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UI Ag Talk Tuesday July 7 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM (MT)
All Crops All Locations
General announcment
Posted on: July 6, 2020 by Kasia Duellman
Join us at the next UI Ag Talk Tuesday session - Tuesday July 7 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm (MT). Each session includes crop updates, current season crop and disease issues, Featured Topics with guest speakers, questions, and discussion. This week's featured topic is "Field projects of cropping systems of alfalfa, quinoa, barley, and wheat," presented by Dr. Xi Liang.
A one-time Registration is Required to be able to attend the 2020 sessions. Instructions on how to join the sessions are provided once you register.
Register here: https://uidaho.zoom.us/meeting/register/vpAkc-uvqTwpZF4DlEg_ZcN8xYE9ezZSkQ
Only four 2020 Ag Talk Tuesday sessions remain: July 7, July 21, August 4, and August 18. More information is available at https://webpages.uidaho.edu/extension-seed-potato/.
» https://uidaho.zoom.us/meeting/register/vpAkc-uvqTwpZF4DlEg_ZcN8xYE9ezZSkQ
2020 Potato psyllid monitoring program in Idaho
Potato All Locations
Potato Psyllid
Posted on: July 2, 2020 by Lucy Standley
The University of Idaho and our crop consultant collaborators across the state are continuing the monitoring program for potato psyllids, zebra chip disease (ZC), and liberibacter (Lso), the bacterium associated with ZC. The monitoring program covers commercial potato fields throughout southern Idaho and is funded in part by the Idaho Potato Commission and generous in-kind contributions by our collaborators.
Following guidance from our ZC Advisory Committee, we are running a shortened monitoring season beginning at the end of June and continuing for 10 to 12 weeks, using 4 sticky traps per field at all sites. Complications related to COVID-19 have limited the number of sites being monitored by some of our cooperators, but we expect to still have a total of about 65 fields across the state.
The first set of traps in commercial fields was deployed last week, with quite a few more having been deployed this week. We began monitoring at the Kimberly R&E Center (KREC) during mid-June.
During the week of June 22, we captured a total of 4 potato psyllids among our three monitored fields at KREC. During the week of June 29, we captured 11 psyllids across the same fields as well as 7 psyllids across three commercial fields in Canyon county. Psyllid abundance appears to be fairly low as is typical of June, but we will obtain trap data from many more sites next week.
More information and resources on potato psyllids and zebra chip, including management and scouting recommendations, can be found at the link below.
http://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/news/psyllid-management
More information can be found here: http://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/news
--Click on the links under “Updated weekly reports” for details on trap captures.
--Click on the “Psyllid Management” link on the left panel for information on psyllid and zebra chip biology and management.
Iris yellow spot virus in onion
All Crops All Locations
Posted on: July 1, 2020 by Stuart Reitz
Iris yellow spot virus had been found this past week in a few plants in commercial onion fields in Malheur County, Canyon County, and Washington County. So far, no widespread outbreaks have occurred.
Maintaining good thrips management will help limit the spread and severity of the disease. Infective adult thrips spread the virus from plant to plant as well as within a plant. Infective immatures also can spread the virus within a plant.
In addition to thrips management, minimize stress on onion plants by making sure fields are maintained at an adequate but not excessive fertility level, and that the soil moisture is kept at about the 20 centibar level. This will help reduce the severity of virus symptoms.
TASCO Field Days
Sugarbeets All Locations
Posted on: July 1, 2020 by Jerry Neufeld
The following announcement is from The Amalgamated Sugar Company.
Due to the raising rate of Covid community transmission, we see ourselves forced to cancel The Amalgamated Sugar Company Field Days in Nampa (July 7th) and Jerome (July 9th).
We apologize for the short notice and ask for your understanding.
Virtual Tour July 7th: UI Snake River Weed Mgt Tour - Aberdeen Research and Extension Center
All Crops All Locations
Posted on: June 29, 2020 by Pamela Hutchinson
Can not make it to the on-site Tour June 30th?
You are in luck!
You are invited to a virtual tour of the UI Snake River Weed Mgt trials: Aberdeen Research and Extension Center via Zoom meeting.
When: Jul 7, 2020 01:00 to 4 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Even if you saw the trials up close and personal June 30 you can also register for this virtual tour.
