Seed Treatment at Bayer CropScience

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, agronomy, Audio, Bayer CropScience, Fungicides, Insect Control, Insecticide, seed

14862902210_8a9560bc81_zEthan Luth is product manager for seed treatment products and works specifically on insecticides that are used on corn, soybeans, cotton or cereal crops. During last week’s Farm Progress Show, Bayer CropScience invited us to chat with them about some of their products during a media event held in their giant air-conditioned tent.

“Poncho/Votivo is a product that has been around for a couple of years. Growers have come to recognize the Poncho name and trust it for insect control. The benefit of Poncho/Votivo is it brings nematode protection as well. We are working with that in soybeans specially now as growers encounter more issues with nematodes.”

The United States experiences a large variance when it comes to weather. And that has defiantly rang true this summer. Ethan said they put their products through many different environments to figure out where they work the best or where they don’t work at all. He said Poncho/Votivo works very well in many different conditions and referenced the drought we had two years ago.

Ethan also talked about a first of it’s kind product that we can see on the marketplace in early 2015. It will be the first seed treatment that you can apply to soybeans to manage sudden death syndrome. It is a fungicide chemistry that will stop the fungus that causes sudden death syndrome. It will manage against the disease and give growers better yields.

Ethan also discussed with me what Bayer CropScience has in the research and development stages when it comes to seed growth. Listen about that and more in my complete interview with Ethan:[wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/farm-progress/fps-14-luth.mp3″ text=”Interview with Ethan Luth, Bayer CropScience”]

2014 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Coverage of the 2014 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by
Coverage of the 2014 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by John DeereCoverage of the 2014 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by GrowmarkCoverage of the 2014 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Bayer CropScience

Crop Sensors Improve Nitrogen Application

Jamie JohansenAg Group, Nitrogen

Screen Shot 2014-09-02 at 1.48.52 PMSensor-guided nitrogen application can save corn producers money and increase yields, says Peter Scharf, University of Missouri Extension soil scientist.

Scharf showed how crop sensors diagnose variable nitrogen needs at a recent farmer technology field day at MU’s Bradford Research Center. In the last decade, on-farm demonstrations have been carried out in more than 100 cornfields and a dozen cotton fields in Missouri.

Nitrogen needs can vary widely from place to place within a field, Scharf said. In multiple field-scale studies, Scharf found that applying nitrogen at the same rate to an entire field often means that more than half the field will receive either far too much or far too little nitrogen.

Tractor-drawn light sensors can measure nitrogen levels in plants by detecting the amount of pulsed light that bounces back from plant canopies. A computer in the tractor cab uses the sensor data to automatically adjust fertilizer rates.

“Sensors take advantage of what all crop producers know from experience and common sense: Crops with enough nitrogen are darker and taller than those that are deficient,” Scharf said.

In 55 on-farm demonstrations with side-by-side comparisons between sensor-based nitrogen rates and producer-chosen nitrogen rates, sensors averaged a savings of 14 pounds of nitrogen per acre. Yield increased by 2 bushels per acre.

The technology still has some limitations: Not all controllers can accept external rate-control commands. Values can drift during the day. Weather and logistics present challenges. Producers and equipment manufacturers continue to work to improve variables.

Using sensors, corn should not be side-dressed until it is at least 12 inches tall. Producers should have a backup plan for nitrogen application in case of adverse weather. This requires availability of high-clearance or aerial application. Producers might choose to use sensors only on fields with the most soil variability to reduce the risk of not finishing N applications before the corn is too tall to drive a tractor through the field.

Read more about his research at here.

Ag Companies Create Agreement for Soil & Plant Health

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, Company Announcement

Screen Shot 2014-09-02 at 10.23.37 AMLoveland Products, Inc., a subsidiary of Agrium, and Actagro®, LLC announced that the companies have entered into a commercialization and technology development agreement for soil and plant health nutritional products based on the Actagro Organic Acids Technology Platform™. The agreement gives Loveland Products, a leading provider of high-performance crop input products and the proprietary products provider for Agrium Retail globally, expanded distribution, commercialization and development rights to the platform in the Eastern United States, Canada and Australia.

