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Articles by Dave Nicolai
Weed Control Ahead of the Combine
By Dave Nicolai and Tom Peters et.al While it is too late to control weeds in row crops this year, there is still time to limit weed seed production and prevent additions to the weed seedbank. Combine harvesters are notorious for spreading weed seeds. Hand-pulling or mowing weed patches are some of the last lines of defense before harvest.
Spring Alfalfa Stand Assessment Could Yield Benefits to the Grower
By Craig Sheaffer and Dave Nicolai Because of deep and extended snow cover that extended from December to March throughout most of Minnesota, soil temperatures at alfalfa crown depth were near 30 F, well above lethal temperatures for alfalfa (15 F). Overall, there was little reported winterinjury. However, alfalfa producers should still scout alfalfa fields to determine if areas of these fields have lower-than optimal stands due to cumulative effects of disease, traffic damage or winter injury.
Minnesota: Got weeds in your beans? You’re not alone
Patch of volunteer corn in a soybean field. Volunteer corn, a weed in soybeans, competes for resources, adds foreign material to the harvested soybeans, and minimizes crop rotation benefits. Photo: Jared Goplen It’s been a memorable year for Minnesota soybean producers, but mostly for the wrong reasons. Dry conditions were problematic most of the year. Soybean emergence was affected by dry soil conditions in some fields.
Preharvest Weed Control: Mow Fence Line Weeds and Scout Fields now to Prevent Seed Production
By Jared Goplen and Dave Nicolai Harvest will soon be in full swing. Take the time now to mow fence line weeds or field edges to prevent or minimize seed production. Field edges are often where weed infestations start. By eliminating fence line weeds, we prevent combine harvesters from picking up weed seeds from the field edges and pulling them into the field where they can be further spread by harvesting and tillage equipment. Photo 1. Mow fence lines now to minimize deposits to the weed seed bank.
Minnesota: Dry Weather and Weed Management - Good or Bad?
Planting has progressed rapidly this spring given the favorable planting conditions across much of Minnesota. The week of May 10th is still forecasted to be cool and dry, but there will be a gradual warm up this week, with some chances for rain going into next week. Now that planting is wrapping up, what do dry conditions and a dry forecast mean for weed management?
Minnesota: 2021 Research Updates for Ag Professionals - Jan. 5, 7, 12
The 2021 Research Update sessions are scheduled virtually for three sessions: Waseca, Rochester and Lamberton locations programming emphasis (Jan 5th), Crookston location programming emphasis (Jan 7th) & Willmar and Morris locations programming emphasis (Jan 12th) from 9:00 am–3:30 pm for each of the three sessions. The program will feature research-based strategies to deal with today’s changing pests, diseases, varieties, nutrient and environmental recommendations.
Minnesota: Weed Control Ahead of the Combine
For the most part, it’s too late to control weeds this year, but there is still time to limit weed seeds going back into the weed seedbank. Combine harvesters are notorious for spreading weed seeds. Hand-pulling or mowing weed patches are some of the last lines of defense before harvest. Taking the time now can pay dividends for weed management in the upcoming years. Weed Biology is Important Know the biology of the weeds you are trying to control. Waterhemp can produce over 250,000 seeds per plant.
Minnesota Extension: Scouting for soybean aphid mid-July 2020 update
Weather Alert ...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 9 PM CDT SATURDAY... * WHAT...DANGEROUSLY HOT CONDITIONS WITH HEAT INDEX VALUES UP TO 108 EXPECTED. * WHERE...PORTIONS OF CENTRAL, EAST CENTRAL, SOUTH CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA. * WHEN...FROM 11 AM TO 9 PM CDT SATURDAY. * IMPACTS...EXTREME HEAT AND HUMIDITY WILL SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR HEAT RELATED ILLNESSES, PARTICULARLY FOR THOSE WORKING OR PARTICIPATING IN OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES.
Minnesota: July Hailstorm Causes Significant Crop Damage
Hail damaged soybean field. Photo: University of Minnesota On Saturday July 11, 2020, a routine summer thunderstorm spawned severe weather across an exceptionally long streak in western Minnesota. With high winds and rain, a significant swath of large hail fell from near Willmar and continued into Nicollet County leaving devastated corn, soybean, and sugarbeet crops in a two- to six-mile-wide path.
8 ways to reduce pesticide drift
As they say, “With much power comes much responsibility,” and the various herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides that growers have in their toolbox for managing their crops are indeed powerful tools. These pesticides also have inherent risk when it comes to their movement off target whether it be through drift caused by decisions made by the applicator or just bad luck caused by an unpredictable shift in the weather. In any case, if you observe damage, it’s important to respond appropriately.
Preemergence Herbicide Injury on Soybeans? Or Maybe Not?
By Jared Goplen, Dave Nicolai Many soybeans in southern Minnesota were ready to emerge when the recent cold weather brought concerns of both frost and herbicide injury. Most soybeans were still below ground and protected from freezing temperatures. However in some areas of the state, seedlings may show injury after extended contact with preemergence herbicides in the soil (Figure 1).
Minnesota: Preemergence herbicide injury on soybeans… Or maybe not?
