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Watch Corn for Late Season Insects and Diseases
As the corn season moves forward, producers need to watch for late season pests according to Jay Chism, University of Missouri Extension agronomy specialist in Barton County. “Several corn fields have been damaged by fall army worms. Late planted corn and milo are at the most risk,” said Chism.
Treatment is justified when 75 percent or more of the plants have whorl damage and larvae are present in the whorls. Ground applied sprays directed over the row are recommended for best control of this pest. “Many times fall army worm is just superficial damage that does not require control measures,” said Chism. “However, several fields this season have damage at the threshold level and small worms are still present in the whorls.”
If the worms are small, less than a one-half inch, the pest will continue to feed and may damage the corn tassel before it emerges. Many times only 25 to 30 percent control is all that can be expected when insecticide applications are used. “Southern corn rust, a foliar disease, is another pest that requires farmers to watch their crops,” said Chism. “Southern rust has been reported in Kansas, but to date it has not been reported this season in Missouri.”
Southern rust is favored by warm, humid conditions and the spores must be blown in from southern locations. Southern rust pustules are found primarily on the upper leaf surfaces, less frequently on lower leaf surfaces.
When southern rust is severe, leaves and leaf sheaths may yellow and die prematurely. Damage tends to be more severe on late-planted corn or late-maturing hybrids. “It is important to watch the ear leaves, if lesions are found the fungus can spread rapidly under the right weather conditions,” said Chism.
Chism has sent leaf
samples into the MU Diagnostic Lab to be sure that the disease
has not slipped in. Southern rust is difficult to distinguish
from common rust. “Common
rust does not typically require control, so it is important to
make the correct diagnosis before deciding to apply a
fungicide,” said Chism
Biological Thistle
Control Makes a Difference
Landowners that are not making efforts to control thistles on their land will find the problem gets out of hand quickly according to Tim Schnakenberg, agronomy specialist, University of Missouri Extension. "The result of having musk thistle on your land is the lowering land values, minimizing productivity of hayfields and pasture and creating tension between you and your neighbors," said Schnakenberg.
These issues have intensified this year with an abundance of thistles that have invaded Southwest Missouri. "There is little to be done about thistles in August," said Schnakenberg. "Once thistles put out several seed heads, the only control measure left lies with the musk thistle flower head weevil, a biological approach to thistle management."
The musk thistle weevil was released in the late 1970’s in Missouri. This was an effort initiated by USDA and promoted by University of Missouri Extension to cover Missouri with a natural control using the rosette and flower head weevil. "With the assistance of many landowners, weevils were distributed and are now found in every county of the state," said Schnakenberg.
The flower head weevil can be found in the summer eating the heart out of several thistle flower heads. They consume many seeds in the process and result in a shriveled-up flower head that dies prematurely. Small white hairs from the seed head are often blown in the wind but on closer observation do not hold any seed. The seed was consumed by the weevil.
The rosette weevil can be found in the young rosette of the plant in March and April, eating the heart out of the crowns of the plants. This results in many plants that are smaller and ultimately produce fewer seed-producing flower heads. Some smaller rosettes die before forming a mature plant. "Some folks have questioned the effectiveness of the weevil. But, if we did not have this biological control option, our thistle population today would be much greater than it is today. They do a tremendous job of minimizing seed that would have been viable," said Schnakenberg.
Part of the misunderstanding is the result of expectations. "People should not have the expectation that the weevil will clean up all thistles. They simply can not keep up with the volume of thistles we have," said Schnakenberg. "Landowners usually must do some of the control themselves. This could include mowing at appropriate times, digging or chemical control."
Extension Centers frequently get the question of how to obtain weevils for distribution on their farm. The program to distribute weevils ended many years ago. "Since these weevils are found in every county in the state, there is little need to do any more populating," said Schnakenberg.
Wheat
Stands Need to be
Checked for Winter Injury
The ice and snow have been destructive to buildings, landscapes, and have livestock producers wondering if they have enough feed reserves to see them through to spring.
