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October 7 - October 13, 2002
C.O.R.N. 2002-34
In This Issue:
A) Lime Considerations
B) Fall Slug Sampling
C) European Corn Borer Survey Results
D) Subsoiling To Help With Compaction Problems
E) 2003 Agricultural Outlook & Policy Meetings
Fall is a good time to evaluate soil pH. At the proper soil pH, nutrients are more available, soil quality is improved or maintained, and crops develop a healthier root system. For most agronomic crops, a desirable pH should be between the range of 6.0 to 6.8 for western Ohio, and 6.5 to 6.8 for eastern Ohio. A soil test will be required to estimate soil pH. A soil test generally gives two pH values. The water pH value (often shown as pH on the test) is a good indicator whether the soil pH exists in the proper range for a crop. Lime is generally recommended when the pH drops 0.2- 0.3 points below the desired pH. The amount of lime recommended is dependent upon the cation exchange capacity (ability of the soil to hold nutrients) and is shown on the soil test for the other pH value, called the buffer pH or LTI (lime test index) value. Soil testing labs use this value for lime recommendations. If a field needs lime, cost and application method should be considered before selecting a lime source.
To determine cost, a producer needs to obtain the analysis for a lime source. Lime suppliers must have a lime analysis to sell product in Ohio. The lime analysis has many components, but only the Effective Neutralizing Power (ENP) value is needed to compare one lime source to another. The ENP value reflects the quality of a lime material, i.e., its neutralizing ability (relationship to pure calcium carbonate), rate of activity (fineness of grind), and water content. Since lime sources have combination of these three quality parameters, the ENP may be used to determine the real cost of the liming source. This cost may be determined by multiplying the price for a ton of lime by 2000 and then dividing by the ENP value. This method allows a price comparison between lime sources. Once the real lime price is known, other costs such as transportation can easily be added. The Ohio State University recommends selection of the least expensive lime source. Generally, the source closest to the field is the least expensive. Producers do not need to consider calcium and magnesium content since their importance is considered in the ENP.
The ability to evenly apply the product across a field is the second consideration for selecting a lime source. There are many byproducts from municipalities and industry that have liming characteristics, but may be so fine or wet that they are difficult to apply. Uneven applications may cause pH areas that are too high or too low for optimum crop production. These pockets may cause management problems in the future. Thus, free waste-product lime that cannot be properly applied may not be a "good deal". In addition, do not leave lime piles in the field for extensive lengths of time before applications. I know of several cases in Northwest Ohio where crops have not grown for several years after the lime pile was not removed soon enough.
In summary, proper soil pH is important for optimum crop production. Lime needs should be determined by a soil test. In selecting lime sources, consider ENP from the lime analysis and the ability to evenly apply the material.
Sampling can be done by placing about 10-20 1-ft square boards or roofing shingles throughout the field on the ground. Cups of beer can be placed in the soil underneath the boards to attract slugs. When beer is used, the shingles should be sampled the following morning. If only boards are used, we recommend sampling underneath the boards after a few days. Look underneath the boards early in the morning. Sampling is most beneficial during warmer nights without frost, and is best done a number of times during the fall.
Although specific thresholds are not available, knowing that a field has either a low or high number of slugs will assist in management decisions next spring. If numerous slugs are found, there is a greater potential for slug problems in the spring. This would necessitate closer observation in those fields the following spring. If few slugs are found, the chances for problems are lower. However, we will continue to recommend to all no-till growers, especially those having a history of slug problems, that they monitor their fields for slugs in the spring no matter what they find in the fall. However, this sampling procedure will give growers a better idea of what to expect.
I have been checking fields for European corn borers (ECB) throughout Ohio for the past couple of weeks. The fields contain 4 hybrids ranging in maturity from 108 to 112 days. Planting dates ranged from late April to early to mid May and half of the fields were in southern Ohio and half in northern Ohio. Multiple plants were checked at each location for ECB cavities in the stalks and in the shanks and ears. The results from 7 locations found 45% of the stalks checked had cavities and less than 10% of the ears and shanks had cavities.
Some of the hybrids were beginning to lodge due to poor stalk quality. Now would be a good time for producers to check their corn for ECB damage and especially damage to the ears and shanks. Fields with heavy ECB damage or excessive lodging should be harvested first.
Subsoiling to break up compaction caused as a result of unusual weather this growing season will pay off for many Ohio farmers. Because of a wet spring a lot of corn and soybeans were planted late on soils that were still wet and susceptible to deep compaction from heavy vehicle traffic. Recent rains have softened the ground making it likely many fields will be compacted at harvest.
Deep tillage equipment is available in a range of styles. Subsoiling does not necessarily mean the entire soil profile will be ripped up and most crop residue buried. Subsoilers with narrow shanks and non-aggressive sweeps can break up compacted soil effectively, yet leave the surface residue virtually untouched and the field level enough to plant next spring without more tillage.
