|
|
|
May News
In an effort to make it rain, I am going to try something different with this newsletter and include a few of the NDSU news releases from recent weeks (and a few from past years) dealing with drought. I hope that by the time you receive this, the following information is no longer needed.
Email Ag Alerts As we get into spring and timing becomes more critical on the farm, I would like to offer emailed ‘Ag Alerts’ each week. On Monday mornings from mid may to mid August I will email short timely articles on insects, diseases, weeds, etc. to those of you who are interested. If you are interested on being included in this mailing list please call the Extension office and let either Jen or myself know your email address or email us at NDSU.GoldenValley.Extension@ndsu.edu If you desire a paper copy of the Ag Alerts that can also be arranged.
Project Safe Send Reminder As you are getting in the field this spring you may run across some old pesticides that you no longer need and or use in your buildings. This is a reminder that Project Safe Send is again being offered this year. I have included the information and location of the sites nearest to us. For complete listing of sites go to www.agdepartment.com and look under “Hot Topics”. The collections are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (local time) at the following dates and sites. All collection sites are at North Dakota Department of Transportation (DOT) maintenance facilities, except the collection in West Fargo, which will be held at the county highway shop. Tuesday, July
15, Bismarck.
Annual Annual Sale! The Garden Club Plant Sale will be Friday, May 16th selling from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM & Saturday, May 17th selling from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Blue Building at the Fairgrounds! Gift Certificates available ( Mother’s Day is May 11th) at Precious Memories. NEW for this year are gardening workshops being held in the Red Building starting at 5:30 topics include: container gardening, ornamental grasses, and a producer panel. Ready Made planters will again be available this year. Stop by and check it out or contact Dawn Ueckert (872-2123) or Ashley (872-4332) for more information.
Heat and Drought Trouble for Some Trees
DS-2-97,
Reviewed April 2008
Many North Dakota homeowners have noticed something different about their trees under drought conditions -- lots of seed and sparse, undersized foliage. Examination of individual trees indicates that no disease or insect problems are responsible, so environmental factors are apparently the problem. Trees affected by some types of stress routinely produce abundant flowers and fruit, but lack the typical foliar vitality. Environmental stress in the form of compacted soil, high soil pH, low moisture and high temperatures are all responsible for the reduction in vigor and the tree's symptoms. A recent history of dry, hot weather has a cumulative, delayed effect on trees. The typical landscape tree has a root system close to the soil surface due to lawn watering, fertilization and heavy soils. Two trees of the same species can be growing on a residential property with one showing the symptoms and the other not. Here microclimate differences probably do not exist, but the genetic makeup of the two trees is most likely different. Most nurserymen propagate trees from seed, which offers a wide range of characteristics -- some good, others not so good. Not all the stress seen on the trees can be attributed to the heat and dry weather. Winter cold spells can also take a delayed but serious toll. What to do? There is no way anyone can prepare for or anticipate all the problems that can besiege a landscape plant. Selecting the right plant for the particular location, providing adequate moisture for the specific plants, mulching and eliminating competitors, such as weeds and turfgrass, will make a big difference. Check the trees daily during periods of environmental stress and try to take corrective action as quickly as possible, whether it is controlling insect or disease problems, or taking steps necessary to get the plant into a state of vigorous growth, such as watering deeply and providing fertilizer.
