Arkansas Agriculture Newsletters
Arkansas Weekly Crop Report - July 12, 2006
Soybeans •
Cotton •
Corn and Grain Sorghum
Soybeans
Arkansas Soybean Crop Situation – Trey Reaper
It appears many areas of the state didn’t receive the July 4th
rain we were hoping for. Showers were scattered over much of the
state and rainfall totals varied. Some areas around Holly Grove,
West Memphis, Helena, and Pocahontas received up to 1.5” of rain.
While daytime and nighttime temperatures this week are milder than
normal, a large portion of the state’s crop is in need of rain or
irrigation. Fields planted in April and May have responded very well
to irrigation and milder temperatures; however, fields planted after
June 1 continue to struggle to reach an optimum plant height.
Double-cropped fields that were replanted are just up to a decent
stand. Well over 1/3 of the state’s crop has bloomed and water
demands from this point forward will continue to increase up to seed
fill. Again, don’t fall behind on irrigation, as it is very
difficult to catch up once reproductive development begins. Robert
Goodson, Phillips County Ag Agent, reported that March-planted
fields in the Elaine area have reached R6, or full seed. Potassium
deficiency continues to show up in many fields across the state,
particularly those areas which haven’t received significant
rainfall.
North SRVP (Trey Reaper)
Conditions of SRVP fields in North Arkansas range from fair to
excellent. The Phillips Co. field has reached R5 and received good
rainfall about 24 hours after the third irrigation. No significant
disease has been observed and insects, particularly stinkbugs,
remain below threshold. Weather conditions have favored frogeye
development in the Craighead Co. field. We will likely wait until
the end of the week to make the call on a fungicide application, as
the producer has the ability to make a ground application. The
plants will be well into the R4 growth stage by then. The yield
potential for this field is very high; however, the variety is
highly susceptible for frogeye and treatment may be inevitable as
the disease is already present. Irrigation has been delayed a few
days in the Clay Co. field as mechanical difficulties have prevented
the second glyphosate application from being made. The nutritional
deficiency/nematode symptoms seem to be restricted to approximately
five acres. Four different fertility studies have been initiated in
this field by Dr. Nathan Slaton and will hopefully generate some
good results. The Lawrence Co. field is at late R3 and looks much
better following its second irrigation. Low levels of downy mildew
were observed across the field. The field in Randolph Co. received
its first irrigation last Friday and received a good rain on Tuesday
causing standing water in low areas of the field. Overall the field
is in good condition with optimal average plant height. Currently no
northern SRVP fields have been treated for disease or insects.
South SRVP: (Matt Cordell)
All SRVP fields in south Arkansas are in good shape and being
irrigated on a 7-12 day interval. No significant disease pressure
has been detected; defoliation from insect pests is below 5 % in
every field. Arkansas Co. was recently sprayed with a tank mix
application of 2 qt glyphosate/ A + 8 oz Flexstar /A to control
large prickly sida and morningglory. A small amount of injury
occurred, but plants look to be recovering well. This is the first
post-emerge herbicide application for this field. Arkansas Co. is
now in the V7 growth stage with plants in full bloom. In Ashley Co.,
plants look very healthy and the field was scheduled to be irrigated
over the weekend. Plants are in the R4 growth stage and are filling
in well. An application of 1 qt glyphosate/ A was made in Desha Co.
with plants in the early vegetative stages. An application of 1 qt
glyphosate/ A + 0.3 oz Classic/ A was made in Drew Co. to control
Texas gourd which was not controlled by an earlier application of
Flexstar. The field in Drew Co. is in the V7 growth stage and not
yet flowering. Plants are really responding well to irrigation in
Jefferson Co. An application of 1 qt glyphosate/ A + 0.3 oz
Synchrony/ A was applied to control several morningglory species.
This caused some minor damage in stressed parts of the field;
damaged plants have a yellowed/wilted appearance. Insect pests in
Jefferson Co. have shifted from last week. Worm numbers were down,
and the number of three-cornered alfalfa hoppers has increased;
however, numbers are still below threshold. Plants in Jefferson Co.
are in the V14 growth stage and are beginning to pod. No significant
disease has been noted as of yet; however, the Lafayette Co. field
has a noticeable infection of Downy Mildew. Plants in Lafayette Co.
are in the R4/V15 growth stages.
