Harvest Aid Considerations for Weedy Soybean Fields
Authored by: Sam Bibby, Regional Crops & Soils Educator- UW Madison Extension; Dr. Rodrigo Werle, Associate Professor and Extension Cropping Systems Weed Scientist- UW Madison; and Dr. Shawn P. Conley, Professor and Soybean & Small Grains Extension Funded Campus-Based Faculty- UW Madison
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There are a lot of weedy soybean fields across Wisconsin this year and the dry conditions are the major culprit. A lack of precipitation reduced the effectiveness of many residual herbicides and drought- affected soybeans were slower to close the canopy. To make matters worse, the dry conditions seem to be accelerating soybean dry down while weeds remain green. In Wisconsin, we usually get a killing frost around early to mid-October. Fields with heavy weed pressure may not be physically harvestable until then. This leaves us with the very real possibility of harvesting too-dry soybeans from fields under heavy weed pressure.
Harvest loss from pod shatter increases significantly when soybeans get below 11% moisture or when they undergo several drying-rewetting cycles. As a rule of thumb, when measuring harvest loss, four seeds per square foot equate to a bushel per acre of yield loss. Shrink loss, caused by soybeans sold below 13% moisture is another large concern and often goes unnoticed. As an example, harvesting and selling soybeans at 9% moisture and $12 per bushel with an average yield of 40 bushels per acre will result in a loss of $21 per acre compared with the same harvest at 13% moisture. In 2023, a desiccant application may prove to be cost effective for growers with weed infested fields that are still expected to yield.
| | Treat Yourself to Early Spring Blooms by Planting Hardy Bulbs Now
Margaret Murphy
Horticulture Educator
Chippewa, Dunn & Eau Claire
UW-Madison Extension
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I love living in a northern climate. For several years, I lived in South Carolina where I was considered by many of my Carolinian friends to be crazy, since every winter I wished for snow. Now that I’m back in snow country, come March, I find myself desperately searching for signs of spring. Finding a crocus bloom peeking out through the snow generally does the trick!
Spring flowering plants such as daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips are commonly referred to as hardy bulbs. They require a cold period to break dormancy and start their spring flower development. These spring bloomers are planted in the fall so our winter can provide the prerequisite cold. Hardy bulbs require little care once properly planted and offer an explosion of color at a time of year we can really appreciate it. By planting a variety of bulbs, you can enjoy blooms from March to June for years to come.
Select bulbs that are large and firm. If not planted right away, store in a cool, dry area away from direct sunlight. Full sun is recommended for most spring blooming bulbs, but some varieties do fine in partial shade. Well-drained soil is essential for hardy bulbs so avoid planting near down spouts and sprinkler systems.
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Check Your Corn Silage Processing During Harvest to Ensure Optimal Nutrition
Lyssa Seefeldt
Agriculture Educator
Chippewa, Dunn & Eau Claire
UW-Madison Extension
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Ruminants are built to eat quickly, so paying attention to what is going into their mouth will ensure they receive proper nutrition. Starch utilization is improved by making sure corn is broken down into smaller pieces, not just cracking the kernel into two pieces. The increased exposed surface area of the inner parts of the corn kernel allows the animal to get the most out of their corn silage feed since rumen bacteria have better access to the starch inside the corn kernels. The improved access to the starch is one reason it is so important to have proper corn processing.
The right time to check your kernel processing is when you can make adjustments and correct incomplete processing, during harvest. The method described below only requires a couple of simple tools, and is easy to do, even out in the field.
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Badger Crops & Soils Update Meeting |
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This newsletter is a contributional effort from the following UW-Madison Extension Educators:
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| Chippewa County Extension Office
(715) 726-7950
Dunn County Extension Office
(715) 232-1636
Eau Claire County Extension Office
(715) 839-4712
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An EEO/AA employer, University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title VI, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act requirements.
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