NOTE: Three Pesticide Recertification credits will be offered for virtual tour attendees.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://uidaho.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYpdumtrjgpEtE7UlRaMInXN--XVoQ50nrN
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Pam
Pamela J.S. Hutchinson
Potato Cropping Systems Weed Scientist
Aberdeen R&E Center
1693 S 2700 W
Aberdeen, ID 83210
Cell ph 208-681-1304
Office ph 397-4181 fax 397-4311
» https://uidaho.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYpdumtrjgpEtE7UlRaMInXN--XVoQ50nrN
Additional resources for potato quality improvement are now available on-line
Potato All Locations
Posted on: June 29, 2020 by Nora Olsen and Mike Thornton
As part of the Idaho Potato Commission-funded quality project we have been working with one of the largest retailers of potatoes to monitor the incidence of defects seen at the consumer level in the 2017, 2018 and 2019 potato crops. The good news is that we have seen an improvement in the quality of potatoes delivered over the three years of the project. We believe that this improvement in quality is due in large part to the emphasis on reducing bruise damage being exhibited at both the grower and shipper levels.
One of the best ways to reduce bruise damage is to focus on training the people that operate every piece of potato handling equipment on their role in the effort to improve quality. To that end, we have developed several training resources on our website under the “Bruise Management” tab. In 2019 we focused on videos that show windrower and harvester operators the key factors in operating that equipment in a way that minimizes bruise. But we realize that bruising can take place any time potatoes are handled, so in 2020 we focused on the equipment that moves potatoes from the truck into storage, the piling operation, and the process of removing the potatoes from storage. The result is three new videos entitled Moving Potatoes from Truck to Piler, Best Practices for Piling Potatoes, and Unloading Potatoes Out of Storage. Each video is only 3 to 4 minutes long, but cover the basic operating principles and show several viewpoints so that equipment operators can see what the machinery should look like when operating properly.
Special thanks go to Jason Thomas (Minidoka County Extension Educator) for the narration, and Bill Schaefer for shooting the video and editing it all into the final product.
The initial videos are available in English. However, we anticipate that a Spanish version of the videos will be posted shortly. All these videos are available at the following website:
https://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/bruise-management/training-videos
Powdery Mildew in Sugarbeets - 2020
Sugarbeets All Locations
Powdery Mildew
Posted on: June 23, 2020 by Jerry Neufeld
Powdery mildew has been found by The Amalgamated Sugar Company LLC Crop Consultants in sugarbeet fields in the Nyssa, OR and Parma, ID area. This is quite a bit earlier than the past few years. There are several fungicides available for use to treat powdery mildew. Depending on the disease pressure and chemistry used, applications with different chemistries should be repeated every 14-21 days. Please be advised that strobilurins could show reduced efficacy to due fungicide resistance. Always tankmix with at least 5 lbs of sulfur for resistance management purposes. Contact your Crop Consultant from The Amalgamated Sugar Company LLC if you have any questions.
Click on the link below for the powdery mildew pages in the PNW Plant Disease Management Handbooks.
» https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/sugar-beet-beta-vulgaris-powdery-mildew
2020 UI Snake River Pest Management Tour - Aberdeen
Announcements All Locations
Posted on: June 19, 2020 by Pamela Hutchinson
Hello!
We will definitely have our annual Snake River Pest Management Tour at the Aberdeen R&E Center Tuesday June 30th!
Time:
· Registration 8:30 to 9a
· Tour 9a to noon
Safety precautions:
· Forehead temperatures will be taken at registration..
· Face masks are required – we will provide if you don’t have one on tour day.
· Hand sanitizer will be available at registration and during the tour.
· Attendees must social distance except for within your family or within a group of members from your own company with whom you have been approved to be closer than 6ft.
· Attendees will drive their own vehicles to field tour stops rather than on trailers. The tour is entirely at the Aberdeen R&E Center.
· No lunch after the tour but bottled water will be provided throughout the morning.
Credits: Three Idaho pesticide applicator recertification credits will be offered.
FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT ATTEND IN PERSON:
We will have a virtual tour of some type – stay tuned for further details.
Featured will be several weed control trials in potatoes, including tank mixtures, planned vs. rescue postemergence applications, chemigation vs sprinkler incorporation as well as potato variety herbicide tolerance trials, and herbicide mechanism of action plots.
And…Updates about other pests and other crops from our Research and Extension project leaders.
Please forward this email to your colleagues.
NO RSVP needed unless you are unable to have a vehicle for the tour stops.
We hope to see you there!
Pam
Pamela J.S. Hutchinson
Potato Cropping Systems Weed Scientist
Aberdeen R&E Center
1693 S 2700 W
Aberdeen, ID 83210
Cell ph 208-681-1304
Office ph 397-4181 fax 397-4311
Cercospora leaf spot in Sugarbeets - 2020
Sugarbeets All Locations
Cercospora leaf spot
Posted on: June 15, 2020 by Jerry Neufeld
Amalgamated Sugar Company, LLC is reporting they have the first confirmed sighting of Cercospora leaf spot for 2020 in a sugarbeet field between Caldwell and Notus. A Senior Agriculturist with AMSCO found symptomatic leaves in an overhead irrigated field. We have reached critical temperatures but relative humidity is still low, however overhead irrigation can artificially increase relative humidity and therefore increase infection potential. Fields in close proximity to last year’s infected fields, or back to back sugarbeet fields are especially at risk. Please contact your local AMSCO agriculturist for fungicide recommendations based on last year’s fungicide resistance survey.
