions like we have faced this

winter. Consider geotextile fabric with gravel or concrete feeding pads.

● Prepare for the grazing season. Check fences and make necessary repairs. Check your

corral, too.

● Plan now for fly control ... decide what fly control program that you will use but don't put

insecticide eartags on cattle until fly population appears.

• Renovation and fertilization of pastures should be completed.

• Start thistle control. They can be a severe problem in Kentucky pastures. Chemical control must be done early to be effective.

If you would like to receive this newsletter electronically, please email me at ben.rudy@uky.edu

mailto:ben.rudy@uky.edu

WHEAT FIELD DAY May 9, 2017

TOPICS INCLUDE:

Wheat Variety Trials (Walk Through) Dr. Dave Van Sanford Bill Bruening

Management Decisions Following A Severe Spring Freeze

Dr. Carrie Knott

UAV Use In Wheat Production

Dr. Tim Stombaugh Peterson Farms

Soil Related Q & A

Dr. Edwin Ritchey

Wheat Disease Management

Dr. Carl Bradley

Spring Aphid Populations In Wheat On Fall Treated Vs. Un-treated Seed

Dr. Raul Villanueva Diagnosing Herbicide Injury In Wheat

Dr. Jim Martin

UKREC FARM

1205 Hopkinsville St.

Princeton, KY 42445

REGISTRATION:

8 am (CST)

WAGONS ROLL:

8:45 am (CST)

CCA and Pesticide Credit

applications have been submitted

Lunch Sponsored by :

For additional information contact: Colette Laurent

UK Grain Crops Coordinator claurent@uky.edu

(270) 365-7541 Ext 264

GRAINS AND FORAGE CENTER OF EXCELLENCE

AT THE UK RESEARCH AND EDUCATION CENTER

1st ANNUAL HEMP FIELD DAY

Hosted By:

11609 Dawson Springs Road Crofton Ky. 42217

May 19th Registration starts at 9:00 A.M

Lunch will be provided seating is limited must RSVP by MAY 12th 2017

RSVP: at Austin.Wright@kysu.edu 270-886-6328 or kkean@utk.edu or 931-648-5725, ext. 3037

Topics

The Hemp Industry: Thomas Keene Extension Associate University of Kentucky

Industrial Hemp: Dr. Eric Walker Extension Associate University of Tennessee

What Is Hemp Dr. Shawn Lucas Assistant Professor of Organics Agriculture KSU

Door Prizes!!! Door Prizes!!!!

Hear the experts discuss the future of hemp & beyond

See You There!!!!!

mailto:Austin.Wright@kysu.edumailto:kkean@utk.edu

AG BUSINESS OF THE YEAR NOMINATION FORM

The WAVE River Counties Ag Day presents the Ag Business of the Year award annually at the

WAVE River Counties Ag Day event. The WAVE consists of Hickman County, Fulton County,

Carlisle County and Ballard County. The four WAVE counties are some of the premiere

agricultural producing counties in the state of Kentucky and that is due in no small part to the

quality of the individuals who help to promote agriculture in this area. This award is one way we

can recognize this business’s contribution to our community. Nominee must conduct business in

one of the WAVE counties to be eligible. You may nominate by returning the completed

application by mail to Brian Parr 212 Oakley Applied Science South Murray KY 42071 or by email

to bparr@murraystate.edu or by simply following this link to nominate electronically

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XFXCXT5 All nominations must be submitted by June 1, 2017.

NAME OF NOMINEE

DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

NOTEWORTHY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

PLEASE PROVIDE A BRIEF NARRATIVE WHY YOU NOMINATED THIS BUSINESS

*Please provide the name and contact information of an employee or family member who could provide a

brief biographical background on the person/business. This is typically a surprise award, and the contact

person is responsible for making sure the winner can attend.

mailto:bparr@murraystate.eduhttps://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XFXCXT5

FARMER OF THE YEAR NOMINATION FORM

The WAVE River Counties Ag Day presents the Farmer of the Year award annually at the WAVE

River Counties Ag Day event. The WAVE consists of Hickman County, Fulton County, Carlisle

County and Ballard County. The four WAVE counties are some of the premiere agricultural

producing counties in the state of Kentucky and that is due in no small part to the quality of the

individual who helps to promote agriculture in this area. This award is one way we can recognize

this individual’s contribution to our community. Nominee must reside in one of the river counties

and should contribute to the agricultural community in the river counties. You may nominate by

returning the completed application by mail to Brian Parr 212 Oakley Applied Science South

Murray KY 42071 or by email to bparr@murraystate.edu or by simply following this link to

nominate electronically https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XWGH7BZ All nominations must be

submitted by June 1, 2017.

NAME OF NOMINEE

SIZE OF OPERATION/ACREAGE/TYPE OF FARM/LOCATION

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

NOTEWORTHY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

PLEASE PROVIDE A BRIEF NARRATIVE WHY YOU NOMINATED THIS PERSON/FARM

*Please provide the name and contact information of a family member or employee who could provide a

brief biographical background on the person. This is typically a surprise award, and the spouse/relative is

responsible for making sure the winner can attend.

mailto:bparr@murraystate.eduhttps://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XWGH7BZ

FRIEND OF AGRICULTURE NOMINATION FORM

The WAVE River Counties Ag Day presents the Friend of Agriculture award annually at the

WAVE River Counties Ag Day event. The WAVE consists of Hickman County, Fulton County,

Carlisle County and Ballard County. The four WAVE counties are some of the premiere

agricultural producing counties in the state of Kentucky and that is due in no small part to the

quality of the individual who helps to promote agriculture in this area. This award is one way we

can recognize this individual’s contribution to our community. Nominee does not have to reside in

one of the river counties but should contribute to the agricultural community in the river counties.

You may nominate by returning the completed application by mail to Brian Parr 212 Oakley

Applied Science South Murray KY 42071 or by email to bparr@murraystate.edu or by simply

following this link to nominate electronically https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XGP6NWC All

nominations must be submitted by June 1, 2017.

NAME OF NOMINEE

ROLE THE NOMINEE HAS PLAYED IN THE AGRICULTURE COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

NOTEWORTHY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

PLEASE PROVIDE A BRIEF NARRATIVE WHY YOU NOMINATED THIS PERSON

*Please provide the name and contact information of an employee or family member who could provide a

brief biographical background on the person. This is typically a surprise award and the contact person is

responsible for making sure the winner can attend.

mailto:bparr@murraystate.eduhttps://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XGP6NWC