C.O.R.N. Newsletter: 2021-26
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Weather Update: Hot and Humid Conditions Return
Summary
July was an interesting weather month for the Ohio Valley. According to NOAA, Ohio experienced its 15th wettest July on record (1895-present). Even more interesting, daytime highs for July 2021 rank as the 33rd coolest, yet overnight lows rank as the 27th warmest, the 7th largest spread on record. Indeed, this was the result of numerous cloudy/rainy days that kept daytime temperature in check, not to mention, the occasional influx of wildfire smoke from active fires in the western states.Since the start of the month, widespread rainfall has been limited across Ohio. Figure 1 shows precipitation over the last 7 days through 8am August 9, 2021. A few rounds of showers and storms managed to drop 0.50-2” across West Central, North Central, and parts of northeast Ohio. Additional areas picked up rainfall on Monday as well as another small disturbance moved through the state. Fortunately, during this drier stretch temperatures have been mild, running 1-3°F below average through the first 8 days of the month.
Figure 1). Multi-sensor precipitation estimates for the last 7-days ending 8 a.m. August 9, 2021. Courtesy of the Midwest Regional Climate Center.
Forecast
Hot and humid conditions are taking over this week. The sultry air will provide the opportunity for scattered showers and storms each day through Friday. Highs will range from the mid-80s to the mid-90s, with overnight lows in the upper 60s to low 70s through Friday. The weekend is looking drier and a little more comfortable, with highs in the low to mid 80s.
The Climate Prediction Center’s 6–10-day outlook for the period of August 15 – 19 and the16-Day Rainfall Outlook from NOAA/NWS/Ohio River Forecast Center indicate near to above average temperatures and below average precipitation (Figure 2). Climate averages for this period include a high temperature range of 82-86°F, a low temperature range of 60-65°F, and average rainfall of 0.70-0.90 inches.
Figure 2) Climate Prediction Center 6-10 Day Outlook valid for August 9, 2021, for left) temperatures and right) precipitation. Colors represent the probability of below, normal, or above normal conditions.
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Hazy Days…How Does Light Influence Corn and Soybean?
Quite often this summer, our skies have been filled with smoke from western wildfires. Strong, dominant high pressure has focused record-breaking heat in the west while here across the Midwest, westerly to northwesterly flow has funneled that smoke our direction (See Figure 1 for current active fires, air quality, and smoke plume across the U.S.). Typically, this smoke remains at high altitude, resulting in hazy sunshine. What impact can this filtered sunshine have on crop production?
Figure 1: Current fire and air quality conditions across the U.S. and Canada from AirNow (https://www.airnow.gov/) as of Monday, August 9. 2021. Fire symbols indicate active fires. Air quality is provided by the colored circles/triangles (green-good; yellow-moderate; orange-unhealthy for sensitive groups; red – unhealthy). Smoke plume and intensity indicated by gray shading.
Capturing sunlight energy, which drives photosynthesis, is important to maximize crop yield. Typical plant canopy-level instantaneous light values (also known as photosynthetic photon flux density) on sunny days range from 1200 to 1800 µmol/m2/s while typical instantaneous plant canopy-level values for cloudy days are 100 to 400 µmol/m2/s. In general, sunny days (all else equal) are better for crops, especially if moisture is non-limiting.
For soybean, photosynthetic photon flux densities that exceed 700 µmol/m2/s produce minimal gains in leaf-level photosynthetic efficiency, which ultimately can translate into yield production. With radiation values above or below this level, the plant can still photosynthesize but may need to adjust leaf angle to change how direct interception is. As the sun moves across the sky, leaves can orient themselves perpendicular to incoming direct light to increase interception or parallel to the light to decrease direct interception as too much direct light can be harmful for plants. Changing orientation in the upper canopy can also allow for more light to be intercepted by lower leaves allowing for more leaves to optimize photosynthetic rates at a time.
