Most farmers across Latham Country have experienced some type of extreme weather this year. Phil Long discusses the impacts from the derecho and the yield impacts from drought.
:30 – Topic introduction
1:00 – Derecho impacts
2:17 – Current corn field conditions
5:45 – Stalk & ear rot
7:20 – Drought effects on corn
9:50 – Drought effects on soybeans
Product team members at Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds continually search for new products to help our lineup perform better in your fields. We look at our MiniStrip trials to document the early season environmental issues at each location, so we can better understand harvest results. While we learn about new products in these plots, we also look for indicators to help us provide better positioning statements on key hybrids in our lineup.
Each season offers new challenges and opportunities for us to learn more to help better position products in your fields. Like many of your fields, some of our MiniStrip plot locations were planted in cooler soils this spring and endured the very cold temperatures over Mother’s Day weekend. We are watching hybrid reactions to those environmental conditions.
Soon we will evaluate seed products on flower date. With the abundance of pollen during flowering in a commercial corn field, we generally do not get concerned about pollen viability. We watch for stresses on the plant that may cause issues with proper silking. We also look for differences between hybrids that are close in maturity, so that we can make sound recommendations on which hybrids to pair together that are similar in maturity but offer variation on pollination/silking timing.
Pairing hybrids in a field with varying pollination windows spreads risk of cool weather, super high temperatures or drought. It is uncommon for us to see issues with pollination but pairing complimentary hybrids in the same field offers protection in seasons of extreme stress. July also is when we look for early onset of diseases. We evaluate for disease tolerance and for benefits we may see from in-season fungicide applications. The continual evaluation of what we see in our plots helps us fine tune the hybrid characteristic information on our tech sheets. We look forward to sharing any important findings from our summer research this fall. Watch for more details coming soon!
August is a great time to assess potential risks of corn rootworm infestations in the following spring. By looking at the population of adult beetles found in corn fields now, farmers can identify potential problem fields for the following growing season. This can be a useful tool in overall management of corn rootworm.
While walking fields this summer, our product team is seeing populations of corn rootworm adults. Predominantly, we see Northern Corn Rootworm in our market area. (Adult Fig. 1) This season we have seen populations of Western Corn Rootworms, (Adult Fig. 2) as well as a few Southern Corn Rootworms (Adult Fig. 3).
Assessing Corn Fields
Look in corn fields that may be planted to corn next spring, as well as in soybean fields for high beetle populations. If you did not place sticky traps to catch or monitor beetles beginning at pollination time, spend a little time in your fields looking for evidence of adult populations that are still present.
The primary/desired food source for corn rootworm beetles are the fresh silks of pollinating corn plants. If we have early flowering, as we have seen this season, we may not see an abundance of feeding at that time. Beetles, however, will feed on leaf tissue of corn plants if the source of fresh green silk is no longer available. The adult phase of the corn rootworm cycle begins at the end of June and can last all the way to the first killing frost. The egg laying period can last from late July through August.
When assessing corn fields at pollination time, focus on beetle counts found on silks of corn plants. When assessing corn fields in August and early September, focus on beetle populations that remain on any silks and look for leaf feeding. (Fig. 4) Make note of fields with high numbers of adults and significant leaf feeding. Consider rootworm management tools in those fields that will be corn next year.
Assessing Soybean Fields
Rootworm beetles feed on weedy areas: field edges, weedy areas in drowned-out spots, weed escapes etc. including soybean plants, alfalfa and prairie grass fields (CRP). Western Rootworm beetles are more likely to lay eggs in soybean fields, but Northern Rootworm beetles may do the same. Sweep net catches in soybeans or evidence of leaf feeding are best ways to assess populations.
Protocols and population threshold advice can be found on your state’s Extension Service website.
If you identify fields that may have potential rootworm problems next spring, consider using hybrids containing rootworm protection traits. Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds has an exceptional group of hybrids, ranging in relative maturing from 96 to 115, to manage corn rootworm. We introduced six hybrids with SmartStax® technology to help our customers manage this important corn pest for the 2021 planting season. Visit with your local Latham dealer or visit www.LathamSeeds.com to check out these new hybrids.
Tune in for discussion on emerging corn diseases and tips on determining if it is time for fungicide application. #LathamSeeds
:25 — Topic introduction
1:00 — Current environmental changes
2:20 — Emerging corn diseases
4:45 — Identifying disease pressure
6:30 — Positive impact of fungicide application
8:40 — Fungicide type
