WTSB AG News

Updated: September 5, 2008

Wet-Bulb Thermometers and Calibration
Tobacco growers are in the middle of the curing season right now.  The tobacco curing process is based upon controlling temperature and moisture in the barn.  For an optimum cure that uses the least amount of fuel possible, growers need to use both wet-bulb and dry bulb thermometers.  It is important that the thermometers are accurate and growers should not assume that old thermometers are reading correctly.  To calibrate thermometers growers should take a Styrofoam container and fill it with roughly one part crushed ice and one part water.  A large drink cup will work just fine.  This mixture will be 32 degrees Fahrenheit.  If the thermometer does not read correctly when placed in this ice and water mixture, it should be discarded.  Wet-bulb thermometers should be calibrated without the wick.  For accurate wet-bulb readings, wicks should be replaced between each cure.

Worker Protection for Tobacco Growers
There has been significant press coverage regarding farm worker protection and pesticides in recent days.  The pesticide product label is the final authority and it is the law with respect to pesticide application and worker protection.  However, there is a quick reference chart in the 2008 Tobacco Information Book that gives growers quick answers to worker protection questions for most of the products that we use in tobacco.  For each pesticide, the chart indicates the signal word (Caution, Warning, Danger, etc.), the restricted entry interval in hours and the required worker notification.  Growers can request this information from the Johnston County Extension Center if they do not already have a book.  This information can also be found on line.

Preparing Your Farm For Weather Disasters
All farmers weather many storms each growing season. In the past, North Carolina farmers have experienced first hand the damage to their crops from hurricanes. Planning should be ongoing and continued monitoring of weather should be a part of every day activities.

For long range preparations farmers need to consider having a generator close at hand. Consider purchasing, leasing, or negotiating a rental arrangement for a back-up generator in advance. Many farmers hook the greenhouse to a generator to keep the layers of plastic inflated and possibly save the greenhouse from damage. If tobacco barns are without power for long periods of time, harvested crops can be lost. Consider generator use for your hog operations. If you plan to rent a generator, read the contract carefully, as some rental contracts are only for 8 hours use per day. Decide how much risk you can afford to take. Will the generator cost more to own than rent?

Have enough fuel for the generators and vehicles, and consider a hand fuel pump. Be sure to have fire extinguishers, first aid kits, a camera that stamps date and time, film to document damage, flashlights and batteries on hand. It might pay to have a NOAA weather radio with batteries near by and always have enough water and feed for several days.

To get your property prepared you may want to clear debris from drainage ditches so water can run freely. Check power line clearance; some of the greatest hurricane damage is from downed power lines and long power outages. See if trees need pruning or removing.

You may want to survey your buildings—do you need to trim or cut down trees too near your barns or home? Check for old, damaged trees and consider removal before a storm. Also check the condition of the buildings; a few extra nails or tighter hurricane strapping can limit further damage. Clear away all debris that could blow in high winds. Secure any signage.  Have photos of valuable items stored off site; store all business records above flood level, at least two feet off the floor.

Review your insurance policies. Be sure you have adequate coverage for homeowners, vehicles, farm buildings and structures, crops and flood. Learn the different types of wind, hail, and catastrophic insurance coverage. Find out if your policy covers wind set up charges. Have all agents' contact information ready. 

Review your debt level. Do you have unpaid debts that would go unpaid if you lost 50% of your crop in one year? Review your finances. Do you have a cash reserve you could use to replace a loss of income? You should develop an emergency plan for your family and your crew. Be sure everyone knows where to meet, and preparation and recovery duties are prioritized and assigned.

When you hear that a storm is near, tune in to local radio weather reports. Designate crews to begin preparations for the storm--after securing their own homes. Have all phone numbers ready to call for help after the storm. This may include the County Extension Agent, insurance agents, county Farm Service Agency. Store items inside that may blow away.  Turn off propane and natural gas. Shut off electric power to avoid surges. Move your equipment into the middle of a large open field or pasture. Keeping equipment away from buildings and trees that may blow over can prevent loss. Tie down any lightweight equipment. Don't park equipment in areas that may flood. Have fuel and batteries ready.