Soybean Economics – Bob Stark (June 26, 2006)
Soybean production budgets and breakeven tables are on the UA-CES
website at
http://www.aragriculture.org/crops/soybeans/budgets/. They are
grouped by Early Season, Full Season, and Double Crop production
systems.
Average Arkansas cash soybean prices dropped 1¢ per bushel to
$5.69 per bushel across the fifteen state markets as reported by
USDA-NASS for the June 26-June 30 trading week. Market prices rose
each day from a Monday low of $5.58 to the Friday statewide average
of $5.83. Compared to the previous Friday, statewide average market
price rose 15 cents during the week from the $5.68 average reported
on Friday, June 23. The highest daily market price of this past week
was recorded at $5.95 on June 30 at the West Memphis market with
Helena reporting $5.93 on the same day. The lowest price was $5.38
on June 26 at Wynne. The West Memphis posted the highest weekly
average price at $5.81 per bushel with Helena at $5.80 and Osceola
at $5.79.
Weekly averages for old crop Arkansas soybeans had been steadily
climbing from the large mid-May drop until last week’s decline. Many
market analysts have described the fundamentals of the market to be
bearish in nature, and the virtually steady weekly average for this
week and last week leaves the market uncertain of direction.
Soybean Insects – Gus Lorenz
Not a whole lot going on with insects in soybeans right now. We
do have a flurry of yellow-striped armyworms and bollworms hitting
late-planted soybeans right now. We found enough on the Hardke farm
in Prairie County to conduct a couple of studies.
The first is a small plot trial looking at insecticides alone and
tank mixed with Round-Up, as this is one of the most frequent calls
we get. No problems appear with tank mixing any of the insecticides
with Round-Up.
The second study is a large block trial looking at some of the
more common insecticides used. All the insecticides performed well.
Soybean Rust Update – Amy Greenwalt
Monitoring for soybean rust continues throughout Arkansas. The
eleven spore traps are continuing to be monitored weekly, along with
the 21 sentinel plots. Samples from the Soybean Research
Verification Program fields are being collected weekly to extend the
rust monitoring efforts. Kudzu sentinel plots are also being
monitored weekly. More extensive scouting has occurred in the
southern part of the state due to the rust being found in Louisiana.
No soybean rust has been detected in Arkansas to date.
The most recent soybean rust was found on June 30th in a small
patch of kudzu south of Lafayette, in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana.
National Soybean Rust Commentary (updated: 07/01/06)
Soybean rust was found on June 30th in a small patch of kudzu
south of Lafayette, in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana. This is the
first find in Louisiana in 2006. Rust was confirmed on June 29th at
a soybean sentinel plot in Baldwin County, Alabama. This is the
second report of soybean rust in this season's soybeans. Please
consult the appropriate state commentary for more information.
Intensive scouting continues in soybean sentinel plots, especially
in the south as soybeans reach maturity. All of the soybean sentinel
plots have been planted throughout the country, with plants in some
early-planted plots starting to reach maturity. Scouting also
continues on kudzu patches. Rust has been confirmed in five counties
in Alabama, 12 in Florida, four in Georgia, one in Texas, and one in
Louisiana. This brings the total number of counties with soybean
rust reported this year to 23. Many of the southern states were
experiencing hotter and drier than normal conditions, reducing the
likelihood of viable spore dispersal earlier this season. However,
the weather conditions in the southeastern states have improved with
recent rains. Spore trapping continues throughout the U.S. using
both active and passive traps. Any positive spore trap information
does not imply infection has taken place, and plant samples are used
exclusively for indicating positive rust occurrence.
Regiment Drift onto Soybeans – Michael Emerson
During the past couple of weeks we have received several samples
and phone calls regarding possible off target herbicide drift onto
soybeans. Fields that we have visited have all been adjacent to rice
fields where the herbicide Regiment had recently been applied, and
soybean plants had symptoms consistent with this rice herbicide and
drift patterns in the affected fields.
Symptoms include stunted growth, yellowing followed by death of
the terminals, purple-colored veins on the underside of the leaves,
and dark brown to purple-colored stems, petiole bases, and nodes on
the more severely affected plants. Symptoms from other rice
herbicides such as Permit, Grasp, and Londax can appear similar on
soybeans. In some of Dr. Bob Scott’s work, he has found that
Regiment drift on soybeans can cause almost twice the damage that
Permit drift does. Due to the sensitivity of soybeans to these
herbicides, replanting is often needed to maintain adequate stand
and yield.
