The sheep at the BCCAC were sheared today. This occurs twice a year at the BCCAC, summer and winter. The IPM team watched as each sheep was sheared, and the wool stored in large clear plastic bags for shipping and cleaning in Bucks County. The process took about five minutes for each animal.
A brief discussion was held on Timothy grass growing near the sweet corn. The grass is used by horse farmers. The leaves are curled and off color, due to the microscopic cereal rust mite. Farmers are not willing to buy as much if the grass contains the mites.
The sweet corn has the tassels and silks appearing at the same time. The corn is now in the reproduction stage, and the two ears are beginning to appear. The larger weeds noted in previous weeks are no longer a problem. After being fertilized recently the corn is looking better.
The field corn has some early tassels appearing. Looking at the outside rows of the cornfield, there can be seen damage from the corn borer and cereal leaf beetle. There were various beetles noted such as the Japanese, oriental, click and striped cucumber beetle.
The popcorn for the most part looks fine.
The soybeans are having issues with thrips, as the leaves are puckering.
In the demonstration plots the pepper plants look much greener, but the leaves are being chewed by beetles. The peanut plants are showing some slight leaf yellowing and may need some potassium. The hops are ready to be harvested. The sorghum plants have recently sprouted and are doing well.
Bug of the week – Japanese Beetle
Below are the summaries for the insects caught in the three insect traps.
Trap 1 (Black Cut Worm) – 3 Japanese beetles, 2 oriental beetles, 1 each of click beetle and fly.
Trap 2 (Fall Army Worm) – 2 each of lightning bug and oriental beetle, and 1 each of June bug and armyworm.
Trap 3 (European Corn Borer) – 1 each of click beetle, wire worm, squash bug and moth.