Once the storm passes check to see what assistance is available if needed. If the Governor declares your county a disaster area, the Department of Corrections may send inmates to help stand up tobacco, and the National Guard may offer limited generators. Other help is often available through your local Emergency Management office. Local extension agents can also relay the request for emergency assistance to Emergency Management officials who will determine if action is warranted. Give your agent all means of contacting you: phone, fax, home, shop, mobile, pager, and email addresses so you can be contacted at any hour, day or night.

Updated: August 27, 2008
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY

Researchers Battle Wheat Disease

Two researchers in North Carolina State University’s College of
Agriculture and Life Sciences are members of a team racing against theclock to find solutions to a fungus that is destroying wheat crops on theother side of the globe.

Dr. David Marshall and Dr. Gina Brown-Guedira with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture Research Service (ARS) and N.C. State’s CropScience and Plant Pathology departments, are examining wheat grown eachyear in Kenya in hopes of developing varieties with resistance to avirulent form of wheat stem rust.

Wheat stem rust is not a new disease. Up until the 1950s, it was a
constant threat to U.S. wheat growers. But the development of new
varieties with genetic resistance to stem rust made the problem far less common, though still dangerous when it strikes.

As a researcher at Texas A&M University, Marshall saw stem rust wreakhavoc on a Texas wheat field. “We had an outbreak of stem rust on the Gulf Coast in 1986. And that field went from green to dead in two weeks. So itcan spread very rapidly.

“Wheat stem rust is not a new disease in the United States. This stem rust is a new virulence, a new race that we’ve found in Africa that can overcome resistance genes. Most of the wheat varieties in the world arebased on two to three genes for resistance (to wheat stem rust). This newrace can take out all of those genes,” he said.

The new virulent stem rust was first detected in Uganda in 1998 and
reported the following year, 1999. Known as Ug99, this stem rust has now spread north and east across Africa in areas where little wheat is grown.

Since 2000, the fungus has been found in Kenya, Ethiopia, Egypt and Yemen and has been reported in the Sinai Peninsula. Researchers fear that thedisease will soon reach China and India, where the population relies on a large wheat crop as a food staple.

“The international centers CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat
Improvement Center) and ICARDA (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas), as well as in-country wheat programs in India and China, have been working feverishly to develop and increase newvarieties that have resistance. I know that they’ve identified them, andthe question is how quickly can they increase these lines and get them outto folks. So we know that the resistance is there,” Marshall said.

With the world’s grain supplies already low, another blow to the world’s food production system could be devastating. So Marshall and his ARS colleagues, along with other agricultural researchers, are in a race to find or develop wheat varieties that can withstand the effects of thisfungus.

ARS is partnering with researchers with the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute to identify resistant wheat varieties. In March, KARI researchers planted both winter wheat and spring wheat varieties in trial plots. Because Kenya is close to the equator, researchers must refrigerate the winter wheat seed for eight weeks in order to force it to flower.

Marshall is responsible for assessing the winter wheat crop in September, while another ARS colleague assesses the spring crop. He is looking for varieties that have some resistance to the stem rust.

A quarter of the wheat grown in the United States is spring wheat. It is grown in the most northern states, while winter wheat - 75 percent of the U.S. crop - is grown in states primarily south of South Dakota. Germplasmsamples are brought to the U.S. to be analyzed by ARS researcher Dr. Yue Jin at the agency’s Cereal Disease Laboratory in St. Paul, Minn. The work can only be done during the frozen months of January through March under authorized and contained conditions to avoid any risk to the U.S. wheat crop.

Though fungicides can work against wheat stem rust, they are not
economical, particularly in developing countries. In Kenya, Marshall said, even four sprays of fungicide were not enough to prevent the stem rust from destroying wheat fields.

Researchers around the world have joined the search for resistance to this new wheat stem rust, Marshall said. The virulent race of stem rust has not appeared in the U.S., although researchers are not taking any chances.

“We believe that we have a few years before things pop here,” Marshall said. “We are getting a head-start on protecting U.S. wheat before the new rust gets here.”

Updated: July 28, 2008
Curing and Wet Bulbs

There are many things that must be done to insure the best fuel efficiency when curing tobacco.  With the current cost of fuel, these items are more important that ever.