Vaccination Key to Preventing Bovine Respiratory Disease
Cattle producers should get their calves vaccinated for bovine respiratory disease before turning them out to pasture. Extension Service veterinarians in North and South Dakota are urging cattle producers to include prevention in their branding and turnout calf vaccination programs. Drought conditions prevail in parts of both states, so short supplies of grass and water are of major concern to producers. Sick calves only make the situation worse. Producers often refer to these calves as having dust pneumonia. “Dust pneumonia really doesn’t exist,” says North Dakota State University Extension Service veterinarian Charlie Stoltenow. “Dust does not cause pneumonia, but it does add to the total stress suffered by an animal during drought conditions. If a calf died due to ‘dust pneumonia,’ it actually died from bovine respiratory disease, or BRD complex.” Each year BRD complex costs U.S. producers about $500 million. Most cases of BRD occur during the fall months, when calves come off range and pasture, and are weaned and put into feedlots. However, during years of intense stress early in a calf’s life, pneumonia can occur when it is on pasture. “This year is shaping up to be one of those years where calves on pasture are going to be under increased stress and will be at greater risk for BRD,” says South Dakota State University Extension Service veterinarian Russ Daly. “Producers need to start thinking now about vaccinating calves for respiratory pathogens before they are turned out onto pasture because having to treat calves out on pasture is not an ideal situation.” While postweaning BRD has been well-defined through the years, its occurrence in calves on summer pasture is not as well-understood. Possible factors that may play a role are infections with viruses such as infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) and bovine virus diarrhea (BVD); stressful events, such as long-distance movements or weather events; mineral deficiencies; and dusty conditions, all of which affect the calf’s ability to fight off BRD. This summer, researchers from SDSU and several cattle producers are teaming up with the goal of better understanding the various risk factors that contribute to summer pneumonia. Stoltenow and Daly recommend producers work with their veterinarian to plan a calf health program for this year’s pasture season. This may include vaccines that protect against viruses such as IBR, BRSV and BVD or, in some cases, against bacterial pathogens such as Mannheimia or Pasteurella. “If we are treating BRD out on pasture, we are too late in the game for economical intervention,” says Stoltenow. “Every time we have to treat an animal for a respiratory condition, we are lowering the performance and value of that animal. Prevention is the key to profitability.” Water Quality and Quantity a Concern During DroughtGreg Lardy, Beef Cattle Specialist NDSU Extension Service
Drought conditions have resulted in water shortages and poor-quality drinking water for many of the region's livestock producers. Many ponds and sloughs normally used for water sources have dred up or become undrinkable. During periods of high temperatures, livestock need greater quantities of water, with lactating animals having the greatest need. Poor-quality water results in lower water intake and reduced productivity. In some cases, livestock deaths have been reported due to poor quality water or water shortages. Producers should check animals often during periods of hot weather. Pay particular attention to symptoms of heat stress, such as rapid respiration. Signs of dehydration or lack of water are tightening of the skin, loss of weight, and drying of mucous membranes and eyes. In cattle, the eyes will appear sunken and dull. Water samples can be sent to a number of testing labs to determine quality. Commonly reported measures of water quality include total dissolved solids (TDS), as well as sulfates. Water with TDS concentrations greater than 10,000 parts per million can result in death. More information is available in the publication "Livestock and Water" at www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/ansci/livestoc/as954w.htm.
Alternative Crops During a Drought Reviewed by Hans Kandel, NDSU Extension Agronomist, April, 2008
Meeting Forage and Grain Needs in an Emergency Alternative crops can be a major concern during a drought. If planting was postponed or plants didn't survive because of drought, mid-summer planting may be necessary for adequate forage or grain. You also may be concerned about feed supplies for next year and, therefore, wish to plant additional crops in the fall. Unfortunately, no one can predict the longevity of a drought. But you do have options, and the knowledge that planning ahead is always a good idea.
Alternative Forages for this Year Before giving up on existing crops, examine your current crops for silage potential. For example, corn may be the best forage alternative available. Also, keep in mind the added labor and cost of establishing alternative crops. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee on the yield or quality of alternative forages. Existing crops as alternative forages. Test these forages and use the data to obtain efficient use through balanced rations: a) Alfalfa, red clover, trefoil b) Corn and soybeans c) Peas or canning crops d) Small grains e) Grasses. Summer-seeded crops. These generally should be seeded by July 15, but only if moisture is available for germination and emergence. Crops include: a) Sudan, sorghum-sudan, and forage sorghum b) Hybrid pearl millet c) Soybeans (alone or mixed with sorghum-sudan) d) 70-day corn e) Brassicas - forage rape, turnips f) Millets - common, German, foxtail or Japanese g) Buckwheat h) Winter grain with field peas. These should be planted from mid- to late-August. Alternative cash crops. If you planted cash crops, such as wheat or corn, but drought is causing problems, you may decide to replant. Some good alternatives are buckwheat and millet, which can be planted in July. These are very short-season crops and both are high in fiber. Consider whether you have a market to sell these two crops or whether you can feed them to livestock.
