Arkansas Agriculture Newsletters
Arkansas Weekly Crop Report - June 28, 2006
Rice
Soybeans
Cotton
Corn and Grain Sorghum
Rice
Crop Condition and Status Rice is completed and 100% has emerged.
Much of the rice is past internode elongation with a few fields are
reportedly in late boot in Southwest Arkansas. Projections by USDA suggest that Arkansas
will plant approximately 1.411 million acres, 14% acres less than
last years record planted acreage of 1.641 million acres. Long
grain rice is projected to decline 16% while medium grain is
expected to increase by 8%. These estimates were determined from a
survey conducted the first of March and actual planting is likely to
be slightly different. Based on what I have heard, the decrease in
rice acreage may not be as great as first anticipated. The next
rice acreage estimate by the USDA is due June 30. Based on preliminary estimates, the rice
varieties and distribution of acres include Wells (33.6%), Francis
(11.4%), CL 131 (10.6%), Cheniere (9.8%), Bengal (7.9%) and CL 161
(7.4%). Clearfield rice represents approximately 27% of the states
rice acreage. Temperatures ranged from near normal to 4 degrees above normal for the week ending June 25. Summer has arrived and the warm weather that goes with it. As of June 25, the USDA reported that 16% of the rice is in excellent condition, 50% good, 27% fair, 6% poor and 1% very poor. The rice is beginning to look much better after the midseason N has been applied. Official rainfall reports for the week ending June 25 ranged from none at several locations to 2.5 inches at Pine Bluff. However, some individual locations received in excess of 7 inches. This was much needed rainfall for many areas of the rice-producing region. As of June 25, soil moisture supplies were reported to be 5% very short, 32% short, 59% adequate, and 4% surplus
Rice DD50
The 2006 Rice DD50 program is
now updated and on the website. The link to access the program is
http://dd50.uaex.edu/dd50Logon.asp.
You can find it under Agriculture, Rice, Computer Programs. If you
have any questions, please feel free to contact us. There is also a
link to the DD50 Users Guide which contains information about
different program options.
There are 10 new varieties and
hybrids added to the program for 2006. These include CL 131,
Jupiter, Presidio, Trenasse, Rice Tec CL XP 730, Rice Tec XP 721,
Rice Tec XP 728, Rice Tec XP 729, Rice Tec XP 731, Rice Tec XP 732.
This program can assist producers
and consultants organize management of rice fields and help plan
when decisions should be made. For producers or consultants
responsible for several acres, the program serves as a good
management tool to help coordinate many fields.
To enroll, the program can be
accessed either through the local County Extension Office or online
at the DD50 website. To enroll, information that is needed includes
the variety/hybrid, acres, and emergence date. If multiple fields
of the same variety have the same emergence date, please enter the
total acres represented by the program.
As you use the program, please
consider any changes that you think should be made to improve it and
forward your suggestions to us. We do appreciate your input. If
you have any questions, please contact Becky Bridges at
bbridges@uaex.edu
or Chuck Wilson at cwilson@uaex.edu.
Diseases are Now!
Now is the time to begin scouting for
diseases. Reports of leaf blast have come from several areas of the
state although current weather conditions do not favor widespread
blast epidemic. In fields where leaf blast is observed, increase
the flood depth, maintain a good flood, and monitor closely as the
rice reaches boot stage.
Sheath blight is active statewide in fields where the canopy has now
closed (midseason to 20 days after midseason). It is being reported
most frequently in CL131 and CL161 fields, as expected. Our
fungicide approach on these varieties has not changed. That is,
scout highly susceptible semidwarf varieties like CL131, CL161,
Cybonnet and Trenasse starting at midseason (1/2 inch internode
elongation) and check twice a week if possible (once a week
minimum). Fungicides are recommended when sheath blight is found at
35% or more of random stops in the field. Spraying should be
immediate on these varieties and higher rates of strobilurin
fungicides are recommended (see labels). If you let sheath blight
blow out the top of these varieties, you have already had
significant yield loss that cannot be recovered. More tolerant
varieties can be scouted less frequently and applications often
delayed until the booting stages. These varieties include Cheniere,
Francis, Wells and sometimes Cocodrie although it responds in
between the very susceptible and the moderately susceptible much of
the time. Bengal, Jupiter, Medark and the Hybrid rices probably
will not benefit from sheath blight applications in most fields in
Arkansas.