Could area wheat fields also be added to the list of things damaged by the 2007 ice storm? It is too early to tell according to Jay Chism, agronomy specialist with University of Missouri Extension in Lamar.
“Winter wheat cannot tolerate long periods of ice encasement,” said Chism. “The cold temperatures without snow and wheat fields covered with ice in some areas should be inspected for winter injury. Ice and snow are two very different scenarios in wheat fields.”
For the most part, two to three inches of snow is good insulation for a wheat crop. However, ice covering the crop may reduce CO2 emissions which could result in a lack of oxygen for the growing wheat plants.
A plant physiological study done in Canada in the mid-seventies indicated that ethanol levels increased in wheat seedlings after an ice sheet was applied. The results of the study showed that prolonged ice encasement is lethal to winter wheat.
“What I couldn’t determine from the Canadian study is how long is too long,” said Chism.
Fields that were planted late last fall are probably at even a greater risk.
“A late planted crop is more vulnerable because not enough growth occurred prior to dormancy. Ideally, wheat crops will have at least two to three tillers going into winter,” said Chism.
WHEAT INSPECTION
According to Chism, wheat producers should wait until closer to green-up before inspecting fields for winter injury.
Winter injury can be determined by splitting a wheat plant exposing the crown. If the plant has a dark brown discoloration at the crown, the plant will not survive. A healthy crown is white or slightly yellow when split open.
“Winter injury may range from one or two dead tillers per plant to large areas killed within fields. As long as the crowns remain alive, new roots and tillers can be generated,” said Chism.
It is also a good idea for growers to look for plants that have heaved out of the ground. Heaving is a condition where the crowns of plants are pushed out of the soil as the ground freezes and thaws. Plants that are pushed out due to heaving only have a few roots left in the soil.
“These plants will look normal as wheat fields begin to green up but will turn brown and die in a few weeks,” said Chism. “Heavy clay soils are more prone to heaving and the resulting injury.”
University of Missouri Extension programs focus on the high-priority needs of Missourians. Each county extension center, with oversight by locally elected and appointed citizens, is your local link to practical education on almost anything.
Cutting
and Chemical Treatment Needed to Rid Fields of Honey Locust
Tree
Honey locust is a common and troublesome invader of pastures and idle fields. Thorny spines on this wild species actually make it a pain in more ways than one according to Gaylord Moore, horticulture specialist with University of Missouri Extension. “Honey locust has caused numerous flat tires on trucks, tractors and any other rubber tire occupied implement,” said Moore.
Worst of all, this plant can reproduce from seed or from an existing root system of the parent tree. That means when it is left untreated it can spread rapidly.
“The best method of control is cutting the tree at ground level and treating the cut surface area of the stump with an herbicide like Tordon RTU,” said Moore.
A quart container is the common package of “ready to use” RTU. Moore also recommends reading the label on this product for correct application procedures. “If the tree is not chemically treated after being cut, sprouts will emerge from the base of the stump or away from the tree from existing roots,” said Moore.
To conserve materials only the cambium area (inside the bark) of the stump needs to be treated. “If you have an abundance of trees and small sprouts other options may be available that will require a private pesticide applicators license for purchase,” said Moore.
Diligence Needed for Pasture Control of Sericea Lespedeza
Sericea lespedeza is a non-native perennial legume that was originally introduced in the United States as a forage crop in the late 1800s. “This is the time of year we really start noticing sericea,” said Jay Chism, agronomy specialist with University of Missouri Extension Barton County.
Sericea plants are usually observed in the upper canopy of pastures and may be seen as a single stem or multiple stems that come from the base of the plant. Because the plant is prolific, it is also highly competitive in area pasture and hay fields.
Once the plants are past the young tender stage, sericea lespedeza is unpalatable and of little value for cattle producers. “Cattle will actually graze around the stems during late summer which allows the plants to reseed, increasing the population of the weed,” said Chism.
