Minnesota Crop News

Navjot Singh, Graduate student, and Debalin Sarangi, Extension weed scientist Figure 1. Waterhemp plant surviving Enlist One application at 6 pt/A after 28 days after treatment in the greenhouse. Herbicide-resistant weeds are threatening agronomic crop production in Minnesota (Figure 1). In 2020, we received about 30 waterhemp samples - mostly from southern MN - and the greenhouse resistance screening results showed that the majority of waterhemp populations were resistant to ALS-inhibiting herbicides (e.g., Pursuit, Raptor, and Classic) and glyphosate.  The results also showed that 14 and 15% of waterhemp populations were resistant to atrazine and PPO inhibitors (e.g., Flexstar), respectively. If at least 40% of plants survive a 3X labeled dose of a certain herbicide, we consider that population to be resistant. Figure 2. Distribution of multiple herbicide-resistant waterhemp populations in Minnesota. Two populations from Carver and Olmsted County showed resistance to four herbicide s

In  this episode  of the Nutrient Management Podcast, three U of M researchers discuss soil management and nutrient issues. How do erosion and tillage practices impact nutrients in the soil and nutrient management?  After a dry spring and summer, what should growers know about soil and nutrient management heading into the fall? Is deep tillage to break compaction a good idea this year? How can farmers better manage soils to avoid nutrient issues? Are cover crops a good idea this year? Listen to the podcast View the podcast transcript Guests: Fabian Fernandez, Extension nitrogen management specialist Anna Cates, Extension soil health specialist Jodi DeJong-Hughes, Extension educator - Willmar Additional resources: Fall 2021 soil testing considerations for the 2022 growing season Growing cover crops in Minnesota: 4 great resources to get you started Cover crop residue and C:N ratios Soil management and health Soil organic matter in cropping systems Minnesota Office of Soil Health Follow

Long-term sulfur trial at Waseca:  Continuous corn. 2021 is the third year at Waseca. Listen to the podcast to learn more. In  this episode  of the Nutrient Management Podcast, three U of M researchers discuss sulfur. How has atmospheric sulfur deposition changed over time and why does it matter for farmers? How did the dry conditions this year impact sulfur availability? Do dry soils mean sulfur responses will be greater?  Do dry soils affect which source of sulfur growers should use?  What do we know about interactions between sulfur and other nutrients?  What should farmers thinking about applying sulfur for the 2022 crop keep in mind? Listen to the podcast View the podcast transcript Guests: Dan Kaiser, Extension nutrient management specialist Paulo Pagliari, Extension nutrient management specialist - Lamberton Jeff Vetsch, researcher, Southern Research and Outreach Center - Waseca Additional resources: Fertilizer recommendations by crop Sulfur for Minnesota soils Video: What sourc

By: Craig Sheaffer, UMN Forage Professor and Jared Goplen, UMN Extension Educator, Crops Fall cutting can disrupt the fall dormancy reaction of adapted alfalfa varieties. Alfalfa is a perennial plant that depends on fall dormancy to prepare for winter survival. Shortening daylength and declining temperatures in the fall triggers alfalfa to undergo a dormancy reaction that decreases herbage production and develops crown buds—the source of the first spring regrowth (Figure 1). Alfalfa metabolism also changes to increase starch storage, increase sugar content, alter protein metabolism, and decrease free water in the plant cells all in preparation for winter (Figure 2). Disruption of the dormancy reaction by cutting or grazing in September to early October (depending on region), affects alfalfa winterhardiness and its survival. Plants cut during this sensitive time stop storing energy and instead expend energy on regrowth. Crown buds that would normally overwinter and regrow in the spring

Anthony Hanson, Extension Educator - Field Crops  Integrated Pest Management David Nicolai, Extension Educator -  Institute for Ag Professionals Program Coordinator Late summer and early fall is time ensure infested and spoiled grain in bins from previous harvests won’t cause more problems for this year’s harvest.  Over the summer, insect infestations may have grown in grain bins, especially in areas where spoiled grain accumulated even after being mostly emptied (Fig. 1). Keeping good sanitation practices prior to putting the next harvest into storage will help break pest cycles and reduce the likelihood of issues with spoilage or price docking at the elevator. Once grain is in the bin, options to manage existing insects are very limited, especially grain that is going to be stored through the following spring or summer. Figure 1. Insect feeding damage in spoiled corn. Photo: A. Hanson Integrated pest management for insects in stored grains is closely tied to sanitation to also preven

In this installment of the Gopher Coffee Shop podcast, Extension educators Ryan Miller and Brad Carlson sit down with Lisa Behnken, a recently retired but still active crops educator with the University of Minnesota. Lisa was the first woman to serve as an Extension educator in the state of Minnesota and helped to shape the future for women in agronomy. She has been a mentor for many men and women involved in agriculture and has played an integral role in developing many careers. Lisa has a long history of making important contributions to agronomy and agriculture in Minnesota and in this episode, we discuss some of what she has done. Enjoy! Listen to the podcast There are many articles related to what we've discussed on the Crop News blog linked below.  Minnesota Crop News blog: https://z.umn.edu/cropnews Sign up to receive Minnesota Crop News: https://z.umn.edu/CropNewsSignup The Gopher Coffee Shop Podcast is available on Stitcher and iTunes . Enjoy! For more informatio