Precision Agriculture Field Day June 29th

I encourage you to join us at a Precision Agriculture Field Day at 10:30 AM  on June 29th at the Bar D Ranch near Columbia City.  This will be a brief program highlighting many of the technologies used in our local PA project. Technologies displayed include: Veris mapping, grid soil sampling, UAV and satellite imagery, elevation mapping, landscape suitability …

Continue reading ‘Precision Agriculture Field Day June 29th’ »

Jefferson County Farm Tour Part 2 (Video)

The Tri-State Row Crop Climate Learning Network was treated to a tour of several farms in the Monticello area, hosted by UF/IFAS Extension Jefferson County. The tour included a visit to the Brock Family Farm, where Kirk Brock utilizes a rotation of corn, peanuts, and soybeans. Kirk described the land he farms not as dryland, but rather “irrigated by God.” If my memory …

Continue reading ‘Jefferson County Farm Tour Part 2 (Video)’ »

Black Layer and Harvesting Corn

Corn is beginning to be harvested around North Florida this week. Most all of the corn planted in the area has reached “black layer” or physiological maturity. This is where a black layer develops at the tip of the kernels, where they attach to the cob. Some farmers have started harvesting and drying grain, while others are waiting …

Continue reading ‘Black Layer and Harvesting Corn’ »

Estimating Corn Yield

Farmers like to walk their corn fields preharvest and gather estimates of potential yields. This information can be used to estimate hauling, storage, forward sales, cash flow, and many other reasons. We know better than to “count our chickens before they hatch,” but we also have to be prepared for harvesting. The University of Illinois pioneered a …

Continue reading ‘Estimating Corn Yield’ »

The Redbanded Stink Bug

The recent increase in stink bug population is causing concerns for local pea, bean, and soybean producers. Researchers have noticed an increase in secondary insect pests, such as stink bug species, over the last few years as farmers have reduced their use of broad spectrum herbicides. Entomologist throughout the southeast United States believe the Redbanded stink bug could become …

Continue reading ‘The Redbanded Stink Bug’ »

The Most Troublesome Weed: Palmer Amaranth

Palmer amaranth is a weed known all too well by farmers in Columbia County. Its fast growth rate and resistance to herbicides is reason for concern among local producers. The weed can become an aggressive competitor against warm season crops, and a serious nuisance at harvest if not managed properly. The Weed Science Society of …

Continue reading ‘The Most Troublesome Weed: Palmer Amaranth’ »

Corn Planted in Good Conditions

20160407_175924 The local corn crop is mostly planted and conditions have been favorable for plant development. There are a few irrigated fields where cattle need to be moved or last minute cropping decisions made. Non-irrigated land may be planted to corn over the next two weeks, hoping to receive more abundant rainfall during pollination and grain fill in June and July. Below is more information from the UF/IFAS Field Corn Production Guide related to planting date recommendations for North Florida.

Planting Date

Corn growth and development are primarily dependent on temperature rather than day length. Successful germination requires a morning soil temperature of 55°F at a 2-inch depth for three consecutive days. This can range from early February in light sandy soils to mid-March on cold, wet, heavy soils. Frost may still occur after these planting dates, but corn normally withstands frost damage to above ground tissue, since the growing point is still below the soil surface until corn reaches about 12 inches tall.

In Florida, planting dates for corn begin in late February and proceed to late April.

Advantages to early planting include the following:

  • More stored soil moisture
  • Higher yield potential
  • Lower temperatures during pollination
  • Longer day lengths at pollination
  • Early harvest before cotton and peanuts
  • Less insect and disease pressure

 

Columbia County Corn Hybrid Trial (Video)

We were able to get in to harvest the Columbia County Corn Hybrid Trial in between rain showers last week. I’m really thankful for the effort of the team from 83 Farms, as well as all the help from our seed industry, including Monsanto, Pioneer, and Croplan Genetics. This was a late planted field of …

Continue reading ‘Columbia County Corn Hybrid Trial (Video)’ »