Attention Ag. Contacts,

We have attached the most recent edition of Sangamon-Menard Extension’s “Crop Update” for your use. Please feel free to forward this information to your peers and contact us with the addresses of those you would like to see added to our “Crop Update” e-mail list.

Matt Montgomery
Crop Systems Educator
Sangamon-Menard Extension

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U of I Extension Sangamon-Menard Unit Crops 12/16/05
Matt Montgomery, Crop Systems
P.O. Box 8467
Springfield IL 62791
(217) 782-4617

Welcome to Crop Update for December 16, 2005. Call us with comments at (217) 782-4617 or (217) 632-7491. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR. E-mail us at mpmontgo@uiuc.edu.

In This Issue

• UPCOMING SANGAMON-MENARD PROGRAMMING – Plan to attend at least one.
• ROOTWORM IN 2005 AND THE FORECAST FOR 2006 – Better have a plan.
• U OF I “N-RECOMMENDATIONS” CHANGING – An interesting change.
• VERNALIZATION AND WINTER WHEAT – What is it? How long does it take?
• UREASE INHIBITORS – What do they do and why do we use them?
• AGRONOMY DAY – January 13th is the day, Athens is the place.
• EXTENDING YOUR FARM FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT – Assess and plan.

UPCOMING SANGAMON-MENARD PROGRAMMING

• January 11 – Private Applicator Training and Testing (PSEP) 1:00 p.m.
• January 13 – Menard County Agronomy Day (CCA Credit)
• January 17 – Springfield Corn and Soybean Classic (CCA Credit)
• February 6 – FAST Tools Session
• February 8 – Private Applicator Training and Testing (PSEP) 6:00 p.m.
• February 20 – Hay Evaluation Seminar
• February 21 & 22 – Central Illinois Crop Management Workshop (CCA Credit)
• February 28 – West Central Soil and Water Program at Springfield and East Peoria
• March 8 – Soybean Rust Identification Training (CCA Credit Anticipated) – Contact Sangamon-Menard Extension
• March 17 – Certified Livestock Managers Training

For more information or for registration information, contact Sangamon-Menard Extension at 782-4617 or 632-7491.

ROOTWORM IN 2005 AND THE FORECAST FOR 2006

What type of variant corn rootworm problems might be on the Sangamon-Menard horizon for 2006?
2005 western corn rootworm beetle captures, via bean field distributed sticky traps, did not reach levels of intensity equivalent to 2004, but none-the-less captures were still exceptionally high in those areas newly claimed by the variant. For example, rootworm beetle counts reached 100 on a single trap in Clear Lake Township over a five day trapping period (courtesy LLFS) and reached 111 beetles per a single trap near Buffalo, over a similar trapping period (5 to 7 per trap per day is deemed problematic). While not quite equal to last year’s pressure (i.e. an “eye popping” capture of 350 beetles on a single trap near Buffalo over 2 days), beetle captures were still impressive, indicating that variant rootworm has become an established, all-be-it unwanted, neighbor in the eastern and east-central portions of Sangamon and Menard counties. 2005 trapping data also indicates that the variant corn rootworm, has at least established a presence much further south, north, and west in our area.
Traps distributed in the Auburn area achieved fairly impressive beetle captures with one trap (five day sampling period) “maxing out” at 113 beetles. Traps distributed by Royster Clark indicate that impressive beetle counts reached as far south as Nokomis and Harvel in Montgomery County. The highest beetle counts per trap in their sampled fields were 95 beetles (eight day period) and 70 beetles (similar sampling period) for the Nokomis and Harvel monitored fields respectively. Needless to say, variant rootworm established “some kind” of a presence south of the Sangamon county line in 2005.
Trapping also indicates an expanded presence of this pest in the western portion of our area. Captures to the west of Springfield and Petersburg were questionable last year indicating potential, yet haphazard 2005 problems as one neared the Sangamon/Morgan and Menard/Cass county lines. A review of the trapping data indicates little question as to the 2006 status of these “westward leaning” areas. Agrivest noted 12.9 beetles per day on trap near New Berlin in early August with significant beetle pressure also stretching beyond the western edge of our unit (into Morgan and Cass counties). Lincoln Land FS noted 88 beetles on a trap near Alexander over a ten day sampling period, and Pfister Hybrids noted 80 beetles on a trap in North East Morgan County near Ashland. In Menard County, 25 beetles were noted in beans located between Atterberry and Petersburg. Areas near Jacksonville noted non-threshold, yet very interesting, captures as well (nearing two beetles per trap per day). In other words, the variant rootworm appeared to move west of our borders this year.
On the northern front, Brandt Consolidated detected 10.4 beetles per trap per day near Greenview as the pest pushed toward the Mason County line.
In short, variant rootworms moved (in fairly exceptional numbers) to the south, north and west. In many cases, they passed into regions beyond our borders. The variant rootworm’s “sphere of influence” has expanded and Sangamon-Menard producers now sit well within that sphere.
Those producers who utilized sticky traps should reference beetle counts to guide their 2006 insecticide decisions. Those who neglected to distribute sticky traps this year, likely need to error on the side of caution for 2006. Everyone should utilize yellow sticky traps to monitor the rootworm situation in their area next year. Our trapping efforts can provide a general picture as to rootworm pressure throughout the Sangamon-Menard area as a whole and can provide a rough view of the territory now encompassed by this unique pest problem. However, it can not provide a clear picture of the rootworm pressure coming to individual fields and can not replace one monitoring their own field.

