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Faulkner County Agriculture Update

September 20, 2024

General Conditions

Weather


After the initial rain from the hurricane last Thursday and Friday we continued to get rain all the way through Monday. It was slow and really soaked in the ground. I heard several people mention that grass instantly turned green after the rain. It was nice, but now we need some dry to get through with harvest.

We are in a heat advisory today as the heat index could be between 105 and 109. Looks like a couple of days of that then a chance of rain comes through on Monday then we cool back off for the rest of the week. Rain chances hang around for the majority of the week.

Arkansas and Mississippi River

Drought Monitor
US Drought Monitor

Row Crop

Rice and Corn Harvest


We finally got back in the field late this week to wrap up corn and start back on rice harvest. It don't look like we sustained much damage from the hurricane. The only question I have is what did it do to our milling. That is something we won't find out until later and there is nothing we can do about it at this point. Hopefully the weather will hold off on the rain and let us get this crop out.

Soybeans


I finally pulled the trigger on a field of soybeans I have been scouting for Velvetbean Caterpillars. When I looked last week I was about ready to spray but the rain was on the way and I knew we couldn't get to it in time. The rain didn't effect them one bit as they continued to eat leaves. We are looking at about 30 to 40% defoliation right now so it needs to be sprayed. Recommendation is lambda cy. You can apply 4 ounces of 1 pound material or 2 ounces of 2 pound material. Scout any late planted soybeans and let me know if you need me to look at them.


I talked to someone this week that said they picked up several stinkbugs in a field. Treat stinkbugs when you are catching 9 per 25 sweeps up to R6 and then double that to 18 between R6 and R6.5 then you can terminate control after R6.5.

Wheat


The 2024-25 Wheat update, which summarizes the Arkansas Wheat Variety Testing yield data, agronomic characteristics, and disease reactions of commercially available varieties is now available on our website. Experimental lines that were tested are not included in this publication.   The 2 and 3-year average yield tables and disease reactions are good sources of information for variety selection.


I have included a link below.

2024-2025 Wheat Update

Italian Ryegrass Control

Dr. Bob Scott - UADA Weed Specialist


Italian or annual ryegrass is a cool season annual grass weed. Over the past few years our ryegrass populations in Arkansas have become more resistant to numerous herbicides and herbicide families or modes of action. This began in wheat production with resistance to the accase inhibitors like Hoelon® and into the ALS inhibitors, such as, Finesse® and PowerFlex®. Today we also have ryegrass that is resistant to glyphosate and Select® when used for burndown applications ahead of planting in the spring. There are also reports of “reduced sensitivity” to paraquat. Spring burndown applications become more difficult for any herbicide program as ryegrass tillers and gets bigger often exaggerating the problem.


Currently, our research is focused on making fall residual treatments to fields for ryegrass control. These applications should be made in early fall prior to ryegrass germination. If ryegrass has already emerged it should be controlled by either adding a POST application of Select® or paraquat or preferably with tillage. Growers have reported success with planting a cover crop for the suppression of ryegrass in the fall as well. Command®, Dual®, Prowl®/trifluralin, Zidua® and Boundry® have all shown acceptable activity on ryegrass in the fall when activating rainfall is received. Tank mixtures with Valor® improve fall residual control. Be aware of plant back restrictions (MP519).


Fall treatments also take advantage of the biology of annual ryegrass seed. Most ryegrass germinates in the fall once soil temperature drops and moisture is present. Studies have shown that around 95% of ryegrass seed germinates in the fall of the year its produced. In other words, if you can control the first flush it usually takes care of the problem or at least makes it much more manageable in the spring. In addition, one year of maintaining a field free of ryegrass can significantly reduce the soil seedbank of ryegrass seed.


If applications are to be deferred to the spring care should be taken to make burndown applications early. Select® is a good option where no resistance has been confirmed. Be aware of plant back restrictions. Paraquat (Gramoxone® and others) should be tank mixed with a photosystem II (PSII) inhibitor labeled for the crop that is to be planted. These tank mixes will improve control over paraquat alone. For example, in soybean paraquat plus metribuzin (a PSII), in corn you could use atrazine or metribuzin, in cotton you could tank mix paraquat with cotoran. There is not an effective PSII labeled for rice. For rice, sequential applications of paraquat may be required for acceptable ryegrass control. Although ryegrass has not typically been a problem long term in rice due to the establishment of a permanent flood. In can interfere with planting and early growth of young rice, infest levees and field margins, as well as be a season long problem in row rice. In these cases, I would recommend a fall application of Command®.

As always contact your county agent for more information.


More information can also be found in fact sheets from the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture including FSA 2149, 2171, 2191, and in the MP44.

Corn Earworm Moth Traps


This is the last update on Corn Earworm Moth Traps. I have pulled the traps and we are done with the 2024 trapping season. The final graph is below.

