Monday June 11 Ag News

Conditions Right for Development of Corn Diseases 
Tamra Jackson-Ziems, NE Extension Plant Pathologist

Crop consultants have reported development of bacterial leaf streak disease in corn from Hamilton to Phelps to Dawson counties. This is approximately the date/crop stages when the disease was confirmed last year and it’s likely that the disease is developing elsewhere as well. Greenhouse and field experiments have demonstrated that the disease can develop in any corn growth stage.

Symptoms of of bacterial leaf streak include narrow interveinal, irregularly shaped tan to yellow lesions. Lesions are often yellowish in color when backlit. No treatment has been beneficial in field tests to date, so no treatment is recommended at this time to manage it. Foliar fungicides are not expected to control bacterial pathogens. The symptoms can be confused with those caused by other diseases, so please see additional resources below or submit a sample(s) to the UNL Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic for help identifying this or other diseases.

Damaged Corn Leaves Conducive to Other Diseases
Severe weather and wet conditions across much of Nebraska in recent days may favor more disease development in corn. In addition to bacterial leaf streak, Goss’s bacterial wilt and blight (Goss’s wilt) is especially favored by wounds created by hail, wind, sandblasting, etc. that can serve as infection points. Although Goss’s wilt has been less common in recent years in Nebraska fields, the pathogen can overwinter in infested crop debris and any fields with a history of the disease may see it develop again.

Goss’s wilt commonly causes larger watersoaked lesions that may have dark “freckles” on or near the edges. Less commonly, Goss’s wilt can also cause systemic wilt and premature death of plants, especially when they are wounded and infected by V6.

Diagnosis and Management
Diagnosing these diseases in the field may be difficult because symptoms may appear similar to those of some other diseases and because the bacteria are not visible to the naked eye. For a diagnosis, we recommend submitting samples to the UNL Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic.

Because these diseases are caused by bacterial pathogens, we do not expect foliar fungicides to directly control them. Some bactericides, such as those containing copper, are labeled for use in corn, but their effects have not been helpful controlling these diseases in the limited studies conducted. Activity of bactericides is often different than with foliar fungicides. For example, most bactericides are contact products and not systemic, so they won’t be absorbed by plants, in contrast to many common foliar fungicides. Thus, bactericides may be washed off with rain or overhead irrigation and might require repeated applications for control, making them uneconomical or impractical for use in some corn crops. Other common pest management strategies, such as crop rotation and/or tillage, may be helpful reducing disease severity, but such practices may not fit into all production systems  and current research on their effectiveness has not been completed.

Sample Submission
If you are unsure of what you're finding, submit samples to the UNL Plant & Pest Diagnostic Clinic for help identifying this and other diseases.



NEBRASKA EXTENSION TO HOST WEED MANAGEMENT, COVER CROPS FIELD DAY

Growers, crop consultants and educators are encouraged to attend Nebraska Extension's Weed Management and Cover Crops Field Day from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 27 at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln's South Central Agricultural Laboratory near Clay Center.

The field day will include demonstrations of herbicides for weed control in corn, popcorn, sorghum and soybean as well as a view of ongoing cover crop research. An early morning demonstration will focus on weed control in soybeans. It will be followed by a demonstration of projects for weed control in corn, popcorn and sorghum. A demonstration of cover crop research will highlight the afternoon session.

"A number of projects will be demonstrated during the field day, including weed control in Xtend soybean, Enlist corn and MGI soybean," said Amit Jhala, extension weed management specialist. "New this year for participants to learn about are research projects aimed at incorporating cover crops into corn and soybean cropping systems." 

Certified Crop Adviser Continuing Education Units are available.

There is no cost to attend the field day, but participants are asked to register at http://agronomy.unl.edu/fieldday.

The South Central Agricultural Laboratory is 4.5 miles west of the intersection of Highways 14 and 6, or 12.4 miles east of Hastings on Highway 6. GPS coordinates of the field day site are 40.57539, -98.13776.