Curing reminders:

1.  Load the racks or boxes uniformly.  Electronic load cells can be an inexpensive way to improve uniform loading of boxes.

2.  Seal up cracks and holes where air may escape from barns. 

3.  Adjust burners for proper efficiency and have them set at the lowest BTU level that is sufficient for curing.  300,000 to 350,000 BTU is sufficient for many barns.

4.  Use a wet bulb thermometer or automated curing controller to set dampers.  Without a wet-bulb, over-ventilation is likely and will result in excess fuel consumption.

If growers need a wet-bulb chart to assist with curing, we have posters available at the Johnston County Extension Center.  More detailed information is also included in the Tobacco Information Book.

 

 

Guidelines for Dry Bulb and
Wet Bulb Temperature Settings

Stage of Cure	Dry Bulb	Wet Bulb
Yellowing	100°F	95°F
Early Leaf-Drying	120°F	100°F
Late Leaf-Drying	135°F	105°F
Stem-Drying	165°F	110°F

 

On-Farm Tests

NC Cooperative Extension has several On-Farm Tests for tobacco in progress in Johnston County this year.  These tests represent a good deal of hard work by the growers, Extension Specialists, NCSU Technicians and others.  Information from these efforts will be presented at Tobacco Day, winter meetings and in the Tobacco Information Book.  You can also take time to stop by these fields or discuss the results with Bryant Spivey, County Extension Director.

Black Shank Chemical Test
Price Road – Thanksgiving Community
Randy Edwards Farm

Sucker Control Test
NC 222 and Crockers Nub Road
Stancils Chapel
Will Boykin Farm

Granville Wilt Variety Test
Fulghum Little Creek Road – Pine Level
Don Holloman Farm

Tobacco Barn Fuel Monitoring
Andy and Jared Penny – McGee’s
Tom and Jay Vinson - Clayton
Keith Smith – Four Oaks
Ray Boswell - Selma
Triple B Farms – Four Oaks

 

 

Updated: July 14, 2008
CUCUMBER DISEASE CONFIRMED IN JOHNSTON COUNTY

Cucurbit Downy Mildew disease has been detected in Johnston, Wilson and Lenoir County cucumber fields.  This disease attacks cucumbers, watermelons, squash, pumpkins, muskmelons, and other cucurbits.  This disease can kill plants if they are severely infected early. Downy mildew can reduce yield, fruit quality, and harvesting time. It does so by leaf infections, which impair necessary food production in the plant.

Fortunately farmers are finishing the spring crop and most cucumber fields are at or near harvest. For fields that are more than 10 days from harvest, growers should consider applying fungicides to control the disease. For growers considering a fall cucumber crop, fungicide applications are a must. Control recommendations for cucumber downy mildew are available online.  A new fungicide, Presidio, is available this year for downy mildew control. Presidio performed very well in North Carolina field studies conducted in 2007. Fungicide trial results are posted at the above website.

Current disease forecasts, tracking maps and a host of other helpful information on cucurbit downy mildew are available online.

 

COTTON APHIDS

Crop Consultants have reported low cotton aphid levels so far this season. However, the next 3 to 4 weeks are often our most likely time period for treatable levels of cotton aphids. Farmers and crop scouts should report any cotton aphid observations that show the characteristic upper terminal wilting from aphids, especially if these symptoms are widespread. Scouts should also recognize and report items such as aphid mummies, the parasitic fungus, and the moisture status of cotton plants. Aphid infestations only rarely cause an economic loss to Southeast cotton that is not under moisture stress. 

 

COTTON SCOUTING SCHOOLS
Cotton scouting schools are being planned in Halifax County, Northampton County as well as a Wilson, Edgecombe, and Nash county-area school.  The area school will cover cotton and soybeans.  Persons interested is scouting schools should contact the Johnston County Cooperative Extension Center at 989-5380 for more information.

 

FOLLOWING IS AN ARTICLE FROM NCSU ENTOMOLOGY SPECIALISTS REGARDING TICKS AND ROCKY MOUNTAIN SPOTTED FEVER PREVENTION:

From:  Mike Waldvogel and Charles Apperson, Extension Entomologists

Wilkes County Resident Dies from Rocky Mountain Spotter Fever

A July 9, 2008 press release from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services mentions the death of a Wilkes County resident likely due to Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF). As noted by Dr. Leah Devlin, the state Health Director, North Carolina had 665 cases of RMSF reported in 2007.

