We manage resources in an attempt to grow corn as efficiently as possible. New technology has given us new ways to evaluate efficiency. For example, we’ve become accustom to looking at row-by-row as-applied maps for our planters. We know the position of every seed. But some of our most important and expensive inputs have not…
Big N Boost from Mother Nature in 2016
As new technologies and ideas have emerged in agriculture, growers have adopted them and adapted their cultural practices to continue increasing yields and managing inputs in order to maintain their per-bushel costs. This year has provided a great example for many growers in the realm of nitrogen management. In the past many growers simply multiplied…
No Longer Accepting Orders for 360 CHAINROLL
As of Wednesday, September 21, we are effectively out of stock of 360 CHAINROLL and cannot accept new orders. We are actively filling a large backlog of orders for 360 CHAINROLL and our next production run will not arrive in time to satisfy new orders for use this season. We thank you for your patience…
Scouting Now Eliminates Fungal Diseases Next Summer
Late-season issues are showing up on yield monitors as harvest gets underway. Two common things we are seeing are stalk rots and ear rots. While the crop looked very clean at silking, many fields were hit with late season disease outbreaks such as Gray Leaf Spot and Rust. In many of these fields, the disease…
The Deeper Meaning
As growers prepare for harvest, it’s a great time to gather observations about the crop. The combine cab is similar to a chair in the doctor’s office in that most growers can make observations about symptoms of ailments they are seeing when they are at a different angle above the crop. The real question that…
You Grew It, Now Keep It!
It is hard work to grow a corn crop, managing all the variables and inputs that can impact a crop as best you can in order to maximize production on every acre. Given all the work and effort spent in growing this crop, it only makes sense to spend some time making sure the crop…
Make this Year Count: The Final Exam
The words ‘final exam’ are likely scary for many, but for corn growers the pre-harvest period is the perfect time to grade themselves on this year’s efforts. Take this opportunity to walk your fields and gain insight on the past year while formulating any plans to correct preventable losses. Go to various spots in the…
Hidden Hunger – What's Happening Below Ground
As the growing season winds down, it is a great time to assess what practices have proven profitable and which ones need refinement for the future. One method that many growers are adopting is tissue testing to discover whether or not their fertility programs resulted in ‘hidden hunger’ issues that were not necessarily manifested via…
Split Application: Time is Power and Money
Many parts of the country have experienced excellent growing conditions that include warm temperatures and near optimum moisture, leading to hopeful expectations for a strong harvest. While we tend to focus on what we can see above ground, what goes on below the surface can be just as impactful. Those same warm temperatures, good moisture…
Rethinking Residue Management: Unlocking Nutrients
Many growers are preparing to harvest a large crop this fall, having been blessed with ample rainfall and excellent growing conditions. A side effect of a large grain harvest in many cases is that big yields often come with big plants and large amounts of residue. Managing large amounts of residue can present challenges not…