Minnesota Crop News

Photo credit: Melissa Wilson/UMN Extension By: Melissa Wilson, Extension manure management specialist; Yuzhi Li, Associate professor in alternative and organic swine production; and Curt Reese, Agronomy and soil scientist at the West Central Research and Outreach Center Key Points: As one part of a larger study, we’re growing hybrid rye using swine manure as the primary nutrient source In the first year of the study, the use of liquid swine manure tended to produce higher grain yields than solid or composted swine manure Application rates that supplied 60 to 120 pounds per acre of first year available nitrogen optimized yield without significantly overapplying phosphorus and potassium Hybrid rye grain and straw produced for the larger study will be tested as an alternative feed and bedding source for organic swine production What we did: Hybrid rye is being grown in Minnesota as an alternative to traditional winter rye varieties. In organic production systems, the grain may be used as

Photo: Jared Goplen Join us this Wednesday, March 29, for the final Strategic Farming webinar as Dr. Brian Luck, Associate Professor and Vice Chair of the University of Wisconsin Biological Systems Engineering Department, discusses planter adjustments that are important to consider before planters get rolling this April. Dr. Luck will review best management practices for maintenance and proper adjustment of downforce systems, row cleaners when operating in variable field conditions, closing wheels, and seed delivery tubes.  Many of these technology adjustments can aid in effective planting at higher speeds.  Following Dr. Luck’s presentation, Dr. Seth Naeve, University of Minnesota Extension soybean agronomist, will also be on the program to discuss early soybean planting trends and considerations. Bring your questions for the speakers, as there will be plenty of time for discussion. Seth will review new national resources for soybean growers developed by the Science for Success Agron

By: Dan Kaiser, Extension nutrient management specialist Plant tissue analysis is a singular tool that we have within our toolbox that can be used with other tools to try to help us assess nutrient deficiencies within fields. With studies funded by the Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council (AFREC), we commonly use tissue analysis, not only as a way to assess performance of treatments within the field, but also as a way to collect data to look at evaluating currently used sufficiency guidelines for particular tissue analysis collected at diagnostic growth stages. There are a few things to consider when you're taking plant tissue samples. Sampling strategy First, timing of sampling is critical. We want to avoid sampling too early in the growing season or too late in the growing season. This is because too early in the growing season, plants typically have not taken up a large portion of their nutrients, and too late in the growing season, plants tend to redistribute

Craig Sheaffer, Extension forage agronomist, Nathan Drewitz, and Troy Salzer, Extension educators Heaving of alfalfa. Alfalfa can be killed if roots and crown are exposed to freezing temperatures or if plants are detached from the soil and cannot take-up water. In early January we discussed the beneficial effects of protective snow cover as a protective insulation layer for alfalfa plants over the winter. Surface, soil temperatures have remained near 32 F throughout the winter, a level that is not stressful for perennial plants. However, with melting snow in late winter and spring and saturation of the soil, forages are subject to the peril of heaving. Heaving mechanisms Heaving is a volumetric expansion of the soil caused by the segregation and expansion of frozen water (ice) in the soils. There are two forms: Primary heaving : This is caused by ice needles jacking up plants out of the soil during short duration, alternative freeze-thaw cycles in the spring. Secondary heaving : This

Phyllis Bongard, Extension content development and communications specialist Alfalfa field covered with 4 inches of snow. Photo: N. Drewitz This winter’s ample snow is good for alfalfa winter survival, but it can also favor insect pest survival. Drs. Craig Sheaffer, Extension forage agronomist, and Anthony Hanson, Extension IPM educator, had a wide-ranging discussion on the status of overwintering alfalfa and its pests in the March 15th Strategic Farming: Let’s talk crops session.  Outlook for overwintering alfalfa Overwintering alfalfa is typically most vulnerable during March and April when a thaw is followed by freezing temperatures. However, the significant blanket of snow (>4 inches) in much of the state is providing good protection as the alfalfa comes out of dormancy. The snow insulates the plants from soil and air temperature variations that are typical this time of year. As a result, Sheaffer expects little risk of alfalfa winter injury. However, water from snow-melt can p

Science for Success soybean specialists  The Science for Success partnership brings together 26 Extension specialists from land-grant  institutions across the country, representing more than 80% of US soybean acres. These specialists contribute their own state-gleaned knowledge and research results to the program to bring you sound, research-based Best Management Practices (BMPs).  A new webinar series,  Keys to Early Season Soybean Success , will share up-to-date, data-driven recommendations that you can use this spring.  Join the new webinar series Science for Success invites you to attend three live webinars, “ Keys to Early Season Soybean Success, ” on March 17, 24, and 31, 2023. Please register and attend these great events. All webinars will begin at noon, Central Daylight Time. March 17, 2023 – When early planting doesn't work out: Do I replant, repair-plant or leave this pitiful stand?  Register: https://go.ncsu.edu/replantregister March 24, 2023 –  What's new in plant