Volume 12, Issue 4
April 16, 2004
Volume 12, Issue 4
April 16, 2004
Vegetables
The Food Chain – Ed Kee, Extension Vegetable Crops
Specialist; kee@udel.edu
Our
economy is an amazing phenomenon, largely consumer driven. The total value of all retail trade, that is
everything from gas to cars to clothes to electronics, adds up to $3.78
trillion. Food based retailing accounts for 25.5% of this value. Each farmer is at the beginning of the food
production, processing, distribution, and marketing chain. Each consumer is at the receiving end of the
chain. Food and beverage stores,
including warehouse clubs and super centers, accounts for 16%; Food services
and drinking places account for 9.5%.
Warehouse
clubs and supercenters account for nearly 6% of all retail trade, and 41% of
supercenter sales and 61% of club sales are derived from food sales, according
to the U.S. Census estimates.
All
of this leads to the question of capturing more of these dollars at the farm
level. How can farmers participate more
fully in this food chain?
Vegetable Crop Insects - Joanne Whalen, Extension IPM
Specialist; jwhalen@udel.edu
Cole Crops.
As soon as
temperatures increase, be sure to watch for imported cabbageworm and
diamondback larvae on early planted cole crops. Once DBM eggs hatch, young
larvae will first mine between the upper and lower leaf surfaces before moving
to the heart of the plants. Treatments should be applied when 5% of the plants
are infested with larvae and before larvae move to the heart of the plants. Avaunt, Bt insecticides, Proclaim,
or Spintor will provide effective control of both
species. Be sure to rotate between these classes of insecticides to avoid
the development of resistance.
Cucurbit Crops.
In recent
years, cucumber beetle populations have been heavier than normal in the
earliest planted cucurbits. Since the beetles vector bacterial wilt, early
control is extremely important in highly susceptible cucurbits including
muskmelons, slicing cucumbers and a number of pumpkin varieties. When
available, selection of resistant varieties is an effective control strategy.
Although watermelons are virtually resistant to bacterial wilt, heavy
populations can cause early stand reductions. In addition, early control is
often needed to reduce population levels that cause rind damage later in the
season. In 2003, foliar sprays of dimethoate provided the most consistent cucumber
beetle control. However, dimethoate is only labeled on melons. Other foliar
materials labeled include a number of pyrethroids, Lannate, Sevin and Thionex.
Another option is the use of materials applied at planting or through the drip
irrigation. Furadan, Admire and Platinum can all be applied as at-planting
materials. Admire, Platinum and Vydate can all be applied through the drip
irrigation and all provided good cucumber beetle and aphid control in 2003
trials. You may also see some suppression of spider mites from Vydate. In 2003, our trial results showed spider mite
suppression; however, populations were extremely low so more data is needed to
determine if Vydate will provide control under high population levels. The Admire rate is 16-24 oz/acre and the
Platinum rate is 5-8 oz/acre. Two – three injections of Vydate are recommended
at a rate of 1-2 qts/acre. It is
recommended that the first injection through drip irrigation occur soon after
transplanting at a rate of 2 qts per
acre followed by 2 additional applications at 1 qt per acre applied on 14 day
intervals. Although rates for all products are expressed as a broadcast
rate/acre, you should check the labels and calculate the rate per 1000 foot of
row based on your bed spacing.
Potatoes.
Although
most are aware that the Section 18 for Regent on potatoes was not granted to
any of the states that applied in our region (
Vegetable Diseases –
Actigard on Spinach.
Actigard
50WG, a plant activator, has received EPA approval (Section 3 label) for use on
spinach in
Field Crop Insects - Joanne
Whalen, Extension IPM Specialist;
jwhalen@udel.edu
Field Corn.
We
are still finding very low levels of black cutworm moths in pheromone traps (see table on last page of report or check our website at
http://www.udel.edu/IPM/traps/currentbcwtrap.html.). As soon as temperatures
increase, we expect to see an increase
in moth catches and egg laying.
Insect Prediction Maps.