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 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 will be held at the
Southeast Research and Extension Center near Rowher on August 3.
Contact Dr. Kelly Bryant at 870-460-1091 for more information.
The University of Arkansas will host a rice consultant training on
August 2, 2006 at our research location near Lake Hogue in Poinsett
County. More information will be made available as the date becomes
near.
Faculty and alumni from the Department of Crop, Soil, and
Environmental Sciences and Alumni will be hosting the Delta Classic,
a Golf Tournament to raise money for Scholarships at the Helena
Country Club on July 21, 2006. For more information, contact
Dr. Jim Barrentine at 479-601-4346.
Cache River Valley Seed will be hosting their annual field day on
August 16, 2006. For more information, contact Randy Woodard at
870- 477-5427.
Soybeans
Arkansas Soybean Update Crop Situation Trey Reaper
Many producers were blessed with significant amounts of rainfall
this past weekend; however, several fields have yet to receive any
relief from hot, dry conditions. Rainfall covered most of northeast
Arkansas north of I-40 with amounts ranging from one to six inches.
Showers were very scattered in southern Arkansas as some areas
received no rain whatsoever. The recent rains should get us very
close to 100% planted by the end of this week. None of us should
get too comfortable about the soil moisture situation. Hot, humid
temperatures will deplete soil moisture faster than most of us
realize. Areas that received less than 2 of rainfall will likely
be dry again if no rainfall occurs by the weekend. The early crop
is well into the reproductive stages with the earliest-planted
fields at or approaching seed development. Fields planted in early
May are flowering. As plants reach the reproductive growth stages
water usage per day is much greater (see table). At this point in
the year, we need to stay ahead when it comes to irrigation.
We have received several calls regarding chlorosis showing up in
the last few days in areas of fields. In areas that received heavy
rainfall, particularly after irrigation, this could be temporary
nitrogen deficiency that will disappear when the soil begins to
dry. Most calls, however, have been related to one of three
things: potassium deficiency, cyst nematodes, or chloride
toxicity. All three problems can be attributed to the hot, dry
conditions we have been experiencing. Several producers decided to
cut back on potash this year, especially on fields with borderline
adequate soil test K levels. Research has shown that if potassium
deficiencies occur prior to early seed development (R5), or if
recommended potassium was not applied, potash (0-0-60) may be
applied and incorporated with irrigation or rainfall to alleviate
the problem. Other areas including the Grand Prairie and Clay
County have reported cases of soybean cyst nematode, particularly in
fields following rice. Chloride injury has shown up in a few fields
that have been drought stressed also.
North SRVP (Trey Reaper): All northern SRVP fields
received rainfall over the weekend, ranging from 0.33 to over 6.
The Mississippi Co. field received approximately 6 of rainfall, but
the extremely dry conditions prevented water from standing for an
extended period of time. Fields in Clay, Randolph, Crittenden, and
Mississippi Counties were extremely dry last week with plants still
around 6-10 tall. The weekend rains prevented these fields from
being irrigated prematurely in order to revive the plants. I expect
these fields as well as others to develop rapidly over the next
several days. Soybean cyst nematode is present in the Clay Co.
field with a small, but very noticeable, portion of the field
affected. We plan to manage the irrigation efficiently to prevent
any additional stress on the plants. Luckily, the field is planted
on beds which will allow furrow irrigation with polypipe. The
Sebastian County field, which is dryland, only received 0.50 of
rain as it approaches R4. Stinkbugs, mostly green, are starting to
build as several egg masses were noticed across the field. Pivot
irrigation of the North Perry County field continued as it only
received 0.33 of rain. The South Perry County field received well
over 1 and is developing well. Phillips Co. received its second
irrigation last week followed by 0.50 of rain as it approaches R4
as well. The Craighead Co. field has recovered well from the
dicamba injury from earlier in the season and has been irrigated
four times so far. The plants have canopied and a few frogeye
lesions were noticed across the field. It is at the R3 growth stage
and we will closely monitor the disease development as it is a
frogeye susceptible variety.
South SRVP: (Matt Cordell) Fields in south Arkansas are
looking great since most received some rainfall over the weekend.
