Field, Forage & Livestock — Page 54

August 22, 2021 Melissa Bravo

USDA Surveying Producers Small Grain Production

USDA to Measure Small Grain Production

“HARRISBURG, PA – During the first two weeks of September, a sample of small grains growers around the country will receive Agricultural Survey questionnaires from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The agency is taking a comprehensive look into the 2021 production and supply of small grains, including wheat, oats, barley, and rye. ” – August 13, 2021 News Release

To read the full announcement go to: https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/New_Jersey/Publications/Current_News_Release/2021/2021_Sept_Ag_Area_Survey_News_Release.pdf

Filed Under: Field, Forage & Livestock, Uncategorized

August 20, 2021 Melissa Bravo

Free Official Scrapies Eartag Options for Sheep and Goat Producers

Have goats or sheep? Read the update from the USDA regarding how to receive your free metal ear tag.

“The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), National Scrapie Eradication Program, is providing up to 100 plastic flock ID tags free-of-charge, to first time participants in the sheep and goat identification program through fiscal year (FY) 2021 or until the available funds are expended. Producers will need to purchase the compatible applicator from the tag manufacturer. APHIS is working with sheep and goat organizations to develop a plan for transitioning toward electronic identification to improve our nation’s ability to quickly trace exposed and diseased animals in the event of an outbreak.

APHIS discontinued the availability of no-cost metal tags for producers on 8/31/19. Dealers and markets may continue to receive metal serial tags at no cost through FY 2021 or until the available funds are expended. Flock ID tag numbers are the producer’s flock ID assigned by APHIS or the State followed by an individual animal number. Metal serial tag numbers have the state postal abbreviation, 2 letters followed by 4 numbers. Plastic serial tags have the state postal abbreviation, a letter and a number in either order, followed by 4 numbers. ”

For the full announcement go to: USDA APHIS Sheep and Goat Information url shortener at https://go.rutgers.edu/cmo1d1hh

Filed Under: Field, Forage & Livestock, Uncategorized

August 19, 2021 Melissa Bravo

Aflatoxin test drought stressed corn before feeding

As anticipated, the weather conditions during corn silking when high heat coupled with little precipitation has yielded a corn grain crop in many parts of the state with visible signs of lighter test weights on the cob and signs of mold proliferation.

Field dry, low test weight kernals are very likely to crack before or during harvest. This is when molds that produce aflatoxins can form in as little as twenty-four hours. And previously uninfected, or undetectable levels can develop in previously uninfected kernals if the molds that cause the toxin are present in the environment (field,combine, storage).

Aflatoxins levels in feed and corn intended for human consumption are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. All animals can be sickened by high levels of aflatoxins. The tolerance ranges established by the FDA range from 20 ppb to 300 ppb (parts per billion) depending on the age, weight and type of poultry, swine, and cattle. Pet food’s made from corn fed to dogs and cats have a tolerance range of 20 ppb. For detailed information see the March 2019 revision of the FDA compliance policy guide on Action Levels for Aflatoxins in Animal Food https://www.fda.gov/media/121202/download

There are four main types of aflatoxins: B1, B2, G1, and G2. Aflatoxin B1 is the major toxin produced, and is regulated in the United States at 20 ppb in agricultural products that may be used in human food.

Laboratories will test for the different types of aflotoxins and also conduct a comprehensive screen for all mycotoxins in the feed sample. Prices generally begin at $25.00 for an individual aflatoxin test to $100.00 for a comprehensive screen.

Sample each field by variety separately. Focus on the areas with visible signs of light test weight kernals (pre-mature husk death, unfilled ear tips, visible molds on kernals, cracked kernals). For comparision, find a healthy normal section of corn and test.

