Weekly Ag Update

By ned birkey

msu EXTENSION EDUCATOR EMERITUS

SPARTAN AG 

The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center’s outlook to June 2 calls for very likely above normal outlook for temperatures and leaning to likely below normal outlook for precipitation. Toledo weather, as of press time, has 2026 as the fifth wettest spring on record, catching up to the drenched 2024. Researchers at Florida State University say they can forecast winter weather before winter begins by forecasting how the stratospheric polar vortex will behave. In Michigan, we never put away all our wool socks and sweaters even in summer. We are always prepared.

Alfalfa or mixed hay should be cut at the 1/10th bloom stage for optimum quality. With a favorable forecast, and lush growth from spring rains, the first cutting should be large and of good quality. Farmers are reminded that legume hay is a heavy user of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). After the first cutting is a good time to spread fertilizer, including two pounds of actual Boron per acre for established stands. Stands with at least 40 percent alfalfa don’t need any nitrogen, which is supplied by the legume.

 Soft red and white wheat needs to be carefully managed now for flag leaf and head diseases. Powdery mildew, Septoria, several rusts and head scab are some diseases to scout for, but farmers need to mindful of various Feekes’ growth stage or pre-harvest interval restrictions of fungicide products. The Crop Protection Network has bulletin CPN-302-W Small Grain Management providing unbiased, research-based information to farmers and agricultural personnel. This and other crop disease resources can be found at: CropProtectionNetwork.org.

Black cutworm and true armyworm trap counts remain very high in northwest Ohio but decreased from previous weeks. OSU’s Andy Michael, Kelley Tilmon and others think peak moth flights have passed though farmers need to still scout fields for the next couple weeks.

Memorial Day, spring and gardening is a time to remember those who died for our freedom and our abundant food supply in this great country. Norman Borlaug is often called “the Father of the Green Revolution,” and is credited with saving over a billion people worldwide from starvation by his research into new wheat varieties and adaptive management. He was awarded the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his contributions to world peace through increasing food supply.