Once
again,
Each
prediction is for a 10 square kilometer grid, so there can be subtle climatic
differences within each grid. The model uses real time temperature information
to calculate degree days and determine which life stage the population should
be entering at a location. It also uses projected temperature to give a 1, 3,
5, and 7 day forecast. The model is assigning a life stage base on the most
advanced life stage of the population that contains at least 5% of the
population. Each life stage and generation is represented by a specific color
on the map, which is shown in the accompanying key. The alfalfa weevil maps
provide information on the most advanced life stage that is predicted for a
given geographic location. The model predicts when at least 50% of the
population should have attained this stage of development. This model provides
a prediction for the population resulting from eggs laid by the overwintering
adults. Larval stages for the population that resulted from eggs laid in the fall
that hatch early, are not predicted by this model. The eggs of overwintering
adults are typically 80 to 90% of the total spring population and much more
important to control. Users of this information should watch to see when the
population is entering the 3rd instar. This is when the rate of feeding and
injury increases greatly and control should be targeted.
The western corn rootworm maps show when
at least 5% of the population has entered the most advanced life stage. Events
in the life cycle of the northern corn rootworm population occurs slightly
later (typically a few days). The key events to watch are the predicted period
of egg hatch relative to crop growth. A post-emergence insecticide application
should be timed to the window of one week before or after 5% egg hatch
(entrance into the first instar). Entrance into the 3rd instar should provide
information on when to expect to see stalk lodging in fields with heavy injury.
Entrance into the adult stage can be used as a guide to begin scouting fields.
Non-Selective Herbicide Rates
-
With the increase in number of glyphosate products
on the market and the range of formulations, be sure to read the respective
labels for appropriate product rates. In
particular, some of the higher priced products (WeatherMax and Touchdown Total)
have more concentrated formulations and lower amounts of product are needed for
control.
Also, the formulation of Gramoxone changed last
year from Gramoxone Extra to Gramoxone Max and herbicide rates changed as
well. Gramoxone Max at 1.3 to 1.7 pts
for weeds less than 3 inches, 1.7 to 2.0 pts for weeds 3 to 6 inches, and 2 to
2.7 pts for weeds over 6 inches. And
remember coverage is important with Gramoxone so be sure to use adequate
gallonage (at least 20 g/A and higher gallonage with dense foliage and stubble)
and spray tips that provide a uniform spray pattern (avoid use of flood tips).
Options for Triazine-Resistant Lambsquarters
and Pigweed Control in Corn -
Triazine resistant weeds are a wide spread problem
in
If you know you have problems with triazine-resistant
pigweed or lambsquarters, the two most consistent options in our trials include
Lumax and Hornet. Hornet can cause some
stunting if corn is planted less than1.5 inches deep or soil organic matter is
less than 1.5%. Other herbicide options
are available, but they have not performed as consistently in our trials. Prowl is one of those that has not been as
consistent, but it is considerably less costly.
Beware of planting depth and adequate soil covering of the seed if using
Prowl.
Control of triazine-resistant lambsquarters is
often dependent upon postemergence applications. Postemergence control of lambsquarters and
pigweed (triazine-resistant and susceptible) can be achieved with a number of
options including Distinct, Banvel, Exceed, Callisto (can not use if Lumax was
used at planting), Harmony GT, NorthStar, or Equip.
Controlling Perennials
When They Emerge From Seeds
-
Perennials often produce seeds that are adapted to
being moved by the wind (hemp dogbane, milkweed, or Canada thistle) or produce
large seeds or berries that are eaten by birds and animals and spread
around. We conducted a greenhouse study
(funded by DE Soybean Board) to examine which commonly used soil-applied
herbicides are effective in controlling these plants when they originate from
seeds. Often perennials will emerge from
seeds, but after 3 to 4 weeks they are producing perennial root systems. Being able to select the correct herbicide
when you know seeds are coming into your fields can help prevent headaches and
frustration in years to come. If at all
possible, keeping the perennials mowed along the ditches and field edges will
reduce (or eliminate) seed production.
Prevention is the best approach.