2024 County Trap Catches
Arkansas Crop Progress and Condition

Beef, Small Ruminants, & Forages

AFGC Fall Forage Conference "Forages, Financials, and Feeds" November 1, 2024 Conway Cowboy Church

Kenny Simon, UADA Forages Instructor


The end of the growing season is a time to reflect on forage supply, animal demand, and the economics of running a profitable operation. However, the end of the growing season does not have to mean that the grazing season ends as well. Preparation for winter grazing starts in the fall. “Forages, Financials, and Feeds” is the theme of the 2024 AFGC Fall Forage Conference with presentations on financial outlooks as well as strategic hay feeding for the soil, plant, and animal. The afternoon will include field demonstrations and discussions on stockpiling bahiagrass, planting cool-season annuals, and identifying nutritional needs beyond the growing season. Anyone wanting to strengthen their off-season forage program should attend this conference. Registration starts at 8:30 am and the conference kicks off at 9 am. Registration can be paid at the door by cash, credit or debit card, or check. The conference fee is $35 per person and $15 for students. Pre-registration is encouraged to help with conference and lunch planning. To pre-register, scan the QR code or contact Jake Cartwright 501-912-1602 or jake.cartwright@arfb.com.


The Conway Cowboy Church is located at 12 AR-36, Conway, AR 72032. To reach the church take Hwy 64 from Conway or Beebe and turn north on Hwy 36 across from the Eight Mile Store.

Planting Cool Season Grass - Fescue


Two weeks ago I gave everyone information on winter annuals. As we are getting close to optimum timing on planting winter annuals, I am leaving the fact sheet links below. Last week I talked about how to calibrate your drill and added some more fact sheets.


This week I am going to add another fact sheet. I have had a few people ask about planting fescue. I think the drought and hot weather we had last year thinned a few of our stands and a few producers want to thicken that back up or just start a new patch all together to have a perennial winter grass. So below I have added a new button with a link to our fact sheet on Tall Fescue. You can also go to the General Traits of Forage Grasses Grown in Arkansas for more information.

Tall Fescue FSA2133
Calibrating Drills and Broadcast Planters for Small Seeded Forages FSA3111
Arkansas Forage Advisor
General Traits of Forage Grasses Grown in Arkansas FSA2139
Using Cool Season Annual Grasses for Grazing Livestock

Fenceline Weaning

Mark Z. Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension Beef Cattle Breeding Specialist

 

Regardless of when and how many calves you will wean, methods of reducing stress on fresh weaned calves is of great interest to cattlemen and of benefit to cow-calf operations. Traditional methods of weaning calves typically involve total separation of calves from cows by moving calves to a new pasture or dry lot pen. This week we address the concept of “fenceline weaning” a management process that allows fenceline contact between calf and dam for at least four to ten days following weaning. Fences need to be sturdy enough to permit nose to nose contact while preventing nursing. The objective of fenceline weaning is to allow social interaction between calf and dam while weaning the calves off of mother’s milk.

 

Studies have shown several benefits of fenceline weaning:

  • Calves bawl and walk less for the first several days post weaning.
  • Calves spend more time resting and eating during the first several days post weaning.
  • Calves gain more weight in the first couple of weeks post-weaning.
  • Calves that eat and drink more during the first days after weaning stay healthier.

 Best Practices for Successful Fenceline Weaning

  • Move the cows and leave calves in the same pasture or lot. When this is done, calves already know location of water, feed and grazing areas. If this is not possible, locate water troughs and feeders along the fenceline where calves and cows will initially congregate increasing the likelihood calves will find water and feed early on in the process, thereby minimizing walking perimeter fences.
  • Avoid adding unnecessary stress like castrating, dehorning, branding or vaccinations at the time of weaning by completing these processes several weeks prior to weaning, or after weaning is complete.
  • Fencing needs to be adequate. A typical five-strand barbed wire fence will usually be satisfactory. If calves are still able to nurse through the fence, adding a single strand of electric fence offset from the main fence, possibly on both sides should be adequate.

FAMACHA Certification


There will be a free, hands-on training on the FAMACHA© system—an essential tool for sustainable control of gastrointestinal parasites in small ruminants. September 21 (Saturday), from 9:00am to 12:00pm, at the Heifer Ranch, 55 Heifer Rd, Perryville, AR.

Limited seats. Registration and more information at www.uada.edu/famacha

Cattle Market Notes Weekly
Livestock Market Report

The weekly livestock market report is available on the Arkansas Department of Agriculture website.
ADA Livestock Market Report

Pesticide Applicator Training


Please call or email and register for the class. You can call and talk to Mindy Beard at the office at 501-329-8344 or email at rbeard@uada.edu


All of these will be held at the Faulkner County Extension Office at 844 Faulkner St, Conway.


September 26 - 4:00 PM

November 7 - 6:00 PM

December 6 - 2:00 PM


You can still take the training online if you would like. The link is below.

Online Private Pesticide Applicator Training

Sign up for Text Alerts


You can now sign up for text alerts from me throughout the year. I have two areas you can sign up for which includes Faulkner Livestock or Faulkner Ag (Row Crop Updates). To sign up you can follow one of these links or use the QR Codes below.

Faulkner Livestock


Use either the QR Code or this link:

https://slktxt.io/10lLe

Faulkner Ag (Faulkner Row Crops)


Use either the QR Code or this link:

https://slktxt.io/10lLc

Upcoming Events

Pesticide Applicator Trainings - Faulkner County Extension Office

September 26 - 4:00 PM

November 7 - 6:00 PM

December 6 - 2:00 PM


AFGC Fall Conference - November 1, Conway Cowboy Church

Contact Kevin Lawson, County Extension Agent–Agriculture, Faulkner County | Kevin Lawson
uaex.uada.edu/faulkner