NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION
For the week ending October 22, 2023, there were 6.2 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Topsoil moisture supplies rated 22% very short, 30% short, 43% adequate, and 5% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 27% very short, 35% short, 35% adequate, and 3% surplus.
Field Crops Report:
Corn harvested was 62%, equal to last year, and ahead of 51% for the five-year average.
Soybeans harvested was 83%, behind 91% last year, but near 79% average.
Winter wheat condition rated 4% very poor, 14% poor, 39% fair, 34% good, and 9% excellent. Winter wheat emerged was 89%, ahead of 84% last year and 83% average.
Sorghum condition rated 5% very poor, 9% poor, 28% fair, 33% good, and 25% excellent. Sorghum mature was 99%, ahead of 92% last year, and near 96% average. Harvested was 54%, near 52% last year and 53% average.
Dry edible beans harvested was 92%, near 94% last year.
Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 6% very poor, 12% poor, 38% fair, 36% good, and 8% excellent.
Iowa Crop & Harvest Progress Report
Dry and warmer than normal temperatures in Iowa this week resulted in 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending October 22, 2023, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Corn and soybean harvest continued to be the primary field activities for the week, although there were reports of fertilizer application and fall tillage.
Topsoil moisture condition rated 16 percent very short, 38 percent short, 44 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 28 percent very short, 43 percent short, 28 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.
Corn harvested for grain reached 62 percent statewide, 2 days ahead of last year and 1 week ahead of the 5-year average. Moisture content of field corn being harvested for grain remained steady at 17 percent.
Soybeans harvested reached 87 percent, 1 day ahead of last year and 10 days ahead of the average.
Pasture condition improved slightly to 19 percent good to excellent. Livestock conditions have been reported as generally good, while getting water to pastured cattle continued to be an issue.
USDA Crop Progress Report: Corn 59% Harvested, Soybeans 76% Harvested as of Oct. 22
Mostly favorable weather conditions across much of the country last week allowed the corn and soybean harvests to maintain their lead over the five-year averages, USDA NASS reported in its weekly Crop Progress report on Monday.
CORN
-- Harvest progress: Corn harvest picked up speed last week, moving ahead 14 percentage points to reach 59% complete as of Sunday. That matches last year's pace but is 5 percentage points ahead of 54% for the five-year average.
SOYBEANS
-- Harvest progress: Soybean harvest slowed somewhat last week, moving ahead 14 percentage points to reach 76% complete as of Sunday. That is 2 points behind last year's 78% but 9 points ahead of the five-year average of 67%.
WINTER WHEAT
-- Planting progress: Winter wheat planting advanced 9 percentage points last week to reach 77% complete as of Sunday. That is 1 percentage point behind 78% for both last year and the five-year average.
-- Crop progress: 53% of the crop had emerged as of Sunday, 6 points ahead of last year's 47% but equal to the five-year average.
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2024 American Soybean Assoc/ Corteva Agriscience NE Young Leaders
Lori Luebbe, NE Soybean Association
Congratulations goes out to TWO American Soybean Assocation/Corteva Young Leader couples who will be representing Nebraska in the 2024 program. The Nebraska Soybean Assocation was able to nominate both of our candidates due to additional spots for the 2024 program. Representing Nebraska will be:
Justin and Samantha Fiala of Ulysses
Justin and Samantha live on a farm near Ulysses in Seward county. Justin is a graduate of the University of Nebraska with a double major in Agronomy and Ag Economics. Samantha attended the University of Wisconsin and received a Bachelors and MBA degree in marketing with an emphasis in Human Resources and is a revenue specialist with a local eye doctor. Their operation consists of corn and soybeans with 20% irrigated, they plant cover crops, utilize no till practices and take soil sampling. Justin is a seed dealer representative, serves as treasurer for the local fire department in Ulysses and helps coach the pole vault team at David City Aquinas.