Low temperature damage to emerged soybeans. Photo: Mike Staton, Michigan State University Many soybeans in southern Minnesota were ready to emerge when the recent cold weather brought concerns of both frost and herbicide injury. Most soybeans were still below ground and protected from freezing temperatures. However in some areas of the state, seedlings may show injury after extended contact with preemergence herbicides in the soil.
Register by November 19th for the UM Crop Pest Management Short Course & MCPR Trade Show Program early discount
by Dave Nicolai, Institute for Ag Professionals program coordinator The three-day Minnesota Crop Pest Management Short Course program and Minnesota Crop Production Retailers Trade Show starts Tuesday, December 10th and continues through Thursday, December 12th. The online registration and hotel information for the 2019 Crop Pest Management Short Course and MCPR Trade Show are founds at the Minnesota Crop Production Retailers website.
Register now for the Crop Pest Management Short Course
by Dave Nicolai, Institute for Ag Professionals program coordinator The three-day Minnesota Crop Pest Management Short Course program and Minnesota Crop Production Retailers Trade Show starts Tuesday, December 10th and continues through Thursday, December 12th. The Crop Pest Management Short Course educational sessions will begin on Wednesday, December 11th from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and continue on Thursday, December 12th from 8:00 AM to 2:20 PM.
Minnesota Crop Pest Management Short Course, Minneapolis, Dec. 10-12
©Debra L Ferguson Stock Photography The three-day Minnesota Crop Pest Management Short Course program and Minnesota Crop Production Retailers Trade Show starts Tuesday, December 10th and continues through Thursday, December 12th. The Crop Pest Management Short Course educational sessions will begin on Wednesday, December 11th from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and continue on Thursday, December 12th from 8:00 AM to 2:20 PM.
Minnesota Corn: Harvest Faces Weather Challenges
The development of Minnesota’s corn crop is highly variable this year, due to numerous weather challenges and wide ranges in both planting dates and hybrid relative maturities. The rain and snow this week added even more challenges, requiring corn growers to prioritize fields for harvest and to make difficult grain-drying and storage decisions. There are several important points to consider when making these decisions. Did the corn reach maturity before a killing frost?
Minnesota: Crop Pest Management Short Course, Minneapolis, Dec. 11-13
Minnesota: Crop Pest Management Short Course, Minneapolis, Dec. 11-13 Posted on November 13, 2018 By Dave Nicolai, University of Minnesota The three-day Minnesota Crop Pest Management Short Course program and Minnesota Crop Production Retailers Trade Show starts Tuesday, December 11th and continues through Thursday, December 13th.
Dealing with volunteer corn after the storms
Crops in our area were coming along pretty nicely until tornadoes and winds ripped through on Sept. 20. Soybeans are mostly OK, but the severe weather caused damage in corn fields. This “downed corn” causes a high potential for corn ears and kernels to be left in the field this fall. As a result, we expect a high occurrence of volunteer corn in these areas in 2019.Downed corn will definitely affect yield this year — some stalks are severely broken over, some are lodged, and some lost their ears.
Managing the potential for volunteer corn in 2019
Source: University of Minnesota Extension By Dave Nicolai, Liz Stahl and Jeff Gunsolus The 2018 corn growing season was challenging for Minnesota growers. Excessive precipitation in some areas of the state and dry conditions in others, along with wind storms and tornadoes, has taken its toll on consistency in corn yields. The weather, along with disease and the early dying of some corn hybrids, has led to limited stalk strength at harvest.
Minnesota: Reduce Your Chances for Volunteer Corn Next Season
The 2018 corn growing season was challenging for Minnesota growers. Excessive precipitation in some areas of the state and dry conditions in others, along with wind storms and tornadoes, has taken its toll on consistency in corn yields. The weather, along with disease and the early dying of some corn hybrids, has led to limited stalk strength at harvest.
Minnesota Corn, Soybeans: Harvest Considerations for Storm-Damaged Crops
On September 20, fast-moving storms moved across southern Minnesota, resulting in damage to crops and property. Claire LaCanne, agriculture Extension educator in Rice and Steele counties provided the following report of recent storm damage in these counties: The National Weather Service (NWS) reports ten tornadoes struck parts of southeastern Minnesota on September 20 and that preliminary information indicates Rice County was hit by six tornadoes.
Soybean Aug. 14 field day near Montevideo
The University of Minnesota Extension is offering a workshop and field tour on Tuesday, August 14 highlighting soybean management strategies for battling Iron Deficiency Chlorosis (IDC) and Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN).The tour will feature a UMN research site studying the interactions between IDC and SCN, along with trials evaluating commercial products from Bayer, Valent, Monsanto, and West Central Inc.All farmers and agricultural professionals are welcome to join us for this workshop and...
Minnesota: Soybean Field Day, Montevideo, Aug. 14
The University of Minnesota Extension is offering a workshop and field tour on Tuesday, August 14th highlighting soybean management strategies for battling Iron Deficiency Chlorosis (IDC) and Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN). The tour will feature a UMN research site studying the interactions between IDC and SCN, along with trials evaluating commercial products from Bayer, Valent, Monsanto, and West Central Inc.
