Christmas Cactus FAQs

Rosie Lerner, Purdue Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist

Christmas cacti are not only popular holiday gift plants, but they are also the subject of frequent debate among gardeners. There appears to be much confusion about these unique tropical cacti regarding care, maintenance and, especially, on how to get them to re-bloom. The following tips address the most frequently asked questions.

We typically think of cacti as being heat tolerant, but Christmas cacti will keep their blossoms longer in cooler temperatures. Keep the plant in a well-lit location away from drafts from heat vents, fireplaces or other sources of hot air. Drafts and temperature extremes can cause the flower buds to drop from the plant before they have a chance to open.

Christmas cactus is a tropical type plant, not quite as drought tolerant as its desert relatives and, in fact, may drop flower buds if the soil gets too dry. The plants will wilt when under drought stress. Water thoroughly when the top inch or so of soil feels dry to the touch. The length of time between waterings will vary with the air temperature, amount of light, rate of growth and relative humidity.

The plant does not particularly need to be fertilized while in bloom, but most gardeners enjoy the challenge of keeping the plant after the holidays for re-bloom the next year. While plants are actively growing, use a blooming houseplant-type fertilizer and follow the label directions for how much and how often to feed.

While the Christmas cactus can adapt to low light, more abundant blooms are produced on plants that have been exposed to more light intensity. Keep your plants in a sunny location indoors. Plants can be moved outdoors in summer, but keep them in a shady or semi-shady location. Leaves may start to turn a bit red if exposed to excessive light. Too much direct sunlight can actually burn the leaves or may cause them to become limp. When it's time to bring the plants back inside in the fall, slowly adjust the plants to life indoors by gradually increasing the number of hours they spend indoors each day.

If your plant tends to dry out and/or wilt frequently, it may be time to repot the plant into a slightly larger container. Well-drained soil is a must for Christmas cactus. Use a commercially packaged potting mix for succulent plants or mix your own by combining two parts plain potting soil with one part clean sand or vermiculite.

Pruning your Christmas cactus after blooming will encourage the plant to branch out. Remove a few sections of each stem by pinching them off with your fingers or cutting with a sharp knife. These sections can be rooted in moist vermiculite to propagate new plants.

Christmas cactus will bloom if given long uninterrupted dark periods, about 12 hours each night. Begin the dark treatments in about mid-October to have plants in full bloom by the holidays. You can place the plants in a dark closet from about 8 P.M. - 8 A.M. each night for 6-8 weeks or until you see buds forming. Christmas cacti will also bloom if they are subjected to cool temperatures of about 50 to 55 degrees F, eliminating the need for the dark treatments. Plants should be blooming for the holidays if cool treatments are started by early November.

Other species of holiday cactus bloom at different times of the year and have slightly different growth habits. Christmas cacti have scalloped stem segments and bloom at the stem tips. Thanksgiving cacti have 2-4 pointy teeth along the edges of the sections and will bloom earlier than Christmas cactus if left to natural day-length. Easter cacti have rounded teeth along the segments and bloom primarily in the spring but may also periodically re-bloom at other times of year.

Weekly Outlook - Difficult to Anticipate Dec. 1 Corn Stocks Estimate

The USDA’s estimate of December 1, 2012 inventories of corn, to be released on January 11, 2013, will be one of the more important factors influencing the price of old crop corn in the first quarter of the new year. The estimate of soybean stocks may be somewhat less important because more is known about the level of consumption during the first quarter of the 2012-13 marketing year.

For soybeans, consumption during the first quarter of the marketing year is generally known because periodic export and crush estimates are available. Based on Census Bureau estimates for September and October and USDA inspection estimates through November, exports were near 613 million bushels. That would be slightly less than the record large exports of two years ago. Based on estimates from the National Oilseed Processors Association, the domestic crush during the first quarter was near 448 million bushels, the largest in five years.  <Read More>

Choosing Corn Hybrids for 2013

Hybrid selection is one of the most important management decisions a corn grower makes each year. It’s a decision that warrants a careful comparison of performance data. It should not be made in haste or based on limited data. Planting a marginal hybrid, or one not suitable for a particular production environment, imposes a ceiling on the yield potential of a field before it has been planted. In the Ohio Corn Performance Test (OCPT) (http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/corntrials/) it is not unusual for hybrid entries of similar maturity to differ in yield by 80 bu/A, or more, depending on test site.

Growers should choose hybrids best suited to their farm operation. Corn acreage, previous crop, soil type, tillage practices, desired harvest moisture, and pest problems determine the relative importance of such traits as drydown, insect and disease resistance, herbicide resistance, early plant vigor, etc. End uses of corn should also be considered - is corn to be used for grain or silage? Is it to be sold directly to the elevator as shelled grain or used on the farm? Are there premiums available at nearby elevators, or from end users, for identity-preserved (IP) specialty corns such as food grade or non-GMO corn? Capacity to harvest, dry and store grain also needs consideration. The following are some tips to consider in choosing hybrids that are best suited to various production systems.  <Read More>

Weekly Outlook - Will Corn and Soybean Prices Return to Pre-drought Levels?

March 2013 corn futures dropped below $5.50 in early May 2012 and were drifting lower when U.S. drought conditions turned prices higher starting in mid-June. The price of that contract peaked in early August, just short of the $8.50 mark. March 2013 soybean futures dropped below $11.50 in December 2011before South American drought conditions and then U.S. drought conditions sent that contract above $17.25 by mid-September 2012.

Corn prices have declined by more than $1.00 since the late summer peak, while soybean prices have declined by more than $3.00. The general expectation has been that prices of both commodities would return to pre-drought levels as early as 2013 as consumption adjusted to the lower supplies and as production rebounded in both South America and the U.S. The futures market currently reflects expectations that corn prices will moderate substantially from current levels by the fall of 2013 as larger crops are harvested in Argentina and then in the U.S. December 2013 futures, for example, are priced $.95 below December 2012 futures. The soybean market expects prices to moderate from current levels by the summer of 2013 as a large South American crop is harvested. August 2013 futures prices are nearly $.60 lower than March 2013 prices. Further price reductions are expected into the fall of 2013 as a larger U.S. crop is harvested. November 2013 futures are about $0.85 below the price of August 2013 futures. Still, the prices of both commodities for delivery in the 2013-14 marketing year are well above the levels prior to the drought of 2012. <Read More>

Horticulture Congress to Educate, Connect Growers

Farmers, growers and owners of agritourism businesses can gain new information in their fields and connect with other professionals at the Indiana Horticulture Congress and Trade Show in Indianapolis.

The congress, which typically draws more than 800 visitors yearly, will be held Jan. 22-24 at the Wyndham Indianapolis West, 2544 Executive Drive. The conference will feature speakers from around the state on a variety of topics in areas such as agritourism, fresh fruits and vegetables, wine grapes, organics, farmers markets and raw products. There will be luncheons, receptions, banquets, roundtables and lectures.

"Our educational sessions are designed to meet the needs of growers, with information on production practices, pest and disease control, processing, marketing, agritourism, food safety and legislative and regulatory concerns," said Peter Hirst, associate professor of horticulture at Purdue University. "The congress is also a wonderful opportunity to reacquaint with old friends and business contacts, as well as form new connections."

Coinciding with the congress is the trade show with more than 70 exhibitors from equipment, seed, processed food and irrigation companies. During the conference, attendees can participate in a cider contest by submitting two 1-gallon jugs of cider to the registration desk by noon that Wednesday, and can also bid in a silent auction to benefit the tree fruit and vegetable extension and research funds.

Certified private pesticide applicators may attend a recertification session on Wednesday or Thursday. There is a $10 fee to attend the session, and participants must know their private applicator license numbers. Additionally, licensed commercial applicators in category 1 may attend sessions for their continuing certification hours.

Early registration is due by Jan. 14 and must be accompanied by full payment in order to be processed. Fees do not include meals and will vary based on participants' membership in certain horticultural associations. Participants should visit www.inhortcongress.org to register. There will be a late fee of $20 added to the registration price for submissions after Jan. 14. Students and educators are eligible to receive free registration.

