Drought '99 Ohio State University Extension July 29, 1999 Crop Stress Updates, New Production Technology to Highlight Field Day By Kyle Sharp COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Assessing yield potential of corn isn't easy but it is essential, especially for corn growers in drought-stressed areas of Ohio, said Bob Nielsen, corn management systems specialist at Purdue University. "Accurate yield estimates are important when corn is severely stressed because the grower may have forward contracted to sell more bushels than he is ultimately able to deliver, and the grower may be faced with economic ruin if yields are below some threshold level," Nielsen said. Nielsen will discuss methods of assessing the yield potential of corn in a drought-stressed year during the Tri-County Agronomy Field Day, Aug. 19 from 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Slater Farm near Hebron, Ohio. He will present three 60-minute programs throughout the day with sessions beginning at 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Growers, crop consultants and crop input providers could benefit from the discussions. "Yield potential is not easy to estimate in healthy cornfields, let alone stressed ones," Nielsen said. "The trick is to sample enough areas to accurately estimate numbers of ears per acre and the size of the ears. Then, a rather simple formula is applied to estimate grain yield per acre." The formula, however, does include a "fudge factor" for average kernel weight which could cause producers to overestimate or underestimate grain yield. "But, I assume the formula will put the yield in the proverbial ballpark of plus or minus 30 bushels per acre," he said. Other drought-related corn issues Nielsen may address during his programs based on conditions in central Ohio at the time of the field day include the risks of toxic nitrate levels in grazed or green-chopped corn forage, effects of drought stress on the nutrient value of feed grain, the risk of herbicide carryover in 2000 and impacts of drought on a grower's 2000 nutrient program. The Tri-County Field Day showcases some of the latest crop production technology entering the marketplace and updates producers on some of the critical stress factors influencing crops this year, said Howard Siegrist, agriculture and natural resources agent at the Licking County office of Ohio State University Extension and one of the event coordinators. The event traditionally attracts more than 300 people from 15 counties. In addition to Nielsen's drought presentations, other topics to be discussed include identifying and managing disease in late season corn, soybean seeding rates in regards to today's equipment and herbicide programs, maximizing soil health, performance of potato leafhopper resistant alfalfa varieties, and moving from a bulk commodity to a value-added identity preserved or niche market crop, such as tofu soybeans or high-oil corn. "Miles Farm Supply of Owensboro, Ky., has been a national leader in developing identity preserved markets and working with their growers for a win-win experience," Siegrist said. "During the field day, they'll discuss opportunities for Ohio farmers to get a piece of the action." The Tri-County Field Day is sponsored by the Fairfield, Licking and Perry county offices of Ohio State University Extension, Soil and Water Conservation Districts and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Event participants can earn three hours of Certified Crop Advisor credit and one hour of Pesticide Applicator Training credit. A free pork chop dinner will be served at 6 p.m., but participants must be present by 3 p.m. to assure availability of a meal. The Slater Farm is located south of Interstate 70 off of state Route 37. For more information, contact the Licking County office of Ohio State University Extension at (740) 349-6904. -30- 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. Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Ag. Adm. and Director, OSU Extension. TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868   | C.O.R.N. | Newsletter | Ohioline | Publications |