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From The Field Over the past week, we accumulated 70 GDD (base 50), but this coming week looks to bring a lot less heat, with chances of frost this weekend. Some corn and soybeans were planted in the middle of last week, but at this point, those seeds should still be protected in the ground through the frost window. CORN There hasn’t been much corn planted around Central Michigan yet. Soil temperatures have been good for corn this past week, but corn is finicky enough that it is not worth mudding it in just to chase the calendar. Waiting for fit field conditions is still one of the best decisions you can make for stand, roots, and yield potential. With cooler weather and chances of frost coming next weekend, soil temps are expected to drop back into the mid-40s. The warm weather we’ve had followed by a cold shot can be hard on germinating corn seed because it starts taking in water and beginning the germination process, then gets hit with cold stress. That can lead to uneven emergence, corkscrewed seedlings, and weaker roots. SOYBEAN Around Lakeview and Edmore there have been a few field of soybeans planted, other areas with heavier ground are still too wet. While we do like early planted soybeans, we are by no means late, but when field conditions are fit, it’s time to go. I have seen some seed corn maggot flies out in fields, and with flies laying eggs now, wet conditions, and burndown happening close to planting, we could see more pressure in some soybean fields. The biggest lesson is to watch those fields closely after planting. Don’t wait until you drive by later and wonder why the stand looks uneven. Start checking emergence early so you can catch problems while there is still time to understand what happened and make a plan. WHEAT We have been seeing first nodes visible in wheat fields, which means herbicide timing needs to be checked field by field right now. Once wheat is past first node, products like Osprey, PowerFlex, Clarity, and 2,4-D should no longer be used because they can stress jointed wheat, shorten or twist stems, injure the developing head, reduce grain set, and cost yield. Affinity, Huskie, Moxy, and Stinger still have a wider window and can be applied up to around the second node. The wet conditions and quick growth from heat have made wheat fertilizer and herbicide applications tricky this spring. Growth stage matters more than the calendar, our from the field video this week’s shows how to check for nodes. POTATOES Potato planting has started, but that does not mean every field is ready. With the wet conditions we’ve had, it’s important not to chase the calendar and force planting into ground that is still too wet, because that can create compaction, poor hill structure, smeared seed beds, and uneven emergence. The goal is not just to get potatoes planted, it’s to get them planted evenly into conditions that give the seed piece the best chance. Careful checks (I like to see them done daily) behind the planter are very important right now. Check every row for depth, spacing, skips and doubles. I’ve seen it drastically change across the planter depending on shakers, how seed is feeding, or whether that row is landing in a tractor wheel track. A few minutes checking behind the planter can save a lot of headaches later when we’re trying to manage stand and tuber set. ALFALFA There have been reports of alfalfa weevil in Southern Michigan over the past week, and in Central Michigan we could start seeing small larvae anytime. This is one of those pests that can sneak up fast, especially as the crop starts putting on growth. The only reliable way to know what is happening in your field is to get out with a sweep net. Even walking a field and looking for damage larvae are easy to miss. While sweeping for weevils, be sure to track aphids, and plant bugs. We have been seeing some plant bugs around Ithaca area, plant bugs can do similar damage as leaf hoppers with yellowing of leaf tips or even wilting of leaves. Plant Bug "Hopper Burn" like symptoms Notes From Steph The bigger story has been how fast wheat, alfalfa, and weeds have moved. Growth has exceeded what many of us expected, which is why field checks matter right now. Growth stage and field conditions need to drive the next pass, not just the calendar.

From The Field We have picked up a lot more heat this spring than normal, and at a GDD base 50 we are running nearly 97% above the 10-year average . That means crop growth, weed pressure, and overall spring movement are further ahead than what we would usually expect for this time of year. CORN Just because fields are fit in spots does not mean conditions are fit across the whole field. After the ponding and excess water we have had over the last couple of weeks, soils are far from uniform, so it is important to pay attention to how planting conditions change from one part of the field to another. Check for sidewall smearing and furrow conditions as you move through different soil types and wetter areas, because those issues can stay with the crop long after the planter leaves the field. The same goes for tillage. Soil temperatures over the last week have stayed close to 50°F, and with this warm up they are expected to move into the mid 50s. Corn needs about 100 GDU's (base 50) to emerge. This warm weather will definitely get farmers excited, and I expect to see planters rolling on lighter ground by the end of the week. According to long-term forecasters, next week looks to be cooler than average. SOYBEAN This is one of those springs where timing matters more than ever. We are in the peak seed corn maggot flight and egg laying window, so pay close attention if you have a history of damage, especially if manure was applied or green material was recently worked in. Those fields carry more risk, and adding Lumiderm to your seed treatment may be worth it. At the same time, wet fields are tightening the window for spring work, so no-till soybeans may be a good fit for a burndown plus residual pre together . With the heat we have had and more coming, this is not the year to leave room for weed escapes. WHEAT Are you worried your wheat is showing yellow from a lack of nitrogen? There are a lot of fields, especially on lighter ground, showing uneven color right now. Nitrogen shortage at tillering can reduce tiller number, and this year I think we will see a bigger yield difference depending on planting date. Fields that were well tillered last fall are likely in better shape. Soon wheat will shift from vegetative growth into stem elongation, and once that happens the plant quits putting energy into making new tillers. That means head count is more locked in. If you already have enough tillers, you are in a better position, but the plant still needs nitrogen to build healthy new leaves, a strong flag leaf, and good grain potential. POTATOES Pre-emerge herbicide timing is one of the questions that comes up every spring. I have seen fields sprayed right after planting and I have seen fields sprayed much closer to emergence, but Dual and Linex do not have the same best fit timing. I like Dual on as early as possible after planting so grasses do not get started first. Linex can be applied a little   closer to emergence because it has some burndown activity on small broadleaves along with residual control. The biggest factor is moisture. If I have to choose, I would rather spray earlier, ideally within 10 days of planting, to improve the chances of catching a rain and activating the Dual. I like to see about 0.5 to 0.75 inch of moisture for activation. That earlier timing usually gives you the best chance to get enough moisture and stay ahead of grass pressure. ALFALFA Last week added a lot of heat, and this week should add about 90 more GDDs (base 41). Alfalfa has loved the heat and moisture, and growth is moving fast. Around Edmore, Ithaca, and Mount Pleasant we still look to be about 10 to 14 days away from alfalfa weevil egg hatch. I put together an alfalfa guide on growth stages, cutting timing, and alfalfa weevil benchmarks, click the button below to access. As we get closer to the alfalfa weevil feeding window, we will alert growers and show exactly how to scout for them. Notes From Steph I don't know about you, but after a long winter, this stretch of heat has definitely been welcomed.. If you are itching to start tillage, remember that going into ground that is still too wet usually creates more problems than it solves, especially compaction and poor seedbed conditions. If planting starts this week, watch furrow conditions closely and do not assume the whole field is fit just because part of it is. On wheat, nitrogen needs to be a priority, and fields with lower tiller counts should be first in line.

