Erratic weather patterns continue to dominate and challenge us here in Washington County. While we can still use precipitation, it has recently been coupled with wild temperature swings. In the 70s or low 80s and then back to the low fifties with nighttime temperatures on several occasions hovering near freezing. Triticale harvest is over half finished but very little corn has gone in the ground. First cutting alfalfa will begin early next week barring rain showers. First cutting hay of any kind looks like it will be below normal. Forever the optimist, second cutting will be better.—Jeff Semler, Washington Co.
Central Maryland
Small grain silage harvest is in full swing. Manure is being hauled and corn is being planted. Some soybeans have been planted. First cutting of hay may also start soon. Over the past month, most of the area has been at or above normal rainfall, according to the National Weather Service. Field work may slow down depending on much rain we get this weekend, but next week is forecasted to be drier and in the 70s. —Kelly Nichols, Montgomery Co.
Northern Maryland
The trend for April has been a continuation of March—cool temperatures that rarely want to move out of the 60s. As a result, the start of planting was about a 5-10 days later than usual for this region. Most planting kicked off the week of Easter. In general, small grains look good. Barley is headed out and wheat is a couple of weeks away. Some rye has been chopped for feed. Pastures and hay fields are enjoying the cooler temperatures.—Andy Kness, Harford Co.
Upper & Mid Shore
Soil moisture has been perfect for spring crops, field work, and planting. Soil temperatures have been a little cool for this time of year. Many acres of corn and beans have went in over the past week. Barley is fully headed and wheat will be in a few days. Both look good. Hay and pastures look good, but the cool weather has them a little behind normal.—Jim Lewis, Caroline Co.
Lower Eastern Shore
Wheat is starting to pollinate. It’s been a relatively dry spring, making for an average to above average wheat crop, with minimal disease pressure. Cover crops have been mostly terminated. However, where still standing, cover crops are looking great. These late-terminated cover crops should bring additional benefits to the fields, such as providing substantial organic matter to the soil, and in some cases releasing nitrogen on the soil surface. Growers have spread poultry manure. Weather has been relatively favorable these last couple of weeks for planting. Corn has started to be planted. Much more corn acreage is expected to be planted in the next weeks, to be followed by soybean planting.—Sarah Hirsh, Somerset Co.
Southern Maryland
The region has experienced good planting conditions over the last week. Corn planting progress is still a bit behind schedule with cooler soils limiting the number of early-planted acres. Most farmers are finishing up with corn planting and have started with soybean planting. Recent showers were welcome with soil conditions becoming slightly dry during the last couple of weeks. Wheat is in the early heading stage and many fields will be flowering by the time you read this. Farmers will be evaluating the need for a head scab fungicide in the next few days. Many wheat fields are exhibiting yellowing in the upper canopy that is not readily attributable to any disease. We are also seeing a lot of powdery mildew in the lower canopy, but very little in the upper canopy. Insect and disease pressure has been light so far. Forage crops look great this spring. Alfalfa weevil are very active this year and many fields required treatment. Pyrethroid resistance continues to be an issue for our growers. First cutting of cool season grasses is underway.—Ben Beale, St. Mary’s Co.
Andrew Kness, Agriculture Agent | akness@umd.edu University of Maryland Extension, Harford County
Each year, data from Universities around the country are aggregated and used to update fungicide efficacy guides for corn, soybean, and wheat. These tables are put together by the Crop Protection Network and can be found on cropprotectionnetwork.org.
These tables serve as handy reference guides to determine the best chemistry to manage certain diseases. The ratings in the table reflect the relative efficacy of a product to manage a given disease, it does not rate yield response to a fungicide. Links to the tables are found below, or contact your Extension agent for a copy.
$1,000 per Acre Incentive for Participating in Long-Term Conservation Program
Maryland farmers who are enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) with contracts due to expire on Sept. 30, 2022, now have the opportunity to transition to a 30-year contract option through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Clean Lakes, Estuaries, And Rivers initiative (CLEAR30). To encourage participation, the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) is offering a one-time bonus payment of $1,000 per acre as an incentive for CLEAR30-approved contracts in Maryland.
“With CLEAR30, Maryland producers have the opportunity to commit to water quality improvement practices that will be implemented for the next 30 years,” said Agriculture Secretary Joe Bartenfelder. “Having these practices in place long term will help Maryland decrease runoff, and help our state meet our Chesapeake Bay goals. We are extending our one-time bonus program to encourage more Maryland farmers to take advantage of this opportunity.”
The CLEAR30 initiative provides incentives to Maryland producers who agree to implement long-term water quality improvement practices on their land for the next 30 years by building on their original 10 to 15-year CRP and CREP contracts.
MDA’s bonus payment of $1,000 per acre applies to all accepted CLEAR30 contracts except grass waterways and contour grass strips.
