Monday, April 1, 2019

Research Update (April 1, 2019)





Research Update (April 1, 2019)

Diligence Technologies Inc., West Tennessee
 
EVENTS FROM THE PAST MONTH:
The “real” part of our season is fast approaching as we reach April.  March provided the first relief in a long time from the constant showers of winter.  Moderating temperatures and sunshine have allowed us to make at least some progress in getting ready for the coming growing season.  Paperwork is still a big part of our daily lives at this point.  Anything we can do to get ourselves a bit more ready will be greatly appreciated in the coming months.
 
CROPPING SEASONS:
Wheat is beginning green-up and resuming growth after the winter.  The periods of nice weather in March allowed us to do some much-needed maintenance (spraying and fertilizing).  Now is the time to let us know if you have any need for foliar fungicide work in wheat this year.  We have some wheat left, but the time for application will be here before you know it.
Burndown trials are starting to go out.  While they often start a bit earlier in the season (March), this season the weeds are getting a little slower start due to the poor early growing conditions.  We are just now seeing the weed growth needed to get most of our trials into the proper application window.  We may still have a few burndown spots available if you need to slide something in at the last moment.
We are about to get corn planting underway for the year.  In general, we usually start planting corn beginning the second week of April if the weather will cooperate.  Let’s hope it does this season.
 
GREENHOUSE ACTIVITIES:
Still plenty going on in the greenhouse as we attempt to finish off the season.  Stop by if you are in the neighborhood this spring.  You will see a variety of crops from old standards like corn and soybean to more unusual selections like mustard greens, radish, and turf.  We can also supply a variety of weeds of you need to tune your identification skills prior to summer.  The greenhouse should be going strong through April and we hope to have it shut down soon after that.
 
WEATHER INFO:
We have finally started to get some warm, sunny days to dry out the fields and help with preparations for the season.  The wheat and winter annual weeds are turning green and beginning to grow.  We are out of the field right now due to rain this past weekend, but we hope to be back in the field soon.  However, if experience is any indicator, there are still a few cold spells left in April that can make things interesting going forward.
 
PEST INFO:
About all we have to offer in the way of pests right now is a good population of winter annuals.  Summer weeds have not really got going yet and insects have not been a huge factor for us this winter.  I would expect to see foliar wheat diseases begin to take off in the near future, so again, please let us know soon if you have any wheat fungicide trials that need a home.
 
We are excited to begin another growing season and look forward to seeing you around the farm.  Let us know what we can do to support your research program this season.
 
Proverbs 22:29
Seest thou a man diligent in his business?  He shall stand before kings…