Ag
Connection 
Your local link to MU for ag
extension and research information
May 2009
Publishing Information
Ag Connection is published monthly for Central Missouri
Region producers and is supported by University of Missouri Extension, the Commercial
Agriculture program, the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station and the MU College of
Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. Editorial board: Joni Ross, Managing
Editor; Mary Sobba, Parman Green, Gene Schmitz, Mark Stewart, Wendy Flatt, Jim
Jarman, Todd Lorenz, Wayne Crook, Dee Cooper, James Quinn and Kent Shannon.
Comments or Suggestions?
Please send your comments and suggestions to
Joni Ross, Agronomy Specialist, University of Missouri Extension, 100 E Newton
St., 4th Floor, Versailles, MO 65084, call 573/378-5358 or send messages by
e-mail to: rossjo@missouri.edu.
To send a message to an author, click on the author's name at the end of an article.
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Early Weed Control in Corn
Weed specialists have been extolling the advantages of early season weed control. Common sense would indicate that any competition from weeds has an effect on the growing corn crop. Weeds compete for nutrients, space and for water. Recent studies have evaluated various factors that weeds and corn compete for and their affect on plant development.
In the Western Cornbelt, water is one of our most limiting resources. Studies conducted by The University of Nebraska, Kansas State University, Ohio state University and Texas A&M University found that weeds consume nutrients and water as fast as or faster than crops. In a moisture study from Nebraska, researchers found that weeds, about two inches tall, would consume water three times faster than where weeds were controlled.
They
also tested for the effect on 14 nutrients but focused on nitrogen. They
found just one- to two-inch weeds can remove about 10 pounds of nitrogen per
acre. They also found that corn under early weed competition would take up
much less nitrogen than where weed pressure was absent. Where there was weed
completion, corn accumulated only 60 percent as much nitrogen when compared
to weed free corn. They also found that once corn was stressed, it was not
able to catch up during the growing season.
Economic optimum nitrogen rate is the nitrogen rate at which a grower would no longer see an economic return on nitrogen investment. The study concluded pre-emergence residual weed control and well-timed post-emergence weed control produced similar economic nitrogen rates. The earlier weeds were controlled, the more return there was on their nitrogen inputs. They also found that the later weeds were controlled, the more nitrogen that had to be applied to reach the optimum rate. In a 2006 study, the optimum nitrogen rate was 100 pounds per acre where weeds were controlled early but that increased to 200 pounds per acre when weed control was delayed.
Research from Ontario suggests the amount and quality of light a corn plant receives early in the growth process will immediately affect the growth of the root system, the health of the corn plant later in life and ultimately, yield potential. The study focused on how light, reflection and shade avoidance affected weeds and corn. Weeds reflect “bad” light back onto the corn plant, causing the plant to change its growth pattern in response. Under weedy conditions, the corn plant has decreased root mass, and the corn plants absorb “bad” light reflected from the weeds resulting in the leaves growing into the row and the plants growing taller to avoid the “bad” light, failing to produce a complete crop canopy closure. Under weed-free conditions, the corn plant develops a 15- to 17-percent larger root system, absorbs “good” light and its leaves grow across the rows, forming a full crop canopy.
(Source: Wayne Crook, Agronomy Specialist)
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Vaccination time is around the corner—is your refrigerator ready?
Producers know that
springtime brings calves and breeding time; however, what most producers
don’t think about is “How’s the refrigerator working?” Many producers think
that if they hear the motor running, the refrigerator is working fine and
there is no need to worry. Think again! A case study conducted by Arkansas
researchers dispelled the myth that “if the motor is running, everything is
fine.” The refrigerator that stores all those animal health products is
usually a very overlooked piece of equipment that is just as important as
any other tool on a farm, maybe more so. Refrigeration is
required for most animal health products (antibiotics, pharmaceuticals,
biological, vaccines, In an Arkansas study
of 191 refrigerators, 76% were owned by producers, 18% were owned by
retail stores and 6% were owned by veterinary clinics. Of the 1,800 animal
health products in producer’s refrigerators 12% were expired and 29% were
opened. ANY expired animal health products need to be disposed of properly,
and immediately. Expiration dates are put on the label for a reason.