Current CRP and CREP enrollees with contracts that expire before September 30, 2022, should contact their local USDA Service Center to apply for CLEAR30.
For more information on CLEAR30, please visit the USDA Farm Service Agency website. For questions or details on MDA’s bonus payment, please contact Alisha Mulkey at alisha.mulkey@maryland.gov.
David Owens, Extension Entomologist University of Delaware
If you have not yet scouted alfalfa for weevils, now is the time! Alfalfa weevil eggs began hatching earlier this year than usual, and we found active weevil larvae almost three weeks ago in Hebron and Greenwood (Figure 1). Alfalfa weevil adults fly into fields in the fall, mate, and begin laying eggs. In our area, fall weather is warm enough for weevils to mate and have enough time to lay a significant number of eggs before advancing cold weather causes them to seek overwintering shelter outside of the field. Weevils are not active below 48 °F. Once warmer weather returns in March, weevils will come out of overwintering habitat in woods and leaf litter and fly back to alfalfa to continue laying eggs. Egg laying scars on stems will appear as small round circular punches in the stem.
Figure 1. Alfalfa weevil larvae feeding on alfalfa.
There are three implications our warm fall weather has when comparing Delmarva alfalfa weevil activity to other states. First, we can have extremely early weevil hatch, and I have heard rumor of weevil damage to alfalfa in December in some states. Second, it means that degree day models used in more northern and western regions might not be accurate enough and fields may need to be treated before the degree day targets have been reached! Third, it means we can have an extended spring activity period lasting 8 weeks or more.
To scout your field, select 30 stems by randomly walking to six locations and plucking stems from those locations. Take a few of the stems at a time and beat them vigorously against the side wall of a bucket to dislodge weevil larvae. Also measure the length of a few of those stems to get an average stem height. Penn State has a great alfalfa weevil control fact sheet with a dynamic threshold table based on stem height, value of the hay, and control costs. We incorporated the table into the UD Insect Control in Alfalfa document which can be found here: https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/canr/cooperative-extension/sustainable-production/pest-management/commercial-field-crop-pest-management/alfalfa/. Be advised that small weevil larvae often hide in the half folded terminal leaflets and are not easy to dislodge. You may want to visually examine the terminals after shaking stems.
When making an insecticide application, use higher water volume rates to ensure good coverage, especially into the terminals. Do not apply an insecticide a couple of days before or after a significant cold spell. Weevil larvae need to be active to come into contact with treated foliage. Keep good records of previous applications and be sure to scout fields after application. We can have new weevil hatch after a spray, justifying a second and sometimes even a third application prior to cutting. Our insecticide selection is very limited in alfalfa, and for this reason it is possible that besides environmental factors there can be some intrinsic factors in your local population that could render them less susceptible to a given insecticide if it has been used continuously for a long period of time. Adding to this concern is the chlorpyrifos tolerance revocation effective February 28, 2022. In last year’s spray trials, pyrethroids provided between 40 and 70% efficacy three weeks after application. Carbaryl initially provided a 70% reduction in alfalfa weevil but residual activity was very short and weevil counts increased afterwards. The most consistent active ingredient has been indoxacarb (Steward). It has a supplemental 2ee label for reduced rates, 4.0 to 11.3 fl oz per acre as opposed to the main label rate range of 6.7 to 11.3 fl oz. It also provided excellent residual control in last year’s trial at the 6.7 fl oz rate. FMC advises lower rates should have about 8-14 days residual, higher rates up to 21 days. When making an application to alfalfa, industry recommends including an spreader sticker type adjuvant such as an organosilicone to improve coverage. As always, make sure to read the labels of all products applied or tank-mixed to make sure there are no insecticide/adjuvant/herbicide concerns.
Please note that Besiege is labeled for alfalfa but does not appear in the 2020 control guide. A high rate of Besiege is equivalent to a high rate of WarriorII in terms of lambda cyhalothrin active ingredient. The addition of chlorantraniliprole is not effective on alfalfa weevil.
Finally, be aware that pyrethroids can flare aphids. Dimethoate, while not consistent in its ability to suppress alfalfa weevil, is excellent on aphids, and you may see some advice regarding tank mixing the two active ingredients. While aphid outbreaks are unusual, they can happen. Last year we had a spray trial on aphids following a lambda cyhalothrin application. A repeat application in the trial had no impact on aphids. There are two newer products that need to be updated into the guide but are registered and are excellent on aphids: Sivanto and Sefina (see supplemental labels). Neither has alfalfa weevil efficacy but will just about zero out aphids should they be a concern. Otherwise, if you do experience an aphid outbreak, they are usually late enough that the field can be cut early.
