Arkansas Agriculture Newsletters
Arkansas Weekly Crop Report - July 26, 2006
Soybeans •
Cotton •
Rice •
Corn and Grain Sorghum
Soybeans
Arkansas Soybean Crop Situation - Trey Reaper
While we have missed good, general rainfall
across the state for the entire season thus far, we are currently
experiencing a general heat wave across the soybean production
area. Most areas have experienced temperatures over 100 degrees for
the last few days, and these heat levels will take their toll on a
soybean plant. The heat is catching many of the mid-late
May-planted fields at the wrong time. Because the plants are
flowering, this extreme heat can increase the number of aborted
flowers, resulting in a lighter pod load per plant, which can affect
overall yield. In addition, high temperatures make it extremely
difficult to keep up with the water demand of reproductive soybean
plants, particularly those that are developing seed. Keep in mind
the water demand of a soybean plant, and remember how high
temperatures can affect water use. Delaying irrigation only a few
days in this heat can make the difference between harvesting a 40-
versus a 50-bushel crop.
As far as crop condition and progress, the USDA
estimates that 34% and 9% of the crop is in good and excellent
condition, respectively. These estimates have decreased for the
last few weeks as a result of limited rainfall and high
temperatures. Early-planted (March-April) fields have reached R5,
with the earliest at or approaching R6. The irrigated fields look
very good, while non-irrigated fields range from good to poor,
depending upon rainfall received. Many non-irrigated fields have
started dropping leaves prematurely. Double-cropped and
June-planted fields have really struggled so far, and many producers
made the decision to irrigate despite plant size in hopes of saving
the field.
North SRVP
(Trey Reaper): Very hot, very dry conditions continue to be the
norm for most North SRVP fields. Even fields in Clay and Randolph
Counties, which received significant rainfall last week, will
require irrigation by the end of the week. All fields have
experienced their highest temperatures yet in the past couple of
days. Clay Co. is currently at R2, and the field has improved since
the rainfall. Soil sampled from the field indicated upwards of
38,000 cyst nematode eggs per pint. The injury/deficiency symptoms
observed earlier were obviously related to low fertility in addition
to a hefty cyst population. The Randolph Co. field is also at full
bloom and is in good condition. One area in the field had symptoms
of ariel web blight, but we will continue to watch it as the heat
should help some. Downy mildew was also present in the field. The
Lawrence Co. field has received its third irrigation, although the
water is unable to reach all parts of the field. Despite this, the
field is a solid R5 and looks good, with occasional downy mildew
lesions and no significant insects. The Perry Co. North field is in
excellent shape, as the cooperator is doing a great job with a
center pivot despite no rainfall and very high temperatures. The
field is at full bloom, and no significant diseases or insects are
present at this time. The Perry Co. South field remains vegetative
and received its first irrigation this week. The Sebastian Co.
field finally received over 1" of rain and looks surprisingly good
despite lack of rainfall up to this point. The field has reached R5
and will need at least one more good rain to finish seed fill. The
Craighead Co. field is in excellent condition, as it has reached the
mid-R5 growth stage. Some symptoms of dectes stem borer and
anthracnose were present in the field but at low levels. Stinkbugs
are very low at this point also. The field has received six
irrigations and will receive at least two more. The Mississippi Co.
field has also reached full bloom and is in good shape so far. The
Crittenden Co. field received an application of Storm yesterday, was
irrigated today, and will receive an application of Select in a few
days. The weed control was delayed, but overall weed pressure was
light on this heavy soil, and we expect to achieve adequate
control. The Phillips Co. field is rapidly approaching R6 and will
likely receive its final irrigation the first part of next week if
there is no rain. Insects are still low in this field as well.
Soybean Economics - Bob Stark – July 17, 2006
Average Arkansas cash soybean prices retreated
slightly from $5.90 to $5.87 per bushel across the fifteen state
markets as reported by USDA-NASS for the July 10–July 14 trading
week. Please note that the prior weekly average was based on a week
abbreviated by the July 4th holiday and that six of the
15 markets ceased to quote old crop prices after the holiday.
