Category: Corn

Pythium Root Rot in Corn 

Alyssa Koehler, Extension Field Crops Pathologist
University of Delaware

Figure 1. Corn seedlings with post-emergent damping-off caused by Pythium spp. Image: A. Koehler, Univ. of Delaware.

Over the past few years, wet spring conditions have favored corn pre and post-emergence damping off caused by the oomycete pathogen, Pythium. Symptoms of Pythium Root Rot can include stunted, slower growing plants, to severely infected, dead plants (Figure 1). Infected plants typically have brown, rotted roots and mesocotyl (Figure 2). As root systems continue to develop, seedlings can survive mild to moderate Pythium infections, but final yield is often impacted.

Figure 2. Corn seedling with necrotic, brown mesocotyl following infection by a Pythium spp. Image: A. Koehler, Univ. of Delaware.

Over 2019 and 2020, the Koehler lab at the University of Delaware has been working on surveying Pythium species present in corn and looking at the season long effects of disease. To date, over 15 species have been identified, with Pythium graminicola being most common. Seed treatments with oomycete activity can provide some protection within 10-14 days after planting, and can be helpful for improving seedling emergence and reducing pre-emergent damping off. Pythium species differ in optimal temperatures for growth and can have varying responses to fungicides. Research is currently underway to screen many of the identified species for fungicide efficacy to products currently on the market and recently launched.

In addition to lab and greenhouse screening, field trials were started in 2020 to examine the season long effects of seedlings that are infected. Unfortunately, plants that are infected early generally maintain reduced root systems throughout the season, with ears that are poorly formed (Figure 3). In some cases, infected plants were completely barren with no ear formed. Across all observation sets, yield estimates for Pythium infected plants were approximately 84 bu/acre while the healthy plants averaged 219 bu/acre. Ongoing trials in 2021 aim to see if any in season management approaches can help to mitigate yield losses that stem from these early season effects.

Figure 3 (left). Photos from paired field trial of Pythium infected (top) v. healthy corn plant (bottom). Differences were observed in root weights, stalk diameters, kernel counts, and yield estimates across all sets (Photos: A. Koehler).

Fungicide Efficacy Tables for Control of Corn and Soybean Diseases

The Crop Protection Network (cropprotectionnetwork.com) is a national working group comprised of Extension agents and specialists from across North America that provide data through publications regarding pest management in agronomic crops. The website and publications can be a great resource to your operation. The following are the most recent fungicide efficacy tables for foliar diseases of corn and soybean.

Herbicide Last Check Chart: Corn

Kurt Vollmer, Weed Management Specialist
University of Maryland

This is a quick reference chart to check herbicide efficacy for some of the most problematic weeds in corn production: marestail, common ragweed, waterhemp, and Palmer amaranth.

Click here to download a PDF copy.

 

April 2021 Market Report

Dale Johnson, Farm Management Specialist
University of Maryland

Information from USDA WASDE report

Attached is the summary for the April 2021 WASDE.

Corn

Supply estimates were unchanged. Feed and residual estimate was increased 50 million bushel. Ethanol estimate was increased 25 million bushel. Exports estimate was increased 75 million bushel. The total increase in demand was 150 million bushel decreasing ending stocks the same amount and decreasing the stocks-to-use ratio from 10.3% to 9.2%, the lowest since the 2012/13 marketing year. The Prospective plantings report on March 31 estimated 2021 corn acres at 91.1 million acres which was below expectations. This sent corn prices limit up on March 21. They have continued to climb. Nearby futures are trading in the $5.70 per bushel range and December Corn hit a high of $5.04 per bushel on April 9.

Soybeans

Supply estimates were unchanged. Crushings estimate decreased 10 million bushel. Exports increased 30 million bushel. Seed & residual decreased 20 million bushel. Total demand and ending stocks remained unchanged. The 2.6% stocks-to-use ratio is the lowest since the 2012/13 marketing year. The Prospective plantings report on March 31 estimated 2021 soybean acres 87.6 million acres which was below expectations. This sent soybean prices limit up on March 21. Nearby futures are trading in the $14 per bushel range and November futures closed at $12.63 per bushel on April 9.

Wheat

Wheat import estimate was decreased 20 million bushel. Feed and residual estimate was decreased 25 million bushel. These changes resulted in an increase in ending stock estimates of 16 million bushel and an increase in the stocks-to-use ratio to 40.3%. Since last month wheat futures have declined but in the past few days they have recovered and are trading in the $6.40 per bushel range for nearby futures contracts.

US Farmers Expect to Plant More Corn and Soybean Acreage

United States Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service press release

Producers surveyed across the United States intend to plant an estimated 91.1 million acres of corn in 2021, up less than 1% from last year, according to the Prospective Plantings report released today by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

Planted acreage intentions for corn are up or unchanged in 24 of the 48 estimating states. The largest increases are expected in the Dakotas, where producers intend to plant a combined 8.90 million acres, an increase of 2.00 million acres from 2020. Producers across most of the Corn Belt intend to plant fewer acres than last year. If realized, the planted area of corn in Idaho and Oregon will be the largest on record.

Soybean growers intend to plant 87.6 million acres in 2021, up 5% from last year. If realized, this will be the third highest planted acreage on record. Compared with last year, planted acreage is expected to be up or unchanged in 23 of the 29 states estimated.

