Beware of cereal leaf beetle in wheat
By
John Grimes-
Mother Nature recently gave us more proof of how powerful she really is. Depending on your location, the May 21 weekend saw localized heavy rains, hail, and strong winds in the area. There was some light to moderate damage in certain areas, but fortunately the damage was not widespread. Last week saw a return of warmer temperatures that has allowed for improved crop development and a return to the fields to allow farmers to make progress towards the completion of spring planting.
Cereal leaf beetle in wheat
The cereal leaf beetle is becoming the threat to wheat yields that we had expected based on high populations of adults. Reports have come in from many areas of the state, including southern and central Ohio, of larval populations reaching the threshold of 1-2 larvae per stem or flag leaf, and significant feeding occurring. We expect to begin seeing these populations in northern Ohio. The question that is being asked is how long the flag leaf needs protection, and whether treatment is still warranted based on the growth of the wheat. Cereal leaf beetle, the larvae in particular, damages the plants by feeding on the upper surface of the flag leaf, leaving elongated, grayish scars. Both grain yield and quality are affected by the integrity of the upper two leaves, especially the flag leaf, and the spike. So, the longer these plant parts remain healthy, the better.
Wheat in most of the affected areas is between full head emergence (Feekes 10.5) and flowering (Feekes 10.5.1). These are critical growth stages, since they mark the beginning of pollination and grain fill. Substantial damage to the upper leaves at this stage will reduce the amount of sugars available for grain fill, leading to significant yield loss. Damage to the leaves during mid- to late-grain fill will also affect grain quality, leading to lower test weight.
Hence, it is very important to keep the flag leaf healthy throughout the grain fill period to minimize yield and quality loss. If treatment is required, see the following for a list of insecticides labeled for cereal leaf beetle on wheat, http://entomology.osu.edu/ag/images/Small_Grains_CLB.pdf.
Pay close attention to the pre-harvest intervals, which range from mainly 21 to 30 days, although a few insecticides are 7 or 14 days.
With a wet spring, beware of hot hay
While forage producers this time of year might be tempted to bale hay wetter than they’d like rather than risk further deterioration, moist hay can quickly become hot hay that can ignite through spontaneous combustion, warns Marvin Hall, Penn State forage specialist.
Hall says most farmers strive to bale hay that’s field dried to 20% moisture or less, a level that allows baled hay to cure properly and maintain quality. With moisture content higher than 20%, hay under storage conditions will generate more heat than can safely be dissipated into the atmosphere. And, as temperatures rise, dangers of spontaneous combustion increase.
“Farmers need to be diligent in checking their hay, especially if they know they baled hay that was wetter than normal. Smoldering hay gives off a strong, pungent odor. This odor is an indication that a fire is occurring. If even the slightest smell is present, farmers should take temperature readings of the stack,” he says.
Reaching inside a hay stack will give an initial clue. If it feels warm or hot to the touch, that’s a good indication that problems may exist, Hall says. But knowing the temperature of the hay is the only real way of determining how serious the potential fire problem is before flames ignite.
Here are his temperature guidelines and related actions:
• 125 degrees F. – No action needed.
• 150 degrees F. – Entering the danger zone. Temps should be checked twice daily. If possible, disassemble stacked hay to allow more air to move around heated bales for cooling.
• 160 degrees F. – Reaching the danger zone. Check temp every two hours. If possible, disassemble stacked hay to allow more air to move around heated bales for cooling.
• 175 degrees F. – Hot spots or fire pockets are likely. If possible, stop all air movement around hay. Alert fire service of a possible hay fire incident.
• 190 degrees F. – Remove hot hay. This should be done with the assistance of the fire service, which should be prepared for hay to burst into flames as it contacts fresh air.
Keeping a watchful eye on heating hay can save your barn or storage building, Hall advises, and checking the temp of suspected or hot hay can assist in making critical decisions.
“If you see the temperature rising toward the 150-degree range, you might consider moving the hay to a remote location, away from any buildings or combustible material. Use caution when moving heated bales, because they can burst into flames when they are exposed to fresh air. Wetting hot bales down before moving them can help control this hazard,” Hall says.
Fruit thinning can help improve fruit quality
At times, most fruit trees may set too many fruits which can reduce fruit size, color, and quality due to competition for resources between the developing fruits. Too heavy of a fruit load can also reduce cold hardiness of fruit trees by reducing the amount of reserves sent to the roots before the onset of winter. Large tree limbs can also be broken off by the weight of an excessive fruit load. Peaches and certain cultivars of plums usually set too many fruits when they are not thinned by a spring frost. Excess fruits should be removed by hand when young developing fruits are about 3/4” in size, around June 1-15, leaving 4-6” between peaches and 2-3” between plums. Apples do not usually set heavy crops every year.
Some apple cultivars will not bear fruit the year following a year of an excessive crop. This phenomenon is called “alternate year bearing.” When a heavy set does occur, the fruits should be thinned to 6” apart during early June. Use the thumb and forefinger to snap the apples from the stem, leaving the stem on the tree. When there is more than one apple in a cluster, remove the smaller fruits and keep the largest apple, which is called the “king apple.” If this is done no later than 50 days from when the trees are in full bloom, trees are more likely to produce a good crop the following year. Refer to OSU Extension Bulletin 940, “Midwest Home Fruit Production Guide” for additional information.