For more information, contact Tammy Goodale at 765-494-1296 or tgoodale@purdue.edu.

2012 Purdue Custom Farming Rate Survey Now Available

As you may recall, a year ago I posted information on the new process of developing the Purdue custom farming rate publication, EC-130 - Indiana Farm Custom Rates.  A new custom rate survey had been developed and was being distributed to farmers throughout the state via Extension-sponsored events.  The intent was to improve the quantity and quality of the data and improve the publication, with the hope of updating it each year.  Well, the effort was successful - 272 responses were received from 36 Indiana counties - and the new custom rate survey was released in early-2012. 

The data collection has begun for the 2013 publication and the new survey is available.  If you do custom work or hire custom work done on your farm and would be willing share the rates you charge and/or pay, please consider filling out the survey.  All data collected is voluntary and anonymous.  See the link below for the survey:

2012 Purdue Custom Farming Rate Survey 


            

Continued Support for Corn Prices

Corn prices peaked in August, moved sharply lower in September, and have been in a sideways pattern over the past two months. Within that sideways pattern, prices have moved higher over the past two weeks, with March 2013 futures trading within $0.10 of the post-September high. The recent rally has been fueled by some supply concerns and more optimism about near-term demand.

There are two concerns about potential supply of corn in 2013. First, the on-going wet weather in Argentina may reduce the magnitude of planted area of corn relative to intentions. Fewer acres would threaten the projected rebound in production. The USDA has forecast the 2013 harvest at a record 1.1 billion bushels, a third larger than the drought-reduced harvest of earlier this year. The USDA will update the forecast in the monthly World Agricultural Production report to be released on December 11, but a large change in that forecast is not expected this early in the season. During last year’s drought, the forecast of production was not reduced in December, but was reduced sharply in January and again in February. The potential implications of wet weather on acreage and yield are even more difficult to discern than the implications of drought conditions.  <Read More>

Focus on Soybean Oil

The sharp increase in soybean prices that began in June 2012 and peaked in early September 2012 was carried more by soybean meal prices than by soybean oil prices. From the June low to the September peak, January 2013 soybean futures increased by 43 percent, January soybean meal futures increased by 51 percent, and January soybean oil futures gained 20 percent. Soybean oil futures are now back to the level of early June, while soybean futures are 13 percent above the early June level and soybean meal futures are 21 percent higher.

For the 2012-13 marketing year, the USDA expects soybean oil prices to remain weak relative to soybean meal prices. The price of crude oil at Decatur, Illinois is expected to average 2.26 times the price (per pound) of 48 percent protein meal at Decatur. The ratio of average prices was 3.08 during the 2010-11 marketing year and 2.64 last year. In nominal terms, the average price of soybean oil is projected in a range of $0.51 to $0.55 per pound, compared to an average of $0.519 last year and $0.532 during the 2010-11 marketing year. On the other hand, the average prices of soybeans and soybean meal are projected to be substantially above the averages of the previous two years.  <Read More>

Upcoming Event - Feeding Sheep and Goats Webinar Series

Purdue Extension will present a webinar sereis to educate goat and sheep farmers on feeding practices following the drought, managing forage shortages and the production of commercial versus show goats.

The webinars will run 6:00-8:00 PM (CST) on Nov. 28 and Dec. 5 at various Extension county offices in Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky.

Goats and sheep are small ruminants, so they rely on forage-heavy diets. Indiana's extreme heat and drought this spring and summer greatly reduced forage supplies. Those challenges, combined with a growing interest in sheep and goat production, are the impetus behind the webinars.

"We'll be talking about what this year's drought did to pastures and the lack of feed for farmers," said Mark Kepler, Purdue Extension educator in Fulton County and webinar organizer. "More and more farmers are starting to raise goats and sheep because they require less space and maintenance than larger farm animals. We're gearing this program toward those who are novice or beginners, but the information is really important to all sheep and goat producers."

The Nov. 28 session will cover dealing with forage shortages and feeding sheep and goats following drought.  

The Dec. 5 session will cover pasture management for 2013 and differences between raising show goats and commercial goats. 

Current Purdue Extension county offices signed up to host the webinars are Brown, Dubois, Elkhart, Fulton, Hancock, Harrison, Hendricks, Huntington, Jasper, Jefferson, Kosciusko, LaPorte, Montgomery, Morgan, Owen, Spencer, Switzerland, Vermillion and Warrick.

The Spencer County location will be held at the Spencer County 4-H Fairgrounds in Chrisney, IN. The series is free-of-charge but pre-registration is requested by November 26. To register, contact Purdue Extension-Spencer County at (812) 649-6022 or nheld@purdue.edu. 

More information about the webinar series is available on the Purdue Extension-Spencer County website at www.extension.purdue.edu/spencer.

Upcoming Event - Ohio Valley Precision Ag Conference

Purdue Extension and University of Kentucky Extension will jointly host a Nov. 29 conference to teach farmers more about how precision agriculture systems could improve their bottom lines.

The Ohio Valley Precision Ag Conference will run from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (CST) at the Vanderburgh County 4-H Fairgrounds, 201 E. Boonville-New Harmony Road, Evansville. It will cover data management, implement systems technologies, and systems calibration and setup. It also will feature local precision agriculture companies and projects.

 

"The variety of technologies that farmers and industry representatives have to evaluate for on-farm use is staggering," said Kenneth Eck, Purdue Extension educator in Dubois County. "This conference will give folks a better understanding of what systems are available, how emerging technologies might mesh with producers' current systems, and how both farmers and agribusinesses can manage farm data for improved economic and environmental results."

 

The conference will start with a presentation titled "Data Utilization and Management with Precision Tools" by Betsy Bower and Troy Walker of Ceres Solutions.

 

Morning breakout sessions are:

• "RTK Accuracy" by Tim Stombaugh, associate professor of biosystems and agricultural engineering at the University of Kentucky.
• "Calibration Basics - John Deere" by Ben Carlisle, Wright-Stemle John Deere.
• "Variable Rate Seeding - Can You Do It and Do You Need To?" by Bob Nielsen, Purdue     Extension agronomist.

Afternoon breakout sessions are:

• A repeat of Stombaugh's "RTK Accuracy."
• "Calibration Basics – Trimble/Case IH" by Kevin Roy and Kristina Nadin, Hopf Equipment Case IH.
• "Economics of Investing or Upgrading: Old vs. New" by Greg Halich, associate Extension professor of agricultural economics at the University of Kentucky.

The conference also will feature a farmer panel discussion titled "What Do We Do With the Data and How is It Managed?" The keynote presentation will be "Precision Planting" by Gregg Sauder of Precision Planting Inc.

 

"This is the first time we've pulled together a program with so much of our expertise in one place," Eck said.

 

Conference registration is free, but reservations are required by Nov. 19. Participants can register online at http://tinyurl.com/pukyregister or by contacting any of the sponsoring Purdue Extension or University of Kentucky Extension county offices. Those counties in Indiana are Daviess, Dubois, Knox, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh and Warrick. In Kentucky they are Daviess, Henderson, McLean, Ohio, Union and Webster.

 

A flyer for the program is available here.

Weekly Outlook - Corn and Soybean Prices Following Short-crop Pattern

The USDA’s November forecasts of the size of the 2012 U.S. corn and soybean crops were larger than expected, particularly for soybeans. As a result, the general downtrend in soybean prices since mid-September has accelerated, with January futures now at the lowest level since June 29. Corn prices have moved into the lower half of the trading range that has been in place since mid-September and December futures are at the lowest level since September 28. So far, prices seem to be following the classic pattern associated with small crops –peaking early in the marketing year and then declining as the year progresses.

