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Articles by Dwane Miller
4 tips for optimal corn silage moisture
Content ID 332825 You are here By Delbert Voight, Dwane Miller and Joseph Akins Getting into fields at the proper time to chop silage is often challenging, regardless of year and weather conditions. This year particularly, prolonged dry periods have put some producers in a tough spot regarding silage harvest. Read more: 8 tips for perfect corn silage As individual hybrids dry down, silage moisture should be monitored to insure optimal moisture content during harvest.
How Bad Is $6 Diesel for the Farmer?
By Andrew Frankenfield and Dwane Miller Maybe you are like me and thought back in mid to late April the $4+ diesel price was too high to fill the farm tank. I decided to re-evaluate the situation in another week or two to fill it and the price jumped a dollar or more in just one day! Now we are looking at $6+ and I still have not filled it. I guess it was wishful thinking that fuel wouldn't double in price when fertilizer has nearly tripled. How much fuel does a farm use in a year?
Pennsylvania Corn, Soybeans: Chilling Injury in Newly Planted Crops
Corn seedling with arrested development, likely due to imbibitional chilling. Photo: Bob Nielsen, Purdue University The general consensus is that for proper germination of corn and soybean seeds, we should have a minimum soil temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit. But what happens when we plant into soils that haven’t yet reached that threshold or when a period of cold, wet weather follows soon after planting? We certainly risk susceptibility of the seed to imbibitional chilling injury.
Chilling Injury in Newly Planted Corn and Soybeans
Farms.com Home › News By Dwane Miller The general consensus is that for proper germination of corn and soybean seeds, we should have a minimum soil temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit. But what happens when we plant into soils that haven't yet reached that threshold or when a period of cold, wet weather follows soon after planting? We certainly risk susceptibility of the seed to imbibitional chilling injury. Imbibition is the uptake of water by a newly planted seed.
Pennsylvania: Water Requirements Continue for Corn and Soybeans During Grain Fill
Maturing corn. Photo: University of Illinois Even though much corn throughout Pennsylvania is in dent and soybeans are at R6, it still means that there is some time for the “grain fill” period to continue in both corn and soybean crops. With continued grain fill comes the need for additional moisture. Corn Grain fill in corn will begin with pollination and ends at “black layer” when the kernels are physiologically mature. This process takes approximately 60 days to complete.
Water Requirements Continue for Corn and Soybeans During Grain Fill
By Dwane Miller As our corn and soybean crops wind down the growing season, there is still a need for moisture during the grain fill period. Even though much corn throughout Pennsylvania is in dent and soybeans are at R6, it still means that there is some time for the “grain fill” period to continue in both corn and soybean crops. With continued grain fill comes the need for additional moisture.
Pennsylvania Soybeans: Evaluating Nodulation
Soybeans at the V2 stage revealing adequate nodulation. Photo: Dwane Miller, Pennsylvania State University Soybeans are a big user of nitrogen and need approximately 3.5 lbs. of nitrogen per bushel of grain produced. So, an 80-bushel soybean crop will uptake 280 pounds of nitrogen. Fortunately, if we have adequate nodulation, we don’t need to be concerned with nitrogen deficiency; nature will take care of it for us. But we need to assess soybean fields for adequate nodulation.
Pennsylvania: The Risk for Chilling Injury in Corn and Soybeans
Corn seedling with arrested development, likely due to imbibitional chilling. Photo: Bob Nielsen, Purdue University The general consensus is that for proper germination of corn and soybean seeds, we should have a minimum soil temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit. But what happens when we plant into soils that haven’t yet reached that threshold or when a period of cold, wet weather follows soon after planting? We certainly risk susceptibility of the seed to imbibitional chilling injury.
Chilling Injury in Newly Planted Corn and Soybeans
By Dwane Miller This article is this week’s Agronomy Highlight, Monday, scheduled for May 18 at 8:00 a.m. The Agronomy Highlight discussion is an opportunity to ask the author questions about the highlighted article, get updates from Penn State Extension Agronomy Educators around the commonwealth, share observations from your part of the state, and request content for the next issue of Field Crop News. Learn more about the weekly Agronomy Highlight discussion .
Pennsylvania: Pesticide License Recertification with the Virus Blackout
In response to the cancellation of many recertification meetings, the PA Department of Agriculture is planning to extend the deadline to renew a private applicator’s license. All private applicators who have not yet renewed their license will have more time to renew. Please keep in mind that if your license expired March 31, 2019, you legally cannot purchase or apply restricted-use chemicals. Mid-March is typically a very busy time for pesticide recertification meetings across the state.
