2019

Quarterly Newsletter: October 2019

Top Banner of Corn

OCTOBER

Liqui-Grow’s
Agronomy Research Book

Hidden Genetic
Potential in Seeds

Potassium Deficiencies in Soybeans, 2019

 

Owner's Update

Liqui-Grow is committed to sourcing farmer crop input financing on your behalf. We know that you have many choices when making your 2020 input partner decision. We have diligently worked on our customer’s behalf to line up options for 12-15 mo. financing choices at VERY LOW APR’S.

Many of these are through John Deere Financial & Rabobank, but there are also other options available. Liqui-Grow is able to offer fertilizer financing as well as Crop Protection & Seed. Ask us for further details.

-Scott, Hov & Bruce Tinsman

photo of owners


 

Agronomy Research Book Coming Soon

Cover of Agronomy Research Book

Since the spring of 2015 I have been conducting research on new products and management practices farmers can potentially use to increase both corn and soybean yields and profitability. By now I have amassed a bunch of results that are finalized and ready to share.

I will share these results in the form of a book, which will contain research on fertilization products and practices, seed treatments for soybeans, fertilizer additives and much more. These research summary books will be available later this fall at any of our Liqui-Grow locations. You can also request a book by calling the main office (563-359-3624) or via email by emailing Tammie Suhl at tjs@liqui-grow.com.


 

Hidden Genetic Potential in Seeds

photo of Katie Hess
Katie Hess
Seed & Seed Treatment Manager

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"A kernel of corn or a soybean still appears to be the same as it was 30-50 years ago. What potential seed has, is what has changed."

Technology can come in many forms. Most of the time it looks and feels new. Seed is not that way. A kernel of corn or a soybean still appears to be the same as it was 30-50 years ago. What potential seed has, is what has changed. More precise research and development has brought us more yield potential, 2019 is proof of that. As farms are being harvested, and in areas not lost completely to Mother Nature’s dealt hand, yields are meeting or exceeding expectations. So, as I continue to get the question, “Why does this seed cost so much?” I will continue to answer with, “Because of the genetic potential and technology suppliers are putting into it.”

Seed is the first decision to make when setting yield goals. It can’t be the only decision. There has to be a solid fertilizer, weed management, and plant health program put together to help seed reach its genetic capabilities. Our staff at Liqui-Grow is fully trained to help you reach yield goals and the return on your investment. Over the past year we have been training on hybrids and varieties more than ever to help you make the right decision on your own acre.

Unfortunately, we lost some planned plots to the spring weather events. The remaining plot results will be posted once again on our website: www.liqui-grow.com. It’s a great start to see the genetic potential these hybrids and varieties have.


 

Potassium Deficiencies in Soybeans - 2019

photo of Dr. Jake Vossenkemper
Dr. Jake Vossenkemper
Agronomy Research Lead    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"While higher than normal soybean yields are clearly a good thing, high soybean yields also remove large amounts of potassium from the soil."

In the summer of 2019, I observed more potassium deficiencies in soybeans than I have ever seen in my 12 years as an agronomist. Why? These deficiencies in 2019 could be explained by a number of factors, including poor root development from early saturated soils, the dry soil conditions that most of us experienced from mid-June to mid-August or that potassium soil test levels are well below the optimum in some fields.

Dropping soil test potassium levels could be a key culprit given many of us have had exceptional soybean yields over the past few years (2016, 2017 and 2018). While higher than normal soybean yields are clearly a good thing, high soybean yields also remove large amounts of potassium from the soil.

Many may be surprised that a 65 bu/ac soybean crop removes nearly 80 lbs of potassium per acre from the soil. Ramp that up to 80 bu/ac and removal increases to nearly 100 lbs of potassium per acre. While it’s hard to complain about above average soybean yields in the not so distant past, it’s also important to replenish your soils with fertilizer potassium so that high soybean yields can be maintained.

Potassium Removal Chart

Yellow tinted soybean leaves showing potassium deficiencies.

Potassium deficient soybeans near Morning Sun, IA in 2019. Potassium deficiencies in soybeans are indicated by yellowing and or necrotic leaf margins often in the upper half of the canopy.


 

Newsletter Archive - COMING SOON

Quarterly Newsletter: July 2019

Banner image for July 2019 newsletter

JULY

Dr. Brad Bernhard joins Liqui-Grow

Soybean Industry Updates

Risk Factors for Foliar Diseases in 2019

 

Owner's Update

There are many changes & consolidations happening within the Ag world. Liqui-Grow is a family owned company with more than 60 years of service in many rural communities. The owners and all of our employees have a shared commitment to each of the local communities where we serve. Liqui-Grow represents many families, that live where they work, and they are devoted to helping you raise a profitable crop each and every year.

This year has REALLY proven to be a challenge for both our customers and our employees. Through it all we have tried to help you meet the spring challenges and will continue to do our very best for you and your operations. Thank you for your support. We look forward to providing to you the same quality products and services that we have provided over the last 60 years.

