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Posts From Erick Larson, State Extension Specialist - Grain Crops

How to Plant Corn for Higher Yields

🕔14:35, 19.Mar 2012

Corn is quite unique because much of its potential productivity is determined during the planting process. Thus, corn is often much more responsive or dependent on variables implemented during planting than other Southern crops. This article gives planting guidelines for enhancing corn productivity.

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Exemption granted for Corn Seed Bird Repellent

🕔22:36, 13.Mar 2012

We are pleased to announce the EPA has granted the Mississippi Department of Agriculture a Section 18 emergency exemption allowing the use of anthraquinone, which is an unregistered product marketed as Avipel on field or sweet corn seed for the purpose of repelling blackbirds and cowbirds in newly planted corn fields in the state of Mississippi.

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Grain Sorghum Hybrid Recommendations

🕔17:34, 21.Feb 2012

There is considerably more interest in growing grain sorghum this year. This article gives some suggestions and resources for evaluating hybrids which could be suited for dryland grain sorghum production in Mississippi.

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Spring 2012 Nitrogen Fertilizer Suggestions for Wheat

🕔18:20, 9.Feb 2012

Warm winter weather has promoted wheat to begin growing much earlier than normal this spring. This can make decisions regarding nitrogen application timing quite challenging and different from field to field. This newsletter will give several pointers to help make good decisions.

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2011 MSU Corn Hybrid Demonstration Program Results

🕔15:17, 20.Dec 2011

The MSU Corn Hybrid Demonstration Program evaluates superior corn hybrids from numerous seed companies who participate the the MSU Corn for Grain Hybrid Trials. MSU Extension Service Agents coordinate locations with grower cooperators in their region, and supervise plots during the season. Our objective is to provide you more opportunity to evaluate premier corn hybrids and substantially supplement the information gathered in the university hybrid trials.

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Invitation for Participation – Corn Verification Program

🕔14:59, 8.Nov 2011

Have you been disappointed in your corn yields, don’t have a lot of experience growing corn, or just interested in some assistance with your program? The MSU Extension Service Corn Verification Program is an interactive, hands-on opportunity to improve your profitability and we are looking for willing cooperators for the 2012 growing season.

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2012 MSU Short List of Suggested Corn Hybrids

🕔17:40, 7.Nov 2011

This effort lists those corn hybrids which have demonstrated superior grain yield performance in the MSU Corn for Grain Hybrid Trials. This information is intended to evaluate corn hybrid genetics in either irrigated or dryland culture, which may help you better assess relative hybrid productivity and profitability in future seasons.

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How to Plant Wheat for Higher Yields

🕔15:59, 3.Oct 2011

Wheat can be established using various methods, but several management practices can certainly enhance your potential for growing a productive crop this season. Those practices include timely planting, appropriate seeding rates and methods, suitable seedbed preparation and fall weed control.

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Post-Harvest Crop Residue Management

🕔17:34, 26.Sep 2011

After harvest, you face management decisions as you begin preparing fields for next year’s crop. Corn produces far more residue than most crops we are accustomed to, so it can cause considerable benefits or anxiety depending upon how you view it. This article attempts to address the pro’s and con’s of crop residue.

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2011 MSU Short List of Suggested Wheat Varieties

🕔18:24, 14.Sep 2011

This effort lists those wheat varieties which have demonstrated superior productivity in the MSU Wheat and Oat Variety Trials and summarizes their characteristics. This information is intended to evaluate variety genetics and traits which may help you better assess relative wheat productivity and profitability in future seasons.

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Corn Verification Crop Progress Update

🕔15:00, 22.Jul 2011

Irrigated Corn Verification Fields are nearly mature, but did require a final irrigation this week to provide ample moisture to sustain the crop to physiological maturity. Some slight root lodging also recently occurred, but otherwise harvest progress should commence soon. Late-planted dryland fields still have a long way to go and are under drought stress.