Most fields were irrigated last week and standing water may be a
problem in areas of certain fields. In Jefferson County, plants
have really started growing and are looking good. However, some
plants have broken off at the ground level. This is most likely due
to hail damage early in the season. Lafayette County is growing
well and plants are beginning to pod. Ashley County has recently
been irrigated and sprayed with glyphosate tank-mixed with Synchrony
to control morningglory escapes along with some grasses. Drew,
Arkansas, and Desha are still in early vegetative stages, but recent
irrigation/rainfall will get them headed in the right direction.
Defoliation due to insects has been less than 5% in all fields in
southern Arkansas and no significant disease has been observed to
date.
Soybean Economics Bob Stark
(June 19, 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.
Arkansas cash soybean price averaged $5.78 per bushel across the
fifteen state markets as reported by USDA-NASS for the June 12-June
16 trading week (see chart below). As shown in the chart above,
market prices jumped sharply on Monday, fell to a weekly low on
Wednesday, and then recovered the entire loss by the end of Friday.
Compared to the previous Friday, statewide average market price rose
25 cents during the week from the $5.68 average reported on Friday,
June 9. The highest daily market price of this past week was
recorded at $5.96 on June 16 at the Helena market. The lowest price
was $5.56 on June 14 at Jonesboro. The Helena market posted the
highest weekly average price at $5.91 per bushel with Osceola
following closely at $5.90. (Market average prices stated in this
report are unweighted averages of the state markets surveyed by NASS.
Price data was based on USDA LR GR111 Arkansas Daily Grain Reports.)
Soybean Insects Gus Lorenz
Burrowing Bugs. Im getting a
bunch of calls in both cotton and soybean on a little black bug.
The insect being seen is actually the white margined burrowing bug.
Many folks have misidentified it as the Negro bug. Negro bugs are a
closely related family of insects but not the same. The immature of
this insect is similar but has a reddish abdomen, much like we often
see with tiny stink bug nymphs. And many folks think these are stink
bug nymphs. We have seen no injury associated with these insects
although they are in extremely high numbers in a many fields. The
following is an excerpt from a Virginia Soybean Update in 2000 from
Ames Herbert:
Unlike most burrowing bug species
(some of which can be agricultural pests in crops grown in sandy
soils), the white margined burrowing bug lives its life aboveground,
feeding on the developing seeds of mints and nightshades. It is
frequently seen feeding on henbit (a common weed in the mint family)
and horsenettle (a member of the nightshade family). Despite its
sometime alarming numbers, this tiny bug is reportedly not harmful
and will not affect the growth or development of its host plants.
So remember these are true bugs and
therefore have a beak with piercing-sucking mouthparts. They cannot
be associated with holes in the leaves caused by beanleaf beetles or
other insects with chewing mouthparts. It appears most likely that
they are being stranded in fields when burndown applications are
made. Recommendation: Leave them alone and dont waste money on
applications.
Grasshoppers continue to be a problem for many growers and
the question has been what to use and the age old question can I
tankmix it with my glyphosate? Our studies have indicated the go to
products are Lorsban, Acephate, and pyrethroids. Probably in about
that order as the grasshoppers begin to get up to Ύ inch in size.
Tankmixing should not be a problem with the pyrethroids, however we
have seen foliar burn associated with Lorsban and Acephate although
in most cases the damage is not severe and does not impact yield.
Soybean Rust Update Amy Greenwalt
Monitoring for Soybean Rust continues throughout Arkansas.
Eleven SBR spore traps have been installed in scattered locations
from Desha County in the south to Greene County in the northeast. A
total of 21 sentinel plots, consisting of three maturity groups are
being monitored weekly, when they are big enough. Until then,
cooperators are monitoring nearby early commercial fields. At least
5 kudzu sentinel plots around the state are also being monitored
weekly. No soybean rust has been detected in Arkansas to date.
Monitoring for soybean rust is in full force in the southern part
of the United States (see map from
www.sbrusa.net below). Soybean rust was found on soybeans in
Florida this week.
National Soybean Rust Commentary (updated:
06/21/06)
Intensive scouting continues in soybean sentinel plots especially in
the south as soybeans reach maturity. Most of the soybean sentinel
plots have been planted throughout the country with plants in some
early planted plots starting to reach maturity. Scouting continues
on kudzu patches from Florida to the north as far away as Nebraska.
The rust find in a sentinel site in Martin county, Fl, is still the
only soybean rust find in this season's soybeans. Rust has been
confirmed in five counties in Alabama, 12 in Florida, four in
Georgia, and one in Texas. 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 those 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 as indicated on
the soybean rust observation map.
