Weekly Ag Update By ned birkey msu EXTENSION EDUCATOR EMERITUS SPARTAN AG The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center’s outlook to Aug. 18 called for near normal temperatures and likely above normal precipitation. The MSU Enviroweather, on July 28, at the Blissfield/ Deerfield location, since either May 1 or since July 1, has 2026 with more rainfall, compared to either 2025 or the five-year average. 2026 rainfall since May 12 has been 10.38 inches, compared to 10.75 inches last year and a five-year average of 9.12 inches. Growing degree days (heat units, base 50ºF), starting on April 1, have been 1,939.6 GDD, slightly above last year and the five-year average. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor, released July 28, shows scattered areas of abnormally dry soil conditions in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. Wheat performance trial results for Ohio State have been released and Michigan State plans to release their trial results soon. The OSU location in Wood County in northwest Ohio was planted Sept. 27, 2025, and harvested on July 8, 2026. At that location were 69 varieties from 15 companies, plus four public varieties. The high yield was 124.6 bushels per acre, the low was 93.4 bushels per acre, and an average yield of 107.2 bushels per acre. Data is also included for two and three years’ results of the same varieties. Information is also included for plant height, seed size, heading date, grain quality for flour and softness and a ranking for Fusarium head blight (scab) resistance. Red crown rot of soybeans is a relatively new fungal disease of soybeans in the Midwest, first diagnosed in southern Illinois (Pike County) in 2017, though it was first identified in the southern U.S. in 1950. Foliar symptoms can resemble Sudden Death Syndrome and Brown stem rot, with chlorosis, interveinal necrosis of the leaves red discoloration at the crown and lower stem at the soil line of the plants in the field. Mosquitoes are a bane to people wanting to spend time outdoors in the summer. Although I love to see swallows and bats feasting, they seemingly can never get them all. Mosquitoes are more than a nuisance as there are mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile virus. And gnats, biting flies, ants and other pests can take the fun out of any outdoor activity. Luckily, strong scents by some common garden plants can somewhat help block the scent of receptors that the bugs use to find us. Plants that are labeled as “insect-repelling” are actually not, but can help if used properly. Lavender, garlic, lemongrass, basil, rosemary and catnip can help due to the strong oil contained within their leaves or crushed and rubbed against the skin or other plant specific details. Plants may indeed help but will not produce the same results as properly using commercial insect repellents. |