Overall, the market price fell 5 cents from the previous Friday
close. The highest daily market price of this past week was
recorded at $6.01 on July 11 at Helena. The lowest price was $5.62
on July 13 at Wynne.
Weekly averages for old crop Arkansas soybeans
more than recovered the June 19–23 losses and moved to the highest
average since early May. Market analysts continue to cite the
bearish fundamentals of large stocks and expected high 2006
production. The price surge of July 3–7 seemed to be fueled by
unfavorable weather conditions and falling USDA crop ratings.
Many Arkansas soybean producers have already
booked a large percentage of their 2006 crop. State average for the
week was $5.95 per bushel, about 8 cents above the old crop average
price.
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 July
17th in a kudzu patch in Brooks County, Georgia.
National
Soybean Rust Commentary (updated: 07/18/06)
Soybean rust was found again on kudzu in Brooks County,
Georgia, on July 17th. Please consult state commentary for more
information. Intensive scouting continues in soybean sentinel plots
and in kudzu patches. Rust has been reported from 25 counties: five
in Alabama, 12 in Florida, five in Georgia, one in Texas, and two in
Louisiana; only three finds have been on this year's soybeans and
all in sentinel plots. Spore trapping continues throughout the U.S.
using both active and passive traps. Positive spore trap information
does not imply infection has taken place, and plant samples are used
exclusively for indicating positive rust occurrence as indicated on
the soybean rust observation map.
Please contact your local county Extension office for more
information on soybeans in Arkansas.
Cotton
Crop Status
(Bill
Robertson-
Extension Agronomist, Cotton)
As of July 16, the Arkansas Statistical Office
of the National Agricultural Statistics Service reported squaring at
100%, compared to 99% last week, 99% last year, and 98% averaged
over the last five years for this date. Boll set is estimated to be
occurring on 75% of the acreage, compared to 48% last week, 69% last
year, and 68% averaged over the last five. The condition of the
crop is 0% very poor, 8% poor, 28% fair, 48% good, and 17%
excellent.
The very hot and humid conditions have made the last memories of
cooler temperatures and rainfall a distant memory. Some were lucky
enough to catch a shower last week. However, soil moisture is short
lived at this time of the season. The task of trying to stay caught
up with moisture demands is the most pressing issue. This will help
the plants to combat the high daytime temperatures. Unfortunately,
there is no answer for the high nighttime temperatures. We hope to
avoid extended periods of nighttime temperatures that exceed 74º.
The weather forecast indicates a break in our very hot weather to
occur this weekend and extend into much of next week. Due to the
maturity of the crop, we are experiencing some fruit shed. This is
to be expected. The high nighttime temperatures can enhance this
shed. However, I have yet to observe a field in which excessive
shed has occurred this season.
Our crop continues to be on a fast track toward
cutout. NAWF values are generally in the range of 5 to 7 in
irrigated cotton. Flowers are out the top of plants in dry corners
and weak areas of most fields. A good number of our fields in
Arkansas should be at or near NAWF of five by the end of next week.
But just because NAWF values fall below five doesn’t necessarily
mean the field has reached cutout. It is not unusual for NAWF
values to flatten out toward the end of the season. When NAWF
values run flat, the plant is basically putting on a new node at the
same rate flowering is moving up the plant. However, it is a
greater challenge for the plant to exhibit flat NAWF values when the
number of squaring nodes is less than five. Once the energy demands
on the plant significantly exceed what is being produced, a distinct
drop in NAWF values will be observed. It is this drop that more
accurately signals the end of the effective fruiting window.
Monitoring the progression of NAWF from first flower best identifies
the end of the effective fruiting window or cutout. End of season
management decisions should be based on accumulation of heat units
or DD60s beyond cutout.
Hormone Herbicide
Drift (Ken
Smith - Extension Weed Scientist
and Bill Robertson)
Drift symptomology of a hormone herbicide is
estimated to be in excess of 50,000 acres in northeast Arkansas.