Modified live vaccine products will remain effective for approximately one
hour after it is opened. Killed vaccines last 10 days when refrigerated,
—after the 10 days is up—dispose of properly. The 191 refrigerators
across AR had “WatchDog” data loggers placed inside them which recorded
refrigerator temperature every 10 minutes, over a 48 hour period. The
refrigerators were listed as ≤5 year old (22%), 6 to 10 yr (35.1%), 11 to 15
yr (22.5%), and >15 yr (20.4%). Of the 191 refrigerators only 51 (26.7%)
recorded the appropriate temperatures of 35 to 45 degree range > 95% of the
time for 48 hours. To illustrate the situation, 45 refrigerators (23.6%)
recorded temperatures between 35 and 45 degrees F <5% of the time; meaning
that more than 76% of the refrigerators tested were unacceptable for
storing animal health products!
Wow,
that will make you check your refrigerator! The following are
some simple things can be done to make sure your refrigerator is working
properly and making sure your animal health products are being stored
properly:
· Put
a temperature gauge in the refrigerator and monitor the temperature, just
because the refrigerator is set to a particular temperature setting doesn’t
mean that is the actual temperature.
· Clean
the refrigerator coils in the back. Dusty coils can cause the unit to work
harder to cool the interior and contents inside the refrigerator and can
increase energy demand by 6%! A good shop vac. can clean the coils!
· The
drip pan located beneath the refrigerator, should be cleaned. Food or dirt
particles can clog the drain.
· The
“seal” or gasket, which keeps the cold air cold and the warm air outside
needs to be checked. Use the paper test to see what kind of condition
the gasket is in. Place a piece of paper between the rubber seal and the
wall of the refrigerator should not slide. If it does, the gasket needs to
be replaced.
· Consider
the location of your refrigerator. Don’t stick it in an extremely hot area
or in direct sunlight (especially during the summer). The refrigerator
needs to be considered a necessary piece of equipment and as such a properly
operating one is likely to save producers money in the long run.
(Source: Wendy R. Flatt,
MU Extension Livestock Specialist)
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Taxation Tidbit:
The Amish – Social Security and Medicare Taxes
Some religious groups
including the Amish do not believe in commercial insurance because it is
seen as not trusting in God and additionally, they believe in “taking care
of their own”. While the Amish believe in “render unto Caesar what is
Caesar’s”, they objected to paying into Social Security’s “Old Age,
Survivors, and Disability Insurance”. While the government initially argued
this was just another tax – they later admitted it was not. In 1965 when
the Medicare bill was enacted – the Old Order Amish and other religious
sects who conscientiously objected to insurance, were exempted from paying
Social Security and Medicare taxes, provided the sect had been in existence
since December 31, 1950. With the exception of
Social Security and Medicare taxes, members of these religious sects pay the
same income, property, sales, and other taxes as everyone else. In order to
be exempt from Social Security and Medicare taxes, a member of these sects
must obtain a Social Security number and file Form 4029 – Application for
Exemption from Social Security and Medicare Taxes and Waiver of Benefits. This application when
approved – waives all rights to receive any Social Security benefits for the
filer and anyone else who might have been eligible to receive benefits on
the filer’s Social Security record. This exemption from
Social Security and Medicare taxes is applicable for self-employment income
and wages. However, for wages to be exempt,
both
the employer and employee must have approved Form 4029 exemptions. Thus,
wages paid to an Amish employee by an employer who is not a member of an
exempt sect would be subject to Social Security and Medicare withholdings.
(source:
Parman R. Green, Ag Business Mgmt.
Specialist)
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Is ACRE Good or Not? One piece of the 2008
Farm Bill (Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008) deals with a new
program called ACRE, which stands for Average Crop Revenue Election. It is
a new crop program and should farmers choose they want this program, they
must enroll through the USDA Farm Service Agency. ACRE is a program
that offers protection against substantial reduction in gross revenue based
upon yield and price. ACRE allows producers to choose a market oriented,
risk management tool that adjusts with market prices and is designed to
potentially pay farmers when they need it – when revenue is down.