Meeting Demands for Next Year Spring grains. If moisture is available for germination and emergence, you can plant spring grains, such as wheat, oats or barley, in August. These can be harvested until a hard freeze, which usually occurs in late October. Winter rye and winter wheat. For the earliest harvest of forage next spring, plant winter rye in September. It can be harvested mid-May. Another alternative is winter wheat, which has a higher forage yield, but must be harvested seven to 10 days later.
Reducing the Risk of Drought Stress The only sure method to avoid drought-stressed crops is to use irrigation. However, other management practices can help reduce the risk of drought stress. Early planting. By planting early, you increase the chance of having pollination completed before the driest part of the season. Optimum fertilization. Proper fertilization will promote healthy plant growth and efficient moisture utilization, essential for high yields in normal and dry years. Adequate weed control. Weeds compete with crop plants for water, so controlling weeds will provide more water for the crop. Residue management. By maintaining a cover of residue through conservation tillage or no-till, you can reduce the amount of evaporation from the soil surface and conserve water for the crop's use.
Dry Seedbeds Require Special Tactics or Rain Duane Berglund, NDSU Extension Agronomist, retired, Reviewed by Hans Kandel, NDSU Extension Agronomist, April, 2008 Many North Dakota farmers will face dry surface conditions as they set about seeding their crops this year. Dealing with such conditions isn't easy. Whether fields are dry or not, farmers should stick as closely as possible to the recommended planting schedule for each crop. Late planting can sharply reduce yields of small grains, flax, corn, canola, dry peas and mustard, especially if temperatures are above normal and spring planting operations are ahead of normal. Under dry seedbed conditions it is true that planting on schedule may result in uneven stands. However, this is preferable to planting too late. If rains do come later, most seeds will germinate if adequately protected with a seed treatment. Some soil crusting could present a problem if seeds are slow to germinate, so farmers should be aware of this possibility. To minimize dryness problems, tilling should take place at a shallow depth and producers should cut down on seedbed operations before planting. Direct-seeding or no-till maybe the best option this year in extremely dry regions of North Dakota. It also is suggested that post-emergence herbicides be used rather than preplant soil-incorporated herbicides that can cause additional soil drying and may not be as effective in dry soil. Plow pony press drill planting should be at a shallow depth. Roots will not grow through dry soil even if the seeds germinate. Use deep furrow hoe drills when available to reach soil moisture. Small grains and flax can be drilled directly into standing sunflower stubble with disc opener drills. A double disc drill is not as effective as a no-till drill, a hoe drill or an airseeder in seeding to moisture in standing stubble. It may be beneficial to harrow first and scatter the straw of the previous year’s crop residue prior to seeding. If newly emerged weeds are present, use a nonselective, burn-down herbicide before seeding. Some residual weed control may be present from dinitroaniline herbicides (Trifluralin, Prowl or Sonalan) used in the previous year, if it was extremely dry in your area. However, be ready to spray and control volunteer sunflowers or other crop volunteers if they emerge with the crop. Here are 10 suggestions to minimize effects of planting into dry soils: · Avoid excess tillage prior to planting. Each tillage operation causes soil moisture losses. · Use shallow tillage (3 inches or less) to destroy weeds and firm the seedbed. · Avoid the use of premerge soil-incorporated herbicides on crops where postemergence herbicides are available and economical to use. · Plant small grains directly into standing sunflower stalks, soybean, canola or dry edible bean stubble. · Crops, such as corn, sunflower, field peas and dry edible beans can be planted deeper (2 to 3 inches maximum). Flax, mustard, canola, proso millet or buckwheat should be planted at a depth of 1 inch or less. Intermediate planting depths of 1 to 2 inches are best for wheat, durum, barley, oats, lentils and soybeans. · In general, large-seed-sized varieties of wheat or durum, oats and barley can be seeded slightly deeper than small-seed-sized varieties. · Seed treatments on small grains should be uniformly applied at labeled rates to maximize seedling emergence. Over treatment on some seeds and little to none on others can cause erratic stands. · If rains come after planting, watch for soil crusting. Break soil crusts with light harrowing or use a rotary hoe. · Consider post-plant applications of nitrogen in the form of urea if good moisture conditions develop later. Rain usually is required in 48 hours after application to reduce N losses due to volatilization. Side dress N between the rows in corn and sunflowers once the crop is established and has the potential to produce a crop. · If fairly good stands are established, but dry soil conditions continue, plan a good weed control program to help conserve soil moisture for crop growth and development. Harrow annual weeds when small or just prior to emergence for control without the use of herbicides.
