Delaware Agronomy Blog

University of Delaware Cooperative Extension

Category: Corn (page 3 of 7)

Checking Vegetative Growth Stages

Corn at our research station is at V4, which means we will probably be sidedressing several fields next week. Anyone who planted prior to April 25th may be one leaf ahead, and plans for sidedressing should be done. If you are unsure of which stage you are at, one common method is to count leaves based on the presence of the collar (Figure 1a). While many leaves can be emerged from the whorl, only those with collars are considered fully developed. Continue reading

A Warmer 2021 is Boosting Emergence

Emerging corn in a rye cover crop

Emerging corn in a rye cover crop

While it may not seem much warmer than it was in 2020, having steady days above 50°F had provided much faster emergence than last year. In 2019 we were getting about 10 growing degree days (GDD) per day, while now we are seeing 15-20. The threshold for emergence is about 100-120 GDD, which we have reached for most fields planted between April 15 and April 22nd (Table 1). In 2020, we had only reached half of that (60-90 statewide) over the same time period.

Continue reading

Cover Crop Termination for 2021

Jamie Taraila,  Jarrod Miller,  and Amy Shober

With April and warmer temperatures finally here, it is time to think about cover crop termination. This spring, we expect lower cover crop biomass at burndown due to the cool, wet winter conditions that delayed growth, particularly small grains. Therefore, termination timing decisions are very important this year. We must recognize that there are pros and cons of early and late cover crop termination and make decisions that maximize benefits.

Figure 1: Vetch cover crop before spring corn planting.

Continue reading

UMD and UD Seeking Farmer Cooperators for N Study in Corn

The University of Maryland and University of Delaware are looking for farmers throughout both states to participate in a research project evaluating decision making surrounding adoption of nitrogen management tools (commercially available N models, drone imagery, PSNT). We will implement a field trial in the 2021 growing season that contains six nitrogen rates applied to corn in four replicates in strips (~15 ft wide by 300 ft long) requiring about 2.5 total acres. Participants will be trained on the use of various nitrogen management tools and will be paid for their participation in the trial (W9 submission to UMD required for payment) pending eligibility to receive EQIP funding. Participants must have the ability to apply prescribed nitrogen rates and record yield at harvest using a calibrated yield monitor. We require participants to participate in a pre-season interview (in April 2021), a one-on-one post-harvest debrief session, and a focus group in November or December, all likely taking place virtually due to COVID restrictions. Farmers who have not previously partnered with Extension on research projects are encouraged to participate. If interested, please contact Dr. Nicole Fiorellino at University of Maryland at nfiorell@umd.edu and Dr. Amy Shober at University of Delaware at ashober@udel.edu.

2021 Agronomy Day

January 20th, 2021

9am-4pm. 

You must register to attend and have access to the quizzes for credits: https://udel.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_EVCIBMb_RvqoDjAOL3S0ww.

Current credit approval:

Nutrient Management : DE (2 credits), MD (2 credits)

Pesticide  Continuing Education: DE (4 credits Private and 1A).

CCA Credits (Full Day): 4PM, 1.5NM, 0.5PA.

The full schedule is below

Continue reading

Older posts Newer posts