IPM Breakfast Update

St. Joseph County MSU Extension

May 11, 2005

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The weather was the most important topic of conversation at the first IPM Breakfast Meeting of 2005.  This growing season has already been one of extremes as far as temperature and precipitation are concerned.  Favorably moist conditions over the winter quickly gave way to very dry conditions during March and April and early May.  This was good in terms of allowing for tillage and planting progress, but worrisome in terms of moisture levels in the soil for crop germination and emergence.  Thunderstorms occurring over the region this morning are bringing much needed rainfall to help spur along crop development.  Many locations in the region are running 2.5 – 3.5 inches behind normal precipitation levels since April 1^st. 

Extremely cold temperatures experienced over the region on April 21 and 22, and again on May 4^th and 5^th caused significant damage to fruit crops throughout the region.  It also affected corn that was planted very early in April that had emerged before the soils cooled off from the weekend snows on April 21.  Corn and soybeans planted later in April were slow to emerge due to cooler temperatures, and are just beginning to emerge in the last couple of days.  While the soils were cool, they were also dry, which should have limited the amount of seedlings that were affected by root rots, a concern in cold moist soils.  The larger concern would come from soil insects such as white grubs, wireworms and seed corn maggot.  It appears as though soil insects have not been a significant factor in reducing stands of early planted corn and soybeans at this point.

The group discussed the importance of irrigation to the agriculture economy in St. Joseph County and southwest Michigan.  The consensus of the group was that it was important for producers to report water usage to the MDA.  MDA is still accepting water use reporting information.  Water Use Reporting forms can be obtained from our website:  http://web1.msue.msu.edu/stjoseph/anr/anr.htm  The Michiana Irrigators Association is working hard to increase its membership to play a more pivotal role in water use legislation.

The crop was planted very early this year.  The planting progress is probably at 95% complete for commercial corn.  All but the very earliest planted fields appear to have avoided frost/freeze injury because it remained underground during the worst of the cold weather.  Corn that emerged before April 20^th was severely affected by frost, especially the May 4-5 events.  Some of these fields are being replanted now. Others will likely be re-planted.  Stands look good in most fields that are just now emerging.  There is concern that fields where herbicides were applied early did not receive sufficient rainfall to move the chemical into the soil.  These fields may suffer reduced weed control as the season progresses.  There has been very little incidence of seedling rots in fields that I have walked in so far.  Soil insects do not appear to be a factor in stand reductions at this point.

Planting is progressing rapidly.  Many seed corn producers are done with soybeans; others are working on finishing up.  Most of the earliest planted beans are breaking ground or are in the cotyledon stage at this time. 

The dry weather allowed the potato producers to get an early start and continue to plant almost non-stop over the last month. 

Emergence has been a little slower than anticipated, most likely due to the cold weather, but seems to be on track now.

Alfalfa is growing quite well right now despite the dry conditions.  Heights range from 12-15 inches.  There is little signs of alfalfa weevil feeding at this time.  We try to time the first cutting alfalfa at 750 GDD Base 41, which should correspond to hay that has 40-45% Neutral Detergent Fiber Content.  The following is the GDD Base 41 heat accumulations for our area:  Battle Creek – 469, Kalamazoo – 562, South Bend – 501, Coldwater – 374.  To monitor the Base 41 heat accumulation in the coming weeks, you can go to the following website:  http://www.agweather.geo.msu.edu/Ldm-Data/bs41.dat

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Bruce MacKellar

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