Last week’s chilly mornings generated lots of discussion about the change of seasons. Officially, we can claim to appreciate the crisp autumn air beginning on Friday. That is the first day of the autumnal equinox, one of two days in the year that the daylight hours match the nighttime hours. Although I generally enjoy fall weather, it reminds me of the upcoming winter and the many cold days ahead we should expect before the vernal equinox on March 20, 2012.

Weather seemingly tends to even out over time, which makes me wary of the approaching winter months. At least in our neck of the woods, we endured one of the hottest and driest summers in a while. Does that mean a very cold, snowy winter is just around the corner? Brrrrr. That is not an extreme to look forward to.

The last cuttings of hay are being taken in, combines are receiving their last going over prior to soybean and corn harvest and bins are being readied for grain storage. Lots of speculation continues on the yield potential of this year’s crops. 

Most soybean fields in our area show some yellowing, at least near the base of the plants. Farmers are counting pods, the number of beans in pods and final plant stands to estimate yields. Where somewhat timely rainfall was received during the growing season, more pods, beans in pods and larger beans are being counted. Where fields were shorted on moisture, lighter colored soils are home to shorter plants with less pods and fewer, smaller beans within the pods. Producers who have evaluated their fields have shared yield estimates of as low as 35 to as high as 65 bushels per acre. 

Bean leaf beetles, stink bugs and grasshoppers are chewing on soybean pods, mostly near the field perimeters. Fortunately, damage reported has been minimal, since farmers have few insecticide treatments available that have short pre-harvest intervals. It seems the multi-colored Asian lady beetle has helped keep soybean aphid numbers relatively low this year, which is good. The bad: since these beneficial insects have had a good food supply (aphids), the high populations of these nasty smelling beetles (that occasionally bite) are soon to be looking for winter homes...maybe yours. It may be time to consider a perimeter treatment of your house, particularly around windows and doors, favorite entry points.

As soybean fields are harvested, wheat will be planted. As always, observe the fly-safe date for your county. Doing so not only avoids infestation by the Hession Fly, it minimizes problems with other diseases, especially barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV). BYDV is transmitted by aphids that decline significantly in numbers as autumn progresses. Honoring the fly-safe date also reduces the likelihood of establishment by Stagonospora blotch and leaf rust. 

With the proliferation of marestail, other herbicide-resistant weeds and winter annuals, producers might consider use of burndown herbicides prior to no-tilling wheat. 

Readers with questions or comments for Roger Bender may write to him in care of this publication.