Check out what OSU Extension Educators and Specialists are observing in fields across the state. Common observations this past week include waterhemp and giant ragweed escapes, as well as tar spot becoming more prevalent in corn. Main field activities include silage harvest, cover crop planting, manure application, hay cutting and preparation for the upcoming harvest season. Keep reading below for more information.
Northwest Ohio
Nic Baumer of Allen County reported on behalf of Agronomic Crops Team members representing Northwest Ohio that soybeans are beginning to senesce in some areas, with early planted soybeans in Wood County being ready to harvest as early as next week. In corn, trap numbers remain low for fall armyworm and tar spot has been observed throughout Northwest Ohio but is not expected to significantly decrease yield since infection occurred later in the growing season in most cases. Bean leaf beetle is a concern in Van Wert County soybean fields and weed escapes above the crop canopy are being seen across the region.
Central & West Central Ohio
Ryan McMichael of Mercer County reported on behalf of Agronomic Crops Team members representing Central & West Central Ohio that the majority of first crop beans are between R6 (full-sized seed in top four nodes) and R8 (full maturity) are on average in good condition. Corn has reached dent (R5) or “black layer” (R6) in most parts of Central & West Central Ohio as of September 11. Main scouting concerns are waterhemp and giant ragweed escapes, along with greater prevalence of tar spot in corn (Figure 1). The area remains dry as growers continue silage harvest, 4th cutting of hay, cover crop planting, and manure applications.
Northeast Ohio
Andrew Holden of Ashtabula County reported on behalf of Agronomic Crops Team members representing Northeast Ohio that corn on average is rated “good” and is between R4 (dough) and R5 (dent) growth stages. Tar spot is progressing in fields, and overall conditions are dry but with adequate soil moisture as we face an upcoming week of cooler temperatures and shorter days. Soybeans are between R4 (full pod, ¾ inch pod in top four nodes) and R6 (full-size seed in top four nodes) with both Sclerotinia white mold (Figure 2) and Sudden death syndrome (SDS) being observed.
Southwest Ohio
Ken Ford of Fayette County reported on behalf of Agronomic Crops Team members representing Southwest Ohio that there is a concern about the later planted corn running out of time to reach the black layer. This was discussed by Agronomy Field Specialist, Elizabeth Hawkins. This would represent corn that was planted in late May and sat for a few weeks prior to germinating due to the extremely dry growing conditions. Aaron Wilson discussed how the southwest is approximately 18 days behind on the number of GDDs for this time of year, which could be a key factor in this later corn maturing. However, the corn planted in April and early May is having no trouble reaching “black layer” and is beginning to dry down. Tar spot is continuing to show up in fields in Fayette County. Soybeans are losing their leaves and also beginning to dry down. The remaining 3rd and some 4th cutting hay has or is ready to be made in the southwest region.