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Please help us by providing spreading the information in this newsletter. Also encourage those that have not already signed up for our electronic newsletter to do so. This enables us to provide rapid updates. To sign up, send me an email ( [email protected]) requesting to be added to my newsletter.
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In This Newsletter
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Wheat Marketing & Weed Control - On November 6, 2020 from 8-9 AM, Dr. Nick Piggot and Wes Everman will present information for marketing and weed management for wheat via Zoom. Dr. Piggot will introduce a new grain marketing tool Register HERE.
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Cotton Defoliation
According to Dr. Guy Collins and Dr. Keith Edmisten, NCSU Cotton Specialist, any boll currently not mature is not likely to mature should we have our typical October temperatures. We simply lack enough growing degree unit accumulation to mature bolls. Thus defoliation of cotton should begin, if not already applied. Aim for days with warmer temperatures and sunshine. For a numerous reasons we'll not discuss in this letter, applications made on warmer, yet cloudy day, are not as effective as those applied on cooler, yet sunny days.
Four "almost fool-proof" recommendations to consider (not in any preferred order) are:
- Folex 8-12 oz + Ethephon 1.33-2.66 pts + TDZ 2.5-3.2 oz/ac (addition of PPO herbicide product may aid should temperatures decrease)
- Finish 1.5-2 pts + TDZ 3.2 oz if warmer temperature OR TDZ+diruon 6-8 oz if cool
- Finish 1-1.33 pts + Ethephon 1-1.33 pts + Folex 4-6 oz + TDZ 2.5-3.2 oz/ac
- TDZ+diuron 8-10 oz + Ethephon 2-2.66 pts/ac
Ethephon products include Prep and many generic products.
Finish and Terminate includes ethephon + cyclanilide
TDZ products include Dropp, Freefall and generic products
TDZ +diuron products include Ginstar/Adios/CutOut and other generic products
Given the crop conditions and current cotton price, choose the product combination available and cheapest. Since we have many bolls that we may need to open, it is suggested to use the higher rates of Ethephon. CotttonQuik and FirstPick can also be used in place of Ethephon during cooler weather. Inclusion of a surfactant will reduce rain-free period, make tank cleaning easier, and will enhance defoliation. Having thus said, avoid excessive surfactant, especially on fields with very green leaves and blooms. Follow the label to ensure the correct surfactant.
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Digging Peanuts |
The later than desired planting date for many fields has resulted in the need for longer than normal time to reach maturity. While frost is not expected in the next 10 days, once we get to mid-October our chances increase dramatically. Peanut pods and kernels need a minimum of 72 hours between digging and frost to minimize the likelihood of freeze damage. This assumes good drying conditions and should be stretched out further if cloudy days follow digging. In addition, one must consider harvest schedule and equipment. For all of these reasons, it is suggested to at least begin digging a portion of the crop soon. Base digging order on crop maturity using the color chart.
It is noteworthy that we have not observed any severe disease pressure or insects. While most fields are showing TSWV, Charcoal Rot and perhaps some other fungal vine diseases, none merit early digging. However, do be diligent and monitor the crop.
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Soybean Seed Quality
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Soybean seed quality has been poor this year due to the extreme rainfall and warmer temperatures. While this has primarily been observed on Group IV and V soybeans, it might include later maturity groups. We simply don't know yet since these maturity groups have not been harvested. The point is that timely harvest when soybean are mature may be critical to avoid excessive losses. Read the article by Jenny Carleo, Seed Quality Concerns in Soybean or watch a short video by Dr. Rachel Vann at this same website.
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Managing Texas Panicum In Corn
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Texas panicum has been slowly increasing over the past years. It is a difficult grass to control simply because it emergence continually. Post-emergence products will kill the grass but when new grass emergences immediately, the crop cannot compete with the continuous weed pressure. Preemergence herbicides are effective but do not provide season long control. Thus, as these products residual control declines, the grass emergences.
Dr. Charlie Cahoon, NCSU Weed Specialist, has provided an outstanding, short presentation explaining effective in managing of this grass in the article, Texas Panicum Management in Corn . If you have this problem grass, please review this video. If you do not yet have this grass, begin watching for it. It spreads quickly!
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Winter Meeting Plans & Covid Update
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NC Cooperative Extension across the state are coordinating to plan winter meetings. Given that some counties are open for small face to face meetings yet other are not yet open, options to attend meetings will vary. Too, NCSU and Extension are both examining the possibility to host large, one-time events for such meetings in places with large seating capacity such as the McKimmon Center. What the end result will be, we do not yet know. However, you should be aware that we indeed are examining all options and that we do intend to offer commodity meetings this winter. At the moment, it appears that most production meetings, auxin trainings, GAP meetings, CCA Training, etc, will likely be via Zoom or some other web platform. We will provide updates as soon as we get them.
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Covid-19 Assistance for Farmers Markets & Food Hubs
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Beginning October 1st, farmers market operators and local food hubs can apply for assistance through the COVID-19 Emergency Aid for Farmers Market Operators and Local Food Hubs program. A total of $750,000 will be available from federal COVID-19 funds earmarked for North Carolina. Funding is meant to assist with losses from reduced number of vendors, plus offset additional expenses associated with offering personal protective equipment, hand sanitizer and handwashing stations, and added COVID-19 educational materials. Eligible categories for emergency aid include, but not limited to, labor, technology or software upgrades, infrastructure enhancements, COVID-19 education materials, PPE and test kits.
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NRCS Assistance with Corn Refuge Planting
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By law, all growers who plant Bt corn in North Carolina are required to plant non-Bt corn (refuge). A non-Bt corn must represent at least 20% of the total corn acres, including both Bt and non-Bt corn. Even if refuge-in-a-bag (RIB) hybrids are planted, North Carolina growers must plant a separate block of non-Bt refuge corn. Refuge is important because it slows down resistance. Our most effective Bt toxin for bollworm (corn earworm) are Vip in Leptra and Trecepta corn and Bollgard 3, TwinLink Plus, and WideStrike 3 cotton. Growers can slow resistance to Vip by planting refuge. Growers can also take advantage of a NRCS Conservation Stewardship Program, if they qualify, by planting more refuge.
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Phone App to Monitor Covid-19
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The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has announced the launch of a COVID-19 Exposure Notification app called SlowCOVIDNC. The goal of the app is to help North Carolinians slow the spread of the virus by alerting them when they may have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. It is completely anonymous and does not collect, store or share personal information, or location data. The more people that use the app, the better it works. For more information and download links, visit, DHHS Launches SlowCOVIDNC App
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