Soybean Management
Feb 14, 2012For many of our soybean producers, a hope and prayer is the extent of their management efforts for their soybean crop. I would suggest we continue to pray for our crop, but add a more comprehensive approach to dealing with our soybean management needs. My list of management needs for soybeans include:
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Plant early
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Select defensive traits in your variety selection process
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Fertilize soybean the preceding fall (strip band)
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Use a seed treatment and possibly an insecticide on the seed
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Control plant diseases and insects throughout the plant life
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Utilize narrow rows
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Rotate crops
Continuous Corn
Feb 06, 2012From the most recent Corn & Soybean Classic, Dr. Emerson Nafziger presented the following data.
Table 1 Corn Grain Yields in Various Rotations in Northern Illinois____
Year___________ Ave % of
2008 2009 2010 2011 Yield SC
Rotation -----------------------------Bu/A----------------------
Continuous Corn* 202 184 159 170 180 87
Corn-Soybean 220 214 197 186 205 100
1st Yr Corn in C-C-SB 216 211 191 186 202 98
2nd Yr Corn in C-C-SB 211 196 177 175 191 93______
*4th Yr Continuous Corn Plus
At our Agronology 10 Research Center at Walcott, we are measuring an 11% yield difference on corn following soybeans vs. a long term continuous corn rotation. Another item to note from the Illinois work is that soybean yields have increased 5% in C-C-SB vs. C-SB rotation.
Soybean Yields
Feb 02, 2012The information in Table 1, presented by Dr. Gary Schnitkey at the 2012 Corn and Soybean Classic, demonstrated that our soybean yields are not advancing as strongly as corn.
Table 1 Corn-to-Soybean Ratios for Price, Yields and Costs, Central Illinois__
Years__ Prices Yields Costs
1976-1988 0.38 2.92 1.51
1989-2000 0.41 3.12 1.47
2001-2010 0.40 3.44 1.56___________
Source: Illinois Farm Business Farm Management
What are you doing to improve your soybeans?
Seed Corn Sizes
Jan 27, 2012
With spring not too far off, have you considered the possibility that the seed corn you will be planting in 2012 could be sized as large rounds or large flats? With these larger seed sizes, what changes/adjustments do you need to make to your planter?
Salt Index
Jan 17, 2012Salt index is the ratio of an increase in osmotic pressure produced by a fertilizer compound compared to a standard sodium nitrate base. The higher the salt index, the more concern there is that the fertilizer material can affect the germinating seed. The following table shows salt index for some common starter fertilizers.
Table 1 Salt Indexes_________________________________
Product_ Source of Potassium Salt Index
6-24-6 K0H 11.5
9-18-9 K0H 16.7
10-34-0 ----- 20.0
7-21-7 KCL 27.8
4-10-10 KCL 27.5
7-18-6-2s-.5zn KCL 29.0
4-10-10-1s-.25 KCL 29.0___________________
Sources: C.A.M Laboski: 2008 Wisconsin Fertilizer, Ag Lime, and Pest Management Conference
RH Tinsman Jr.
Maximum Starter Rates
Jan 17, 2012The following, Table 1, illustrates the maximum amounts of salt that can be placed safely close to the germinating seed.
Table 1 Maximum Starter Rates________________________
Soil Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC)________
Placement of Starter <12 (light texture soils) >12 (med to heavy texture soils)
-----------------------------lbs. Salt/A*-------------------------------
In contact with seed 5 5 to 8
¼ to ½ inch from seed 8 7 to 15
1 to 2 inches from seed 15 20 to 40
Over 2 inches from seed 20+ 40+____________
*lbs. nitrogen (N) + lbs. potassium (K)
Table 2 illustrates the pounds of salt found in various fertilizers at 3 different application rates.
Table 2 Salt from Starter Applications_____________________
Product Rate (Gallons/A) Lbs Salt/A
6-24-6-.25s 3 4.036
4 5.381
5 6.726
9-18-9 3 6.021
4 8.028
5 10.035______________
Planting Depth
Jan 09, 2012
Planting depth for corn is extremely critical for proper development of the nodal root system. If the nodal root system (principal root mass for the corn plant) is located too close to the soil surface, then the nodal root system can be greatly reduced in size. The impact of a smaller nodal root system can be reduced nutrient uptake.