Cotton
Crop Status (Bill
Robertson- Extension Agronomist, Cotton)
As of July 3, the Arkansas Statistical Office of the National
Agricultural Statistics Service reported squaring at 96%, compared
to 88% last week, 92% last year, and 88% averaged over the last five
years for this date. Boll set is estimated to be occurring on 18% of
the acreage compared to 9% last week, 16% last year, and 16 averaged
over the last five. The condition of the crop is 1% very poor, 8%
poor, 36% fair, 42% good, and 13% excellent. The latest acreage
report released June 30 increased our projected planted acreage from
1.1 to 1.15 million acres.
July 4th rain showers are always a welcome sight. However, these
showers have been very spotty, with many areas receiving less than
1.0 inch. Typical plant water usage can range from 0.15 to 0.2 inch
per day this week depending on plant age. Even with a slow rain, it
is not realistic to expect 100% of the rainfall to be available for
the plant to use. I generally estimate 50% of rainfall to be
available to the plant.
Stretching a 1.0 inch rain over a week will put you behind in
terms of having deep moisture to help finish the crop. Plants with
limited rooting will require greater attention to scheduling to meet
moisture demands.
The need for mepiquat chloride this season has been much less than
normal at this point. I would not be too quick to pull the trigger
on mepiquat chloride application in response to recent rainfall
without careful evaluation of vegetative activity and fruit
retention. The third internode down from the terminal is the best
indicator of plant growth.
An internode spacing of approximately two fingers is desired at
this position. Greater lengths indicate high vegetative activity.
Large squares in the terminal indicate a plant with little
vegetative activity. Hopefully excessive fruit shed rates will not
occur if we can avoid extended periods of cloudy conditions. Fruit
shed is to be expected as moisture stressed plants become active
again vegetatively.
The next round of questions will likely center around fertility.
Petiole sampling is the best method to assess fertility status. I
like to evaluate fertility status and fruit load to best judge
future nutritional needs. High retention values and on-target
progress of NAWF values from first flower toward cutout can identify
fields to consider for supplemental fertility. It is important to
head off deficiencies as opposed to responding to deficiencies with
today’s varieties. Sampling techniques are important for petiole
sampling. Sample the 4th leaf petiole from the terminal. Sampling in
relationship with soil moisture (irrigation timing) will also impact
results. A false low can result from moisture-stressed plants. For
those who are participating in the CNM program, it is very important
to turn in the date of flowering. The program is designed for the
first week of flowering to occur during sample period two on the
results graph. A foliar feed program can help preserve high yield
potential in well managed situations. It will not recoup lost yield
potential regardless of the cause.
Cotton Research Verification Program Update
(Frank
Groves-CRVP Coordinator)
Plants are generally in the 12- to 15-leaf stage and have begun
flowering. The crop has continued to improve over the last several
weeks and appears to have shaken any ill effects of the early season
stress.
Herbicide layby treatments are being applied between the
scattered showers. A tankmixture of Valor and glyphosate has been
utilized where cotton plants had at least four inches of bark. Where
plants fail to meet the bark requirements, but the plant height will
not allow delaying layby, we have typically elected to apply diuron
and glyphosate.
Plant bugs have increased over the last couple of weeks and
reached treatment level in the Mississippi-Adkisson field. The plant
bug population was at 1 per 1.09ft and a recommendation of acephate
at 0.5 lb/A was made.
A more detailed report of the Cotton Research Verification
Program can be found at
http://www.aragriculture.org/News/CRVP/. The CRVP newsletter is
typically updated every Friday throughout the season.
Cotton Insect Pests (Gus
Lorenz - Extension Entomologist)
Insect activity is extremely slow right now. I guess we may be in
the "calm before the storm," but at least for now moth traps are low
and worm populations are not nearly what we usually have this time
of year. We still have plant bugs in scattered fields, but even
plant bug numbers aren’t as bad as they could be.
