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Horse
checkoff program
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[AUG.
25, 2003]
Gov. Blagojevich has signed
into law
House Bill 1121, which allows Illinois horse owners an
opportunity to finance equine research and education programs as
well as other items. The bill calls for a referendum vote by horse
owners to voluntarily contribute a nickel per 50-pound bag of
commercial horse feed.
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The election has been scheduled for
Oct. 7 at Extension offices throughout the state. Logan County
election times will be from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on that date. The
only question on the ballot will be a "yes" or "no" choice regarding
establishment of a checkoff designating income from a surcharge on
commercial horse feed to be used by a board to support the equine
industry in Illinois.
It is anticipated that if the checkoff
is approved, a temporary board would be appointed. An election for
the regular board would then be held in July, in conjunction with
all the other commodity elections.
Because of the need to establish proof
of involvement in the equine industry, absentee balloting will also
need to be done in person. Details concerning the acceptable forms
of proof and absentee voting procedures should be coming shortly.
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Soybean aphids
Logan County has been experiencing high
populations of soybean aphids in area fields for about the last 10
days. Soybean aphids are specific to soybean plants, as far as crops
go, and populations thrive in dry, hot weather.
Thresholds are somewhat of a mystery,
since the pest hasn't been studied in central Illinois that much.
Most thresholds have been established for the R2 stage of growth,
and most of our soybeans are in the R5 stage at this time. The
Illinois recommended threshold is 25 aphids per leaflet. Wisconsin
does have some different thresholds: 500 aphids per plant in the
late vegetative and early reproductive stages, 1,000 aphids per
plant in the R2 stage, and 1,500 aphids per plant in the R4 stage.
Assuming the R5 stage requires more aphids, this would put an
estimated threshold between 1,500 and 2,000 per plant.
Some of the industry data for yield
loss and treatment timing shows less than 1.5 bushel yield advantage
to treating in mid-August and the highest yield advantage to
treating in mid-July if the pest is at threshold levels.
Another
thing to consider is watching for signs of plant distress. These
would include wilting and rolling of leaves and a change in color of
the plants. Be careful not to consider sudden death syndrome in the
color change survey.
[John
Fulton]
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