The futures market reflects expectations that prices will continue to decline, especially into the 2013-14 marketing year. The expected rebound in South American soybean production, Argentine corn production, and U.S. corn and soybean production in 2013 all contribute to the expectation of lower prices. If those crops are as large as generally expected, prices will be even lower than currently reflected in the futures market. The USDA is forecasting record South American production of both crops. If planted acreage of corn in the U.S. in 2013 is at the same level as in 2012 and the U.S. average yield is near a trend value of 162.5 bushels, the crop would total 14.6 billion bushels, about 1.5 billion larger than the record crop and record consumption of the 2009-10 marketing year. <Read More> 

Consider Legalities when Terminating, Renegotiating Farmland Leases

Jennifer Stewart, Purdue Agricultural Communications

 

As the end of grain harvest draws near, many landlords and tenants will be renegotiating or terminating farmland lease agreements - a process full of legal requirements, a Purdue Extension agricultural economist warns.

 

First and foremost, lease agreements and terminations should be in writing. While oral farmland lease agreements are as legal as written leases in Indiana, Gerry Harrison said some details of the oral agreement might be disputed.

 

"Oral leases should be avoided," he said. "There are many problems with oral leases, including what is or was the actual agreement."

 

Earlier this year, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled that a lease termination is required to be in writing, which protects both landlord and tenant.

 

"It could be very risky to rely on an oral notice to terminate a lease," Harrison said. "Further, if a new leasing arrangement is needed with the existing tenant and a lease agreement does not come, the tenant, without a proper notice to quit, likely has the land for the coming year at the same rent or arrangement as the current year."

 

Indiana law also requires that a notice to quit, or terminate, a lease needs to be delivered by a landlord or tenant in a timely manner. For a lease of at least a year, law requires notice to be delivered three months before the end of the lease year.

 

If a lease doesn't specify the lease-year end, Harrison said it's customary in Indiana to consider the end of February of the coming crop year as the lease-year end.

 

"Farming is a continuous process. If there is to be a new tenant, the current tenant needs to plan for the transition, and the new tenant would likely want to start preparations for the coming crop year during the late summer or the fall of a current crop year," he said.

 

For landlords and tenants who are renegotiating lease agreements, Harrison said it's important for both parties to have an understanding of the farmland's rental value.

 

"Landlords must recognize the difference in the rental value of varying farmland parcels as to size in acres and quality of the land," he said. "While crop farming has been quite profitable in recent years, an oddly shaped 30 acres is not likely to be as desirable to a tenant as a very fertile 300-acre parcel."

Some lease renegotiations might require professional help to draft an appropriate rental agreement.

Harrison prepared an in-depth look at farmland lease renegotiations and terminations titled "Indiana Farmland Leases - Key Considerations and Laws." It's available by emailing him at harrisog@purdue.edu.

 

More information about farmland leases also is available in Harrison's free Purdue ExtensionPublication, "Legal Aspects of Indiana Farmland Leases and Federal Tax Considerations," which is available for download at http://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/EC/EC-713.pdf

Weekly Outlook - Monitoring Corn Consumption

The price of corn, like the price of other commodities, is influenced by a wide array of factors that reflect a combination of current and expected supply and consumption. The market continually judges whether the price of corn is adequate to ration the available supply. While expectations about demand over the course of the marketing year influence that judgment, the on-going pace of consumption reveals the adjustments that are being made to accommodate the available supply. A pace of consumption that cannot be supported implies the need for higher prices, while a slower pace than required implies the need for lower prices.

In the current marketing year, the small U.S. crop requires a substantial reduction from the level of consumption in the 2011-12 marketing year. Based on the current forecast of the crop size, imports of 75 million bushels, and the assumption that year-ending stocks cannot be reduced below about five percent of consumption, corn consumption during the current marketing year will be limited to about 11.2 billion bushels. That is 1.326 billion bushels (10.6) percent less than consumed in the previous marketing year. The USDA has forecast a decline in consumption of 1.376 billion bushels and year-ending stocks slightly above five percent of consumption. By category, the USDA has forecast that exports will decline by 393 million bushels (25.5 percent), corn for ethanol and by-products will decline by 500 million bushels (10 percent), other processing uses will decline by 71 million bushels (5 percent), and feed and residual use will decline by 412 million bushels (9 percent).  <Read More>

Weekly Outlook - Cattle Prices Will Continue to Rise

The impacts of the 2012 drought continue to play out in a beef industry discouraged by high feed prices and large cattle feeding losses. In the latest Cattle On Feed report, the USDA confirmed that placements into feed lots dropped sharply in September following substantial declines in July and August. As a result, on-feed numbers are now down nearly three percent as the beef industry is doing its part to reduce corn and other feed usage.

Drought has been particularly cruel to the beef cattle industry. A multiple year drought in the Southern Plains has been followed by a devastating Midwestern drought in 2012 that is now forecast to continue into 2013. Brood cows remain the last major livestock industry that is land extensive. So, when dryness causes wide stretches of land to be unable to support cow grazing, producers have to buy feed or send the cows to town.  <Read More>

Upcoming Event - Indiana Certified Livestock Producer Program Instructional Session

Indianapolis - The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) is hosting producer workshops as part of the Certified Livestock Producer Program (CLPP), a voluntary program that recognizes farmers for their commitment to innovative and top industry standards. The workshop will be held on Nov. 7 and Nov. 8 at the Southern Indiana Purdue Agricultural Center in Dubois.

Each workshop is free of charge and will include industry experts in the five areas of focus for the CLPP program: commitment to the environment, food safety & animal well-being, emergency planning, biosecurity and being a good neighbor in their community. 

"The Certified Livestock Producer Program gives an opportunity for livestock producers to publicly demonstrate their commitment to their farm, their family and the future," said CLPP Program Manager John Nagle. "The instructional sessions are the first step toward completing the program, and offer valuable insight from experts in the livestock industry that will benefit each producer’s operation and community."

Who:
Livestock producers of all sizes and species

What:
Free CLPP Instructional Sessions

When & Where:
November 7th & 8th

Southern Indiana Purdue Agricultural Center
11371 East Purdue Farm Rd, Dubois, IN 

5:00 pm to 8:30 pm EST both evenings

Cost:
No cost for producers to attend, and dinner will be provided

To register please visit the CLPP page on the ISDA website, http://www.in.gov/isda/2395.htm.

Contact John Nagle at jnagle@isda.in.gov or (317) 232-8770 for questions or more information.

Help the Hellbender!

Ever heard of a hellbender?  Most people haven't.  But this very ancient, very large, very interesting Indiana amphibian is facing an increasingly declining popluation.  Check out the video to learn more about this endangered creature and what is being done to save it.   

Weekly Outlook - Beyond the October Production Forcasts for Corn and Soybeans

At 10.706 billion bushels, the USDA’s October forecast of the U.S. corn crop was about 100 million bushels larger than the average trade guess and about equal to the September forecast. The October soybean forecast, at 2.86 billion bushels was about 90 million bushels larger than the average trade guess and 126 million larger than the September forecast. Prices of both commodities increased immediately after the forecasts were released.

The positive response to what appeared to be neutral to negative production forecasts suggest that the market had priced in the risk of even larger production forecasts. In addition the USDA forecast year ending stocks of both commodities to be near pipeline levels, and smaller than expected in the case of corn. In the case of soybeans, the projection of marketing year consumption was increased by 150 million bushels. Some interpreted the increase as a reflection of stronger demand than had been previously forecast.  <Read More>

In the Grow - Q & A

Q. My mimosa tree has split down the middle of the trunk. Is there any way to save it? Or should I just take it down?

A. Split trunks are a common problem with multi-trunked species such as mimosa. Split trunk is a significant factor for a "risk tree," if it is sited where damage to humans, pets or property could occur when, or if, the tree falls. Cabling and bracing can be completed by a certified arborist to help provide structural support, but the split will still be a weak point in the tree, susceptible to disease, insect pests, decay and further splitting.  <Read More>

Weekly Outook - Corn and Soybean Prices Searching for Support

December 2012 corn futures declined by $1.44 (17 percent) from the high on August 10 to the recent low on September 28. That contract has managed a recovery of about $0.40 so far this month. November 2012 soybean futures declined by $2.85 (16 percent) from the high on September 4 to the low on October 3 and have rebounded about $0.45 since then.

