Battle for the Belt: Season 2 Episode 14 – July Weather Update

Episode 14 of Battle for the Belt is now available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9spGf3GBY0

In Episode 14, we get a weather update from Dr. Aaron Wilson, Ag Weather and Climate Field Specialist. Please see his article called “Weather Extremes Abound” in this newsletter for an update.

What’s happening in the field?

In the past week most of the state received some needed rainfall. However, the Northwest region of the state experienced storms and heavy rains through the middle and end of the week. These rains prohibited our research team from taking field notes. Before the rain began, the fifth and final planting date was established at the Northwest location on June 24^th (Table 1).

At the Western location, soybeans planted on date one (March 25), two (April 16), and three (May 6) were all in the reproductive stages. Planting date one and two were at beginning pod (Table 2.). If you have earlier planting dates, especially as we come into the fungicide and insecticide spray application window for the earlier planted fields, it is time to scout for disease incidence and severity to determine if a fungicide application may be necessary. Corn planted on date one (March 25) reached R1 for all relative maturities. For corn planted at an early planting date and getting close to VT/R1, it is important to scout your fields. R1 is the optimal application window for fungicides in corn. Scouting for disease incidence and severity and location of the disease on the plant is necessary for an effective fungicide application. Many diseases may stay on the lower leaves of the canopy but are highly dependent on the environment. If the weather continues to be hot and humid, and you have a susceptible hybrid and a field history of disease, you may consider an application. At the Western location, the disease rating notes began and there were low levels in both incidence and severity of gray leaf spot and tar spot on the ear leaves of these hybrids. If you want to look into scouting for corn and soybean diseases more, please visit https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/. This website is informed by Extension specialists throughout the U.S. and has tools and scouting guidelines for many different diseases in agronomic crops.

At the Wooster location, soybeans planted on date one (April 22) were at R2 and are currently the only planting date in either crop that has entered the reproductive stages. Septoria brown spot has been identified on soybean plants at this location in the ultra-early planting date. While typically not resulting in significant yield reduction, it is advised to closely scout fields and monitor the disease progression to minimize any potential impact on yield. At this location anthracnose in corn was also identified, which can be common for the northeastern side of the state. With Anthracnose, the first leaves will die off and the disease stays within the lower canopy, but in severe cases can be seen in the newest leaves. In Ohio, this disease is not generally a yield concern.

This year’s crop has progressed very quickly in comparison to last year or a “normal” year, be proactive and get into your fields early to evaluate disease and check the stage of the crop to time foliar applications.  It is important to apply foliar products at the proper crop growth stage based on scouting, not calendar date.

*Data not collected the week of June 24 due to heavy rainfall events.