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AgAlerts 2003 From Griggs County
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Griggs County Fair & Achievement Days on July 11-13th, Cooperstown
Issue # 7, June 25, 2003
We are now starting to see adult flea beetle emergence but as of now, the numbers are not high enough to collect any amount of beetles. It is planned to try and start collecting next week. We have not had enough heat units to see high emergence numbers. As of 6/25/03, the Dazey weather station has shown only 1232 growing degree days. We have seen good emergence in past years when this number is over 1300. Hopefully this will occur next week. Call the office (797-3312) or check this web site to find out how collections are coming and where they will occur next week. We hope to have sweep net for sale at the collection sites.
Many wheat and oat fields across the region have turned from a distinctly green color to tan in color. Upon further evaluation by Minot area agronomist, Kent McKay, the leaf tips have turned a tan or brown color. This is the result from the environmental conditions late last week causing a bacteria blight infection. This most likely occurred from the brutal winds last Thursday and Friday causing the leaf tips to tear and water soaked conditions (rains, even heavy dews) that followed causing the infection. This infection is a result of environmental conditions and should not result any yield reductions.
9:00
am
Meet at the fairground in Cooperstown and join the bus ride to view the
ag. waste system at the Ben and Carolyn Dekker farm.
Guide: Keith Monson, 319 Coordinator
10:30
am
Depart Dekkers and tour Murray Stokka’s farm for rangeland management
strategies. Guide: Keith Monson,
Kevin Sedivec, NDSU Ext. Rangeland Mgmt. Specialist, Lee Voigt, NRCS Rangeland
Mgmt. Specialist
12:00
pm
Lunch at Brian’s Body Shop near Hannaford.
Meal catered by Dan Bakken.
1:00
pm
Leave Brian’s Body Shop on the bus and tour a variety of crops in
Griggs County. Guide:
Dennis Haugen Chairman Griggs SCD, Hal Weiser, NRCS Soil Scientist
3:30
pm
Visit the Heyerdahl Seed Farm and check out some seed varieties they
offer and have grown. Guide: Dennis
Haugen, Duane Berglund, NDSU Agronomist
5:00
pm
Return to Brian’s Body Shop and view no-till and minimum-till seeders
and departure. Bus goes back to
Cooperstown.
RSVP
by contacting the Soil Conservation District at 797-2240 ext. 3 prior to July 3rd,
2003.
Sponsored
by: NRCS, NDSU Extension Service, Griggs Co. 319, Griggs Co. SCD, Ducks
Unlimited, Jason Haugen Deklab-Asgrow.
Michael Dangas, NDSU Extension
Forest Health Specialist, is asking to monitor spruce trees regarding the
Yellowheaded spruce sawfly (Pikonema alaskensis). Michael is trying to
collect information regarding the distribution of this insect throughout the
state. The larvae have hatched and have begun feeding on spruce.
Full-grown sawfly larvae are approximately 3/4 of an inch long, olive green with
6 grayish stripes along the body, and have a reddish-brown head. (Adult)
The yellowheaded spruce sawfly (YHSS) is a native defoliator
of spruce in Canada and the Northern US. Although it feeds on all species
of spruce, feeding preference varies geographically. Eggs are typically
laid on current years foliage. After about 10 days, larvae emerge from
these eggs and begin feeding on the current years growth. Larvae
will continue to feed for 3 to 4 weeks. When the current years
needles have been defoliated, larvae may move to older foliage and continue
feeding. Larvae stop feeding in mid to late summer, drop to the ground and
spin cocoons. The sawfly will overwinter in these cocoons and emerge the
following spring as adults. Females sawflies then seek out spruce trees
for purposes of mating and egg laying.
The damage
to spruce trees caused by the sawfly can be substantial. Repeated
defoliation causes reduced growth and at times tree mortality. Small and
medium sized spruces growing in full sunlight appear to be more susceptible (ie,
windbreaks). Spruces utilize significant energy reserves for shoot
elongation. Lossof these shoots due to defoliation substantially weakens the
tree. This stress may exacerbate other insect and disease problems.
Control: There are many parasites and predators
that help to keep YHSS populations in check. However, at times,
other controls are necessary. If populations are low, handpicking larvae
may be sufficient to reduce damage. On isolated trees, a strong jet of water
will often dislodge feeding larvae. If populations are great and the
potential for damage is high, chemical controls may need to be
incorporated. Many insecticides will control population if applied
properly. It appears that spraying during early larval stages may be the
best means of control. Early larval stages show high survival, whereas
older larvae and cocoons experience substantial mortality. So targeting
the early larval stages can have a significant impact on the population.
Acephate and carbaryl are labeled for use to control sawflies. Always read
and follow label instructions!
For more pictures and information link to the following web
sites:
Natural
Resoruces Canada, Laurentian Forestry Centre
Bugwood.org,
Common Insect pests of Urban Trees, Yellowheaded Spruce Sawfly
Please Contact Our Office For Additional Information
E-mail: john.swenson@ndsu.edu
Go to the 2003 AgAlert Index Page
