Let’s talk crops! My name is Dr. Megan Taylor working with Nebraska Extension as an Educator for crops and water systems in Platte, Boone, and Nance counties. This week in Crop Talk, I will go through the latest scouting reports and talk a little about diseases.
It was another beautiful and exciting week in east central Nebraska. Around Platte, Boone, and Nance counties, I am seeing significant improvement in fields from the previous hail storm. New growth in soybeans and corn has emerged strongly. There have been a few people replanting soybeans, primarily due to low emergence, hail damage, and water stress. Those conditions led to a perfect combination for poor bean emergence in the area. Corn is from V4 to V7 growth stage. Soybeans are from emergence to R1.
With some of the open wounds caused by hail, wind, and sandblasting, I am seeing the emergence of diseases within our corn fields. Among other issues, harmless fungus-causing smut to Bacterial Leaf Streak (BLS) has emerged. In the counties surrounding Platte, there have been confirmed cases of Bacterial Leaf Streak (BLS). This disease has popped up historically during this time of year. It is time to be aware of the potential risk of bacterial/fungal diseases becoming an issue.
In soybeans, the main injuries are associated with spraying, but there were isolated pockets of sun scald and bacterial blight in the northern parts of the county. Plant growth regulators, seedling growth inhibitors, and pigment inhibitors are the main source of soybean injury. Whether a recent spray or a carryover event occurred, the soybeans have put out new healthy trifoliates and are steadily recovering. If you believe you have a disease in your crop, please contact your local cooperative or me to determine the best course of action.
Our hay and forage producers have been concerned with timing and weather. For many hay producers the first hay cutting was completed in the last two weeks, but some growers were caught with hay on the ground during the wet conditions. This has caused decline in growth of the hay crops that were under the wind row causing a brown striping effect across the field. Never fear, the brown sections will come back given time, light, and timely moisture. Many growers were pushed to cut their alfalfa due to high levels alfalfa weevil and potato leaf hopper. In the case of heavy bug feeding, cutting your hay crop may be the best choice. Weed control through all three counties is pretty strong, but waterhemp and volunteer corn continues to plague some fields.
For weekly articles visit CropWatch at UNL extension to read up to date cropping reports from specialist and other educators. For more information feel free to stop in I am located in the Platte County Extension office. I can be reached via phone at 402-563-4901, email at mtaylor42@unl.edu, or follow me on twitter @CropTalkMegan for up to date information. Join me next time for more Crop Talk.
Crop Talk Megan 