Derek and Nicole Van Heek of Crofton
Derek and Nicole farm near Crofton in Knox county. Derek is a graduate of South Dakota State University with a degree in Agronomy and also provides crop consulting services for Complete Agronomy Solutions. Nicole holds a degree from UNL and a masters from South Dakota State University and is a full time dietician. They have two children and are expecting their third in early 2024. The farm consists of raising row crops and livestock. Derek and Nicole farm 200 ac. on their own and also help Derek’s dad on the family farm operation. They utilize the VRT technology on their equipment and do intensive soil sampling to help create variable rate fertility & seeding zones. The couple is involved with the Farm Credit Young and Beginning Farm program as well as involved with their local church activities.
Congratulations to the Fiala’s and Van Heek’s, you will be a great fit for this excellent leadership program!
Applications open for the Next Generation of Black and Hispanic Farmers Scholarship
The Next Generation of Black and Hispanic Farmers is a new Scholarship program formed byt the Howard G. Buffett foundation and partnering with the Nebraska FFA Foundation. . The goal of this initiative is to provide an educational pathway for underrepresented students in agriculture, who plan to return and be engaged in the family farm operation. This scholarship includes: tuition(up to 30 credits per year), fees, housing in traditional residence hall, meal plan, books, enrollment deposit, housing contract, and a laptop at the University of Nebraska Lincoln, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.
To learn more and apply for this scholarship, please go to: https://neffafoundation.org/what_we_do/next-generation-of-black-and-hispanic-farmers-scholarship-program.html
Eligibility Requirements:
●Black or Hispanic high school seniors with a family farm operation verifiable by the USDA Farm Service Agency of at least 250 acres and maximum of 5000 acres.
●Have a minimum high school grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent)
●Meet academic and admission criteria for post-secondary education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln: https://admissions.unl.edu/apply/admissions-requirements/first-year/
●Commit to farming on the family farm upon graduation.
The deadline for this scholarship is December 31 st , 2023. We encourage your students to take advantage of this opportunity if they are interested in returning to the family farm operation. If there are question we can answer please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at information@neffafoundation.org.
Understanding Cattle Health Concerns on Cornstalks
Lindsay Waechter-Mead DVM - Nebraska Extension Beef Educator
Grazing corn residue is common practice in the Midwest and a quality resource for cattle producers to utilize. While the forages available can provide the necessary nutritional requirements, there are a few health conditions that need to be planned for prior to turn out.
Acidosis
Acidosis or grain overload occurs when cattle consume large amounts of feed that contains high quantities of fermentable carbohydrates, leading to clinical signs in the animal. When grazing corn residue, the feedstuff would be too much dropped corn. Rumen microbes rapidly begin to ferment the carbohydrates in the corn, which leads to an increase in lactate formation. When lactate production increases, the rumen pH drops below the normal range of 5.6-6.9 and begins to damage the rumen epithelium. This leads to an increase in acid-loving bacteria and yeast in the damaged rumen. All of these affect the blood volume and hydration status of tissues throughout the body, leading to acute clinical signs of diarrhea, dehydration, depression, and anorexia. Treatment involves restoring the rumen microbes, correcting dehydration and acidic rumen microenvironment, and managing secondary complications. Long term consequences of acidosis may include abortions and laminitis.
Management is key to preventing acidosis and is more rewarding than treatment. Knowing how much corn is in the field will help establish a grazing plan. The risk of acidosis increases if fields contain more than 8 bushels of corn per acre. Bushels can be estimated by counting dropped ears of corn in three different 100 feet rows and dividing this number by 2. If too much dropped corn is a concern, rumen microbes can begin acclimating to increased carbohydrate diets by slowly increasing amount of corn fed over a 10-day period prior to grazing. .
