April 13

June 2011

Fusarium Head Blight Update

Don Hershman, Extension Plant Pathologist, University of Kentucky

June 03, 2011 - As expected, many wheat fields in far west and southern Kentucky that began to flower in late April to the first few days in May have taken a significant hit with FHB. Fields and areas of fields that were not sprayed on a timely basis with a triazole fungicide commonly have 40-70% FHB incidence, depending on location, variety, etc. Fungicide treated fields generally have about half as much FHB. It looks like most non-sprayed fields that began flowering after May 6 have considerably less FHB (5-10%) and fungicide treated fields frequently have less than 5% incidence. Stagonospora leaf and glume blotch is the other disease that is very evident in many non-sprayed fields at this time. In some cases, it looks like delaying spraying to achieve the best possible FHB suppression may have compromised leaf and glume blotch control. Rust diseases are still relatively minor. The majority of wheat fields are now in various stages of drying down. When harvesting fields that had a significant level of head blight it might be prudent to turn the fan up on the combine so light-weight, scabby grain will blow out the back of the combine. This will also help to keep DON levels down in harvested grain.

For more details, go to the FHB Risk Assessment Tool at http://www.wheatscab.psu.edu/riskTool_2011.html

Alerts are sent out to one’s cell phone or e-mail, depending upon the user’s preference. Frequency and timing of alerts depends upon a given area’s risk for serious scab problems — which obviously varies, depending upon environmental conditions and crop stage.

Kentucky Wheat Crop Progress Report

Kentucky Agricultural Statistics Service

5.29.11 - The condition of winter wheat was reported as 2 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 22 percent fair, 57 percent good, and 15 percent excellent. Some farmers report that the wet weather has increased the disease level in the winter wheat crop.

UK Wheat Field Day Draws Record Crowd

The May 17, 2011 University of Kentucky Wheat Field Day brought a record crowd the second year in a row, seeing nearly 150 attendees from 7 states. This event, along with the annual winter wheat meeting held in January, is supported in part by the Kentucky Small Grain Growers.

Dottie Call, the UK Wheat Science Group's research coordinator, said she has received a number of compliments from growers and industry professionals on the topics provided at the field day, which included updates on the wheat variety trial, new fertilizers, row spacing, optical wheat sensing, and weed and disease management. Call said she believes that the extensive wheat variety trial, which is also supported by the KySGGA, draws the larger crowds.

The University of Kentucky heat variety trials test about 100 varieties. Progress of those trials are a big draw for participants.

Ag Community Increasingly Concerned with Threat to GPS

Representatives from major agricultural organizations met last week in Washington to hear about potential interference with GPS systems if a pending waiver is granted.

In 2010, LightSquared, a company formerly known as SkyTerra that works on wireless broadband, asked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to allow it more on-land use of the electromagnetic spectrum, including an area bordering that used by GPS devices.

GPS is a collection of satellites maintained by the U.S. government but used by an extremely wide range of industries and individuals.

In recent years, precision farming has incorporated extensive use of GPS devices, providing enormous efficiencies particularly in decreased use of fertilizers and pesticides.

Early this year, LightSquared received a conditional waiver allowing part of its project to move forward and putting other parts on hold due to concerns about interference with GPS devices.

If the proposed changes are made, tests show GPS interference could occur because of what are called “out of band emissions” – meaning signal leaks from one band into another – or from “front end saturation” – meaning receivers take in signals from another band.

These problems will increase as the GPS device gets closer to a LightSquared tower and as more towers are erected. In effect, it will mean GPS devices will become less accurate and perhaps quit working altogether.

The serious concerns this has created have spurred research by the government and a number of companies. In addition to a scientific challenge, this is also a political and economic one, since the U.S. government generates revenue from users of the electromagnetic spectrum.

The release of additional research on the problem from LightSquared and federal government testers, who are working with the company and the GPS Industry Council, is anticipated in mid-June.

The briefing this week was held by the National Executive Committee for Space-Based Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT), which is an interagency federal organization that works on GPS issues.

Attendees included a wide range of agricultural representatives, many of whom are now working together with other major GPS users from airline operators to land surveyors. Members of Congress are also well aware of the interference issue, with more than 30 Senators led by Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) writing the FCC on the issue last week.

To read a recent letter on GPS concerns sent to the FCC by NAWG, please visit www.wheatworld.org/othercorrespondence.

More News from NAWG:

House Appropriations Approves Dramatic Cuts to Ag Spending
The House Appropriations Committee approved a bill Tuesday that would deeply cut from the agriculture and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) budgets in FY2012, particularly in the area of agriculture research. Read full article

MyPlate Replaces Food Pyramid, Has Significant Grain Portion
Members of the U.S. “grain chain” applauded on Thursday the introduction of a new healthy eating icon, dubbed MyPlate, which highlights the importance of grains to a well-balanced diet.
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FTAs Take a Step Back with Administration Insistence on TAA
Members of the Obama Administration said this week that the passage of three pending free trade agreements must be linked with renewal of Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), a program that helps American workers hurt by trade. Read Full Article

Vilsack Warns of Detrimental Cuts at Senate 2012 Bill Hearing
Supporting research and ensuring a farm safety net that addresses disasters were key themes of the first Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee hearing of the 2012 Farm Bill process.
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Be sure to visit www.kysmallgrains.org for the latest small grain news and resources.