News

Midwest rainfall worrisome for wheat

Storm systems moving through the southeastern Plains and beyond are expected to slow down wheat harvest and contribute to disease problems.

Martin Nagelkirk with Michigan State University Extension tells Brownfield, humid and wet weather is a concern for fusarium head scab in wheat.

“When we get conditions such as this we get a little bit worried because that has a byproduct that really cause discounts at the point of delivery.”  Mycotoxins produced from head scab are toxic to humans and Nagelkirk says cost farmers money.

Nagelkirk recommends farmers scout fields close to harvest to see if the field needs to be segregated into separate delivery loads or bins.  He says cranking up the fan speed on combines can blow lighter, infected kernels out while harvesting.  Nagelkirk also recommends farmers with on farm storage core out from bins and deliver separate loads to the elevator if quality is an issue.

In the last week, Tropical Depression Bill has dumped more than 10 inches of rain in some parts of the country.  Reports of flooding and potential crop damage are widespread.

AUDIO: Interview with Martin Nagelkirk (2:11 mp3):