Weekly Ag Update

 By ned birkey

msu EXTENSION EDUCATOR EMERITUS

SPARTAN AG

 The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center’s outlook to Aug. 10 is calling for likely above normal temperatures and leaning above normal precipitation. The MSU Enviroweather, on July 28, at the Blissfield/ Deerfield location, has 2026 with more rainfall, compared to either 2025 or the five-year average, starting at Jan. 1, April 1 or even June1. Growing degree day (heat units, base 50ºF), starting on April 1 has been 1,765 GDD, very close to last year and the five-year average. The same is true for GDD since June 1. Anyone can now download Enviroweather mobile for free on either the Apple App Store or Google Play. Enviroweather not only tracks regional and historical weather, but gives a multitude of fruit, vegetable and field crop information.

Corn insects, such as European corn borer (ECB) and Weatern bean cutworm (WBC), are having a great year to date, with corn earworm numbers declining below threshold in all but one Ohio State trapping locations. Based on MSU Enviroweather GDD, the second flight of ECB started on July 9 and was expected to continue through July 31. This predictive model is based on the second flight running from 1,450 to 1,950 GDD, starting on March 1. The Enviroweather model can be used as a guide for when to scout for ECB egg masses, in addition to using pheromone traps and crop scouting. WBC trap counts continue to increase, particularly in northwest Ohio. Corn that is tasseling is an ideal place to look for WBC egg masses. Look at the underside of upper leaves nearer the tassel not at the lower leaves. Use or download the MSU/OSU Field Crop Insect Pest Management Guide for threshold, treatment and other information of these and other corn, soybean, sugar beet, alfalfa or dry bean pests.

Alfalfa hay can be a valuable and nutritious crop when harvested at the 1/10 bloom stage, fertilized properly and scouted for pests such as the potato leafhopper (PLH). With above normal rainfall this year, hay, like weeds and lawns, has been growing lush. With warm temperatures, PLH can dimmish the quality and life of the stand. However, spraying must be done to protect bees and pollinators and not run the risk of poor timing running afoul of the label’s pre-harvest interval.

Ants are not the “bad guys” in lawns, gardens, trees or shrubs, but they definitely are a nuisance or worse, in the home. Most species are beneficial, from aerating the soil, preying on pests, recycling organic matter, dispersing seeds and contributing to a healthy garden ecosystem. A sudden convergence of ants in the garden or moving up and down a tree usually indicates the presence of aphids or other sap-sucking insects. Ants bring the honeydew back to the nest to share as a food source. Larger, black or brownish black, winged or wingless carpenter ants are wood damaging, forming extensive galleries, invading homes through windows, foundation openings or similar home or building entry points. These “bad boys” need to be controlled and logs, firewood or wood chips adjacent to building foundations may be an unobserved way for them to colonize inside.