Corn (having a slightly different photosynthetic pathway) can continue to increase photosynthesis with increasing light and tends to benefit from more sun if temperatures and water levels are not limiting growth. Upper leaves in corn grow more vertically and are smaller but become larger and more horizontal lower in the canopy. This orientation works to increase light penetration into the canopy and optimize interception. Corn’s major response to too much light (often paired with water stress or high vapor pressure deficit) is to roll its leaves to minimize excess light exposure.
So, with the wildfire haze and just regular cloudy days, how have our average radiation values for June and July compared to past years? In 2021, the daily average photosynthetic photon flux density was lower for June and July as compared to the last 4 years (2017-2020) (Table 1). Given these are daily values, the cumulative effects of this reduction will likely equate to lower overall yield potential because of the additive nature of light loss. However, cooler temperatures could help extend the season and help crops gain yield from more days with active growth during the grain fill period. The levels of light seen in 2021 may still be sufficient if other factors end up being more limiting to yield production; factors like water stress, biotic factors, and adequate mineral nutrition still play a major role in yield gains during the season.
Table 1: Daily average photosynthetic photon flux density during daylight hours in Wood County, Ohio.
Year June July µmol/m2/s 2021 679 694 2017 to 2020 730 738 Difference -51 -44 References:
C.M. Stirling, C. Aguilera, N.R. Baker and S.P. Long. 2009. Changes in the photosynthetic light response curve during leaf development of field grown maize with implications for modelling canopy photosynthesis. Photosynthesis Research 42:217-225. https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/BF00018264.pdf
X. Yao, H. Zhou, Q. Zhu, C. Li, H. Zhang, J.-J. Wu, and F. Xie. 2017. Photosynthetic response of soybean leaf to wide light-fluctuation in maize-soybean intercropping system. Frontiers in Plant Science 8: 1695. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2017.01695/full
R.A. Slattery, A. VanLoocke, C.J. Bernacchi, X.-G. Zhu, and D.R. Ort. 2017. Photosynthesis, light use efficiency, and yield of reduced-chlorophyll soybean mutants in field conditions. Frontiers in Plant Science 8: 549
A.H Fitter and R.K.M. Hay. 2005. Chapter 2: Energy and Carbon. In Environmental physiology of plants, Third Edition. Pages 23-73.
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Report Examines U.S. Corn Production Practices and Trends
In the July 2021 report Trends in Production Practices and Costs of the U.S. Corn Sector, United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service (USDA-ERS) researchers examined acreage, production, technology changes, input costs, farm structure, and productivity changes. The study used information from USDA Economic Research Service and USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service Agricultural Resource Management Survey for the years 1996, 2001, 2005, 2010, and 2016. Data from the U.S. Census of Agriculture for the years 2002, 2007, 2012, and 2017 was also used for this survey.
Because of space limitations, not all data from the 35-page report will be shared here. The complete report is available here: https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/101722/err-294.pdf?v=4291.5. Highlights of the study are presented below. Future articles will describe sections of the report in more detail.
Study Highlights
- More than 88 million acres of corn were planted in 2018, representing an 11 percent increase over the 79 million planted in 1996.
- USDA-ERS has 11 Farm Resource Regions across the U.S. (see figure below). Total net returns across all regions varied during the analysis period, with 2010 being the highest net return year and 2005 the lowest.
- Genetically engineered seed became available in 1996 and corn producers have steadily increased the use of insect resistant and herbicide tolerant varieties.
- In 2001, yield monitors were used by 19% of growers and yield maps were used by six percent of growers. In 2016, the numbers increased to 52% using yield monitors and 31% using yield maps.
- Irrigated corn acres declined across the U.S. during the study period.
- The Heartland Region had the highest yield of all regions and increased production per acre from 138 in 1996 to 197 in 2016. The Southern Seaboard Region had the lowest yield (113 bushels per acre) across all years.
- As the number of acres increased, cost per bushel decreased. Economies of size appeared to level out between 750 and 1,500 acres. Because 58 percent of the corn acreage is on farms less than 750 acres, there may be opportunities for growers to capitalize on economies of size.
- In 2016, the most productive growers achieved yields of 202 bushels per acre. This was more than 50 percent higher than yields of low-productivity growers.