Oregon COVID-19 Costs for Food Security & Farmworker Safety Program
All Crops Northern Idaho
Posted on: June 10, 2020 by Stuart Reitz
Oregon’s Food Security and Farmworker Safety Program provides assistance to Oregon’s agricultural producers in order to help secure Oregon’s food supply chain and protect essential agricultural workers from COVID-19 exposure and illness.
The COVID-19 emergency caused Oregon’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OR-OSHA) to issue temporary rules requiring increased field sanitation measures and more stringent labor housing and transportation regulations.
Agricultural producers are responsible for complying with COVID-19 emergency OR-OSHA requirements for Housing, Transportation, and Field Sanitation. Producers faced with additional costs because of this can apply for assistance in any or all categories. There is no need to fill out a separate application for each; a single application will cover all 3 categories.
Please see https://www.oregon.gov/oweb/fsfs/Pages/index.aspx for application and additional information. One application will cover the three program areas of housing, transportation, and field sanitation.
Additional rules for worker protection is available from Oregon OSHA is at https://osha.oregon.gov/Documents/COVID-19-Emergency-Ag-Rule-Q-A.pdf
» https://www.oregon.gov/oweb/fsfs/Pages/index.aspx
» https://osha.oregon.gov/Documents/COVID-19-Emergency-Ag-Rule-Q-A.pdf
Volunteer potato control recommendations for 2020
Potato All Locations
volunteer potatoes
Posted on: June 10, 2020 by Jerry Neufeld
The pdf below contains "Volunteer potato control recommendations for 2020." This information is provided by Dr. Pamela J.S. Hutchinson, Potato Cropping Systems Weed Scientist, University of Idaho Aberdeen R&E Center.
» Volunteer_potato_control_recommendations_for_2020_HUTCHINSON_June_02_2016.pdf
Stripe rust (or Yellow Rust) in Wheat - Western Idaho
All Crops All Locations
Stripe rust on wheat
Posted on: June 5, 2020 by Juliet Marshall
Stripe rust has found its way to western Idaho, reported from at least two locations (with accompanying picture), one location was on UI Magic CL+. (Thanks Oliver Neher!) The growth stage of winter wheat in that area is past the window of fungicide application, and is currently in grain fill. Spring wheat is still vulnerable and susceptible varieties should be scouted for the appearance of stripe rust.
In the Magic Valley and into eastern Idaho, winter wheat is heading and susceptible varieties are still vulnerable to significant yield loss associated with stripe rust infection. Stripe rust reaction of last year’s varieties in the Extension Variety Trials is reported in the 2019 Small Grains Report available online at https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/cereals/scseidaho. (The data is included here as attachments.). Also keep an eye out for stripe rust on barley. No barley stripe rust has been reported so far this year.
Please note that while some wheat varieties were reported as resistant in 2019, race changes were reported in California by Dr. Mark Lundy (UC Davis pathologist) in this year’s crop; therefore scouting of all varieties is recommended this season. Please report observations so we can keep track of the in-season spread.
The weather forecast for this and especially next week is very conducive to stripe rust spread and infection. Fungicide application recommendations developed through NCERA-184 pathologists, coordinated by Dr. Erick De Wolfe Kansas State University, is also attached.
» https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/cereals/scseidaho
New edition of Potato Production Systems
Potato All Locations
Posted on: June 5, 2020 by Jerry Neufeld
Dr. Mike Thornton, Professor of Plant Sciences, University of Idaho Parma Research and Extension Center is reporting that a new edition of Potato Production Systems was published recently by Springer Publishing. The comprehensive book includes contributions by 39 authors, 22 of whom are current or emeritus U of I faculty. The book, originally published by UI Extension in 2003, functions as a textbook for CALS Potato Science course and as a reference for potato industry professionals. You can find more information about the book on the Springer website by clicking on the link below.
EPA Releases Temporary Guidance on Respiratory Protection for Agricultural Pesticide Handlers During COVID-19
All Crops All Locations
Posted on: June 3, 2020 by Christy Tanner
The temporary guidance outlines approaches to address the unavailability of required respiratory protection and respiratory fit testing that should first be exhausted before considering any alternative options. Options include:
• Use alternative NIOSH-approved respirators offering equivalent or greater respiratory protection than those required on the pesticide label;
• Hire commercial applicator services with enough respirators and respiratory protection capabilities;
• Opt to use agricultural pesticide products that do not require respirators; or
• Delay pesticide applications until another compliant option is available.