Minnesota: Ag Professional Field School, St. Paul, July 25-26
The 2018 Field School for Ag Professionals will be held on July 25 – 26 at the University of Minnesota Agriculture Experiment Station in St. Paul. Field School for Ag Professional which is the summer training opportunity that combines hand-on training and real-world field scenarios.
Minnesota Corn, Soybeans: Cutoffs for Postemergence Herbicides
A late start to the planting season, combined with warm temperatures and an abundance of moisture in areas of the state has led to quick crop emergence, and crops that are rapidly advancing through the growth stages. Crops may also be in a range of growth stages due to varying planting dates that resulted from working around a wet planting season. Almost all herbicide labels have a maximum growth stage and/or crop height after which applications should not be made.
Weather delays corn planting but optimal window remains open
By Lizabeth Stahl, Jeff Coulter, and Dave Nicolai University of Minnesota Extension Much of Minnesota has been covered in snow past mid-April and it will take some time for field conditions to dry enough for field work and planting to begin. Farmers are encouraged to consider the following as they wait for the 2018 corn planting season to begin. • Planting date: University of Minnesota studies show that corn yield is typically maximized when planting occurs from late April through mid-May.
2018 Research Updates for Ag Professionals - Jan. 2-4 and 9-11
by Dave Nicolai Coordinator for the Institute for Ag Professionals The 2018 Research Update sessions are scheduled for these locations: Waseca, Rochester and Lamberton (Jan. 2, 3 and 4 respectively) and Morris, Willmar, and Crookston (Jan. 9, 10 and 11 respectively) from 12:30 p.m. – 4:40 p.m. for each location. Registration fee is $55 through Dec. 31, $60 beginning Jan. 1.
Managing wet corn with a late harvest
By Liz Stahl, Dave Nicolai and Jeff Coulter University of Minnesota Extension There is a significant amount of corn to be harvested throughout the Upper Midwest. Grain moisture for most of this corn is not at a level safe for long-term storage, ranging from 17 to 20 percent. Dr. Kenneth Hellevang, Extension Engineer with North Dakota State University, is a regional expert on corn storage issues.
Mow fenceline weeds now to prevent seed production
By Jared Goplen and Dave Nicolai University of Minnesota Extension As summer field activities wind down, harvest will soon be in full swing. Take the time now to mow fenceline weeds to prevent or minimize seed production. Fencelines are often where weed infestations start. By eliminating fenceline weeds, we prevent combine harvesters from picking up weed seeds from the field edges and pulling them into the field, where they can be further spread by harvesting and tillage equipment.
Target weeds after small grain harvest
By Jared Goplen, Tom Peters, and Dave Nicolai University of Minnesota Extension One of the many benefits of including small grains in crop rotations is improved broadleaf weed control and breaking up weed lifecycles. Although freshly harvested small grain fields have a clean look, they often have weeds hiding in the stubble.
Register now for the Field School for Ag Professionals
Registration for the 2017 Field School for Ag Professionals, July 27 – 28 is now filling up. Please register soon to save your spot for this popular annual agronomy training. The Field School will be held at the University of Minnesota Agriculture Experiment Station, St. Paul Campus, University of Minnesota which is located in Falcon Heights, Minn., next to the Minnesota State Fairgrounds at Larpenteur and Gortner Ave.
Suspect pesticide drift? What to do and how to prevent it from occurring
By Dave Nicolai and Liz Stahl, University of MN Extension Crops Educators Unfortunately, pesticide applications can sometimes drift onto neighboring crops and vegetation. Damage can range in severity from brief cosmetic symptoms to the inability to market a crop, severe yield losses and/or plant death. Bee kills can also be an issue where pesticide misuse, misapplication, or drift has occurred.
Minnesota’s September corn crop progress and yield estimation
The USDA Minnesota Crop Progress and Condition for the week ending Sept. 9 reports that ninety percent of the Minnesota’s corn acreage was in or beyond the dent stage, six days ahead of the five-year average. Eighteen percent of the corn for grain acreage was mature. Corn condition rated 84 percent good to excellent. Thirty-five percent of corn for silage had been harvested, three days behind average.
COLUMN: 90 percent of corn acreage beyond dent stage
The USDA Minnesota Crop Progress and Condition for the week ending Sept. 9 reports that 90 percent of the Minnesota’s corn acreage was in or beyond the dent stage, six days ahead of the five-year average. Eighteen percent of the corn for grain acreage was mature. Corn condition rated 84 percent good to excellent. Thirty-five percent of corn for silage had been harvested, three days behind average.
Late-season flooding creates issues for corn, soybeans - Litchfield Independent Review: Community
Recent heavy rain in central and west-central Minnesota has resulted in standing water and saturated soil conditions in area crop fields. Reported rainfall amounts have ranged from 4-6 inches in the Hutchinson area to 9 inches in the Olivia and Willmar areas. Such high levels of rainfall are of concern for corn and soybean farmers late in the season since replanting of crops is no longer an option. The final impact on crop yield will not be known until harvest.
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