Soil temperature updates
2" soil temperature readings at Fair Oaks, IN at 8am
4/1 - 48F
3/31 - 44F
3/30 - 40F
3/29 - 42 F
3/28 - 46 F
3/26 - 45 F
3/25 - 44 F
3/24 - 44 F
3/23 - 44 F
PSNT available this summer
This summer we will be testing many fields in Indiana that followed a legume cover crop, received manure or NH3 in the fall of 2015. Here is our procedure we will follow.
- Samples will be collected when the corn is 6-8" tall.
- Samples will be a composite of at least 20 cores pulled over 40acres.
- Each sample core will be pulled from a depth of 12 inches
- The day the samples are collected, they will be dropped off to be analyzed for Nitrate content by the No Wait Nitrate machine in Rensselaer, IN.
- The next day we will receive results and a recommendation will be communicated to the grower that day.
- There will be a fee for the collection of samples, analysis of sample, and recommendations.
With the warm weather we had in the fall of 2015 and the winter of 2015/16, we should all be worried about the amount of Nitrogen left in the field for the 2016 corn crop. This is a fast and easy way to check if the Nitrogen applied is still present and if any additional N is needed to prevent yield losses.
Spring Burndown Tips
We have sprung forward, the robins have returned, calves are being born and soon it will be the spring burndown time. Here are a few thoughts that may help you have a successful spring herbicide program.
1. Make sure what you are trying to kill is actively growing. We can spray all the Glyphosate and 2,4-D we want, but if our targets are not actively growing we will fail to kill them. Be patient, it will be worth it.
2. Avoid spraying after a cold night. This time of year it is not uncommon to have frost on the ground in the morning and by afternoon the temperature is up to 60 degrees. Our burndown herbicides work much better after a few nights with temperatures in the mid 40's to 50 degrees.
3. Don't be stingy. Glyphosate and 2,4-D are pretty cheap products and work very well together at the right rates. If you are using a generic 41% glyphosate, make sure to use at least a pint (16 fl oz) and a pint of 2,4-D ester.
4. Use AMS.
5. Wait 7 days after spraying 2,4-D ester to plant. If you use dicamba in your burndown herbicide program, wait at least 14 days to plant.
Tracking soil temperature
I think agronomist are the only ones that use soil temperature data when making planting decisions, but starting tomorrow I will be reporting the 8am soil temperature at Fair Oaks, IN.
Your Agronomy Team
CropGuard Services, INC.