Sunday, March 20, 2011
Another reason to wait for herbicides on wheat!
Rain may have came but a great drying day on Saturday. Another sure sign that spring is here, I found a group of giant ragweeds starting to emerge. For those who have planted wheat in fields with history of GR now is not the time to make an application of 24d or Banvel. As spring moves forward with some warm moist weather I believe that we will see more rags emerging in those darker soils that warm up first. There are options to control this in wheat later when we go after the garlilc.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
And were off!!!!
So as I promised I am going to commit time to keep you all up to date on the daily/weekly happenings around my territory. Today the sun is shining and the ground is soaking up the moisture. Wheat top dress is almost ready to begin, just waiting on the ground to cooperate. As we begin to look at the wheat to determine staging and tiller growth we must take into consideration our goals for fields as far as yield, end use and productivity. Today I still believe we should be placing our first shot of N down and begin plans for a second in crop application for maximum crop production. If there were ever a year in which you wanted to evaluate fungicides, this is the year. Commodity prices are good, and potential for disease and insect pressure could be there. As I begin walking wheat fields over the weekend I will keep you up to date on my findings.
Stay tuned....
Stay tuned....
Thursday, February 10, 2011
2011 planning
Just some thoughts as I see opportunities coming up. If you are planning on applying a fungicide to your beans or corn, now may be the time to buy that product. Companies are offering some great rebates if product is paid for by an early date this spring. Arguments go both ways concerning fungicides. They are not a "cure all" for yield. I would argue that all cylinders need to be firing in order to maximize yield.
It starts with ground prep, followed by seed selection, treatment, inoculation, and weed/insect control. If these cylinders are not firing properly, it is probably safe to say that opportunities to maximize yield have already been limited. If high yield is what your looking for, start at the beginning and make sure you give this seed a fighting chance. Fungicides definitely play a large part in protecting and increasing yield, if the management strategy is in place.
To coin a phase from my SAA with Winfield Solutions - "We need to quit treating our beans like a red headed step-child" When we drop 32K pop on corn and at harvest we come to expect 32K in field. If we would end up with 28K we would seriously consider changing something in the management practice. So why are we OK when we drop 180K beans and at harvest we are simply satisfied with 130K final stand. I understand yield is not dramatically affected at this pop, but what about the other 50K we left behind?
So as we approach final decisions on soybeans and corn with fungicides, ask yourself, am I giving this crop the best possible chance at yield. If so, I would now take a look at products that will help maximize yield and help take you to the next level.
It starts with ground prep, followed by seed selection, treatment, inoculation, and weed/insect control. If these cylinders are not firing properly, it is probably safe to say that opportunities to maximize yield have already been limited. If high yield is what your looking for, start at the beginning and make sure you give this seed a fighting chance. Fungicides definitely play a large part in protecting and increasing yield, if the management strategy is in place.
To coin a phase from my SAA with Winfield Solutions - "We need to quit treating our beans like a red headed step-child" When we drop 32K pop on corn and at harvest we come to expect 32K in field. If we would end up with 28K we would seriously consider changing something in the management practice. So why are we OK when we drop 180K beans and at harvest we are simply satisfied with 130K final stand. I understand yield is not dramatically affected at this pop, but what about the other 50K we left behind?
So as we approach final decisions on soybeans and corn with fungicides, ask yourself, am I giving this crop the best possible chance at yield. If so, I would now take a look at products that will help maximize yield and help take you to the next level.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Its Back!!!
USDA Authorizes Genuity® Roundup Ready® Alfalfa for Spring Planting
Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) allowed DEKALB® Genuity® Roundup Ready® Alfalfa for planting, announcing its decision of "deregulation without conditions." For the first time since 2007, farmers will have the choice to plant the crop. DEKALB® Genuity® Roundup Ready Alfalfa is now available for distribution and sale again. (source : Monsanto Company)
What a ride this has been! As we look forward to the 2011 spring planting season for alfalfa, we now have an option for weed control without giving up yield, quality and persistence.
Most years we struggle to control weeds in alfalfa during its dormancy period with products like metribuzin. It seems by the time the snow has lifted, the alfalfa has broke dormancy and given the chickweed and perennials a chance to grow in competition with the alfalfa. In the past this has left us with limited options on in season weed control.
Roundup Ready alfalfa does not have a fit for everyone, especially those who require or need a grass companion crop. In this case there are options for great alfalfa depending on the needs of the grower. Whether it be a heavy cutting schedule, insect control or a 2-3 cutting a year schedule their are specific alfalfa's that have a fit for most needs. If your having trouble finding that right fit, give me a call and we can find a solution.
Auggie
740.808.2108
Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) allowed DEKALB® Genuity® Roundup Ready® Alfalfa for planting, announcing its decision of "deregulation without conditions." For the first time since 2007, farmers will have the choice to plant the crop. DEKALB® Genuity® Roundup Ready Alfalfa is now available for distribution and sale again. (source : Monsanto Company)
What a ride this has been! As we look forward to the 2011 spring planting season for alfalfa, we now have an option for weed control without giving up yield, quality and persistence.
Most years we struggle to control weeds in alfalfa during its dormancy period with products like metribuzin. It seems by the time the snow has lifted, the alfalfa has broke dormancy and given the chickweed and perennials a chance to grow in competition with the alfalfa. In the past this has left us with limited options on in season weed control.
Roundup Ready alfalfa does not have a fit for everyone, especially those who require or need a grass companion crop. In this case there are options for great alfalfa depending on the needs of the grower. Whether it be a heavy cutting schedule, insect control or a 2-3 cutting a year schedule their are specific alfalfa's that have a fit for most needs. If your having trouble finding that right fit, give me a call and we can find a solution.
Auggie
740.808.2108
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
2011 - What lies ahead
So here we are in my first full year with a blog. I will be posting at a minimum of once a week through the slower months and as many as needed as the season tightens up. It is my goal to keep the agriculture community up to date with timely, up to date information as I see it unfold. With that said, stay tuned and lets let this season unwind!
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