Agronomics | | Latham Hi-Tech Seeds

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Ways to Avoid Goss's Wilt in 2012

Goss’s Wilt, which has plagued Nebraska corn fields since 1969, has been spotted in Iowa this season. Iowa farmers are searching for ways to protect yield potential yet this season, as well as avoid the problem in 2012, says ISU Plant Pathologist Alison Robertson.

There are three products that Robertson says she’s heard Iowa corn growers are trying to treat Goss’s Wilt: Procidic, Kocide and Intercept. Procidic is advertised as a broad spectrum fungicide and bactericide. However, Robertson isn’t aware of any published data for the effect of Procidic against bacterial diseases or use on corn. Kocide is not labeled for use on corn to manage Goss’s Wilt, so Robertson said it should not be used. A third product that Iowa growers are reportedly trying is Intercept. There is very little information available on this product, but it’s reportedly been used in Florida to control citrus canker, which is also caused by a bacterium.

Robertson is monitoring a corn field in Gilbert, Iowa, that had an application of Procidic, as well as an earlier application of Stratego YLD. She says she also will be evaluating fields where Intercept has been applied. At the end of the growing season, ISU researchers will study the effect of both products on Goss’s Wilt disease development and general plant health of the corn.

“Continuous corn production together with minimum tillage practices have in part contributed to the epidemic of Goss’s wilt we are witnessing in 2011,” says Robertson in a recent Wallaces Farmer article. “Other factors include susceptible germplasm and stormy weather.”

To avoid Goss’s Wilt in 2012, farmers should keep recommended management practices in mind. Best practices include growing resistant corn hybrids, using crop rotation and crop residue management.

Team Latham

August 15, 2011

Agronomics, Corn, Crop, Disease, General
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

In-Field Earworm Studies Underway

Some people “paint the town.” At Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds headquarters in Alexander, we’re painting the corn fields!

Research Technician Gary Bennett and I used ½-inch paint brushes to apply nearly 500 earworm larvae to approximately 70 ears each of seven different Latham® hybrids. These hybrids featured various technologies and trait packages, including Agrisure Viptera™ 3111 and Genuity® VT Triple PRO™.

Our research objective is to record the level of corn earworm protection offered by the different hybrid traits and technologies. We’ll be taking field notes to record feeding and crop damage every couple weeks. Watch for photo updates soon!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi_G7l0-v4Y&feature=channel_video_title[/youtube]

Webspec Admin

August 11, 2011

Agronomics, Corn, Crop, General, Insects
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

"Tipping Back" is a Sign of Heat Stress

Farmers across the state are starting to see “tipping back,” where kernels aren’t filling all the way to the end of an ear of corn. In this video report, Latham’s Corn Product Specialist explains why high temperatures for prolonged periods during key corn developmental stages have attributed to the amount of tipping back that’s evident this season.

Stress can result in tipping back, agrees Iowa State University (ISU) Extension Corn Agronomist Roger Elmore. Kernels may not have pollinated in the first place or pollinated kernels may have been aborted around milk stage or blister stage. For more information on what causes tipping back, click here to read a related Wallaces Farmer article. To read how tipping back affected yields in 2010, click here.

Night-time temperatures after silking greatly impact yield. Cool night-time temperatures after silking in 2009 resulted in the highest average statewide corn yield ever recorded in Iowa. On the contrary, warm night-time temperatures contributed to lost yield in 2010.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sJ1aRzFLTU&feature=channel_video_title[/youtube]

Team Latham

August 9, 2011

Agronomics, Corn, Crop, Disease, Drought, General, Weather
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Seeing Signs of Goss' Wilt in Latham Country

Guest Blogged by John Toft
CCA, Tekemah, NE

Symptoms of Goss’ Wilt were reported earlier this growing season in Nebraska and Iowa. With all of the storm damage in these areas, including hail and straight-line winds, it’s no wonder that we’re receiving even more reports now of Goss’ Wilt. Stalk bruising and leaf shredding provide ways for pathogens to enter the corn plant. High night-time temperatures, which we’ve also experienced recently, favor the spread of Goss’ Wilt.

Goss’ Wilt causes large lesions that start on the leave’s margins and eventually encompass the entire leaf. These lesions look very similar to Gray Leaf Spot injury. One simple, but not fool-proof, way to diagnose the difference is that Goss’ will have a waxy appearance due to the different

Note the waxy, shiny appearance to the lesions caused by Goss' Wilt

pathogens that cause the disease. Gray Leaf Spot is caused by a fungus while Goss’ is caused by a bacterium, which means Goss’ Wilt cannot be controlled by a fungicide. Effective control measures include crop rotation, tillage and hybrids that show genetic resistance. Latham’s 2012 lineup has a number of hybrids with excellent disease packages, so keep this in mind as you make your seed decisions in the coming months.