There are no magic fixes to tick problems, but there are measures (both chemical and non-chemical) that people can use to reduce tick infestations around their property and to protect themselves and their family.

PETS
Pets that spend all or part of their time outdoors need to be protected for their own safety and also so that they don't serve as a local reservoir for ticks. There are already enough “potential” sources out there with deer, rodents, and other wild mammals including feral cats and dogs, plus ground-nesting birds. You can treat kennels/pens and other yard areas but please exercise extreme caution about allowing the animals (or your kids) into treated areas before the surfaces dry (or before any time interval specified on the pesticide label). Particularly with our usual hot dry conditions in the summer, insecticide coverage becomes even more of a critical issue. In these situations, outdoor treatments are best done professionally with a truck or trailer mounted spray rig, or by the consumer using a garden hose sprayer in order to get thorough coverage of tick habitats. Use enough spray volume (don't over apply the actual active ingredient) to ensure that the ground cover is saturated from the surface down to the soil. Consult the North Carolina Agricultural Chemicals Manual and your veterinarian for information about products suitable for area and specific pet treatments.

HABITAT MODIFICATION

Ticks will be more abundant in areas frequented by wild animals. These areas are typically overgrown and weedy or covered with leaf litter and particularly during those hot summer months - they're often well-shaded places where the animal rests. Try to keep the ground
cover in these areas trimmed back as much as possible. Keep leaf litter and other debris out from under and around picnic tables.

PERSONAL PROTECTION

* Whenever possible, avoid likely tick-inhabited areas (i.e., those tall weedy areas we mentioned previously).

* Apply repellents to your clothing, particularly shoes, socks and pants. Permanone is a good choice for treating clothing. If you're wearing shorts you can also spray your ankles and calves. Be careful about using (or overusing) repellents on small children. information about repellents are available online. 

* Light-colored clothing has the advantage of making it easier for you to spot ticks that have decided to hitch a ride with you.

* If you wear long pants while working or hiking outdoors (not many people hike indoors), tuck the pants' legs into your socks. If you're the type of person who worries about looking like a “dork,” stop worrying you probably do look like one regardless of whether you tuck in your pants legs. Besides, you may start a new fashion trend.

* Inspection - when your kids come inside from playing outdoors check them over carefully for ticks (it works for chimpanzees!). Likewise, if you've spent time working in your garden or taking a hike, spend some additional valuable time checking yourself thoroughly for any hitchhiking ticks.

TICK REMOVAL AND REMINDERS

If you find a tick on yourself, your children or your pets:

* Remove the tick carefully by grasping it firmly with tweezers or with a tissue (not with your bare fingers). Pull until it dislodges. This is generally considered to be the best method of tick removal as opposed to using lit matches, oil (motor or mineral), detergent or some other chemical to try to dislodge the tick. If possible, save the tick for identification if necessary. You can keep it wrapped in a tissue or store it in ethanol (preferably 75 percent or higher).

* Wash the bite area with soap and water and then apply an antiseptic such as alcohol.

* Record the date of the tick bite on a calendar. Then, watch for any symptoms within the next 10 to 14 days and contact your doctor if necessary.
 
Tick-borne disease symptoms are described in our online publication Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases in North Carolina.

TICK TESTING
 
One of the questions frequently asked is whether there are labs that can test ticks for the pathogens that cause Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Erhlichiosis, etc.

The following webpage at the Rhode Island Department of Health lists private labs that will perform fee-based tests for the Lyme Disease pathogen only:

There is at least one lab that will perform tests for several tick-borne disease pathogens. 

We are not saying these are the only labs performing these tests. These are simply labs that we've found information about. Also, we are not endorsing the services provided by any of these companies or others that may provide tick testing services.

Anyone interested in this information must read the specific instructions given by the labs about the testing procedures. Some of the labs may perform tests only on particular tick species, which goes back to the basic point of why identifying the tick is important (and that's where you can help provide valuable assistance to your clients).