Insect Light Trap Data Available for 3 Sites
Robert Wright - NE Extension Entomologist

UNL Extension Entomology is monitoring crop insect pests (primarily moths) using black light traps at the Haskell Ag Laboratory near Concord, the South Central Ag Laboratory near Clay Center, and the West Central Research and Extension Center near North Platte.

Current data is available at http://entomology.unl.edu/fldcrops/lightrap.

This information can be used to monitor the seasonal occurrence of pest species. Peak moth flight precedes the occurrence of the damaging larval stages and provides an alert to check for the larval stages in your area.

Seasonal occurrence varies from year to year, based on degree-day accumulations. Levels of insects found in light traps cannot be used to predict economic damage in individual fields; often moths have preferences for specific crop growth stages, or other characteristics, which will influence damage to individual fields.



Think Your Sprayer's Clean? Think Again
Clyde Ogg - Pesticide Safety Extension Educator, UNL

Good housekeeping is a definite must when it comes to agricultural sprayers. Even traces of pesticide residue in a cleaned sprayer could invite crop reduction or loss, especially when using the same sprayer for various types of herbicides.

Both self-propelled and pull-type spraying systems have complicated plumbing. To prevent contamination from spray residue, clean every nook and cranny, including tanks, valves, baffles, and hoses. A 120-foot sprayer has 96 nozzles and screens — lots of places for residue to hide. Dirty screens can continually contaminate the rest of the system, and as much as 15 gallons of residue can remain in the system after cleaning.

Hose quality also affects how clean a sprayer can get. The higher quality, the better. Poorer quality hoses that crack allow residues to be impregnated in the hose. Tests at Mississippi State University show a synthetic rubber hose had the greatest herbicide carryover damage. An ethylene-centered hose had better cleanout.

Even minute amounts of residual herbicide can affect a crop: One drop of dicamba can cause significant visible crop response on nearly three acres of conventional soybeans. If just one drop of herbicide can visibly affect a crop, 15 gallons of spray solution can do much more damage — especially if the next crop sprayed is a specialty crop, fruit or vegetable.

The following steps can help ensure a clean sprayer:
-    Clean all spray equipment as soon as possible after use. The longer a cleaner can be left in the sprayer and the more it can circulate through the booms, the better. Residues left in the sprayer can gum up and become even harder to clean out.
-    Follow all label instructions — it's the law.
-    Use the right products, including plenty of water and cleaning compounds.
-    Allow the correct amount of time for cleaners to work.

Also check guidelines in the newly revised NebGuide, Cleaning Pesticide Application Equipment (G1770).



Nebraska: Strong Industrial Sector, Farms Still Struggling

Thanks to an assist from a stronger industrial sector, Nebraska will record solid economic growth through 2020 -- though the state's farm economy will continue to limp along.

The manufacturing, construction and service industries will lead the way in adding jobs and expanding the state's economy, according to the new long-term forecast from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Bureau of Business Research and the Nebraska Business Forecast Council.

This will also raise non-farm income in the state. Non-farm income will grow between 3.6 and 3.8 percent each year, according to Eric Thompson, economist and director of the Bureau of Business Research.

"This growth is sufficient to exceed inflation and population growth, meaning real per capita income in Nebraska will grow from 2018 to 2020," Thompson said.

Manufacturing in Nebraska is experiencing its strongest growth since the Great Recession of 2008, and the forecast predicts the manufacturing sector will add 2,800 jobs over the next three years. Non-durable goods manufacturing will add most of those jobs, augmented by a new poultry facility slated to open in Fremont in 2019.

Thompson and his colleagues predict that durable goods manufacturing will expand more slowly because of a sluggish farm economy and a skilled worker shortage.

"In particular, implement manufacturers will be affected by weak domestic demand due to stagnant farm incomes," Thompson said.

With continued population growth and tax dollars being allocated to fix state infrastructure, including the recent increase in the gasoline tax to fix state roadways, the construction industry is expected to add 3,200 jobs through 2020.

Residential construction will be strongest in Omaha and Lincoln, but also in growing micropolitan areas such as Grand Island, Kearney and Fremont. These factors, along with a growing office space sector, will support increased construction activity.