U OF I “N-RECOMMENDATIONS” CHANGING

Anyone involved in agriculture is familiar with the phrase “1.2 is the most you should do” (referring to 1.2 pounds of nitrogen per each proven bushel of corn). However, come 2006, the “1.2 catch phrase” will go the way of the typewriter as the U of I makes a significant change to its recommendation system. The new U of I recommendation system will shift from one “hard” number, applicable from field to field and blind to economics, to a N-rate range. That N-rate range will vary depending upon the cropping sequence at hand, and the end goal of the new system will be to determine the optimum return on Nitrogen investment within that range. Several Midwestern states are now collaborating on the subject of appropriate nitrogen rates, and have already produced a common N-rate website, managed by Iowa State University, at http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/soilfertility/nrate.aspx At that site, producers may select the state in which they reside, which automatically accesses their land grant University’s nitrogen rate database. They may then further manipulate the price of corn and the price of nitrogen to reflect current realities. A graph is then produced via this “N-Rate Calculator” which notes both high and low N rates. The graph also notes the “MRTN” or “Maximum Return To Nitrogen.” In other words, the graph notes the portion of the range that will most likely maximize ones return on nitrogen investment. For further information regarding this change, reference the following article from the U of I Pest Management and Crop Development Bulletin

VERNALIZATION AND WINTER WHEAT

Many plants require vernalization before they can advance from vegetative stages to reproductive stages. Occasionally deemed synonymous with the term “winter dormancy,” the term “vernalization” actually refers to a markedly different process. Winter dormancy refers to suspended plant growth and development upon exposure to cold conditions followed by a resumption of plant growth and development upon exposure to warm conditions. Plants preparing to enter winter dormancy typically store starch in the root system, hopefully withstand the following frigid temperatures, and resume growth once warm weather “breaks” that dormancy the following spring. Vernalization refers to a physiologic change in the plant (typically advancement from vegetative to reproductive stages) that is contingent upon cold exposure for a certain period of time. In other words, such plants must be exposed to a “chilling period” or they will not advance from one stage of development to the next. Plants in need of vernalization require some level of metabolic activity in order for that physiologic change to occur. Winter wheat therefore is vernalized best when temperatures are between 35 and 50 degrees. Why would certain plants like wheat require a vernalization period before they advance toward reproductive stages of development? Such plants partially utilize this gene expressed trait as a protective feature and such plants also utilize this trait as a timing mechanism. Since the plant must be exposed to cool temperatures before merisitmatic tissue (specialized tissue from which all new cells arise) initiates the head or spike, the plant requiring vernalization avoids injury to the microscopic head. In other words, the plant avoids exposing that head or spike to any cold-induced injury because it will not form a head until after those conditions have passed. This delayed development of reproductive tissue also ensures that the head will emerge and fertilize at a time likely to maximize kernel production. The exact chilling period needed to achieve vernalization varies from one species to the next, but that period can also vary within a species. For instance, winter wheat varieties vary significantly in their chilling requirement. Certain U.S. varieties are known to vernalize within a few days while others may require a couple months. On average, most winter wheat varieties are vernalized once they have been exposed to 30 to 50 degree temperatures for a couple months.

UREASE INHIBITORS

Urea fertilizers, deposited late winter, are sometimes applied in conjunction with a material marketed under the tradename “AgrotaiN.” Chemically termed “N-butyl thiophosphoric triamide,” this material reduces nitrogen loss by acting as a urease inhibitor. Urease, a nickel containing enzyme, is produced at the cellular level in various organisms, including various plants, bacteria, and fungi. The enzyme plays a significant role in the “harvest” of nitrogen for subsequent use by the organism in question. As urea is subjected to the effects of urease, it undergoes hydrolysis. In other words, water is added to a molecule of urea, via the action of the urease enzyme, causing the urea molecule to break apart. The result of this “break up” is the formation of ammonia and carbon dioxide. The ammonia is further converted within the organism until the nitrogen within is harvested. That nitrogen can then be used by the organism. Since nitrogen is an important component of various materials within organisms (including proteins), an adequate supply of nitrogen is thus necessary to sustain life. Urease is thus also necessary to sustain life in many organisms. While produced in the plant, urease can persist in the soil where an encounter with urea fertilizer results in the same process (i.e. transformation of urea into ammonia). Urea fertilizer may therefore be converted into ammonia by this enzyme resulting in eventual gaseous nitrogen loss (volitalization). Urea containing fertilizers are often incorporated. Incorporation exposes the ammonia molecule, formed via exposure to urea, to water. This results in the molecule’s conversion into ammonium which is held tightly by the soil. Alternately, urea containing fertilizers may have a urease inhibitor added to them to minimize nitrogen loss. The exact mode of action at work in urease inhibitors is poorly understood. Such products apparently “block” the effects of urease which inhibits the conversion of urea into easily lost ammonia. Urease inhibitors have been shown to benefit the producer when urea containing products can not be incorporated, rain-induced incorporation is low, and when applications occur at temperatures greater than 50 degrees.

AGRONOMY DAY

The Sangamon-Menard Extension Unit and the Menard County Farm Bureau will hold an Agronomy Day on Friday, January 13. The program will be held from 9 am to 11:30 am at the Athens Community Park building. Topics will include: Nitrogen Recommendations in Illinois, Soybean Pests in 2005, and Variant Western Corn Rootworm. Plan to attend this seminar and learn more about important topics for your farming operation. Please make a reservation by calling the Farm Bureau office at 632-2217 or the Extension office at 782-4617 (in Springfield) or 632-7491 (in Petersburg). Reservations must be made by Noon on Wednesday, January 11. CCA credits will be available.

EXTENDING YOUR FARM FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT USING FAST

U of I Extension will offer a special farm financial management workshop on February 6. The session, to be held at the Sangamon-Menard Unit office in Springfield, will be divided into two segments. The morning portion of the session provides a detailed look at assessing one’s financial condition. The afternoon session explores a FAST spreadsheet that aids in long-term financial planning. This tool helps farmers design a vision of where their farm operation is heading in the next three to five years.