OSU Extension Resources
If you are interested in learning more about corn production on your farm, I encourage you to reach out to your OSU Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator. Additional OSU Extension resources include the Crop Observation and Recommendation Network (C.O.R.N.) newsletter available at https://agcrops.osu.edu/, the Ohio Agronomy Guide available at https://stepupsoy.osu.edu/sites/hcs-soy/files/472%20Ohio%20Agronomy%20Guide%2015%20Ed%20red_0.pdf, and the eFields On-Farm Research Program at https://digitalag.osu.edu/efields.
For financial information and resources, please consult the OSU Extension Ohio Farm Business Analysis and Benchmarking Program at https://farmprofitability.osu.edu/ and OSU Extension Crop Budgets available at https://farmoffice.osu.edu/farm-management/farm-budgets.
Source:
Monica Saavoss, Tom Capehart, William McBride, and Anne Effland. ERR-294, July 2021. Trends in Production Practices and Costs of the U.S. Corn Sector, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
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August 12th CORN Live Focuses on Ohio Yield Potential for Corn and Soybeans for 2021
Matt Reese, Editor of Ohio’s Country Journal, will be joining OSU Extension’s CORN Live webinar this Thursday to report corn and soybean yield estimates collected through OCJ’s 2021 Ohio Crop Tour, which is underway this week. Along with Matt, Extension educators Taylor Dill, John Barker, and Chris Zoller will give local yield and scouting updates. Soybean specialist Laura Lindsey will join to comment on the overall growing season and yield potential moving forward, along with corn and wheat pathologist Pierce Paul who will discuss disease pressure in corn and yield loss potential. The webinar is on Thursday, August 12th from 8:00-9:00am. 1.0 hours of crop management CCA CEUs are available for attending this free online session. Register to attend at www.go.osu.edu/cornlive.
This year the Ohio Crop Tour will include an in-person tour, with two groups traveling the state and conducting yield estimates, as well as an option to submit yield estimates online so that anyone in the state can contribute information about what they are seeing in the field. The tour is sponsored by Ohio Field Leader. If you would like to participate in the virtual tour by submitting a corn or soybean yield estimates, you can do that online until Thursday, Aug. 12th at 6 p.m. at https://ocj.com/croptour/.
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No-Till Field Days 2021
This August we have a variety of No-Till field days throughout the state. On August 19th, we have two half day options. One event is in the morning from 9 a.m. to noon at the Fred Yoder Farm in Plain City and another is in the evening from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Aultman Farms in Darke County.
We have a similar line up at both locations with the main speakers being Scott Shearer, the chair of The Department of Food Agricultural and Biological Engineering and Fred Yoder a past President of the National Corn Growers association.
Pay $20 on arrival (no pre-registration required)
Morning Schedule
Location: 7050 Butler Ave, Plain City, OH 43064
9:00 a.m. until noon, at the Fred Yoder Farm, Plain City
Welcome: Jan Layman, President, Ohio No-till Council, and Fred Yoder
9:05 a.m. Precision Agriculture for No-till with Scott Shearer
Precision will improve environmental quality, reduce nutrient purchases, and increase return to management. Automation will lead to increased continuous no-till acres. Gross vehicle weight of equipment will be so low that deep tillage to remove compaction will be unnecessary. Dr. Shearer will also discuss “Strip intercropping” which offers multiple advantages. (You may have seen this demonstrated at Farm Science Review in the “Farm of the Future” along Rt 38.)
10:00 a.m. Managing Slugs by Planting Green. Nathan Brown from Highland County
Cover crops can provide the food supply for slugs while the new crop emerges and gets a good start.
10:30 a.m. break
10:40 a.m. No-till and Carbon Sequestration: What’s it Worth? with Fred Yoder
Farmers who switch to continuous no-till can earn Carbon payments. But will farmers who have been doing it right for 5, 10 or more years? Besides sequestering carbon in the soil as organic matter, farmers can earn credits by "growing" N instead of applying it. Verifying the amount of Carbon sequestered is expensive currently.