Nebraska's largest employer, the services sector, will add between 4,800 and 6,100 jobs each year, and will account for more than half of overall Nebraska job growth during the forecast period.

Thompson said health care employment will grow the most at 1.3 to 1.5 percent, boosted by population and income growth, as well as an aging populace. Professional and business services, as well as the hospitality segment, will also grow more than 1 percent each year.

"Real income growth is supporting leisure spending," Thompson said.

Farm income is expected to lag, especially in 2018
Thompson and his fellow economists expect farm income to fall by 6.7 percent this year, attributable to a cut of $430 million in government payments to ag producers.

There will be a rebound though, in 2019 and 2020. Farm income will rise by more than 5 percent each year, as a new federal Farm Bill takes effect and commodity prices remain stable.

Budget challenges at the state level will limit state and local government job growth through 2019. In 2020, 600 Federal government jobs will be added as the decennial census takes place.

The Nebraska Business Forecast Council is composed of John Austin, Bureau of Business Research (retired); David Dearmont, Nebraska Department of Economic Development; Chris Decker, Department of Economics, UNO; Scott Hunzeker, Nebraska Department of Labor; Ken Lemke, Nebraska Public Power District; Scott Loseke, Nebraska Public Power District; Brad Lubben, Department of Agricultural Economics at Nebraska; David Rosenbaum, Department of Economics and Bureau of Business Research at Nebraska; HoaPhu Tran, Nebraska Department of Revenue; and Eric Thompson, Department of Economics and Bureau of Business Research at Nebraska.



Beef. It's What's For Dinner. Debuts Virtual Reality Ranch Tours at FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen

In a first for the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, Beef. It's What's For Dinner. will offer attendees an on-site virtual reality ranching experience. Through this technology, attendees will have an opportunity to virtually visit a farm or ranch where they can explore how cattle are raised to produce high-quality beef. Following the FOOD & WINE Classic, the 360-degree videos will be available to public to provide consumers with an in-depth look at cattle farming and ranching.

In addition to debuting virtual reality videos, as the exclusive protein sponsor of the 2018 FOOD & WINE Classic, the Beef Checkoff funded Beef. It's What's For Dinner. will showcase all things beef at the event. Attendees will have an opportunity to talk with ranchers about what it's like to raise cattle and produce beef, watch a beef cutting demonstration by a meat scientist, and sample on-trend beef recipes.

"We know people want to learn more about where their food comes from, but not everyone can visit a farm or ranch," said Alisa Harrison, senior vice president, Global Marketing and Research for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff. "Our new 360-degree videos offer an opportunity to learn more about how cattle are raised and become immersed in ranching experiences from anywhere at any time."

The three 360-degree videos transport the viewer to a ranch to experience some of the different ways cattle are raised.
-    Triple U Ranch – A look around Triple U Ranch shows a family-owned diversified farm and ranch in Iowa where they have a cow-calf operation, a small feedyard, and grow crops to feed to their cattle. The ranch was started in the 1940's and has been in the family and had cattle on it ever since. Jessica Utesch Wilson, who manages the mama cow and calf part of the ranch, was raised there and is raising her kids on the land.
-    Bracket Ranch – A peek into the Brackett family's life at Brackett Ranch on the Oregon and Idaho border shows unparalleled beauty. The Bracketts and their four kids raise cows and calves on private and federal public lands. By ranching on public lands, the Brackett family is helping preserve water and plants, controlling fires, and protecting wildlife habitat.
-    Easterday Ranches – The tour of Easterday ranches takes you to a state of the art feedyard in Washington with more than 70,000 head of cattle and thousands of acres of onions, potatoes, corn and wheat where they take pride in caring for their cattle and producing lean beef in the most efficient and sustainable way possible. The Easterday family has been in the Columbia River basin for four generations.

"We are excited to be part of the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen," added Harrison. "Cattle farmers and ranchers care deeply about the beef they produce, and it is an honor to showcase their hard work and highlight beef, from pasture to plate, at one of the world's premier food and wine festivals."

