7 December 2015 NCRS Field Day Access Those of you who are attending the field day on 10 December, at our Northern Crop Research Site (NCRS), please note there is no access to the site directly off State Highway 1. Access is via Tamahere Drive from the Airport Road, or from Pencarrow Road and travel along until Pickering Road, then turn under the new SH1 overbridge and into Oaklea Lane. FAR signs will be placed opposite Pickering Road and Oaklea Lane entrances. Weather summary 21 November to 4 December 2015 Note: data is missing from the Wanganui, Rangiora and Matamata weather stations – some long term data has been substituted. Cumulative Radiation (from 15 Sept): Radiation drives the photosynthetic process and hence has a strong linkage to yield. Temperature, on the other hand, drives the development stages of maize (see below on GDDs). Leaf area development is important for radiation interception, while temperature has less influence on yield. Hence a cooler season with high radiation provides a longer growing period for photosynthesis to occur and higher yield potential, than a very hot shorter season. This is why New Zealand maize yields, grown in our temperate climate, are normally higher than those in the USA, where the growing season is hotter, but shorter. Most areas are recording above their long term averages. However Hamilton, Hastings, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, and Masterton are all below their long term average. Cumulative Growing Degree Days (GDDs) from 15 Sept 2015: Growing degree days are the average of the daily maximum plus minimum temperatures less a base temperature of 8 o C. Crop emergence takes about 125GDDs and from emergence to V10 each leaf collar requires 85GDDs. From V10 to tassel each leaf collar requires 50GDDs. The cooler and generally windy weather of the last fortnight has seen GDDs remain below the long term average in Morrinsville, Bay of Plenty, New Plymouth, Wanganui, Palmerston North, Masterton and Takaka. All other areas are now recording above their long term averages. Soil temperature (10 cm) averages for the fortnight: Soil temperatures are mostly slightly (0.2 to 2 O C) above average, except in Morrinsville, Hastings and Rangiora (all below average). Rainfall: Most areas received reasonable rainfall (24mm+) in the last fortnight except for the East coast of the North Island and the greater Canterbury Plains. In the last fortnight Matamata recorded the national high of 77mm while Rangiora the low of 0mm. Evapotranspiration (ET) total for last fortnight: Rates have generally risen compared to the previous fortnight. Gisborne at 66mm is the national highest and the lowest is Pukekohe at 46.7mm.
Transcript
7 December 2015
NCRS Field Day Access
Those of you who are attending the field day on 10 December, at our Northern Crop Research Site
(NCRS), please note there is no access to the site directly off State Highway 1.
Access is via Tamahere Drive from the Airport Road, or from Pencarrow Road and travel along until
Pickering Road, then turn under the new SH1 overbridge and into Oaklea Lane.
FAR signs will be placed opposite Pickering Road and Oaklea Lane entrances.
Weather summary 21 November to 4 December 2015
Note: data is missing from the Wanganui, Rangiora and Matamata weather stations – some long term
data has been substituted.
Cumulative Radiation (from 15 Sept): Radiation drives the photosynthetic process and hence has a
strong linkage to yield. Temperature, on the other hand, drives the development stages of maize (see
below on GDDs). Leaf area development is important for radiation interception, while temperature
has less influence on yield. Hence a cooler season with high radiation provides a longer growing period
for photosynthesis to occur and higher yield potential, than a very hot shorter season. This is why New
Zealand maize yields, grown in our temperate climate, are normally higher than those in the USA,
where the growing season is hotter, but shorter.
Most areas are recording above their long term averages. However Hamilton, Hastings, New
Plymouth, Palmerston North, and Masterton are all below their long term average.
Cumulative Growing Degree Days (GDDs) from 15 Sept 2015: Growing degree days are the average
of the daily maximum plus minimum temperatures less a base temperature of 8oC. Crop emergence
takes about 125GDDs and from emergence to V10 each leaf collar requires 85GDDs. From V10 to tassel
each leaf collar requires 50GDDs.
The cooler and generally windy weather of the last fortnight has seen GDDs remain below the long
term average in Morrinsville, Bay of Plenty, New Plymouth, Wanganui, Palmerston North, Masterton
and Takaka. All other areas are now recording above their long term averages.