Cotton in Craighead and Poinsett Counties is exhibiting the greatest
levels of symptoms, while cotton in Clay and Greene Counties is also
affected. Severity ranges with the age of the cotton. The youngest
cotton is showing more symptoms than the oldest. This is not
because the youngest cotton had greater levels of exposure. It is
likely a result of the more vegetative state of the younger cotton
at the time of exposure. The rate is believed to be very low. It
is not uncommon to see stems swelling at the soil level, stem
twisting, petiole twisting, and misshapen floral buds inside the
square bracts of cotton receiving drift rates of 2,4-D as low as
0.01X use rates. The symptomology exhibited in these fields is
almost exclusively restricted to leaf type tissue, leaf blades, and
bracts. The flower bud found inside the bracts appears normal, and
the squares are not shedding. Leaf symptomology is not a good
indicator of the effect on yield potential.
The exposure of this cotton is believed to be
from an inversion. Many factors, including the widespread nature of
the occurrence of symptoms both in and out of cotton fields and the
general movement from the west/southwest direction, point to an
inversion. The coverage is fairly uniform. Bradford pears, trumpet
creeper, and chinaberry trees in and around towns were also
exhibiting symptomology, which again is typical of an inversion.
The factor that sets this phenomenon apart from most inversions is
its size. It is rare to see an inversion of this magnitude.
Therefore, this inversion could possibly be a result of more than
one application. It is believed that this exposure occurred 21 to
28 days ago.
Recommendations for this cotton do not differ
greatly from non-exposed squaring cotton. We do not want to let
squaring cotton stress. The plant has to grow through this. The
plant must metabolize and/or dilute the herbicide though increased
plant size. The more the plant grows, the faster it will overcome
the problem.
The Arkansas State Plant Board (ASPB) is very
aware of and concerned with this situation. Regulations are in
place with respect to hormone-type herbicide applications and
distances to cotton fields with both aerial and ground applications
to avoid drift. To avoid inversion-type situations, requirements
regarding wind speed and temperature change from morning lows are
now also in place. The board is in the process of investigating
weather patterns that could lead to this type of inversion during
the estimated exposure timeframe. The better the ASPB has
everything documented, the better they will be at figuring out what
happened. We encourage producers to contact the ASPB with locations
of affected fields to best help them determine the source of the
exposure.
Cotton
Research Verification Program Update
(Frank
Groves-CRVP Coordinator)
Most fields are at the 15- to 17-lf stage of
growth, and NAWF values are around seven. We are currently making
our first PGR applications to the Mississippi-Adkisson and
Desha-Holt fields, but are on our second round most everywhere
else. Considering the stresses of the season, we have maintained a
conservative approach regarding mepiquat chloride. Our first
treatments were about 75% of what we would typically apply. Judging
from the plant response of the first applications and the plant
growth in fields that have not received a treatment, we have
returned to normal PGR recommendations.
Spider mites continue to be spotty. A border
treatment of Kelthane at 1qt/A was applied to the Desha-Holt field
this week. The biggest news of the week has been worms. Bollworms
in a range of sizes - with the larger larvae about 3/8" - were found in
the Chicot-Pool field (DP 445BG/RR). The population was 1 per 1.5
row ft., and they were primarily located in the terminal of the
plant. Lower in the canopy, armyworms were at 1 per 3 ft. Plant
bug numbers had increased to 1 per 2.5 ft., and the population was
75% nymphs. An application of 2.5oz/A of Karate Z was made at 12
GPA.
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)
Aphids were the big story last week.
Aphids appear to be moving from south to north as reports of
increasing aphids are coming in from central and northeastern cotton
counties. We began sending in aphid samples since it appears no one
else will. We had several fields in Desha and Jefferson County that
were shown to have low levels of aphid infection. Now it appears
that the fungus is reducing populations in those counties. I will
say this: the aphid fungus has not behaved as it normally has in the
past, possibly because our populations were so spotty and
scattered. Populations can be extremely high in some fields, while
in other fields they are present, but not enough to worry about.
For those now seeing the aphids up in the central and northeastern
areas, you need to sample for fungus before committing to spraying.
Bollworm trap counts remain high in many
counties, and egg and larval counts are increasing over much of the
state. Bobby Griffin, consultant in Lee Co., reports moderate
levels of eggs and small larvae in many fields. Stephen Wall,
consultant in Desha Co., reports moderate to heavy egg and larval
counts 30-35 K per acre. This appears to be a major flight, as trap
counts are now beginning to spike in NE Arkansas too. Steve Culp,
county agent in Craighead Co., indicates trap counts have increased
in the last couple of days.
