November 4, 2009

 

LATE, WET HARVEST SEASON

 

Producers are facing many issues during this difficult harvest season, including dealing with soybeans with moistures of 15% or more and concerns about corn ear rots and mycotoxins. At least the drier weather this week is allowing there to be a lot of progress in the bean harvest as well making a dent in the corn harvest.

 

CORN EAR ROTS AND MYCOTOXINS

 

This isn’t a year when Aspergillus (and aflatoxin) would be expected to be found much, but there are other ear rots showing up and some of them can produce mycotoxins. Cladosporium (dark green to grayish black mold that can cause black streaks on kernels) and Trichoderma (dark green mold with a fuzzy appearance) are two that are being reported. Fortunately neither of these often produce mycotoxins. Fusarium and Diplodia are also being found. These are pink and white molds that more often do produce mycotoxins.

 

Grain from fields with obvious mold problems should be tested for mycotoxins. Grain samples can be sent to the ISU Diagnostic Vet Lab, or samples can be sent in by a local vet. A sample submission form is available at http://vetmed.iastate.edu/sites/default/files/vdl/forms/MycotoxinForm.pdf. If you screen for all 4 of the main mycotoxins, the fee is $70. This just determines whether the toxins are present or not. To determine the level of contamination, another screen needs to be done (about $35). This will determine whether the grain can still be fed even though there is some contamination. For information on how to sample the corn and on safe levels of mycotoxins see http://vetmed.iastate.edu/sites/default/files/vdl/MycotoxinInfo.pdf. For the latest information on corn ear rots being found see: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/CropNews/2009/1030robertsonmunkvold.htm.

 

WET SOYBEANS

 

 I guess the good news is that you are better off selling soybeans at 14% than 10%. Some grain elevators are not accepting beans that have greater than 14-15% moisture. Air drying would be the best alternative for beans that are too wet to sell, but of course this takes more time than drying with heat. It is very easy to over-dry soybeans with heat. Charley Hurburgh has a nice article answering many of this fall’s harvest and storage questions (including drying soybeans) at  http://www.extension.iastate.edu/CropNews/2009/1030hurburgh.htm.

 

 

FOR YOUR CALENDAR

 

Integrated Crop Management Conference – Ames

December 2-3

 

Choose from over 40 workshops featuring the latest crop production information from experts around the Midwest. The 2008 conference sold out early with over 900 attending. Registration information is available at http://www.aep.iastate.edu/icm/homepage.html.

 

Ag Chem Dealer Update – Iowa City

December 14

 

The Ag Chemical Dealer Updates deliver the latest crop production recommendations, news and information directly from Iowa State University Extension. Each location features updates on weed, insect, crop disease and soil nutrient management brought to you by ISU experts. Meetings help prepare seed, chemical, and fertilizer dealers, crop consultants, farm managers and agronomists for the challenges of the upcoming crop production year.  CCA credits available.  Each meeting includes continuing instructional credits for Commercial Pesticide Applicator recertification in categories 1A (weeds), 1B (insects), 1C (diseases), and 10 (research and demonstration) for 2009. Registration information for all Ag Chem Dealer Updates, including the Waterloo location, is posted at http://www.aep.iastate.edu/acu/homepage.html .

 

Crop Advantage Series – Cedar Rapids

January 21

 

Craig Johnson, long time meteorologist, will be one of the featured speakers at this year’s conference discussing “Global Warming or Global Cooling?” Choose from many workshops on pest management, soil fertility, crop production and marketing. CCA credits will be available.