-Scott, Hov & Bruce Tinsman

photo of owners


 

New Addition to the Liqui-Grow Team

photo of Dr. Brad Bernhard
Dr. Brad Bernhard
Agronomy Research Manager

Brad Bernhard was born and raised on a hog and grain farm in Elwood, IL. Recently, he earned his Ph.D. in Crop Sciences from the University of Illinois under the advisement of Dr. Fred Below. As part of the Crop Physiology Laboratory, Brad’s research focused on characterizing hybrids that would yield greater when planted at higher planting populations and/or narrower row spacings. In addition, Brad evaluated different nitrogen management strategies including band vs. broadcast nitrogen prior to planting along with different nitrogen sidedress application technologies (coulter vs. Y-drop).

The key takeaways from his research include:

Nitrogen Management

Study

Nitrogen supplying power of the soil is a good indication of plant yield-response to split applied N.

Plants that received banded N at preplant produced the greatest grain yields.

When sidedressing N, placing the N in close proximity to the crop row resulted in greater yields.

Hybrid x Population

X Row Spacing Study

Corn yields in Illinois maximized at 44,000 plants/acre in a 20 inch row spacing.

Corn grown in a 20 inch row spacing out-yielded 30 inch row spacing by 12 bu/acre.

As population increases, the size of each individual root system gets smaller.

Later maturity hybrids tended to yield more with higher populations and/or narrower rows.

 

Standard Population 

32,00 plants / acre

photo of roots

 

High Population 

44,00 plants / acre

photo of roots

 

At higher populations, the size of the root system is smaller necessitating the need for better crop management especially soil fertility.


 

Soybean Industry Updates

photo of Katie Hess
Katie Hess
Seed & Seed Treatment Manager

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"We are currently testing soybeans to bring forward in 2020."

2019 has been a year for the books! We have seen a lot of mergers, buy-outs and technology advancements, so here are some key take-aways and highlights from what has happened and how it affects the soybean industry.

First I’d like to start with our new exclusive Armor dealership. Because of Armor’s agreements, we will be able to provide soybeans in various trait platforms to give our customers the options they have been asking for. We are currently testing soybeans to bring forward in 2020, and you can see those in plots across our trade area.

Bayer became the proud owner of Monsanto back on August 21, 2018. To make this happen, Bayer sold their Credenz soybean product line to BASF. We have been able to keep our Credenz dealership because of our strong partnership with BASF. Bayer has a new soybean technology to get excited about as well, XtendFlex. ®Xtendflex® soybeans are tolerant to glyphosate, glufosinate and dicamba offering more options to control weeds. Xtendflex soybeans are currently not approved for commercial use, but are in the testing phases to bring the best yield and genetics to farmers.

Dow and DuPont became one company, and then split into three different companies. As of June 1, 2019 the stand-alone agriculture company which evolved from, is called Corteva Agriscience ™. Under the Corteva umbrella is seed, chemical and digital products. Mycogen Seeds is part of the Corteva portfolio.  This merger is beneficial to farmers, because Mycogen Seeds will have a greater traits and genetics platform to pull from creating better products for the farm. We are excited to see the product and yield advancements in the Mycogen line-up because of this change, and what we will be able to offer our customers in the fall.

Enlist E3 ™ soybeans were finally approved! In Feb 2019 the Philippines approved Enlist E3 ™ soybeans for import, this was the final step before Enlist E3 ™ soybeans would be fully released for commercial use.  Enlist E3 ™ soybeans are available through us in the Merschman, Mycogen and Armor brands.  They are tolerant to glyphosate, glufosinate and 2,4-D choline, allowing flexibility to control weeds.

LibertyLink GT27 (LLGT27) soybeans are tolerant to glyphosate, glufosinate and HPPD group 27 herbicide. As of today, you cannot utilize the HPPD portion of this trait package. These beans are available through us in the Merschman and Credenz brands.

Soybean Trait Options by Brandchart of Soybean Trait Options by Brand


 

Risk Factors for Foliar Diseases in Corn - 2019

photo of Dr. Jake Vossenkemper
Dr. Jake Vossenkemper
Agronomy Research Lead    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"The wet weather will allow foliar diseases to more easily infect corn leaves."

Nothing about 2019 has been easy thus far. For many of us, saturated soils and excessive rain have delayed planting and have made all other field operations difficult. While I’d rather not give you another worry, I’d be remiss as your agronomist if I did not inform you that several risk factors for significant foliar diseases in corn are developing.

Lack of tillage in the fall of 2018 and colder winter and spring temperatures have resulted in higher than normal corn residue and foliar disease inoculum carryover into the 2019 growing season.

NOAA and the National Weather Service predict higher than normal precipitation to continue (bit.ly/noaa3monthoutlook). The wet weather will allow foliar diseases to more easily infect corn leaves.

Disease pressure builds and reaches its maximum toward mid and late Aug. In 2019 much of our corn will still be accumulating significant amounts of grain yield well into late Aug, and therefore more susceptible to yield losses from foliar diseases.

Fungicides: multiple mode of action are far superior

I also wanted to remind you that if you chose to use a fungicide it can be tempting to select single mode of action fungicide (normally strobilurin or group 11) given their reduced cost, but University studies clearly show that dual or multiple mode of action fungicides (strobilurin+triazole or group 3+11) are far superior at protecting yield.

Chart on fungicide group 11 vs group 11+


 

Newsletter Archive - COMING SOON