Spider Mites continue to be a problem in
many areas. I am getting several calls on tank mixing a pyrethroid,
a plant bug material, and a miticide. We’ve never done three-way
tank mixes. My initial impression is that this is not a good idea.
Remember, the plant bugs and worms are eating fruit and therefore
should be the primary target. Mites damage leaves, and if the
damage is bad enough, it will cause defoliation. If the mites are
this bad and you are just now treating, chances are you waited too
long anyway. My advice is to get rid of the fruit feeders first and
then the mites - and avoid mixing too many chemicals at one time.
Read labels carefully before tank mixing.
We conducted a couple of studies last week. In
the first study, Capture performed very well. This is no surprise,
as Capture has shown to be efficacious for mites in mid- to
late-season. This may be a viable alternative for those with worms
and mites in BT cotton. Capture will probably do OK for plant bugs,
particularly if it is the first pyrethroid application on the
field. You might also tank mix with Bidrin or acephate if needed.
Cotton
Economics (Scott
Stiles and
Rob Hogan Extension Ag Economists)
This week I would like to discuss price basis and seasonal index. Wait! Don’t leave yet
- it’s going to be okay, even though it sounds bad.
Price basis is the difference when you subtract the cotton futures price from the local cash price. In this case, the futures price is the average monthly closing price of this year’s December contract on the New York Board of Trade. The local cash price is the price of North Delta cotton that grades 41-4-34 as reported by the Agricultural Market Service (AMS) Market News Service as a matter of daily business. Taking these monthly
average basis figures from January 1, 2001, through December 31,
2005, the basis numbers are averaged by month to give an average
monthly basis.
Wake up now - we have gotten to the good part! What if you
were thinking about hedging your cotton? If the average
seasonal price of cotton falls "on the average" from March
through August, then the best average opportunity to successfully
hedge would come in March most of the time (if the futures price is
above loan). However, the time period from August through
December would not yield a successful hedge opportunity "on the average."
If a hedge-to-arrive contract were available, then the best time
to put the hedge on "on the average" would
be when the seasonal price is highest, e.g., March or early April.
Then producers could lock in their basis when the basis is the
highest, e.g., late October or November.
Even if you market your cotton crop through a
cooperative, you should know this information. You could take this
information and hedge the risk of a price increase by buying calls
in the options market - but that is a subject for another day.
Upcoming
Meetings
2006 Field Days/Crop Tours August 3 SEREC Rohwer Contact
Kelly Bryant August 10 Clay County August 24 Lon Mann CRS Marianna Contact
Claude Kennedy August 25 Jefferson County August 31 Judd Hill Judd Hill Contact
Fred Bourland
2006 County IPM Meetings
| Date |
County | Location | Time |
| July 27, 2006 | St Francis/Lee | Cotton Plant Gin | 11:30 a.m. -
12:30 p.m. |
| August 1, 2006 | Desha/Drew |
Tillar and Company | 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | For more information, contact your local Extension office.
Rice Crop Condition and Status
Rice is beginning to reach heading across the state, with 20%
reported to be headed as of July 23. This compares to 6% last week,
13% for this time last year, and 25% for the 5-year average. While
we are ahead of last year, we are slightly behind the norm.
The latest estimate released today by USDA is that Arkansas
planted approximately 1.471 million acres, 10% fewer acres than last
year’s record planted acreage of 1.643 million acres. This is an
increase of 60,000 acres from the March estimate. Long grain rice
acreage declined 12%, while medium grain increased by 8%. While
Missouri acreage remained flat compared to 2005, other southern
states declined sharply. Louisiana rice acreage declined by 32%,
Mississippi declined by 28%, and Texas declined by 26%. Overall,
U.S. acreage declined by 14%, or 2.9 million acres.
Based on preliminary estimates, the rice varieties and
distribution of acres include Wells (33.1%), Francis (11.2%), CL 131
(10.8%), Cheniere (10.1%), Bengal (7.9%) and CL 161 (7.3%).