11:15 a.m. Which cover crop mixes are best for next year’s corn? Cody Beacon (Bird Agronomics), and Fred and Josh Yoder.
Cody planted a dozen mixes here a year ago. Fred and Josh planted corn in the field this spring. They will discuss estimated differences in corn yields following those different cover crop mixes.
Evening Schedule
Location: 6721 Horatio Harris Creek Rd, Greenville, Oh 45331.
6 p.m. – 9 p.m. at Matt Aultman’s Farm
6 p.m. Welcome with Jan Layman, President, Ohio No-till Council, and Matt Aultman
6:05 p.m. Precision Agriculture for No-till with Scott Shearer
Precision will improve environmental quality, reduce nutrient purchases, and increase return to management. Automation will lead to increased continuous no-till acres. Gross vehicle weight of equipment will be so low that deep tillage to remove compaction will be unnecessary. Dr. Shearer will also discuss “Strip intercropping” which offers multiple advantages. (You may have seen this demonstrated at Farm Science Review in the “Farm of the Future” along Rt 38.)
7:00 p.m. No-till and Carbon Sequestration: What’s it Worth? Fred Yoder (Past-President National Corn Growers Assoc., and active in several other national organizations)
Farmers who switch to continuous no-till can earn Carbon payments. But will farmers who have been doing it right for 5, 10 or more years? Besides sequestering carbon in the soil as organic matter, farmers can earn credits by "growing" N instead of applying it. Verifying the amount of Carbon sequestered is expensive currently.
7:45 p.m. Cover crop mixes, after wheat. Greg McGlinch, Taylor Dill, Jared Coppess SWCD, and Matt Aultman.
They planted 25 strips on July 24. Liquid manure will be applied in a strip across half the cover crop plots. They will discuss optimum cover crop mixtures based on crop rotation and cultural practices, root growth differences and the benefit of cover crops in adverse weather will be discussed.
~8:30 p.m. Get your Questions Answered. Time to ask any speaker or experienced no-tiller your questions. Jan Layman, Fred Yoder, Matt Aultman etc.
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Regional Field Days Focus on Cover Crop Application and Termination
OSU Extension will host two educational field days focused on soil health and cover crops next week. Extension specialists and farmers experienced with cover crops will present on topics including inter-seeding cover crops into a growing crop, terminating cover crops, cover crop variety selection, and more. Field demonstrations, cover crop plots, and equipment demonstrations will be on-site.
Each field day is free to attend. Registration is appreciated. Register at go.osu.edu/RegionalFieldDay
Monday, August 16th – 6:30-8:30pm. Location: Klopfenstein Farm (Paulding County), 10136 Road 60, Haviland, OH.
Tuesday, August 17th – 2:00-5:00pm. Location: Fayette County Airport, 2770 Old Route 38, NW, Washington CH, OH. This event is part of the Southwest Corn Growers’ Field Day, which is from 9:00-2:00pm. Get more information on this field day here.
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Western Bean Cutworm Update
The majority of Western bean cutworm (WBC) trap counts were below scouting threshold for the week-ending August 8. The statewide average resulted in 4.2 moths per trap. Counties above scouting threshold were isolated to northeast Ohio and include Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Paulding and Trumbull. For more information on WBC monitoring and scouting please visit the agronomic pest website: https://aginsects.osu.edu/
Figure 1. Average Western bean cutworm adult per trap (in white) followed by total number of traps monitored in each county (in blue) for week ending August 8, 2021. Map developed by Suranga Basnagala, Ohio State University, using ArcGIS Pro.
Crop Observation and Recommendation Network
C.O.R.N. Newsletter is a summary of crop observations, related information, and appropriate recommendations for Ohio crop producers and industry. C.O.R.N. Newsletter is produced by the Ohio State University Extension Agronomy Team, state specialists at The Ohio State University and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC). C.O.R.N. Newsletter questions are directed to Extension and OARDC state specialists and associates at Ohio State.
Contributors
Disclaimer
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