Cotton
Crop Condition: As of June 19, the Arkansas Statistical
Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service reported
squaring at 68% compared to 34% last week, 60% last year and 54%
averaged over the last five years for this date. The condition of
the crop is 1% very poor, 12% poor, 40% fair, 40% good, and 7%
excellent.
Rainfall this last weekend was a welcome site. Some areas
received less than one inch. However, much of the cotton growing
areas north of I-40 received two to three inches. The progress of
the crop continues to improve with each passing week. Some fields
are requiring applications of mepiquat chloride or other related
plant growth regulators (PGRs). Where rainfall has been limited,
consider delaying applications of PGRs or reducing rates. This
would reduce the probability of overdoing it if additional rainfall
is not received. If chances for rainfall materialize this weekend,
additional product can be applied with the next trip over the
field.
Irrigation systems will soon be running again. As mentioned last
week, monitoring node development is useful in determining if
moisture needs are being met. The early season component of COTMAN
offers a very sensitive tool to detect the progress of node
development as well as retention. However, this component of COTMAN
is very labor intensive. Evaluation of your scouting reports can
reveal useful information concerning the development of adequate
plant structure. A development rate of one node every 2.7 days
resulting in 9.25 squaring nodes above the first first-position
white flower is the goal. Regardless of the rate that nodes
develop, the first or oldest square will flower approximately three
weeks after formation. The number of squaring nodes above the first
position white flower is an indication of the plants horsepower. We
should set a goal of obtaining 9 to 10 nodes at flowering. This is
more critical with earlier maturing varieties to avoid premature
cutout. Plants would track this curve if they possessed: 4 squaring
nodes two weeks prior to first flower, 5.5 squaring nodes ten days
prior to first flower, or 6.5 to 7 squaring nodes one week prior to
first flower.
A more detailed report of the current conditions can be found at
http://www.aragriculture.org/News/cotton/. The Cotton
newsletter is typically updated every Friday throughout the season.
CRVP Update (by Frank Groves, CRVP coordinator):
Crop development looks good. CRVP fields are generally following
the target development curve of COTMAN, and are at the same stage
regardless of being planted in mid-April or mid-May. Most of the
fields are at the 10 leaf stage with 3 to 4 squares per plant. We
are currently about a week away from flower on most fields and the
primary focus has shifted to irrigation and pest management.
Rainfall was scattered over the weekend, but most of the CRVP
fields received a couple of inches. The only exception being the
Phillips County field, where the dryland production system remains
dry. Irrigation requirements of the crop throughout the season
continue to be a concern for growers. The irrigation scheduling
program is a free software program developed and provided by the
University of Arkansas to assist growers in irrigation management.
The rainfall provided growers and consultants a good baseline to
begin the irrigation scheduling program. Additional information for
the irrigation scheduling program can be found at
http://www.aragriculture.org/computer_programs/irrigation_scheduling/.
After scouting the Chicot, Drew, Desha, Mississippi-Adkisson and
Mississippi-Costner verification fields, insect pest pressure can be
classified as light. So far this week plant bug populations have
averaged 0.05 plant bugs per row foot, while beneficial insect
numbers have been considerable higher at 0.33 per row foot. The
high beneficial population has played a crucial role in reducing the
overall insecticide applications within the program this season. A
postdirected application of glyphosate either alone or tankmixed
with Staple or Envoke has been recommended on most fields. This
application should keep the field clean until layby.
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.
Upcoming Meetings:
2006 Field Days
August 3 - SEREC in Rohwer, Contact
Kelly Bryant
August 24 - Lon Mann CRS in Marianna, Contact
Claude Kennedy
August 31 - Judd Hill in Judd
Hill, Contact
Fred Bourland
2006 County IPM Meetings
| Date |
County |
Location |
Time |
| June 28, 2006 |
Woodruff/Monroe |
Cotton Plant Gin |
Noon 1:00 p.m. |
| June 28, 2006 |
Desha/Drew |
Tillar and Co. |
11:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m. |
| June 29, 2006 |
St Francis/Lee |
Hughes |
11:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. |
| June 30, 2006 |
Phillips |
Marvell |
Noon 1:00 p.m. |
| July 5, 2006 |
Jefferson |
Cornerstone |
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, 92% of the corn in the state has silked, which is well ahead
of last years 65%. The warm spring which pushed the wheat crop
development ahead of schedule has also pushed the corn crop
development. Overall the crop looks good with 17% of the crop rated
as being in excellent condition, 54% good, 26% fair and only 3%
rated as being in poor condition.
