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Field Crop News and Notes Mike
Rankin ACRE Program Informational Meeting The Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) Program was a significant addition to the 2008 Farm Bill. It took some time to iron-out all the details, but the sign-up period is now underway and will end on August 14, 2009. To learn more about the ACRE program and to help you decide if it's the right option for your farm operation, two informational meetings have been scheduled on Tuesday, July 28th at 1:00 and 7:00 p.m. at UW-Fond du Lac in Rm. 114 University Center. Similar information will be presented at both times. ACRE is a revenue-based payment program serving as an alternative to receiving traditional counter-cyclical payments (CCPs). However, participation in ACRE reduces direct payments and lowers marketing assistance loan rates. Producers can enroll in ACRE any year during crop years 2009-12. Upon enrollment, the farm is locked-in for the remainder of the 2008 Farm Act (through 2012). After enrollment, a farm is no longer eligible to receive CCPs. Also, as a condition for the farm's enrollment in ACRE, direct payments for the farm are based on 80 percent of the legislated direct payment rate, and marketing loan benefits are based on 70 percent of the legislated national marketing loan rate. The ACRE program provides participating producers a revenue guarantee each year based on market prices and average yields for the respective commodities. It's similar to revenue-based crop insurance. The guarantee is based on State-level planted yields and national market prices, but payments are dependent upon State- and farm-level planted yields and national market prices. Giant Ragweed Suspected of Glyphosate Resistance Chris Boerboom, UW Extension Weed Scientist, reports that highly suspect population of giant ragweed located in Wisconsin is currently under investigation for glyphosate resistance. This field was reported in 2008 when a small number of giant ragweed plants survived two applications of glyphosate in soybean. Currently, both field and greenhouse studies are underway to confirm resistance. Although no glyphosate resistant weeds have officially been verified in Wisconsin, this news serves as a reminder that 1) the threat of glyphosate resistance is real; 2) diverse weed management programs are needed; and 3) when poor weed control occurs, resistance should be considered along with other causes of performance problems.Time to start thinking leafhoppers… We've reached the point where alfalfa fields will need constant monitoring from now through about early August. Potato leafhoppers (PLH) move into Wisconsin on wind currents and storms that blow-in from the southwest U.S. Recall that the PLH feeds on alfalfa by inserting its stylet into the alfalfa stem or leaf and starts sucking sap (carbohydrates) out of the plant. Research has determined that saliva from the PLH causes phloem tissue (the plant's pipeline for moving carbohydrates from the leaves to the roots) to compress and restrict flow within the tubes. It's thought that stem feeding, and the subsequent build-up of leaf sugars because of phloem tissue closure, is actually more responsible for the symptomatic leaf yellowing (sometimes referred to as hopperburn) than the leaf feeding. The only method to determine if fields are infested with threshold levels of PLH is to use a sweep net. Once leaf yellowing is visible, the damage has already been done. Heavy infestations of PLH can impact both plant growth and persistence. In one study at Iowa State University, PLH-infested field plots matured 30% slower than uninfested plots. The amount of yield loss depends largely on the level of infestation (how many) and when the little guys moved into the stand. Based on these two factors, research studies have validated yield losses from 0 to 95%.v Summer applications of manure to alfalfa High potash prices may prompt more farmers to consider summer applications of manure to alfalfa. If this is something you're considering, follow these guidelines:
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