The purpose of the Ohio Wheat Performance Test is to evaluate wheat varieties, blends, brands, and breeding lines for yield, grain quality and other important performance characteristics. This information gives wheat producers comparative information for selecting the varieties best suited for their production system and market. Varieties differ in yield potential, winter hardiness, maturity, standability, disease and insect resistance, and other agronomic characteristics. Depending on variety and test site, yields varied between 53.1 and 107.4 bushels per acre, and test weight ranged from 54.7 to 63.3 pounds per bushel. Selection should be based on performance from multiple test sites and years. Results of the 2011 wheat performance evaluation are available at: www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~perf and https://agcrops.osu.edu.

Much of the soybean crop is at or will be approaching R3 in the next few weeks. Some fields are lush and the soybeans have put on a flush of leaves from the rains 2-weeks ago. Others are in rainwater deficit mode. As you make those final decisions to determine which fields may need the fungicide or will have the greatest return on that investment here are some factors to consider.

• 1. Is brown spot or frogeye present? Both of these foliar diseases are caused by fungi that can survive on soybean residue from the previous year crop. In the case of frogeye, there were some highly susceptible varieties that were grown in Ohio, and we have a rapid build-up of disease. Those varieties are now gone and even this year, due to the cold winter as well as the heat we have had, build-up of this disease is very slow. In contrast, brown spot is present in every field, but this typically will only contribute to 3 to 4 bu/acre yield loss in any given year. If brown spot is present and the lower 1/3 of the plants have lots of brown spot, with today’s prices this might be one option to consider to apply a fungicide.
• 2. Fields that are planted continuously to soybean and no-till soybeans. These fields have the highest levels of residue on the soil surface and are the best for getting foliar diseases started early
• 3. Susceptible varieties to either disease. Some varieties have little resistance and these need to be watched. If disease is present, then fungicide applications are warranted. If temperatures and dry weather have kept disease from developing, best not to spray.
• 4. Yield potential of soybean & field. We have some fields that can’t get out of the 30’s for various reasons. Another input cost is not going to help move that margin enough. SCN, poor drainage, big holes in the field—all of these reduce the chances of getting the inputs back from the dollars spent.
• 5. Soybeans that have experienced hot dry, weather – drought like conditions- don’t spray. When fungicides have been applied under these conditions in the past, the yields were 2 to 4 bushels lower in the sprayed vs the unsprayed passes. This doesn’t take into account the additional costs of the application. In addition, we have seen spider mite flare-ups occur under these conditions.
• 6. What are your soybeans contracted for. If the price is not locked in and we have bumper crop, the price per bushel often will drop. So when you cost out the charge of the fungicide & application costs, be sure to compare it to the price you expect.
• 7. Finally, the last tip. If you do spray-leave at least 3 unsprayed passes placed across the field (not at the borders). A comparison between the sprayed and unsprayed under this year’s unusual season will give you the best information for making this decision in the future.

Based on adult trap counts from last week, it appears that numbers of western bean cutworm are decreasing and we are probably entering the downswing of peak flight (trap map available at: http://entomology.osu.edu/ag/pageview3.asp?id=1390). However, there is a fair amount of variability as most traps showed a decrease of traps, but a few increased. The good news is that scouting for egg masses and larvae by OSU Extension Educators have found very few eggs, and no field that was inspected was over threshold. Growers are still advised to scout the remaining fields that have not tasseled. These fields may serve as good concentration of oviposition for the few adult stragglers remaining.

Two events for the public highlight information to better understand what healthy soil is and how to use cover crops to improve soil health are scheduled for August 17th in Fairfield County and 18th in Wood County. Both programs feature Ray Archuleta, NRCS Conservation Agronomist, Soil Quality Team, East National Technology Support Center Greensboro, NC who has gain a national reputation in soil quality factors and cover crop utilization. Each has unique resources to discuss the topic of soil health and helping to understand how to improve it for more profitable crop production.

August 17ths program from 9:30 until 3:15 will be held at the David Brandt Farm located 6100 Basil Western Road, Carroll, OH The program will focus on cropping systems to improve soil health. The site provides a number of field examples that can be seen first hand and will be the focus of the morning tours. The afternoon sessions will tie together the tour systems to provide some key concepts that you can start to apply on your farm. Preregistration is required by August 12th at 4:30 PM with a registration cost of $23. Full agenda and registration information can be found at http://agcrops-cms.cfaes.ohio-state.edu/calendar/soil-health-cover-crops-field-day.

August 18th from 9:00 am until noon will be held at the Northwest Agricultural Research Station-OARDC, 4240 Range Line Road, Custar, Ohio in Western Wood County. Additionally plots which have been under crop and tillage rotation studies since the 1960's on the branch site will be highlighted. Additional speakers will highlight economics, water quality, nutrient cycling and increasing water holding capacity in soils during the 3.5 hour session. Preregistration is required by August 12th at 4:30 PM with a registration cost of $15. Full agenda and registration information can be found at

http://agcrops-cms.cfaes.ohio-state.edu/calendar/soil-health-cover-crops-field-day-nw-ohio.

When: 8/18/2011 9:00-5:00 Where: North Appalachian Experimental Watershed 28850 St Rt 621 Fresno, Ohio 43824 Cost: $45.00

Includes Lunch, and 7 Soil & Water CEUs.

Learn about:

• Physical soil properties in the classroom and in the pits, (Texture, Color, Structure), and what they mean for crop growth
• Using soils information and how it applies to crop consulting
• Applying soil knowledge in the field, help your customers see their soil limitations
• Soil compaction and how to identify a problem
• Where to get soils information

For more information contact Matt Deaton - matt.deaton@dnr.state.oh.us or Frank Gibbs - frank.gibbs@oh.usda.gov. Register with Jeff Glanville, AOP treasurer 107 Southwind Dr. Gahanna, OH 43230-3147 By August 10