40 Western Bean Cutworm traps like the one shown above have been positioned alongside Pioneer Sales Rep Corn plots in the Essex, Kent,Lambton,Elgin and Middlesex County area.The first Western Bean Cutworm moth of the year was found in one of our traps near the town of Essex in Essex County on Saturday June 27th.Western bean cutworm moths are quite large.
They are distinguishable from other moths by their distictive bomerang and full moon markings on both wings.They also have a distinctive white band that runs down the peripheral edge of their wings.The only technology that will help farmers control the ravages of Western Bean Cutworm is Herculex l.

These shots of corn borer moths were taken July 1st. Before the advent of BT corn, growers could only rely on the plants natural ability to produce a substance in its leaves called dimboa.Dimboa can help diminish the survival rate of young baby corn borer larve until roughly knee high.However the concentration of dimboa in the plant becomes so diluted after knee high that corn borer larvae will survive after this point of growth.With HERCULEX I BT, corn borer larvae are no longer a serious insect threat to high yield corn production no matter what stage of growth they attack the corn plant.

Herculex I BT plants produce a protein that when ingested by the young baby corn borer larvae causes it to die.As such BT corn is no longer damaged from the tunnelling impact that once was caused by these insects.With no tunnelling in the plants mid veins or stalk the corn crops drought tolerance has been markedly improved.

Another significant advantage with HERCULEX I BT corn is that secondary stalk rot pathogens are no longer a threat to the plants health or stalk quality.Yes indeed Herculex I Bt corn borer protection has afforded many farmers an incredible boost for high yield corn production. In the heat of the day as you walk through your soybean fields bordering up to corn fields don't be surprised if you stir up hundreds of resting corn borer moths.Corn borer moths have a tendency to mate in soybean canopies adjacent to corn fields.

These two fields provide a classic illustration of the impact farm management can have on the end resolve of a hybrids yield.Both fields lie adjacent to each other just west of Hickson,Ontario in Oxford County.For now I am not going to provide you with a list of farm management practices that has lead to the differences noted.Instead I'm going to leave it up to you to study these 2 photos and make a list of what you think are the management factors responsible for these differences.I will provide you with a list of all management differences at a later date.Please be sure to double click on the images above to view the two fields in closer detail.

The above photo shows a head shot comparison of the different Pioneer brand soft red winter wheat varieties on the market.You'll note how Pioneer brand 25R56 and 25R39 are both new awnless varieties.Some growers have preference for awnless wheat straw particularly for the bedding of baby chicks, race track stallions and wherever else the lack of an awned straw is preferred.The heads of 25R39 appear to be just slightly longer than those of 25R56.Both Pioneer brand 25R51 and 25R47 are awned varieties.Pioneer breeders see no advanatge for awned versus awnless wheat.The key to varietal release is superior yield,winter hardiness and disease tolerance.

A big part of the yield advantage of Pioneer brand soft red winter wheat varieties is their superior plant health.These shots taken from above each variety depict that superior plant health.The shot above taken July 1st shows the excellent leaf disease resistance of Pioneer brand 25R56. Leaf Blight - 6 , leaf rust - 7, Stripe rust - 9, powdery mildew - 6, Headblight - 5.
Disease Scores are rated from 1-9 , where 1 is poor and 9 is Exceptional.

The shot above shows the excellent plant health of Pioneer brand 25R51.

Leaf blight - 5, Leaf rust - 7, Stripe rust - 7, Powdery mildew - 4, Headblight - 8.

The shot above depicts the superior plant health of NEW Pioneer brand 25R39.

Leaf blight - 6, leaf rust - 8, stripe rust - 9, powdery mildew - 5, headblight - 5.

The shot above of Pioneer brand 25R47 shows its excellent overall plant health.The excellent plant health of 25R47 is what most cereal specialists took most note of when 25R47 first came on the market several years ago.Leaf Blight - 6, leaf rust - 8, stripe rust - 7 , powdery mildew - 5, headblight - 5 .Its the superior plant health of Pioneer wheat varieties late in the grain fill period

that enhances their yield superiority, their kernel plumpness and test weight.

Pioneer brand 25R47 has been the most widespread grown soft red winter wheat in Southern Ontario for several years now.
Its superior plant health and winterhardiness have made it the variety to beat.

Pioneer brand 25R39 is a new awnless soft red winter wheat variety that shows great promise.In limited yield data in 2008 it showed superior yield performance to 25R47. 25R39 will grow taller than 25R47, has similar leaf blight, leaf rust and fusarium head blight resistance scores as well as much better test weight.Winter hardiness and standability will be very close to 25R47's as well.25R39 will ripen and be ready for harvest slightly later than 25R47.Limited supplies will be available this fall.

Pioneer brand 25R51 is the leading FUSARIUM HEADBLIGHT TOLERANT wheat in Southern Ontario.25R51 gives farmers the best opportunity to deliver grade 2 wheat to their elevator and avoid any grade discounts due to tombstone.25R51 contains two Summi genes extracted from Chinese germplasm that helps render it Fusarium headblight tolerance.In head to head comparisons 25R51 runs a slight yield disadvantage to 25R47 BUT its headblight tolerance makes it a wonderful companion to other varieties.

Pioneer brand 25R56 is a NEW awnless soft red winter wheat for 2009.In last years yield data 25R56 held a nice yield advantage over 25R47 .Though 25R56 will head later than 25R47 it dries down extremely fast and will be ready to harvest slightly sooner.25R56 will have heavier test weight.25R56 offers an excellent leaf disease resistance package.Winter hardiness and Fusarium Headblight tolerance will both be similar to 25R47.Good supplies are available for the fall of 2009.