Timely Ag Topics at Free Aug. 8 Event in Palmyra

By Linda Geist

University of Missouri Extension specialists will give updates on timely topics in agriculture 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 8, in Palmyra.

MU Extension field agronomist Nick Wesslak said topics at the free event will include diseases such as tar spot and red crown rot, drying and storage of late-planted corn, stockpiling fall forage, fall pasture weed control and frost-seeding legumes.

MU Extension state plant pathologist Mandy Bish will give an update on tar spot, which has been found in many northeastern Missouri counties this growing season. First confirmed in 2019 in Lewis, Clark and Scotland counties and in 2020 in Marion County, this yield-robbing disease is often confused with other corn diseases such as southern corn rust. Bish will tell how to identify tar spot and report on fungicide treatment recommendations.

Wesslak will talk about red crown rot management and yield impact. Although not yet confirmed in Missouri, this disease is present in Illinois and expected to spread to Missouri soon. Its symptoms are similar to sudden death syndrome of soybean, and yield losses can be up to 30 bushels per acre.

MU Extension ag systems technology specialist Charlie Ellis will share information on drying and storing late-planted corn. Corn growers who experienced high precipitation this season will find this information helpful.

Agronomist Rusty Lee will wrap up the session with a presentation on forages – how to stockpile fall forages, fall pasture weed control and why and how to frost-seed legumes.

The free event will be held at Hall’s Hall, 220 S. Main St., Palmyra, with lunch served courtesy of MU Extension in Marion County and Hall’s Hall.