The biggest concern right now is aphids. These are aphids that
don’t die after being treated with a neonicitinoid such as Centric
or Trimax. We have heard reports in Alabama and Louisiana and lately
Mississippi, but now it appears we too may have a problem here in
Arkansas. Jim Jaggers, private consultant in Ashley Co., reports
live aphids in the field behind applications of 1.8 oz/A of Centric.
Chuck Hooker, consultant in Jefferson County, also reports aphids in
fields behind 1.5 oz/ A of Centric. We have received similar reports
with Trimax. Jeff Gore, USDA-ARS researcher in Stoneville, has begun
running bioassays on aphids in Mississippi and Louisiana (we
submitted samples today). Preliminary studies indicate this may be a
resistance issue. Intruder, the best of the neonicitinoids for
aphids, has been used on these populations and is still reducing
populations. The DuPont representatives indicate they are
recommending a minimum of 0.8 pt/A. If this is resistance, it begs
the question: Why has resistance popped up this year? That’s the
question that will be bandied about quite a bit this fall I would
guess. But think about use patterns, seed treatments-it certainly
seems inevitable that it would happen sooner or later.
The solution to the aphid problem, this year at least, is the
aphid fungus; traces of infection have been reported in Mississippi
and Louisiana. However, to my knowledge, no infection in Arkansas
has been reported. The sooner the better! Send your samples in
today. If you don’t have a kit, contact your local county agent.
Cotton Fertility Update (Leo
Espinoza – Extension Agronomist, Soils)
The Need for Supplemental Fertilization
The implementation of new technologies and the development of
improved varieties has resulted in higher fruit retention rates and
increased yield potentials. Farmers can tap this opportunity if they
are able to meet the increasing water and nutrient needs after the
initiation of flowering, especially during years with abnormal
weather. Yield responses to supplemental dry and foliar
fertilization are not consistent, and this presents a challenge to
farmers and consultants, particularly with the increasing price of
fertilizers and the need to prevent delays in harvesting. The Cotton
Nutrient Monitoring Program (CNM) and COTMAN can both be used to
decide on the need for supplemental fertilization. Petiole sampling
can give an indication of nutritional status, but yield responses
may not be obtained if the boll load is not sufficient to
warrant the application of supplemental fertilization. COTMAN can
give an indication of boll load or the impact of boll load on plant
development.
Currently, the CNM program recommends applications of dry nitrogen
fertilizers up until the 3rd week after first flower, with foliar
applications being recommended thereafter when deficiencies occur.
Significant yield responses to sequential foliar applications of
7-10 lb N/acre have given positive results when the right conditions
exist. Research in Arkansas has shown that 30% of urea-nitrogen was
taken within an hour after application, with most of the nitrogen
being absorbed after 24 hours. Thus, a significant portion of the
foliar fertilizer may be lost if rain occurs a few hours after
application.
Potassium deficiency may also appear with a heavy fruit load. As the
potassium moves upwards, it is used by the bolls to the expense of
the young mature leaves that may develop typical deficient symptoms.
This situation is more common at peak bloom. Typical symptoms start
with slight yellowing that turns into a bronze-orange color. Leaves
may curl down, become thicker and under severe deficiency, and
premature defoliation may occur. The most common potassium
fertilizer is potassium nitrate (KNO3), with potassium sulfate
(K2SO4) also used in some areas. Sequential applications of 4.4 lb
K2O weekly for four weeks beginning at first flower have given
positive results when the need was identified.
Cotton Economics (Scott
Stiles and
Rob Hogan
Extension Ag Economists)
Market Moves Lower On Increased Supply Expectations
Cotton futures on the New York Board of Trade can be expected to
trade sideways to modestly lower this week, following Friday’s USDA
Crop Acreage Report, the holiday, and a weaker technical picture.
Last Friday, June 30, the USDA issued its Acreage and Quarterly
Grain Stocks Report, which contained an unwelcome surprise for
cotton producers and merchants. Cotton plantings pegged at 15.3
million acres were well above trade estimates of 14.2 to 14.8
million and March planting intentions of 14.63 million acres. This
new estimate represents a 7.2% increase over last year’s actual
plantings of 14.25 million acres. This estimate from the USDA was
definitely bearish for the market. However, it appears the market
may have been expecting this news, since the 4¢ drop took place in
the market beginning the week of June 22. Over the short-term, the
December contract has been trading between 52.95¢ and 54.35¢, a
range set in the week of June 26. Should prices trade below the
52.95¢ level, lines of technical support can be seen at 52.90¢,
52.60¢, 52.15¢, 51.80¢, and 51.35¢ based on the December futures
contract.
