As I'm sure you're aware, 2012 is shaping up as another year where we may encounter grain quality issues with corn. This is always a risk with severe drought stress, particularly if that stress took place during pollination. While Clinton County isn't in as bad shape as many other places, with the recent wetter weather just as harvest is starting up, I'm sure we'll run into it. Every grain buyer in the area, so far as I know, is testing for Aflatoxin, an indication that they've found it in some loads.
Purdue has a web page on this topic with a great deal of information: Managing Moldy Corn
Here are a few of the key concepts as you go into harvest. Keep in mind most of these these (there are a couple of exceptions) won't help with Aflatoxin already present; they help get rid of the Aspergillus fungus which produces Aflatoxin.
One key is minimizing damaged kernels. This corn crop is drying down fast as it's maturing at such an early date. If you think you're at risk for Aflatoxin, make sure you get in the field early enough to keep from having too many damaged kernels and keep fines down to a minimum.
Dry corn a bit more than usual if you plan to store it. If you usually store at 15.5%, think about storing at 14 or 14.5. Also, cool your grain as quickly as possible (an obvious problem in mid-September) without creating moisture issues from condensation. Aspergillus growth is greatly reduced at temperatures below 55 degrees.
Broken kernels and fines generally contain promote fungal activity. If possible, screen your grain before putting it in the bin (or, if you think there's an issue, before taking grain to the elevator). If you can't do this, "core" your bin once it's in storage.
Aflatoxin can cause Human health issues so be careful about breathing in dust. Consider wearing a mask or respirator and change your clothes after handling grain.
USDA's Risk Management Agency has put together a list of Eastern Corn Belt labs which will test for Aflatoxin. You can find that in this publication. Purdue's Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab will also test for it. I don't know why, but they aren't on the list of certified labs in the USDA publication so check with your insurance agent if you're testing for insurance purposes.
If you think you have Aflatoxin, contact your crop insurance agent before you harvest.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Friday, August 10, 2012
August 29 Pesticide Applicator Training
The Clinton County Extension Service will be hosting a Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification Program (PARP) on Wednesday, August 29 from 1-3:30 p.m. at the Clinton County Fairgrounds, 1701 South Jackson Street in Frankfort. In addition, CCH's have been approved for Commercial Applicators.
Fred Whitford from Purdue Pesticide Programs will be giving two presentations, “Make Liquids and Dry Products Measure Up” and “Watch for Setbacks for Fertilizers.”
This program will directly follow the Farmland Rental Program that morning. The cost for the Pesticide program will be $10 for Private Applicators. There is no cost for Commercial Applicators. You should remember to bring your license with you for registration purposes.
As we're not feeding you, I don't need pre-registration if you're attending just the Pesticide program that afternoon (I do need you to register for the morning program if you're attending it). If you have any questions, please contact the Extension Office at 765-659-6380 or 296-3511. You may also e-mail me.
Fred Whitford from Purdue Pesticide Programs will be giving two presentations, “Make Liquids and Dry Products Measure Up” and “Watch for Setbacks for Fertilizers.”
This program will directly follow the Farmland Rental Program that morning. The cost for the Pesticide program will be $10 for Private Applicators. There is no cost for Commercial Applicators. You should remember to bring your license with you for registration purposes.
As we're not feeding you, I don't need pre-registration if you're attending just the Pesticide program that afternoon (I do need you to register for the morning program if you're attending it). If you have any questions, please contact the Extension Office at 765-659-6380 or 296-3511. You may also e-mail me.
August 29 Farmland Rental Program
The Clinton County Extension Service will be hosting a Farmland Rental Program on Wednesday, August 29 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the Clinton County Fairgrounds, 1701 South Jackson Street in Frankfort.
Purdue Ag Economist Craig Dobbins will be on hand to discuss the recently released 2012 Indiana Land Values and Cash Rent Survey Results. He will consider the results of this survey, implications for rental rates in 2013 and discuss various aspects of rents such as negotiating contracts and flexible cash rents.
This looks to be a very good, useful program, particularly considering how this abnormal crop year may influence land decisions, particularly rental contracts.
A lunch, sponsored by The Farmers Bank, will be provided. Pre-registration is required if you intend to eat with us. Please register by August 22 by calling the Clinton County Extension Office at 765-659-6380 or 296-3511 or you may e-mail me at cemanuel@purdue.edu. If you don't pre-register you may still attend but lunch is not guaranteed.
For additional information and a registration form you may download the program flyer from the link below:
Farmland Rental Program Flyer.
Purdue Ag Economist Craig Dobbins will be on hand to discuss the recently released 2012 Indiana Land Values and Cash Rent Survey Results. He will consider the results of this survey, implications for rental rates in 2013 and discuss various aspects of rents such as negotiating contracts and flexible cash rents.
This looks to be a very good, useful program, particularly considering how this abnormal crop year may influence land decisions, particularly rental contracts.
A lunch, sponsored by The Farmers Bank, will be provided. Pre-registration is required if you intend to eat with us. Please register by August 22 by calling the Clinton County Extension Office at 765-659-6380 or 296-3511 or you may e-mail me at cemanuel@purdue.edu. If you don't pre-register you may still attend but lunch is not guaranteed.
For additional information and a registration form you may download the program flyer from the link below:
Farmland Rental Program Flyer.
August 23 Pond Management Workshop
On Thursday, August 23 the Clinton County Extension Service and the Clinton County SWCD will be hosting a Pond Management Workshop. The program will be held at Dorsey Farms, 1880 West CR 400 N, Frankfort.