Fertilizer Application During and After a DroughtDave Franzen, NDSU Extension Soil Specialist Considerations for this yearWhen soil moisture is low, seeding time approaches and fertilizer has not yet been applied, several strategies might be considered. None is without some risk. First, application of N, P and K fertilizers may be applied prior to seeding using a broadcast application. If the field is in zero-till and there's rainfall within two to five days, the nitrogen from the urea might volatilize, depending on the temperature and residue cover. Completely dry fields with no morning dew will enable urea to remain intact at the surface for a longer period. If granules are still visible, volatility would be negligible. When the granules disperse due to a light shower or high humidity, conversion of urea to ammonia gas is much more rapid. If the soil is tilled, the urea would be safe from danger of volatility, but the soil will quickly dry, if it has not done so already, to the depth of tillage. Another strategy is to apply fertilizer at seeding with the seed if the crop can tolerate some fertilizer or ammonia salts. However, most charts are designed with some soil moisture in mind. If the soil is completely dry, then salt injury would be expected at lower fertilizer rates than normal. Rates should be conservative when seed-placed in a drought. The last strategy is to delay fertilizer application, applying some small amount of phosphate with the seed, if possible, and apply the nitrogen later when the crop has emerged and established some yield potential. This is not a risky strategy for row crops, which are easily fertilized using a side-dress applicator, but it is a riskier strategy for small grains and other solid-seeded crops where knifing in nitrogen later on is not a good option. Top-dressing solid-seeded crops is better conducted using straight-stream nozzle attachments (Chaffer bars) so that leaf burn is reduced and the liquid nitrogen source, usually 28-0-0 (UAN), is more concentrated in a surface band, reducing the rate of urea volatilization. Regardless of the method, top-dressed nitrogen must have adequate rainfall for the nitrogen to enter the soil and be utilized by the crop. When drought conditions exist, yield potentials are also lower. Crops like wheat and corn can tolerate higher rates of N, and sometimes quality (protein content) is higher in wheat and might translate into higher prices for grain produced, but this is not guaranteed. Crops like barley, especially if malting quality is a consideration, must be fertilized with nitrogen very conservatively to avoid higher protein content. Next year's strategiesFollowing a drought, P and K levels are likely similar to what they were the previous year. This is usually the case in most years due to the small amount of these nutrients removed in a single year by even a bumper crop, but especially so in a small, drought-affected yield. However, the amount of residual nitrogen would be expected to be quite high. Soil testing to a 2-foot depth in the fall or early spring is recommended to modify the normal N rates applied to crops following a year of drought. If the soil is very hard, soil sampling equipment may need to be modified to penetrate some soils. One tool that works well is to rig an electric generator in the back of a pickup, and attach a soil auger to a 3/4-inch drill. Place a plastic bucket, reinforced with metal bars at the base, with an appropriate size hole in the bottom to allow the auger through into the soil. The auger will penetrate even the hardest, driest soil, bringing up the soil into the bucket. This procedure is perhaps not as elegant as a hydraulic piston sampler, but it works well under hard soil conditions. Procedures and patterns of soil sampling are detailed in Soil Sampling as a Basis for Fertilizer Application, NDSU Extension publication SF-990.
|
|
|