Issue 30
June 2000
 

Prairie Grains is the official publication of the Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers, North Dakota Grain Growers Association, South Dakota Wheat, Inc. and the Minnesota Barley Growers Association.

Copyright
Prairie Grains Magazine
June 2000

Reference tools to help manage your crop production

By Dr. Jochum Wiersma
University of MN Small Grains Specialist
Jochum.J.Wiersma-1@tc.umn.edu

WeedCast forecasts weed emergence
WeedCast is a free, downloadable, Windows-based software application for forecasting weed seedling emergence and growth in crops. Developed by Frank Forcella (USDA-ARS, Morris, MN) and Cheryl Reese (formerly at Morris, now at South Dakota State University), WeedCast can be set to predict weed emergence under various conditions for which there are default options. These are:

1. Soil type: Sand, sandy-loam, loam, silt-loam, silty clay, clay-loam, and clay.
2. Weed species:   Currently 17 weed species, with 3 more to be added next year.
3. Previous year crop: Corn, soybean, and other (e.g. wheat)
4. Previous year tillage: Moldboard plow, chisel plow, and no tillage.
5. Water capacity: Default value for soil moisture content: 0 (dry) to 22 (wet)

The model uses local weather data to predict average weed seedling emergence up to 10 inches.  After cultivation, it can be used to predict subsequent weed flushes, and can be useful for weed control timing until the crop canopy is established. Check it out at:  www.infolink. morris.mn.us/~lwink/products/weedcast. htm

Keep up to date on crop pests online
The University of Minnesota and North Dakota State University publish newsletters during the growing season that provide timely management solutions on emerging pest problems.  Both newsletters are updated weekly. The U of M newsletter may be found online at www. extension.umn.edu/crops.   On that page, click on the link "Crop News Newsletter."  NDSU's Crop and Pest Report newsletter may be found online at:  www.ag.ndsu. nodak.edu/aginfo/entomology/ndsucpr/index.htm.

A compilation of web sites that provide online information for more profitable crop production management may also be found at the following link of the smallgrains.org web site:  www.smallgrains.org/springwh/aprilmay99/online.htm.

New U of M Small Grains Field Guide slated for release
The University of Minnesota Extension Service is getting ready to issue a new Small Grains Field Guide. The guide should arrive in the mailbox of every small grain producer in Minnesota soon, thanks to the checkoff support of the Minnesota Wheat Research and Promotion Council.  Additional copies will be available from your county extension service office.

This completely updated field guide is a comprehensive booklet with all the latest and most pertinent information for the production of wheat, barley and oats. Editor Michael Bennett, who also helped develop two other award winning extension publications, and myself (technical editor) have been working since last summer to collect information and articles from all the state specialists that have small grain responsibilities. 

The 5 ½ x 8" booklet is organized around subject areas and includes management information on the following topics: Agronomics, fertility, weeds, diseases, insects, harvest and storage and marketing. The book will contain full color inserts with pictures of, among other things, the major insect and disease problems in Minnesota.

Soon after the printed publication is available, an on-line version will become available on the U of M Extension Service web site as well as the Minnesota small grains website ( www.smallgrains.org).

Weeds are worthy foes
Many weeds are prolific seed producers that can remain viable in the soil for a long time, notes UM/NDSU extension agronomist Denise McWilliams.

The number of seeds one weed plant can produce: Barnyardgrass-7,000; giant foxtail-10,000; velvetleaf-17,000; common lambsquarter-72,000; redroot pigweed- 117,000; black nightshade-178,000.

The number of years seeds remain viable when buried in the soil for various weeds: quackgrass-6; giant foxtail-20; Canada thistle-21; velvetleaf-40; common lambsquarter- 40; redroot pigweed-40.