Colquitt County Ag Update
Published 10:44 am Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Colquitt County Ag Update 3-20-17
A lot of stuff going on in Colquitt County this week as producers are planting cabbage, corn, watermelons and other vegetable crops. It seems that diamond back caterpillar pressure is up in some cabbage fields in Colquitt County. Corn planting is resuming after last week’s cold weather. Some area vegetable crops were impacted by last week’s cold weather. Below is information about watermelon weed control, tank cleanout, corn replanting and fusarium head blight.
2017 UGA Watermelon Weed Control!!
Several growers are planting watermelon this week. Below is information about weed control in transplant plastic and bareground, seeded and cotton/watermelon intercropping production systems. This information focuses on developing sound herbicide programs while minimizing crop injury when 1) transplanting into small-bed flat mulch, 2) transplanting into bareground, and 3) seeding into bareground. If you have questions please let me know.
http://gaweed.com/HomepageFiles/2017watermelon.pdf
Georgia Cotton Growers Efficiency Survey!!
The Georgia Cotton Commission has funded a research project designed to help Georgia cotton farmers improve their production efficiency. We are asking for your help in providing data for this project. Participation will involve filling out a questionnaire on various cotton inputs, farm qualities, and personal experience.
In exchange for your help in providing us with data, we will provide you with all our results. You will be able to log back into this website and see how your farm compares to other cotton farms in Georgia in terms of production efficiency. Only your farm will be identified, others will be anonymous (as will yours to all other farmers). We hope the results will allow us to give you specific feedback about usage levels of specific inputs you might want to adjust. These results will be in tables and graphs that make clear how you stack up to other cotton growers in Georgia and hopefully will allow all Georgia cotton farmers to learn where and how they can improve their efficiency and profitability.
If you choose to participate please log onto the following website and complete the survey:
Below is a few words from Dr. Eric Prostko, UGA Weed Scientist, on sprayer clean-out and tank cleaners. I get questions about these topics especially with all the new technology that we have at our disposal.
Sprayer Clean-Out and Tank-Cleaners (Prostko)
With all the ado about 2,4-D and dicamba-tolerant crops these days, there is some concern about sprayer cleanout after application of Enlist Duo, Engenia, Fexapan, and Xtendimax. I would encourage all applicators to read and follow the specific sprayer clean-out instructions listed on the herbicide labels. Here are some useful links:
2017 Enlist Duo Product Use Guide (automatic download of document – sprayer clean-out procedures listed on pages 20-21)
http://www.enlist.com/~/media/enlist/enlist-ahead/resource-pdfs/2017_enlistallcrops_pug_final.ashx
Engenia Clean-Out Recomendations:
http://agproducts.basf.us/campaigns/engenia/assets/pdf/Engenia-Spray-System-Cleanout-TIB.pdf
Fexapan Sprayer Cleanout
Xtendimax Cleanout (video presentation)
https://youtu.be/LzywJ-YSta4?list=PLWKeHPsbiIP7URV05Y03YTMfYxGLmQ3sF
I called a few local chemical dealers and the following are some commercial tank-cleaners that are currently being sold in Georgia (listed in no particular order):
1) WipeOut XS
https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/www.agrian.com/pdfs/WipeOut_XS_Label.pdf
2) Valent Tank Cleaner
https://www.valent.com/Data/Labels/1714-B-ValentTankCleaner.pdf
3) Nutra-Sol Tank-Cleaner
http://www.cdms.net/ldat/ldDC2000.pdf
4) All Clear
https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/www.agrian.com/pdfs/All_Clear_Label4.pdf
5) ProTank Cleaner
6) Neutralize
http://www.cdms.net/ldat/ldDC1000.pdf
The cold weather last week triggered a question or two about replanting corn and how that impacts weed control. Dr Eric Prostko has a few comments on this subject.
Replanting Field Corn and Weed Control (Prostko)
The recent frosty weather has resulted in the need for some corn fields to be replanted. Some of those fields may have already been treated with a PRE application of atrazine. Since it is likely that these fields will have to be re-tilled, there have been some questions on what to do next. Here are a few comments to consider:
1) Field corn is extremely tolerant of atrazine so crop injury should not be a concern.
2) The maximum amount of atrazine that can be legally be applied in a field when both PRE and POST applications are used is 2.5 lbs ai/A (i.e. 2.5 qts of 4L).
3) Atrazine could be used again PRE on the replant but that would limit the amount that could be applied POST.
4) In those fields that have already been treated with atrazine and are tilled/replanted, I would suggest that growers switch to another PRE herbicide such as Dual II Magnum 7.64EC (16-21 oz/A) or Warrant 3ME (48 oz/A). This way, growers can use an additional 1.5 qts/A of atrazine in their POST application of glyphosate or other favorite and remain within the label restrictions.
Fusarium Head Blight!!
I have received a question or two about head blight in wheat. Wheat acres are down and the few wheat fields I seen ranged in crop development from boot to early heading. In order to keep up with the current fusarium head blight development forecast go to the following website. http://www.wheatscab.psu.edu/
Timing of fungicide applications is crucial for the control of FHB. Foliar sprays must be applied at the first sign of anthers extruding from the wheat (anthesis). Triazoles work best when applied right before or at early flowering on the main stem heads. The use of nozzles that provide good coverage of the spike is essential, since fungicide products are ‘locally systemic’ and protect the tissue to which they are applied.
More information can be obtained at
http://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.cfm?number=C1066#title4
Have a good day and thanks for your time,
Jeremy Kichler
UGA Cooperative Extension
County Extension Coordinator
Colquitt County
Cell 229-921-1977
Office 229-616-7455