Nitrate Toxicity
Nitrates accumulate in plants when uptake by the roots exceeds the rate of conversion to protein, such as during episodes of drought and plant stress. When a ruminant consumes high-nitrate plants, the rumen microbes convert the nitrate to nitrite. Excess nitrite is absorbed into the bloodstream, where it changes the oxygen carrying capacity in red blood cells by converting hemoglobin to methemoglobin. Methemoglobin is unable to carry oxygen to tissues in the body, resulting in asphyxiation. Clinical signs of toxicity include weakness, rapid breathing, lethargy, muscle tremors and sudden death. Abortions may occur 10-14 days after ingestion of high nitrites due to lack of oxygen to fetus.
Knowing the nitrate levels of plants intended as feed is vital information in establishing a prevention plan. Nitrate samples can be taken from both standing plants and baled forages. Forages with >10,000 ppm nitrate (NO3-) may lead to acute toxicity signs and sudden death. Levels over 5,000 ppm (NO3-) should not be fed to pregnant animals due to the increased risk of abortion and stillbirth. Any health concerns should be discussed with your veterinarian to establish proper prevention and treatment protocols.
NWB Announces Participant in the 2023-2024 Ambassador Program
The Nebraska Wheat Board is excited to announce the selection of one student for the 2023-2024 Wheat Ambassador Program. The program will work to enhance student leadership, identify career goals and gain insight into the Nebraska wheat industry.
Grace Timm of Chappell, NE is currently a sophomore at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she is studying Agribusiness with Pre-Law. Along with her classes, Grace is active in a variety of clubs and organizations at UNL. She is a member of the Sigma-Alpha Delta Sorority currently serving as the Chapter Parliamentarian. She is also a member of the UNL Ag Economics Club, UNL National Agri-Marketing Association, and the UNL Clifton Builders Program.
Grace previously served as a Nebraska State FFA Officer from 2022-2023 where she served and represented all 12,000 Nebraska FFA members in grades 7-12. She is still active in FFA as a member of the National FFA Organization.
The NWB Ambassador Program will run in accordance with the school year, beginning in August and concluding in May. Over the course of the year, ambassadors will be immersed in the wheat industry to expand their knowledge on one of Nebraska’s top three crops. At the conclusion on the program and with a record of completion of all requirements, ambassadors will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship for the upcoming school year.
The Nebraska Wheat Board administers the check-off of 0.5% of net value of wheat marketed in Nebraska at the point of first sale. The board invests the funds in programs of international and domestic market development and improvement, policy development, research, promotion, and education.
Prosser Joins American Soybean Association’s D.C. Policy Team
The American Soybean Association is pleased to announce an addition to its Washington, D.C.-based advocacy staff. Joe Prosser joins ASA Oct. 25 in a newly created policy manager role, one of two that will be filled this fall. Prosser and the second manager will round out the policy team, led by Executive Director of Government Affairs Christy Seyfert and including three directors of government affairs.
Prosser grew up in the suburbs of Omaha, Nebraska, and worked during harvest and planting seasons—and, he says, “any time in between I could get down there,”—on his family's wheat and soybean farm in Larned, Kansas. It was there he developed an appreciation for agriculture and helping others understand where food and agricultural products come from.
Seyfert said Prosser was a standout candidate, commenting, “We were impressed by Joe’s experience on the Hill specific to agriculture and enthusiasm for joining ASA and representing soybean farmers. We know he will be a great addition to our D.C. policy team.”
ASA advocates on policy issues ranging from farm policy and biofuels to trade, conservation, biotechnology, animal ag, tax law, regulatory decisions affecting crop protection and more—issues that impact the livelihoods of U.S. soybean farmers across some 30 major soy states. The policy managers will contribute to policy development and advocacy execution, collaborate across ASA functions to provide team support, and build relationships with ASA’s diverse stakeholders.
Prior to accepting the position with ASA, Prosser worked as a legislative assistant for agriculture and financial services for Congressman John Duarte (R-CA), legislative correspondent for Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) covering agriculture, energy, environment and cryptocurrency, and he interned with Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS). Prosser earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Kansas State University with a minor in political science.