Johnsongrass, bermudagrass, Canada thistle, hemp
dogbane, common milkweed, common pokeweed, and horsenettle were planted in the
greenhouse and sprayed with common soil-applied herbicides (Dual, Prowl,
Command, Lorox, Sencor, Lexone, atrazine, Scepter, and Canopy). Next to each weed are the herbicides that
provided the best level of control (over 90% control). This study was conducted a few years ago and
neither Lumax nor Canopy XL was available at that time for testing.
Bermudagrass. Dual, Prowl, Command, and Sencor or Lexone.
Johnsongrass. Command.
Canada
thistle. Command,
Sencor or Lexone, atrazine, and Canopy.
Hemp
dogbane. Command,
Canopy, Sencor, and atrazine.
Common
milkweed. Sencor or
Lexone, and Canopy.
Common
pokeweed. Canopy, and
Sencor or Lexone.
Horsenettle. Sencor or Lexone, atrazine, and Canopy.
This was control of plants emerging from seeds. This was not control of plants emerging from
rootstocks. If you are concerned about
perennial weeds establishing in your fields due to seeds being blown in, there
are options for controlling them before they become established as
seedlings. As the list indicates, one
herbicide will not control all the different perennial weeds. Be sure to match your herbicide with the
species.
Grain Marketing Highlights - Carl German, Extension Crops Marketing Specialist; clgerman@udel.edu
Funds Driving Force Behind
Commodity Markets.
Commodity
markets were driven sharply lower at the beginning of the week as fund
positions were heavily sold, with profit taking reported. By Thursday, the
funds became the driving force behind a huge rally in the soybean pit, as the
corn and wheat pits followed. Price bidding in the pits is likely to remain
volatile until we get a better handle on '04 crop development in the U.S.
Moisture conditions throughout the growing region are reported as being a mixed
bag at the present time.
ABIOVE Cuts
The
Brazilian soybean crushers' association made further cuts in their estimate of
the '04 Brazilian soybean crop and reported sharp increases in soybean exports
during the second half of March. ABIOVE cut its soybean production estimate to
52.8 million metric tons(mmt), down from 56.9 mmt for Brazilian production a
month ago. USDA's current production estimate for
ABIOVE
is projecting annual soybean exports for the '04/'05 marketing year at 21.2
mmt, up from 19.987 mmt in the '03/'04 marketing year. Current commitments are
69 percent of the projected total. Last year at this time, 56 percent of the
projected total had been sold.
Net
export sales for the week ending April 8 were said to have met or exceeded
trade expectations. Wheat sales were reported at 391,700 mt, off 10 percent
from the prior 4-week average. Corn sales were placed at 1.258 mmt, 12 percent
over the prior 4-week average. Soybean net sales of 179,000 mt were one-third
larger than the prior 4-week average.
Market Strategy.
The
soybean market continues to indicate that one had better finish up on any old
crop sales, with nearby old crop May futures trading nearly $2.50 per bushel
higher than new crop Nov '04 soybean futures. A veteran trader suggests,
"one runs a danger of the old crop bean price being bid lower in order to
line up with the new crop price level if the old crop is held too long".
For new crop corn, soybeans, and wheat continue to place additional sales on
hold, with the assumption being that sales are already booked for about 25 % of
the corn and soybean crops and 50 % of new crop wheat.
invites you to attend the
1st Annual
WHO: Open to all people interested or involved with
on-farm entertainment activities
Where:
WHEN:
April 27,
2004 6:30 pm—9 pm
AGENGA: Dinner, Special Guest
Speakers, DDA & Extension Updates
COST: $8.00 per person for
Dinner and Program
RVSP
by April 23, 2004 to Amanda
Brown at 302 698-4523 or by email: amanda.brown@state.de.us
2004
What: The 2004
Where:
When: Thursday, May 20, 2004
6:00 PM
Who: University and USDA Small Fruit Specialist
What will I see?
1)
2003/04
Annual plasticulture system: evaluation of Fall deployment date of floating row
covers, planting date and varieties.
2)