Weekly Ag Update
Weekly Field Crop IPM Report; By Ned Birkey, MSU Extension Educator Emeritus/ Spartan Agricultural Consulting; [email protected]; March 5, 2025
?The agricultural weather from the National Weather Service Climate Predication Center 8-to-14-day outlook for March 12 to 18, 2025, updated March 4 is predicting “likely above” outlook for temperature and “leaning above” normal chances for precipitation.? Now that Spring is here, or almost here, depending upon your definition, questions always come up asking when is the date of the last (50 percent) chance of frost?? The updated MSU 30-year average (1980-2010) spring freeze date (28oF) is April 13 and the frost date (32oF) is April 25.? The growing season has lengthened by two weeks since the previous 30-year average spring and fall frost dates of 1950-1980.
Jim Noel of Ohio State thinks the last freeze this year is anticipated to be about normal in the second half of April to about the first of May.? He also expects a windy March and early April before winds return to near normal conditions from middle April to May.? Since the oceans are returning to normal conditions, he expects a highly variable spring averaging not that far from normal through May.
In the short term, we will see a parade of storms in the next 2-3 weeks with a gradual wetter period and wild swings in temperatures from below normal to above normal and back and forth. Temperatures in the first half of next week will at least reach into the 60s in much of the state.
Jim does not see an early planting season or a really late planting season. Expect a typical on-time planting season. There should be opportunities to plant in the quieter periods of the variable cycle as long as you take advantage of those opportunities.? A quick look to summer indicates possibly a drier June followed by a normal to slightly wetter July/August and temperatures leaning above normal.
In summary, a slightly warmer and wetter spring is forecast followed by a slightly warmer summer with near normal rainfall but a highly variable summer rainfall pattern. Expect more variability this year over last year (lots of swings).
?Handy Bt Trait Table for U.S. corn production is in its 26th year.? The Trait Table for field corn (and now sweet corn) has become the standard as an authoritative reference to Bt toxins in corn authored by Dr. Chris DiFonzo at Michigan State University.? This 2-page document list the types of Bt present in all commercialized corn in the U.S.A. in a concise format. It presents the trade names for traits, Bt event, protein(s) expressed, targeted insects and herbicide traits.? Simply google:
Handy Bt Trait Table for FIELD CORN (Revised 3/2/2025) Chris DiFonzo, MSU
Handy Bt Trait Table for SWEET CORN (1/8/2024) Ben Phillips, MSU
The Bt Trait Table has a column that lists which insect species are known to be resistant to a particular Bt trait package. These statements are based on published lab assays &/or field research as documented in the link above for "citations for resistance statements ...'. ?This column is intended to alert growers and consultants to potential management problems, influence seed selection, and encourage field scouting. It is important to note that the Trait Table is a national publication, and resistance may be widespread (as in western bean cutworm) or regional (as in corn rootworm).
?Lawn care can be a big financial and important aesthetic investment.? One concern often mentioned in early spring is crabgrass prevention.?? Crabgrass is a rapidly growing, coarse textured yellowish-green grass that is conspicuous in finely textured and dark green cool season turfgrasses.? Crabgrass is a low-growing summer annual weed that spreads from seed and roots.? In simple terms, crabgrass preventer herbicide needs to be applied before the soil temperatures reach 60oF.? A good diagnostic tool for homeowners is to look for when Forsythia starts to bloom.