Air August 17 - 23, 2006

Planting Alfalfa

This is Ag Outlook 2006 on 1420 KJCK, I'm Chuck Otte, Geary County, K-State Research and Extension Ag & Natural Resources Agent. The weather patterns seem to be changing and with recent rains, I'm a little more optimistic, actually a lot more optimistic, about planting alfalfa. But the first thing you need to do is get a soil test taken to see where we are with soil pH and phosphorus. Secondly, how are you going to plant it? If you don't need to add lime, I really feel that using a no-till drill and planting into whatever crop residue you have is the way to go! Some fields are starting to get a little moisture recharge and I'd hate to see that moisture lost to tillage if we don't have to lime. At the recent alfalfa production meeting, Jim Shroyer really emphasized selecting a variety that has as much disease and insect resistance as possible. There are many alfalfa varieties available today and most of them are going to be superior to Riley and a lot of the other old standards. Yes, you're going to pay more, but if you get one of those varieties with a lot of resistance, you're going to get more tons over more years and then cost per ton for that seed is pretty nominal! Another important consideration was to not scrimp on the phosphorus. Alfalfa is a heavy phosphorus and potassium user. Sure, fertilizer is getting expensive, but have you priced alfalfa lately. One more ton per acre is going to more than pay for that phosphorus fertilizer every year. Learn to start scouting for potato leafhopper. Entomologist Jeff Whitworth felt that this was probably the most damaging alfalfa insect pest we have right now, because nobody is looking for it. And lastly, if you are going to plant alfalfa this fall, get it done as soon as possible! This has been Ag Outlook 2006 on the Talk of JC, 1420 KJCK, I'm Chuck Otte.

Planning for wheat planting

This is Ag Outlook 2006 on 1420 KJCK, I'm Chuck Otte, Geary County, K-State Research and Extension Ag & Natural Resources Agent. A lot of people are busy getting their seed wheat orders together or getting the seed they saved back ready for planting. Let's talk about a few basic standards for that seed wheat. First of all, make sure that if you are buying seed wheat, you are buying from a certified dealer. No over the fence brown bag sales - they're illegal and expose you to a great deal of risk and liability. So far, germination on this year's crop has been very very good. Make sure that you check the germination at a certified lab if you are saving back your own seed. Then, because of the buildup of bunt in recent years make sure that you're treating with a seed fungicide treatment. We've been seeing a very disturbing trend in recent years with early planting of wheat. By early planting I don't mean sneaking in a day or two before the fly free date, I mean 7 to 10 days before the fly free date. Not only is this opening you up to risk from Hessian Fly, but it also increases your risk for Wheat Streak and Barley Yellow Dwarf, two diseases that can really hammer wheat in the fall with significant yield losses. But planting too early can also lead to excessive plant growth in the fall. If you are planting early for cattle grazing, that's one thing. But if you aren't going to graze, then you should plan to plant from October 5 to October 15 to be in the perfect window, and there is growing evidence that the latter part of that window is where you really want to be! This has been Ag Outlook 2006 on the Talk of JC, 1420 KJCK, I'm Chuck Otte.

Wheat Seed Treatments

This is Ag Outlook 2006 on 1420 KJCK, I'm Chuck Otte, Geary County, K-State Research and Extension Ag & Natural Resources Agent. I've been talking off and on about the need for seed treatments in your wheat. Now, I realize that many folks are wanting to do whatever they can to keep down the costs of production, but sometimes not spending money winds up wasting you money in the end! Seed treatments are like that. You think that you are planting into warm soils so you don't have to worry about seedling rots. But seed treatments aren't just about seedling diseases - there's also problems like loose smut and common bunt. And some of the newer seed treatments can even provide some protection from fall foliar diseases and even take all root rot. Then there's also the insecticide seed treatments that I think a lot of producers need to consider. We're not talking about wire worms or other seed destroying insects. In recent years we've had long warm falls and we've had quite a bit of problem with fall aphid infestations, and these aphids can bring barley yellow dwarf. Granted, the insecticide seed treatments will protect against wireworms, but aphids are my biggest concern, and even protection from Hessian Fly is something to be considered. If I was serious about my wheat production I would use one of the newer fungicide treatments as well as the newer systemic insecticide seed treatments like Gaucho or Cruiser. Sure, these will add some costs, but I would also be fertilizing at rates high enough to get me into that 80 bushel plus range if the weather cooperates. But high levels of wheat production management are material for another day! This has been Ag Outlook 2006 on the Talk of JC, 1420 KJCK, I'm Chuck Otte.

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