When controlling sericea lespedeza, it is important to observe the stage of growth the plants are in. Late in the season (August and September) when the plants are beginning to flower, studies show the active ingredient metsulfuron will provide the best control of sericea lespedeza. Products such as Cimarron and Cimarron Max contain metsulfuron.
Sericea lespedeza can be controlled more cost effectively earlier in the season by using products that contain triclopyr. Triclopyr is the chemical of choice while the plants are growing,” said Chism. Triclopyr can be found in products such as Remedy and PasturGard. Studies done at the University of Missouri show two pints of PasturGard per acre applied in Mid June were 95 percent effective.“Be sure and take a look at what stage of growth the plants are in before you deicide which chemicals to use,” cautions Chism.
If livestock producers prefer not to spray, then pastures that are infested with sericea can be intensively grazed with goats. Goats will eat sericea despite the high content of tannin (the component that makes cattle avoid the plant). “Another method that will reduce seed production and plant vigor is repeated mowing throughout the growing season,” said Chism.
When combating sericea, Chism says it is also important to develop some type of control strategy to keep this invasive plant from getting out of hand. Producers will also need to be persistent and look at the control from a long term perspective.
“Seeds from the weed may remain viable for up to 20 years,” says Chism. “That definitely means farmers need to develop long term strategies to control sericea.”
Many existing cool-season pastures and hay fields have declining plant populations of orchard grass and fescue according to John Hobbs, agriculture and rural development specialist, University of Missouri Extension.
“Many area fields have declining plant populations because of winter annual weed infestations and the extended summer drought,” said Hobbs. “There are some basic principles to follow if the goal is to re-establish the fields.”
First, a soil test is needed to determine any deficiencies in the soil. “Forages will produce more tons per acre when there are the correct amounts of nutrients, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium,” said Hobbs.
After a soil test, the landowner needs to decide on a method of re-establishing the field. “Are you going to no-till or does the field need to be plowed to prepare a firm, smooth seedbed? A weed free seedbed or limited competition from weeds for either planting situation is important to gain a vigorous stand of new grass,” said Hobbs.
Fall seeding of cool season grasses -- as well as white or red clover -- has proven successful due to the moderate temperatures and fall rains. This allows the plant to develop an extensive root system to get through the winter and next summer’s heat.
According to Hobbs, most forage should be planted shallow. In fact, the smaller the seed the shallower it should be planted. “Fescue and orchard grass should be planted at a depth of one-quarter inch,” said Hobbs.
The ideal time to plant these two cool season grasses is between late August and late September. Successful cool season seedlings can be made into October. “You may want to renovate your cool-season grass with a legume. Red clover and white clover can be planted at a one-quarter inch depth at the same time. This will allow you to plant grass and clover at the same time with a no-till drill,” said Hobbs.
Pasture should be grazed extensively or cut low before no-tilling with clover. This will allow sunlight to germinate clover seeds and the new clover plant to develop a root system before freezing weather.
“There is another advantage in seeding in the fall, lack of weed competition. There are many weeds that are a concern in the spring and early summer, but offer little competition in a fall establishment of grass,” said Hobbs.
Alfalfa Weevil is Infesting Area Alfalfa Fields
Each Spring, southwest Missouri alfalfa growers keep a close watch on their fields for alfalfa weevil infestations. This year the weevil has hit the area hard and many alfalfa stands have been quickly defoliated by this small larva pest. According to Tim Schnakenberg, agriculture and rural development specialist with University of Missouri Extension, many area fields have already been sprayed. “But, growers should continue to monitor fields for alfalfa weevil since it can consume large amounts of leaf area in a short amount of time and significantly lower the yield of the first hay crop,” said Schnakenberg.
Dr. Wayne Bailey, state entomology specialist with University of Missouri Extension, suggests growers scout their fields often to protect the crop. Farmers should randomly sample 50 stems at various locations in the field and carefully tap the larva into a white bucket for observation. “If an average of one or more larvae per stem is found, then the economic threshold has been reached and insecticidal control is justified,” said Dr. Bailey.
