Head scab advisory

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If your wheat is flowering, it may be at risk for head scab (Fusarium head blight, FHB). FHB is caused primarily by the fungus Fusarium graminearum. Infection of wheat heads with this fungus can result in significant yield loss and contamination of the grain with deoxynivalenol (DON or vomitoxin). Risk of FHB can be determined using the Fusarium Risk Assessment Tool (http://www.wheatscab.psu.edu/). As of today (May 5) many areas in eastern and central Virginia have a moderate FHB risk; portions of the Eastern Shore (Accomack County) have a high risk. Early flowering is the best timing for fungicide applications. Prosaro, Proline, and Caramba are the most effective products to reduce FHB and DON. If a strobilurin is applied at or after heading, and IF scab infections occur, DON levels are likely to be elevated compared to a triazole or even an unsprayed check. Information on FHB can be found in the Virginia Tech Extension publication “Managing Fusarium Head Blight in Virginia Small Grains” (http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/3102/3102-1535/3102-1535.html). Additional information: fhb-virginia-tech-pdf

Be careful if you are planning to tank mix Admire Pro with a starter/pop-up liquid fertilizer

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Admire Pro applied as a liquid into the seed furrow is proving to be an excellent option for controlling thrips in cotton and peanuts. To increase efficiency, growers are beginning to look at the options for tank mixing other planting time products with the Admire Pro including different starter/pop-up liquid fertilizers. We have information that suggests that there are some combinations that are not working well.

For example, we did a field trial last summer and found that Admire Pro did NOT mix well with 10-34-0 (N-P-K). Where Ca(NO3)2 tank mixed with the Admire Pro with no problem and provided good seedling vigor and good thrips control, the 10-34-0 (N-P-K) Admire Pro tank mix did not. The Admire Pro 10-34-0 mix clotted up and caused clogginh of sprayer lines and nozzle screens. Not unpredictably, seedling vigor and thrips control were also compromised.

We recently had the same experience with a local grower. Before (thankfully) adding Admire Pro to a full load of 3-15-19, (N-P-K) starter/pop-up fertilizer we did a ‘jar’ test. We saw the same result as we did the previous summer in our field trial—that the Admire Pro clotted up in the jar and quickly precipitated out in whitish flakes to the bottom of the jar—not good.

We are beginning a project to evaluate other fertilizer products in lab ‘jar’ test mixes and will take some of these to the field this summer to look at how these mixes perform, both in terms of seedling growth enhancement and thrips control. In the meantime we STRONGLY recommend that if you are planning to tank mix Admire Pro with a starter/pop-up fertilizer that you do a ‘jar’ test to check for compatibility. And, based on our experiences, when filling the spray tank you should add the water first, then the fertilizer, then the Admire Pro last. Continual tank agitation may also be helpful to minimize the risk of any settling of the suspension.

Ames Herbert and Hunter Frame, VT, Tidewater AREC

Got stink bugs – brief survey for growers

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Got stink bugs? We need your help! We’re surveying growers to assess the impact of BMSB on crops and gather information that will help us defeat this pest. Receive a free Guide to Stink Bugs* if you complete the 10-minute BMSB survey (copy and paste the URL)
(https://cornell.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_5ssnjXLNhvp6v1H).

Your participation will help us to help you Stop BMSB! The survey will be available until June 30th.

Thank you from the Outreach Team for “StopBMSB,” a project focused on the biology, ecology, and management of the brown marmorated stink bug. For more info: StopBMSB.org

*see it at https://pubs.ext.vt.edu/444/444-356/444-356_pdf.pdf

Save the date–Virginia Tech Tidewater AREC’s “Early Summer Row Crops Tour” scheduled for June 5, 2014

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Please mark your calendars for the Virginia Tech Tidewater Agricultural Research and Extension Center’s annual “Early Summer Row Crops Tour” on the morning of Thursday, June 5, 2014, with in-field presentations by Drs. Balota, Frame, Herbert, Holshouser, and Mehl. More details will be provided in the near future.

25th Annual Eastern Shore Ag Conference and Trade Show

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Please find attached the program for the 25th Annual Eastern Shore Ag Conference & Trade Show on January 7 and 8, 2014. The event will be held at the Eastern Shore Community College Workforce Development Center, 29300 Lankford Highway, Melfa, VA 23410. This event is free and open to the public with no registration required. Feel free to pass on to any email lists, stakeholders, etc. that may be interested. Continuing education credits for Certified Crop Advisers will be offered. Any further program changes, weather advisories, and so forth will be posted on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/EasternShore.Soils
Thank you,
Mark
Additional information: agconfprogram2014-3january2014-pdf

Workshop entitled “Getting Started in Vegetable Production” – January 27, 2014 Hershey, PA

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On Monday January 27, 2014 a workshop “Getting Started in Vegetable Production” will be held prior to the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention at the Hershey Lodge, Hershey, Pa. The convention runs from January 28-30, 2014. This workshop is intended for beginning vegetable growers or those thinking about getting into the production of vegetables. The workshop will cover important topics that growers need to think about when contemplating entering into growing vegetables. The speakers at the workshop have years of experience working with vegetable growers and will provide a wealth of information that will prove useful to beginning and new growers. The cost of the workshop is $35.00 and will be separate from the registration for the convention. For more information on registration contact Bill Troxell, Executive Secretary, Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association at “William Troxell” or phone: 717-694-3596.