Freight Train Status

        The percentage of transgenic crops grown in the U.S. and upper Midwest continues to increase with each passing year.  The figure below represents the percentage of transgenic corn grown in Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the U.S. in 2006.  It further breaks down the type of transgenic gene involved (insect resistant, herbicide resistant, and stacked multiple resistance).   Minnesota leads the way with over 70 percent of all corn acres having a transgenic gene.   

Amount of corn with a transgenic gene as a percentage of total corn acres planted in Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the U.S. 

        There is no denying the value of transgenics, but there is also no denying that in a very short time they have had impact on the crop pest complex.  Here are a few examples:

·     European corn borer populations have remained low since the inception of Bt corn in 1998.  Prior to that time, a cyclic pattern of high ECB populations occurred about every 6 to 7 years.  This may be good as long as resistance doesn’t develop.  It’s too early to see how transgenic corn will impact corn rootworm populations, but some researchers surmise that resistance is more likely to develop compared to ECB.

·     Resistant weeds were around long before transgenics; however, very few glyphosate resistant weeds had been confirmed in field crops.  The popularity of Roundup Ready soybeans has changed that trend and throwing Roundup Ready corn into the mix likely won’t slow it down.

·     As a higher percentage of Roundup Ready corn is grown, the risk of pollen drift into sweet corn and organic fields will increase.  

The bottom line is transgenics demand a unique set of management practices.  It’s not business as usual.
 

Checking Wheat for Winter Survival

        If you’re worried about winter wheat survival this spring, there are several ways to make an assessment.

1.       Dig-up plants with roots intact.  Free excess soil by shaking.  Plants are alive if soil adheres to  root hairs.

2.       Dig-up plants and cut into the crown.  If the internal crown is white or green, consider plants to alive.  If brown, well, it looks like more corn acres.

3.       Dig-up plants with plenty of soil attached.  Pot plants and bring them indoors.  Provide a little water and see if they grow.

Keys to successful frost seeding

        Frost seeding is more risky than conventional seeding methods but attention to several management considerations will more often than not insure success.  These are: 

Seed - soil contact:  Pastures should be closely grazed in the fall or winter to open stands and expose soil (too late now, but remember this for future years).  Sod-type grasses like bluegrass are the most difficult to make successful frost seedings.  In these situations, short duration animal hoof action is sometimes needed to help "plant" the seed. 

Reduce plant competition with new seedlings:  Reducing competition can be done in several ways.  First, grazing or cutting pastures down to 2 inches in the fall will help to slow regrowth in the spring.   Frost-seeded pastures need to be grazed regularly in the spring and summer to allow for light penetration into the plant canopy.   

Species selection and seeding rates:  In many cases, frost seedings are made to introduce or increase forage legume species into a grass stand.  Research and farmer experience has shown good results with red clover and birdsfoot trefoil.  Alfalfa, alsike clover, and white or ladino clover have also been frost-seeded with varying degrees of success.  Many producers routinely frost seed red clover every 2-3 years to sustain legume production.  Grasses offer some unique challenges for frost seeding because most do not establish with the success of legumes (or at least it takes longer).  Some grass species establish more rapidly than others.  The ryegrasses and orchardgrass contribute to forage yield during the seeding year.  Smooth bromegrass and reed canarygrass are best drilled rather than broadcast and often need a full growing season before plants become productive.  Seeding rates need to be adjusted based on species and conditions.    

Seeding Time and Method:  The fundamental principle behind frost seeding is that alternating freezing and thawing, along with spring rains, will help to incorporate the broadcast seed into the soil surface.  The best time to seed is from mid-March to early-April.