Growers should contact their local University of Missouri Extension Center for recommended insecticides. “When there is an early infestation, alfalfa weevils often reinfest the crop even a few weeks following an insecticide spray,” said Schnakenberg.
If the second infestation reoccurs close to normal harvest time (1/10th bloom), it may justify early harvest to minimize the damage. University of Missouri research has found that mechanical harvest may reduce larval numbers by about 98 percent.
In some cool, wet years a fungal pathogen, Zoophthora phytonomi, infects and kills alfalfa weevil larvae. Infected larvae change from their normal green color to a yellow color and die within 2 or 3 days. At present the fungal pathogen has not been found infecting alfalfa weevil in the state.
Dr. Bailey has also alerted producers to watch for cowpea and pea aphids infesting alfalfa fields. These aphids tend to feed on the tops of alfalfa during early spring and can cause yellowing of plant leaves from the bottom up. It is recommended that an average of 50 or more aphids per alfalfa stem should be present to justify an insecticide spray.
Thinned Pastures Can Lead to Weed Problems
Due to dry fall and winter weather, southwest Missouri livestock producers may have a new challenge ahead of them this growing season: thinning pastures. “In many cases both grasses and legumes in pastures have been thinned. That can lead to less competition in the stand to crowd out weeds, said Tim Schnakenberg, agriculture and rural development specialist with University of Missouri Extension.
If landowners don’t watch this situation closely, weeds and brush may get an upper hand.“To combat this problem, it is important to have proper calibration of sprayers when a broadcast spray is planned,” said Schnakenberg. In regard to combating weeds, Schnakenberg says he is getting many questions about a new herbicide on the market called Milestone. “This is a non-restricted product that is considered safer to handle and use around the farm. It shows promise for controlling thistles, common ragweed, spotted knapweed, ironweed, horsenettle and other weeds,” said Schnakenberg.
Several specific weed problems are also on the minds of landowners. “Thistles are best controlled in the fall (October or November) or spring (March) before they bolt. The small rosettes are very susceptible to herbicide sprays and this avoids the problem of viable seed being developed before summer sprays occur,” said Schnakenberg. Many people wait too late before they begin control measures on thistles. “Thistles can easily get out of hand if not controlled on time. One Musk thistle plant can produce over 10,000 seeds and viable seeds can begin dispersing just 10 days after first bloom,” said Schnakenberg.
Another weed that has been on the increase in the last few years, and is poisonous to livestock, is poison hemlock. According to Schnakenberg, this weed stays dark green and low to the ground throughout winter but bolts in the early spring to about eight or 10 feet in height. “Many confuse this weed with wild carrot or Queen Anne’s Lace because of its white lacey flowers. This weed should also be controlled before it bolts as warm sunny days return with products such as Grazon P+D or Tordon,” said Schnakenberg.
Blackberries are another weed that easily gets out of control in a pasture. Schnakenberg says blackberries should be sprayed with products such as Remedy, Pasturegard or Surmount when they are flowering and the most susceptible to treatment. Second-year growth is needed for acceptable control of blackberries. Mowing the year before or the year of the spraying will diminish the success of the spray according to Schnakenberg.
“Many people now brush to keep it under control. If spraying with a herbicide is eventually planned, then mowing is discouraged so adequate leaf area is available to take pesticide into the roots,” said Schnakenberg.
The failure to grade Choice ended up costing about $85 per head since the average price spread between Choice and Select carcasses was $11.13. The average carcass weight of the cattle was 769 pounds.“Marbling or intramuscular fat is one of the factors in cattle attaining the Choice carcass grade. Based on previous feedouts, plus observations by the Iowa State extension specialist who supervises the program, the fall-born cattle typically have a lower percentage Choice,” said Cole.