For a look at all things beef including the 360-degree videos, information on cuts and cookery, a robust collection of beef recipes, and the video that relaunched the Beef. It's What's For Dinner. brand, visit BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com.



Iowa Beef Center Announces 2018 Beef Feedlot Short Course

Based on the success of the initial beef feedlot short course in 2017, Iowa Beef Center at Iowa State University has planned a second event set for July 31-Aug. 2 in Ames. IBC program specialist Erika Lundy said the 2018 “Iowa Beef Center Feedlot Short Course” will provide classroom and hands-on instruction in a variety of topics, along with sessions at the Iowa State Beef Nutrition Farm and Couser Cattle Company in Nevada.

“Just as for our first short course last year, we’re bringing in outside experts to help provide in-depth information on feed, data management, bunk management and health issues,” Lundy said. “We received many good comments and helpful feedback from our first group of participants, which helped us decide to move forward with the event again this year.”

Lundy said the attendance limit remains at 30 to encourage networking between attendees and presenters, and to allow demonstrations to be interactive and hands-on for all. Participants also will become Beef Quality Assurance certified during this short course.

The program will be held at the Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center in Ames, and runs from 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 31, through noon on Aug. 2. The $350 per person registration fee covers transportation to and from classroom facilities and local feedlots, handouts and meals. The registration deadline is midnight, July 24 or if the course limit of 30 is reached. Any cancellation requesting a refund must also be received by midnight, July 24. See the short course website for registration information and links at http://www.aep.iastate.edu/feedlot.

Participants are responsible for making their own lodging arrangements, if needed. A  block of rooms is available at the Sleep Inn & Suites, 1310 Dickinson Ave, Ames for those wishing to stay in Ames. Call 515-337-1171 for reservations.

“Because our agenda was designed with managers and employees in mind, we anticipate high interest again this year,” Lundy said. “People who want to attend need to act quickly to ensure their registration.”

Short course presenters:
        Dr. Chris Clark, beef specialist, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
        Bill Couser, Couser Cattle Company, Nevada, Iowa
        Dr. Garland Dahlke, assistant scientist, Iowa Beef Center, Iowa State University
        Dr. Grant Dewell, beef veterinarian, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
        Dr. Terry Engelken, associate professor, Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, Iowa State University
        Dr. Jenna Funk, post-doctoral research associate, Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, Iowa State University
        Dr. Dan Loy, director of the Iowa Beef Center, Iowa State University
        Erika Lundy, extension program specialist, Iowa Beef Center
        Dr. Robbi Pritchard, feedlot consultant, Aurora, South Dakota
        Dr. Dan Thomson, professor of production medicine, Kansas State University

Topics that will be covered at the short course include:
        Bunk management and the basics of starting cattle on feed
        Feed mixing demonstration and evaluation
        Managing and identifying cattle health issues in the feedlot and confinement
        Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certification
        Facility design and chute side BQA
        Data management
        Acclimating new calves
        Feedlot nutrition

Visit www.aep.iastate.edu/feedlot for online registration and additional course details.



Farm Bureau Hails District Court WOTUS Decision
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall

“A federal district court ruling in Georgia late last week has effectively suspended the flawed ‘Waters of the United States’ rule from taking effect in 11 more states that challenged its legality. The 2015 rule is now stayed in a total of 24 states. While the ruling was a clear validation of many concerns that Farm Bureau has expressed about the rule, we need to continue to work diligently to support the Environmental Protection Agency’s efforts to formally repeal the rule. The illegal rule is overbroad, vague and confusing, and it goes far beyond the intent of Congress when it passed the Clean Water Act. This overreach and confusion has created a situation where farmers and ranchers would need to hire a team of lawyers and consultants to perform many ordinary farming practices on their land. EPA should ditch this rule for good and replace it with a proposal that offers both clean water and clear rules—one that is easy to interpret and allows farmers and ranchers to continue to feed, clothe and fuel our nation.”