Clearfield rice represents approximately 27% of the state’s rice
acreage (395,000 acres).
Temperatures ranged from 0 to 6 degrees above normal for the week ending July 23. Summer and the warm weather that goes with it have arrived. Most areas reported high temperatures above 100 degrees. The excessive heat is not good for rice that is beginning to head. The temperatures during late July and early August are as critical as any factor in determining yield potential in a given year. As of July 23, the USDA reported that 15% of the rice is in excellent condition, 51% good, 27% fair, 5% poor, and 2% very poor. Overall, the crop has improved considerably compared to early in the year. However, the next 3-4 weeks are critical to making good yields. Official rainfall accumulations for the week ending July 23 ranged from none at several locations to 1.16 inches at North Little Rock. The rainfall patterns were typical for this time of year with very scattered showers. The National Weather Service Drought Monitor indicates that much of eastern Arkansas is experiencing severe drought conditions. Soil moisture supplies are reported to be 38% very short, 46% short, 15% adequate, and 1% surplus.
Stink Bugs are on the Prowl
Rice stink bug pressure is reported to be high in several
fields across the state. Some fields are above treatment threshold
at 75% panicle emergence, the time to begin scouting. High numbers
were reported in the wheat crop, and they have remained high. If
left unchecked, pecky rice and subsequent dockage at the mill will
result. It is important to control rice stink bugs as they
influence both yield and/or quality, depending on when the feeding
occurs.
Fields should be scouted by using a 15-inch sweep net, making
10 sweeps 180 degrees with the top of the sweep net just at the top
of the canopy. Fields should be treated when stink bug levels are
above 5 bugs per 10 sweeps during the first 2 weeks after heading.
The threshold changes to 10 bugs per 10 sweeps during the 3rd
and 4th weeks after heading. It is important to scout in the morning hours while it is
still fairly cool unless it is cloudy all day. During the heat of
the day, stink bugs move down into the canopy of the rice plant and
may not be caught in the sweep net.
Labeled products for controlling rice stink bugs include
include Methyl Parathion, Karate Z, Mustang Max, Prolex, Sevin, and
Malathion. The products provide varying degrees of control and
varying degrees of residual activity. Methyl parathion normally
provides good control, but has no residual activity. Sevin has
historically had the longest residual control, but tends to be
expensive.
Upcoming Meetings and Events
The University of
Arkansas Rice Field Day will be held at the Rice Research and
Extension Center near Stuttgart on August 9, 2006, beginning at 7:30
AM. Contact Dr. Chris Deren at 870-673-2661 for more information.
The University of
Arkansas will host a Field Day to be held at the Southeast Research
and Extension Center near Rowher on August 3, 2006. Contact Dr.
Kelly Bryant at 870-460-1091 for more information.
The University of
Arkansas will host a tour of the Rice Research Verification Program
on July 25, 2006, beginning at the Rice Research and Extension
Center near Stuttgart at 7:00 am. For more information, contact Jeff
Branson (501) 258-7234 or Stewart Runsick at (870) 718-1310.
The University of
Arkansas will host a rice consultant training on August 2,
2006, at our research location near Lake Hogue in Poinsett
County beginning at 9:00 am. More information will be made
available as the date nears. For more information, contact Chuck
Wilson at 501-258-0210.
County Field Days
Eastern Clay County – August 10, 2006. Contact Andy Vanguilder,
(870) 598-2246
Western Clay County – August 17, 2006. Contact Ron
Baker, (870) 857-6875
Prairie, White, & Woodruff Tri-County Tour – August 8,
2006. Contact Hank Chaney (870)
998-2614
St. Francis County – August 22. Contact Mitch Crow
(870) 261-1731
Cache River Valley
Seed will be hosting its annual field day on August 16, 2006. For
more information, contact Randy Woodard at
870-477-5427.
