Palmer Amaranth in MN: Reporting, preventing further infestation and monitoring

Jeff Gunsolus, Extension Agronomist - Weed Science

Photo 1. Palmer amaranth plant from Yellow Medicine County, MN. Photo: Bruce Potter

Following yesterday’s confirmation of the presence of Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) in Yellow Medicine County, University of Minnesota Extension and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) sent out a joint news release describing where this plant was detected, photos to assist in identification, the biological reasons why this weed is on the MDA’s Prohibited – Eradicate Noxious Weed list and why efforts to eradicate this weed are critical to Minnesota’s commodity crop producers.

Check pollinator plantings for Palmer amaranth

Jeff Gunsolus, Bruce Potter and Roger Becker

Photo 1. Suspected Palmer amaranth plant from Yellow Medicine County, MN. Photo: Bruce Potter

Although we are waiting for final confirmation, we strongly advise people to check their pollinator planting sites for the presence of Palmer Amaranth.

Yesterday Bruce Potter followed up on a crop consultant's request to investigate a newly established pollinator planting in Yellow Medicine County. The grower and consultant are to be commended for detecting and reporting this site during the establishment year.

Tips for Planting Winter Wheat and Rye

The window to seed winter cereals is rapidly closing in the northern part of the state while the optimum window for the remainder of the state is quickly approaching.  Some tips on early fall establishment can be found here.  Meanwhile winter wheat variety information can be found here while some preliminary rye yield data can be found here.

Soybean development is slightly ahead of the 5-year average and that may open up a window of opportunity to successfully seed winter wheat or rye.  Research has shown that even a little standing stubble of soybeans  is enough to make a difference when trying to raise winter wheat and reducing winter kill.

Rye is Not Just a Cover Crop

Jochum Wiersma, Scotty Wells, and Axel Garcia y Garcia

Rye’s reputation in the US is built on its potential as cover crop. The allelophatic attributes of rye to suppress small seeded weeds are utilized in organic production systems while its drought tolerance and winter hardiness make fall establishment as a cover crop nearly fail-safe. Rye, however, is used in other parts of the world as both feed and food. Some of you may have had pumpernickel bread and if you are of Scandinavian descent you may have grown up with knäckebröd. As feed stuff, rye has some interesting properties that have grabbed the attention of hog producers in Denmark and Germany as a way to reduce antibiotic usage and stress in the group housing systems, both mandated by law.

Fall urea: Should I consider it?

Fabián G. Fernández, Daniel E. Kaiser, Jeffrey A. Vetsch

Crop harvest is around the corner and planning for the next growing season is in every farmer’s mind. One important decision is about when to apply nitrogen (N) and what source to use.

Remember these tips when baling corn residue

by Jodi DeJong-Hughes, Extension educator

Baled corn stalks

While corn residue is incorporated or left on the soil surface in most fields, some producers harvest the residue for use as livestock feed and bedding. How much crop residue removal is too much? Soil productivity will be reduced if all of the corn residue in a field is removed and other sources of carbon are not added. Below are important factors to consider when determining which fields and how much residue can be removed while maintaining soil organic matter levels.

Updated corn yield forecasts and grain dry-down guidelines

by Jeff Coulter, Extension Corn Specialist

Corn in Minnesota is quickly approaching maturity (black layer) and silage harvest is well underway. Corn generally reaches maturity (black layer) at 55 to 60 days after tassels emerge. Stress to corn from dry conditions between now and maturity can reduce kernel weight, accelerate the arrival of maturity and dry-down of grain, and reduce stalk strength.