The bacterium responsible for Goss’ Wilt may infect the xylem, or water-conducting tissues of the plant, which results in wilting and death.

Seed selection is most likely going to play an even more important role as Goss’ Wilt becomes more prevalent. Bacterial wilt was first reported in Nebraska more than 40 years ago, and the list of states affected keeps growing. Goss’ Wilt has been identified in Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota and Iowa. The disease has also been confirmed in Illinois and Wisconsin, according to a NebGuide article, “Goss’s Bacterial Wilt and Leaf Blight of Corn,” published by the University of Nebraska—Lincoln Extension.

Gary Geske

August 2, 2011

Agronomics, Corn, Crop, Disease, General
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Scouting for SDS is Important
Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) typically appears during the last week of July or the first week of August in Latham Country, so farmers are being advised to keep their eyes open for this yield-robbing disease. Cool, wet conditions at planting time can contribute to the severity of SDS.

“Although we do not expect SDS to be as widespread or as severe as the 2010 growing season, there have been some Iowa counties that have received higher-than-normal precipitation,” said ISU Plant Pathologist Alison Robertson in a recent Wallaces Farmer article. “We expect the risk of SDS in these counties to be higher since the development of this disease is favored by wet conditions.”

Scouting for SDS is important for several reasons:
1. Identifying fields or parts of fields with SDS can help with future management practices. These management tactics include reducing soil compaction since the disease has been associated with compacted soil; planting fields with a history of SDS towards the end of a planting schedule when soils may be warmer and drier; and testing for the presence of soybean cyst nematodes.
2. Cyst nematode is usually, but not always, associated with SDS. You may see more severe cases of SDS in soybean varieties that are SCN-susceptible. When selecting soybean seed, it’s best to read through the SDS score rather than judge a bean solely by SCN tolerance.
3. Planting resistant varieties, or avoiding very susceptible varieties, is the most effective way to reduce losses from SDS. Keeping good field records from year-to-year will help determine which characteristics are most crucial when selecting soybean varieties to plant in a given field in a given year. The following Latham® varieties carry excellent scores for SDS tolerance:
- L1568R2
- L1584R2
- L1773L
- L1783R2
- L1800RX
- L1884R2
- L1936R
- L2084R2
- L2085R
- L2183R2
- L2275R2
- L2283R2
- L2438R2
- L2560R
- L2585R2
- L2686L
- L2767R2
- E2784R2
- L2875R
- L2983R2
- L2987L
- L3157R
- L3268R2
- L3287L
- L3385R2
As you prepare to walk your fields, these videos shot last season by Soybean Product Manager Mark Grundmeier will explain what symptoms of SDS to look for in your fields. You might also enjoy watching Mark’s brief, but informative, videos on SDS management and prevention.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Sdx4EqpNw4&feature=channel_video_title[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgQYwdnU788&feature=channel_video_title[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kvxo3D3SQ0&feature=channel_video_title[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9_pXGl7y_Y&feature=channel_video_title[/youtube]
Team Latham

August 1, 2011

Agronomics, Crop, Disease, General, Soybeans
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Manage Aphids to Protect Soybean Yields

Soybean fields are entering the critical reproductive stages and yields hang in the balance. While there are several yield-determining factors that are beyond a farmer’s control, insect pressure can often be managed.

Now is the time to intensify your soybean scouting efforts, advises Iowa State University Extension Entomologist Erin Hodgson. Scout every field right now to see if there is any type of pressure, and keep a watchful eye to see if conditions warrant treatment. We could see outbreaks in late July or early August.

With the predicted market value of soybeans so high, farmers may be tempted to spray aphids at low populations. ISU recommends a threshold of 250 aphids per plant, although some agri-businesses are suggesting that aphids be sprayed when populations are lower. Click here and listen to Hodgson discuss whether research confirms the value of such lower thresholds. In this podcast, she also discusses whether it makes a difference to spray with generic or labeled compounds.

Team Latham

July 26, 2011

Agronomics, Crop, General, Insects, Soybeans
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Corn Borer Infestations Moving "Down Stalk"

Last week Latham’s Corn Product Specialist Nick Benson posted a video, urging farmers to walk their fields as Corn Borer infestations were spotted in Northeast Iowa. Today he focuses again on European Corn Borer as infestations have risen well over economic thresholds for many producers in the area. His follow-up video further explains why it’s important to catch these pests before they move down the corn stalk.

Click the video link for tips on how to scout beyond the whorl. Make sure you catch your fields before pests move down the plant and “past the point of no return” for foliar-applied control methods.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEygH0vJ_HY[/youtube]

With foliar-applied insecticides, growers are able to acheive nearly an 80% kill rate. However, when corn borers burrow into the stalk, foliar applications are no longer affective. Growers are then left to rely merely on careful harvest and season management approaches to fight against stalk lodging, ear drop and repeat infestations.