Grain sorghum is beginning to head in a few
fields with an estimated 16% of the fields in the state at the
heading stage. This is a little behind the 5-year average of 18%
heading by this time. The grain sorghum crop overall does not look
as good as the corn crop with 8% rated as being in excellent
condition, 37% good, 50% fair, and 5% rated as being in poor
condition.
Many of us received a much needed rain over the
last 10 days Rainfall amounts varied greatly across the state with
reports of as little as 0.25 in some areas to over 6 inches in
others. This rain will go a long ways in helping make a corn and
grain sorghum crop, especially on our dryland acres. But as we all
know with 95 degree temperatures the moisture wont stay with us
long. Right now we ar e in the middle of the most critical time for
water on corn and grain sorghum. From tasseling through grain fill
the corn plant will be using approximately 0.3 inches of water/day,
so it will not take long for the crop to be needing water again.
Grain sorghum is also going through the most
critical time for water now with much of the acreage in the state
nearing the boot stage. From boot through flowering grain sorghum
plants will be using nearly as much water as corn with daily water
usage rates of 0.25 - 0.30 inches per day. If irrigation water is
limited, a timely watering at boot has the potential to give yields
comparable to full irrigation.
Corn Borer Control with Foliar Insecticides - Glenn Studebaker, Extension Entomologist
Were nearing the time when the 2nd generation of
southwestern corn borers will be emerging from our corn. Samples
taken from infested conventional corn were showing mature larvae and
early stage pupae on June 14 near Stuttgart (Above photo). Once
pupated, it will take approximately 10 days for moths to emerge and
will soon begin laying eggs on corn leaves. These eggs will hatch in
3 to 5 days into tiny caterpillars. These caterpillars will feed on
the leaves for several days before boring into the plant stem. Once
they have entered the corn stalk, there is no recourse for control
with insecticides. The main damage from southwestern corn borer is
their ability to weaken the stalk and cause lodging. When borer
larvae become full-grown they bore down to the base of the stalk and
girdle it from the inside. Growers should begin scouting fields for
borers now and continue over the next couple of weeks. Scouting Bt
corn is not necessary since Bt controls southwestern corn borers.
Two methods are recommended for scouting for borers. Scouting for
eggs or recently hatched larvae on leaves, or scouting for pupae in
infested stalks. Scouting for pupae is accomplished by looking for
stalks with emergence holes near the bottom of the plant. When
found, these stalks are split and examined for either larvae or
pupae. When the majority of infested stalks are found with dark
colored pupae, an application of insecticide is timed for one week
later. When spraying for corn borers, coverage can be an issue. The
corn canopy can be quite dense and small borers often move down
toward the base of the leaf. Growers do not need to cut back on
volume when spraying for borers. Three to five gallons per acre by
air would be recommended. Consult page 59 of MP144 for a list of
recommended insecticides for control of southwestern corn borer.
Corn and Grain Sorghum Verification - Jeremy Ross, Verification Coordinator
Corn fields in the CGSRVP are looking good this
week. The growth stages of the corn fields range from early pollen
shed in Clay County to early grain fill in Desha County. The
Randolph, Mississippi, Greene, Poinsett, and Crittenden County corn
fields are at full pollen drop or just beginning to form grain. All
pretassel urea applications have been applied and every field was
being watered at least once a week during the hot dry weather we
experienced last week. Rainfall on fields over the weekend ranged
from approximately 1 to 3 inches of rain. The Randolph County field
will likely be the only field irrigated this week. If more rain does
not come by Friday the pivot will be turned back on. Except for the
stinkbug damage seen earlier, all fields have very little insect
damage so far this season. Corn earworms that recently hatched are
being seen at low levels. Diseases have not been an issue this year
in any of the corn fields with only common rust at trace levels
found in the Desha, Randolph, and Mississippi County fields.
Both the dryland and irrigated grain sorghum
fields in Poinsett County have added 2 to 3 leaves in the last week.
The dryland field was in great need of water last week. Rains over
the weekend were just what the crop was needing since it is now
starting to head. Aphids have been found at low to moderate levels
in both grain sorghum fields, but good populations of ladybugs
appear to be keeping the aphids under control.
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