If the above options are exhausted, EPA’s guidance provides additional options with strict terms, conditions, and exhaustion requirements to minimize potential incremental risks to workers:
• Reuse and extended use of disposable N95 filter facepiece respirator;
• Use of “expired” respirators;
• Use of respirators certified in certain other countries or jurisdictions meeting protective conditions outlined; or
• Delay the annual respirator “fit test.”
This is a temporary policy. EPA will assess the continued need for and scope of this temporary guidance on a regular basis. To read the guidance in full and to learn more about EPA’s Worker Protection Standard, visit this webpage: https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/statement-regarding-respiratory-protection-shortages-and-reduced-availability-respirator
COVID-19 Guidance for Ag Employers and Workers
All Crops All Locations
Posted on: June 2, 2020 by Stuart Reitz
The CDC and US Department of Labor have released guidance to protect agricultural workers on farms and other work sites. Please take time to review the recommendations to maintain a safe work environment and reduce the spread of COVID-19 in your communities.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-agricultural-workers.html
» https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-agricultural-workers.html
Ag Talk Tuesday - June 2
All Crops All Locations
Posted on: June 1, 2020 by Juliet Marshall
Greetings!
This Tuesday (June 2) brings another Ag Talk Tuesday session of the season. These online interactive sessions occur every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the growing season (May through August) from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM MT and provide an opportunity for UofI and the ag industry to share and exchange information about current season crop issues. Featured topics are also presented.
After crop updates, the featured topics are "In-season nutrient management with soil and petiole sampling” with Linda Schott and
"Weed and chemical load on compost vs manure” with Mario E. de Haro-Martí.
You must Register in advance for this meeting:
https://uidaho.zoom.us/meeting/register/vpAkc-uvqTwpZF4DlEg_ZcN8xYE9ezZSkQ
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
If you have already registered, you will not need to register again.
Attached is a flyer for your use to help spread the word.
A schedule with featured topics is available here: https://webpages.uidaho.edu/extension-seed-potato/ATT.html Check back often as items are added regularly.
Sincerely,
Your Ag Talk Tuesday Organizers:
Kasia Duellman
Pamela J.S. Hutchinson
Juliet Marshall
» https://webpages.uidaho.edu/extension-seed-potato/ATT.html
Ag Talk Tuesdays - May 19 - Register in Advance to Attend
All Crops All Locations
Posted on: May 16, 2020 by Kasia Duellman, Juliet Marshall, Pam Hutchinson
Hello All:
Please join UI Extension Specialists, Extension Educators and ag professionals for Ag Talk Tuesdays. These sessions occur every first and third Tuesday, May through August. Listen to a featured presentation, hear crop pest and disease updates for the current season, engage with industry professionals, ask questions, provide your crop updates, or sit back and listen on your phone, tablet or laptop with Zoom.
Register in advance for this meeting (required):
https://uidaho.zoom.us/meeting/register/vpAkc-uvqTwpZF4DlEg_ZcN8xYE9ezZSkQ
Register once to be able to attend all 2020 sessions.
To learn more about Ag Talk Tuesdays and to view a schedule of featured presentations, please check the calendar here (check back often as new topics are added regularly): https://webpages.uidaho.edu/extension-seed-potato/ATT.html
After the sessions, read the Ag Talk Report newsletter - this newsletter provides a summary of Ag Talk Tuesday highlights, plus additional timely information that wasn't covered during the live session. The current issue and past issues can be found here:
https://webpages.uidaho.edu/extension-seed-potato/ATT.html
Please distribute this information far and wide.
Sincerely,
Kasia
--------------------------------------
KASIA M. DUELLMAN, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor and Extension Seed Potato Specialist
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
Entomology, Plant Pathology and Nematology
kduellman@uidaho.edu
webpages.uidaho.edu/extension-seed-potato/
208-757-5476 | 701-793-9456 (Cell)
U of I Idaho Falls | 1776 Science Center Drive, Suite 205 | Idaho Falls ID 83402 | United States
Lygus Bug - Alfalfa Seed 2020
Alfalfa Seed Treasure Valley
lygus bug
Posted on: May 4, 2020 by Jerry Neufeld
The Lygus degree day calculator hosted by Integrated Plant Protection Center at Oregon State University and the IPM Centers - PNW Coalition shows that, depending on your location in the Treasure Valley, we have accumulated 242 growing degree days between January 1, 2020 and May 4, 2020. This is 6 days ahead of 2019, and 4 days ahead of the 30-year average. Peak emergence of lygus bug 1st and 2nd instar nymphs should occur right around 272 accumulated growing degree days; this will occur around May 8, and is the time monitoring for lygus bugs in alfalfa seed fields should begin.
