Water Use by Small Grains
For high yields, small grains need 14 to 17 inches of water, depending on weather conditions and length of growing season. The water used for optimum growth is a combination of stored soil moisture, rain and sometimes irrigation.

Small Grain Disease Update (06/13/06)
Small grain disease outlooks based on risk models continue to be encouraging. In general, current weather conditions would suggest the risk for Fusarium head blight (scab) are low. However, rainfall, such as occurred on June 11 and 12, would place susceptible wheat varieties at moderate risk. It is important to begin monitoring growth stage of fields and check for model updates on a regular basis as local fields reach the boot to heading stages.

Cereal Aphids: Worth Watching
As small grains reach the flag leaf - boot - heading stages, we focus on cereal aphids and the plant diseases that could impact yield and quality. Field scouting activities this week did locate aphids, but the news isn’t all bad.

Iron Deficiency Chlorosis (IDC) in Soybean
Yellowing of some soybean plants (IDC) can be seen in a number of soybean fields in the region. Although there is sufficient iron in most of our soils for plant growth, the soybean plants displaying the yellowing have difficulty taking up the iron during this early stage of growth (first and second trifoliate just expanding).

What’s Happening with Soybean Rust ?
Scouting has intensified in soybean sentinel plots especially in the south. Most of the soybean sentinel plots have been planted throughout the country with plants in some early planted plots starting to reach maturity. Scouting continues on kudzu patches from Florida to the north as far away as Nebraska.

Risk Forecast for Sclerotinia of Canola in
Minnesota and North Dakota are now available
Sclerotinia risk model for canola is now being updated regularly through the Northern Canola Growers website.

Rust Infections Observed in Ryegrass Seed Production
Rust infection on the leaves in ryegrass seed production fields near Baudette and Roseau have been reported by producers and agronomists. The first observation of rust in ryegrass of the 2006 season was observed on the afternoon of 6/5/06. 

2006 Annual Grass Seed Plot Tour near Roseau
            Wednesday             June 28, 2006
The annual Grass Seed Plot Tour will take place near and at the Magnusson research site northwest of Roseau on Wednesday June 28.