Weekly Ag Update

By ned birkey

msu EXTENSION EDUCATOR EMERITUS

SPARTAN AG 

 The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center’s outlook to Oct. 20 called for leaning above normal temperatures and a near normal outlook for precipitation. The three-month outlook for October-November-December is calling for above normal seasonal temperatures and below to equal chances for precipitation. For January-February-March 2027, the outlook is above normal seasonal temperatures and below normal to normal precipitation. The U.S. Drought Monitor, released Oct. 1, shows no drought in southern Michigan or any of Ohio or Indiana and most of Illinois. The U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook valid through December 31, 2026, shows no drought tendency for Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and most of Michigan.

Evaluate corn for ear rots this fall especially with all the rain since September and especially if the ears dry down while upright. Concern is for corn of higher moisture content coupled with warmer temperatures increasing crop quality pressure. Ear rots sprouted corn and Deoxynivalenol (DON) (vomitoxin) contamination, as well as stalk rots can all influence field harvest scheduling, combine settings and storage decisions. For on-farm storage, dry corn to 15 percent or lower as soon as feasible, which will not remove existing toxins and mold, but may prevent further growth.

Combine and field fire prevention and preparedness begin with clean machines, especially the engine compartment. Other likely problem areas include faulty wiring, over-heated bearings, or leaking fuel or hydraulic oil. Have fire extinguishers handy. Daily routine maintenance needs to include cleaning spills, blowing off chaff and other plant material, proper lubrication of bearings and chains and checking electrical connections. Although Michigan had 50 combine fires recently, neither Michigan or Indiana rank in the top seven states for combine fires, while Illinois ranks 3rd and Ohio 4th.

October is Michigan Apple month. Although Washington is No. 1 in apple production, Michigan and New York duel for number two, each with about 25 million bushels of apples a year. There are about 7,500 apple varieties worldwide, 100 commercially with 90 percent of production coming from about 15 varieties. The most popular apple in the U.S. is Gala, followed by Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Red Delicious and a new number five, Cosmic Crisp. Apples come in red, pink, yellow and green colors and are categorized by taste, texture and best uses, such as snacking, baking or cooking. Johnny Appleseed was a real person (real name John Chapman), whose mission in life was to plant apple trees throughout New York, Ohio and Michigan. There is a Johnny Appleseed Museum and Education Center in Urbana, Ohio. There is a Johnny Appleseed Festival in Fort Wayne, Ind., every September.