Now . . . all of that said, there are some important facts that you need to know before rushing to spend $60 to $100 for these tick tests.

Note the disclaimer posted at the bottom of Rhode Island website. "The testing of ticks for the presence of the bacteria that causes Lyme disease has no role in the clinical diagnosis of Lyme disease."

In other words, just because the tick tests positive for a pathogen or even multiple organisms, it does not mean that they transmitted the organisms while feeding (assuming that the tick had indeed fed before it was discovered). Typically, pathogen transmission requires 6 to 36 hours of feeding by the tick (depending on tick species and the particular pathogen). The results of such tests may alert the person's doctor to specific tick-borne diseases, the symptoms to watch for and the potential health risks to that patient. In some cases, this may be helpful by reducing unnecessary prescription of preventive antibiotic treatments. BUT, we need to emphasize to people that common sense and the tick-prevention steps outlined above are far more important of as priorities than relying on some analytical test to determine if a tick might be carrying disease organisms.

You can find additional information about ticks and tick-borne diseases at the following sites (which also have additional links): http://insects.ncsu.edu/Urban/ticks.htm  and  http://www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/phpm/index.htm  .

 

Updated: July 11, 2008

TOBACCO, SOYBEANS, & CUCURBITS DISEASE FORECASTS
Current Disease Forecasts for Tobacco Blue Mold, Soybean Rust, and Cucurbit Downy Mildew can be obtained through the North American Plant Disease Forecast Center at NC State University. The center provides timely information on the occurrence and future movement of these devastating diseases. 

Tobacco Blue Mold Information
Soybean Rust Information
Curcubit Downy Mildew Information

HUMAN HEAT STRESS
Heat stress precautions are advised with the onset of summer temperatures.  Farmers as well as anyone working outside should remember to consider the need for heat stress precautions and education of others. The NC Department of Labor has great resource materials on Heat Stress.

PEST NEWS HOTLINE
Cotton Insect Hotline information is available by phone at 1-800-662-7301 (then enter 4).  Pest News Updates for Cotton and Soybeans can be obtained through NCSU’s  NC Pest News website.

JULY GARDENER’S DIRT ISSUE

The July issue of The Gardener's Dirt has information on things to do in the garden, fall webworm is the insect this month, and the feature story focuses on a number of different methods for capturing and storing rainwater.  A list of some upcoming events and classes are also included.  The newsletter is available on-line.

 

SUMMER POND MANAGEMENT

When a pond is over run by aquatic weeds many people want to immediately spray chemicals. This is not always the right way to go for good weed control. There are a few steps to follow when aquatic weeds are a problem or if they have taken over the pond.

The first step when dealing with an aquatic weed problem is to identify why the problem exits. Simply having water and soil samples from a pond tested will explain a lot. For chemicals to be effective, the pond will need to be in the right condition to break down the herbicides. Testing the water and soil will determine what management practices will follow for best results.

The proper way to collect soil samples is by getting small cup size amounts of soil from different areas of the pond. Gather all soil samples on a flat sheet of plastic. Let the sample dry for a few days, then send it into the Agronomic Division in Raleigh via their soil box. Soil boxes can be obtained for free at the Johnston County Cooperative Extension Office. This soil test is free.

Water samples will only need to be collected from one part of the pond unlike the soil samples. More accurate results can be obtained when the water is collected 12-18” below the surface of the water. Solution analysis tests only cost $5.00 for North Carolina residents.  Plastic containers are preferred to put water samples in.  Before filling a pint or quart container, rinse the container thoroughly with water.  Once at the pond, triple rinse the container again using the pond water to be collected. By attaching a plastic container to the end of an extendable pole, it can be placed in the water to collect the samples easily. When collecting the sample of water hold the plastic container upside down when it is placed in the pond. Invert the container attached to a pole only when it is at the desired 12-18” below the surface to insure the collection of water at that depth.

During times when temperatures are in the 90’s, precautions need to be taken to prevent fish kills.  High temperatures lower oxygen levels in water. Decaying weeds remove oxygen from water and some chemicals cause fish to stress.  One or a combination of these stresses could result in fish kills.

