NOAA Early May Weather Update
The trend in Ohio weather continues to be within the normal range of uncertainty for May and there is little weather information to say we will deviate too far from that in the coming weeks. Hence, planting and soil conditions will be pretty good in the coming weeks.
The National Weather Service Ohio River Forecast Center 90-day soil moisture models continue to say not too far from normal. Another interesting fact is Ohio is having its 4th quietest severe weather season in the last 20 year through early May. This supports how we discussed last year that 2013 would be more of a normal year compared to the extremes we saw in 2011 and 2012. This does not mean no extremes as normals are made of extreme by nature. However, the number of extreme events looks to be reduced in 2013 and this should lead to a decent growing season compared to 2011 or 2012 from a weather standpoint.
Temperatures for the week of May 6-12 will be near normal. Rainfall will 0.50 to 1.50 inches with normal near 1 inch. Therefore, rainfall is forecast near normal with the best chances early in the week in the south and east then late week into the beginning of the weekend statewide. After the cold front passes on May 11 we will get a quick shot of cold air Sunday into Monday. The morning of May 13 may see areas of frost. Some low lying areas could even see temperatures around 32F for a late season minor freeze. We talked about the increased risk for a late season freeze in March 2013 and we already have had that but mid-May is pushing it but there is a chance and we wanted to alert you.
Temperatures for the week of May 13-20 will be slightly above normal as a high pressure ridge builds over the region. Normal highs are 65-73F from north to south and lows near 45. Temperatures will start cold May 13 but quickly turn into the 70s and will average 0-3 degrees above normal for the week. Much of the week will be dry allowing for more planting to resume. A rain system will move through late week into the weekend of May 17-19. Rainfall is forecast to be near to below normal. Rainfall is forecast to be 0.50 to 1.00 on average. Normal is near 1 inch.
Enjoy the weather.
Slug Situation this Spring
As we get into May, a reminder is in order about possible slug problems in no-till crops, especially in fields with a history of slug issues. Although we do not know how numerous slugs are in fields, we do know that most crops are being planted later than normal. If you have read our recommendations for slug management, you know that one way a grower can get a head start is to plant early, and get their crop out of the soil and growing before slugs begin their heaviest feeding. However, with the weather conditions over the past month, fields are just now being planted. Slugs have been hatching and beginning to grow; this will result in many fields just germinating or emerging when slugs start to feed. This combination of feeding slugs and small plants can result in much more plant injury that normal. Thus, growers with a history of slug problems and just now planting into those fields should watch their crops much more closely over the next few weeks to prevent undue damage.
If a molluscicide bait application becomes necessary, there are two situations that growers need to be aware of. It is unclear how available Deadline MPs will be this spring. There are some issues concerning its re-registration on corn and soybean by the EPA that might make it in short supply if it can even be found. Our hope is that the issue can be resolved by 2014. At this time, all we know is it might be difficult to obtain if even possible.
However, the other side of the coin is that there is a new molluscicide that is available that could offer good control. In the past, we have discussed Sluggo, an iron phosphate bait that has been around for a few years. However, we never felt that the material was as good as Deadline MPs. There is a new product similar to Sluggo whose active ingredient is a chelated iron (sodium ferric EDTA). Over the past winter we discussed a product containing this chelated material called Ferroxx made by the Deurdoff Co. However, they have brought a slightly different chelated iron product to the eastern US called Iron Fist. The only difference is Ferroxx is a 5% product while Iron Fist is a 2% material, and should be applied at slightly higher rates. Our information is that Iron Fist should be price comparable with Deadline MPs and thus offer a good alternative. Although we have not yet tested Iron Fist, we have discussed its performance with colleagues from the west coast, from states including California and Oregon. All comments were positive about the product. Based on what we were told, chelated iron appears to have more efficacy against slugs than the older iron phosphate products.
Thus, growers should consider using Iron Fist if slug control is needed, perhaps a greater consideration if Deadline MPs is unavailable. We have been told that although most dealers would not have any product on hand, that it should be available within a few days as it would only be coming from western Pennsylvania. Following any use of Iron Fist, we would like to hear how well it worked.
Alfalfa Weevil on Alfalfa
This is a friendly reminder that alfalfa weevil is working on alfalfa in Ohio, including the most northern counties. We received reports of heavy weevil feeding in the farthest northeast counties of the state. Remember that economic threshold is based on the number of larvae per stem, the size of the larvae and the height of the alfalfa. The detection of one or more large larvae per stem on alfalfa that is 12 inches or less in height indicates a need for rescue treatment. Where alfalfa is between 12 and 16 inches in height, the action threshold should be increased to 2 to 4 larvae per stem depending on the vigor of alfalfa growth. When alfalfa is 16 inches in height and there are more than 4 larvae per stem, early harvest is recommended. For more information on the weevil, see the OSU Alfalfa Weevil Fact Sheet http://ohioline.osu.edu/ent-fact/pdf/0032.pdf, and for insecticide choices, see http://entomology.osu.edu/ag/images/Alfalfa_2013_AW.pdf .
- Glen Arnold (Nutrient Management Field Specialist),
- Flo Chirra (Williams),
- Bruce Clevenger (Defiance),
- Sam Custer (Darke),
- Amanda Douridas (Champaign),
- Nathan Douridas (FSR Farm Manager),
- David Dugan (Adams, Brown, Highland),
- Mike Gastier (Huron),
- Jason Hartschuh (Crawford),
- Mark Koenig (Sandusky),
- Ed Lentz (Hancock),
- Rory Lewandowski (Wayne),
- Suzanne Mills-Wasniak (Montgomery),
- Rich Minyo (Corn & Wheat Performance Trials),
- Les Ober (Geauga),
- Steve Prochaska (Agronomy Field Specialist),
- Eric Richer (Fulton),
- Adam Shepard (Fayette),
- Alan Sundermeier (Wood),
- Harold Watters, CPAg/CCA (Agronomy Field Specialist)
- Jim Noel (NOAA/NWS),
- Ron Hammond (Entomology),
- Andy Michel (Entomology)