The cornfield for the most part looks good. There is however a growing number of small weeds, namely crabgrass, that will need to be sprayed or turned under. Other weeds present included lambs quarter, curly doc, jimson weed and velvet leaf. There were a number of black swallowtail larvae feasting on what appeared to be several sweet potato plants that were grown in the area last year. The corn is in the 5th or 6th leaf stage, so the growing point is just above ground. Because of this, the corn plant is now susceptible to any type of damage from weather, insects and disease.
The rye field has been cut and harvested. Soybeans have now been seeded over the rye (double cropping). Due to the dry weather and rye residue remaining in the field, the soybean seeds were not planted too deeply. There is concern that in time the soybean field growth will look spotty because some of the shallow seeding will not take hold and therefore not germinate.
A square plastic device was randomly used several times in the alfalfa field to measure the percentage of alfalfa and orchard grass within the square. The idea is to see if the alfalfa field is generating enough growth (over 25%) for harvesting. Random estimates taken today were around 50% alfalfa and orchard grass within the square. The alfalfa plant is also susceptible to crown rot and the alfalfa weevil. In addition, netting was used to randomly sweep the alfalfa field for various insects. Leafhoppers, aphids and alfalfa weevils were found in the sweep.
The oat crop is suffering from severe cereal leaf beetle damage. Numerous cereal leaf beetles were also seen on the oats. The oats will soon be harvested and bailed and used for feed for the sheep.
The soybean crop is in the first trifoliate stage, and because of deer damage and dry weather the field looks spotty. Ideally there should be about 150,000 soybean plants per acre.
In the demonstration plots the tomato plants were infested with the Colorado potato beetle and its eggs. This may be a very bad year for this beetle. Four pumpkin plants were planted yesterday, along with four pumpkin seeds. The pumpkin plot is new this year. The strawberries are beginning to be harvested. Among the June bearing berries, the Chandler cultivar is producing more berries with better taste than the All-Star cultivar. The everbearing strawberry – Tribute, has produced a good harvest as well so far. The strawberry plants look good. The blueberry plants look good, but one or two need some pruning of old wood.
Finally, noticed in the field today and also gathered within the insect traps were a large number of Colorado potato beetles, black cut worm and fall armyworm. The county help-line was also alerted regarding the presence of these three pests.
Compiled by John Siemanowski
