Waterhemp showing greater resistance
A Purdue Extension weed specialist urges farmers to take necessary steps now to better control yield-reducing waterhemp next year as it spreads through Indiana with increasing resistance to glyphosate. Full story.
Fall herbicide application later than normal
Fall herbicide applications are still a good idea this year, despite a later-than-normal harvest, according to Ohio State University Extension weed specialist Mark Loux. Full story. 2011 sets record for weather disasters
For the first time, the number of U.S. weather-related disasters in one year causing $1 billion or more in damage has reached 10. The previous record of nine was recorded in 1980. Full story.
EPA approves new Parallel Plus formulation
Parallel Plus herbicide, manufactured by MANA Crop Protection, has received approval by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a new state-of-the-art formulation of metolachlor and atrazine for use on corn and grain sorghum. Full story.
Improved soil fertility can boost yields
Improved soil fertility could boost yields in crops such as corn and soybeans and reduce nitrogen runoff into local water bodies. That’s the premise behind the research of LSU AgCenter scientist Brenda Tubaña. Full story.
W.Va. judge sets Jan. trial date in Monsanto suit
A Jan. 3 trial date has been set in a class-action lawsuit that alleges dioxin pollution from a former Monsanto Co. plant in Nitro. Full story. Bill to prevent Superfund designation for manure
Sponsors of a bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives last week want to be crystal clear regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to regulate livestock manure under 1980’s Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act, also known as the Superfund Act.
Their message to the regulatory agency: Hands off. Full story. Mosaic: Food demand outweighs economic slowdown
Tight global food supplies and the need for farmers to plant more crops will outweigh broader economic trends, supporting prices for agricultural commodities and fertilizer, Mosaic Co. said Thursday. Full story. New study on the adoption of precision farming
The study found that the adoption of the main precision information technologies, such as yield monitors, variable-rate applicators, and GPS maps has been mixed among U.S. farmers. Full story.  BIG PICTURE
By Doane Economist
USDA released a new Crop Progress report on Sept. 26. The national corn condition rating increased one point last week to 52 percent good-to-excellent. This compares to 66 percent last year and 59 percent for the 10-year average. Even though the rating nudged a little higher last week, it’s at the low end of the range of condition ratings. Recent rain and slow harvest in the southeastern Corn Belt along with some light frost in the northwest earlier this month may have negatively impacted the crop, but other than that, there is no distinguishable pattern to changes this week at the state level. Corn harvested climbed five points last week to 15 percent. This is well below last year when harvest was 26 percent complete, but only slightly below the 10-year average at 16 percent. Most of the harvest so far is in the southeastern Corn Belt and Delta and across the southern Plains.
USDA’s weekly crop condition report for soybeans found the crop unchanged at 53 percent good to excellent. USDA reported that the cotton crop rating was up two points at 29 percent good to excellent this week. Winter wheat planting progress increased to 26 percent.
Myth buster: If I factor, I will lose customers
There are two myths that, unfortunately, have tainted many business owners’ perceptions of alternative financing techniques like factoring. One is that factoring is too expensive. Another is that if you factor you will lose customers because you appear financially weak. Full story.
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Grower Sees Differences with Inoculated Soybeans
Despite a late start to the 2011 planting season, soybean seed treated with VAULT® HP plus INTEGRAL® appears to be doing well in northern Ohio. Bill Frankart farms nearly 5,000 acres with his brother-in-law, Gene Cook, near Green Springs, Ohio. This year, they did several side-by-side comparisons of soybean seed inoculated with VAULT HP plus INTEGRAL and non-inoculated soybeans.
"When we compare the difference between the non-inoculated beans and the beans to which the inoculant was applied, it appears VAULT HP is something growers should seriously consider," says Frankart. "The soybeans treated with the VAULT HP system had considerably more nodules and a more developed root system."
The triple BioStacked® VAULT HP system pairs a patented biological performance enhancer and a high-count rhizobia inoculant with INTEGRAL® biological fungicide. Collectively, these components stimulate rhizobia for improved nitrogen fixation; help extend protection from key soil-borne diseases; and enhance root vigor, nodulation and nutrient uptake. Stacking biologicals with multiple modes of action can help provide more consistent and dependable performance improvements across a broad range of environmental and soil conditions.
"It's been a struggle this year with the late start, but the beans sure have taken off and are really excelling," says Frankart. "It looks like we're headed toward a pretty decent crop this year."
Learn more about the VAULT HP plus INTEGRAL soybean seed treatment system and other soybean seed enhancements at www.BeckerUnderwood.com or call 1-800-892-2013.
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Crop Fertility Resource Center
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Approaches for recommending P and K fertilizer
Fall scouting for soybean weed management
Ohio State University researchers recommend evaluating this year's herbicide program in soybeans since weeds that escaped 2011 herbicides are setting seeds now. Full story.
For more, visit the Soybean Resource Center.
Wheat stubble height affects no-till row crop yields
K-State research in western Kansas has found that no-till corn grain yields increased as wheat stubble height increased. Full story.
For more, visit the Wheat Resource Center.
Developing drought-tolerant corn hybrids
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