In recent years past, I have observed with a great frequency that corn planted at 1.5 inches or less is having a problem with nodal root development. I would recommend that corn be planted at 2 inches of depth and that soybeans be planted at only 1.0 to 1.25 inches of depth.
Goss's Wilt
Dec 30, 2011Dr. Allison Robertson, Associate Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology at Iowa State calls Goss’s wilt the “Disease of the year in 2011.”
Fall 2011 was the first time I had ever seen this disease in the field.
Known facts about Goss’s wilt:
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The disease is caused by bacterium Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. nebraskaensis.
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Foliar fungicides and seed treatments are not effective against Goss’s wilt.
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Disease exists in two phases, the first is leaf blight and second as a wilting stage.
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Some type of damage by wind, hail, or sand blasting to the plant must occur to allow the bacteria an entry site into the plant.
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Goss’s wilt overwinters in infected corn residue.
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Goss’s wilt will be found with a higher risk if weed host such as green foxtail or shattercane are present.
Suggestions for managing Goss’s wilt:
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Hybrid selection – choose a variety with as high a tolerance to Goss’s wilt as possible.
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Bury corn residue
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Plant a nonhost crop like soybeans.
Source: Iowa State Extension Source: Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln
Subsoil Moisture
Dec 20, 2011This fall in East Central Iowa, I presently have concerns with our subsoil moisture levels. A normal silt loam soil will hold 2 to 2.25 inches of available water per foot of soil. Generally, this moisture measurement on subsoil moisture levels is taken to a depth of 5 foot. For next year’s crop (2012), I would like to have 8 to 10 inches of available water in our soil profile. This subsoil moisture availability can become critical during a hot, dry July and August growing period. My interest in this 2012 subsoil moisture level was heightened by our 1 April – 31 August 2011 rainfall which was 2.6 inches less than the 30 year norm.
Nitrogen Additives
Dec 19, 2011Additives added to your 32% N (UAN) can make a big difference in corn yields. Many times the same additive can also be added to your hog manures. The data in Table 1 from the University of Wisconsin demonstrates a 2 year study on the effectiveness of Instinct.® When Instinct® was applied at 35 oz/A, the corn yields at 100 lbs N/A were increased 16 Bu/A, while a spring manure application had an average 21 Bu/A increase.
Table 1
Suggested Nitrogen Management
Dec 16, 2011 
General Recommendation: (Total lbs N/A)
Corn on Corn 200
Corn on Soybeans 150
Corn on Alfalfa 40
Timing for Nitrogen Applications:
Lbs N/A____________
Operation Method Corn On Soybeans Corn on Corn
Fall P&K Dribble 24 24 24 24 24 24
Early Spring Dribble 86 --- 50 136 --- 50
Weed & Feed Broadcast 40 40 40 40 40 40
Sidedress Dribble --- 86 36 --- 136 86
Inject --- 86 36 --- 136 86
Manured fields B’cast (W&F) 40
Alfalfa (prev. crop) B’cast (W&F) 40
Additives – should be applied at either early spring dribble or sidedress.
Products Rate
Instinct 35 oz/A
Nutrisphere .0014 gallons · lbs N
N Zone 2 qts/ton 32%
Opportunities for Clients Who Have Hog Manure
Nov 29, 2011
The trend to fertilize with hog manure is growing for those farms with the opportunity to do so. When hog manure is applied according to their manure management plan, generally, most if not all of the phosphorus requirements for crop production are generally met. However, if phytate feed supplements are utilized in their modern hog rations, then less bypass P is found in the resultant manure. As increasing amounts of phytate supplements are utilized, the lower the P value for the manure per 1000 gallons. A check of the manure analysis utilized in determining the application rate is warranted.
A second concern with the current P application rates may be that the P application rate is too low for the higher grain yields being produced. When this occurs constantly, the soil test P values will decline over time.
How are the application rates of K stacking up to the soil maintenance K value determined by your crop yields? Frequently, the manure doesn’t have enough K to maintain soil test K values. To correct this problem, add a liquid application of 1-3-30 (manure special) in a fall dribble band to correct the K deficiency. This added nitrogen and phosphorus in the 1-3-30 fertilizer will enhance root growth in the zone of application. This greater root growth, in the application zone, will enhance K uptake in the plant.