“We are very focused on providing a fully integrated portfolio of plant health and nutrition products to our global customers through our integrated Agrium Retail channel in the US, Canada, and Australia,” said Brent Smith, Vice President of Loveland Products. “Partnering with Actagro will allow Loveland Products to deliver new solutions to growers that complement conventional plant nutrition programs.”

Screen Shot 2014-09-02 at 10.24.00 AMUnder the terms of the agreement, Loveland Products will broaden its access to the Actagro platform to complement their expansive portfolio of plant health and nutrition products. Loveland Products and Actagro will also collaborate to integrate Actagro’s organic acids technology platform into both existing and future product offerings.

“This expanded partnership with Loveland Products allows us to expand our organic acid-based solutions into new regions, where they will enhance the ability of growers to produce higher quality, better yielding crops,” said Monty Bayer, President and CEO, Actagro. “Actagro’s technology platform and product line are an excellent fit with Loveland Products’ portfolio and services, and we are excited to work with them to develop additional products.”

Convert Stubble to Profits with Bio S.I. Technology’s SD 25

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, agronomy

Screen Shot 2014-09-02 at 9.36.11 AMStubble is most commonly associated with grain crops and is referred to as the crop debris leftover in the fields post-harvest. The tops of crops like corn, wheat, barley and rye are harvested for grain and the leftover stalks, typically ranging between 6-14 inches high, are left to decay in the field. The leftover debris, or stubble, must be dealt with in order to eliminate pathogenic contaminants and clear the ground for future planting. Typically in the past, farmers would slash and burn debris. As regulations and concerns over pollution and soil contamination have intensified, stubble is now more commonly shredded and left on the ground as mulch or collected and sold as livestock bedding. Bio S.I. Technology’s SD 25 stubble digester penetrates leftover debris to breakdown stubble, naturally composting and recycling valuable nutrients back into the soil and returning profits to farmers’ pockets.

Leftover stubble can play host to a multitude of harmful pathogens and diseases. In order to avoid crop failure and assure successful planting, growers must rid fields of stubble. Rather than old labor-intensive techniques, farmers can improve soil tilth and convert leftover stubble to valuable nutrients with the help of “stubble digesters”. The SD 25 stubble digester accelerates the rate of decomposition using a proprietary mixture of cellulose digesting microbial fungi, a broad range of other naturally occurring microbes, and humic acid as an added source of carbon to fuel beneficial microbial activity.

According to Bio S.I. founder, Wayne Tucker, “SD 25 works beyond growing seasons to prepare fields for future planting by releasing the nutrients tied up in leftover debris. Plant debris can be a real problem for the next planting season for some growers. SD 25 helps farmers recycle nutrients they have already paid for plus the benefits of adding carbon (humus) to help retain water and nutrients in their fields.”

Digested stubble also unlocks and releases usable nitrogen and phosphate back into the soil, which can be more valuable than most farmers realize. For every 1-2 tons of stubble that is digested, growers will save about $175 an acre in recovered fertilizer costs. These substantial savings in input costs and man hours will more than cover the costs of SD 25’s application and significantly improve any farm’s bottom line.

SD 25 is an all-natural microbial formula that is safe for organic use. Unlike other stubble digesters, SD 25 is soil-borne and free of preservatives and urea, which makes it safe for use in any setting. After harvest and before the first freeze growers should apply the initial application. SD 25 can be used successfully in till and no-till regimens, although it is important to beat the first freeze because microbial activity and decomposition are significantly slowed by cold temperatures. Upon successful application, growers will notice debris is typically decomposed within 60-75 days.

Make Grain Bin Safety Your Top Priority

Jamie JohansenAg Group, Grain, NCGA, Safety, Video

As farmers across the country prepare to hit the fields in their combines, the National Corn Growers Association urges all growers to remember the importance of proper grain bin safety procedures this harvest. To help increase awareness of this important topic, NCGA offers a video highlighting the importance of proper safety procedures and reviewing helpful guidelines.

First released in 2011 by NCGA and the National Grain and Feed Foundation, this video remains relevant and illustrates the significant threat bin entrapment can pose.

“In 2010 we saw a record number of farmers becoming engulfed in grain bins and we decided it was time to have a proactive role in creating awareness about the serious nature of this issue,” said Bart Schott, who served as NCGA president at that time. “We hope that this video makes farmers stop and think twice before the next time they put themselves in danger.”

