Assessing hail damage to corn
Severe weather is not uncommon during the summer in Kansas. Several destructive hail events have recently occurred in various Kansas regions. The impact of hail damage largely depends on the growth stage of the corn. This article goes into more detail about assessing hail damage in corn.
Cover crops grown post-wheat for forage
The time following wheat harvest presents an opportunity to incorporate cover crops. With recent rains in June and early July across many parts of Kansas, there is potential to grow a cover crop for substantial biomass production, which could also be a source of forage for livestock.
Southern rust is active in central and eastern Kansas
Southern corn rust continues to spread in the southern part of the US and is now detected in four counties across central and eastern Kansas. The severity depends on the weather, and southern rust likes 90-degree days, warm nights, and high humidity. This article answers some frequently asked questions about managing southern rust in Kansas.
Tar Spot is active in five counties in northeast Kansas
Tar spot is active in corn fields across five counties in northeast Kansas. Now is the time to intensify scouting efforts. Fungicide applications are most effective when applied within a specific window of corn growth stage. The K-State Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab is offering free testing for tar spot during the 2024 growing season.
Mid-season insect management for cotton production
As cotton in Kansas begins setting squares, attention shifts from monitoring thrips to monitoring cotton fleahoppers and lygus bugs (also known as tarnished plant bugs). Cotton should be scouted for these insects from the six-leaf stage until square production stops. Learn more about these cotton pests in this article.
World of Weeds - Purple threeawn
Purple threeawn is a warm-season perennial grass native to Kansas and the Great Plains that can be a challenging weed in fields under long-term no-till management. This species may be found invading fields along with tumble windmillgrass and tumblegrass - other problematic native perennial grasses. It is rarely consumed by animals and is an indicator of overgrazing on rangelands.