There were no changes on the corn supply side from the March 9 WASDE estimates. On the demand side, there were minor changes but total use and Ending stocks remained the same. Ending stocks are estimated to be 1,440 million bushel, with a stocks-to-use ratio of 9.6%. December 2022 Corn futures remain in a bullish volatile market with prices increasing from $6.37 on March 9 to a high of $7.18 on April 8 as extraordinary world events drive market prices up. A lower than expected prospective plantings report on March 31 pegged planting at 89.5 million contributed to higher prices for the 2022 crop year.
Soybean
There were no changes on the soybean supply side from the March 9 WASDE estimates. On the demand side, export estimates were increased by 25 million bushel, seed was increased by 4 million bushel and the residual estimate was decreased by 3 million bushel. This resulted in a lower estimate of ending stocks at 260 million bushel and a decrease in the stocks-to-use ratio from 6.4% to 5.8%. November 2022 futures prices have been volatile the past month. A higher than expected prospective plantings report on March 31 pegged planting at 91 million contributed to a price dip but has since recovered to a high of $14.98 on April 8.
Wheat
On the supply side, import estimates were decreased by 5 million bushel. On the demand side, Feed & Residual was decreased 10 million bushel. Export estimate was decrease by 25 million bushel. These changes increased the ending stocks by 30 million bushel to 678 million bushel and the stocks to use ratio increased from 33.4% to 35.5%. On March 3 & 7, the market was limit up as trading was halted on those days. The market then went limit down on March 8, 9 , & 10. On March 9 &10 there was no trading. The market has declined since then from the $12.50 range to a high of $10.60 on April 8.
As I write we are receiving spring showers for which we are grateful. March came in like a lamb and went out like a lion. Both March and April thus far have been erratic with temperature swings and high winds. This rain is a blessing as we have been on the dry side. Wheat, barley and triticale are looking good after the first application of nitrogen which as everyone know is much pricier this year. Grass and alfalfa are slowly greening up and before you know it the corn planters will be in the fields. Manure applications are continuing as field conditions permit. So in short to quote a country song, “Sounds like life to me.” —Jeff Semler, Washington Co.
Central Maryland
There have been a few warm days over the last month, but temperatures were often down around freezing at night. Some manure applications and field preparations have been happening the past few weeks, but the rain this week has put a stop to field work for now.—Kelly Nichols, Montgomery Co.
Northern Maryland
Winter has been drier than usual; however, recent rains have provided adequate moisture. Small grains are coming out of winter looking good and wheat is just beginning to joint. The fluctuating weather conditions have made for sporadic periods of field work; recently, fields have been fit for lime and manure applications and other spring prep work but I’d say we are slightly behind our average for spring field work progress. Temperatures have been below normal and soil temperatures are running a couple of degrees shy of 50 °F. Early soybean and corn planting should start in a couple of weeks if temperatures warm up a bit and all goes as planned.—Andy Kness, Harford Co.
Upper & Mid Shore
As of April 5th, soil moisture has been ideal for spreading lime, fertilizer, and manure. First and second applications of nitrogen went on small grain very easily (with the exception of high winds). Small grain looks good and seems to be ahead of schedule for this time of year. Barring excessive rain, corn and bean planting will start next week. —Jim Lewis, Caroline Co.
Southern Eastern Shore
Winter wheat is looking good. Growers have been applying manure and working the land in some fields. Farmers are starting to terminate cover crops, while most of the landscape is still green. Fields without cover crops have a flush of winter weeds. Corn planting has not begun yet, but expected in the next few weeks. We had a recent cold snap that prevented early planting. Fields are now wet due to recent rains.—Sarah Hirsh, Somerset Co.
Southern Maryland
Wheat crops are greening up and looking good this year. So good, in fact, that some are cancelling MACS contracts in favor of harvesting for grain. Two consecutive nights with high winds temperatures below freezing provided a scare for strawberry and tree fruit that were in bloom. Reports suggest strawberries fared well under row covers, but the impact on peaches and other tree fruit may be seen later in the season.—Alan Leslie, Charles Co.
Amanda Grev, Pasture & Forage Specialist University of Maryland Extension
Fertilizer prices have continued to climb, with prices increasing as much as 89 to 154% from the end of 2020 through the beginning of 2022 (Figure 1). Current predictions are that fertilizer prices are expected to remain elevated for the time being, putting us well into the growing season.
Figure 1. Fertilizer prices for urea, diammonium phosphate (DAP), monoammonium phosphate (MAP), and potash from December 2020 through January 2022. Data from USDA-IL Dept of Ag Illinois Production Cost Report.
Given these high prices, it is essential to think carefully about nutrient management programs and making smart choices when it comes to fertilizer and nutrient decisions. Rather than blindly cutting expenses, we need to look for those places where eliminating costs will have little or no impact on forage production. Below are some strategies to consider that may help reduce the impact of high fertilizer prices on your bottom line.
