With the cool, wet spring, farmers have had trouble getting their planting of corn and soybeans done in a timely manner. Up until June 25, there has been a pattern of heavy rains every week or so which has saturated the soil and increased the length of the planting season. Crops that were planted early and have good drainage in the field have done well and are progressing well except for low areas that have been flooded out. These lower areas have slowed root growth and therefore delayed the availability of nutrients to the plants.
Some farmers have had difficulty side-dressing nitrogen into their corn if they did not apply all of their nitrogen pre-plant or a combination of pre-plant and planting. While some intend to apply nitrogen either from 28N or Anhydrous Ammonia, wet field conditions have been an issue and loss of nitrogen has been a concern. The challenge for some has been to get side-dressing done before the corn gets too big.
Since soybeans are legumes, they create their own nitrogen through nitrogen-fixing nodules that are a part of the root system. However the cool, wet conditions of this spring have slowed the growth of this plant as well along with the formation of the root system and nodule development. As a result, soybeans have not been able to produce enough nitrogen to foster good growth. As soils dry and temperatures continue to increase, nodule development will occur, causing the beans to turn a darker green color and grow at a faster rate.
Another issue with the cool, wet spring has been the presence of root rot in flooded areas and some cases, diseases caused by fungus and bacteria. Treated seeds have done a good job of preventing potential problems of this manner, but there are some limited cases where it has been an issue. The big concern now for farmers after getting the beans planted and the corn side-dressed has been the application of herbicides. Persistent weeds such as giant ragweed and mare’s tail are creeping their heads above the canopy of the soybeans and need to be addressed before they get unmanageable.
Wheat is coming along well this year. Although less wheat is planted in Hardin County than in previous years, the acreage that is planted will start to be harvested in the next couple of weeks. We are expecting a later wheat harvest, so this could lead to problems with late rains after the wheat has matured. Not only can rainstorms cause lodged wheat, but it can lead to poor grain quality, which amounts to lower test weights and a higher occurrence of disease.
Although the straw is shorter this year, head scab problems have been minimal and therefore yields should be good in areas that do not have too many flooded out spots that happened earlier this spring. Wheat heads have filled out good and we should see decent yields. The wheat has turned color to the yellowish-brown and will need to dry down before harvest will take place.
Prevented planting of a small amount of corn and soybeans due to the rains have added to the frustrations that farmers face. Some farmers have had to replant areas of fields that have been flooded out. June rainfall totals are coming in 1-1 . inches above the rainfall received just this past season. Good news is that aphid populations should be lower this year and so far there is little pest activity.
The quality of the crop that is produced in the county this year will depend on the growing degree days of heat units we receive, whether or not we receive the proper amounts of rainfall at critical times throughout the growing season, and when the frost will occur. Until then, farmers will need to scout their fields, looking for insect, weed, and disease problems so they can best manage their risk. Making key management decisions will help them produce and market a crop that will sustain their farming operations for another year.
For more information about OSU Extension, Hardin County, visit the Hardin County OSU Extension web site at www.hardin.osu.edu, the Hardin County OSU Extension Facebook page or contact Mark Badertscher, at 419-674-2297.
