Palmer Amaranth in Soybeans

Wesley Everman, Weed Science Extension Specialist

Alan York, Professor Emeritus

Crop Science Department, North Carolina State University

Glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth is wide-spread across the Coastal Plain and is showing up alarmingly fast in the Piedmont. Not all Palmer amaranth in North Carolina is glyphosate-resistant. However, growers are encouraged to assume that all Palmer amaranth is resistant to glyphosate and to react accordingly.

Growers who currently do not have Palmer amaranth are encouraged to prevent it from becoming established. Learn to recognize the weed and remove any escapes before a seed head is produced. A single female Palmer amaranth can produce a half million seed. If the seed were uniformly distributed, that is equivalent to more than 10 seed per square foot over an entire acre. Don't ignore escaped weeds; devastating populations can build up quickly. Clean equipment as well as possible when moving from infested to non-infested fields.

Rotate crops and chemistry as much as possible. Include corn in the rotation where practical; atrazine-based programs are very effective on Palmer amaranth. Be careful to not negate the benefits of rotation by allowing a crop of seed to be produced after corn harvest. In the fall, Palmer amaranth can go from seed to seed in about 40 days.

Palmer Amaranth Control in Roundup Ready Soybeans

Programs for Palmer amaranth control in Roundup Ready soybeans are detailed on the back of this sheet. Three key points should be kept in mind. First, a residual herbicide applied preplant or preemergence should always be included in a program. Additional residual control from a postemergence application is also beneficial. All of the postemergence options listed on the back, except Harmony SG, have residual activity on Palmer amaranth. The second key point is timing of application. Palmer amaranth should be treated postemergence before it exceeds 4 inches tall. If the weed is resistant to glyphosate, the material mixed with glyphosate must do all the work; hence, the treatment should be applied to weeds of the size appropriate for the tank-mix partner. Remember, this weed can grow an inch or more per day. Treating larger weeds not only results in less control, but it can also accelerate selection for resistance to PPO inhibitors (Authority, Blazer, Cobra, Envive, Flexstar, Prefix, Reflex, Valor, others), something we can ill afford. Third, fomesafen (the active ingredient in Flexstar and one of the ingredients in Prefix and Flexstar GT) behaves as a contact herbicide. That means good spray coverage is required. While lower spray volumes and air induction nozzles are fine with glyphosate alone, use of flat-fan nozzles and a spray volume of 15 gallons per acre or more will enhance Palmer amaranth control with Flexstar, Flexstar GT, and Prefix applied postemergence.

Palmer Amaranth Control in LibertyLink Soybeans

Management programs for Palmer amaranth in LibertyLink soybeans are basically the same as those for Roundup Ready soybeans (detailed on the back) with the obvious exception that Ignite 280 herbicide is used instead of glyphosate postemergence. Growers are encouraged to not abuse this herbicide. Ignite will likely be increasingly important for us in the future, hence we must avoid selection for resistance. Do not depend entirely on Ignite, do not exceed two applications per year, do not cut rates, and treat small weeds (treating large weeds is equivalent to cutting rates, which encourages resistance). A residual herbicide or herbicides applied preplant or preemergence is always recommended. Additional residual control can be obtained from Dual Magnum, Warrant, Flexstar, or Prefix mixed with Ignite. Timely application is critical for successful Palmer amaranth control with Ignite. For consistent control, Palmer amaranth must be 4 inches or less when treated. A supplemental label was recently issued for Ignite 280 that allows higher application rates on LibertyLink soybeans. The supplemental label allows two in-crop applications, with the first application being 22 to 36 fl oz/acre, and the second application being 22 to 29 fl oz. It is suggested that no less than 29 fl oz be applied. Hit them hard, hit them small. Ignite is a contact herbicide, hence good coverage is critical. It should be applied in a spray volume of at least 15 gallons per acre using flat-fan nozzles. Air-induction nozzles generally will not provide adequate coverage for a contact herbicide.

Carolina Pest News

In This Week’s Issue . . .

