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August 20 to August 26, 2001
C.O.R.N. 2001-27
In This Issue:
A) Time to Park the Sprayers
B) 2001 Ohio Wheat Performance Test Results
C) Harvesting Drought-Stressed Corn for Silage
D) Manure Science Review to Take Place Next Week
E) Silage Field Days Planned
Now that we are approaching 30 days until soybean harvest, herbicides can no longer be applied to non-Roundup Ready soybeans. Glyphosate products can be applied to Roundup Ready soybeans up to 14 days before harvest. Rescue treatments for weed control at this time of the year are not completely effective and soybeans will be run down by the sprayer, possibly reducing soybean yield. Glyphosate can only be used up to 2.25 pounds of acid equivalent (lb AE)/A (3 qts/A Roundup Ultra) from emergence until preharvest and a maximum of only 0.75 lb AE/A as a preharvest application for a total amount of 3.0 lbs AE/A (4.0 qts/A Roundup Ultra) from emergence through harvest. Total glyphosate for the year, which includes the burndown and after harvest applications, must not exceed 6.0 lb AE/A (8 qts/A Roundup Ultra).
This is an extremely important source of information for wheat producers in that the data provided can be used effectively to choose those top producing varieties for planting on their farm. The performance test results includes yield data of 43 wheat varieties from five different locations (Wood Co. Crawford Co., Wayne Co., Darke Co. and Pickaway Co.) along with test weights, seeds per pound, lodging, plant height and heading date. Additional information is available on disease reactions (powdery mildew, Stagonospora leaf blotch and head scab) and grain quality data (flour yield and flour softness).
Most wheat producers choose wheat varieties based on yield. However, wheat varieties should be chosen based on consistency of high yield and other characteristics including test weight, lodging potential, heading date and disease resistance. There are many top yielding varieties in this test. Look at consistency of yield across locations and years where possible. Of the 43 varieties tested in 2001, 14 yielded the same, statistically, as the top yielding variety across the 5 locations. When averaged across the locations the top yielding varieties were: AGI 521, AGI 535, AGI Honey, AgriPro Patton, Certified Hopewell, Certified Roane, Classic RW1480, Rupp RS9909, Steyer Bernard, Steyer Bouillon, Thompson TS6020, Wellman W-115, Wellman W9910 and Wellman W9940. However, these were not necessarily the highest yielding varieties at each county location. At the site with the most disease pressure (Pickaway Co.) Certified Freedom had the highest yield probably due to its disease resistance.
Look at the tables that presents the two-year and three-year yield data to find varieties with consistent, or stable, high yield across locations and over time. Also, hedge your bets on any wheat variety by planting several high yielding varieties with different heading dates and better than average disease resistance. Choose varieties with low disease scores for those diseases that have been important on your farm.
Included in this test for the first time were four triticale varieties. Triticale is a cross between wheat and rye with performance somewhat similar to wheat. Triticale is generally used for animal feed, but it can be milled into flour for baking. Flour yield from triticale is similar to wheat but flour softness is inferior to the common soft red wheats grown in Ohio.
Most recommendations for corn silage harvest are the same for drought-stressed corn silage as for normal corn silage. For good fermentation in the silo and for good feeding value, corn, whether normal or drought-stressed, must be harvested at the proper dry matter content. The acceptable range is 30 to 38% dry matter and the optimal range is 32 to 36%. The lower end of the range is ideal for storage in bunkers, the higher end is appropriate for upright silos and silo bags. Optimum chop length is independent of drought-stress. Choppers should be set at 3/8 to ½ inch theoretical length of cut for conventional choppers. For choppers with kernel processors, the TLC should be 3/4 inch. The value of additives on drought-stressed corn has not been researched extensively. Anhydrous ammonia (or liquid ammonium hydroxide) increases the protein content of silage but ammonia products also slow down fermentation and generally increase lactic acid production. Drought-stressed corn plants usually have higher sugar concentrations and lower starch concentrations than normal corn silage. Sugars are the primary food that certain bacteria convert to lactic acid. Theoretically, drought-stressed corn may actually benefit more from ammonia addition than normal corn because of its higher sugar content. Based on available data, there is no reason to avoid adding ammonia products to drought-stressed corn. Urea addition does not greatly alter fermentation; the main benefit is simply increased protein content. Urea can easily be added to the concentrate mix at the time of feeding and probably is not worth the effort of adding it at the time of silo filling. Information regarding the use of silage inoculants on drought-stressed corn is limited. But again because of the increased sugar content of drought-stressed corn, the use of a good (i.e., research data available on the product) may be more beneficial for drought-stressed corn than normal corn silage.