One exception to the failure to reach Choice was a set of six Angus steers that all made low Choice with four of them achieving Certified Angus Beef designation. This was good for an added $6.26 per hundred return. “The steers were all from the same sire which had exceptional intramuscular fat expected progeny differences (EPD) adding support to the fact that genetics do play a role in carcass grades,” said Cole.
University of Missouri Extension is your one-stop source for practical education on almost anything. Extension programs focus on the high-priority needs of people throughout the state. Each county extension center, with oversight by locally elected and appointed citizens, is your local link to these unbiased resources and programs.
Early
Spring Best Time to Control Musk Thistle
and Buck Brush; Let Weevils do the Work in July
According to Tom Hansen, University of Missouri Extension agronomy
specialist in Springfield, Mo., early spring is the best time of
year to control musk thistle and buck brush.
For musk thistle, herbicides can be used prior to the time buds
begin to show a little pink. The product 2, 4-D can be applied in
the early spring before the head shoot begins to grow.
For best results, daytime temperatures should be in the mid 60’s or
higher and nighttime temperatures no lower than the mid 40’s.
“After the head shoot begins to grow, other herbicides such as Ally,
Banvel, Grazon, Remedy or Tordon can be used. Ally would not
be the best choice for fescue fields especially if it is intended
for seed production,” said Hansen.
From the time you see a little pink in the bud through the end of
July, control should be left to the musk thistle weevil.
“When the buds begin to open, the adult weevil comes out of
hibernation and lays its eggs on the flower head,” said Hansen.
The eggs hatch; the larvae bore into the head and destroy the seed.
Next the larvae pupate and later emerge as adults and go into
hibernation until the next year. If this process is allowed to
happen, weevil numbers increase each year until they are high enough
to control the thistle.
“If we kill or destroy the musk thistle during this period of time,
we reduce the weevil population for the following year and loose the
long-term control,” said Hansen.
Buckbrush is another problem that should be treated early. The
best time to spray is when the leaves are about half size.
This generally occurs around mid April.
“The best product to use is 2,4-D. Note temperature
restrictions. No surfactants or soaps should be added to the
spray mix. After the leaves have fully expanded, results of
herbicide application are not too good,” said Hansen.
Plan Now to Keep Hay
Storage Losses
to
a Minimum
Keeping round hay bales dry should be a goal of all livestock
producers. Otherwise, hay losses from improper storage can be as
high as 40 percent according Tim Schnakenberg, agriculture and rural
development specialist, University of Missouri Extension.
However, the reality is that the cost of storage
facilities is expensive and many hay bales sit out in the weather
for months before being fed. "Based on our typical rainfall in
southwest Missouri, a single large round bale sitting out in the
weather may get as much as 650 gallons of water on it during the
year," said Schnakenberg. "With each rainfall the bale's ability to
shed water lessens.” Bales that sit under trees are
particularly at risk because they can’t dry out as well after a
rain.
But there are some options that can help reduce storage
losses. For example, storing hay in rows that are directed North and
South will help the bales dry out faster because hay will come in
contact with more sun. Balers also have improved by making
tighter bales than some of earlier models. Tight bales help shed
water significantly, not just by shedding water but also by
maintaining a round shape at ground level. "Loose bales that sag
create more surface area contact with the ground that can result in
major losses,” said Schnakenberg.
According to Schnakenberg, net wrapping has helped the
situation in recent years because it does a good job of shedding
water. “Research shows net wrapping can reduce fescue dry matter
losses by 32 percent compared to normal string wrap. However, the
cost of this option on a baler plus the net wrap material is an
expense that needs careful consideration,” said Schnakenberg. One
more advantage to net wrapping is the time saved when baling. It may
take only two turns in the bale chamber to apply net wrap versus ten
or fifteen revolutions for twine.
Bale stacking with the use of a tarp in a 2-1 or a
3-2-1-pyramid design is another approach that keeps bales dry and
makes the best use of tarps. Some producers have had success with
bale sleeves, however the costs per ton of hay can be expensive.