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND GENERAL INFORMATION
* Wheat Research Field Days Schedule for North Carolina

FIELD AND FORAGE CROPS
* Brief Update on Cotton Insects
* Cotton Insect Teletip Down
* Kudzu Bug is Confirmed in More North Carolina Counties

ORNAMENTALS AND TURF
* Southern Pine Beetles
* Magicicada Exposure
* Crape Myrtle Aphids Not So Bad
* Flower Thrips Attack Knockout Roses

READ these PEST NEWS articles

Caldwell Co. Pesticide Collection Day - May 19, 10am - 2pm

A pesticide disposal day will be held Thursday, May 19 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Caldwell Ag Center / Public Library. This will provide an opportunity for farmers, gardeners, and homeowners to dispose of any unwanted pesticides (insecticide, herbicide, fungicide, etc.) free of charge. The collection is only for labeled pesticides, other house hold hazardous waste will not be accepted. If containers are leaking or fragile, place them in a five gallon bucket with absorbent material such as cat litter or sawdust. Do not transport pesticides in the front of a truck or car. If you have containers larger than five gallons or if you have questions about this pesticide disposal day, please call the Caldwell Extension Center at 828-757-1290 or email Seth_nagy@ncsu.edu

Mike Roberts - Weekly Ag Commodity Report

Many of you may remember Dr. Geoff Benson, NCSU Dairy Extension Economist. Mr. Mike Thomas Roberts has been hired to fill Geoff's vacant position. Mike comes to NCSU from Virginia were he published a weekly ag commodity report. To read Mike's weekly commodity report or to learn more about mike visit his NCSU page and link to the weekly report.

http://www.ag-econ.ncsu.edu/faculty/mtroberts/mtroberts.htm

Ag Forum - Feb. 3 at State Fairgrounds

Input costs, water resources and the effects of monetary policy on agriculture will be among the topics of discussion at the sixth annual Ag Development Forum Thursday, Feb. 3, at the State Fairgrounds.

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler also will deliver his annual State of Agriculture address at the forum, which will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Holshouser Building.

Keynote speaker will be Matthew Martin, an economist and senior vice president at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond's Charlotte branch. His remarks will focus on the economic outlook for agriculture and the effects of monetary policy on the industry.

This will be a great opportunity to come learn more about economic factors affecting farmers, Troxler said. This is going to be a critical year to stay informed because of ongoing economic concerns in North Carolina, the United States and even globally.

There also will be a panel discussion focusing on the cost of agricultural inputs, such as seed and fertilizer.

Other agenda items include the unveiling of a strategic plan for agricultural water resources in North Carolina.

Farmers, agribusiness professionals and others interested in agricultural policy and economics are invited to the forum. Admission is free, and lunch will be provided. Registration is requested by Jan. 28. To register, go to www.ncagr.gov/agforum. People with questions should contact Christina Waggett at (919) 707-3008.

The forum is sponsored by Altria and the N.C. Foundation for Soil and Water Conservation.

Have Crop Problems?

I just want to make growers aware we have funding from the North Carolina Small Grain Growers Association, Inc. for us to submit problem samples for diagnosis at the NCSU Plant Disease & Insect Clinic (30 total) and the NCDA&CS Agronomic Services Division Plant Tissue Laboratory (70 total). If you have small grain problems, I now have the ability to submit samples from Caldwell County "gratis", also known as FREE! As always, just give me a call 828 757 1290 or send and email (seth_nagy@ncsu.edu).

Waynesville Bul sale results

The Waynesville bull test sale held on January 8, 2011 had the following averages; total sale $2182.60, Angus $2157.89, and Simmental $2300. A total of 23 bulls of the 24 offered were sold on that day. One bull (#81) listed in the catalog was scratched from the sale due to health problems. The high selling bull brought $5000, which tied the previous sale record set the first year of the Waynesville bull sale. Attendance at the beef conference was fairly low due to the snowstorm, however there were plenty of buyers at the sale. Thanks again to the sponsors of the beef conference and bull sale Southeast Livestock Exchange, Carolina Farm Credit, North Carolina Farm Bureau, and Sevier Farmers COOP.

Submitted by: Dr. Jim Turner,

NCSU Extension Western Beef Specialist

New Soil Fumigant Toolbox

PA has created a new virtual toolbox for information on soil fumigation, which is available at www.epa.gov/pesticides/reregistration/soil_fumigants. The soil fumigants toolbox provides easy access to a variety of soil fumigant training, outreach, and other resource materials for applicators and handlers, communities, state and local agencies, and others interested in understanding and implementing the current requirements for safe use of soil fumigants. Key features include safety brochures for handlers of soil fumigants, training modules on the new soil fumigant requirements, templates for soil fumigant management plans, and updated fact sheets on the soil fumigant mitigation measures and implementation schedule. New materials will be added to the toolbox as they become available during 2011.

New Soil Fumigant Toolbox

PA has created a new virtual toolbox for information on soil fumigation, which is available at www.epa.gov/pesticides/reregistration/soil_fumigants. The soil fumigants toolbox provides easy access to a variety of soil fumigant training, outreach, and other resource materials for applicators and handlers, communities, state and local agencies, and others interested in understanding and implementing the current requirements for safe use of soil fumigants. Key features include safety brochures for handlers of soil fumigants, training modules on the new soil fumigant requirements, templates for soil fumigant management plans, and updated fact sheets on the soil fumigant mitigation measures and implementation schedule. New materials will be added to the toolbox as they become available during 2011.