When using most insecticides, fields should be treated when numbers of lygus bugs reach 4-5 lygus bug nymphs per 180 degree sweep. Growers using Assail, or Beleaf, as stand-alone sprays probably should treat before 4th instar nymphs are detected.
Below are the instructions for using the degree day calculator.
1) Select the location nearest you by selecting the appropriate pin in the map at the top of the page. The above data are for the Parma location. Results likely will vary depending on the location selected.
2) Select “insects” in the category drop down box under the map, then select the “Lygus bug [alfalfa seed] Ben Simko 2000” model from the “Select model” link to the right of the Model box. It should be model 61 in the list.
3) The predicted date for the 275 degree day accumulation for peak 1st and 2nd instar lygus nymphs will be listed in the “DDs Event” text box. You also can view the full model output by selecting the button labeled “Click here to CALC/ RUN model w/daily output.”
Also, below is the link to the “alfalfa seed-lygus bug” page in the PNW Insect Management Handbook.
» https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/legume-grass-field-seed/alfalfa/alfalfa-seed-lygus-bug
Ag Talk Tuesday May 5 - Register in Advance
All Crops All Locations
Posted on: May 4, 2020 by Juliet Marshall, Kasia Duellman
To: Producers, fieldmen, agronomists, consultants and others in ag
From: Kasia Duellman, University of Idaho Extension Specialist
Re: 2020 UofI Ag Talk Tuesdays
Greetings!
You are invited to attend the 2020 sessions of Ag Talk Tuesday. Ag Talk Tuesdays for 2020 kick off next Tuesday May 5, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. You can attend by Zoom on your computer or you can call in on your phone. More information on what Ag Talk Tuesdays are and an agenda for each session can be found here: https://webpages.uidaho.edu/extension-seed-potato/ATT.html
Check back often as featured topics are added. Registration is required.
Register in advance to attend: https://uidaho.zoom.us/meeting/register/vpAkc-uvqTwpZF4DlEg_ZcN8xYE9ezZSkQ
Once your registration is approved, you will receive instructions on how to join the meeting by Zoom or by your phone.
We hope you can fit these sessions in your busy schedule. The more participation we have, the more interesting and relevant these interactive sessions will be. Listen to Featured Topics, ask questions, provide insight from your own experiences as the season progresses and as issues arise, participate in discussion, or just listen in. A follow up newsletter, The Ag Talk Report, will be released after each session to give more info on topics discussed and those not broached.
Wishing you a productive season!
Sincerely,
Kasia
--------------------------------------
KASIA M. DUELLMAN, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor and Extension Seed Potato Specialist
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
Entomology, Plant Pathology and Nematology
kduellman@uidaho.edu
webpages.uidaho.edu/extension-seed-potato/
208-757-5476 | 701-793-9456 (Cell)
U of I Idaho Falls | 1776 Science Center Drive, Suite 205 | Idaho Falls ID 83402 | United States
Malheur County Onion Maggot Control
Onion Northern Idaho
Onion Maggot
Posted on: April 28, 2020 by Stuart Reitz
Please remember the Malheur County Onion Maggot Control order remains in effect until July 1 mandating the proper disposal or treatment of culls, including volunteers, to protect this season’s onion crop. If you have questions or concerns regarding the Order, please contact Casey Prentiss (see his contact below).
Malheur County Onion Maggot Control Order
The Onion Maggot Control Order 603-052-0360 for Malheur County requires that all cull or waste onions in Malheur County have to be disposed of by a method approved of within this control order prior to March 15th each year. The objective of the control order is to protect the onion industry from the Onion Maggot pest.
Please keep in mind that the cull onion disposal order remains in effect and will be enforced through July 1. All cull or waste onions are required to be disposed of, plowed under and covered by 12 inches of onion-free soil by March 15th at the latest. Additionally, for cull onions produced after the March 15 deadline until July 1 the Control Order permits only a maximum of one week for proper disposal.
Culls include “volunteer” onions growing in last season’s fields, which may be planted to another crop at this time. Because the Control Order remains in effect until July 1, volunteer onions still need to be disposed of or treated properly.