Temporary structures have gained in popularity in
recent years. The University of Kentucky has a hoop structure on an
experimental farm that uses UV-treated polyethylene plastic
guaranteed for 15 years. Estimated costs run about $2.50 per bale
annually for five by four foot bales. "Research has found that
moisture levels on the lower section of the bale are major sources
of loss, particularly if the bale is sitting in a poorly drained
area. The problem is compounded due to the moisture wicking that
bales do when in contact with soil,” said Schnakenberg.
One recommendation is to at least keep bales up
off wet soil by using coarse gravel as a base so rainfall can drain
away from the bale. Other options include the use of poles, tires or
pallets to break the contact with the soil and provide air space for
drying. “Storing hay in well drained areas is probably the single
most important thing cattle producers can do when storing hay
outside to keep their losses down,” said Schnakenberg.
For more information on how to minimize hay storage
losses, contact the University of Missouri Extension office in your
county and request guide sheet G4575, "Making
and Storing Quality Hay," G1955 "Large Round Bales - Management,"
and G4570, "Reducing Losses When Feeding Hay." This
information is also available online at
http://extension.missouri.edu/explore.
Start
Scouting for Alfalfa Weevil Now
Even though it seems early for the alfalfa weevil,
warmer than normal temperatures the past few months make it
necessary to scout for weevils now.
According to Jay Chism, agronomy specialist University
of Missouri Extension, alfalfa weevil benefit from mild weather in
winter and spring seasons.
“Adult weevils will deposit eggs on new growth anytime
the temperatures rise above 50 degrees for several consecutive
days,” said Chism.
Normally, alfalfa weevil larvae hatch in April, May and
June. The larvae then embed themselves into the growing tips of
alfalfa stems removing leaf tissue as they feed.
The first damage a farmer who is scouting his
field may notice will be small feeding holes in the leaflets that
grow out of the terminals of plant stems. As the larvae begin to
grow larger more plant tissue is consumed and this may cause
economic loss.
“The best way to scout for the alfalfa weevil is
to collect 50 alfalfa stems and tap them into a white bucket,” said
Chism.
Collecting 10 stems at five different locations will
provide a good random sample of the field. The economic threshold
for alfalfa weevil larvae is one or more per stem.
“When a farmer finds one or more per stem early in the
season, an insecticide application is the main management option,”
said Chism.
If, after scouting, a farmer determines that an
insecticide application is necessary, contact your University of
Missouri office for alfalfa weevil larvae insecticide
recommendations.
Early
Spring Best Time to Control Musk Thistle and Buck Brush
According to Tom Hansen, University of Missouri
Extension agronomy specialist in Springfield, Mo., early spring is
the best time of year to control musk thistle and buck brush.
For musk thistle, herbicides can be used prior to the
time buds begin to show a little pink. The product 2, 4-D can be
applied in the early spring before the head shoot begins to grow.
For best results, daytime temperatures should be in the
mid 60’s or higher and nighttime temperatures no lower than the mid
40’s.
“After the head shoot begins to grow, other herbicides
such as Ally, Banvel, Grazon, Remedy or Tordon can be used.
Ally would not be the best choice for fescue fields especially if it
is intended for seed production,” said Hansen.
From the time you see a little pink in the bud through
the end of July, control should be left to the musk thistle weevil.
“When the buds begin to open, the adult weevil comes
out of hibernation and lays its eggs on the flower head,” said
Hansen.
The eggs hatch; the larvae bore into the head and
destroy the seed. Next the larvae pupate and later emerge as
adults and go into hibernation until the next year. If this
process is allowed to happen, weevil numbers increase each year
until they are high enough to control the thistle.
“If we kill or destroy the musk thistle during
this period of time, we reduce the weevil population for the
following year and loose the long-term control,” said Hansen.
Buckbrush is another problem that should be
treated early. The best time to spray is when the leaves are
about half size. This generally occurs around mid April.
