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Spring a time of rejuvenation

By
John Grimes-
Spring is a time for rejuvenation.  You see it all around us in the landscape and in the fields.  Grass is growing rapidly, trees are leafing out, and farmers and gardeners alike are busy with their crops of interest.
    Spring is also a time of rejuvenation for those of us who are fans of the Cincinnati Bengals, with the recent draft of college football players and, hopefully, they can add some talented players to get them back to the playoffs.
    Hope does spring eternal this time of the year!
Corn emergence, heat units
    According to USDA-NASS, www.nass.usda.gov/oh, for the week ending April 11, 2010, Ohio was much further ahead in heat unit (growing degrees day, GDD) accumulation than is typical for this time of year. GDD accumulation since April 1 has averaged 134 across the state compared to 50 GDDs for the long term norm. Last year during a cool wet April in 2009, we only accumulated about 42 GDDs during this period.
    Like air temperatures, soil temperatures have generally been above average, as high as 10 degrees, since April 1.
    Corn requires about 100 GDDs to emerge, but emergence requirements can vary from 90 to 150 GDDs. To determine daily GDD accumulation, calculate the average daily temperature (high + low)/2 and subtract the base temperature which is 50 degrees F for corn. If the daily low temperature is above 50 degrees, and the high is 86 or less, then this calculation is performed using actual temperatures, but if the low temperature is less than 50 degrees, use 50 degrees as the low in the formula. Similarly, if the high is above 86 degrees, use 86 degrees in the formula.
    If it takes a corn hybrid 100 GDDs to emerge, and daily high and low temperatures average 70 and 50 degrees following planting, 10 GDDs accumulate per day, and corn should emerge in about 10 days (100 GDDs to emerge/10 GDDs per day = 10 days). However, if daily high and low temperatures are warmer (as is sometimes the case in late May or early June), averaging 80 and 60 degrees after planting, 20 GDDs accumulate per day, and it may take about five days (100 GDDs to emerge/20 GDDs per day = 5 days) for corn to emerge.
    Seedling emergence is dependent on soil temperature and air temperature. Also, keep in mind that estimates of emergence based on GDDs are approximate and can be influenced by various factors including residue cover, tillage, and soil organic matter (soil “color”) and moisture content. Corn emergence can be slowed by inadequate soil moisture.
    Dry soil conditions can cause uneven emergence in some fields that may impact yield if emergence delays exceed 1.5 to 2 weeks.
    Crops vary widely with regard to the minimum moisture content required for emergence. For corn, the minimum moisture content at which the radicle emerges is 30% of the seed dry weight.
    In contrast, for soybean, the reported minimum moisture content required for germination is 50%.
    However, since a soybean seed generally weighs only two-thirds or less the weight of a corn seed, a soybean seed requires less water to germinate.
    Source: Dr. Peter Thomison, OSU Extension corn specialist
Farm falls
    According to OSHA, slips, trips and falls account for the majority of workplace injuries. They are the second leading cause of death after those caused by motor vehicles and account for 15% of fatalities annually.
    Farms, with their variety of surfaces and working conditions, are fertile ground for slips, trips and falls. In particular, preventing falls from heights requires special considerations. Farmers should keep in mind the following recommendations to better control the hazard of falls:
    • After evaluating all the hazards, decide if the job can be done. Just because a job will only take a minute is no reason to think that “being careful” will be enough.
    • Good footing is essential when working at elevation. Choose appropriate footwear and avoid dirt and grease on work shoes.
    • Grain bin ladders should be free of obstructions and regularly inspected and maintained.
    • When accessing grain bin roofs, either a railing should be present or a personal restraint system, such as a positioning belt, should be used to prevent the user from getting too near the edge.
    • When using a full body harness and lifeline to provide fall protection, have a rescue plan. Suspension trauma can result from the loss of blood flow while waiting for help.
    • Extension and folding ladders should be regularly inspected.
    • When using an extension ladder to access another level, they should extend at least 3 feet above the point of contact. The climber needs this extra length to step easily onto the upper level.
    • If the ladder is going to be used repeatedly, considering tying off the top to provide extra stability.
    • Use a rope to raise and lower tools so that hands are kept free to hold on to the ladder.
    • Open-sided floors need fall prevention equipment such as railings. If the openings are needed from time to time, install a removable railing or sliding gate.
    These are only a sample of the considerations that should go into the decision to work at higher elevations.
    According to the National Safety Council, if someone falls from 11 feet they have a 50% chance of dying. Whatever can be done to decrease the chance of falling or to minimize injuries if a fall occurs will be well worth the effort.
    Source: Tim Butcher, OSHA program coordinator
Dividing perennials
    Perennials that are overgrown, have gotten out of control, are declining in overall growth, haven’t bloomed quite as nicely as in they should, or have opened in the center should be divided to improve health, growth, and appearance.
    A good rule of thumb is to divide perennials opposite of their bloom time. However, most perennials can be divided just about any time of the year providing that one provides extra care to get the plants established after dividing, especially during warm weather. It’s easier to divide perennials in the early spring when they are smaller and easy to handle. Now is a great time to divide those that bloom in the summer or fall. Begin by digging out around the edge of the plant and lift the entire plant, leaving as much of the root system as intact as possible. Or, if one just wants to “share” a portion of a perennial, dig around the outside edge and lift a segment of the plant.
    After digging, discard any roots that are dead, rotted or mushy. Plant the divisions immediately or as soon after dividing and water to keep the roots moist. When dividing, take advantage of the empty root space and add organic matter prior to replanting.
    John Grimes is the Ohio State University Extension Educator for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Highland County.[[In-content Ad]]

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