News

Wheat trouble could continue from some in the Great Lakes

 

Vomitoxin in wheat fields this year may mean disease issues for farmers rotating to corn in 2016. Michigan corn breeder Dr. Kalvin Grant with Pioneer says vomitoxin can turn up again as ear mold.

“Michigan is one of only three places in the world that have high levels of Gibberella Ear Mold.” He says, “Us, Ontario and France–key places that Gibberella Ear Mold shows up because of our lack of sun and high humidity.”

Grants recommends farmers plan on using 2016 corn varieties that have a high Gibberella tolerance if rotating from wheat.

Grant says challenging seasons have unfortunately become the new norm for farmers. He tells Brownfield some corn plants that lost too much nitrogen earlier in the season may also have compromised stalks come harvest.

Grant says this year it really just depends on where farmers are located.  “In the same operations he may have one field that’s averaging 200 and some odd bushels per acre and in another field, he may have 110.”  He says on one side of the road a farmer may have had too much rain and the other side has had none.

Grant tells Brownfield early planted corn in May that had good root development before June rains should be the best off at harvest.

AUDIO: Interview with Dr. Kalvin Grant (3:08 mp3):