Start with What You Have
Regardless of whether your operation uses conventional or organic practices, there are basic physical and chemical limitations to forage production within your fields. We know that suboptimal protein or energy in the ration will limit milk production or animal gains; in the same way, suboptimal nutrients in the soil will limit forage production. That said, there is no reason to apply nutrients where they are not needed, especially when prices are high. When a particular field contains high or very high levels of certain nutrients, there is no real economic return on adding additional nutrients. In fact, high or excess nutrient levels can even limit profitability in some cases by tying up other nutrients and causing deficiencies.
What is needed in terms of nutrients will vary tremendously from farm to farm, from field to field, and from crop to crop. You can’t balance the soil without knowing what is available, and the only way to determine existing nutrient levels is through soil testing. While soil tests may not be perfect, we can’t manage what we haven’t measured, and knowing the nutrient content of forage fields is a critical step in being able to target nutrient applications to fields which will give us a positive economic response.
Prioritize Based on Nutrient Status
Once we have our soil test results, we can use the information to prioritize fields based on their current nutrient status. For nutrients other than nitrogen, fertilization decisions for each field should be determined in relation to whether the field is below, within, or above the optimum range.
Fields that already contain optimum nutrient levels can likely get by with less, or in some cases, no added fertility. Under normal circumstances, it is typically recommended that fields in the optimum range receive nutrients at a level equal to crop removal rates to maintain soil nutrient levels in the optimum range for the future. However, it is not always necessary to pre-replace the nutrients that will be utilized. Soils in the optimum range should have enough nutrient supplying capacity to grow crops without any deficiency for at least a year. This is especially true for soil phosphorus reserves, which can often last for several years; soil potassium reserves tend to be depleted faster, especially where forage crops are harvested. Therefore, we can rely on the existing soil nutrients for now and replace the removed nutrients later on when fertilizer prices are lower. Keep in mind that you can’t rely on this forever; eventually, soil test levels will fall below optimum, yields will suffer, and forage stands will weaken and thin. This is especially true for hay production, which has a much higher soil nutrient removal compared to pasture. However, this strategy can be used to get through temporary price spikes and supply shortages if your soil test levels are in the optimum zone to begin with. If fertilizer prices remain high over the next year, consider getting a new soil test next year to make sure you haven’t fallen below the optimal range, and adjust your fertilization strategy according to the new results.
For fields with soil test levels below the optimum range, investing in added nutrients is often warranted due to the high probability of a positive economic response; if not added, there is an increased likelihood of yield or stand declines resulting from nutrient deficiencies. However, remember that fertility recommendations for fields that test below the optimum range typically call for enough nutrients to supply the crop with what it will remove in a given year while also adding additional nutrients to raise the soil test level up into the optimum range. In times when fertilizer prices are high, focus on providing the crop with a maintenance level of fertility equal to what it will remove each year, and wait to build fertility levels back up into the optimum range for another year when prices are lower. Crop removal rates can be calculated based on the expected yield multiplied by the average removal rate for each unit of yield (Table 1).
Table 1. Typical crop removal rates per ton of forage produced for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K).
Crop
N Removal
P2O5 Removal
K2O Removal
____________ Uptake, lbs/ton ____________
Alfalfa
56
15
60
Orchardgrass
50
17
62
Tall Fescue
39
19
53
Timothy
37
14
62
Bermudagrass
43
10
48
Sorghum-Sudangrass
40
15
58
Ensure Maximum Nutrient Availability
Regardless of soil nutrient status, the amount of fertilizer available to the plant is optimized by having the pH correct for the crop. Maintaining an optimum soil pH aids in the availability of other nutrients, ensuring that we are getting the most out of the nutrients present in the soil. As soils become more acidic, nutrients become less available to the plant, even if they are present in the soil. This can result in a 20 to 50% decrease in fertilizer efficiency with declining pH levels (Figure 2). This means that at a pH below 6.0, you are essentially throwing away 20% or more of your fertilizer due to the effect of soil acidity on nutrient availability.
Figure 2. Decrease in fertilizer efficiency for varying soil pH levels due to acidic soil conditions.
Unlike many other nutrients, lime prices have remained relatively stable. Correcting soil pH and maintaining it in the optimum range (6.0 to 7.0 for most forage crops) allows for maximum nutrient availability for most macro and micronutrients and is one of the biggest things you can do to prevent this and get the most bang for your fertilizer buck. An added benefit, maintaining an optimum soil pH also helps maintain a strong legume component in mixed stands, which in turn provides a cheap source of nitrogen for grass growth.
Pick the Right Product
Fertilizer efficiency depends on the type of product being used. Blended fertilizers like 10-10-10 or 13-13-13 may be easier to apply but may not provide the forage with enough of a given nutrient or may result in the application of unneeded nutrients. Particularly for harvested forages, these straight blends are likely not sufficient to replenish the K being removed from the hayfield. Getting a custom blend or mixing fertilizer may be more tedious, but it can be better tailored to the needs of the crop and field, reducing inputs and also preventing over-application of expensive and unneeded nutrients.