HPAI Cases Confirmed in Pocahontas and Guthrie Counties
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have confirmed two positive cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), one in Pocahontas County and the other in Guthrie County.
The affected site in Pocahontas County is a commercial turkey flock. The affected site in Guthrie County is a mixed species backyard flock.
Commercial and backyard flock owners should prevent contact between their birds and wild birds. Sick birds or unusual deaths among birds should be immediately reported to state or federal officials. Biosecurity resources and best practices are available on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship website. If producers suspect signs of HPAI in their flocks, they should contact their veterinarian immediately. Possible cases must also be reported to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at (515) 281-5305.
Corn and Soybean Field Guide Is Newly Updated
A new pocket-size guide that explains integrated pest management information is now available for corn and soybean growers, agronomists and crop scouts.
The “Corn and Soybean Field Guide” https://store.extension.iastate.edu/product/14743 was published by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in August 2023, and is an updated version of a similar guide published in 2016.
The 236-page guide combines corn and soybean disease and pest information into easily understandable information, with more than 300 images and illustrations, to help with accurate identification and response decisions.
“The guide has been reformatted and revised from the first edition to include new information that crop scouts can easily take into the field,” said Adam Sisson, industry extension specialist for the integrated pest management program at Iowa State. “A lot of different specialists contributed to this guide, with expertise in plant disease, insect pests, weed science and agronomy.”
Sisson said the first step in integrated pest management is accurately identifying the pest or disease that is present. The guide’s photos and descriptive text all help with that effort, so that appropriate decisions and responses are made.
Although the guide includes many of the same topics as in 2016, important updates include crop issues such as tar spot and soybean gall midge, as well as new images. The agronomic information has also been updated, with input by Mark Licht, extension cropping systems specialist.
“A meaningful update was made to the corn yield potential as affected by seeding rate and date of planting,” said Mark Licht, associate professor of agronomy and cropping systems specialist at Iowa State. “And a similar chart was added showing soybean yield potential by planting date. These updates will make it easier to plan for replant decisions.”
The guide measures just under 4 inches wide and 6 inches long, and is constructed of durable, weather-resistant materials to withstand regular use in the field. Hard copies are available from the Iowa State University Extension Store for $15, and pdf downloads are available for $5. The guide is also available in boxed quantities of 25, for $13 a copy.
Iowa Organic Conference to Highlight Soil and Water Health
The country’s largest university-sponsored organic conference will return Nov. 27 at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. The conference is a joint effort between Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the University of Iowa and will feature producers and experts from across the country sharing tips for transitioning into organic production and methods to enhance organic operations. Registration is $100 through Nov. 10 and $120 after that date. Conference registration is available online at https://www.regcytes.extension.iastate.edu/iowaorganic/.
This year’s theme is “Organic Farming: Healthy Soils-Clean Water: Building Integrity into Every Practice,” featuring keynote speaker Jenny Tucker, deputy administrator, USDA-National Organic Program. Tucker will speak on how the USDA is strengthening organic enforcement and how the National Organic Program is fostering programs to assist transitioning growers.
The conference begins at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26, with vendor setup, and a reception featuring local and organic food and drinks at 6 p.m.
Monday’s breakout sessions start at 8 a.m. and will include information on transitioning into organic farming, weed management, organic livestock production and alternative crops. Sessions include improving soil quality, pest management, organic no-till, what you need to know for organic inspection, diversifying your rotations, among others. Monday’s lunch will highlight local and organic produce, meats and dairy products assembled into a gourmet meal by Chef Anne Watson and her University of Iowa dining team.
“The Iowa Organic Conference is the largest university-sponsored organic conference in the country,” said Kathleen Delate, professor and extension organic specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “Last year’s conference brought over 30 exhibitors, ranging from organic seed sales to local food system nonprofits, to government offices working with transitioning and certified organic farmers. Despite the challenges of hail and drought this year, organic farmers are anticipating successful organic yields with organic soybean prices currently averaging $21 per bushel and organic corn at $10 per bushel.”