The video, shot on location in several states, provides a wide range of information from prevention tips and background data on grain bin accidents. The project also involved interviews with professionals in the fields of grain bin safety research and rescue to provide as much information to viewers as possible.

A free DVD of the video is available, while supplies last, by sending your mailing address to corninfo@ncga.com


GROWMARK Changing CEOs

Leah Guffeyagronomy, Audio, Growmark

A changing of the guard at GROWMARK, Inc. is happening this month and both incoming and retiring CEOs took the stage at the cooperative’s annual meeting in Chicago last week.

_DSC0307GROWMARKJeff Solberg is retiring from GROWMARK after 38 years in a variety of leadership positions, including Senior Vice President, Finance, Vice President, Finance, and Treasurer. He was named CEO in November 2010 and assumed the CEO duties in January 2011.

“My goal was to always become the Chief Financial Officer for GROWMARK,” said Solberg at the GROWMARK annual meeting in Chicago today. “I never imagined that I’d be given the opportunity to be the CEO. I was lucky enough to pick the right place to work the first time. I never wanted to work anywhere else.”

Listen to my interview with Jeff here: [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/growmark/gmk-14-solberg.mp3″ text=”Interview with Jeff Solberg, Retiring CEO GROWMARK”]

_DSC0248Replacing Solberg as of September 15 is Jim Spradlin, who most recently held the title of vice president of agronomy for GROWMARK.

Spradlin has a degree in business administration and economics from Illinois College and has held various positions within the GROWMARK System of cooperatives over the past 32 years, including controller of Schuyler-Brown FS, regional administrative director, general manager of Piatt Service Company, general manager of Ag-Land FS, energy division manager, and agronomy division manager. Mark Orr was recently named to replace Spradlin as Vice President of Agronomy.

You can listen to my interview with Jim here: [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/growmark/gmk-14-spradlin.mp3″ text=”Interview with Jim Spradlin, CEO-elect GROWMARK”]

2014 GROWMARK Annual Shareholder’s Meeting Photo Album

GROWMARK FS Promotes N Management

Cindy Zimmermanagronomy, Audio, Farm Progress Show, FS Green Plan Solution, Growmark, Nitrogen, Nutrient Management

fps14-fs-nThe FS STAR Energy/GROWMARK tent was the place to be at Farm Progress Show to learn more about nitrogen management.

I discussed that topic with GROWMARK western region agronomy marketing manager Nate Pierce, senior field sales agronomist John Grandin, and Chuck Webb with AGRILAND FS in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

Pierce says FS started introducing nitrogen management as a system several years ago. “What it revolves around is multiple applications of nitrogen, different forms of nitrogen,” said Pierce of the concept that a system should be based on the four Rs concept (right source, right rate, at the right time and in the right place) as well as the M.O.M. approach. “And that is Minimize environmental impact, Optimize harvest yield and Maximize input utilization – if we hit all of those, everybody wins.”

Grandin talked about the N-Watch system, which was developed a couple of years ago by Dr. Howard Brown when he was GROWMARK Agronomy Services Manager. “We use it to inventory, track, verify and find available nitrogen,” said Grandin. “It’s a way to bring the nitrogen cycle to life…we’re able to take that and make better management decisions.”

Working with farmers in his area, which is southeast of Des Moines, Webb says he has seen good results using nitrogen management systems. “Our goal is to put enough nutrient out there so the farmer can maximize his yield opportunity, but we want the crop to take the excess nutrient out of the field and at the end of the year we want to be as close to drinking water safe as we can,” he said. “I don’t know any farmers out here that don’t want to be proactive, that are not concerned about the environment … but they need guidance and that’s what we’re here for.”

Listen to my interview with these guys from FPS and learn more: [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/farm-progress/fps14-growmark-n.MP3″ text=”Interview with Nate Pierce, John Grandin, and Chuck Webb, GROWMARK FS”] 2014 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Coverage of the 2014 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by
Coverage of the 2014 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by John DeereCoverage of the 2014 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by GrowmarkCoverage of the 2014 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Bayer CropScience

FAPRI: Crop Prices Dropping

John DavisCorn, Cotton, Soybeans

FAPRI logoCrop producers are seeing a complete reversal of fortunes from not very long ago, as commodity prices drop and are expected to continue to stay down through next year. The latest report from the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute at the University of Missouri shows a sharp decline in prices for grains, oilseeds and cotton compared to recent peaks.

