Air May 25, 2005

Thank you Jerry, and good morning everyone. Maybe this morning we can talk about something other than frozen wheat, like abnormally hot May temperatures. Take some time this week or next to drive down Ascher Road and stop by AgriPro's wheat plots. They've got the signs up and would love to have you stop by and check out the varieties.

Let's start off with a different crop today - soybeans. We're getting them in the ground and they are popping up like crazy right now - so why not have a problem with them right off the bat. At least it isn't soybean rust, but rather bean leaf beetles. The bean leaf beetle is about ¼ inch long, red to light tan and usually has 6 spots on its back. They are found all across the state every year. They are usually concern early in the year but are seldom found at high enough numbers to cause damage. Warm weather early has caused this pest to really increase this spring. Look for the beetles on or around the plants, esepcially in the morning, or hiding under debris. Also look fo rthe oval shaped holes they leave in the bean leaves. Now, if you are finding 7 beetles per foot of row and 25% defoliation, you will want to spray. There's only about a dozen products labeled for this pest and they are easy to kill, so if you see this problem showing up, you'll want to treat. And as for soybean rust - so far there are 4 counties in Florida with soybean rust on kudzu and one county in Georgia where rust was found on volunteer soybeans. This small field of soybeans was plowed under. Pretty good news for early season! Next - bromegrass. If you have been out looking at the bromegrass this spring, you'll have to admit that many of the fields are just pretty sad looking and a few of you have called to ask what the heck is going on here! For starters how about that same cold weather that damaged the wheat. I think a lot of the bromegrass vegetative tillers were killed by the freezes. I think we've also got some dry soil conditions through March and April causing a fair amount of problems. And I've seen plenty of evidence that some fields are simply being under fertilized. If you can see where every cow stopped in a bromegrass pasture, then you aren't getting enough nitrogen AND phosphorus applied in the fall. And finally back to wheat - let's face it, this is the year where nothing has gone right with the wheat. Harvest what you've got and lets start looking forward to next year.

This is Chuck Otte, Geary County Extension Agent, with Ag Outlook 2005.

Return to Radio Home Page

Return to Ag Home Page