Hotel rooms are available at the Iowa House Hotel for Sunday, Nov. 26. Guests may access room reservations by going to https://iowahousehotel.uiowa.edu and entering group #112723 or calling the hotel at 319-335-3513 and mentioning the Iowa Organic Conference.
For additional conference information and directions to the conference, visit the 2023 Iowa Organic Conference webpage at https://www.regcytes.extension.iastate.edu/iowaorganic/ or contact Kathleen Delate at kdelate@iastate.edu or 515-294-5116.
In Comments to EPA, Secretary Naig Raises Concerns With Endangered Species Act Herbicide Strategy
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig submitted comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) raising serious concerns about its draft Endangered Species Act draft herbicide strategy.
Given Iowa’s national leadership in crop production and the importance of agriculture in driving our state’s economy, Secretary Naig submitted the written comments from the perspective of Iowa farmers and the Iowa agriculture community, and as a partner with EPA in the regulation of pesticide use in the State of Iowa.
In the letter, Secretary Naig focuses his comments on areas where the EPA strategy will have an adverse impact on food production, conservation and the economy:
While we appreciate EPA’s efforts to comply with the Endangered Species Act while still allowing farmers access to much needed crop protection tools, the proposed draft strategy for herbicides is overly complex. The draft strategy would be incredibly burdensome to farmers and pesticide applicators.
The strategy of mandating conservation practices, as part of the mitigation menu, to be granted the privilege to use certain products threatens the interest and participation in our conservation programs, which are voluntary and non-regulatory. We do not want to lose momentum and progress.
EPA must consider the economic impact that the proposed strategy will have on farmers, agribusinesses, and states. EPA should conduct a thorough and exhaustive economic analysis to better understand how this decision will impact farmers, pesticide applicators and regulatory officials tasked with enforcing the changes.
EPA should take its time developing a final strategy and not rush through the process. EPA must be thorough in listening to and understanding the challenges and concerns of farmers and the agriculture community and commit to finding balanced and workable solutions.
“Iowa farmers have proven time and again that we can be productive while also setting conservation records, but this burdensome and confusing strategy jeopardizes both,” said Secretary Naig. “I am hopeful that EPA will carefully review stakeholder feedback, address the concerns of farmers and amend its strategy because we cannot impair our conservation momentum or limit farmers from using the tools they need to be productive.”
Nearly 1,500 Farmers & Producers Reject EPA Herbicide Strategy
Nearly 1,500 farmers, ranchers, pesticide applicators, and agricultural producers from across the country have come together to voice strong disapproval to EPA, criticizing the agency’s Endangered Species Act herbicide strategy framework proposal. The agricultural producers, who called for withdrawal of the strategy in a letter sent to EPA, expressed grave concern over the impacts it would likely have on U.S. agricultural production and conservation efforts.
The hundreds and hundreds of farmers and other individuals raised numerous issues with the proposal in the letter, including that it is very complex and makes it difficult for producers and applicators to even determine their regulatory requirements. There were also concerns with the proposal lacking sufficient, affordable options with which growers can comply. For many producers, the new regulations would cost their farms millions of dollars, while others may be unable to comply at all, jeopardizing their access to needed herbicides and thus threatening their businesses.
“Weeds are one of the most devastating pests farmers face,” said Alan Meadows, a soybean grower from Halls, Tennessee, and director of the American Soybean Association. “Weeds can steal limited water and nutrients from the soil and crowd out your crop. If not properly managed, they can quickly overtake a field and even result in total crop failure. If the herbicide strategy or other regulations deprive us of the tools needed to manage these destructive pests, many farms across the U.S. will struggle to stay afloat.”