Waypoint Analytical Feed and Forage Form. Write ‘Aflatoxin test’ on the form; or write ‘Complete Mycotoxin Screen’ on the form. Indiviual samples for Aflatoxin are currently $24.50. Individual tests for complete screen for mycotoxins are currently $85.00. https://www.waypointanalytical.com/Docs/samplesubmittalforms/WaypointFeedandForageInfosheet-Pennsylvania.pdf

Rutgers Plant Diagnostic Laboratory. Call the lab for test availability and pricing. https://njaes.rutgers.edu/plant-diagnostic-lab/contact.php

Dairy One (Mycotoxin Panel $99: Aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, G2, Vomitoxin, Zearalenone, T2, 3-acetyl DON, 15-acetyl DON) https://dairyone.com/services/forage-laboratory-services/submitting-a-sample/

Filed Under: Field, Forage & Livestock, Uncategorized

August 12, 2021 Melissa Bravo

Grasshopper damage increasing in soybeans and corn

Differential grasshopper populations are heavily feeding on corn, soybeans and unharvested grass fields and waterways in Salem County. Damage is being observed above economic threshold in mutiple fields across the county where the broods are congregating. Reports from producers indicate the brood population was not this bad in 2020 and may be an indication this is but the first year of a two-year peaking cycle. A similar explosion was reported in August of 2008 http://bugoftheweek.com/blog/2012/12/21/grasshoppers-hit-the-beach-differential-grasshopper-melanoplus-differentialis

Producers should document where grasshoppers are mating and laying eggs in anticipation of a high hatch event occurring again in 2022.

Droughty corn with extensive grasshopper feeding

In drought stressed silking corn, grasshopper feeding has damaged ear stalks where they attach to the main stalk and in some instances terminated further development. If these fields are harvested as silage they should be tested for nitrate levels due to the likelyhood the crop did not have time to utilize the nitrogen to grain fill.

Drought stressed fields harvested for feed grain should be tested for mycotoxins.

Differential grasshoppers along with two-striped and lesser migratory species lay eggs throughout the summer season.

Egg laying may extend into November if conditions are favorable.

Each female grasshopper can lay as many as 400 eggs.

Swarming grasshoppers on a farm bench near defoliated soybeans

Defoliated soybean leaf

Grasshopper nymphs have been feeding on crops in Salem County since late May. Their are now two populations feeding in crops. An adult breeding population and a new set of instar nymphs.

“Treatment of soybean may be necessary at 40% or more defoliation before soybean flowering, 15% from flowering to pod fill, and 25% from pod fill to harvest. Treatment of field margins for grasshoppers may be advisable if an average of 15 nymphs or 8 adults per square yard (90 cm square) are observed. For pod feeding, treatment may be necessary when approximately 10% of the pods are being damaged and grasshoppers are still present” – https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/fieldcropsipm/insects/soybean-grasshopper.php

Tillage after egg-laying occurs and before the spring hatch destroys grasshopper eggs.

Mowing and harvesting of crops during the non-flight stage destroys grasshopper nymphs.

Contact and systemic insecticides kill grasshoppers in the crop.

Wet and cool weather can introduce naturally occurring fungal pathogens that reduce populations.

Filed Under: Field, Forage & Livestock

August 9, 2021 Melissa Bravo

Heat stress alert

According to Steve Sosna, Philadelphia Ten News, feel like temperatures the rest of this week throughout much of South and Central NJ will surpass the stressful week in June with temperatures well into the mid 100’s. Many News stations are alerting viewers to the cumulative effect of this heat wave on pets, livestock and people.

Pastured chicken, sheep, swine, goats and guardian dogs are at high risk to experience heat stress this week and night time temperatures will provide little relief.

Heat stress check for above livestock: Shade, constant supply of cool water (ice chunks) and fans to provide air circulation. Where feasible, temporarily bring animals into pole barns, cellars or concrete walled structures to reduce sun exposure during the hottest time of the day. Remember that pigs can suffer from to much sun exposure leading to extreme sunburn or heat stroke.