Pastures looking thin? Consider frost seeding
With the recent warmup and lack of snow cover, fields are starting to green up in many places. As we start shifting from winter to spring, one of the first things on your to-do list should be evaluating the condition of your pastures. If stands are thin, consider frost seeding as an option to thicken your pasture. It’s important to note that frost seeding, or over-seeding of pastures in general, is not a substitute for poor fertility of pastures.
Pennsylvania Corn: Heat, Drought Stress During Pollination
Drought damaged, heat stressed corn. Photo: Clemson University We can plant on the optimum date, fertilize exactly as our soil test recommends, have perfect pest control…and then, Bam! We get whacked with a heat wave or drought period during corn pollination. As the corn crop progresses through its development, it is emotionally painful for a grower to witness corn leaves rolling during any growth period.
Pennsylvania Soybeans: Early-Season Stand Assessment
No-till soybeans in crop residue. Photo: Iowa State University As soybean fields begin to emerge, you may notice some variable stands. Now can be a perfect time to examine those fields and make management decisions on whether to fill in a stand, replant, or leave them alone. One of the first key factors that must be assessed is the stand density. There are two basic ways to calculate stand: Counting linear plants in a row, or the “hula hoop” method. Counting plants First, determine your row spacing.
Pennsylvania Corn: Is It Time to Switch Hybrid Maturities?
Bags of seed corn. Photo: Dwane Miller, Pennsylvania State University Who doesn’t remember the challenges of getting into the fields during the 2018 planting season? Are we in the same boat for 2019? Looking at USDA’s June 2 Weekly Crop Progress Report, planting progress is still behind where we would normally be on this date. Statewide, corn is reported as 74% planted, compared to 73% in 2018, and 83% for the 5-year average.
Cutting Height in Forages: How Low Can You Go?
By : Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension Educator, Agronomy Whether you’re taking the crop as haylage or dry hay, it’s important to pay attention to forage cutting height. One of our goals as farmers is to maximize our yield; however, cutting a crop too low can lead to several negative issues. The introduction of the disk-type mowers (discbines) allows for cutting very close to the ground. I’ve seen many fields that have been “scalped” right to ground level.
Cutting height in forages: How low can you go? – Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers
Source: Ohio State Beef Cattle Newsletter | May 22, 2019 by Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension Educator, Agronomy Whether you’re taking the crop as haylage or dry hay, it’s important to pay attention to forage cutting height. One of our goals as farmers is to maximize our yield; however, cutting a crop too low can lead to several negative issues. The introduction of the disk-type mowers (discbines) allows for cutting very close to the ground.
Pennsylvania Corn: Time to Switch Corn Hybrid Maturities?
Looking at USDA’s Weekly Crop Progress as of May 20, planting progress is certainly behind where we would normally be on this date. Statewide, corn is reported as 35% planted, compared to 56% in 2017, and 64% for the 5-year average. The recent spell of wet weather has kept many planters in the shed, and some growers are beginning to question whether or not to switch out hybrids with earlier maturities.
Cutting Height in Hay Fields: How Low Can You Go?
As you head to the field this year, it’s important to pay attention to cutting height in your hay crop. One of our goals as farmers is to maximize our yield; however, cutting a hay crop too low can lead to several negative issues. The introduction of the disk-type mowers (discbines) allows for cutting very close to the ground. I’ve seen many fields that have been “scalped” right to ground level.
Cutting height in hay fields: How low can you go?
While many parts of Pennsylvania have yet to take a cutting of hay in 2018, I was on a farm in Chester County on Monday (5/7/18) where first cutting alfalfa/orchardgrass was made last week. As you head to the field this year, it’s important to pay attention to cutting height in your hay crop. One of our goals as farmers is to maximize our yield; however, cutting a hay crop too low can lead to several negative issues.
Cutting Height in Hay Fields: How Low Can You Go?
While many parts of Pennsylvania have yet to take a cutting of hay in 2018, I was on a farm in Chester County on Monday (5/7/18) where first cutting alfalfa/orchardgrass was made last week. As you head to the field this year, it’s important to pay attention to cutting height in your hay crop. One of our goals as farmers is to maximize our yield; however, cutting a hay crop too low can lead to several negative issues.
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