USDA - Colony Collapse Disorder Progress Report

The United States Department of Agriculture released its report on the current status of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). This report is a collaborative effort of scientists from 8 Federal agencies, 2 state departments of agriculture, 22 universities, and several private research efforts. NC State University is one of the universities involved in this research project. Beekeepers and others concerned with honeybees and native pollinators will find this report interesting.

1917 Caldwell County Soil Survey

I want to share a fascinating historical publication - the 1917 Caldwell County Soil Survey. A colleague, Cecil Haynes - NRCS, showed this to me the week of Thanksgiving. It offers a great description of agriculture in Caldwell County at the turn of the last century. If you are interested in current soil classification and data, use the 1989 - Caldwell County Soil Survey.

I hope you enjoy reading this interesting document and viewing the accompanying 1917 survey map

Tractor ROPS

We had a great program on tractor safety presented by the NC Farm Bureau at the last Caldwell County Cattlemen's Meeting. During the presentation is was stated that "no one has ever died in a tractor turn-over with a tractor equipped with a roll over protection system (ROPS) when the operator was wearing the safety belt". That is a very impressive statement. The University of Kentucky has a great site on tractor ROPS including a data base of after market suppliers.

http://warehouse.ca.uky.edu/rops/ropshome.asp

Commercial Rabbitry Project

You are invited to attend a showing of a newly renovated “hobby” rabbitry to a more efficient 100 doe “commercial” rabbitry with newly installed automatic watering and clean out systems.

Funding for the rabbitry was provided through a grant from the Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Fund, the Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA (RAFI-USA). The funding provides cost-share support for farmers’ to try new production, marketing, and processing strategies in order to earn more income on the farm.

When: Saturday, November 6, 2010
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Where: Devine Farms
2675 St. James Church Rd.
Newton, NC 28658

Directions to farm: From Newton travel 321 S. toward Maiden, pass South Side Park and the NC National Guard Building on the right. Go approximately ¼ mile and turn left off of 321 onto Smyre Farm Rd. Go to stop sign and turn right onto St. James Church Rd. Farm is on the right approximately 1 ½ miles on right. Look for the two Case Farm Poultry signs, Rowdy Rooster and Creek Side. Follow driveway past chicken houses to rabbit barn.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Contact: Susie Devine
(828) 466-0130 Home
(828) 461-2012 Cell

E-Mail Address: devine5farm@bellsouth.net

Fig Culture in North Carolina

I have always been fasinated by the history of science. We were recently cleaning out one of our closets at the Caldwell Extension Center and I came across several old USDA and NC Experiement Station bulletins. The second bulletin I read was on fig culture in North Carolina. This was published in 1910 and much of the information is still relevant to day . . . I hope you enjoy the read as much as I did.

Weed ID and Control Field Day

Monday, October 18, 2010

Buddy Sherrill Farm on Startown Road

4697 Startown Road, Newton

3:00 -5:00 PM

All interested agricultural producers are invited to attend a herbicide field day at the Buddy Sherrill Farm on Startown Road. The program will run from 3-5 PM and 2 hours of pesticide credits in N, O, D and X have been applied for.

From Highway 10: Go south on Startown Road for approximately 1 mile. Pass Coulters Church and take the second drive to the right, where the Leyland Cypress line the asphalt driveway. Turn in at the first gate on the left and come to the plots. (4697 Startown Road)

There are 21 treatments in the plots that contain blackberry, dog fennel and a variety of other weed species. The agenda will include discussions on:

• Weed Identification
• Plot Tour with Treatments and Rate Discussion
• Safety and Stewardship with Pesticides
• Drift Management

2010 NC Commercial Blackberry and Raspberry Field Day

October 21, 2010

SunnyRidge-Owls Den Farm
1441 Owls Den Road
Lincolnton, NC 28092

Program

9:00 to 9:20 am
Registration

9:25-9:30 am
Welcome and Opening Remarks
David Monks, Assistant Director, N.C.
Agricultural Research Service, College of
Agriculture and Life Sciences, N.C. State
University

Josh Beam, President, N.C. Commercial
Blackberry and Raspberry Growers Asso-
ciation

9:30-11:30 am
Concurrent Sessions (Small groups will
rotate through the sessions)

Fall/Winter Cultural Considerations and
Insect Update
Gina Fernandez, Department of Horti-
cultural Science, and Hannah Burrack,
Department of Entomology, N.C. State
University

Airblast Sprayer Calibration and
Maintenance
David Starnes, Tri-State Distributors,
Statesville, N.C.