Use Legumes to Your Advantage
One of the most cost-effective ways to add nitrogen into hay or pasture systems is through the addition of legumes. Due to their symbiotic relationship with soil rhizobium bacteria, legumes have the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia that can be used by the plant. This capability allows legumes to fix anywhere from 50 to 250 pounds of nitrogen per acre per year, which translates to a big savings at current nitrogen prices. If an adequate level of legumes is present in forage stands (typically at least 30% or greater), you may be able to effectively eliminate the need for additional nitrogen, while also providing other benefits such as increased forage quality and improved summer production.
One easy way to increase the legume component of a forage stand is through frost seeding. This seeding method uses the natural freezing and thawing actions of the soil to work seeds into the soil where they can germinate as temperatures warm. Clover is typically the most successful species to frost seed, but annual lespedeza may be another option. If you missed the frost seeding window, drilling legume seeds into pastures during the spring or fall is also an option. Either way, for successful legume establishment be sure that soil fertility levels (particularly soil pH) are adequate and the seed is inoculated with the proper bacterial inoculant.
Be Strategic with Nitrogen
For stands without legumes, nitrogen is still a key player in maximizing production. However, we can be strategic with our timing and number of applications. Strategic timing for nitrogen might mean forgoing an early spring application, as it’s not uncommon to have excess forage available on pasture in the spring or to grow more first cutting hay than can be made and harvested in a timely fashion. However, nitrogen applied to a grass hayfield immediately after first or second cutting can significantly boost the yield of the subsequent cutting. Similarly, late fall nitrogen applications on cool-season perennial forages have been proven to help increase plant density, improve winter survival, and promote green up earlier in the spring. Bottom line, before you feel the need to add nitrogen to increase yield, make sure you will be able to effectively utilize the additional forage produced and do some calculations to make sure your nitrogen application is warranted and economical at the current prices.
Capitalize on Manure as an Alternative Nutrient Source
Although the need for nutrients by plants can’t be changed, the source of those nutrients can be. Most producers recognize the value of livestock manure as a plant nutrient source. Applying this manure, either by spreader or by animal, in the right place, at the right time, and in the right amount can go a long way to reducing fertilizer expenses.
Manure can provide significant amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, making it a valuable source of nutrients. However, there is a huge range in nutrient content depending on species, farm, and management conditions. Manure samples will give you the data you need to know what you are working with in terms of nutrients. As an example, poultry litter containing 2.7% N, 2.3% P2O5, and 2.9% K2O would provide 54 lbs N, 46 lbs P2O5, and 58 lbs K2O per ton. Altogether, this adds up to a total of around $117 per ton in nutrient value based on current fertilizer prices. If you were to spread 2 tons per acre, this means you are effectively applying $234 per acre, which is a big savings over fertilizer prices. Now is not the time to spread manure on the most conveniently located field. Rather, apply it where the soil test indicates it’s most needed. Manure applications should be prioritized on fields that require nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to maximize utilization of all three nutrients. If your soil tests are already optimum or above optimum in phosphorus and potassium for certain fields, consider applying manure to other fields that are in need of those nutrients.
Note that not all of the nitrogen in manure will be immediately available to plants. The amount available varies based on manure source, type of application, and weather patterns, but on average approximately 45 to 65% of the nitrogen in manure will be available during the first year following application, with more becoming available over time as the organic fraction is made available through mineralization.
Manure can be equally as valuable in a pasture situation. In a grazing system, as much as 80 to 90% of the nutrients consumed by the animal are recycled back into the system. However, there is a tendency for nutrients to become concentrated near shade and watering areas, so it becomes critical to ensure an even distribution of nutrients from animal manure. This is best accomplished by implementing rotational grazing and by using a winter feeding system that doesn’t involve a centralized feeding area; both of these strategies will help distribute nutrients more evenly across the pasture area.
Minimize Losses
The most common nitrogen source used for pastures and hayfields is urea, which is prone to volatilization losses when left on the soil surface. Applying nitrogen after a first cutting onto warm soils at times of high air temperature increases the risk of volatilization when using urea-based nitrogen sources. If urea is being used, applying prior to a rain event can help mitigate these losses. If rainfall is not expected, including a nitrogen stabilizer or urease inhibitor may be warranted; however, this will be an added expense. Alternatively, if other nutrients are needed at the same time, the nitrogen that comes along with a phosphorus source like DAP (18-46-0) is more stable, as are other options like ammonium sulfate (21-0-0-24).