Rice Tec will host a field day at
its research farm south of Jonesboro on Highway 1 on August 10,
2006. For more information, contact Van McNeely
(vmcneely@ricetec.com)
Corn and Grain Sorghum Update
Jason Kelley,
Wheat and Feed Grains Extension Agronomist
According to the
latest Arkansas Agricultural Statistics Service report that was
released on July 24th, corn is developing ahead of last
year and previous years, with 88% of the corn in the state in the
dough stage. This compares to 65% last week, 66% in 2005, and 66%
for the 5-year average. Overall the crop looks good, with 16% of
the crop rated as being in excellent condition, 41% good, 29% fair,
11% poor, and 3% rated as being in very poor condition. Crop
condition has continued to decline over the last few weeks as the
extreme heat and dry conditions continue to take their toll on the
crop. For a majority of the corn crop, irrigation has been
terminated, or producers are watering for one last time. With
continued hot and dry weather, once irrigation has been terminated,
the grain moisture will likely drop rapidly. Corn harvest has begun
on a limited acreage in southeast and southwest Arkansas on
early-planted corn.
Grain sorghum
heading is nearing completion, with 91% being reported headed. This
compares to 88% last week, 77% for last year, and 85% for the 5-year
average at this time. Grain sorghum is rapidly moving toward
maturity; grain is coloring in 37% of the crop, compared to 20% for
the previous week, 25% for last year, and 37% for the 5-year average
at the same time. Overall crop condition is rated as 8% being in
excellent condition, 35% good, 39% fair, 14% poor, and 4% rated as
being in very poor condition. Much like corn, crop condition has
declined over the last couple of weeks as dry hot weather
continues.
Most of the state
needs rainfall. Scattered and generally light rains fell over
north-central Arkansas over the last week, but they were not heavy
enough to produce lasting relief from dry weather. Statewide soil
moisture continues to be rapidly depleted, with 38% of the state
reporting very short soil moisture, 46% short, 15% adequate, and 1%
surplus. Last week, 29% of the state was reported as having
adequate soil moisture. Temperatures of 100 degrees have been very
common across the state the previous week, taking their toll on
crops along with dry weather. The extended range weather forecast
is calling for slightly cooler temperatures, with high temperatures
in the 90s and an increasing chance of rainfall later in the week.
Headworms in Grain Sorghum
Glenn Studebaker, Extension Entomologist
We’re beginning to see caterpillar pests, such
as cotton bollworm and fall armyworm increasing in many of our crops
(such as cotton) at this time. Both the fall armyworm and cotton
bollworm (also known as the corn earworm) will attack and feed on
the head of the grain sorghum plant. There are actually three
species of caterpillars that will attack heading grain sorghum: the
corn earworm, the fall armyworm, and the sorghum webworm. With the
reports of large populations of bollworm in cotton, growers are to
begin scouting their grain sorghum crop for these pests.
Corn earworm larvae range in size from
1/16-inch to 1-¾ inches and are generally a green to reddish brown
color. Fall armyworm larvae are about the same size and are dark
brown in color with an inverted “Y” on the head capsule. Both will
feed on developing grain sorghum heads and can cause yield loss.
One of the easiest ways to scout for
caterpillars in sorghum is to use a white bucket.
By shaking the seed head over a white
bucket, you can dislodge the larvae so they can be easily counted.
At least 30 plants per field should be sampled. Treat when two or
more caterpillars ½-inch or larger in size are found per head.
Infestations are more damaging in tight-headed
sorghum varieties than in open heading varieties. If the
infestation is made up mostly of corn earworm, pyrethroid
insecticides such as Karate, Baythroid, Asana XL, or Mustang Max
will give good control. However, if fall armyworm makes up a good
portion of the population, it would be advisable to use another type
of insecticide, such as Lannate, Sevin, or Tracer.
The sorghum webworm is one of the most common pests of sorghum in
Arkansas. The larvae are reddish- to yellowish-brown, somewhat
flattened, marked with four longitudinal reddish to black stripes.
Larvae are approximately 1/2 inch long when mature and are densely
covered with spines and hair. Large numbers of webworms, especially
in late-planted sorghum, can occur in heads, where they gnaw
circular holes in maturing seed and feed on the starchy contents.
These caterpillars are smaller and slower feeders than either the
corn earworm or fall armyworm. As a result, the treatment level is
somewhat higher. Treat for 5 or more sorghum webworms per head,
using Sevin, Lannate, or Tracer.
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