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ICORN Igronomy flash

This is the first edition of the ICORN Igronomy Flash newsletter.  Throughout the growing season I will e-mail timely articles, updates, and links to pertinent information about agronomic issues occurring in the field.  Most of the time I'll give you a few brief comments and link you to the articles, pictures and other information from agronomists and universities across the Midwest.  I'll search hard to find and select for you the best and most relevant information.  The Igronomy flash will not take the place of the Igronomist report.  The Igronomist report will continue to have an in-depth focus on single issues.  Since I can't be everywhere in our marketing area, I need your help.  As you see things occurring in your fields, drop me a note at jschwartz@icorn.com and I'll track problems as they emerge.

Black Cutworms

Black Cutworm moth flights have increased in Indiana, Illinois and Ohio and been intense in some areas.   Moths come in from the south on weather fronts and look for fields with green plants in them on which they will lay their eggs.  Chickweed seems to be especially attractive.  Later planted fields may be more at risk.  Check out these links by clicking on the following headings for more information:

Black Cutworm Pictures

How to control Black Cutworm

Moth Flight Data

Flea Beetles

Flea beetles over-winter as adults throughout the Midwest.  If the sum of the average daily temperatures for December, January, and February exceeds 90, (30 degree days for 3 months) then survival is expected to be high.  The warm winter has allowed for high survival.  Although its very uncommon to treat field corn for Flea beetles, slow growing seedlings can be overwhelmed by high populations that strip the lead tissue and can cause wilting.  It is believed that a low percentage of the beetles actually carry the Stewart's wilt virus.  Click the links for more information:

Flea Beetle Pictures and Info.

Stewart's wilt pictures

Due to the unusual spring, some of you may not have your burndown applied.  If you plan to make a burndown at or near planting, you may wish to consider tank mixing a low rate of a pyrethroid with your herbicide.  Especially if you have lots of winter annuals in your fields.  Although this is not necessarily an IPM friendly strategy, the late planting rush will probably prevent you from scouting when you need to.  Sometimes unusual years call for unusual recommendations!  I have run this approach by a university entomologist and he was supportive of the thought.

Emergence Problems in Corn

Those of you who have corn in the ground may be experiencing problems getting it out of the ground.  Cold temperatures are not the only reason corn may struggle to emerge.  Corn can survive and emerge long after you may think it's too late.  Here are a few links to help address reasons for emergence problems and the physiology of corn emergence:

Diagnostic Guide for Emergence Problems in Corn

Corn Emergence Physiology and Problems