The Onion Maggot Control Order offers several disposal options:
A) Disposal by covering in a dump site approved by the Oregon Department of Environmental
Quality (DEQ). Culls and onion debris shall be dumped and covered by at least 12 inches of onion-free soil by March 15 each year;
(B) Disposal by animal feeding: Culls and onion debris shall be completely removed from feeding areas by March 15 and buried under 12 inches of onion-free soil. Onions tramped into the soil so they cannot be removed shall be plowed to a depth of 12 inches;
(C) Disposal by chopping or shredding: Chopped or shredded onion debris that is incapable of
sprouting may be returned to the field at the DEQ-approved tonnage rate which is no higher than 80 tons per acre and plowed to a depth where no onion parts are exposed on the surface;
(D) Composting: All onion debris shall be incorporated into the compost bed and completely covered by 12 inches of onion-free soil;
(E) Disposal of residue in onion producing fields: Commercial onion fields where sort out bulbs are left at harvest shall be disked to destroy the bulbs and shall be plowed to a depth of at least 12 inches by March 15 each year. Seed bulbs shall be disposed of in the same manner following the last harvest;
(F) Culls may be treated with an EPA-labeled insecticide. David Priebe of the ODA Pesticides Program has provided a list of insecticides that can be sprayed on wheat and/or sugar beet fields for onion maggot control. Please see the link below.
Please contact the Ontario ODA office at 541-889-5274 or Casey Prentiss directly at 541-212-3361 cprentiss@oda.state.or.us
Sugarbeet Root Maggot - 2020
All Crops All Locations
sugarbeet root maggot
Posted on: April 27, 2020 by Jerry Neufeld
The growing degree day calculator (gdd) (hosted by the Integrated Plant Protection Center at Oregon State University; http://uspest.org/cgi-bin/ddmodel.us) for the sugarbeet root maggot fly shows that—depending on your location in the Treasure Valley—we have accumulated 282 gdd since March 1, 2020 and 177 gdd in the Magic Valley. Peak flight of root maggot flies should occur after 360 accumulated gdd when the maximum high temperature exceeds 80 degrees F. In the Treasure Valley this will be about May 3, in the Magic Valley this will be about May 16. The gdd model does an excellent job of predicting peak flight, but monitoring with orange sticky stake traps is the best way to get local information on fly numbers for a given field to determine if you have the threshold numbers of flies.
Root maggot flies will lay eggs near sugarbeet plants. After the larvae hatch they will begin feeding on the young sugarbeets. Look for these pests to appear in the western end of the Treasure Valley first. The optimal timing for applying granular insecticides against root maggots is within 10 days of peak flight. Granular insecticides must be watered in well to get good uptake by the sugarbeets. The link below from the 2020 PNW Insect Management handbook contains additional information about the sugarbeet root maggot control. I have also attached the links to “ Growing Degree Days (GDD)
Root Maggot Emergence Control” and “Economic Threshold for Sugarbeet Root Maggot Calculator.” These are calculators developed by The Amalgamated Sugar Company.
In addition, I have attached a link to the University of Idaho publication entitled “Sugarbeet Root Maggot; Identification, Biology and Management.” TASCO would like you to visit with your field consultant for treatment options.
» https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/agronomic/sugar-beet/sugar-beet-sugar-beet-root-maggot
» http://www.srcoop.com/coopEconomicThresholdsCalculator.aspx
» http://www.srcoop.com/coopEconomicThresholdsCalculator.aspx
» https://www.extension.uidaho.edu/publishing/pdf/BUL/BUL942.pdf
Adjusting Cropping Systems Due to Market Impacts from COVID19
All Crops All Locations
Posted on: April 25, 2020 by Juliet Marshall
ADJUSTING CROPPING SYSTEMS AFFECTED BY THE COVID-19
Walsh, O.S., Cropping Systems Agronomist, University of Idaho, Parma R&E Center
Thornton, M., Plant Scientist, University of Idaho, Parma R&E Center
Marshall, J.M., Cereal Cropping Systems Agronomist and Pathologist, Aberdeen R&E Center
Morishita, D., Weed Scientist, University of Idaho, Kimberly R&E Center (retired)
Felix, J., Weed Scientist, Oregon State University, Malheur Experiment Station
and Hatzenbuehler, P.L., Agricultural Economist, University of Idaho, Twin Falls R&E Center
The agricultural sector has begun to struggle with the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The economic shocks on Idaho and Oregon agricultural industries have hit dairy, beef onion, and potato producers particularly hard. This is partially driven by the school and restaurant industry closures, where mass quantities of these products are typically utilized. Thus, the impact has been more immediate and direct compared to other commodities.
Following the shelter-in-place orders in Idaho and Oregon, the negative effects of the reduction in food consumption are now coming to light. Most crop producers implement yearly rotations – alternating the annual crops grown on a specific field in a planned pattern in successive crop years. Many Idaho and Oregon growers have been forced to cut their planned potato, barley and onion acreage due to loss of processing contracts for the 2020-21 crop year. With planting under way, many farmers are looking for ways to sustain their productivity.