John Grimes is the Ohio State University Extension Educator for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Highland County.
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Cereal leaf beetle in wheat
The cereal leaf beetle is becoming the threat to wheat yields that we had expected based on high populations of adults. Reports have come in from many areas of the state, including southern and central Ohio, of larval populations reaching the threshold of 1-2 larvae per stem or flag leaf, and significant feeding occurring. We expect to begin seeing these populations in northern Ohio. The question that is being asked is how long the flag leaf needs protection, and whether treatment is still warranted based on the growth of the wheat. Cereal leaf beetle, the larvae in particular, damages the plants by feeding on the upper surface of the flag leaf, leaving elongated, grayish scars. Both grain yield and quality are affected by the integrity of the upper two leaves, especially the flag leaf, and the spike. So, the longer these plant parts remain healthy, the better.
Wheat in most of the affected areas is between full head emergence (Feekes 10.5) and flowering (Feekes 10.5.1). These are critical growth stages, since they mark the beginning of pollination and grain fill. Substantial damage to the upper leaves at this stage will reduce the amount of sugars available for grain fill, leading to significant yield loss. Damage to the leaves during mid- to late-grain fill will also affect grain quality, leading to lower test weight.
Hence, it is very important to keep the flag leaf healthy throughout the grain fill period to minimize yield and quality loss. If treatment is required, see the following for a list of insecticides labeled for cereal leaf beetle on wheat, http://entomology.osu.edu/ag/images/Small_Grains_CLB.pdf.
Pay close attention to the pre-harvest intervals, which range from mainly 21 to 30 days, although a few insecticides are 7 or 14 days.
With a wet spring, beware of hot hay
While forage producers this time of year might be tempted to bale hay wetter than they’d like rather than risk further deterioration, moist hay can quickly become hot hay that can ignite through spontaneous combustion, warns Marvin Hall, Penn State forage specialist.
Hall says most farmers strive to bale hay that’s field dried to 20% moisture or less, a level that allows baled hay to cure properly and maintain quality. With moisture content higher than 20%, hay under storage conditions will generate more heat than can safely be dissipated into the atmosphere. And, as temperatures rise, dangers of spontaneous combustion increase.
“Farmers need to be diligent in checking their hay, especially if they know they baled hay that was wetter than normal. Smoldering hay gives off a strong, pungent odor. This odor is an indication that a fire is occurring. If even the slightest smell is present, farmers should take temperature readings of the stack,” he says.
Reaching inside a hay stack will give an initial clue. If it feels warm or hot to the touch, that’s a good indication that problems may exist, Hall says. But knowing the temperature of the hay is the only real way of determining how serious the potential fire problem is before flames ignite.
Here are his temperature guidelines and related actions:
• 125 degrees F. – No action needed.
• 150 degrees F. – Entering the danger zone. Temps should be checked twice daily. If possible, disassemble stacked hay to allow more air to move around heated bales for cooling.
• 160 degrees F. – Reaching the danger zone. Check temp every two hours. If possible, disassemble stacked hay to allow more air to move around heated bales for cooling.
• 175 degrees F. – Hot spots or fire pockets are likely. If possible, stop all air movement around hay. Alert fire service of a possible hay fire incident.
• 190 degrees F. – Remove hot hay. This should be done with the assistance of the fire service, which should be prepared for hay to burst into flames as it contacts fresh air.
Keeping a watchful eye on heating hay can save your barn or storage building, Hall advises, and checking the temp of suspected or hot hay can assist in making critical decisions.
“If you see the temperature rising toward the 150-degree range, you might consider moving the hay to a remote location, away from any buildings or combustible material. Use caution when moving heated bales, because they can burst into flames when they are exposed to fresh air. Wetting hot bales down before moving them can help control this hazard,” Hall says.
Fruit thinning can help improve fruit quality
At times, most fruit trees may set too many fruits which can reduce fruit size, color, and quality due to competition for resources between the developing fruits. Too heavy of a fruit load can also reduce cold hardiness of fruit trees by reducing the amount of reserves sent to the roots before the onset of winter. Large tree limbs can also be broken off by the weight of an excessive fruit load. Peaches and certain cultivars of plums usually set too many fruits when they are not thinned by a spring frost. Excess fruits should be removed by hand when young developing fruits are about 3/4” in size, around June 1-15, leaving 4-6” between peaches and 2-3” between plums. Apples do not usually set heavy crops every year.
Some apple cultivars will not bear fruit the year following a year of an excessive crop. This phenomenon is called “alternate year bearing.” When a heavy set does occur, the fruits should be thinned to 6” apart during early June. Use the thumb and forefinger to snap the apples from the stem, leaving the stem on the tree. When there is more than one apple in a cluster, remove the smaller fruits and keep the largest apple, which is called the “king apple.” If this is done no later than 50 days from when the trees are in full bloom, trees are more likely to produce a good crop the following year. Refer to OSU Extension Bulletin 940, “Midwest Home Fruit Production Guide” for additional information.
John Grimes is the Ohio State University Extension Educator for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Highland County.
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