Additional steps:

Water measures for poultry: https://www.purinamills.com/chicken-feed/education/detail/summer-flock-care-how-to-keep-chickens-cool
Heat stress in poultry: https://extension.umn.edu/poultry-care-and-management/preventing-heat-stress-poultry#:~:text=Birds%20are%20subject%20to%20heat,help%20provide%20relief%20to%20birds.
Heat stroke in pigs: https://www.thepigsite.com/disease-guide/heat-stroke
Heat stress in lambs and goats: https://www.sheepandgoat.com/heatstress

Weather source: https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/weather/stories-weather/brutal-dangerous-heat-wave-will-make-it-feel-like-105-degrees-this-week/2920402/?_osource=SocialFlowFB_PHBrand&fbclid=IwAR3oQYR5eLFzr5kblQujciKOAKr1oG7NDDgTWdw_xAuFhXb6iXNQSYDs7ug

Filed Under: Field, Forage & Livestock

July 26, 2021 Melissa Bravo

Mid-season corn crop evaulations

Silking corn received some much needed precipitation over the last forty-eight hours across much of Salem County. On a hot July day, corn in pollination mode can easily uptake .25 to .30 inches of moisture. Depending on the location, some fields only received a day’s worth of rain while other’s under the path of the northeasterly tracking storms received upwards of .80 inches this weekend.

Curled leaves of corn waiting for rainfall

Evaluating field water holding capacity. Precipitation is critical to mazimizing grain fill on soils with low water holding capacity under these conditions. Soil compaction in fields that are exhibiting classic surface sealing are exasperating corn moisture stress conditions as seen in this July 23^rd photograph. Combined with the high evapotranspiration rate of the last two weeks, these soils are unable to absorb or retain enough moisture to meet crop removal needs. Now is a good time to evaluate soil water holding capacity and tilth condition and how well the corn hybrid planted on that soil met expectations despite any pressure from silk feeding insects.

When moisture stress occurs makes all the difference. Remember, corn hybrids mature at different times based on their individual need to accumulate heat units. Just before silking is visible, corn plants are in the V12 collar stage. At this stage, one can assume at least 880 heat units since planting at this location. At V12 stage, we can assume the crop emerged 43 to 50 days ago. When fifteen collars are present, the crop is about ten days away from silking. This is when ear size, kernel size and kernel number are determined. Take a moment to look back and see what maturity corn was planted. Do you like what you see? Despite the weather stress? If counting leaves, their should be at least sixteen leaves on the plant before the tassel appears on shorter season hybrids and as many as twenty-one on longer season hybrids.

What happens at silking? Did you know that at silking, 50% of the available nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil is taken up by the crop over the next few weeks. When did you put down nitrogen? Sixty days ago as a plow down but with a delayed planting? Forty days ago at planting? Twenty days ago as a side-dress? Did you split applications?

How many days are left to physiological maturity? An ‘85 day’ corn requires about 2100 heat units since planting to mature. ‘101’ day corn varieties require more than 2400 heat units. It’s the end of July. How many heat units are left in the growing season to reach physiological maturity based on the V stage of the crop? Given the soil moisture holding capacity of the soil, could you have planted that field any earlier? Planted it later? Used a longer or shorter maturing variety? If the planting date had remained the same, would a shorter day or a longer day corn have pollinated better or faired worse given the precipitation pattern at that locale? What if the planting date had been earlier, or later? How did tillage choice impact water holding capacity of that soil?

What next? While a typical field of corn can take up to fourteen days to reach full pollination, some of the crop wil be pollinating every day. This is actually a good thing. Pollen only sheds when anthers are dry and extreme heat can even kill pollen. Corn is wind pollinated. When shed, the pollen clouds will drift from twenty to fifty feet. Last week’s low air quality rating due to the smokey haze over the region was also due in part to the amount of corn pollen in the air locally. Conversely, on overcast rainy days, tassles do not release pollen to the silks below. Too much wind during pollen shed can actually blow the pollen beyond reach.

Lastly, while the silks are being pollinated they have to compete with japanese beetles, corn beetles and a myraid of other silk clipping insects.

If you can tolerate the smell and feel of corn pollen on your eyelashes, put on a rain coat and go for a walk through your crop to see how the interior of the field is fairing this season. Remember as hay comes off and soybeans are sprayed, the bugs are seeking haven in corn.