In most instances, the hog manure will supply some sulfur, but additional sulfur should be applied to the crop. However, there exists a need for added zinc and boron for the crop. The 1 lb. zinc and .2 lb. boron per acre, and whatever level of sulfur required, could be added to the 1-3-30 dribble band application, to a liquid N (32%) solution as a weed & feed application in the spring or the zinc could be added to the starter fertilizer (note: B should not be applied with the starter fertilizers).
Here are two thoughts dealing with N management and manures. First, Instinct should be added to all liquid manure at the time of application. The use rate for Instinct is 35 oz./A. By adding Instinct to the manure, increased corn yields will be achieved in most instances. Secondly, a weed & feed broadcast application of 30 to 50 lbs. N per acre in the spring is highly recommended. This broadcast application will place N in the rooting zone of the newly developing corn plant and give the new plant improved early N status.
Fertility Management for Corn
Nov 15, 2011The source of fertilizer had an effect on 2011 corn yields. With corn at $6.00/Bu, for equal net $ returns per acre for both fertility programs, the dry P & K program would need to be better than $50.00/acre cheaper!
Source of P & K Fertility for 2011 Corn Crop________________
Fall Fertility Program)_____ Yield (Bu/A) Harvest Moisture (%)
24-45-65-10s Liquid Dribbled 174.4 22.4
24-45-65-10s Dry Broadcast 165.9 22.1
_________________________________________________________________
Previous Crop: Soybeans
Variety: Dekalb DKC 58-83 Gen VT3P
Critical Observations
Nov 08, 2011Our efforts at the Agronology 10 Research Center have been directed toward methods, procedures or products that increase the odds that the farm will have a successful crop.
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The 24 plots in our consideration group had an average yield of 228.0 Bu/A. This was a very average yield for our considerations group. The 228.0 Bu/A ranked 5th lowest yield in the new millennium (2001-2011).
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The highest yielding individual corn plot achieved 260.6 Bu/A. This yield ranked 5th highest in the new millennium.
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20 of 24 plots (83%) had P & K applied for the corn crop.
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18 of 20 fertilized plots (90%) had a micro-nutrient package applied.
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16 of 20 corn plots (80%) were either fertilized with a fall, dribble application of 24-45-65-10s-.428zn-.2B or 24-55-85-10s-.428zn-.2B.
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23 of 24 plots (96%) were fertilized with P & K the prior year to the 2011 corn crop.
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The average soil test values for these 24 plots were:
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Available P (ppm): 32
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Exchangable K (ppm): 238
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17 of the 24 plots (71%) were planted with Dekalb DKC 62-97 GenVT3P.
Corn Micro-Nutrients
Oct 28, 2011
Yes, micro-nutrients are increasing yields and enhancing profitability for the farm!
This result is clearly demonstrated in the data from our 2011 Agronology 10
Research Center at Walcott.
Influence of Micro-Nutrients on 2011 Corn Yields__ ___ _________
P & K Fall Dribble (lbs/A) Yield* (Bu/A) Harvest Moist (%) Micro-Nut. Cost ($/A) Net ($/A)
24-55-85 200.8 23.7 ---- ----
24-55-85-10s-.428Zn 209.1 23.0 9.96 43.99
24-55-85-10s-.428Zn-.2B 218.2 23.3 10.20 102.90
*Average for four replications
Variety: DeKalb DKC 59-35 VT3
Date Planted: 30 April 2011
Date Harvested: 30 September 2011
Corn Price: $6.50/Bu.
Outstanding Soybean Yield
Oct 24, 2011
Farmers have experienced good to outstanding soybean yields in 2011. The large soybean yields have created a need for an additional 5 to 10 lbs. P205/A and 15 to 20 lbs. K20/A, thus should be added to your normal 2012 corn fertility program. From the following chart, the need to apply this additional fertility can be easily seen.
Crop Removal for P & K for Soybeans
|
Soybean Yield (Bu/A) |
P205 |
K20 |
|
50 |
36 |
70 |
|
60 |
43 |
84 |
|
70 |
50 |
98 |
|
80 |
58 |
112 |
Many farmers were utilizing the 60 Bu/A Liqui-Grow soybean program for 2011, 17-40-80-10s-1.3Mn, but removed significantly more P & K per acre.
