Only three years before Iowa waterhemp disaster
Growers, ag retailers and professional agronomists were warned about waterhemp's growing glyphosate resistance in Iowa at a Respect the Rotation plot tour and information meeting. Full story.
LightSquared offers more changes to fix GPS
LightSquared last week proposed an amended version of its LTE network plan, which was designed to fix the problem of its signal interfering with other GPS units and calm the fears of many in the GPS community. Full story. EPA seeks comment on atrazine petition
Public comment is being sought by EPA regarding the group Save the Frogs, which is proposing EPA ban the use and production of atraziine. Full story.
Global Competitive Report has the U.S. at fifth
The World Economic Forum issued its 2011-2012 Global Competitiveness Report, which says that of 142 countries participating in the reporting process, Switzerland remains number one again this year. The United States slipped from number four in 2010-2011 to number five for the report issued last week. Full story.
Phase out of remaining WHO Class I insecticides
As part of its ongoing portfolio optimization efforts, Bayer CropScience is accelerating the phase-out of all remaining WHO Class I insecticides by the end of 2012. Full story.
Senate approves $7B disaster aid plan
Setting up a battle with the GOP-controlled House, Senate Democrats on Thursday muscled through a $7 billion bill to replenish nearly empty federal disaster aid accounts. Full story. AgChat partners with USFRA
A first-of-its-kind sponsorship of The AgChat Foundation (ACF) by the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) aligns two organizations committed to facilitating meaningful conversations with Americans about how food is raised to ensure the long-term success of American agriculture. Full story. All-in-one package for Inovate seed protectant
Valent U.S.A. Corporation announced Inovate Seed Protectant will be available as an efficient pre-blended, single package offering for soybean seed protection in the coming season. Full story. EPA approves two herbicides from Solera
The Environmental Protection Agency has approved Solera's Fomesafen 2SL and Fomesafen 1.88 herbicides. Full story.  BIG PICTURE
By Doane EconomistThe Farm Service Agency of USDA released its mid-September updates on certified planted acres, failed acres, and prevent planted acres for U.S. crops. USDA will use these data to revise its planted acreage estimates, where necessary, in its October crop production report. FSA reported soybean acres at 73.583 million acres, which was up 405,000 acres from its previous August release that totaled 73.178 million. USDA’s estimates of planted acres always exceed the FSA totals. Reasons may include some farmers deciding not to participate in any government farm programs and thus not reporting. Looking back at 2009 and 2010, USDA reported planted acres of soybeans nationally exceeded the totals from FSA by 1.045 million in 2009 and 1.086 million in 2010. Considering the same methodology for 2011, the data point toward a moderate downward revision to the current USDA estimate of soybean plantings at 74.958 million acres to about 74.60 million to 74.65 million acres. It would effectively lower USDA soybean production forecast by 10 million to 15 million bushels.
Crop Fertility Resource Center
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Does your corn N strategy deserve an A or a D?
Taking time this fall to conduct a stalk nitrate test can help producers "grade" their current nitrogen application rate and provides key information on which to base any changes for next spring. Full story.
For more, visit the Crop Fertility Resource Center.
Stem canker showing up in soybeans
Recently, dead or dying soybean plants with petioles and leaves still attached, as well as live plants with stem lesions, have been noted in some Michigan fields. Full story.
For more, visit the Soybean Resource Center.
Burndown herbicides for no-tillage wheat
Various herbicide options for burndown of existing weeds prior to planting of no-till wheat are explored. Full story.
For more, visit the Wheat Resource Center.
Comparing nematode products on corn
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Inoculant Recommendation Yields Results
"In order to maximize yields, you need to maximize nodulation," says Kent Ulwelling with A&K Feed and Grain in Lime Springs, Iowa. That's why he's a strong proponent of inoculation in general and VAULT® HP in particular. Ulwelling has been checking customers' fields this summer and notes, "There appears to be increased nodulation on the plants where the seed was inoculated this spring. There are more nodules and they're larger and more active."
Unlike many parts of the country, planting conditions in northeast Iowa were fairly normal, yet Ulwelling feels the use of an inoculant is a best-management practice that should be encouraged every year. "The proof is always in the yield," he says. "Even if our customers only improve yield by one bushel per acre, they have almost a 200 percent return on their seed-treatment investment.
"The rhizobia in VAULT HP seem to have more vigor and are more efficient than those in the soil. If we want to increase yields, we have to produce as much nitrogen as efficiently as possible, especially during the critical seed-fill time," he continues.
Ulwelling also feels it's important to recommend an inoculant that has a high days-on-seed rating, and that's one of the benefits of VAULT HP. "I appreciate the higher rhizobia count in VAULT HP and the viability of the product on the seed is of great value," he points out.
The BioStacked® VAULT HP system pairs a patented biological performance enhancer and a high-count rhizobia inoculant with INTEGRAL® biological fungicide. Collectively, these components stimulate rhizobial activity; help extend protection from key soil-borne diseases; and enhance root vigor, nodulation and nutrient uptake. That means potential for more root nodules, nodes, blooms and pod-making capability as the plant develops.
Stacking biologicals with multiple modes of action helps provide more consistent and dependable performance improvements across a broad range of environmental and soil conditions.
Ulwelling appreciates the research behind the product. "With today's genetics, you really want to stack every card in your favor and protect your customers' seed investment," he asserts. "VAULT HP is an important component in our seed-treatment offering and it's something that we recommend everyone who plants soybeans should use."
Learn more about the VAULT HP soybean seed treatment system and other soybean seed enhancements at at www.BeckerUnderwood.com or call 1-800-892-2013.
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How to improve your team’s morale
Many times in business, much like in life, a person’s perspective determines one’s morale or attitude more so than any actual situation does. Many companies will make statements such as, “the morale of the team is down because of recent company changes, cuts in benefits and employee layoffs.” These issues are real and the impact it has on people is real as well. Full story.
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