Adjusting crop rotations may enable producers to stay profitable. Planting different crops such as small grain cereals, beans or corn are some options that may be appropriate for acres initially intended for potatoes and onions. Agricultural practices such as fertilization, herbicide and other pesticide applications already completed last fall and/or this spring are some of the key practices that must be considered. Agricultural inputs that have already been applied could have a significant impact on the alternative crops eventually planted in those fields. Finally, there may be serious implications if the fields are replanted to the same crop as in the previous year. To help growers make more informed planting decisions this spring, the University of Idaho and Oregon State University researchers put the following guidelines in place.
Nutrients/soil fertility
Situation:
• Most onion and potato fields receive relatively low rates of nitrogen fertilizer (less than 100 pounds per acre) prior to planting.
• Both crops traditionally receive high applications of phosphorus and potassium at the time of bedding in the Fall.
Recommendations:
• Take a new soil sample (2 ft depth) now to determine the current levels of nutrients in each field. For soil testing instructions, please refer to Soil Sampling guide.
• If the soil contains more than 150 pounds of nitrogen per acre in 2 ft sample – beans are not recommended (excessive nitrogen in the soil will hinder nodulation in bean roots). If soil nitrogen levels suggest that a bean crop may be successful in a field, levels of phosphorus and potassium must be considered. If the soil contains at least 120 ppm of potassium in the 12 inch-sample – no additional potassium fertilization is required. Furthermore, soils containing more than 30 ppm (12-inch sample, Olson) require no additional phosphorus, even at the highest free lime content. For complete information regarding bean crop nutrient management, please refer to the Southern Idaho Fertilizer Guide: Beans.
• Spring wheat may be a good choice for the fields relatively high in nitrogen. An irrigated soft white spring wheat crop with a yield potential of 120 bushels per acre (typical for southern Idaho) requires a total of 240 pounds of nitrogen per acre. As a rule of thumb, two pounds of available nitrogen per bushel are required for irrigated soft white spring wheat. Hard red and white spring wheat requires additional nitrogen, in the range of 2.5 to 3.0 pounds of nitrogen per bushel with additional nitrogen top-dressed at heading to flowering to meet protein requirements. For detailed information on spring wheat nutrient management, refer to Southern Idaho Fertilizer Guide: Irrigated Spring Wheat. Please note, that high levels of phosphorus (above the 20 ppm in the top 12-inch soil sample) may reduce wheat yields. Although addition of potassium to wheat is not required at more than 75 ppm (12-inch soil sample), higher potassium levels should not cause issues for wheat growth.
• Silage corn may be another good option for fields high in nitrogen. For a silage yield of 40-50 tons per acre, at least 100 pounds of nitrogen in the soil (based on the 2 ft soil sample) are recommended. Higher levels of potassium and phosphorus are not an issue for most corn hybrids. For complete information, please refer to Nutrient Management for Field Corn Silage and Grain. Sileage varieties of wheat, triticale and barley are also available.
Herbicides and other pesticides
Situation:
• Most potato fields should not have received herbicides yet. Many onion fields would have had Dual Magnum applied last Fall and may have gotten an application of a soil residual herbicide (Ex. Prowl or Nortron) this Spring.
• Furthermore, fumigants may have already been applied last Fall or this Spring.
Recommendations:
• Make sure to check the label for all pesticides that have been applied to determine plant back restrictions.
• Fields that have received Dual Magnum are suitable for both beans and corn (forage, grain or sweet) planting. Herbicides such as Dual Magnum and Prowl would eliminate the possibility of planting small grain cereal crops like spring wheat or barley.
• Fumigants should not impact subsequent crops. If fumigants have been applied, there should be no damage to the crops themselves, just the additional expense associated with application.
Additional considerations
• For cereals, expect a reduction in yield associated with soil-borne pathogens. Use certified seed with appropriate seed treatments, and plant to a uniform seed depth of about 1 to 1.5 inches in good moisture to allow rapid emergence. Make sure volunteer grasses (including cereals) are removed two-three weeks prior to planting.
• Regarding farm management, the Farm Bureau has several resources available online to help keep you and your staff stay safe and physically and mentally healthy. Such resources include draft email templates to send to staff to inform them of protocols and procedures that are being and/or will be instituted to ensure the safety and health of all is maintained throughout the growing and harvest seasons (https://www.fb.org/land/impact-covid19-on-ag).
• Ensuring that best practices for crop and commodity storage are maintained may help provide opportunities for sales later in the current crop year or early in the 2020-21 crop year as supply chains are re-established or alternative supply chains emerge.
• For cash flow considerations, USDA ARC/PLC program payments for the 2019-20 crop year are expected to be made in October 2020. PLC payments for producers with base acres in wheat remain likely despite an upward change in the estimated marketing year average (MYA) price 2019-20 in the USDA WASDE report for April 9, 2020 from the March report (from $4.55/bu to $4.60/bu, with a reference price of $5.50/bu). The 2019-20 barley MYA remained unchanged at $4.60, and a PLC payment is still expected due to a reference price of $4.95/bu. The MYA price for corn was revised downward from $3.80/bu to $3.60/bu, so a PLC payment may now also be made for corn (reference price of $3.70/bu).