Unique Weather Conditions May Impact Soil Test Results
Oct 19, 2011
This past 2011 growing season had significant periods of dry or droughty weather conditions. As a result of this dry weather condition, two items on your soil test may be affected this fall. The first item is the soil or water pH value. Because of added amounts of salts not being leached from the upper soil profile, the soil or water pH value could be half to one point lower than expected. The second item on your fall soil test being significantly different than expected is the exchangeable potassium (K) value. The reason this value could be lower is due to the lack of K released from between the layers of our clays. We are unable to predict how much difference this unique weather condition will have on your potassium readings. Since both soil pH and exchangeable potassium may be wrong this fall soil testing season, I would suggest that the most recent past soil test be utilized as a guide.
Outstanding Soybean Yield
Oct 07, 2011
We finished harvesting our soybeans late on 3 Oct 2011. Overall, our yield at the Agronology 10 Research Center in Walcott, IA, was truly outstanding. We harvested our 7th highest individual yielding plot with a yield of 83.95 Bu/A. The 18 highest yielding individual plots make up our critical observations each year. In 2011, our average yield was 80.9 Bu/A for these 18 plots which was the highest recorded yield ever. This critical observation data base spans the time period from 1994 to present, an 18 year period.
Our “Plant Health” experiment for soybeans showed a 5.9 Bu/A yield response to a fungicide and insecticide application at R3 growth stage. My general observations were that the incident of disease and insect pressures was quite low this year.
Rev up those Combines…
Sep 28, 2011
We began harvesting the 2011 corn crop at our Agronology 10 Research Center in Walcott on September 25, 2011. The 105 day corn planted in the borders yielded 180 Bu/A with harvest moisture at 19.8% and test weight was 57.8 lbs/bushel. The 2011 yield in the border is 20 Bu/A less than previous years.
With this year’s stalk quality being very suspect due to this year’s stressful weather conditions, I would recommend that corn harvest start sooner versus later. Happy harvesting!
Top Leaf Die Back
Sep 14, 2011
This year with its many environmental stresses, high temperature and lack of moisture are causing many fields to experience “top leaf die back”. This top leaf die back can be easily confused with European corn bore (ECB) damage or anthracnose top kill. With European corn bore damage, you will find holes (tunnels) in the upper stalk. With anthracnose top kill you will find the presence of black lesions on the outer stalk tissue behind the leaf sheaths. So, if European corn bore damage and anthracnose top kill are eliminated, then it’s top leaf die back. The impact of the top leaf die back on grain yields will depend when the leaves died during grain filling.
I am finding corn moistures reading 26% to 28% on early planted 105 day corn. Don’t wait too long before you start fall harvest, stalk quality is poor!
Field Observation
Aug 24, 2011
In July, there were 18 nights that were warmer than 69º F (nighttime minimum); and the daytime maximum temperature was warmer than 86º F. The potential impact of these temperatures can be analyzed from two viewpoints.
First, the elevated nighttime temperature means less net photosynthate (energy) available daily to increase corn yields. This yield loss is the direct result of the higher nighttime respiration rates. The “net energy” is equal to energy produced by photosynthesis during the day minus the energy utilized by the plant for respiration during the night. This “net energy” provides for the daily gains in yield during grain fill. This can translate to yield reductions of up to 1.2 bu/A/day or in our case, more than 20 bu/A.
Second, the number of days necessary to reach black layer from mid-pollination is reduced. For instance, a corn variety that normally requires 55 days may only need 50-51 days to go from mid-pollination to black layer. When we see reduced days, lower yields are possible.
That’s it for now, have a good week.
Summer has finally arrived!
Jul 01, 2011
The soybeans which are photoperiod sensitive will have begun flowering. At the time of the summer solstice (21 June), the soybean plant recognizes that winter is coming and begins its reproductive phase of plant growth. The more nodes the soybean plant has at this time of year, the more sites there will be for potential pod development. At the Agronology 10 Research Center at Walcott, IA, our soybeans currently have 6 to 8 nodes at this time.
With the adverse weather this past spring – too cold, too wet, and too dry; these conditions have certainly affected the corn plant’s ability to grow large, robust root systems. As a result of this smaller root system, reduced or diminished nutrient uptake levels have occurred. The effect of this extended stress (lack of nutrient uptake) will be evaluated more clearly at R1 thru R3 growth stages.