Crop Sciences

AGRI-NEWS - Issue 23 - 11, November, 2002

• Coming Events
• September Summary
• Weather
• Crop Report
• Research Data
• Center Happenings

Coming Events

• Nov. 5 - Election Day (Vote!)
• Nov. 10-14 - American Society of Agronomy Meetings, Indianapolis, IN
• Nov. 11 - Veteran's Day
• Nov. 28 - Thanksgiving Day (Office Closed)
• Nov. 29 - Holiday, Office Closed

Weather: As harvest commences to wind down, we are seeing an increase in soil moistures with 9 days in row of nearly steady drizzle, coupled with 15 days of total precipitation for the month. We are already over 2 inches more that our usual yearly total for precipitation. It is difficult to comprehend that we saw a 72-degree swing in temperatures in only 18 days this past month. Rainfall, Soil Sod Minimum temps, and Soil Bare Maximum temps were the only parameters that were greater than Normal for the month. We finished the month with 6 days of no growing degree-days. Fall has finally arrived.

Crop Report: The showers during the last week of October helped reduce the soil moisture deficit to some degree. There are still areas of the region that still have crops standing in the fields. Those that have attempted fall tillage are finding it pulling very hard. Soil samples taken during the last week of the month were very hard to collect, especially from the 1 foot to 2-foot zone. This soil was nearly powder dry. We completed harvest here at the Center on October 16, and managed to get all the corn stalks shredded. Deep soil samples from our N-Rate study required both Mike and I to extract the soil probe from several of the core holes. Plans are to have the tillage completed by Nov 15.

Research Data: With all the rain in May, we decided to attempt a cultivation study on some corn that was planted in the latter part of April, to see if we could enhance growth and ultimately yield with either one or two cultivations. The plot area was situated upon a relatively good soil type with a few somewhat poorly drained areas. Yields from this study area ranged from 197 to 229 bu/A.

The Fill areas were areas within the field that no treatment was assigned, and they usually bordered on a "wetter area". The treatment assignments fell in an order that gave the "No Cultivation" plots as good of an area as any of the other treatments. From this single year of data and taking into account the amount of rain in May (9.15 inches), we did get a small advantage to the single cultivation over No Cultivation. The difference between the single cultivation and the Fill Areas makes it worthwhile to at least cultivate once. Those areas that are bordering on poorly drained benefited from the soil being opened and aired. I am suspecting that a fair amount of root pruning was occurring during the Second Cultivation, thus the lower yields. The study was designed to look at three cultivations; however, the corn grew too fast thus preventing the third trip over the plots.

Center Happenings: The office will be closed for Thanksgiving Day observance on 11/28, and also on 11/29. On 11/30, I will formally retire from the position of Area Agronomist and Superintendent of the ORR Research and Education Center. It has been a privilege to serve western IL farmers and agribusiness during this short period of time. I have been writing this newsletter for almost 24 years now, and have met many wonderful people through its circulation. I have attempted to keep the format "airy" and still present the information from the Center in a manner that has been useful to you. I trust that you will continue to look to the ORR Center for "unbiased" agronomic information. Mike Vose has been working with me for over 17 years and is quite knowledgeable in most areas of the research. He can find and/or contact the researchers that can answer your questions. As was mentioned in August at my retirement party, my replacement may not be identified for at least a year. Best wishes to you all, and thanks for all your support over the years.

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