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Fusarium Head Blight Update
Don Hershman, Extension Plant Pathologist, University of Kentucky
May 03, 2011 - Early flowering (anthesis) is the most
critical time for applying fungicides to suppress FHB and DON;
many wheat fields in Kentucky are at this critical stage now. It
has been very wet across Kentucky since late last week and the
FHB predictive models are now showing moderate FHB risk
throughout west KY and high risk in central KY. Cooler temperatures are likely keeping the overall risk
down across much of the state. However, if you have a good crop that is just beginning
to flower, consider making an application of an appropriate
FHB-suppressive fungicide. The next couple days are forecasted
to be dry, so perhaps many of you who have had difficulty
getting into fields to spray might be able to do so now. Achieving proper application is critical to maximizing
FHB/DON suppression, so be certain to follow all fungicide label
instructions. 50% suppression of FHB and DON is about the
maximum amount of suppression to expect under normal
circumstances. Reduced suppression is probable if attention is
not made to ensure good coverage of heads with fungicide.
Greater levels of suppression is possible, but rare.
For more details, go to the FHB Risk
Assessment Tool at
http://www.wheatscab.psu.edu/riskTool_2011.html
Sign up for Head Scab Alerts at
http://scabusa.org/fhb_alert.php.
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
5.1.11 - The condition of Winter wheat was
reported as 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 27 percent
fair, 56 percent good, and 14 percent excellent. Winter wheat
headed was 45 percent, ahead of both last year at 20 percent and
the five year average of 30 percent. Some of the wheat crop has
been damaged by flooding.
UK Wheat Field Day - May 17
The University of
Kentucky will host farmers on May 17 in Princeton for their semi-annual
Wheat Field Day to showcase their latest research and provide
information for producers.
CCA and Pesticide credits have been requested.
Registration starts at 8:30 am CDT – Tours begin at 9:00 am. The
field day concludes at noon. KySGGA is providing lunch.
View the agenda.
 National
Sorghum Checkoff Referendum Passes
USDA announced on April 6 that the United Sorghum Checkoff Program
referendum passed by a margin of 76%. The sorghum checkoff was
established in 2009; and for national checkoff programs, USDA
requires that a referendum take place within 3 years. The Kentucky
Small Grain Growers Association is a passback organization of USCP
funds – those dollars have been used for KY-specific nitrogen
research in sorghum production.
Disaster Assistance Available for Producers
Kentucky Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive
Director John McCauley reminds crop and livestock
producers throughout the Commonwealth that have recently
experienced severe damage from flooding and tornados
that FSA programs may be available to assist with
recovery.
FSA administers several important programs that help
producers recover from disaster damage and livestock
deaths. Among the key programs available to address
impacts from disasters are the Emergency Conservation
Program (ECP), the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP),
the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and
Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP), the Noninsured Disaster
Assistance Program (NAP) and the Supplemental Revenue
Assistance Payments (SURE) Program.
Fact sheets for all of these programs can be found on
our website at
www.fsa.usda.gov; click on Newsroom, then Fact
Sheets.
Additionally, Federal crop insurance policyholders
should notify their crop insurance companies as soon as
they discover that their land is flooded.
Be sure to visit
www.kysmallgrains.org for the latest small grain news and resources. |