Importantly, the letter also cites concerns farmers have with the proposal’s likely impact on the environment. Many conservation practices, such as reduced tillage and cover crops, are highly dependent on herbicide access. Most growers in the U.S. terminate their cover crops with herbicides before planting their primary crop. Herbicides also afford farmers an alternative to tilling the soil to eradicate weeds, allowing for soil carbon sequestration and significant reductions in both soil erosion and tractor fuel use. These and other environmental benefits could be at risk if farmers lose access to herbicides under this proposal.
Student Leaders Prepare for the 96th National FFA Convention & Expo
FFA members and supporters from across the country will celebrate agriculture and agricultural education next week during the 96th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis.
This time-honored tradition, hosted by the city of Indianapolis, will be held next week, Nov. 1-4.
More than 65,000+ FFA members from the U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands are expected to participate in the event.
Those attending will participate in general convention sessions hosted at Lucas Oil Stadium, be inspired by their peers as they are recognized for their accomplishments and hear from keynote speakers. Convention attendees will also explore various career paths at the National FFA Expo in the Indiana Convention Center, participate in career success tours, and more.
Convention events will begin on Wednesday, Nov. 1, when the Expo opens for all attendees to explore various career pathways in agriculture and attend leadership workshops. The opening general session, featuring Juan Bendana, will be held in Lucas Oil Stadium at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 1
The fun continues with several entertainment opportunities, including a Wednesday night concert featuring Lainey Wilson and special guest Dillon Carmichael, and rodeos on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
FFA members and advisors can also take their skills to the next level in student and teacher workshops — hearing from industry leaders, motivational speakers and more — and watch members discuss their agricultural projects on the new Student Showcase Stage.
Service has always been a part of the FFA motto, and it will be front and center at this year’s event as members participate in service projects at the convention center and various sites in Indianapolis.
Watch the National FFA Convention & Expo like never before on FFA Live!, our streaming broadcast that begins with the first drop of the gavel on Wednesday, Nov. 1, and ends with the election of the 2023-24 National FFA Officers on Saturday, Nov. 4. In between, you’ll see the national convention and expo in action, with live broadcasts of each general session, Finals Hall presentations, historical footage, interviews and information about the FFA member experience.
General convention sessions will also be aired live on RFD-TV and the Cowgirl Channel.
The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 945,000 student members as part of 9,163 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Microbial Allies May Help Turn Tables on Tar Spot Fungus in Corn
Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists are leaving no stone—or rather, leaf—unturned in their search for new ways to counter the fungus that causes tar spot, a yield-robbing disease of field corn in the midwestern United States.
First reported in Illinois and Indiana in 2015, tar spot has now expanded to include other nearby states, as well as Florida and Canada. The disease manifests as raised black spots that mottle the leaves, husks and stalks of susceptible corn varieties, diminishing their photosynthetic ability and, in severe cases, killing the plants and inflicting grain yield losses of 20 to 60 bushels an acre.
Now, however, those same spots may reveal a hidden foe of the fungus that causes tar spot, Phyllachora maydis. The spots, called stromata, are a tough, structural form of the fungus that enables it to survive the winter and release a bevy of spores the following spring that infect the next corn crop. But a team of sharp-eyed scientists with ARS’s National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research in Peoria, Illinois, observed that some stromata specimens they collected failed to germinate—the “handiwork” of other fungi and bacteria that parasitize the tar spot fungus, potentially opening the door to a biologically based approach to controlling it.
The scientists’ observation came while inspecting a research plot of corn near the ARS center in April 2022. Mild outbreaks of tar spot can generally be reduced with synthetic fungicide applications and corn varieties that can tolerate some damage from the fungus. But under the right weather conditions, severe outbreaks can overwhelm these defenses, exacting a costly toll on farmer profits and underscoring the need for additional countermeasures that can be deployed.
Fortunately, nature, with its system of checks and balances, offered several different species of fungi and bacteria that grow and reproduce on or inside the fungus’s stromata—some of which appeared as a whitish fuzz on the stromata when researchers examined them under a microscope in the laboratory.