Prices over the past two months for corn and the past month for soybeans appear to be in the classic “short crop, long tail” pattern where prices peak early in a year of sharply lower production and then decline in the post-harvest period as the smaller supplies get rationed and production rebounds in the following year. A change in the trend of lower prices will require an additional supply shock or evidence that supplies have not been sufficiently rationed.  <Read More>

Video - Recovery of Your Lawn After a Stressful Summer

Many homeowners with drought-damaged lawns have decisions to make about how to repair them after a stressful summer. Purdue turf grass Extension specialist Aaron Patton gives advice and information on reseeding and fertilizing to help your lawn recover.

For addtional drought management and recovery information, be sure keep checking the Purdue Drought Information website.

Fall Frost Increases Potential for Prussic Acid Toxicity in Livestock

Fall frost is an annual concern for livestock producers because of the potential for prussic acid poisoning, but the potential for toxicity in livestock is of wider concern this year because of drought, an Ohio State University Extension forage specialist says.

The drought of 2012 has been one of the worst on record, leaving many livestock producers short on hay and silage supplies. The lack of substantial rainfall, extreme heat and dryness left many producers looking for any alternative forages they could plant to make up for the shortages, Mark Sulc said.  <Read More> 

Plant Pathologist: Wheat Planted in Corn Stubble at Risk for Head Scab

More corn acres brought on by high corn prices in recent years could tempt winter wheat growers to plant the crop into corn stubble, but a Purdue Extension pathologist says the practice puts wheat at risk for head scab development.

Head scab, or Fusariam head blight, is caused by the fungus Gibberella zeae, also known as Fusarium graminearum, which is harbored in corn residue. In corn, the fungus causes ear and stalk rots, and in wheat can lead to yield loss and reduced grain quality. The disease also produces a mycotoxin called deoxynivalenol, also called DON or vomitoxin, which is toxic to humans and livestock.  <Read More>

Weekly Outlook - Large Losses Still Loom for Pork Industry

Pork producers are expected to continue to suffer very large losses in the next six months after already operating in the red for the last six months. These large losses have been brought on by the extreme feed prices due to the drought. There is little producers can do to change the overall situation for the industry since the pigs that will represent these large losses are already on-feed. The pigs that are here today represent producers’ plans earlier this year when they were hopeful for $5 corn prices.  <Read More>

Premature Corn Kernel Sprouting (aka. Vivipary)

Vivipary, the premature germination or sprouting of corn kernels on the cob prior to harvest, is not a common problem in Indiana but sometimes can be serious enough to warrant attention from growers. Technically, the fact that corn kernels have the ability to germinate and develop into seedlings is not odd. Yet, when such sprouting occurs while immature or mature kernels are still attached to the cob, we consider it odd and assign a fancy name to it to reinforce the fact that we consider it odd. On the rare occasion when viviparous germination occurs throughout a field to a large enough degree, overall grain quality can deteriorate enough to cause problems with drying and storage of grain. Another consequence is the potential increase in the percentage of "broken corn and foreign material" in affected grain delivered to the elevator that may result in significant grain price discounts to the grower.  <Read More>

New Aspergillus Ear Rot Brochure

Aspergillus Ear Rot (Purdue University/Woloshuk)

Just over two weeks ago, I posted an article on Aspergillus Ear Rot in corn.  While this has not been a wide-spread problem in the area, conditions were ideal this summer for its development and there have been a few isolated reports of aspergillus presence in fields and resulting aflatoxin contamination in harvested grain.  A new quick-guide brochure has been developed by Purdue Extension and the Indiana Corn Marketing Council to provide producers with some tips on identification and management of aspergillus ear rot and aflatoxin.  The brochure is available here.   

Weekly Outlook - Early Corn Harvest and September 1 Stocks

A larger percentage of the U.S. corn grain acreage was harvested in August this year than is typically the case. The availability of large new crop corn supplies during the last month of the previous marketing year makes it more difficult to anticipate the magnitude of old crop stocks on September 1.

According to the USDA’s weekly Crop Progress report, 6 percent of the corn acreage in the 18 major producing states was harvested as of August 26 and 10 percent was harvested as of September 2, implying about 9 percent of the acreage was harvested by the end of August. Harvest progress by the end of August last year, and the average for the previous 5 years, was about 2.5 percent. If the average yield of the harvested acreage this year was near the average of 122.8 bushels forecast for the U.S, then about 965 million bushels were likely harvested in August, compared to about 310 million bushels likely harvested in August last year. <Read More>

In the Grow - Q & A

Q. We have had the pictured vine above our sink since 1977. It has never bloomed in all that time - until this spring. It bloomed for the very first time. We don't know the name of the vine and would like to know. Our daughter told us it is a common vine. What can you tell us?

A. Wax plant, known botanically as Hoya carnosa, is a popular, easy-to-grow houseplant. This vigorous, twining vine may take years before it is mature enough to bloom, but once it does, it often continues blooming for months. Wax plant performs best in bright light with a well-drained soil mix that is allowed to dry a bit between waterings. This species seems to prefer being a bit pot-bound, so don't be in too much of a hurry to repot, even if it seems overgrown for its container.

Q. I have a question about cedar and bark and any wood chips for mulch. Will these chips attract termites?

A. Mulch of any kind can create a stable, moist habitat favorable to termites, so if termites are already in the area, or happen to wander into the area, you might see them in or under the mulch while they forage.  <Read More>

Drought and Tax Tips

George Patrick, Purdue Extension Agricultural Economics Specialist

CROP INSURANCE INDEMNITIES: SOME TAX TIPS

General Rule: Crop insurance indemnities are generally included in income of the year in which the indemnities are received. 

Major Exception: A producer may elect to defer reporting the indemnities as income when received if the producer can show that the damaged crop would normally have been sold in the year following the year of production. 

This election to defer reporting indemnities applies to all of the crops for which crop insurance indemnities and disaster payments (if any) were received. A previous 3-year average of more than 50% of the crops affected by the election being sold in the year following the year of production would probably be sufficient to document normal business practice of a producer.

Only indemnities due to physical losses of production are eligible for deferral. Given the increases in corn and soybean prices from planting to harvest in 2012, the 2012 indemnities will be due entirely to physical losses. Indemnities paid by county-basis group insurance are not be eligible for deferral became there is no direct relationship between the indemnity and an individual producer’s yield.

Indemnities cannot be reported as income before they are actually or constructively received. An indemnity received in 2013 for a 2012 crop is reported an income in 2013 regardless of when the producer normally sells the crop. This may cause problems for producers wanting to include indemnities in their income for 2012,  

Given the very large number of claims in 2012, there may be significant increase in the time needed to process a claim. The crop insurance agent may be able to indicate the likely time needed for processing. Checking information carefully in claim preparation helps avoid delays in processing. 

Expected 2012 insurance claims of over $200,000 require a 3-year audit before this year’s claim can be paid. Help your insurance agent start the audit process as soon as possible and be sure settlement sheets are available.

Be aware of possible Aflatoxin contamination in corn. Crop insurance coverage ends at harvest and does not cover losses in storage. Check and have testing donet, if necessary, before harvest.

Producers should have alternative tax management strategies ready to be implemented depending on when the insurance indemnity is paid.  

For further information see IRS Pub. 225,”The Farmer’s Tax Guide,” or contact your tax advisor.                                                                                                                                             

LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS: SOME INCOME TAX TIPS

Many livestock producers are reducing their livestock enterprises because of a lack of forages and high grain prices due to drought. Special federal income tax provisions are intended to reduce impact of distressed sales of livestock in “excess” of normal.  

1. I.R.C. § 451(e) allows postponement of the reporting of taxable gains on the sale of additional livestock.

2. I.R.C. § 1033(e) allows the avoidance of paying taxes on the gain realized from the sale of breeding, draft or dairy animals if they are replaced within a specified time period.   