Herbicide Sprayer Calibration and Weed
Management Considerations
Roger Batts and Wayne Mitchem, Depart-
ment of Horticultural Science, N.C. State
University

Fertilizer Calibration
Daniel Shires, N.C. Cooperative Exten-
sion Service, Cleveland County, N.C. State
University

11:30-Noon
Equipment Demonstration
(tractors, flail mowers, fertilizer spread-
ers, cannon sprayer)

12 noon
Lunch
If you plan to attend, please RSVP to
Cleveland County Cooperative Extension
office; Daniel Shires, 704.482.4365.

Berry field day sponsors:
Johnson & Company Irrigation Sales, Inc.
Tri-State Distributors of Statesville, Inc.
Coastal Agrobusiness, Hendersonville, N.C.
Pro Ag — A Division of Snyder Paper
Parker Farm Service
Helena Chemical, Hendersonville, N.C.
Southern States, Waco, N.C.
SunnyRidge Farm

Forest Products Qarantine

Notice from the NC Department of Agriculture - There is a quarantine on black walnut seedlings, lumber, logs and all hardwood firewood originating from Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, And Washington. For more on identifying the disease view the archived webinar at forestrywebinars.net, http://www.forestrywebinars.net/webinars/thousand-cankers-disease-of-black-walnut-what-resource-professionals-need-to-know/.

Digest - Squash Bugs

Squash Bugs seem to be a major problem right now. We have had several good specimens brought into the office.

Healthy vigorous plants can out-grow some damage, but often control measures should be taken.

The above picture shows some nymph squash bugs on a squash leaf.
The little red round'ish spots are squash bug eggs.

The above picture are two adult squash bugs mating.

Caldwell Extension - Ag Digest

This is something new I'm going to try. Each day it seems like we get interesting stuff in our office. I hope to use this "Digest" as a way to document some of these interesting things we see in the office or the field. It will also help others who have similar problems/questions. Below are some of the "calls" from yesterday.

• Lilac Borer (also known as ash borer) damage with a secondary bacterial infection. Timing is critical when controlling these insects. If you spray to early the insecticide will break down before the pest arrives and spray to late and the damage is done. Remedial treatment of borers is very, very difficult. Once the borers are in the stems, pruning is the best way to control the problem.
  
  If insecticidal sprays are to be used to control this insect, they should be applied when the lilac is in full bloom.
  
  The foamy sap oozing from the borer hole is a secondary bacterial infection. The bacteria are using the plants sap as a food source. The long term prognosis does not look good for this lilac. Cutting the lilac back and letting it re-sprout next year is the best solution. Care should be taken if the lilac has been grafted, however, this particular lilac grow from a cutting.
  
  More information: http://ipm.ncsu.edu/ag189/html/Lilac_Borer.HTML
  

• Paper Mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) - this was identified for a home owner who became concerned when he noticed it was spreading quickly. More information about this invasive plant is available at http://www.invasive.org/species/subject.cfm?sub=5208
  

• Wolf Spider (Hogna carolinensis) - found in the home of a county resident. The spiders seem impressive because of their size, but they are harmless to humans. More information on spiders is available at http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/Other/note137/note137.html
  

Workshop - Intro to Taxonomy and Pollution Ecology of Aquatic Insects

September 15-17, 2010
Asheville, NC 28801

About the workshop: Benthic macroinvertebrate larvae (aquatic insects) play key roles in many regulatory water quality programs in North Carolina. Not only are these insects used to detect water pollution problems, but are also used to determine if streams are perennial features, and are proposed for use in stream restoration projects as success criteria. Despite the value of this group of organisms in North Carolina's regulatory programs, very little is known about these bugs. This workshop will introduce the participants to the basic ecology and taxonomy of aquatic insects. We will spend most of the time learning family level identification of mayflies, stoneflies and caddisflies (or EPT); however, other groups also will be discussed.

This workshop is sponsored by NCSU Water Quality Group, NC Cooperative Extension, and AB Tech

Location:
340 Victoria Rd., AB Tech
Sycamore Bldg., Rm. 209,
Asheville, NC 28801

For more information or to REGISTER ONLINE, please visit our website at: http://www.ncsu.edu/srp/ept_workshop.html

Questions about the program may be directed to Dave Penrose at penrose.watershed.science@gmail.com. Please reply to this email with any questions regarding registration.