The Official Newspaper for Foster County
The Official Newspaper for Foster County
The old saying “If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes and it will change” has been applied to many places, and it was certainly true in Foster County during the week of the fair.
Temperatures reached 95 degrees as 4-H’ers gathered at the fairgrounds to enter their static exhibits on Tuesday. Wind gusts above 30 miles per hour added to the discomfort of the day.
Thankfully, temperatures were much cooler when livestock began arriving the following morning. Mild temperatures continued through the rest of the week. The high on Saturday was just 60 degrees.
Total rainfall amounts during the week ranged from 2.2 to 3.0 inches across the county. Most of the rain came on Saturday, with the NDSU Carrington REC reporting 1.7 inches from that event.
The rain was badly needed. Some crops and pastures were beginning to show signs of moisture deficit.
Above-average temperatures during the first three weeks of June pushed corn and soybean development, making up for ground that was lost due to late planting.
The warm temperatures weren’t good for wheat and barley. One producer told me during the fair that this year’s barley is the worst he has ever grown.
Timely rain and cooler temperatures can still help small grains, but it is likely that a significant portion of their yield potential has been lost.
Producers and crop consultants should be checking corn fields for signs of nutrient deficiency and applying side-dressings as necessary.
The efficiency of N side-dressing goes down once corn reaches the eight-leaf stage.
The yellowing of soybean leaves due to iron deficiency chlorosis is becoming apparent in some fields.
Soil normally contains large amounts of iron, but it is not in the soluble form needed by plants.
When iron deficiency occurs, there is yellowing between leaf veins while the veins remain green.
No soybean variety is immune to the problem. However, there are large differences in yellowing, plant stunting, and yield reduction between the most tolerant and most susceptible varieties.
NDSU Extension conducts annual trials to evaluate the tolerance of soybean varieties to iron deficiency.
The results of those trials can help producers choose varieties that are best suited for fields with a history of iron deficiency chlorosis.
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Don’t forget that Project Safe Send will be in Carrington next week collecting unusable pesticides from farmers, ranchers and homeowners.
Herbicides, insecticides, rodenticides and fungicides will be collected between 8 a.m. and noon on Tuesday, July 11 at the State Highway Shop, 6739 Highway 200.
Project Safe Send is a safe, simple and non-regulatory program that helps people safely and legally dispose of unusable pesticides free of charge.
Small and large quantities are both accepted. Participants bringing more than 1000 pounds are asked to preregister with Aubrey Sondrol (701-425-3016).
If the pesticide containers are deteriorating or leaking, then they should be packed in larger containers with absorbent materials.
Please note that Project Safe Send only accepts pesticides. The program does not accept unwanted fertilizer, paint and oil.
For more information, please contact me in the Extension office (652-2581).