Postponement of Reporting Income 

Postponement of reporting income from weather-caused sale of livestock may be available to cash basis taxpayers whose principal trade or business is farming and who are located in an area designated as eligible for federal disaster assistance. Sales in excess of a farmer’s normal business practice can be deferred until the animals normally would have been sold.

Example 1. Bill is a cow-calf producer who normally carries his calves over and sells them as yearlings. Because of the drought in 2012 and the lack of forage, Bill sells his 2012 calves in October 2012. Bill could postpone reporting the income from the 2012 calves until 2013.

Example 2. Jane normally raises and sells market hogs. Because of the drought in 2012, Jane sells 1,000 head as feeder pigs in 2012 rather than feed them to market weight and sells them in 2013 as she would do as her normal business practice. Jane could elect to defer reporting the sales proceeds until 2013.

Sale with Replacement Intended

A producer may reduce the size of the herd by selling livestock because of the lack of pasture and forages and plan to reinvest when conditions improve. Reporting the gain realized can be postponed if the livestock are replaced. Only the gain on livestock sold in excess of normal sales can be deferred. If the animals are not replaced, an amended return for the year of sale must be filed. However, producers do have some flexibility on the time and type of replacement property.

Example 3. Jack normally culls 15 of his 100 beef cows annually. Because of the drought in 2012, Jack sells 75 of his cows for a gain of $500 per cow. Jack can elect to not report the gain on 60 cows. If Jack does not reinvest at least $500 in 60 cows by the end of the reinvestment period, generally 2 years, Jack would need to file an amended return for 2012.

For further information, see IRS Pub. 225, The Farmer’s Tax Guide, or contact your tax advisor.

Weekly Outlook - Questions about Corn Acreage

The pace of consumption of U.S. corn has been slowing, as evidenced by small weekly exports and export sales, smaller weekly estimates of ethanol production, declining cattle feedlot placements, and increased slaughter of dairy cows and the hog breeding herd. The extent of rationing required in the current marketing year that has just begun, however, is still not clear since the size of the 2012 crop is not yet known.

The average U.S. corn yield will obviously be the most important factor in determining crop size, but the magnitude of acreage harvested for grain will also influence crop size. The likely magnitude of harvested acreage starts with the magnitude of planted acres. The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) June Acreage report estimated corn acreage planted for all purposes this year at 96.4 million acres. History suggests that the final acreage estimate will deviate, at least slightly, from this estimate. In the previous 10 years, for example, the final estimate of planted acres deviated by as little as 37,000 to as much as 1.345 million acres from the June estimate.  <Read More> 

Aspergillus Ear Rot in Corn

Powdery olive-green fungal spores are characteristic of
Aspergillus ear rot

Kenny Eck, Purdue Extension Educator, Dubois County

As many of you have already heard, 2012 heat and drought conditions in our local corn crop have led to the on-set of Aspergillus ear rot and associated aflatoxins concerns for the local livestock industry. Lab tests for the mold locally have detected low levels in most samples, with mold levels expected to rapidly increase with recent rain activity in the area. Local mills and grain buyers will also be utilizing UV or “black lights” at most facilities to quickly detect to possibility of the mold in delivered corn, with some loads possibly to be diverted or stored separately at their facilities.

Recommendations are for local corn producers to harvest the crop as soon as possible at higher moistures before the mold has a chance to become well established, and then dry down the grain well below 15% (recommended 12-13%, depending on source). Drying will reduce the opportunity for additional aflatoxins to be produced, although this will not reduce current levels.  

For silage production, aflatoxins will usually remain at the levels found in the corn at time of ensilaging if the process is done correctly at the right moisture, in air-tight conditions, correctly compacted, etc.. Where corn is not correctly made into silage (too dry or too much air around chopped corn), the mold may continue to develop and raise aflatoxin levels as fermentation is slowed or fails.

Testing can be done through the Purdue Heeke ADDL lab at the Southern Indiana Purdue Ag. Center near Dubois, IN, or through numerous testing labs available through your local feed mills.

A recent AgAnswers news article addresses the topic in more detail and and additional information on the mold, testing and preventative measures can also be found in Purdue Extension Publication BP-83. 

Weekly Outlook - Pork Industry Faces Record Losses

A tsunami of red ink is about to wash across the pork industry which is facing losses unseen even in the fall of 1998 when hog prices at times approached zero value. The stressors include: more hogs than expected, rapid sow liquidation now underway, and record feed prices. Losses in the final quarter of this year could be $60 per head, exceeding the previous record quarterly losses of $45 per head in the fall of 1998.

Slaughter numbers in the past two weeks have been up six percent when only about one percent more hogs were expected. This has caused a $10 per hundredweight drop in live prices since late July, with prices now in the low-$60s. The source of those extra hogs is probably related to some delayed marketings due to the summer heat, to a desire to sell pigs more quickly before prices really tumble moving into fall, and to high sow slaughter. Projected prices for the final quarter this year are in the mid-$50s, using current lean hog futures as a base. Tragically, costs of production are expected to be above $75 per live hundredweight for the remainder of the summer, this fall, and winter.  <Read More>

Purdue Experts Remind About Proper Food Handling Amid Salmonellosis Outbreak

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University food safety experts are reminding consumers to thoroughly wash and properly store all produce in the wake of a salmonellosis outbreak in Kentucky.

The Kentucky Department for Public Health issued an alert Friday reporting that a salmonellosis outbreak in that state may be related to cantaloupes, specifically melons grown in southwestern Indiana. The alert said an investigation is continuing into other salmonellosis cases in Kentucky that could be related to cantaloupe and watermelon consumption. At this point, there has been no confirmation that any particular grower or growers are connected to the outbreak.

 

Haley Oliver, a Purdue food microbiologist, said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises washing cantaloupes under running water with a stiff brush and refrigerating the fruit within two hours of cutting.

 

"Proper refrigeration stops the growth of Salmonella and E. coli," Oliver said. "With cantaloupe, especially, you should entirely remove the rind from the fruit since that rind has crevices and is porous."

 

Oliver said all fruits and vegetables should be thoroughly washed, and anyone with compromised immune systems, including children or the elderly, should cook those foods.

 

"This doesn't mean that people need to stop eating melons. Proper washing of all produce minimizes risks of foodborne illnesses," Oliver said.

 

An FDA guide to selecting and safely serving fruits and vegetables can be viewed at: http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm114299

 

Daniel Egel, a Purdue Extension plant pathologist who specializes in vegetable pathology, said that salmonella is often transferred to food through manure. He said that the U.S. Department of Agriculture requires that manure be applied long before crops are planted, that workers wash their hands and that produce should be thoroughly washed to prevent such incidents.

September Home, Yard, and Garden Calendar

HOME (Indoor plants and activities)

Prepare storage areas for overwintering tender flower bulbs and garden produce.

Thanksgiving (or Christmas) cactus can be forced into bloom for the Thanksgiving holidays. Provide 15 hours of complete darkness each day, for instance, from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m., for approximately eight weeks. Keep temperature at about 60 to 65F. Temperatures of 55F will cause flower buds to set without dark treatment.

YARD (Lawns, woody ornamentals and fruits)

Fall is usually a good time to plant many container-grown or balled-and-burlapped nursery stock, but if your area is still suffering from drought, it might be best to wait for better conditions. You do not want new plantings to go into winter in drought condition.

If you do have sufficient rainfall or ability to irrigate new plantings, prepare a hole wider than the plant’s rootball, plant at the same depth it grew in the nursery, and water thoroughly. Mulching will help protect against large fluctuations in soil temperature and moisture. Be sure to stake or guy-wire tall plants during their first season to protect them from strong winds.

GARDEN (Vegetables, small fruits and flowers)

Dig up onions and garlic after tops fall over naturally and necks begin to dry.

Plant radishes, green onion sets, lettuce and spinach for fall harvest.

Thin out fall crops such as lettuce and carrots that were planted earlier.  <Read More>

Weekly Outlook - Rationing the 2012 US Soybean Crop

The small South American soybean crop of 2012 will result in much smaller inventories of that crop by the end of the year. However, that draw down in stocks in combination with the much larger harvest expected in 2013 suggests that the pace of consumption of South American soybeans will not have to slow. In contrast, the small U.S. harvest this year will require a substantial reduction in consumption over the next year.

