Monroe County Agriculture: Even with recent rain, conditions are dry
Weather: Deric Snodgrass of Nutrien Ag Solutions is calling for another cool/cold week ahead, with some scattered rain, then a warmer last 10 days of so of October. Even with some rain earlier this past week, conditions remain very dry. La Niňa is still influencing the weather, with a winter forecast of drier early, then changing to wetter (snowier) for the last half of the season.
Soybeans: With soybean harvest wrapping up, now is a great time to sample fields for either or both Soybean cyst nematodes (SCN) and a regular soil fertility test. As a reminder the MSU Soil Testing Lab is slated to close at the end of the year, so Nov. 18 is the last date they are accepting soil samples. And the Michigan Soybean Committee (MSC) is paying for Soybean cyst nematode soil samples, sent to the MSU Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic. The MSC website has a form and instructions for pulling and submitting soil samples to MSU.
U of Minnesota Soybean Quality Project: The University of Minnesota Agronomy and Plant Genetics Department of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences wants to conduct their annual Soybean Quality Survey again. Since 1986, the University of Minnesota has documented efforts of U.S. soybean farmers to produce some of the best soybeans in the world. They sent me three sets of sample bags, with self-addressed mailers. They need a 2-pound sample of one variety of soybean, which could be a specialty variety, such as high oleic, food grade, non-GMO, etc. They wish all samples to be mailed back to Minneapolis by Oct. 23. This project is funded by the U.S. Soybean Export Council and the United Soybean Board. If a soybean farmer would like to participate, please call me at 734-260-3442 and I will get you the information pronto!
Wheat: As wheat planting moves into the second half of October, farmers should increase seeding rates, up to 1.8 to 2.2 million seeds per acre. With less of a fall growing season left, plants will produce fewer tillers, thus there needs to be more main plants and stems to compensate. Dr. Kurt Steinke of MSU recommends applying 20-30 pounds of nitrogen in the fall which can promote establishment, autumn growth and tillering by providing developing roots access to soil-supplied nutrients.
Fall garden chores: Now is the best time to soil test the garden so there will be plenty of time to assess fertilizer needs and crop, variety and planting decisions. Anyone can sow some perennial rye grass to the garden to protect the soil from wind and water erosion and provide some organic matter when tilled under next spring. The farm co-ops may sell bulk seed as a 100+ square foot garden only needs about 1 pound of seed.
National Garden Bureau and All America Selections: This past week they had an article about 10 trees for an urban landscape and small spaces. Not all trees can fit into small or urban spaces or gardens. Google: “national garden bureau best urban trees.” The National Garden Bureau is a nonprofit organization which works to educate, motivate and inspire people with plants. Members include experts and leaders in horticulture.
Ned Birkey is MSU Extension educator emeritus and a regular contributor to The Monroe News.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Monroe County Agriculture: Even with recent rain, conditions are dry