Many combination tillage tools give the option of tilling the surface and covering most residue. For example, a machine could have a tandem disk at the front, then subsoiler shanks, and a rolling basket at the back. Most fields have less crop residue than normal this year so farmers should be cautious to not cover more residue than intended. Leave all you can for erosion control.
When should deep tillage be completed? The sooner the better. Subsoiling later than December is a bit risky for some soils.
Farmers should consider strip tillage as an option this fall for ground to
be planted in corn next year. Strip tillage will loosen the soil where it needs
to be loosened, and leave the rest alone.
Several equipment dealers and SWCD's have units for rent. Strip tilled fields
should be the first ones ready for planting next April.
A new Farm Bill and somewhat erratic grain prices have caused quite a bit of uncertainty with our marketing plans. Be sure to mark your calendar for one of our Ag Outlook and Policy Meetings to help answer your marketing and Farm Bill related questions. These meetings will be held around the state during the months of November and December. Locations, dates and times for these meetings are as follows:
Wayne County, Date: Nov 18, 2002, Phone: (330)263-3831
Location: Memories Party Center, 2437-B Back Orville Rd. Wooster, OH, Time:
Dinner
Stark-Summit Counties, Date: Nov 18, 2002, Phone: (330)497-1611
Location: Main Street Restaurant, 1711 West Main Street Louisville, OH, Time:
Lunch
Tuscarawas County, Date: Nov 19, 2002, Phone: (330) 339-2337
Location: Dutch Valley Restaurant, 1343 Old Route 39 NE Sugarcreek, OH, Time:
Lunch
Williams County, Date: Nov 25, 2002, Phone: (419) 636-5608
Location: Northwest State College, 22-600 State Rt 34 Archbold, OH, Time: 5:00
- 10:00pm
Wood County, Date: Nov 26, 2002, Phone: (419) 354-9050
Location: Leon's Family Restaurant. 1628 E. Wooster St. Bowling Green, OH, Time:
7:00 - 10:00am
Pickaway County, Date: Dec 4, 2002, Phone: (740) 474-7534
Location: Marie Hamilton Eastern Star Hall, 1565 North Court St. Circleville,
OH, Time: Dinner
Highland County, Date: Dec 4, 2002, Phone: (937) 393-1918
Location: Southern State Community College, Central Campus, 100 Hobart Drive
Hillsboro, OH, Time: Lunch
Greene County, Date: Dec 5, 2002, Phone: (937) 454-5002
Location: Greene County Extension Office, Greene County Fair Grounds Xenia,
OH, Time: Lunch
Champaign County, Date: Dec 5, 2002, Phone: (937) 484-1526
Location: Champaign County Community Center Auditorium, 1512 S. U.S. Hwy 68,
Urbana, OH, Time: Dinner
Putnam County, Date: Dec 10, 2002, Phone: (419) 523-6294
Location: Dick's Steak House, 206 South Broad Street, Kalida, OH, Time: Dinner
Mercer County, Date: Dec 10, 2002, Phone: (419) 586-2179
Location: Romer's Catering, Galleria Shopping Center, 909 E Wayne St. Celina,
OH, Time: Lunch
Darke County, Date: Dec 10, 2002, Phone: (937) 454-5002
Location: Greenville Inn, St Rt 571 Greenville, OH, Time: 7:15 - 10:30am
Marion County, Date: Dec 16, 2002, Phone: (740) 223-4040
Location: Prospect Room at Marion County Building, OSU Extension 222 West Center
Street, Marion, OH, Time: Breakfast
For more information on these meetings including agendas and speakers go to
the 2003 Outlook and Policy Meetings website at:
http://aede.osu.edu/programs/outlook/
Readers can subscribe electronically to this newsletter by sending an e-mail message to: corn-out-on@postoffice.ag.ohio-state.edu. A successful subscription message will receive by an automatic reply from the listserv. Contact your local Ohio State University Extension Office or e-mail labarge.1@osu.edu if you have problems subscribing.
Past versions of C.O.R.N. can be found on the World Wide Web at: http:/www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~corn/archive/
C.O.R.N. is a summary of crop observations, related information, and appropriate recommendations for Ohio Crop Producers and Industry. C.O.R.N. is produced by the Ohio State University Extension Agronomy Team, State Specialists at The Ohio State University and Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. C.O.R.N. Questions are directed to State Specialists, Extension Associates, and Agents associated with Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center at The Ohio State University.
Contributors to C.O.R.N. this week include:Editor: Barry Ward Web Editor: Tom Rosati
Information presented above and where trade names are used, they are supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Ohio State University Extension is implied. Although every attempt is made to produce information that is complete, timely, and accurate, the pesticide user bears responsibility of consulting the pesticide label and adhering to those directions.
All educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or Vietnam-era veteran status.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Keith L. Smith, Director, Ohio State University Extension.
TDD # 1 (800) 589-8292 (Ohio only) or (614) 292-1868
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