The magnitude of the year-over-year reduction in consumption of U.S. soybeans that will be required is not yet known. The new production forecast to be released on September 12 and the estimate of September 1stocks of old crop soybeans to be released on September 28 will provide for a better estimate of the needed decline. Based on the USDA’s August forecasts, a reduction of 400 million bushels (12.7 percent) will be required. The pace of consumption, as revealed in weekly export reports and monthly reports of domestic crush, will be monitored to verify that the pace of consumption is slowing.  <Read More>

Stressed Plants May Look Like Early Fall

To state the obvious, many of our landscape plants really show the signs of excessive heat and extreme drought. Some trees are losing leaves already and may be turning color before they drop. Others have turned completely brown while still remaining attached.

Early fall color and/or defoliation is common when plants are under stress and this season has been quite challenging for many trees, both old and young. The intense heat made it difficult for plants to keep up with water and cooling requirements, even in areas where moisture was adequate. Combine extreme heat with drought, and it is a wonder any plants survive.  <Read More>

Weekly Outook - Corn and Soybean Forecasts, What's Next?

The USDA’s August Crop Production report confirmed prospects for small U.S. corn and soybean crops and the need for consumption of both crops to decline sharply in the year ahead. Prices will now begin to reflect expectations for any changes in the production forecasts and confirmation that the necessary rationing is occurring. Indications of the pace of consumption will be provided by weekly reports of exports, ethanol production, and broiler placements and monthly reports of the domestic soybean crush, cattle feedlot inventories, and dairy cow numbers. New production forecasts will be released in September, October, and November and the final estimate will be released in January.  <Read More>

Upcoming Events - Weeds, Cattle, and Grazing

There are a number of Extension-sponsored events in the local area coming up over the next few weeks that may be of interest to you.  Details of a few are listed below.  If you have any questions or need more information on any of them, please contact the person listed under each event.

Weed Watcher Training
September 4 & 11, 6 to 9 PM
September 8, 8 AM to 12 Noon
September 15, 8 AM to 2 PM 
(all times EDT)

Southern Indiana Purdue Ag. Center
11371 E. Purdue Farm Rd.
Dubois, IN

Registration Fee - $40 per person

This program provides hands-on training to help participants identify and survey invasive weeds on their property or in their community and learn what can be done to stop their spread.  The training will culminate in planning and completing a service project that includes surveying invasive weeds in the community.

For more information, contact Purdue Extension-Orange County at (812) 723-7101.


Harrison County Cattlemen's Field Day
The Harrison County Cattlemen’s Association would like to invite you to a field day, September 8th, 2012, at Chad and Paige Baker’s Farm, J-Max Cattle, in Laconia, IN. The field day will begin with registration at 9:00 AM EDT at the Laconia cattle backgrounding operation followed by a tour of the facilities.

There will also be an extensive discussion on mortality composting as an alternative to sending animals to the rendering plant. Our keynote speaker will be Dr. Dale Rozeboom from Michigan State University, who works to provide statewide and national leadership in food animal production and environmental sustainability.

Lunch will be served after the morning tour, including beef cooked by the Cattlemen’s Association members. The afternoon session will include presentations that qualify for private applicator license credits as well as CCH credits.

The fee to participate in this day is just $10 and includes your meal and lots of information and contacts about cattle production. If you would like private applicator credits, it’s an additional $10 (don’t forget to bring your license with you!). The deadline to register is August 24th, after this day a late fee of $5 will be added. Contact the Harrison County Purdue Extension Office to register for the event at 812-738-4236 or mulery@purdue.edu . The day is also sponsored by Harrison County Farm Bureau, Harrison County Soil and Water Conservation District, Purdue Extension Services, Jacobi Sales, Chinn’s Equipment, Deere County, and Farm Credit Services. Purdue University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution. If you need special assistance to participate in this program, please contact the extension office prior to the program.


Grazing 102
September 14, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
September 15, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
(all times EDT)

Southern Indiana Purdue Ag. Center
11371 E. Purdue Farm Rd.
Dubois, IN

Registration Fee - $65 per person ($30 per person for each additional person from the same operation, share reference materials)

This program is geared towards anyone involved in grazing that wants to understand some of the fundamentally important concepts to make a Management Intensive Grazing program work in their operation. 

A flyer and registration form is available here.  For more information, contact Margie Zoglmann at (812) 547-7084 or mzoglmann@purdue.edu 

Upcoming Events - Livestock and Forage Drought Management Update

The drought of 2012 has presented some unique challenges to livestock producers with regards to forage supplies and pasture condition. Purdue Extension of Dubois, Perry, Spencer, and Warrick Counties is presenting a Livestock and Forage Drought Management Update to discuss these challenges and identify management tips for this year and beyond. Specific topics include Utilizing Alternative Feeds and Forages, Forage Nitrate and Nutrient Testing, Herd Management and Feeding Techniques, and Pasture Renovation. Featured speakers will include Dr. Keith Johnson, Purdue Extension Forage Specialist and Dr. Ron Lemenager, Purdue Extension Beef Specialist.

The update will be held August 16 at 6:30 PM CDT at the St. Meinrad Community Center. The update is free-of-charge but pre-registration is requested by August 13. For more information, or to register, please contact the Spencer County Purdue Extension Office at (812) 649-6022 or nheld@purdue.edu.

Weekly Outlook - Drought and the Cattle Industry

The beef industry has already experienced a number of difficult years characterized by falling cow numbers and declining per capita beef supplies. There was hope in the first-half of this year that this downward production phase was coming to an end, but the drought of 2012 has erased those hopes. So, where is the cattle industry today, and what do we know about the impacts of this year’s drought?

The mid-year Cattle inventory report from USDA indicated that beef cow numbers had dropped by an additional three percent over the past year. Since 2006, beef cow numbers have dropped by eight percent due to much higher feed prices and to the long drought in the Southern Plains. The 2012 calf crop is expected to be down about two percent, and also down eight percent from 2006. This year’s drought likely means further decreases in cow numbers over the next 12 to14 months.  <Read More>

Upcoming Events - Purdue Master Gardener Course to be Offered this Fall

If you enjoy gardening and enjoy “Helping Others Grow”, make plans to take part in this fall’s Purdue Master Gardener Course in Spencer County.   

The Purdue Master Gardener Program is a volunteer training program which offers an extensive course in horticulture in exchange for a donation of volunteer hours to help teach others what you have learned. 

The course will be held on twelve consecutive Monday evenings from 6:00-9:00 PM, beginning September 10, at the Spencer County Youth and Community Center in Chrisney, IN. 

Participants will be exposed to a wide range of subjects including soil and plant science, diagnosis of plant problems, pesticide safety, composting, and culture of vegetable, flower, landscape, and fruit plants.   

A $125 per person supply fee will be charged to cover such items as reference materials, mailings, name badges, and refreshments. Couples or two family members who wish to take the course together and share reference materials can register for $200 per couple. Registration deadline is August 31.    

If you'd like an application to join our new team of volunteers or have questions about the program, please contact Nicholas Held at the Spencer County-Purdue Extension Office at (812) 649-6022 or nheld@purdue.edu.  Applications are also available online.

Weekly Outlook - Anticipating the Size of the 2012 Corn and Soybean Crops

The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) of the USDA will release the first yield and production forecasts for the 2012 U.S. corn and soybean crops on August 10. The first forecasts of the season are always highly anticipated, but none more than this year as widespread drought conditions have resulted in a wide range of yield and production expectations.

