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Four Bract Squares in Mississippi Cotton Updated

🕔16:33, 8.Jul 2011

Although many are aware of the issues that have been created by the appearance of four bract squares over the past few weeks, the magnitude of this issue warrants a final few words.  First and foremost, four bract squares typically

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First Bollworms Showing up in Mississippi Soybeans Updated

🕔15:19, 8.Jul 2011

This week we are starting to get some calls of the first soybean fields reaching threshold for bollworms.  Bollworms (Corn Earworms) can be extremely devastating to soybeans because they feed directly on all fruiting structures.  Many folks are also reporting

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Watch for Fall Armyworms in Late Planted Soybeans Updated

🕔14:43, 8.Jul 2011

Over the last 10 days I have started getting calls about fall armyworms showing up in late planted soybeans.  We see some of this every year, and it is primarily related to larvae moving off of a grass host after

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Mississippi Poultry Litter Transport Situation, July 8 Updated

🕔13:46, 8.Jul 2011

There have been very few changes in the quarantine situation over the past few weeks. Litter can be hauled in Mississippi: with permits only. Within Wayne, Jones, Jasper, Perry, and Forrest counties, it may only be hauled from place to

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Insect Trap Counts, July 7, 2011 Updated

🕔09:33, 8.Jul 2011

Insect pheromone trap counts for the last week were steady to slightly lower for all species as a whole. Bollworm catches remained fairly high in some delta counties. Typically this week would have been the peak catch for second generation southwestern corn

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Corn Foliar Disease Update: July 8, 2011 – Southern Corn Rust Detected at LOW LEVELS Updated

🕔07:04, 8.Jul 2011

Southern corn rust was detected in Coahoma County yesterday at VERY LOW LEVELS. This does NOT mean that a fungicide application is necessary especially since most corn has reached the dent stage throughout the general area. To date this has been the only southern rust detected in MS.

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Insect Trap Counts, June 30, 2011 Updated

🕔14:48, 1.Jul 2011

Overall not much change in insect trap counts from last week. Bollworm counts were somewhat higher in the Delta and Central MS regions, tobacco budworm counts were lower in all regions, especially in the Delta were no budworms were caught this week.

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Cotton Foliar Disease and Fungicide Application Updated

🕔13:34, 1.Jul 2011

The incidence of foliar disease in cotton across MS have been on the rise over the past 5 years. In addition, fungicide applications have been suggested as a means of managing the leaf spots and increasing yield. Research trials conducted at MSU and elsewhere suggest that fungicides aren’t beneficial when it comes to enhancing cotton yield.

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2011 MSU Wheat Variety Yield Data Updated

🕔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 Updated

🕔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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Rainfastness of Insecticides Updated

🕔12:46, 29.Jun 2011

Every year when afternoon thunderstorms start popping up, the phone starts ringing about rainfastness.  Rainfastness simply means the amount of time needed after application before a rainfall event for the product to still be effective.  One thing I have figured

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Sanitation of Field Borders Updated

🕔00:42, 25.Jun 2011

Nearly everyone who has read this blog, one of many popular press articles, or any of several periodical publications over the past year or two is aware of the problems many growers in Mississippi have with glyphosate-resistant (GR) Palmer amaranth. 

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Corn Foliar Disease Update: June 24, 2011 Updated

🕔20:16, 24.Jun 2011

At present there is still little to no foliar disease in the majority of the corn crop.  Many of the calls I’ve received over the past 7 to 10 days have dealt with sun scald, herbicide injury or urea burn

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Insect Trap Counts, June 23, 2011 Updated

🕔11:28, 24.Jun 2011

Pheromone trap counts for bollworm, tobacco budwrom and beet armyworm were all similar to last week in all regions. Counts of tobacco budworm and beet armyworm are high compared to historical data, especially in the central part of the state.

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

🕔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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Soybean Disease Calendars for Maturity Group IV and V Soybean Updated

🕔10:53, 20.Jun 2011

One of the biggest questions I receive each year has to do with whether or not a specific disease is present on soybean at a particular time.  Most and I say most since this is a statement that can differ

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Insect Trap Counts, June 16, 2011 Updated

🕔16:35, 17.Jun 2011

Pheromone catches of bollworm (corn earworm) came down slightly this week while tobacco budworm and beet armyworm catches are increasing, especially in Central MS. Southwestern corn borer traps indicate that the sewcond generation has begun. Most traps are still fairly

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Cotton Damage from POST Applied Residual Herbicides Updated

🕔14:59, 17.Jun 2011

2011 is quickly shaping up to be the year in which nothing comes easy.  Weather conditions are continuing to cause issues with the 2011 cotton crop.  Scattered hail damage from storms over the past couple of days has been reported

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Spider Mite Update and Recommendations Updated

🕔08:28, 17.Jun 2011

Spider mites have been becoming more widespread over the last two weeks. Currently we have quite a few acres that have required treatment for spider mites and several that have already received 2 applications. The hot dry weather we have been dealing with for the last couple weeks is making the problem worse, and the numerous thrips applications this year has further led to the increased problems with spider mites by removing beneficial insects early.

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Rice Water Weevil and Rice Stink Bug Update Updated

🕔07:00, 17.Jun 2011

Rice water weevil densities appear to be very high at some locations in Mississippi this year. I looked at two fields over the last week where adult feeding was actually affecting plants. Adult numbers were running as high as 4-5 weevils per plant.

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Mississippi Agricultural Industry Council Meeting July 26-30, 2011 Updated

🕔09:06, 16.Jun 2011

The 2011 Mississippi Agricultural Industry Council and Mississippi Seedsmen’s Association convention will be held again at beautiful Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach, Alabama, on July 26-July 30, 2011 The Registration Packet is enclosed and can also be found on

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Tarnished Plant Bugs Starting Off Big in 2011 Updated

🕔07:48, 16.Jun 2011

This is certainly starting off like a “big” plant bug year. Most everyone is reporting threshold to 3 and 4 X thresholds of adult plant bugs moving into cotton that is squaring. Most people are also reporting unusually high numbers of plant bugs in group IV flowering soybeans compared to most years and I had one report the other day of a corn field 4-8 nymph plant bugs per ear on purple silk corn.

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Corn Foliar Disease Update: June 15, 2011 Updated

🕔22:14, 15.Jun 2011

At present, low levels of foliar disease continue to be reported from some corn fields throughout the Delta.  Over the past week more common rust has been identified throughout the corn canopy.  I’ve received several telephone calls questioning whether or

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Cotton Growth and Early Season Irrigation Updated

🕔17:22, 10.Jun 2011

2011 is shaping up to be one of the more challenging years we have faced in some time.  While no year can be considered normal, difficult weather conditions have tested the mettle of many this year.  Flooding, delaying planting, and

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Insect Trap Counts, June 9, 2011 Updated

🕔11:44, 10.Jun 2011

Pheromone trap counts for the week ending on 6-9-2011 show higher tobacco budworm and beet armyworm counts from the previous week. Corn earworm counts were similar to last week. All three of these insects are at levels where treatable larval populations

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