Northeast Regional Update, August 2010

A warm summer with plenty of rain is producing excellent crop potential for much of Ontario. The winter wheat crop produced average to good yields and good quality, despite late planting last fall and very little need for fungicide application. Expectations are high for the corn crop based on its early planting and the early onset of grain filling. According to Greg Stewart, corn extension lead for OMAFRA, silage harvest this year may begin in August, in contrast to last year when cool conditions delayed silage harvest into October.

Corn crop condition is rated 79% good to excellent in Michigan. Corn in Pennsylvania and Ohio is faring less well, with 52% to 62% rated good to excellent. Corn yield forecasts by the USDA are down sharply in 2010 for Maryland, Delaware and Virginia, as compared with 2009.

The soil test summary report for 2010 is in preparation. Preliminary indications are that the distribution of soil test potassium (K) levels has shifted downward substantially since 2005.

Soon forage plants will enter the critical fall growth period, during which they store the carbohydrates they need to survive the winter. Adequate K is essential for this carbohydrate storage. August is an excellent time to apply K fertilizers. Potassium is particularly likely to run short if previous harvests have been heavy. The amount to apply is an important decision. Make sure it’s based on a recent soil test. It’s also helpful to look at the analysis results for K if you’ve sent forage from earlier cuts this year to the lab. Calculating a nutrient budget – nutrients removed by previous harvests minus the amounts supplied in manures and fertilizers – can also help determine the right amount to replace.