It might be useful to briefly review the NASS methodology for making corn and soybean yield and production forecasts. Data for the forecasts are collected in two separate surveys conducted roughly in the last week of July and the first week of August for the August report. The Agricultural Yield Survey (AYS) queries farm operators in 32 states for corn and 29 states for soybeans asking operators to identify the number of acres to be harvested and to forecast the final average yield. The sample of operators is based on a sophisticated sample design to achieve the desired sample size and each state is expected to achieve a minimum response rate of 80 percent. In 2011, approximately 27,000 operators were surveyed for all crops for the August report. Each operator is surveyed in subsequent months to obtain new forecasts of acreage and yield. Historical relationships indicate that respondents tend to be conservative in early forecasts of final yields (underestimate yield potential), particularly in drought years. This tendency is quantified and factored into official yield forecasts.  <Read More>

Forage Crops Could Provide Opportunities Following Corn

A wide range of forage crops could help grain and livestock producers salvage some value from their fields once the drought-ravaged corn crop has been harvested - if soil moisture returns to a level that can support plant growth.

While damaged corn can be used as forage to feed livestock, it won't be enough to thwart forage shortages. Several forage crops are available for Indiana growers to plant in late summer or early fall, and that could serve as livestock feed in the spring.

"For the August seeding, an excellent consideration would be spring oat that will be harvested by machine, or a combination of spring oat and forage turnip if grazed by livestock," said Keith Johnson, Purdue Extension forage specialist. "Spring oat will not survive the winter.

"While the expectation is for turnips to winterkill, too, it has been observed that they can survive a mild Indiana winter."

Another possible choice is annual ryegrass, but growers who go this route need to pay close attention to keep the crop from becoming a nuisance. Johnson recommended an early seeding to have both fall and spring harvests.  <Read More>

Heat and Drought Lead to Ear Rot Potential in Corn Grain, Silage

Heat and drought in the Corn Belt have created the perfect conditions for Aspergillus ear rot to develop in corn grain and silage - something Purdue Extension plant pathologists say grain and livestock producers need to prepare for.

The disease is caused by a fungus that produces aflatoxin, a toxic carcinogen for livestock that consume contaminated grain or silage. 

Aspergillus ear rot normally shows up near the end of the corn growing season as the crop reaches the dent phase. Growers can identify the disease by peeling back the husks and looking for stunted ears with an olive-green dusty mold.  <Read More>

August Home, Yard, and Garden Calendar

HOME (Indoor plants and activities)

Take cuttings from plants such as impatiens, coleus, geraniums and wax begonias to overwinter indoors. Root the cuttings in media such as moist vermiculite, perlite, peat moss or potting soil, rather than water.

Order spring-flowering bulbs for fall planting.

YARD (Lawns, woody ornamentals and fruits)

Newly established plants are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat and drought. If possible, apply 1 to 1.5 inches of water every 7 to 10 days as a gentle, thorough soaking.

Even well-established trees, shrubs and perennials will suffer from extreme heat coupled with drought. Symptoms may include wilting, leaf scorch, branch dieback, blossom drop, early "fall" color and leaf drop, and in some cases, plant death of specimens that were already ailing.

GARDEN (Vegetables, small fruits and flowers)

Temperatures above 90 F often leads to poor fruit set in most vegetable crops; upper 90s will stop fruit set in nearly all crops. Fruits that were already set may show uneven ripening, blossom-end rot, skin cracking, sunburn where foliage cover is poor, poor ear fill in corn and bitter flavor in cucumbers and other vegetables.

Keep the garden well watered during dry weather and free of weeds, insects and disease. Early morning is the best time to water, but areas under watering restrictions may need to adjust accordingly. While normally we discourage overhead sprinkling due to its inefficiency and potential for promoting plant disease, it can be very effective at decreasing temperature in the plant tissue.  <Read More> 

Early Weaning as a Drought Strategy

In addition to utilizing alternative forages and feedstuffs, early weaning and other herd management techniques can be effective drought management strategies for livestock producers.  The Purdue Animal Sciences Department recently created a video featuring Dr. Ron Lemenager discussing early weaning in times of drought and short forage supplies.  The video is available here.

Vilsack Opens Emergency Haying and Grazing of CRP Acres for Entire State

Indiana Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Julia A. Wickard today announced additional drought relief for Indiana’s livestock producers. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack authorized the release of emergency haying and grazing for all Indiana counties for certain practices and acres enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) outside the primary nesting season for wildlife. This decision was based upon the U.S. Drought Monitor.  <Read More>

Weekly Outlook - Are Soybean Prices High Enough?

Much of the recent attention in commodity markets, at least in the popular press, has focused on the U.S. corn crop and the potential impact of drought conditions on production and prices. The focus has been warranted since corn is the largest U.S. crop; corn is used in a wide variety of food, feed, and industrial products; and corn yields are most susceptible to drought conditions.

As the growing season progresses and adverse weather conditions persist over large areas, more attention is being focused on the U.S. soybean crop. The importance of the size of the U.S. crop is magnified by the small South American harvest earlier this year. The USDA estimates that crop at 4.2 billion bushels, 16 percent smaller than the record crop of 2011. The USDA expects South America to maintain a large export presence, however, by sharply reducing inventories over the next year. Even so, the pace of exports of U.S. soybeans remains stronger than normal for this time of year. The USDA now projects 2011-12 marketing year exports at 1.34 billion bushels, 65 million more than projected in March. With only six weeks left in the marketing year, exports need to total 81 million bushels, 13.2 million per week, to reach the USDA projection. Export inspections for the four weeks ended July 17 averaged 16.1 million. As of July 12, the USDA reported unshipped export sales for the current year at 171.5 million bushels. It appears that exports may marginally exceed the USDA projection.  <Read More> 

Purdue Extension Drought Press Conference

On July 5, Purdue Extension held a drought press conference at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.  Extension Specialists and Educators addressed a variety of drought-related topics and answered questions from media.  To view the press conference, please see the video link below:

A news release highlighting the topics of discussion at the press conference is also available here.

Determining a Value for Corn Silage

A question that has come up recently in our area as producers look to make use of drought-damaged corn and utilize alternative forage sources, is "What is Corn Silage Worth?".  This is not always an easy question to answer and there are many methods that are used to determine a corn silage value.  A new factsheet written by Tamilee Nennich, Purdue Animal Sciences Assistant Professor, and Kern Hendrix, Animal Sciences Professor Emeritus, helps explain some of these methods and answer producer questions.  Also, as a companion piece to the factsheet, an Excel-based silage value calculator has been developed.  The factsheet and calculator are available at the links below:

Determining a Value for Corn Silage

Silage Value Calculator (Excel Spreadsheet)

Weekly Outlook - Pork Industry Faces Financial Disaster?

Drought and the impact on feed prices may be on the verge of creating a financial disaster for the pork industry and other livestock species. The crop stress which began in Indiana and Illinois is now spreading further to the west. Most of the media attention has been focused on crop producers who face large yield losses; however the animal industries may ultimately fare even worse.

Crop producers have the potential for two compensating income streams when yields are low. The first is what is called the"natural hedge." When yields are low across a broad geographic area, then prices generally rise. This is especially true when stocks-to-use ratios are tight as they are now. Under these conditions a 10 percent reduction in national yield is offset by a rise in prices that is substantially more than 10 percent. This means that revenues tend to be less negatively affected by yield losses. Secondly, many crop acres have some type of crop insurance that can help cushion the financial blow of low yields. While these conditions hold on average, there will be considerable ranges in how individual farm families are impacted.  <Read More>

Blossom End Rot - Another Drought Effect

Blossom-end rot on tomato (Creswell)

Anyone who has grown a vegetable garden for any length of time has probably at one point or another experienced the disappointment of reaching for a bright red, juicy tomato off the vine, only to find the bottom of the tomato to be rotten. And this is a year this has been a frequent occurrence for many gardeners. 

The culprit is a non-infectious disorder called blossom-end rot that affects not only tomatoes but also peppers and eggplants. Symptoms of blossom end rot first show up as small, light brown or water soaked spots on the blossom end of the fruit (thus the name). As the fruit ripens, spots enlarge rapidly, forming a dark, sunken, leathery lesion on the bottom of the fruit. Sometimes the lesions will cover the entire bottom half of the fruit. Blossom end rot usually affects the first fruits of the season most severely and many times the symptoms will disappear as the season progresses. While it may appear unappetizing, the un-rotted portion of the fruit is still edible.

