The winter rye is sprouting where the field corn was harvested. This despite having no rain. This is due to the moisture retained in the soil. Where the field corn was previously, the concern for next year will be the amount of weeded plants, corn borers and root worms that may be an issue for next year's crop. Root worm larvae will overwinter in the soil and can damage the plants roots next spring. They also may be resistant to BT corn. There was no sign of slugs in the soil.
Also discussed in the former field corn today was the issue of nutrient removal. As the corn is harvested and taken away, so much of the nutrient elements go with it. But the remains of the corn plant in the field also leave valuable nutrients like phosphorus and potassium. By doing it this way, and with a proper soil test analysis, a farmer will not need to fertilize as much for next year.
The soybeans are drying down, and the plants loose leaves based on day length, which is now shorter. The beans are small due to the lack of rain.
Walking through the alfalfa field there was quite a few grasshoppers, moths and leafhoppers flying around. They're there because it's the greenest field around for this time of year. Despite these insects the alfalfa field looks good. It shows no feeding damage or crinkling leaves. The field will be harvested again in the near future.
Below is the weekly summary for the insects caught in the four insect traps at the BCCAC in Moorestown.
Trap 1 (Black Cut Worm) – 3 black cut worm.
Trap 2 (European Corn Borer) - 1 each spider, grasshopper, mayfly, damsel fly.
Trap 3 (Fall Army Worm) - 5 fall army worm.
Trap 4 (Corn Ear Worm) – 6 noctuid.
Trap 5 (Stink Bug) – None.
Compiled by John Siemanowski