To maintain a healthy pond make sure to check the soil and water twice a year. Your local Extension Agents can provide assistance and advice in managing ponds, minimizing likelihood of fish kills and in taking water and soil samples.  Johnston County Extension agents can be reached a 919-989-5380 with any other questions that you may have about ponds.

Updated: July 4, 2008
Tobacco Virus Situation

The Johnston County tobacco crop is infected with a higher level of virus than in 2007.  While virus assays being performed by the NC State University Plant Disease and Insect Clinic are not yet complete, it appears that we have both Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV) and Tobacco Streak Virus (TSV) in Johnston County.  Both of these viruses can produce some similar symptoms on plants in the field and are easily confused with each other.

TSWV can make young leaves turn yellow, then reddish, followed by brown.  Buds of TSWV infected plants will normally be distorted.   If plants are small when symptoms are expressed they will normally die.  Larger plants, that express symptoms after lay-by, can produce some harvestable yield.  If plants are larger when symptoms are first expressed, the plant does not normally die. 

Early symptoms of TSV can be easily confused with TSWV.  However, plants infected with TSV will normally have only a few leaves affected while the bud recovers and produces relatively normal leaves.  In general, less is known about Streak than is known about Tomato Spotted Wilt. 

TSWV currently ranges from <1% to >10% in surveyed Johnston County tobacco fields.  TSV ranges from 0 to 8% in surveyed fields and both viruses are present in many fields. 

Tobacco Sucker Control Tips

Without good management, tobacco plants will use most of their energy to produce flowers and seed.  However, the marketable product for tobacco growers is leaf.  Every tobacco grower knows that good sucker control is critical to producing profitable yields of quality flue-cured tobacco leaf.  The use of several chemicals and cultural practices is necessary to adequately manage sucker growth in tobacco.  At the same time, chemical residues of some systemic sucker control products are undesirable to purchasers of US leaf.  To minimize residues of systemic sucker control products in tobacco, growers should try to follow these tips.

1.  Delay application of maleic hydrazide (MH) until after the first harvest is complete.
2.  Apply no more than 1.5 gallons of MH per acre.
3.  Delay harvest after MH application until after measurable rainfall occurs.
4.  Make only one application of MH per acre each year.
5.  Apply contact fatty alcohols and dinitroanaline products in a timely, accurate manner.
6.  Apply sucker control chemicals in 50 gallons of water per acre and make sure that the application is made directly over the row.
7.  Begin contact applications when 50% of the plants are in the early button stage.


Tobacco Irrigation

Irrigation can improve tobacco yield and quality.  Growers should not assume that irrigation is not profitable due to high fuel prices.  In many cases, irrigation of flue cured tobacco is justified.  A cost benefit analysis of tobacco irrigation can be found at this link.


LARGE ROUND HAY BALER SAFETY
A round baler is bulky and reduces operator vision to the rear. When the bale chamber contains a bale, rear vision may be completely eliminated. Be watchful when backing the baler.

Be sure no one is near the rear gate when it is being raised and lowered. Keep everyone clear of the rear of the baler during unloading. Large round bales can roll after discharge when on hilly terrain.

Before servicing, cleaning, or adjusting a round baler, disengage the tractor PTO and shut off the engine. Never attempt to pull hay or twine from an operating baler. 

Block the gate before working under it. Use the safety lock system for the baler gate or the safety stops for the gate lift cylinders.

Always keep the PTO properly shielded.

Always shift the tractor transmission into park and lock the brakes, or block the baler wheels if the baler is not hitched to a tractor, before working on or under the baler.

During operation, remain seated on the tractor seat to reduce the chance of falling into the path of the baler. Never allow passengers to ride on the baler during operation or transport.

Be extremely cautious when operating a baler on uneven terrain. The baler could tip sideways if it strikes a hole, ditch or other irregularity, especially if carrying a near completed bale.

Do not make sharp turns; with the tractor wheels set wide to straddle windrows, rear tires could strike the baler tongue on sharp turns.

Never be in a hurry about anything to do with the baling operation.

Keep safety signs clean, readable and free from obstructing material.

Replace damaged or missing safety emblems with new ones. Instruct all operators on the meaning of the hazard signs.