Wheat

Mechanical cultivation and hand weeding are organic producers most preferred choices for weed control. However, repeated cultivation has a negative influence on soil structure and organic matter content, and can make conditions more susceptible to soil erosion. In addition, repeated cultivation promotes new weed flushes. On the other hand, hand weeding which may require a ready supply of field workers can be expensive, especially if conducted over large areas and in less competitive crops that require multiple hand weeding tasks. For commercial producers who mostly rely on herbicides, concerns may arise regarding herbicide-resistant weeds, the potential risk to the groundwater supply, and their effect on food quality. This suggests that alternative weed management tools should be considered. Multiple studies have examined effects of flaming on annual weeds; and successful application of propane flaming to manage weeds has been reported in crops such as cotton, field corn, cabbage, carrots, sweet corn and onions. This suggests that weed flaming may be a formidable tactic for incorporation into an integrated weed management (IWM) program. Its successful integration could result in reduced usage of cultivation, hand weeding and herbicide sprays. Authors: Cerruti R Hooks and Dwayne Joseph Title: Flaming as a Weed Management Tool

Troubleshooting disease symptoms in wheat.

Volume 13, Issue 2

Agronomy News monthly updates on Fusarium Head Blight

Resources on growing organic grain

Herbicide resistant common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) is prevalent on the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland and other areas in the region. In 2019, common ragweed populations on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Delaware were found to have two or three-way mode-of-action resistance to herbicides. They were resistant to glyphosate (group 9), cloransulam (Firstrate; group 2 “ALS inhibitors”), and/or fomesafen (Reflex; group 14 “PPO Inhibitors”). Early-season management of common ragweed is strongly dependent upon reducing seed emergence and controlling ragweed populations prior to soybean planting. However, due to the limited herbicides with efficacy against common ragweed, it is even more critical to utilize alternative and multiple means of control.

September Grain Market Summary

Dairy farmers are constantly looking for sources of forage to meet their feed needs. One source that many of our region’s dairy farmers utilize is the fall planting of cereal grains that are green-chop harvested the following spring. Among the cereal species used for this purpose are rye, triticale, barley, and wheat. Per the Maryland Cover Crop Program guidelines, cereal grains planted as a cover crop prior to November 5 and suppressed via green-chop in the spring are eligible for the grant payment for participation in the Cover Crop Program. In addition, per the Nutrient Management Regulations, a fall application of dairy manure is allowed to a field planted to a cereal cover crop.

Results of the 2021 Maryland Wheat and Barley Variety Trials are now available. The trials evaluate wheat and barley yield, head scab/DON, and growth of select varieties planted across the state of Maryland. Data is used to help farmers and crop advisors select the best performing varieties. When picking varieties, remember to select varieties that have good yield stability and have good resistance to Fusarium head blight.

Agronomy News is a statewide newsletter for farmers, consultants, researchers, and educators interested in grain and row crop forage production systems. The topic for this edition is Cost-Share Grants Expanded, Evaluating Wheat Stands, Fusarium Head Blight Management, Early-Season Wheat Disease Scouting, April IPM Insect Scouting Tips, Cover Crop Termination for 2021, Maryland Circuit Court Judge Reverses Final Maryland AFO Permit, Maryland Ag Land Preservation, Pesticide Disposal Program, Pesticide Recertification Workbook, US Corn & Soybean Planting Acreage Report, Cooperators Needed For On-Farm Nitrogen Trials, What To Do With Thinning Alfalfa Stands, Weather Outlook, and Regional Crop Reports.