Charleston, MO 63834

While the black cutworm can over winter in SE Missouri, most over winter on the Gulf Coast or in Mexico and migrate north in the spring. Eggs are generally laid in low, wet areas of fields with thick vegetation. As their name implies, damage occurs when larvae feed on seedling plants, usually completely cutting off the plant, reducing plant populations below optimum levels. Cool conditions can increase damage potential as it slows plant growth. As the plants move beyond the seedling stage damage is minimized.

Tillage or an early burndown approximately 14 days prior to planting to remove winter vegetation reduces the attractiveness of the field to moths. Tillage also may kill larvae already in the field and by destroying existing vegetation may cause starvation among the remaining larvae. It is critical to scout your field at emergence to determine whether threshold levels exist. The larvae will be gray to black and forms a C when disturbed. Treatments are warranted when there is damage below ground to 2-4% of the corn seedlings or 6-8% above ground feeding damage and larvae are present. Seed treatments have not been as effective as foliar sprays like pyrethroid insecticides

Applying a green up fertilizer application is something to consider in 2004. Keep in mind, wheat begins to grow when temperatures are 50 or above. Applying when the forecast is calling for extended low temperatures may not be an economical use of fertilizer or an insecticide. Also, base your decision on the number of tillers present in your field. In fields with less than 60 tillers/sq. ft. at green-up, apply a minimum of 40 lbs of nitrogen as soon as possible to increase tillering and head size. For fields with 60-80 tillers/sq. ft. apply a little nitrogen (20-30 lbs) and follow up with some nitrogen later. Applying nitrogen at green-up in a field with over 90 tillers/sq. ft. can lead to a thick lush canopy which may increase the risk of disease, lodging and winter damage during late winter cold snaps.

The time of greatest need for nitrogen occurs approximately 30 days after green-up (pre-jointing). Care should be taken to make sure all nitrogen is applied by Feekes growth stage 6 to maximize yields. Research shows a definite yield boost by splitting applications. Past research at the MU Delta Center has shown an increase in sandy soils where considerable leaching may occur but little or no increase on heavier soils. Arkansas recommends split applications on both sandy and heavy wet soils to improve nitrogen efficiency.

Sulfur deficiency in wheat looks similar to N deficiency. A closer look, however, shows some differences. Both Sulfur and N deficiencies produce stunted, light yellow green plants. Unlike N, S deficiency is first expressed in the younger leaves. Proper identification of the problem is critical as excessive N fertilization can induce S deficiency. Adding more N will not help your wheat if S is the problem. Plant tissue testing offers a method for diagnosing S and N deficiency. For best results collect 15 to 20 plants each from both a good and bad area of your field. It is a good idea to also collect soil samples from the same areas of the field.

Ammonium sulfate is a commonly available Sulfur fertilizer. It is 24%S and 21%N. When applying green up Nitrogen consider including 30 to 40 lbs. ammonium sulfate per acre. This will give you 7.5 to 10 lbs./acre of S.

Spring herbicide applications will soon begin. REMEMBER TO ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS.   A full list of herbicide recommendations can be found in the MO Weed Control Guide.  

If Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) isn’t enough to manage, Root Knot Nematode makes soybean production, as well as many other crops because of RKN’s wide host range, more challenging. RKN has been showing up unannounced in “new” fields each year. I went to another “first-time” field this past season where RKN were attacking the plants. RKN has probably been in these fields and over time with help from implements has spread to enough spots to become noticeable. University of MO-Delta Center staff have been screening Groups IV & V varieties for Root Knot Nematode resistance. Dr. Grover Shannon presented this information at our recent Crop Management Conference. Click on the title for variety information.

One other point Dr. Shannon also stressed is that Cyst Nematodes, acre per acre, are still the big yield robbers. 30% of your yield could be lost from SCN without any visual symptoms. He also mentioned potential SCN species shifts could be occurring where yields have been decreasing in traditionally high yielding fields where the same source of resistance has been used over a number of years. HG testing could help provide some answers.  The Nematology Lab will screen your soil as well as one variety of your choice. Instructions and explanation of the HG test are available on the Nematology Lab website.  Nematodes can be  sporadic in fields so it is important to get a random sample of the acres or field in question. If you go to one or two spots you may not hit a high population. Dr. Laura Sweets has talked about the importance of accurate sampling in an IPM Newsletter article.  If you decide on an HG test it takes 30 days and requires at least one gallon of soil. Two 1-gallon plastics bags filled with moist soil will be plenty. If you have in mind a particular variety, bring seeds with you. Bring soil and seed to Extension office and we will send it off for you. It is $50 which needs to be included with the sample.

I had an opportunity to attend a Small Game Workshop this past spring. I was reminded of this workshop by an email I received this week from Robert Pierce, Extension Wildlife Specialist, about a Quail Management Workshop being held in St. Joseph, MO for land owners/producers through a cooperative effort by Univ. of MO Extension and MO Dept. of Conservation (MDC). One thing I learned from the workshop I attended was the importance of the Edge Effect. Quail need good thick low growing woody cover to escape predators and be protected during times of rest. However, good escape cover alone will not cause a quick rebound in quail populations. Quail need nesting cover, which consists of erect clumping grasses (not fescue), forbs, and scattered shrubs or brambles. Quail also need brood and feeding cover, which consists primarily of low growing (24”) plants that open space at the base, which provides overhead cover and room to run and look for food. Quail are ground birds. They prefer walking or running to flying. Flying exposes them to danger and they will only flush and fly as a last resort. Row crops such as milo, corn and soybeans along with some common annual weeds can provide food and cover.

If you are interested in wildlife management and things you could do on your farm, contact your Extension office and/or local Private Lands Conservationist. Click on the title for more information.