Crop Sciences

AGRI-NEWS - Issue 23 - 02, February, 2002

• Coming Events
• January Summary
• Weather
• Crop Report
• ORR Center Events
• Research Requirements

Coming Events

• Feb.27 - IL. Wind Energy Town Meeting, 1 PM, Barry, IL
• Mar. 14 - ORR Corp. Meeting, 10:00 AM, Camp Point
• Mar. 21-22 - Careers Day for Area 8th Grade Students, ORR Center
• Mar. 26-27 - North Central ASA Meetings, Ames, IA.

Weather: January is always a long month for various reasons, and this past month was no exception. However, it was probably enjoyed more this year than in any January in the past ten years. Our daytime average high temperature ranked 3rd behind 1989 and 1990, and the nighttime average low ranked as the 2nd warmest behind 1989. We recorded 4 days with 60 degrees or better, and 9 days of 50 degrees or better. The relative absence of snow cover has caused concern from a moisture standpoint; however, the 2.32 inches of rain on the 31st has put most of those concerns to rest for the time being. Our soil moisture tubes have a small amount of water in them at all depths. It was June 21, 2001 when we last saw water in these tubes. The recent soil moisture readings from the State Water Survey indicate moisture deficits to over 6 feet deep. Only 9 days during the month recorded rain or snowfall. As we look at the Normals for the month, only Bare Soil Minimum and Snowfall were less than Normal.

Crop Report: With virtually no snow cover, the winter wheat has been exposed to the cold temperatures, and fortunately, we have only 9 days with the lows less than 20 degrees. The small amounts of rainfall and snow melt has kept the soil surface basically moist. Some farmers in the area have been applying ammonia during warm days in the latter half of the month. Both the wheat and the alfalfa show traces of wildlife grazing. Since the winter has been relatively mild, the grazing has not been as intense as it has been in past years.

ORR Center Events: Keep in mind the ORR Corporation Annual Meeting, slated for March 14, commencing at 10 A.M. at Marcella's Restaurant in Camp Point, IL. We will be electing new officers, and discussing potential research projects, as well as making a list of potential Field Day topics. Your input is needed in this important meeting. The role of a Corporation Director, whether it be in the livestock area or the agronomic area, is important in the direction that research and demonstrations take at the Center. We need to know what you as a producer feel is vital to your operation, and if we can assist you in making better decisions about certain facets of your operation, then you must tell us what we need to consider as research projects.

Mark your calendars for the IL. Wind Energy meeting to be held in Barry on the 27^th of Feb. Several landowners in the western part of IL may have suitable areas for this project. Harnessing the wind for generating electricity is not a new concept, just the equipment to generate the power has been updated. Some interesting points are apt to be made concerning this topic.

Research Requirements: With a new season upon us, we are in the final stages of land allocation, and equipment needed to perform the research trials this spring. A "skip-row" planter is needed to do a "narrow row corn" trial this year as well as plant 15" soybeans in another study. If anyone knows of either a 6 row narrow, with 5 splitters or an 8 row narrow, with 7 splitters, we would be interested in trying to rent or borrow the unit to plant about 3 acres of plots. I realize that everyone else is trying to plant their own crops at the time we would need this unit, however, we can work out some sort of an arrangement.

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