From The Field The calendar says planting season is close, but the weather has had a different plan. The long-term forecast looks like we are getting closer to fit conditions, but we are still not quite there. The rain over the last couple weeks has definitely recharged the local streams, creeks, and swamp holes. Usually by now we have had at least a couple decent windows for tillage, spreading, and spraying, but this year those have been hard to come by. At this point, it looks like we may still be about a week away from seeing things start to dry out. CORN Seeding depth is one of those topics where everyone has a number in mind, but the real answer usually starts with one thing: moisture. Corn needs to be planted into conditions that allow for even, uniform emergence, and that means chasing soil moisture more than chasing a perfect textbook depth. We typically shoot for 1.5-2.5” corn depth, I would rather see corn planted on the deeper side, into fit moisture than laid shallow into dry soil and hoped along. When corn comes out uneven, you usually fight it the rest of the season. Good stands start with placing every seed into the same environment, and planting depth is a big part of making that happen. SOYBEAN Soybeans get treated like they can be thrown in at any depth and figure it out, but that is not a great strategy if you want a uniform stand. Planting depth should really be adjusted based on conditions, not just habit. Generally, I lean toward the shallower end of the range at about 1” deep with earlier planting, higher residue, heavier soils, and when moisture is already there. On the other hand, later planting, lighter soils, and dry conditions usually push me toward the deeper end of 1.75-2”. At the end of the day, moisture is still the biggest driver because soybean seed must take in about 50% of its weight in water for germination to start. Soybeans do have a unique way of emerging, using the hooked hypocotyl to push themselves up through the soil, which is part of why they can fight through some tough conditions and help each other push through light crusting. Stand consistency matters, and it starts with getting serious about where that seed is being placed. WHEAT Wheat has really started to take off, but a lot of growers still have not had a good enough window to get fertilizer on. It is not too late yet, but when the ground is fit, be ready to go. Herbicides will be coming up soon too, and I like to leave about 5 days between streaming nitrogen and spraying. Wheat is going to move in a hurry from here. On some of the heavier fields, we are also seeing yellow dead spots where the wheat sat wet for too long, so not every field is coming through this stretch the same. POTATOES Potatoes are where planting depth really deserves attention, because now you are balancing both moisture and temperature at planting depth. I see a wide range in what growers are comfortable with. Some are down around 2 inches, which to me can feel like just a skiff of soil over the seed, while others are planting as deep as 7 inches. Early on, when soils are cold and wet, planting in the top couple inches of the hill can make sense. But as the season stretches on, I think it is wise to deepen planting depth as conditions change. Personally, I would prefer potatoes not coming out of the ground within two weeks, because that extra time below ground helps maximize root and stolon development before emergence. We all know how fast potatoes move once they crack the ground. That first leaf shows up, you blink, and the plant is 6 inches tall. Managing depth with both moisture and soil temperature in mind is one of the simplest ways to better set that crop up from the start. ALFALFA Alfalfa has woken up and is putting on fresh growth, and with all the moisture we’ve had and the heat the past couple days too, it has really taken off. The weeds have too. This is a good time to get out and walk fields so you know what is really there and which weeds, especially grasses, could start costing you tonnage or feed quality. If your alfalfa has fully broken dormancy, you are likely past the best window for some of the stronger dormant broadleaf cleanup options. That does not mean you are out of herbicide choices, but the list gets shorter and timing matters more. At that point, you are usually looking at more targeted in-season options, or waiting until right after first cutting depending on what weeds are really out there. Use the link below to help identify the grasses that could become an issue in your alfalfa. https://www.kippfarmservices.com/weed-resources-2 Notes From Steph This week is about being ready, not forcing it. Beans are being treated, corn is being delivered, and potato seed is being cut and treated, so we are getting close to rolling. Fields still need time, but crops are starting to move. Walk alfalfa now to know whether grasses or weeds are becoming a real issue, and be ready to move on wheat when the next fit window opens. Wheat fertilizer timing is still fine, but it will not stay that way forever.