Similarly, efforts should be made to maximize efficiency and minimize losses of the nutrients contained in manure. As much as 50 to 75% of the available nitrogen in manure can be lost through nitrogen volatilization and runoff losses when manure is surface applied, meaning you now have to make up for that in other ways or put more manure on to meet your nitrogen needs. If it is an option and fits within your management, consider incorporating or injecting your manure to minimize nitrogen losses. This will allow you to hold on to the ammonia nitrogen in addition to the organic nitrogen, and will also prevent uneven applications due to movement down into swales or low-lying areas. Volatilization can also be reduced by applying liquid or solid manures when air temperatures are cold (< 40°F). Reducing nitrogen volatilization losses and holding that nitrogen in the soil is especially important during times with high fertilizer prices and short supply.
Utilize Hay as a Nutrient Source
With the current high nitrogen prices, livestock operations may find it worthwhile to make an economic comparison of the cost of hay versus fertilizer. Rather than using nitrogen to boost pasture yields to support summer grazing, it may pencil out that purchasing additional good quality hay to use for feed during the summer months is less expensive. Additionally, like manure, hay can serve as another valuable source of nutrients for plants and can be used to offset fertilizer expenses. When you bring hay or other supplemental feed onto your farm, you are not only buying feed but also a source of nutrients at the same time. At current prices, a ton of hay can provide up to $90 or more in nutrient value alone. If spread strategically, those nutrients can provide fertilizer value to offset the cost of the hay. This can be accomplished by feeding hay on pasture, particularly on pastures with low soil fertility, and by moving hay rings, unrolling hay bales, or using bale grazing to spread fecal and hay nutrients across pastures.
Things to Watch For
As you reduce the amount of added nutrients on your fields, keep an eye on your soil test results and be aware of potential issues that may arise. Be sure to maintain adequate sulfur concentrations; sulfur is an essential nutrient for protein formation and less atmospheric sulfur is being deposited through rainfall events. Another potential issue to watch for is zinc deficiencies; fields with very high phosphorus often have zinc deficiencies caused by phosphorus binding up zinc. Lastly, be skeptical of “too good to be true” fertilizer products and enhancers, particularly ones that promise greater nutrient availability at low application rates.
When nutrient prices get to the levels we are seeing now, a little bit of planning and strategic thinking can effectively offset fertilizer purchases and go a long way in reducing the costs of production and increasing the profitability of your operation. Many of the strategies discussed here are best management practices that can and should be implemented regardless of nutrient prices, but they become especially important in times of high prices.
Luke Macaulay, Wildlife Management Specialist University of Maryland Extension
Meadows, Grasslands, Shrublands, and Young Forests
Bobwhite quail. Jeff Vanuga, USDA NRCS, Bugwood.org
Bobwhite quail have experienced the greatest decline of all birds in Maryland in the last 50 years, in large part due to the loss of early succession habitat – meadows, grassland, shrubland, and young forests.
To reverse this trend, we will be holding a workshop for farmers, foresters, landowners, and land managers with a strong interest in creating or managing quail and early succession habitat on a scale of 10 acres or more.
The workshop will include talks about the current status of the northern bobwhite quail and other grassland birds, habitat requirements, habitat management techniques, and how to take advantage of financial assistance programs to support this habitat type in Maryland.
The workshop will be held at 9am on June 14, 2021, at Washington College in Chestertown, MD. Lunch will be available for purchase at the cafeteria, and participants are welcome to attend a field visit to nearby Chino Farms, where an active habitat management program has helped maintain a healthy population of northern bobwhite quail.
To view the agenda and register to attend, please visit go.umd.edu/quailmeeting, or contact Luke Macaulay by email at lukemac@umd.edu, by phone at (703) 798-8459, or by mail at 124 Wye Narrows Dr., Queenstown, MD 21658.
This workshop is a collaboration between Washington College, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the Natural Resource Conservation Service, and the University of Maryland Extension.
For questions or additional information, please contact Luke Macaulay (lukemac@umd.edu) or Daniel Small (dsmall2@washcoll.edu).
Have you seen wild quail recently?
If so, we’d love to hear about it so we can focus education and habitat work in that area. You can share information about recent sightings online at go.umd.edu/quail.
You can also contact Luke Macaulay by email at lukemac@umd.edu, by phone at (703) 798-8459, or by mail at 124 Wye Narrows Dr., Queenstown, MD 21658.
1Kurt Vollmer, Weed Management Specialist | kvollmer@umd.edu and 2Mark VanGessel, Weed Management Specialist 1University of Maryland Extension and 2University of Delaware
The shortage of glyphosate (Roundup, Gly Star, etc.) and glufosinate (Liberty, Interline, etc.) herbicides are forcing farmers to seek other options for burndown and postemergence spray. No one anticipated this shortage and very little research has been done to address this issue. Many of us had to dust off our notes from the early 1990’s, the time before cheap glyphosate was available. One thing is certain, alternative weed control options will require more targeted management. The key is to plan ahead, select herbicides based on the weeds in the field, and make timely applications. Your mindset needs to be that you are not substituting a herbicide for glyphosate, rather you are using a different herbicide that has its own set of recommendations and limitations.