Although silage-making recommendations are similar for normal and drought-stressed corn, the resulting feed may have very different nutritional value. First, drought-stressed corn can accumulate toxic nitrates. All drought-stressed corn should be sampled and analyzed for nitrates before it is fed (see Fact Sheet AS-0003-99 for feeding guidelines). Nitrate concentration usually decreases during silage fermentation, therefore sampling one or two weeks after filling will be more accurate than sampling during filling. If the plants contain nitrates, a brown cloud may develop around your silo. This cloud contains highly toxic gases and people and livestock should stay out of the area. Drought-stressed corn tends to have higher crude protein and higher fiber but the fiber tends to be more digestible. The resulting energy value of drought-stressed corn silage is usually lower than good silage but not as low as it appears based on grain content. The only way to know the actual composition of drought-stressed corn silage is to have it tested by a good feed lab.
What comes out of cows -- and pigs, poultry and other livestock -- can be a challenge to deal with. But two August field days will feature new ways to use, store, treat, transport and compost the stuff. Manure Science Review programs will be held Aug. 27-28 in Wapakoneta, Ohio, and Aug. 30-31 in Wooster, Ohio.
The programs -- similar at both locations -- will update participants on nutrient management, environmental issues, social issues, and manure storage and handling. The speakers will be farmers, composters, state-agency and industry experts, and scientists from Ohio State and other universities. The Wapakoneta program will be at the Auglaize County Fairgrounds. The Wooster event will be at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, 1680 Madison Ave.
Among the scheduled presentations are "Systems planning for manure storage," "Manure handling and treatment alternatives," "Design of systems to meet regulations," "Guidelines for nutrient application," "Phosphorus management," "Biological treatment of milkhouse waste and runoff," "Livestock Environmental Assurance Plan (LEAP)," "Tile line application concerns," "Emergency plans," "Biosecurity issues," and "Neighbor relations."
There will be several panel discussions and, during the Aug. 27-28 program, a tour of the Wapakoneta waste treatment facility. Hours are 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. both days of both programs, with lunch at 12:30 p.m. and a trade show and demonstrations at 1:15 p.m..
The sponsors are the Natural Resources Conservation Service; Ohio's Soil and Water Conservation Districts; the Ohio Department of Natural Resources; the Ohio Livestock Coalition; the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP); and Ohio State University, including the Ohio Composting and Manure Management (OCAMM) program, Waste Resource Management Team, Ohio State University Extension, and OARDC.
Walk-in registration is $10 per day. Contact Wicks at (330) 202-3533 or wicks.14@osu.edu for more information.
A special field day on harvesting quality corn silage is planned for Tuesday, August 28, 2001 at the Howard and Lois Weller Farm at 23261 Road E, Continental, Ohio which is located two miles west and a half-mile north of Continental and will be repeated the next day, August 29, at the Keith Snoddy Farm, 8547 Snoddy Road, Shreve, Ohio. Both field days will begin at 10 a.m. and are sponsored by the Ohio Forage and Grassland Council and Ohio State University Extension. They offer producers the opportunity to hear experts in the field of silage and forage production, see the latest equipment in operation, if conditions permit, and network with other producers.
This field day will help producers learn to make the best silage they can make to feed their animals by giving producers access to information and techniques pertinent to silage and forage production and harvesting.
Speakers for the field days include Joel Hunter, Extension Agronomy Agent, Penn State Extension on "The Agronomics of Producing Quality Corn Silage" and Dr. Limin King, professor, Ruminant Nutrition and Microbiology, University of Delaware on "Management Guidelines During Harvest and Storage of Silages". Afternoon sessions include field demonstration, equipment displays, forage plots and access to resource people to answer questions on varieties, harvesting, storage and any other area producers might need assistance with. Also on display will be a soft hose tool bar manure injection system.
Please make reservations for lunch by contacting the Putnam County Extension
Office at 419-523-6294 before August 23 for the Continental meeting or the Wayne
County Extension Office at 330-264-8722 for the Shreve meeting.
Readers can subscribe electronically to this newsletter by sending an e-mail message to: corn-out-on@postoffice.ag.ohio-state.edu. A successful subscription message will receive by an automatic reply from the listserv. Contact your local Ohio State University Extension Office or e-mail labarge.1@osu.edu if you have problems subscribing.
Past versions of C.O.R.N. can be found on the World Wide Web at: http:/www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~corn/archive/
C.O.R.N. is a summary of crop observations, related information, and appropriate recommendations for Ohio Crop Producers and Industry. C.O.R.N. is produced by the Ohio State University Extension Agronomy Team, State Specialists at The Ohio State University and Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. C.O.R.N. Questions are directed to State Specialists, Extension Associates, and Agents associated with Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center at The Ohio State University.
Contributors to C.O.R.N. this week include:Editor: Clark Hutson Web Editor: Tom Rosati
Information presented above and where trade names are used, they are supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Ohio State University Extension is implied. Although every attempt is made to produce information that is complete, timely, and accurate, the pesticide user bears responsibility of consulting the pesticide label and adhering to those directions.
All educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or Vietnam-era veteran status.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Keith L. Smith, Director, Ohio State University Extension.
TDD # 1 (800) 589-8292 (Ohio only) or (614) 292-1868
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