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2011 MSU Wheat Variety Yield Data

🕔10:48, 1.Jul 2011

Preliminary yield data from the 2011 MSU Wheat Variety Trials are now available.

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Late Season Corn Irrigation and Termination

🕔00:35, 1.Jul 2011

Much of our late March planted irrigated corn is now reaching dent stage and will continue to fill kernels for another 20 days, if we help it do so. Therefore, you do not want to forgo any practices which may mitigate stress or pest issues yet. This article highlights irrigation needs and termination during the final growth stages.

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Drought Stress and its affect on Corn Pollination and Early Grain Fill

🕔18:04, 23.Jun 2011

Despite Mississippi generally receiving abundant yearly rainfall, we often experience substantial drought stress growing corn. The timing of rainfall and the ability of our soils to store moisture are critical to corn productivity. This article explains how drought stress and irrigation management may influence corn productivity during the early grain filling stages.

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After the Flood: Row Crop Replanting

🕔01:49, 10.Jun 2011

MSU Extension Service and MAFES researchers have compiled the following suggestions and information regarding replanting and managing row crops after the flood. Also included is post-flood crop insurance information.

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When is Wheat No Longer Vulnerable to Herbicide Injury

🕔11:11, 13.May 2011

Many folks have inquired about specific information regarding wheat vulnerability to herbicides. This article specifically describes and contains photos to help identify the critical hard dough stage, when wheat is generally no longer vulnerable.

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What to Expect from Later than Normal Corn Planting

🕔00:24, 6.May 2011

One of the current corn research initiatives at Mississippi State University is a project evaluating corn productivity to later than normal planting dates, particularly when grown with irrigation. The preliminary results may be pleasantly surprising for some growers stricken with stand loss or delayed by rainfall.

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Trying to Promote Wheat Harvest prior to Floodwater

🕔17:03, 4.May 2011

Floodwater from the Mississippi river and other drainages threaten to destroy many acres of wheat which are ripening and approaching harvest. Many are wondering if there are any methods to hasten wheat maturity or permit harvest before floodwater destroys the crop.

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Implications from Hail Damage on Young Corn

🕔11:44, 29.Apr 2011

Fortunately, young corn can sustain severe physical injury without suffering yield loss, because the growing point is below the soil surface. However, you need to wait 5 days or more to fully evaluate recovery or potential stand loss.

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Grain Sorghum Hybrid Suggestions

🕔15:34, 25.Apr 2011

Following are a few hybrid suggestions for dryland Grain Sorghum or milo production in Mississippi.

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How to deal with Glyphosate Resistance and Weed Issues in Corn

🕔12:45, 21.Apr 2011

Increasing populations of glyphosate-resistant and other herbicide-resistant weed species demand we adapt our corn weed control systems to address specific issues and prevent new ones. This may require you to implement strategies for a specific weed, plan on multiple herbicide applications, and improve your application timing.

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Will Corn Sustain Injury from Sand-Blasting?

🕔16:16, 15.Apr 2011

Strong winds sand-blasted young, emerged corn plants in many fields this week. Fortunately, corn can sustain considerable vegetative damage during early growth stages without limiting development or yield.

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Identifying Glyphosate Drift Injury on Wheat Plants

🕔18:18, 23.Mar 2011

Identifying off-target herbicide injury may be difficult when a definitive pattern is not readily apparent, substantial acreage is involved, or distance is considerable. This article gives some guidelines and photos to help identify glyphosate drift on wheat, so that you can manage appropriately.

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Key Corn Verification Findings

🕔00:02, 12.Mar 2011

One of the objectives of this program is to identify key production limitations, so the Mississippi State University Extension Service and Experiment Station can better direct efforts to develop innovations for our specific problems. This is a summary of such limitations documented during the past few years.

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How to Plant Corn for Higher Yields

🕔16:01, 11.Mar 2011

Corn is quite unique because much of its potential productivity is determined during the planting process. Thus, corn is often much more responsive or dependent on variables implemented during the planting than other Southern crops. This article gives planting guidelines for enhancing corn profitability.

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