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AdvertisementDrying the 2009 cropBy David G. Hallauer Meadowlark District Extension agent, crops and soils/horticulture Kansas When summer weather gives you a fall harvest outlook like 2009 did, it can be easy to have your anticipation dashed a little. Such has been the case this fall as harvest has once again been delayed by significant rainfall here in northeast Kansas in combination with some delayed crop maturity to begin with. That has led many to either wait on harvest, or try to put some air to corn and soybeans coming out of the field. With every aeration system just a little different, its helpful to get at least an idea as to how well aeration will aid your harvest this fall--or whether that crop is just going to have to stand for awhile. Two references come to mind that may be of value to you as you make an aeration decision. The first is Kansas State University Extension Agriculture Engineer Dr. Joe Harner's grain drying spreadsheet. His Excel based spreadsheet uses air temperature, humidity, and grain moisture (among others) to give an idea as to drying times based on air flow. If interested, contact me for more information on how you can use it. A second reference is the University if Nebraska Crop Watch website at http://cropwatch.unl.edu. Recently, they have posted updates on aeration of binned corn and soybeans. It's a useful quick reference if you are interested. Above all, when working on an aeration and/or drying system, make sure to take all necessary safety precautions. All the grain in the world isn't worth getting stuck in a bin or risking injury from equipment that would have best been unused. Dandelion control window--now open There are two things I've learned about dandelions--almost everyone has them, and other than children who find them an easy picking 'flower,' few like them in their lawn. Fortunately, we have two control windows in Kansas--early spring, and right now. November is actually the most effective control time frame for dandelions and other broadleaf lawn weeds that tend to fall under the label of 'winter annual' in nature. That's because these plants tend to produce a flush of new plants in late September that are small and easily controlled with herbicides such as 2,4-D or combination products (Trimec, Weed-B-Gon, Weed-Out, etc.) that contain 2,4-D, MCPP and Dicamba. We generally see easier control during this fall time frame as they actively move materials from the top portion of the plant to roots. Translocated herbicides that make it to roots kill the plant from the roots up. Best management practices for application start with a day with temperatures at 50 degrees or higher. The better the weed is growing, the more weed killer that will move to the roots. You may still get control under cooler conditions, but the process will certainly be slowed--if not stopped completely. Newer products that contain the three aforementioned products plus some newer chemistry (carfentrazone) are now available, as well. They give a little quicker response and are particularly useful when temperatures drop below 50 degrees. Give fall weed control a try. If you can get better control--without the springtime risk that herbicides have for damaging trees and garden plants--why not? Mention of specific products is not intended as an endorsement of said product, only to give the reader examples of available options. Advertisement
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