Alternative herbicides will not control as many weed species as glyphosate; in fact, some are only effective on a few weed species. Weed populations differ from field to field, so it is likely that herbicide mixtures will need to be adjusted for specific fields. Scouting will be key to selecting the right herbicide combination for a particular field. Scouting should be performed multiple times during the growing season to identify the species present and be sure weeds are small at time of application. In addition, it is important to check after a treatment is made to be sure it was effective.
Field records and past experience will help you decide which fields to prioritize for treatment with glyphosate or glufosinate. Targeting those “problem” fields or fields that will be rotated to vegetables for glyphosate or glufosinate applications.
Making Glyphosate Go Further
Use the correct glyphosate rate for the situation. In the past few years, many have simply used a quart of glyphosate (regardless of brand) because it was easy and still quite cost-effective. Matching the rate based on formulation and weed size will help conserve glyphosate and allow more acres to be treated. The amount of glyphosate in formulated products ranges from 41% to 51.2%. In practical terms, the rate of various brands can vary widely. For example, the Roundup PowerMax 3 rate for most annual weeds is 20 fl oz, while the same amount of glyphosate in a popular generic version is 32 fl oz.
Also, using glyphosate at higher use rates often overcomes issues that could reduce performance. So be sure to review the label for recommended adjuvants and any tank mixtures to avoid.
Start Clean
“Starting clean” means weeds are dead at planting. This is important since it is difficult to control many species like horseweed or Italian ryegrass after planting. Spring tillage is an option for replacing burndown herbicides; but tillage can negatively impact soil health, and stimulate the emergence of weeds such as common ragweed and Palmer amaranth.
For no-till corn, paraquat plus atrazine or paraquat plus simazine have worked very well on most of our acreage, including fields with horseweed and seedling grasses. One exception is Italian ryegrass, and this is a situation that may warrant using glyphosate.
For no-till soybeans, which are often sprayed 2 to 4 weeks later than corn, winter annual weeds will be larger and more challenging to control. Paraquat plus metribuzin is effective on smaller broadleaf weeds. Back in the ‘90’s when glyphosate was too expensive to spray across all acres, sequential applications of paraquat were commonly used. The recommendation was to use paraquat plus metribuzin 2 to 3 weeks before planting and then a second application at planting with the residual herbicides.
Fields with “problem” winter annual weeds may need an early herbicide application followed by an at-planting treatment. Herbicide options for soybean burndown include Sharpen, Elevore, 2,4-D or dicamba for horseweed; Canopy EX plus 2,4-D for field pansy and primrose control; metribuzin for chickweed and henbit; and Select (clethodim) for grass control (although clethodim is weak on annual bluegrass). Tankmixing broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D or dicamba with clethodim can reduce grass control; using higher rates of clethodim and spraying smaller grasses can reduce the likelihood of antagonism. The alternative is to separate applications. Clethodim and other grass herbicides should be made 2-3 days before or 7 days after a broadleaf herbicide.
Paraquat plus metribuzin is useful for terminating cover crops, including legumes and brassicas. Paraquat is more effective for terminating winter wheat or cereal rye when it is applied at the boot stage or later. Delaying cover crop termination until 7 to 14 days before planting will enhance overall weed control by allowing more cover crop biomass to form, which results in fewer weeds emerging and slowing the growth of emerging weeds. Paraquat applications before the boot stage often allow cereals to regrow. Clethodim could be used to control cereal cover crops before the boot stage.
Burndown for double-cropped soybeans will also be challenging without glyphosate and/or glufosinate. Paraquat and 2,4-D are not good options as they are more likely to move off-target that time of year. This may be another situation that gets priority for glyphosate and/or glufosinate applications.
Include Residual Herbicides at Planting
A good residual program will help delay a postemergence herbicide application. Two or more herbicide groups will be needed to provide broad-spectrum control of all the potential weeds that may emerge. A corn program should include at least atrazine and a group 15 herbicide such as S-metolachlor or acetochlor. Using products that include group 27 herbicides (Balance Flexx, Acuron, Corvus, Lumax) can also help.
A soybean program should include at least two effective herbicide modes-of-action from group 14 (Valor, Authority), group 5 (metribuzin), group 15 (Dual, Warrant, Zidua), or group 3 (Prowl). Group 15 herbicides provide good grass control and can reduce the likelihood of needing to treat postemergence with a product such as clethodim (Select) or sethoxydim (Poast). Several prepackaged mixtures of these herbicides are also available but be sure to check to ensure they are the appropriate rates for your situation. Regardless of what programs are chosen, an activating rainfall of about half inch will be needed.