NFU and SDFU Concerned EPA REGS Rule Would Restrict Use of Higher Blends of Ethanol

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently considering a proposed rule that would ban use of E16 or higher blends of ethanol in non-flexible fuel vehicles. The rule is raising flags amongst farm groups who are concerned such a rule would devastate the growth potential for markets for American grown and produced biofuels.

National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson and South Dakota Farmers Union President Doug Sombke today sent a letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, urging EPA not to finalize the proposed rule, Renewables Enhancement and Growth Support (REGS), as it is written.

“If the REGS rule were finalized as proposed, it would codify a ban on E16+ fuel blends in non-flexible fuel vehicles,” said the letter. “This would unduly restrict use of ethanol’s ‘clean octane’ in the U.S. gasoline market, inflicting severe damage on the nation’s family farmers, and the public health and welfare.”

Johnson and Sombke urged EPA not to finalize this provision, and for the agency to correct its misinterpretation of the Clean Air Act’s “substantially similar” provision, which is being used now to limit the use of higher blends of ethanol in gasoline.

“The most cost effective and environmentally safe way for EPA to comply with Section 202(l) (of the Clean Air Act) is to encourage the widespread use of EXX/E30 blends in 98 – 100 RON higher octane gasoline” said the letter. “This is consistent with automakers’ requests to support higher octane fuels. Unfortunately, the REGS proposed rule would do the exact opposite—it would prevent their use.”

Johnson and Sombke noted that EPA recently recognized the economic and environmental benefits of higher blends of ethanol, and that an EPA decision to move forward with a ban on E16+ blends in non-flex fuel vehicles would undermine those benefits.

“Higher octane, lower carbon fuels made with mid-level ethanol blends will provide enormous societal benefits, and represent a win-win-win for automakers, consumers, the environment, and farmers,” said the letter. “However, finalization of the prohibition of these fuels as proposed in the REGS rule would deprive the nation of such benefits.”

“For that reason, we respectfully request that you remove the above-referenced provision limiting the use of mid-level ethanol blends from any final REGS rule and issue a new interpretation, clarifying that the Clean Air Act’s ‘substantially similar’ provisions for gasoline no longer require a cap on ethanol.”



CropLife America Selects Novak as Next CEO

CropLife America (CLA), the leading association for the U.S. crop protection industry, has selected its next president and CEO. “I’m pleased to announce that Mr. Chris Novak has been selected by our Board’s search committee to become just the fifth staff leader of our association in its 85-year history. Chris brings a wealth of agriculture trade association and industry experience to CLA, in particular his recent roles as CEO of the National Corn Growers Association and National Pork Board,” noted CLA Board Chairman and Bayer North America President and CEO of the Crop Science Division Jim Blome. “With his broad experience and years of working alongside CLA as a key ally, Chris knows our association and industry and is eminently qualified to succeed our long serving CEO, Jay Vroom.”

“I’m grateful to the CLA board for their confidence in my ability to step into this leadership role and carry forward a legacy of vision and focus for ag technology into the future,” explained Novak. “Farmers and food consumers alike depend on the kind of innovation that CropLife members bring to ag production, whether it be for food, fiber or renewable fuel production. The benefits of pesticide products, which also protect public health, are enormous and will only grow as the world population expands and dietary expectations evolve.”

Novak has also held leadership positions for key Indiana commodity organizations, and earlier in his career worked at Syngenta, the American Soybean Association and on Capitol Hill. He holds a master’s degree in business administration from Purdue University, a law degree from the University of Iowa and a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University. He and his wife Julie have three children and currently live in St. Louis County, MO.

“CLA is fortunate to recruit Chris to lead its staff,” stated Jay Vroom, CLA president and CEO since 1989.  “I’ve worked alongside Chris on many issues of common interest to our respective associations and most recently have co-chaired the production ag CEO Council over the past three years. He brings great knowledge and energy to the leadership of CropLife.” Vroom announced his intent to retire from CLA last fall in California at the organization’s annual meeting.

Russell Reynolds Associates assisted the CLA Search Committee in this successful recruitment. Novak will begin full time employment with CLA on August 20, 2018.