There are a few
things that must be given up to enroll in ACRE. Direct payments decrease
20%. All counter-cyclical payments are given up. In addition, they must
accept a 30% lower loan rate. Another item to
recognize with ACRE is the timing of payments. For example, if there would
be a payment in 2009 (both state and your farm triggers are met), then a
payment would be received after the 2009 marketing year, which will be
October of 2010. How can you determine
if ACRE would be beneficial? The Food and Agricultural Policy Research
Institute (FAPRI) has developed a spreadsheet tool, so farmers can enter
their own data and see the probabilities of payments. This tool is based on
estimated future yields and prices with built in forecasts but can be
modified. This is an excellent tool to see the probabilities of ACRE
payments based upon your own data and helpful in determining if you want to
enroll in this new program. The spreadsheet requires the software Microsoft
Excel 2003 or 2007. The ACRE spreadsheet can be downloaded for free at
http://www.fapri.missouri.edu
. Once at the site, then click at
the top on the words “FAPRI ACRE Risk Management Tool”. The deadline for
enrolling in ACRE for 2009 has been extended to August 14, 2009. If a
producer chooses to enroll in ACRE, they are in the ACRE program for the
life of the 2008 Farm Bill (i.e. you cannot switch back). For farms
that are rented, both the landowner and farm operator/tenant must enroll.
(Source: Mary Sobba,
Ag Business Mgmt. Specialist)
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May Gardening Calendar
Ornamentals
· Pinch
azaleas and rhododendron blossoms as they fade. Double flowered azaleas need
no pinching.
· Fertilize
azaleas after bloom. Use a formulation which has an acid reaction.
· If
spring rains have been sparse, begin irrigating, especially plants growing
in full sun.
· Apples,
crabapples and hawthorns susceptible to rust disease should have protective
fungicidal sprays applied beginning when these trees bloom.
· Weeks
1-2: Canker worms (inch worms) rarely cause permanent damage to ornamentals.
Use B.T. if control is deemed necessary.
· Weeks
3-4: Trees with a history of borer problems should receive their first spray
now. Repeat twice at 3 week intervals.
· Weeks
3-4: Begin fertilizing annuals. Continue at regular intervals.
Vegetables
· Place
cutworm collars around young transplants. Collars are easily made from
cardboard strips.
· Slugs
will hide during the daytime beneath a board placed over damp ground. Check
each morning and destroy any slugs that have gathered on the underside of
the board.
· Growing
lettuce under screening materials will slow bolting and extend harvests into
hot weather.
· Week
1: Begin planting sweet corn as soon as white oak leaves are as big as
squirrel ears.
· Weeks
1-2: Plant dill to use when making pickles.
· Weeks
2-3: Place a stake by seeds of squash and cucumbers when planting in hills
to locate the root zone watering site after the vines have run.
· Weeks
3-4: Set out peppers and eggplants after soils have warmed. Plant
sweet potatoes now.
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Regional Private Pesticide Applicator Training (PPAT) Changes in 2009
The Private Pesticide
Applicator Training (PPAT) program is for farmers that need to apply
Restricted Use
Pesticides (RUP) and are in need of certification or recertification.
Certified applicators can legally buy RUPs by showing pesticide dealers
their license. Licensed, Certified applicators renew or recertify their
training every 5 years. The
Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA),
the lead agency for pesticides in Missouri, informs certified applicators in
each county when their certification is about to expire. The extension
offices help by facilitating the training programs. Private Pesticide
Applicator Training (PPAT) requirements have changed in 2009. All
applicators must have a copy of
M87 “Reference Manual for
Private Applicators” in-hand during classroom trainings or as a
“walk-in” clientele in county Extension offices. The cost of the M87 manual
is $12.00. Only one person from the same farm or family will be required to
have a manual in their possession during the training. This manual is to be
retained for quick reference by the applicator during the 5 year
certification/recertification period.
(Source: Todd Lorenz,
Agronomy/Horticulture Specialist
)
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etc.) and they have very rigid storage temperature requirements. The
temperature range for many animal health products is between 35 to 45
degrees. So what happens to those animal health products when the
temperatures goes above or below that? They become much less effective.
For instance, when the refrigerator goes below 35 degrees, this can have
just as a negative effect on the animal health products as the refrigerator
going above 45 degrees because the antigen can separate from the adjuvant,
making it less effective.
This
new program (ACRE) uses a combination of state average yields, farm level
yields and the national marketing year price to determine levels of
revenue guarantees and payments for each covered commodity. Two triggers
must be met for ACRE to actually generate payments; state
and
farm actual revenue must be less than the guaranteed and benchmark revenues.
Ag
Connection - Ag Connection Newsletter, May 2009