Blossom-end rot is caused by a lack of calcium in the fruit. In most cases, this does not mean there is a lack of calcium in the soil. Rather, there are environmental factors that affect the plant’s uptake of calcium.  When the supply of calcium to the fruit does not keep up with its requirements, tissue in the fruit begins to break down. The environmental factors contributing to blossom-end rot include wide fluctuations in soil moisture levels (i.e. letting the plant reach the wilting point before watering), rapid plant growth followed by a prolonged period of dry weather, excessive rainfall which can smother roots, excessive use of nitrogen fertilizer or fresh manure, and root damage. This year's blossom-end rot occurrences most likely are due to soil moisture fluctuations and prolonged drought.

As mentioned early, rarely is the problem due to an actual soil calcium deficiency, so adding calcium to the soil is not usually an effective control method, unless recommended by a soil test. Foliar applications of calcium are also occasionally recommended, however they too are usually ineffective because the plants do not adequately absorb the calcium and get it to where it is needed most. An interesting point regarding blossom-end rot is that it usually affects the first fruits of the season most severely and once the plant's growth and calcium levels get back in balance, the symptoms disappear. So, when gardeners who have applied soil or foliar calcium, or some other home-remedy, see that the symptoms have disappeared, they mistakenly believe the calcium application was effective, when in reality, it was the plant managing the problem itself.    

To reduce the chances of blossom end rot occurring, some preventive steps can be taken. First, maintain a uniform moisture level in the soil - do not let the plants dry out repeatedly. Ideally, plants should receive the equivalent of one inch of water per week via rainfall or irrigation. Second, test soil regularly to maintain proper fertility and pH levels. Next, avoid using fertilizers containing high nitrogen levels or excessive amounts of fresh manure. These materials can cause excessive growth of leaves and stems and inhibit fruit development and production. Finally, do not cultivate deeper than 1 inch within a foot of the plant to avoid root damage.   

Blossom-end rot will always be annoyance for vegetable gardeners but with a few simple preventive steps, its effect on production can be greatly reduced.

2012 Wheat Variety Trial Results Now Posted

The results of the 2012 Wheat Variety Trials conducted in Spencer and Posey Counties are now available.  The 2012 plots contained 39 wheat varieties, replicated four times.  The results for both plots are located on the Purdue Extension-Spencer County website.   

Weekly Outlook - Considerable Uncertainty About Both Corn Supply and Demand

July 2012 corn futures are currently trading about $1.00 below the peak reached in August 2011, but $1.40 above the low reached a month ago. December 2012 futures are trading $1.50 above the low of June 15, 2012 and within $0.15 of the high reached on August 31, 2011.

Much of the recent strength in corn prices has been associated with very hot, dry conditions in the central and eastern Corn Belt and indications that yield prospects have been reduced substantially in those areas. As much of the crop in the Corn Belt has or soon will enter the reproductive stage, the market will continue to try to determine production prospects. In addition, the market is assessing the likely strength of demand to determine what price is needed to balance potential supply with likely consumption.  <Read More>

In Times of Drought

Dry summers are not that unusual in the Midwest, but this year's dry spell - and now drought in many areas - has come considerably earlier than usual. Summer is just now officially getting started!

Gardeners have a battle on their hands to keep plants healthy when extremely high temperatures are accompanied by lack of rain. During prolonged drought conditions, water restrictions or just limited ability to water to a huge number of plants, you may have to limit watering and prioritize which plants will be rescued - a bit of garden triage, so to speak.  <Read More>

In Times of Drought - Video

This video is a companion piece to the above article and features Rosie Lerner, Purdue Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist, covering some basics of helping your vegetable and landscape cope with the drought. 

Indiana Pesticide Clean Sweep Project

Again this year, the Office of the Indiana State Chemist's Pestcide Clean Sweep Project is offering pick-up locations around the state.  The project is designed to collect and dispose of suspended, canceled, banned, usuable, opened, unopened, or unwanted pestcide products.  These include weed killers, insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, miticides, etc.  The pick-ups are intended for public and private schools, golf courses, nurseries, farmers, agricultural retailers, and municipalities.   

Locally, the pick-up location will be held August 9, 2012 at the Dubois County Fairgrounds just north of Bretzville, IN on SR 162, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM EDT.

Participants are asked to complete and submit a planning form no later than Monday, July 30 in order to participate.  Pick-up locations may be canceled if there is not enough demand, so it is important to submit the planning form prior to attending. 

For more information, please see the flyer and planning form located on the OISC website or call (765) 494-1492.   

Extreme Drought and Heat Wave - Not a Good Combination

In the previous drought post, it was noted that if upcoming rainfall chances did not materialize, we could be at a tipping point for much worse drought conditions.  Well, as we all know, those weather systems did not materialize and we are seeing increasingly widespread drought effects on crops, lawns, and gardens.  This week's US Drought Monitor report has placed the majority of Spencer County in the the "extreme" category and the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service indicates 100+ degree temperatures each day with no chance of rain. 

Purdue Extension and the Extension Disaster Education Network have developed a drought information website that compiles drought management tips and resources for consumers, homeowners, and agricultural producers.  This site will continue to be updated with information as long as the drought conditions persist.  I encourage you to check out this this regularly for updates.   

Also, two articles have recently been released addressing the continued drought effects on corn and soybean production.  Links to those publications are listed below:

Hot & Dry: Stress on the Corn Crop Escalates

Signs of Drought Stress in Soybeans

Weekly Outlook - Soybean Fundamentals Remain Strong

Soybean prices began moving higher in July 2010, starting from about $9.50. July 2012 soybean futures reached a high of about $14.70 in late August 2011, declined to a low near $11.25 in mid-December 2011, and reached a high of $15.12 in early May 2012. Prices have been very choppy the past two months, but the July futures contract is now trading within about $.30 of the early May high. November 2012 futures prices have been lower than July futures, but have followed a similar pattern and are now trading at a contract high near $14.30.

U.S. soybean market fundamentals have been strong for an extended period of time. The strong fundamental factors have included record large exports in 2009-10 and 2010-11 as Chinese demand expanded, a reduction in U.S. soybean acreage in 2011, a relatively low U.S. average yield in 2011, intentions to reduce U.S. acreage again in 2012, and a very small soybean harvest in South America this year. These strong market fundamentals continue in the form of a rapid pace of consumption and concerns about the size of the 2012 U.S. crop.  <Read More>

Drought....and the Potential for More Drought

US Drought Monitor report for Indiana.  For more information, see the Drought Monitor website.

This week's US Drought Monitor Report indicates an increasing area of Indiana is now under a moderate or severe drought, with a portion of southwest Indiana falling under the "severe" category.  While certain aspects of the current drought conditions have some producers and others thinking "1988" in the back of their minds, it is too early to make such a prediction.

So far, Spencer County has fared better than our neighbors to the west and northwest.  Though we are in the moderate drought category, infrequent but timely rainfall, combined with cooler temperatures, especially overnight, have kept drought effects in crops, gardens, and home landscapes from becoming widespread.   

There is a slight chance of scattered showers this weekend but according to staff at the Indiana State Climate Office, the next chance for more widespread, substantial rainfall is not until late next week.  As a result, we are in a bit of a wait-and-see pattern as far as how the drought will progress, with the next 10-14 days being crucial.  If one or both of these predicted systems produce rainfall,  it could be just the timely rain event we need to hold off further drought progression, at least for a few more weeks.  However, if these systems fail to bring moisture, we could then be at the tipping point for something much more severe. 

As we watch how the situation progresses over the next two weeks, we will continue to post drought management information on the Gazette, on our Facebook page, and in our bi-monthly newsletter.  In the meantime, below are two articles addressing the topic.  The first is a recent article covering the effects we are currently seeing in corn and soybean crops.  The second, originally written in 2007, covers tips for home gardens and landscapes.

More Crops Affected as Drought Spreads Throughout Indiana

Help Your Garden Cope with Dry Spell