Soil temperature (10 cm) averages for the fortnight: Soil temperatures are mostly slightly (0.2 to 2OC)
above average, except in Morrinsville, Hastings and Rangiora (all below average).
Rainfall: Most areas received reasonable rainfall (24mm+) in the last fortnight except for the East
coast of the North Island and the greater Canterbury Plains. In the last fortnight Matamata recorded
the national high of 77mm while Rangiora the low of 0mm.
Evapotranspiration (ET) total for last fortnight: Rates have generally risen compared to the previous
fortnight. Gisborne at 66mm is the national highest and the lowest is Pukekohe at 46.7mm.
Field report
Northland: Maize crops are looking promising following good rainfall and better warmth, although
the Whangarei side is drier than Dargaville. Side dressing N onto early crops is almost completed and
post emergence herbicide applications are being made as further flushes of weeds have occurred.
There are no reports of any significant black beetle, greasy cutworm or ASW damage.
Waikato: Although it has been windy, a few calm warm days and nights have seen maize crops double
in size in the last week and the early planted crops are already close to fence post height. Side dressing
N is well under way, as is post emergence herbicide applications where they are required. There are
still crops being attacked (pulled) by birds, and some greasy cutworm damage is being noticed.
Common rust has not as yet been seen but usually appears around 10 December, depending on rainfall
and warmth. Crops generally look promising at this stage.
See below for the 10 December field day at our Northern Crop Research Site.
Bay of Plenty: The late frost of several weeks ago checked some plantings, but most have now
recovered. Weed control however, has generally been very poor this season, largely due to the dry
conditions not allowing sufficient activation of pre-emergence herbicides. Grass weeds (including
purple sedge nutgrass), and broad leaf weeds are prevalent, and currently side dressing and post
emergence herbicide applications are still underway. Apart from the frosted crops, most are looking
promising although further rainfall would be beneficial.
Gisborne: Planting is now completed and most crops, apart from those that were earlier swamped
by rainfall, are looking very good. A little cutworm damage is still being observed. Due to the wet
season a lot of crop margins have significant weed growth and post emergence herbicide applications
are being made, as are N side dressing applications. 10mls of welcome rain in the weekend and further
heat will help crops in the region.
Hawke’s Bay: While it is windy and getting dry, apart from weed control and some earlier frost
damage, crops are still looking promising. Post emergence herbicide applications and side dressing of
N is about 50% completed. There are no significant reports of pest damage apart from principally
pukeko bird damage.
Taranaki: Apart from a little slug and greasy cutworm damage, crops are responding to a few calmer
warm days and are now starting to develop better. Side dressing and post emergence herbicide
applications are now about 25% completed.
Manawatu: Conditions have continued to be cooler and very windy, and maize growth has been slow.
The wind has made herbicide applications difficult. Side dressing N continues.
Wairarapa: Frequent strong NW winds have continued, drying out the soil, and the cooler conditions
have not been conducive to growth for maize or pasture. These winds have made it difficult to spray
post emergence herbicides. Side dressing N has commenced.
Canterbury: Temperatures have been very changeable and maize growth has been slow, but is now
starting to respond with more rapid growth. Post emergence herbicide applications and side dressing
N are now happening. Maize crops generally look good.
Important agrichemical notification
MPI recently reassessed five insecticides to examine the acceptability of the crops listed on the labels from a dietary intake exposure perspective. MPI have now released their final decision for these compounds. As a result three compounds (diazinon, fenamiphos and methamidophos) cannot be used off label – which is in force now. This means that growers must only use these compounds strictly according to the label and must observe all ACVM & EPA controls. This includes following exact use pattern directions i.e. rate, timing, WHPs and target insect/s etc. Compounds that cannot be used off label:
Maldison (trade names Malathion 50EC, Malathion 95) can be used off label – but all EPA
controls must be complied with.
Acephate (trade names Lancer and Orthene) cannot be used off label from 01 July 2016.
Maldison (trade names Malathion 50EC, Malathion 95) can be used off label – but all EPA
