|
|
AgAlerts 2003 From Griggs County
|
Issue # 10, September 2, 2003
Blackbird problems are causing producers to look at early desiccation of sunflowers to speed up harvest. It is very important that desiccants are applied when sunflowers are physiologically mature. Desiccation prior to physiologically maturity can result in reduced yields, test weight and oil content. Sunflower are physiologically mature when the back of the heads have turned from green to yellow and the bracts are turning brown. At this point, moisture contents should be about 35%. Products labeled for desiccation are Gramoxone Max (paraquat) and Drexel Defol (sodium chlorate).
Grasshoppers are starting to show up in good numbers in soybean fields since small grain and hay harvest. Be sure to monitor any fields in question and be prepared for possible problems in 2004. There has been some reports of field border spraying. To view NDSU IPM data, click on the following link. Grasshoppers
This is the time of year that wasps and hornets are active. They cause concern when nests are built around homes and patio areas. The first part of controlling these insects is to find out where the nest is. Nests can be a paper nest hanging from the eves or in shrubbery or nests in cracks in foundations or out buildings. Once the nest is located, purchase one or more cans of "Wasp and Hornet Killer". This can be purchased at most hardware stores or garden centers. These products can spray a concentrated stream about ten feet. This allows treatment of a nest from a safe distance. Treatment of the nest should be done in the early evening when insect activity is reduced. Locate the entrance hole and direct the stream of spray into this area until the can is empty. This spray has a quick knockdown action and the insects rarely exit the nest alive. Monitor the nest the following day for any activity and retreat if necessary. Once activity has ceased, you can tear down the nest.
As fall is quickly approaching, insects are going to migrate to overwintering areas. Insects such as spotted wing and cluster flies, millipedes and centipedes, and crickets and boxelder bugs find our homes as good overwintering sites. A few preventative measures now can make a big difference later on this winter. The first step is to prevent entrance in to houses or shops. Check foundations for cracks or holes and fill them with chalking or some other material. Second is to spray a border spray around your foundation and for spotted wing flies, around the eves. Outdoor use home owner products are available at your local hardware store or garden center.
Grass plants are 75 - 80% water, by weight.
Up to 90% of the weight of a grass plant is in its roots.
Grass clippings are approximately 90% water, by weight.
1,000 sq. ft. of lawn will generate 200 lbs. of clippings annually.
Fertilizer content of typical grass clippings (by % of
weight)
- Nitrogen (N) = 4%
- Phosphorus (P) = 2%
- Potassium (K) = 0.5%
A dense lawn is 6 times more effective that a wheat field and 4 times better then a hayfield at absorbing rainfall.
A 50 by 50 foot lawn (2,500 sq. ft.) releases enough oxygen for a family of four, while absorbing carbon dioxide, hydrogen floride, perosyacetyle nitrate.
In a well maintained, thick 10,000 square foot lawn there
will be:
- 6 turf plants per sq.
in.
- 387 miles of roots per grass plant
- 850 turf plants per sq.
ft.
- 3 billion miles of roots per avg. lawn
- 8.5 million turf plants per avg. home (which
equals 15 round trips between the sun and earth)
(Information source: Turfgrass Resource Center, 1855-A Hicks Road, Rolling Meadows IL, 60008)
Please Contact Our Office For Additional Information
E-mail: john.swenson@ndsu.edu
Go to the 2003 AgAlert Index Page