C.O.R.N. Newsletter: 2021-41
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Weather Update: Winter Off to a Warm, Damp Start
Summary
Temperatures across Ohio have been running 2-6°F above average (1991-2010; Figure 1) during the month of December, almost guaranteeing another top 10 warmest year on record for the Buckeye State (1895-present). Daily average soil temperatures remain above freezing, with upper 30s to low 40s across the north and low to mid 40s across central and southern counties.
Precipitation, mainly in the form of rain, has been plentiful as well with a large portion of the state picking up 2-4 inches of precipitation since December 1. Pockets of heavier precipitation can be found across portions of southwest, north central, and southern Ohio. Snowfall has been very light, even across the snowbelt areas of the northeast, with less than 1 inch statewide.
Figure 1). Accumulated precipitation for December 1 - 20, 2021. Figure courtesy of the Midwestern Regional Climate Center (https://mrcc.purdue.edu/).
Forecast
High pressure will remain anchored across the Ohio Valley for the next couple of days, with cool daytime highs in the
upper 30s to mid 40s. A weak cold front could bring a few snow showers in its wake to northeastern counties on Wednesday along with colder temperatures statewide. A stronger low-pressure system will push toward the Great Lakes on Friday, bringing a surge of warmer air and rain showers to the region through Friday night into Christmas morning. Conditions will slowly dry out on Christmas Day with mild temperatures in upper 40s to low 50s. Seasonally average temperatures should follow for the beginning of next week. The Weather Prediction Center is currently predicting up to 0.50 inches of precipitation over the next 7 days (Figure 2). Figure 2). Precipitation forecast from the Weather Prediction Center for 7a Monday Dec 20 – 7a Monday Dec 27.
The Climate Prediction Center’s 6–10-day outlook for the period of December 26 - 30, 2021 and the 16-Day Rainfall Outlook from NOAA/NWS/Ohio River Forecast Center indicate that temperatures are likely to be above average with above average precipitation (Figure 3). Climate averages for this period include a high temperature range of 37-41°F, a low temperature range of 23-26°F, and average rainfall of 0.55-0.85 inches.
Figure 3) Climate Prediction Center 6-10 Day Outlook valid for December 26 - 30, 2021, for left) temperatures and right) precipitation. Colors represent the probability of below, normal, or above normal conditions.
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Winter Application of Manure - Remember Setbacks
Some Ohio livestock producers will be looking to apply manure to farm fields frozen enough to support application equipment. This is due to the wet weather in later October, November, and December that also stretched out the crop harvest season. Permitted farms are not allowed to apply manure in the winter unless it is an extreme emergency, and then movement of manure to other suitable storage is usually the selected alternative. Thus, this article is for non-permitted livestock operations.
In the Grand Lake St Marys watershed, the winter manure application ban from December 15th to March 1st is still in effect. Thus, no manure application would normally be allowed from now until March 1st.
In the Western Lake Erie Basin (WLEB) watershed, the surface application of manure to frozen and snow-covered soils require there to be a growing crop in the field. This could be a pasture, alfalfa, clover, ryegrass or a rape crop. There must be enough vegetation visible to provide a 90% cover of residue and growing vegetation. Radishes and oats would not qualify as a growing crop as both are typically winter killed. Manure can be applied to fields without growing crops if the manure is incorporated at the time of application or incorporated within 24 hours of application.
The rainfall rule for surface manure application in the WLEB is a weather forecast saying “not greater than a 50% chance of a half inch or more of rain in the next 24 hours”. It is advisable to print out the weather forecast when you start applying manure, so you have the needed proof if an unexpected storm drenches the area. Weather.gov is the most commonly accepted website for this forecast. On this web page, you can type in the zip code for a seven-day forecast. On the lower right-hand side of the seven-day forecast page, is an hourly weather forecast that will provide a 48-hour weather forecast graph.
Winter manure application rates should follow the Natural Resource Conservation Service 590 standards, which limit solid manure application amounts to five tons per acre and liquid manure application amounts to 5,000 gallons per acre. These have 200 foot setback distances from ditches, streams and creeks and must be on slopes of less than 6% and less than 20 acre areas in size without additional buffers. These setbacks exist because as snow melts, it can carry manure to streams and ditches. These 200 foot setback distances apply to both liquid and solid manure application. In recent years there have been several fines levied against livestock producers applying manure too close to ditches and streams.
For liquid manure applicators, examine fields for tile blowouts, monitor tile outlets before, during, and after manure application and any other situations that might allow manure to reach surface waters. If a cover crop has been planted, talk to the local Soil and Water Conservation District to determine of the cover crop has sufficient growth to meet the requirements.
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2021 Organic Corn Performance Test Results Available
In 2021, 33 organic hybrids representing 7 commercial brands were submitted for evaluation in the Organic Corn Performance Test. The tests were conducted on certified organic fields at Apple Creek (West Badger Farm) and Wooster (Fry Farm) in Wayne County and were intensively managed for nutrients and weed control. An additional field was planted later at Apple Creek to compare hybrid response to planting dates. The planned Lindsey site in Sandusky County was not planted in 2021 due to saturated soil conditions from late-May through mid-June.