Post-infestation management procedures for harvest and for next season are also included in today’s video by Nick Benson. For more information on scouting for and managing European Corn Borer, contact Latham’s Corn Product Specialist on Twitter @lathamcornguy or contact us directly at this link.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOJd0exvyVQ[/youtube]

Gary Geske

July 19, 2011

Agronomics, Corn, Crop, General, Insects
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Rain Makes Corn, but Wind Makes a Mess!

It’s no wonder that farmers always have one eye on the radar and both ears tuned to the next weather report. Weather is the number one factor in determining yield, said Dr. Fred Below, professor of Plant Physiology for the University of Illinois.

During a July 15^th presentation to a group of farmers enrolled in Latham’s Seed-2-Soil® program, Dr. Below said that rain in July and cool night-time temperatures in August make grain. His data shows that about 70 bushels of yield can be attributed to weather.

Unfortunately, the weather last Monday was out of control! Straight-line winds of 75 to 100 mph struck many corn fields in Latham Country, including our WHO Crop Tour Stop on Johnny Wilson’s farm near Laurel in Central Iowa. These photos by John Latham show damage in the area, including a new bin that collapsed, and downed corn.

Yield loss to the maturing corn crop may be large, reports Rod Swoboda in a recent Wallaces Farmer article entitled “Severe Storms High Winds Flatten Iowa Corn.”

This bin located north of Johnny's field didn't fare quite as well.

Despite the damage that occurred July 11, ISU Extension Corn Specialist Roger Elmore says we can be thankful the damage wasn’t more extensive. Wet soils caused more root lodging from the derecho winds, explains Dr. Elmore in a blog posted July 15 by Iowa Farmer Today. Drier soils would have cause more greensnap, and thus higher yield losses. Read Elmore’s blog post for more information about yield loss from root lodging, greensnap and pinching.

Corn in Johnny Wilson's field near Laurel, Iowa after 80-100 mph straight-line winds passed through.

Derecho winds on Monday, July 11, damaged fields in Marshall County, Iowa. This competitor hybrid was located in a field just to the North of Johnny's LH 5376.

Team Latham

July 18, 2011

Agronomics, General, Season, Summer
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Compaction Effects Felt Long After Fall Tillage and Spring Planting

We’ve heard several reports about uneven corn stands this season, and compacted soils is one reason for some of the variability that’s now evident in the fields. Today we’re following up our recent posts, Uneven Corn Stands Part 1 and Uneven Corn Stands Part 2, with a video example of compaction.

Steve Bailie, Latham RSM, recently shot this footage in his Southwest Wisconsin territory. While completing fall tillage operations, the grower entered this field when it was too wet. This action led to deep wheel tracks in the soil and compaction in the seedbed.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSb1yf4p7nY[/youtube]

Here’s a photo of corn plants from the same field, eight rows apart. Compaction took its toll on the plant on the left.

Make adjustments to your crop management plan this year to avoid situations like these from happening to your acres in 2012. The majority of yield is determined during planting. Good things come to those who wait for the right seedbed conditions. For more tips on how to avoid soil compaction, read Mark Grundmeier’s post.

Gary Geske

July 12, 2011

Agronomics, General, Soil
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Corn Borer Pressure Escalates in Latham Country

Latham Corn Product Specialist Nick Benson is seeing above-average pressures of corn borer in his northeast Iowa territory. If your acres aren’t protected by a corn borer trait, Nick advises you to check fields as soon as possible for corn borer larvae and consult with an agronomist about treatment if thresholds are met.

Click the video below for information on how to scout your fields for corn borer.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YbFHunRgSY&feature=channel_video_title[/youtube]

Trio of late-stage larvae showing dark and light color phases

According to Iowa State University’s Pest Management website, corn borers are often misidentified. This link provides their suggestions for identification and scouting based on the growing season.

Female moths have dull, buff colored wings while males have brown colored wings.

Corn Borers damage plants when their “boring” tendencies disrupt the plant tissues and interfere with water and nutrient uptake and transfer. Boring into plants creates a wound providing opportunity for infectious disease to enter the plant. Lastly, corn borers can cause weakened stalk and ear strength leading to lodging or ear drop. It’s important to catch these pests early on in the infestation stages to prevent severe damage to the integrity of your plants.

Late-stage larvae commonly tunnel into the earshank of corn.

Management approaches differ according to generation of corn borer, stage of growth in the corn plants and the cost analysis in your field. Iowa State provides these guidelines, but it’s advisable to run an individual analysis and consult with your agronomist for recommendations to suit your unique situation.

For more information on corn borer or management approaches, don’t hesitate to ask questions in the comment box below, or contact us directly.

Gary Geske

July 11, 2011

Agronomics, Corn, Crop, General, Insects