“The best product to use is 2,4-D. Note
temperature restrictions. No surfactants or soaps should be
added to the spray mix. After the leaves have fully expanded,
results of herbicide application are not too good,” said Hansen.
Cut Fescue in May for
Best Quality
The cutting date is the most important factor in
determining the quality of hay according to Gary Naylor, livestock
specialist with University of Missouri Extension.
In fact, fescue and other cool season grasses should be
harvested by the end of May.
“As the forage matures, fiber and lignin in the stem help
hold the heavy seed head upright, but it makes much of the plant
indigestible. This lowers the energy value of the hay.
Protein is also reduced by as much as fifty percent,” said Naylor.
According to Naylor, fescue hay that was cut the first
week of May last year tested over 14 percent protein and over 60
percent total digestible nutrients (TDN).
“This quality of hay would meet the nutritional needs
of all stages of production for a beef cow. There would be no
need to purchase expensive protein and energy supplements,” said
Naylor.
Like wise, fescue hay cut in July last year tested
below six percent in protein and under 45 percent TDN. According to
Naylor, even dry beef cows will need supplements to meet their
protein and energy needs on this type of forage. Producers
will spend $50 to $100 more per cow just to meet their nutritional
needs.
“When comparing good and poor quality forage, the beef
producer also needs to realize that cattle will not consume as much
poor quality hay. Palatability of fibrous, late cut, mature
forages becomes a problem,” said Naylor.
It is a good idea for beef producers to have their
haying equipment ready to go early in May. “Look for that
opportunity to harvest your forage at optimum quality. Your
cows will perform better and supplement cost will be greatly
reduced,” said Naylor.
Web
Site Exposes Pesky Lawn, Garden,
Pasture Plants
Dr. Fred Fishel's a computer cop when it comes to exposing plant pests caught in the wrong places at the wrong times. You might say he is the Dick Tracy of weeds, with a Web site to prove it.
His "Missouri Weeds" Web site is a tell-all see-all resource on weeds and it is available online at http://www.psu.missouri.edu/fishel.
Fishel, a University of Missouri-Columbia pest-management specialist, says the Web site can help farmers, gardeners and homeowners recognize weeds and deal with them appropriately.
Correct identification of any pest, including weeds, is critical in planning control strategies, he points out on the site's opening page.
"Anyone can call it up and use it," Fishel said, although he says it was designed primarily as a resource for professionals across Missouri in county University of Missouri Extension centers.
The Web site contains photographs of common Missouri weeds in various developmental stages, along with written descriptions. It has two classifications: field crops and pastures, and weeds common to ornamentals and turfgrass. Species are listed by common names in alphabetical order.
Some weed-identification guidebooks already exist but those are illustrated mostly with line drawings.
“People really need color photos to identify key characteristics," said Fishel.
The Web site was built from archived photographs of weeds taken across Missouri.
For those without access to the Internet, printed copies of “Missouri Weeds" and other weed-identification and control information is available at any University of Missouri Extension center.
Big
Round Bale Silage Has Advantages
An increasing number of producers are making big round bales of high-moisture forage and wrapping the bales in plastic soon after cutting according to Tom Hansen, agronomy specialist, University of Missouri Extension.
When properly done, the hay goes through the ensiling process and produces a product similar to silage. This is often called big round bale silage or “baleage”.
Compared to traditional haymaking, the advantage of silage and baleage is that the forage may be harvested and stored at a higher moisture content.
“This not only limits harvest losses from mechanical handling but also reduces the number of hours of field curing by 50 percent or more,” said Hansen.
This is especially important in spring when we often have weather that is not good for curing hay.
The main advantage of baleage over traditional silage is capital investment. While a traditional silage system (chopping equipment and silo) can cost more than $250,000, a bale wrapper can be added to an existing line of hay equipment for $8,000 to $20,000.
