HOME:
Current Soil Health News from
Hoorman Soil Health Services

Two corn diseases farmers need to be monitoring again this year are vomitoxin and tar spot. Cooler temperatures especially at night and August rains tend to promote Gibberella (GIB) erot or vomitoxin. GIB is caused by a fungus named Fusarium graminearum , also called Gibberella zeae , causing ear rot, stalk rot, and head scab in both corn and wheat. Corn symptoms include a reddish or pinkish-white mold on the ear tips which is a toxin. The pathogen over- winters on plant residue, usually corn stalks/leaves and wheat residue (straw and chaff). GIB ear rot is most prevalent when cool wet weather occurs for about 21 days after silking. Fields most susceptible are corn after corn or corn after wheat, especially if the wheat was infected with Fusarium head scab. Corn that is stressed from lack of nutrients, by insects, or other types of plant stress (soil compaction, poor soil health) tend to have higher levels of GIB ear rot. Some corn varieties, when they start to dry, keep their husk up...

Phosphorus (P) runoff has long been blamed for excess harmful algae blooms in Lake Erie. While most experts blame agriculture, humans are also a significant source of P runoff in the form of human sewage. The City of Maumee by Toledo is an example. US EPA recently announced that the City of Maumee has been dumping 150 million gallons of raw sewage into the Maumee River for the last 20 years. The problem occurs because during heavy rains, relatively clean water from downspouts, sump pumps, and other sources of stormwater is mixed with raw sewage, and the sewer system can not handle that much water so it is dumped into the river. Cities are now required to have two piping systems, one for raw sewage and one for relatively clean stormwater. However, the cost is very expensive to replace and update all those sewage systems. It is not only problems in major Cities, it is also rural home systems that need updating. So, everyone needs to do their part to keep water clean. Another new developm...

  Upcoming Field Days  Crops are growing and field days are sprouting up all. Farmers have an opportunity to take a break and learn some new information at these events. Drainage Technology and Water Management Field Day at Ohio State Lima, July 24th.  Drainage installation, drainage water recycling, and soil health will be the focus of a field day being held on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, beginning at 9 a.m. at The Ohio State University at Lima. Registration is required to attend. The event and registration details are available at go.osu.edu/limadrainageday .  Field demonstrations will be conducted by the Ohio Chapter of Land Improvement Contractors of America in an open house-style format throughout the day and a variety of conservation practices will be on display, featuring Extension and industry experts. The event is free and open to the public and parking will be available on site.  The field day will take place at the Ohio State Lima Regenerative Farm, whi...

Glyphosate is an herbicide and the main ingredient in Roundup, a popular brand of weedkillers. Research shows a potential link between prolonged and high levels of exposure and an increased risk of certain cancers. Roundup has been the subject of thousands of lawsuits, many of which are ongoing.   What Is Glyphosate? Glyphosate is the active ingredient in herbicide products, including Bayer’s Roundup. Glyphosate herbicides are widely used for weed control in U.S. agricultural settings, schools, public areas and home gardens.  Article: https://www.consumernotice.org/environmental/pesticides/roundup/glyphosate/

Research suggests a link between the popular glyphosate weed killer Roundup and cancer. The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer concluded glyphosate is “probably carcinogenic,” but the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency maintains more evidence is needed. Roundup and Glyphosate Roundup is the brand name for an herbicide containing the active ingredient glyphosate. Glyphosate is a nonselective weed killer, meaning it can kill most plants on contact within days or weeks. Agricultural workers often apply glyphosate by spray to large areas of crops. Article: https://www.consumernotice.org/environmental/pesticides/roundup/

  One issue that is arising in Ohio and North America are invasive species of insects. A number of new invasive insects (and some old ones) are causing problems including the Spotted Lantern Fly, Asian long-horned beetle, the Box tree moth. Older invasive insect species like the gypsy moth (Spongy Moth) and emerald ash borer are still around. Due to expanded world-wide trade, many of these insect species come from Asia and have few natural predators but they can cause economic damage to crops, various plants, and trees.  The Spotted Lantern Fly is an invasive plant hopper native to China and it’s preferred host is another invasive plant called the Tree of Heaven. Tree of heaven is a weedy invasive tree that looks like black walnut. Spotted lanternfly also feeds on over 100 species of plants including grapes, fruit trees, ornamentals and timber. Spotted Lantern fly damage includes oozing sap, wilting, leaf curling, and then dieback and it also promotes sooty mold (a fungus) whi...

  Wheat harvest is progressing depending on rainfall. Both yields and quality appear to be good this year. Some farmers are wondering what to do with the wheat straw? Should they keep the straw on the field to build soil organic matter (SOM) or should they sell it? What is the value of the wheat straw and how many nutrients are being lost? Does straw residue hurt the next crop?  Straw is a valuable resource in high demand for bedding or mulch and livestock farmers even use straw to add fiber to their livestock rations Some farmers chop it and let it lie on the field, others bale it. If planting double crop soybeans or cover crops, removing the straw may be beneficial. High carbon straw may slow down plant growth (especially chaff) and it also attracts pests like slugs and voles.  If selling straw, make sure to sell it for what it is worth. Straw has value as bedding but it also contains soil nutrients. At a minimum, straw sellers should consider the value of nutrients lea...