45 Story Idea? Email Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Farming | September 2024 you can use a pinch test where you pinch or squeeze the internodes of the lower stalk between your thumb and first finger. If the plants do not snap back to vertical when released or the stalk is crushed when pinched, the stalk may have been compromised by a stalk rot disease. If more than 10 per cent of plants exhibit stalk rot symptoms, it is recommended to harvest affected fields first to reduce the chance of plants lodging prior to harvest. When an infected stalk is split horizontally it will appear discoloured and hollow as the pith rots away, leaving the vascular bundles strands loose.” In addition to stalk rot is the possibility of cobs infected with Gibberella ear rot, which is a mold that can produce DON. Usually, an application of the right fungicide can reduce the severity of DON. Knowing ahead of time the extent of ear rot and potential for DON can help with a harvest and delivery plan. Elevators and end users will be testing for DON on corn deliveries. A certain amount of DON can be tolerated early in the harvest. Some end users may reject any amount of DON at the beginning of harvest. Ask yourself whether you need to store it or delay harvest until the market can adjust to the DON level, or find markets where you can use highDON corn. Keeping records of which hybrids are most impacted will be helpful in future hybrid selections. During the post-harvest period, a plan for soil sampling and fall fertility or manure applications is a good 4R nutrient management strategy. Which fields are in the greatest need for nutrients? Which nutrients? And at what rate? What application strategy can be used to minimize any nutrient loss past the field edge? Incorporating or injecting nutrients by placing them below the soil surface through various methods will mitigate nutrient stratification and potential for near-surface losses with winter precipitation. Tillage practices that leave 50 per cent surface residue is a good approach to minimize not only nutrient losses but soil losses by erosion. A conversation with your trusted crop advisor, end user, and retailer can go a long way in planning for a smooth fall harvest. BF GUARDIANNETWORK.CA REGISTER FOR A GUARDIAN NETWORK SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING TODAY Gibberella ear rot is a mold that can produce DON. Dale Cowan photo crops: yield matter$ DALE COWAN Dale is agronomy strategy manager and senior agronomist for AGRIS Co-operative. He has been a regular contributor to Better Farming since its launch in 1999. CCA-ON, 4R NMS.
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