Another advantage is that baleage is more marketable than silage, especially for bales that are individually wrapped.
“The biggest disadvantages of baleage are plastic disposal, the time needed to wrap bales, and plastic cost per ton of stored forage,” said Hansen.
There are a number of machines on the market that can be used to wrap big round bales. The two most popular types are platform wrappers and in-line wrappers.
Platform wrappers wrap individual bales, while in-line wrappers place the bales end-to-end and simply wrap the outside of the bales (you have to manually cover the ends of the first and last bale for an in-line wrapper).
“Platform wrappers are less expensive than in-line wrappers. With platform wrappers, a hole in the plastic of one bale only spoils that bale, bales can be fed at any rate needed and bales can be marketed easily,” said Hansen. “The biggest disadvantages of a platform wrapper are plastic costs and the time needed to wrap each bale.”
An in-line wrapper uses less than half as much plastic as a platform wrapper and requires less labor per bale. But, bales are less marketable to distant customers, and once the tube is opened the bales need to be fed at a fairly constant rate.
A
Few Tips for Making Big Round Bale Silage
If you decide to make some baleage this year, Tom Hansen, agronomy specialist, University of Missouri of Missouri Extension, says to remember that the ideal moisture content to make baleage is 50 to 60 percent.
“If the moisture content falls below 45 percent, it is much harder to make good baleage. The enzymes needed to ferment the silage are not as active as the moisture content drops below 50 percent,” said Hansen.
It is also important to make a dense, tight bale. This helps exclude as much oxygen as possible inside the bale.
“If the baleage spoils, it is almost always because the forage was exposed to too much oxygen,” said Hansen.
If using an in-line wrapper, Hansen recommends taking time when baling to be sure all bales have the same outer dimensions. This prevents air pockets in the tube and leads to better fermentation.
“Wrap the bales as soon as possible after baling. Wrapping certainly should be done within 24 hours of baling. Waiting more than 24 hours retards the ensiling process,” said Hansen.
It is important to wrap the bales with a good-quality, one-mil-thick plastic that is resistant to sunlight. Hansen recommends wrapping the plastic tightly on the bales. A minimum of four layers of plastic with a 50 percent overlap should be used.
“Tie bales with natural fiber or plastic twine. Avoid treated sisal twine. And store baleage on a well-drained site,” Hansen said.
It is also important to patch holes promptly using UV-protected plastic tape if available (or duct tape in a pinch) and then feeding as soon as possible after removing plastic.
Research Has
Produced Fescue With
Friendly Endophytes
"When scientists and farmers first realized that livestock grazing some fields of K31 fescue exhibited negative or subdued growth responses, scientists got busy trying to figure out the cause," Mammen said.
The negative characteristics included chronic body temperature elevation, lower conception rates and a ragged hair coat in the spring. Research showed that a fungus within (endo) the plant was causing these conditions.
Thus, the condition known as endophyte fescue was coined.
"Plant breeders then set out to develop improved varieties of fescue that were absent of this endophytic fungus. The outcome of this stage of plant breeding resulted in varieties such as Mozark, Martin and MO96," Mammen said.
Producers hurried out to plant these new varieties and, although cattle no longer exhibited the negative production characteristics associated with the old K31 fescue, they were often looking at a field that no longer had any fescue in it.
According to Mammen, producers then began to ask, “what good is there in planting a good grass if it won’t persist?”
Additional research showed that even though the fungus had negative effects on cattle, it gave fescue increased resistance to insects, disease and drought. This information became crucial for the next and latest development of fescue plant breeding.
Scientists have worked at taking the harmful endophyte out of the plant while leaving the friendly endophytes in the fescue. This work has resulted in a new term and new varieties. Two fescues that are commercially available now are MaxQ and ArkPlus, with others on the way.
"It is my understanding that the patent rights on these new varieties are actually based on the endophyte fungus instead of strictly the plant variety. This is truly a novel approach to the novel endophyte fescue story," Mammen said.
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