Each hybrid entry was evaluated using four replications per site in a randomized complete block design. Hybrids were planted either in an early or full season maturity trial based on relative maturity information provided by the companies. The relative maturity of hybrid entries in the early maturity trial were 106 days or earlier; the relative maturity of hybrid entries in the full season trial were 107 days or later. The planting rate was 34,000 seeds/acre with a final stand target of 30,000 – 31,000 plants/acre. Soil amendments were applied according to recommended cultural practices for obtaining optimum grain yields.
The Organic OCPT fields were planted in early June into fields with good soil moisture. Growing conditions were mostly favorable throughout the growing season with a brief dry period in early August. Adequate rainfall during the end of August and into early September helped the sites finish strong, with September rains adding to test weight and overall yield. Low levels of Gray Leaf Spot and Northern Corn Leaf Blight were observed at the Apple Creek Site along with a late onset of Southern Rust. Disease pressure was not high enough to impact yields.
In 2021, Organic OCPT yields exceeded expectations. Averaged across hybrid entries in the early and full season tests, yields were 214 bu/A. Yields at individual test sites, averaged across hybrid entries in the early and full season tests, ranged from 211 bu/A at Wooster to 218 bu/A at Apple Creek.
Confidence in test results increases with the number of years and the number of locations in which the hybrid was tested. Look for consistency in a hybrid's performance across a range of environmental conditions. Yield, standability, grain moisture, and other comparisons should be made between hybrids of similar maturity to determine those best adapted to your farm. Results of the Organic Corn Performance Trials for 2021 will be available online at: https://ohiocroptest.cfaes.osu.edu/organiccorntrials. Hybrids can be sorted by yield, brand, and other variables.
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Update: Precision University 2022
We were excited to bring Precision University back to an in-person event in 2022. However, due to stress in the supply chain and other unforeseen circumstances, we are not able to present the January 19 in-person portion of Precision University to the caliber that our clientele would expect. Therefore, we have cancelled that day and hope to resume our in-person event in 2023. Webinars will continue on January 5 and 12 as scheduled.
The January 5 webinar will focus on adapting to supply chain shortages. A panel of industry representatives will share what they are seeing and how to work around what you might not have. Topics: Technology Management for 2022; Equipment and Part Shortages; Outlook Having a Plan B. Speakers: Dr. John Fulton (OSU), Jenna Elleman (AgPro), Doug Wical (Sunrise), Sarah Waltner (Raven)
The January 12 webinar will turn your attention to sulfur. Some have seen responses to sulfur application while others have not. Dr. Shaun Casteel, Purdue University, and Dr. Steve Culman, The Ohio State University, will share results from their on-farm sulfur research. Dr. John Fulton, The Ohio State University, will also discuss recent research on sulfur and share tips for conducting your own on-farm research to determine if sulfur is a limiting factor on your farm.
The webinars are set for 9-10am and are free to attend. You can register at http://go.osu.edu/PrecisionU.
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Northwest Ohio Corn-Soybean Day in Archbold – January 14
The annual Northwest Ohio Corn & Soybean Day is scheduled for Friday, January 14 in Founders Hall at Sauder Village in Archbold from 8:00 am to 2:45 pm. The program has a variety of speakers, farmer/retailer re-certification credits and 30 exhibitors sharing information on management practices for the 2022 crop production season. Key topics include Maximizing Wheat Potential (Dennis Pennington, MSU), Tar Spot (Pierce Paul, OSU), Bees and Beans (Reed Johnson, OSU) and Soil Compaction/Tire Inflation (Ian McDonald, Ontario).
The following continuing education credits for pesticide and fertilizer applicators are offered throughout the day:
- Private Pesticide Applicator Re-certification: 3 hrs in categories Core, 1, 2, and 6.
- Commercial Pesticide Applicator Re-certification: 3.5 hrs in categories Core, 2A, 2D, 9, 10C
- Fertilizer Applicator Re-certification (Private & Commercial): 1hr category 15p/15c
- Michigan: 5 hours
- Certified Crop Advisors: 5.0 hours IPM, CM, NM, and SW (1.5 hrs more with optional sessions)
Pre-registration is $40 and should be postmarked by January 3, Payment can also be made by credit card online or over the phone. Later registrations and at the door registrations are $50, space permitting. Registration includes coffee/rolls, lunch, and speaker materials. A more detailed agenda, list of sponsors and registration information can be found at https://go.osu.edu/cornsoybean2022. Contact Eric Richer, Extension Educator, Agriculture & Natural Resources, 419-337-9210 or richer.5@osu.edu for more information.
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
The information presented here, along with any trade names used, is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement is made by Ohio State University Extension is implied. Although every attempt is made to produce information that is complete, timely, and accurate, the pesticide user bears responsibility of consulting the pesticide label and adhering to those directions.
CFAES provides research and related educational programs to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis. For an accessible format of this publication, visit cfaes.osu.edu/accessibility.