The Prospective Plantings report provides the first official, survey-based estimates of U.S. farmers’ 2021 planting intentions. NASS’s acreage estimates are based on surveys conducted during the first two weeks of March from a sample of nearly 80,000 farm operators across the nation. Other key findings in the report are:

  • All wheat planted area for 2021 is estimated at 46.4 million acres, up 5% from 2020. This represents the fourth lowest all wheat planted area since records began in 1919.
  • Winter wheat planted area, at 33.1 million acres, is up 3% from the previous estimate and up 9% from last year. This is the seventh lowest planted acreage on record.
  • Area planted to other spring wheat for 2021 is expected to total 11.7 million acres, down 4% from 2020.
  • Durum wheat is expected to total 1.54 million acres for 2021, down 9% from last year.
  • All cotton planted area for 2021 is expected to total 12.0 million acres, less than 1% below last year.

NASS also released the quarterly Grain Stocks report to provide estimates of on-farm and off-farm stocks as of March 1. Key findings in that report include:

  • Corn stocks totaled 7.70 billion bushels, down 3% from the same time last year. On-farm corn stocks were down 9% from a year ago, but off-farm stocks were up 5%.
  • Soybeans stored totaled 1.56 billion bushels, down 31% from March 1, 2020. On-farm soybean stocks were down 41% from a year ago, while off-farm stocks were down 22%.
  • All wheat stored totaled 1.31 billion bushels, down 7% from a year ago. On-farm all wheat stocks went down 16% from last year, while off-farm stocks went down 4%.
  • Durum wheat stored totaled 42.7 million bushels, down 17% from March 1, 2020. On-farm Durum stocks were down 4% from a year ago, while off-farm stocks of Durum wheat were down 28%.

The Prospective Plantings, Grain Stocks, and all other NASS reports are available online at nass.usda.gov.

Farmer cooperators needed for on-farm nitrogen trials

The University of Maryland and University of Delaware are looking for farmers throughout both states to participate in a research project evaluating decision making surrounding adoption of nitrogen  management tools (commercially available N models, drone imagery, PSNT). We will implement a field  trial in the 2021 growing season that contains six nitrogen rates applied to corn in four replicates in strips  (~15 ft wide by 300 ft long) requiring about 2.5 total acres. Participants will be trained on the use of various nitrogen management tools and will be paid for their participation in the trial (W9 submission to UMD required for payment) pending eligibility to receive EQIP funding. Participants must have the  ability to apply prescribed nitrogen rates and record yield at harvest using a calibrated yield monitor. We require participants to participate in a pre-season interview (in April 2021), a one-on-one post-harvest debrief session, and a focus group in November or December, all likely taking place virtually due to  COVID restrictions. Farmers who have not previously partnered with Extension on research projects are  encouraged to participate. If interested, please contact Dr. Nicole Fiorellino at University of Maryland at  nfiorell@umd.edu and Dr. Amy Shober at University of Delaware at ashober@udel.edu. 

The project title, “A solutions-based evaluation of barriers to farmer adoption of in-season nitrogen decision support tools”, is funded through Natural Resource Conservation Service Conservation Innovation Grant On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials grant program awarded to University of  Maryland, University of Delaware, and Pennsylvania State University in 2020.

March 2021 Grain Marketing Report

Dale Johnson, Farm Management Specialist
University of Maryland

Information from USDA WASDE report

Attached is the summary for the March 2021 WASDE report.

The March WASDE estimates for corn, soybeans, and wheat all remain unchanged from the February estimates. 

Corn

March corn futures prices have trended sideways since the February 9 WASDE report and are trading in the $5.50s/bu. range today.

Soybean

March Soybean futures prices have trended upwards from 14.02/bu. on February 9 to peak on February 8 at $14.54/bu. contract high and are trading in the $14.40s/bu. range today.

Wheat

March Wheat futures prices trended upward to a high of $6.84/bu. on February 24 but have back off since then and are trading in the $6.50s/bu. range today.

February 2021 Market Report

Dale Johnson, Farm Management Specialist
University of Maryland

Information from USDA WASDE report

Attached is the summary for the February 2021 WASDE report.

Continued good news for farmers who have crops left in storage.

Corn

The February estimates for corn were unchanged except for exports which were increased 50 million bushel which in turn decreased ending stocks to 1,502 million bushel and the ending stock to use ratio to 10.3%. This is the lowest stock-to-use ratio since the 2013/14 marketing year. The March futures price has continued to increase this past month from $5.17/bu. on January 12 to $5.56/bu. on February 9. This is up an incredible $2.25/bu. from a contract low of $3.31/bu. on August 12.

Soybeans

The February estimates for soybeans were unchanged except for exports which were increased 20 million bushel which in turn decreased ending stocks to 120 million bushel and the ending stock to use ratio to 2.6%. This is the lowest stock-to-use ratio since the 2013/14 marketing year which was also 2.6% and the lowest in history. The March futures price for soybeans has trended sideways this past month from $14.23 on January 12 to $14.02 on February 9. But this up an incredible $5.77/bu from contract low of $8.25/bu on April 24.

Wheat

There were no adjustments in wheat estimates. The ending stocks are estimated at 836 million bushel and a stocks-to-use ratio of 39.1%. March wheat futures prices hit a contract high of $6.93/bu. on January 15 but have since backed off to $6.50 /bu. on February 9.

USDA Announces Additional Support Available Through CFAP

USDA recently announced additional assistance to growers impacted by disruptions due to COVID-19 through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). The program will make certain contract livestock, including contract poultry growers, and turfgrass sod growers eligible for financial assistance with CFAP 2. Other eligible producers of aquaculture, nursery crops, row crops, specialty crops, specialty livestock, and tobacco who signed up for payments before the original closing date of Dec. 11, 2020, are also now eligible for updated payment calculations for CFAP 2. Swine producers will receive a top-up payment on CFAP 1. Producers will have till February 26, 2021, to apply for the assistance, and swine producers will not need to do anything to receive the top-up payment.

Read the full article here.