Meanwhile, a 40% chance of thunderstorms is forecast for parts of
west Texas Wednesday and Wednesday night, according to the National
Weather Service. Recently, the nation's largest cotton producing
state has been battling drought conditions that in certain producing
regions range from severe to exceptional. This chance of rain may
fall in the class of “too little-too late” at this point in time.
This drought is even considered bad by Texans that I know.
On the other hand, world cotton consumption for 2006-07 is expected
to rise by 3% to 119 million bales, while production is expected to
remain steady at 114 million bales, according to a press statement
released by the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC)
Monday.
According to the ICAC, world stocks are expected to decline by 1
million tons to 9.9 million tons, or 46 million bales, by the end of
2006-07, the ICAC said. These market fundamentals suggest that
international cotton prices might increase by 2007.
Upcoming Meetings
2006 Field Days
August 3 SEREC Rohwer Contact
Kelly Bryant
August 24 Lon Mann CRS Marianna Contact
Claude Kennedy
August 31 Judd Hill Contact
Fred Bourland
2006 County IPM Meetings
| Date |
County |
Location |
Time |
| July 6, 2006 |
Crittenden |
Crawfordsville |
11:30 a.m. -
12:30 p.m. |
| July 6, 2006 |
Craighead |
Jonesboro |
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. |
| July 11, 2006 |
Woodruff/Monroe |
Cotton Plant Gin |
Noon -
1:00 p.m. |
| July 11, 2006 |
Desha/Drew |
Tillar and Company |
11:30 a.m. -
1:00 p.m. |
| July 13, 2006 |
St Francis/Lee |
Haynes |
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. |
| July 19, 2006 |
Jefferson |
Bonds |
Noon -
1:00 p.m. |
For more information, contact your local Extension office.
Corn and Grain Sorghum Update
According to the
latest Arkansas Agricultural Statistics Service report, 100% of the
corn in the state has silked, and 39% of the corn is in the dough
stage. The crop is still developing ahead of schedule compared to
last year, when 20% was in the dough stage; for the 5-year average,
only 18% had reached the dough stage by this time. Overall the
crop looks good, with 17% of the crop rated as being in excellent
condition, 48% good, 26% fair, and 8% rated as being in poor
condition. Crop condition has declined slightly from last week, as
continued dry conditions are taking their toll on dryland corn or
irrigated corn where producers are not able to keep up with
watering.
Grain sorghum is
heading, with 73% of the crop reported headed. This is well above
last year’s 53% and the five year average of 61% headed by this
time. The grain sorghum crop overall is looking better after
struggling through a period of cool wet weather early in the growing
season. Crop condition is reported as 5% being in excellent
condition, 33% good, 49% fair, 12% poor, and 1% rated as being in
very poor condition.
Much of the state
is in need of rainfall currently. Good rains fell across the
northern tier of counties over the last few days, but a majority of
the state has not seen significant rainfall in several weeks.
Statewide soil moisture is rated as 16% very short, 51% short, and
33% adequate. Extended range weather forecast is calling for
temperatures in the mid 90s with only a slight change of scattered
rain.
Early-planted corn
in south Arkansas is nearing irrigation termination. Current
irrigation termination recommendations for furrow- or
flood-irrigated corn is as follows:
- Once the starch layer has formed halfway down on kernels
from the middle of the ear and there is good soil moisture, then
irrigation can be terminated. If soil is dry at this time, watering
one more time will be beneficial.
-
On pivot-irrigated corn, once the starch layer has formed
¾ down the kernel in the middle of the ear and there is good
moisture, then irrigation can be terminated. If the soil is dry,
then watering once more will maintain yield.
When in doubt, it
is generally better to water one more time, especially since we have
hot dry conditions forecasted for the next several days. As corn
matures and starch development occurs and nears irrigation
termination, water requirements decline from a high of 0.3
inches/day at silking to 0.25 inches/day during early grain fill
down to 0.10 inches/day at black layer. An extra watering when in
doubt on irrigation termination may help preserve stalk quality on
hybrids with poor stalk strength and lessen the chances of lodging
problems at harvest.
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