Make Timely Postemergence Applications
Postemergence control is more successful with small weeds; thus avoiding the urge to wait for all weeds to emerge prior to spraying or cultivating. Corn is most susceptible to yield loss from weed competition during the V1 to V6 growth stages, and soybean at the V1 to V5 growth stages.
Because it is cooler during the early stages of corn growth than soybeans, it creates a wider window of application for corn. Postemergence treatments in corn are more effective when corn is less than 12 inches tall because it allows the use of atrazine. In corn, group 27 herbicides such as Armezon, Callisto, or Laudis plus atrazine provide effective control of weeds like Palmer amaranth. Impact, Armezon, and Accent Q will provide good to excellent control of most grass species.
Postemergence herbicide applications in soybeans are most effective when soybeans have less than 4 trifoliates, and weeds are less than 4 inches tall. In local research, this is typically 3 to 4 weeks after planting. In soybean, postemergence herbicide options will be trait-dependent. Group 14 herbicides such as Cobra, Reflex, and Ultra Blazer can be used in non-GMO soybean. Dicamba-containing products such as Xtendimax, Engenia, or Tavium can be applied to Xtend and Xtendflex soybeans; and 2,4-D choline (Enlist One, Enlist Duo) can be applied to Enlist E3 soybeans. Glufosinate and glyphosate-based products can also be applied to Enlist E3 and Xtendflex soybean. If planning to use these products, growers need to be aware of restrictions as well as specific requirements for adjuvants, nozzles, buffers, etc. which can be found at
Residual herbicides such as Dual, Warrant, or Zidua can be included with postemergence treatments to help extend weed control capabilities until the crop canopies. (note: Reflex provides both postemergence and residual control). This will be cheaper than making multiple postemergence applications.
Optimize Herbicide Performance
It is important to maximize the performance of herbicides and most of this information is available on herbicide labels. Adequate spray coverage is important for contact herbicides like glufosinate and fomesafen. Applications of contact herbicides should be made at 15 to 20 gallons per acre with nozzles that produce medium to coarse droplets to ensure good coverage. Growers should also follow recommendations for adjuvants.
When tankmixing herbicides it can be challenging if recommendations differ by product, such as droplet size does not match or required adjuvants may differ. For instance, Enlist One requires large droplets to avoid drift while a contact herbicide, like Reflex, recommends smaller droplets to improve spray coverage. In this case, select a nozzle from the Enlist label that produces the smaller droplets.
Environmental conditions such as temperature and time of day will also affect the performance of herbicides. In particular, conditions during burndown applications can be challenging; and if applications are made during poor growing conditions, control is often reduced. There are very few alternatives to waiting for better weather. Generally, contact herbicides such as paraquat and fomesafen are more effective when sunlight is more intense. Glufosinate has specific recommendations for applications between the hours of 10 AM and 2 PM to ensure there is adequate sunlight to maximize performance.
Including other tactics to reduce weed competition can enhance an effective herbicide program. A healthy, competitive crop will reduce late-season weed emergence. The quicker a crop canopy develops, the less likely it will be for additional weeds to emerge. Reducing soybean row spacing from 30 to 15 inches will allow for quicker canopy closure. A timely cultivation can replace a postemergence herbicide application in fields with light weed pressure.
Preparing ahead of time and considering all the options will help ensure the highest level of weed control. Have a conversation with your crop advisor on which options are best for your fields and focus on managing small weeds.
Kelly Nichols, Agriculture Agent University of Maryland Extension, Montgomery County
The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) is accepting applications for the Farming for Healthy Soil Program. This program provides financial and technical assistance to farmers for implementing soil health practices on their farm. All livestock and crop (including grain, forage, fruit, and vegetables) farms are eligible for this program. Approved soil health practices include conservation tillage/residue management, multi-species cover crop mixtures, extended season cover crops, prescribed grazing, and precision nutrient management. Practices must be new to the farm; for example, adopting a practice never used on site before or changing from a one species cover crop to a two species cover crop.
Rates range from $10 to $55 per acre (Table 1). Fields eligible for the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost Share (MACS) Cover Crop Program can receive financial assistance from this grant in addition to the MACS funding; however, MACS enrolled fields must be extended season (planted before October 1 and terminated after May 1) or multi-species cover crops. The maximum funding per participating producer is $5,000 annually. Farmers must be in compliance with MDA programs (i.e. nutrient management) in order to participate.
This program runs until June 2023. Soil samples will be taken on participating farms. For more information, contact Kevin Antoszewski, MDA Healthy Soils Program Coordinator, at kevin.antoszewski@maryland.gov or (410) 841-5866.
Table 1.Eligible conservation practices and cost-share rates.
Practice
Rate per Acre
Residue and Tillage Management, No-Till or Reduced Till
$18
Multi-species Cover Crop (without MACS program participation)
$55
Multi-species or Extended Season Cover Crop (includes MACS program participation)
