Extension Notes: Saturday deadline for fair entries
Tennessee’s weather remained warm and humid last week with a little rain early in the week off the hurricane. Corn for grain harvest has begun on a limited basis across the State with variable yields being reported. Soybean development continued to outpace last year and the 5-year average by almost a week. Producers took advantage of the hot, dry weather to harvest hay, tobacco, and corn silage, while also beginning land reparation for seeding fall forages and wheat. Local nurseries are also working ground for fall plantings.
Don’t forget that Saturday is entry day for many of the departments at the Warren County Fair. Fair volunteers have worked hard to get the fairgrounds and all the departments ready. If you have entries that you didn’t get pre-registered just bring them in Saturday and get them entered. Who knows, you might even win a blue ribbon.
SOYBEAN RUST UPDATE
Although soybean rust has not yet been found on soybeans or kudzu anywhere in Tennessee, it is very possible that spores has been deposited over much of Tennessee due to the recent wind and rain from the hurricane Katrina. The National commentary (updated 08/31/05 found at the web site http://www.sbrusa.net) lists many counties in GA and AL where soybean rust has been found. Oconee Co. in Ga near Athens is the furthest northern location in 2005 where soybean rust has been found. Hampton Co in SC is the furthest east that soybean rust has been found. Pearl River Co. in MS is the furthest west that rust has been found in MS. Alabama now has 12 counties, FL has 21 counties, GA has 14, MS has two and SC has one county with positive ID for soybean rust.
Most early planted, early maturing soybean varieties are now passed the point where soybean rust could cause significant yield loss. However, later planted and/or late maturing varieties may still be at risk. But, even if soybean rust spores have been deposited over Tennessee, it might take another 2-3 weeks before actual rust infections can be found. It is generally considered that once soybeans have reached the growth stage R-6 very little yield loss will occur even if soybean rust is found at low levels in producers’ fields. In addition, several fungicide labels limit the application at the R-6 growth stage. Producers will have to weigh the possibility of a late rust infection with the growth stage of their soybeans, the yield potential and their ability to spray their fields.
If producers decide to spray, it is still a good option to spray a combination fungicide that has both a triazole and a strobilurin class fungicide in it, to prevent both soybean rust and also reduce late season diseases such as brown spot, anthracnose and frogeye leaf spot. UT Extension will continue to monitor several sentinel plot areas and spore traps. If soybean rust is found we will let you know.
TENNESSEE HAY DIRECTORY
Lot of folks have put up some hay recently and many others are hoping to cut some in the next week or so. If you got hay for sale this year don’t overlook one of the best ways to get your hay advertised across the state throughout the year free of charge. I’m talking about the Tennessee Hay Directory. This listing is published by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture in coordination with the Tennessee Farm Bureau. While it too late to get your entry in for the publication you can submit your hay information to be listed on the Internet web site of the Tennessee Hay Directory. You can advertise your hay for sale over the Internet and it wont cost you a thing. Give me a call for more information.
SHADY LAWNS WORK WELL WITH HAMMOCKS
Is your lawn too shady for grass? I get calls every year from folks who try to grow grass under heavy shade conditions. There are some things that we can do to help get more sunlight on our lawns and now’s the time to be thinking of this very topic.
Falls a great time to make improvements. By trimming lower limbs and dead wood from large trees, you can greatly increase the amount of light reaching your lawn.
Plants with dense foliage along the southwest perimeter of your landscape block the prevailing wind. You can improve air movement and lower relative humidity by pruning or transplanting under story plants. Try some of the more shade tolerant fescue varieties. Red or creeping fescue will often do better than KY 31 or some of the other tuft fescues.
Remove algae and moss from you lawn by raking or applying copper sulfate. And since grasses growing in shade are usually weak and spindly, remove fallen leaves as soon as possible. You can also establish some shade tolerant ground covers instead of grass. Your efforts this fall may be rewarded by a healthy, dense lawn next spring. Just keep in mind that grass don’t grow under a well-used hammock.