The researchers’ use of DNA-based identification methods revealed that some of the fungi and bacteria were known biological control agents of diseases affecting other crops. In trials, for example, exposure to spores of Gliocladium catenulatum (a commercially available biocontrol fungus) prevented 88 percent of the tar spot fungus’ stromata from germinating. An Alternaria fungus isolated from a tar spot stroma prevented about 45 percent of stromata from germinating. Several research studies have demonstrated that some strains of Alternaria alternataare effective biocontrol organisms that can reduce the damage caused by plant pathogens, said Eric Johnson, a research molecular biologist with the ARS center’s Crop Bioprotection Research Unit in Peoria. Additionally, laboratory assays indicated that the Alternaria strain tested did not cause disease in a susceptible variety of corn when added to damaged portions of leaves. It may be additionally useful in killing overwintering tar spot stromata given that the tested strain grew well at cold temperatures, Johnson added.
The scientists’ studies are in the early stages and more research will be necessary to fully ascertain the fungi and bacteria’s potential to biologically control tar spot in commercial fields when applied during the growing season or to kill overwintering. In the meantime, other approaches for managing the disease are also being explored, both in Peoria and at ARS’s Crop Production and Pest Control Research Unit in West Lafayette, Indiana. These include:
Examining the basic biology and genetic underpinnings of the tar spot fungus for clues to new ways of controlling it.
Developing molecular markers to speed the search for new sources of tar spot resistance in corn.
Exploring strategies to make better use of fungicides registered for use against tar spot in corn as part of an integrated approach to managing the disease.
Details on the biocontrol potential of the tar spot fungus’s natural rivals were published in the June 2023 issue of the journal Microorganisms by Johnson and co-authors Pat Dowd, Jose Ramirez and Robert Behle—all with the ARS center’s Crop Bioprotection Research Unit in Peoria. Additional research on biological control of tar spot disease in Peoria is now being funded by the Illinois Corn Growers Association and ARS National Plant Disease Recovery System.
Are Cover Crops Right for Your Farm?
In recent years, interest in adding cover crops has increased and potential benefits have become more widely recognized. From nitrogen (N) and nutrient management to soil health and carbon credits, there are numerous reasons why growers may consider adding cover crops to their farms. But cover crops are not for every field, or even every grower.
“What’s your goal with cover crops?” asked Kevin Fry, Pioneer Field Agronomist. “While forages and erosion control are the top methods in most places, growers need to define their goals before planting a single seed.”
The most commonly used cover crops fall into one of three broad groups: grasses, legumes and brassica.
Grasses, including winter cereals such as rye, wheat, barley and triticale, are the most widely used cover crops in corn and soybean cropping systems. In general, these grasses are best suited for scavenging soil nutrients, preventing soil erosion and suppressing weeds.
Legumes are valued as cover crops primarily for their ability to fix N. Common legumes used as winter cover crops in corn and soybean cropping systems include hairy vetch, field pea, lentil, crimson clover, red clover and berseem clover.
Brassica cover crops, such as radish or winter canola, have grown in popularity recently due to their ability to provide many of the same benefits as grasses but with residues that break down more rapidly in the spring. Certain brassicas are also becoming well known for their ability to produce a large taproot that is effective at minimizing soil compaction.
It is important to note that cover crop suitability varies by region. Minimum annual temperature is a good predictor of how well adapted a cover crop is to a location.
Growers also need to consider how and when to terminate their cover crops. Winterkilling, tilling, mowing and herbicides are the four main methods. Winterkilling is highly effective but only applicable to certain cover crops. Similarly, while tilling legumes can help increase N availability, it is less desirable for grasses that produce greater quantities of low-N biomass. Due to simplicity and efficacy, many growers prefer to terminate cover crops using herbicides.
Research studies on the effects of cover crop on grain yields vary depending on environment, cover crop species and management. Getting the greatest benefit out of cover crops requires a management level on par with corn and soybeans. Growers should start by testing a cover crop on a single field and expand.
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