Topics and speakers will include:
We would appreciate pre-registration so we have an idea how many are coming. To register please contact me at cemanuel@purdue.edu or Leah Harden from the SWCD at leah.harden@in.nacdnet.net. For additional information you may download the program flyer by clicking on the following link:
Pond Management Flyer
Topics and speakers will include:
- Fish Management - Rod Edgell, IDNR Aquatic Biologist
- Wildlife Management - Rick Pearcy, Wildlife Biologist
- Aquatic Plant Management - Patrick Whitson, Bilogist from Aquatic Control
We would appreciate pre-registration so we have an idea how many are coming. To register please contact me at cemanuel@purdue.edu or Leah Harden from the SWCD at leah.harden@in.nacdnet.net. For additional information you may download the program flyer by clicking on the following link:
Pond Management Flyer
Friday, July 27, 2012
Kudzu Bug
Last week I was in Charleston, South Carolina at the National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA) Annual Meeting. Like most conferences there was a social aspect to it but there was a fair amount of educational content too.
One of the most interesting training opportunities I participated in was a tour of South Carolina's Coastal Plains Agriculture. I expected it to be interesting. What I didn't expect was to find it highly relevant to Indiana.
One of the research trials, being conducted by Dr. Jeremy Greene of Clemson University at their Edisto Research Farm, was on the kudzu bug, Megacopta cribraria. I had heard of this insect, vaguely, but hadn't paid much attention to it. I was much more alert after seeing it in action.
Kudzu bug first appeared in the US in 2009 in 9 counties in northern Georgia. Over the next three years it spread to South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, and Mississippi. The kudzu bug is a voracious feeder on kudzu and can reduce its growth by as much as a third, which is good. However it also feeds on soybeans and can reduce yields by up to 80% if left untreated.
This is an unwanted invader and every time researchers find out more about it, it gets a little worse for the midwest. Initially they believed it required kudzu as a host to complete its life cycle. It does not. It gets along just fine living off soybeans and overwintering. The second discovery is that while Dr. Greene believes there probably is a place where it's too cold for this pest to overwinter, he doesn't think this is Indiana. The kudzu bug overwinters as an adult and hides under tree bark, soil residue, grass and hay. In the spring the female emerges, lays her eggs on the underside of leaves and the nymphs hatch and begin to feed.
The kudzu bug nymph is not a pod feeder or defoliator but a stem feeder. It latches onto the stem and starts sucking the juice out of it. At the Edisto Farm test plot, the nymphs were absolutely double parked on the stems.
Kudzu Bug Nymphs on Soybeans. Thanks to Laura Watts of Penn State for sending me some photos (I forgot to bring my camera).
There are effective treatments for this pest and hopefully these can be mixed with herbicide applications. Kudzu bug certainly won't have any impact on us for this year and it would have to move a long way to be a problem in 2013. However it appears to be coming and from the research findings so far, Indiana winters won't be a problem for it.
You can find additional information at the Kudzu Bug page. Doug Johnson from the University of Kentucky also recently posted about it.
One of the most interesting training opportunities I participated in was a tour of South Carolina's Coastal Plains Agriculture. I expected it to be interesting. What I didn't expect was to find it highly relevant to Indiana.
One of the research trials, being conducted by Dr. Jeremy Greene of Clemson University at their Edisto Research Farm, was on the kudzu bug, Megacopta cribraria. I had heard of this insect, vaguely, but hadn't paid much attention to it. I was much more alert after seeing it in action.
Kudzu bug first appeared in the US in 2009 in 9 counties in northern Georgia. Over the next three years it spread to South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, and Mississippi. The kudzu bug is a voracious feeder on kudzu and can reduce its growth by as much as a third, which is good. However it also feeds on soybeans and can reduce yields by up to 80% if left untreated.
This is an unwanted invader and every time researchers find out more about it, it gets a little worse for the midwest. Initially they believed it required kudzu as a host to complete its life cycle. It does not. It gets along just fine living off soybeans and overwintering. The second discovery is that while Dr. Greene believes there probably is a place where it's too cold for this pest to overwinter, he doesn't think this is Indiana. The kudzu bug overwinters as an adult and hides under tree bark, soil residue, grass and hay. In the spring the female emerges, lays her eggs on the underside of leaves and the nymphs hatch and begin to feed.
The kudzu bug nymph is not a pod feeder or defoliator but a stem feeder. It latches onto the stem and starts sucking the juice out of it. At the Edisto Farm test plot, the nymphs were absolutely double parked on the stems.
There are effective treatments for this pest and hopefully these can be mixed with herbicide applications. Kudzu bug certainly won't have any impact on us for this year and it would have to move a long way to be a problem in 2013. However it appears to be coming and from the research findings so far, Indiana winters won't be a problem for it.
You can find additional information at the Kudzu Bug page. Doug Johnson from the University of Kentucky also recently posted about it.
Clinton County Extension Ag Newsletter Up
For those of you not on our mailing list, a new Clinton County Extension Ag Newsletter is up. You can view the pdf at: http://www3.ag.purdue.edu/counties/clinton/Newsletters/Summer%202012%20Ag%20Newsletter.pdf
It's short a flyer for the August 29 Land Values and Cash Rent Program but other than that it's the same as was mailed out.
It's short a flyer for the August 29 Land Values and Cash Rent Program but other than that it's the same as was mailed out.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Clinton County Now an Ag Disaster County
As of this morning, Clinton County has been identified as being in D3, Exceptional Drought by the US Drought Monitor. My understanding is this automatically makes us an Ag Disaster County and eligible for various forms of emergency and disaster relief from USDA. Again, contact the Clinton County Farm Service Agency for more details.
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