· The potential for record corn and soybean crops has weighed on prices for grains and oilseeds. Corn and soybean prices for the crops harvested this fall could be the lowest since 2009.

· Corn prices fall to $3.89 per bushel for the 2014 crop. Even with a projected decline in 2015 U.S. corn production, prices remain around $4 per bushel in 2015 and beyond.

· Large U.S. and global supplies cause soybean prices to decline to $10.30 per bushel for the 2014 crop and below $10 per bushel for the crop harvested in 2015.

· Cotton prices have also declined sharply, partly in response to large Chinese and global cotton stocks. Farm prices for cotton drop to 65 cents per pound this year, and remain near that level.

The report goes on to say that strong international demand is keeping cattle, hog and milk prices strong, despite the drop in grain prices to feed them. But lower meat and dairy prices are expected in 2015.

You can read the full report here.

Bayer CropScience Plans 2015 DiFlexx Release

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Bayer CropScience, Farm Progress Show, Weed control

fps14-bayer-springsteenDuring the 2014 Farm Progress Show, Bayer CropScience announced plans to release a new broadleaf corn herbicide, DiFlexx™ in 2015, pending regulatory approvals.

DiFlexx will offer growers flexibility for a broad range of application while also fitting a variety of soil and weather conditions. “Once commercialized, DiFlexx will offer growers the option to use an effective broadleaf herbicide from pre-plant burndown through post-emergence, improve overall plant health and ultimately increase yields,” said Jeff Springsteen, Bayer CropScience US Product Manager. When applied postemergence, Springsteen says DiFlexx can be tank mixed with other postemergence herbicides, such as Capreno® or Laudis®.

DiFlexx is a blend of dicamba and Crop Safety Innovation (CSI™) Safener technology, which enables corn plants to better withstand herbicidal activity, for excellent crop safety. With a liquid formulation, DiFlexx will have a wide window of application from burndown to V10. More importantly, DiFlexx will effectively target tough weeds like Palmer amaranth, lambsquarters and waterhemp while also targeting more than 100 annual and perennial weeds, including those resistant to glyphosate-, PPO-, and ALS-based herbicides.

Listen to Jeff explain more here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/farm-progress/fps14-bayer-springsteen.MP3″ text=”Interview with Jeff Springsteen, Bayer CropScience”]

2014 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Coverage of the 2014 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by
Coverage of the 2014 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by John DeereCoverage of the 2014 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by GrowmarkCoverage of the 2014 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Bayer CropScience

John Deere Seed Star Mobile at FPS

Leah GuffeyAudio, Farm Progress Show, John Deere, Machinery, Planting, seed, technology

_DSC0132In conjunction with the launch of the ExactEmerge™ planters and MaxEmerge™ 5 row units this year, John Deere introduced SeedStar Mobile to help producers better visualize, document, and access their planting data in real time. The new John Deere SeedStar Mobile solution uses an iPad to provide critical planting information producers need to better monitor and document their planter performance in the field. “With SeedStar Mobile, producers can instantly monitor planter performance and know with confidence that the planter is running at the highest level of precision and accuracy,” said Diana Reed, associate brand manager for on-board applications, which includes Seedstar Mobile.

Depending on the configuration of the planter, the system collects and monitors population, singulation, seed spacing, downforce, variety, and ground speed, on a row-by-row basis. SeedStar Mobile captures this information and stores it on the iPad by working in conjunction with the GreenStar™ 3 2630 Display and SeedStar XP or SeedStar 3 HP on the planter. This information can be used to help optimize planter settings, diagnose potential problems, scout fields, and provide decision support in other areas of the farming operation. SeedStar Mobile also transfers the planting data to the Operations Center in MyJohnDeere while planting in the field or in the producer’s office using WiFi or a cellular connection.

Find out more in my interview with Diane at Farm Progress Show:[wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/farm-progress/fps-14-johndeere-reed.mp3″ text=”Interview with Diane Reed, John Deere”]

2014 Farm Progress photo album

Coverage of the 2014 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by
Coverage of the 2014 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by John DeereCoverage of the 2014 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by GrowmarkCoverage of the 2014 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Bayer CropScience