• Uncertainty remains regarding eligibility, payment rates, and timeline for USDA administered agricultural producer payments under several bills enacted by Congress in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the payments made under the discretion Office of the Secretary of the USDA are likely to be allocated to specialty crops (including potatoes) and other agricultural industries (such as cattle) not covered under Farm Bill Title I (except dairy is expected to be included in both). More details will be provided by the USDA will be forthcoming, but payments may likely occur around October 2020 as is planned with the PLC/ARC programs (https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2020/04/17/usda-announces-coronavirus-food-assistance-program).
» Adjusting_Cropping_Systems_affected_by_the_COVID-_final.pdf
UofI Ag Talk Tuesday Sessions resume May 5
All Crops All Locations
General announcment
Posted on: April 22, 2020 by Kasia Duellman
The 2020 season of Ag Talk Tuesday sessions will be held the first and third Tuesdays of May, June, July and August during 2020. The first Ag Talk Tuesday session for 2020 kicks off online on May 5 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Join University of Idaho personnel and your peers in agriculture to discuss current crop issues and timely topics as the field season progresses. Each session will offer featured topics along with other items determined by YOU and those who attend. Meetings are held 1st and 3rd Tuesdays during May, June, July and August, 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Pre-registration is required for online sessions. To register, click on this link and follow the instructions: https://uidaho.zoom.us/meeting/register/vpAkc-uvqTwpZF4DlEg_ZcN8xYE9ezZSkQ
Once your registration is approved, you will receive an email with instructions on how to attend the 2020 Ag Talk Tuesday sessions.
These sessions are FREE! Click here for more information and check the site frequently for updates: https://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/news
» https://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/news
» https://webpages.uidaho.edu/extension-seed-potato/ATT.html
Focus on Potato webcasts available at no cost.
Potato All Locations
Posted on: April 21, 2020 by Jeff Miller
Focus on Potato webcasts (as well as all PMN webcasts) are now available for viewing at no cost. These webcasts are a great learning resource.
» https://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/infocenter/topic/focusonpotato/
University of Idaho diagnostic services during Covid19
All Crops All Locations
Posted on: April 14, 2020 by Juliet Marshall
Parma
Parma is still receiving samples although we are operating with less staff than usual.
Instructions for dropping samples off at Parma:
Please email or phone James Woodhall at (208) 970-9667 (cell) in advance of dropping any samples off.
Please leave in front office at Parma or bench outside lab door.
Do not enter the lab.
Please complete the sample submission form and bring with your sample or email to plantdiagnostics@uidaho.edu (https://www.uidaho.edu/cals/plant-diagnostics/parma)
We will aim to process samples in the usual timely manner.
Idaho Falls
Idaho Falls is still receiving samples although the campus is closed and samples cannot be physically dropped off at the laboratory. Please call to make arrangements.
Instructions for samples at Idaho Falls:
Please call in advance to arrange best way to deliver samples (208) 497-5312. We will either arrange for mailing samples or for an alternative way to receive them.
Some samples may be able to be delivered electronically, either by text (208) 497-5312 or by email plantdiagnostics@uidaho.edu
Please complete the sample submission form and email to plantdiagnostics@uidaho.edu (https://www.uidaho.edu/cals/plant-diagnostics/idaho-falls)
We will aim to process samples in the usual timely manner.
Sample Collection and Shipment For Parma and Idaho Falls:
Plant Samples: Avoid collecting plant tissue that is completely dead or rotten. Collect entire plant by digging plant roots. For foliage, wrap in dry paper towel in sealed plastic bag. For root samples, keep some soil with roots in sealed plastic bag.
Soil Samples: Collect samples in a grid pattern with at least 10 cores per acre is recommended at a depth of 12 inches. Collect cores in a bucket, thoroughly mix by hand or with shovel, and place a 1 lb subsample from the bucket in a labeled ziplock bag. Refrigerate samples if not shipping or delivering immediately.
Shipment: If sending by mail, please send overnight or by 2-day shipping. Make sure samples are labeled and include your name and phone number. Be sure to alert lab personnel, either by phone or email, of samples being mailed.
If you have any questions about sample collection or shipment, please call one of the labs and we can direct you.
Parma Address
29603 U of I Lane
Parma, ID 83660
Phone: 208-970-9667
Idaho Falls Address
1776 Science Center Drive, Suite 205
Idaho Falls, ID 83402
Phone: 208-497-5312
