No fix for pesticide permitting debacle
New pesticide permitting requirements are set to go into effect this week despite a lack of clarity around who really needs to obtain the permits — or if agencies charged with issuing them are ready to do so in a timely manner. Full story.
Higher costs for 2012 crop inputs expected
As the 2011 harvest concludes, preparations are well underway for 2012. Most farmers already know how many acres of corn and soybeans they will plant. Seed dealers have been calling since July; ag retailer agronomists have been talking about fall and spring fertilization. The general outlook is for higher input costs for the 2012 crop season. Stu Ellis in his article focuses on what farmers should be expecting. Full story. LightSquared questions government advisor’s motives
The battle over whether LightSquared’s proposed 4G broadband communications network will be allowed to move forward took a turn last week when the company accused a government advisor for putting his company’s interests ahead of his position on the federal advisory board. Full story.
2011 Professional Farm Manager of the Year
Ed Kiefer, vice president and office manager for Hertz Farm Management Inc., was recently named 2011 Professional Farm Manager of the Year by Syngenta, AgProfessional magazine and the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA). Full story.
Gavilon to distribute Arborite AG
Gavilon Fertilizer LLC announced it will be the exclusive distributor of Arborite AG in the United States and Mexico. Arborite AG uses technology developed for Weyerhaeuser to help plants reach their full potential by reducing nitrogen volatilization. Full story.
Ag groups praise legislation clarifying HOS
The Agricultural Retailers Association, the Agricultural and Food Transporters Conference of the American Trucking Association, the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives and The Fertilizer Institute voiced their support for legislation that would clarify transportation regulations that are critical to the agricultural sector’s ability to expeditiously distribute farm supplies. Full story. Canadian potash company targeted by cyber thieves
Classified federal data pertaining to Saskatchewan, Canada’s potash industry was stolen by cyber thieves in January, the Ottawa Citizen, a Canadian newspaper, has reported. Full story. SyngentaThoughtseeders.com online portal launched
Syngenta has launched a new online portal to stimulate and accelerate collaborations with external parties for the development of new, integrated solutions in agriculture. Full story. Multiple modes of action needed for weed control
Challenges posed by glyphosate-resistant weeds are making it clear that long-term weed control must be based on best weed management practices with multiple modes of action. Full story. Large banks cut rates to boost farm lending
Despite softer national farm loan activity, larger banks cut interest rates on non-real estate loans to boost farm lending in the third quarter, according to the Federal Reserve System's Agricultural Finance Databook. Full story.  BIG PICTURE
By Doane Economist
Ethanol production continues to snap back from a seasonal slowdown in September. Based on weekly data, the annualized ethanol production rate is 13.9 billion gallons, up from 13.0 billion in late September and back near the highs of the past six months. With ethanol production margins at 60-65 cents per gallon over variable costs, producers have a strong incentive to boost production. Forward processing margins for early 2012 look less favorable given lower ethanol values for early 2012, which tend to reflect the loss of the 45 cent per gallon ethanol tax credit.
Crop Fertility Resource Center
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Anhydrous ammonia application and dry soils
It is almost time that anhydrous ammonia (NH3) applications could begin (remember 50 F and cooling 4-inch soil temperature). However, many soils in Iowa are quite dry this fall. So, can anhydrous ammonia be applied to dry soil? Full story.
For more, visit the Crop Fertility Resource Center.
Fall vs. spring K applications prior to planting soybeans
Potassium is essential to producing high soybean yields. Potassium has been shown to improve soybean nodulation and nitrogen fixation, and reduce the severity of several soybean diseases and insects. If soil test reports recommend potassium fertilizer to reach your 2012 soybean yield goal, you need to decide when and how to apply the potassium.
Full story.
For more, visit the Soybean Resource Center.
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Retailer Sees Yield Boost with VAULT® HP
Dave Stenzel, agronomy production specialist with Greenway Coop in Claremont, Minnesota, is a believer when it comes to quality seed treatment products. He and his customers have seen the positive results of using VAULT® HP plus INTEGRAL®.
"When VAULT HP plus INTEGRAL first became available, we did lots of trials," says Stenzel. "We paired it up with a complete seed treatment and we were seeing an improvement of three to four bushels per acre. Since then it's become an easy decision to recommend VAULT HP plus INTEGRAL to our soybean seed treatment customers."
The triple BioStacked® VAULT HP plus INTEGRAL system pairs a patented biological performance enhancer and a high-count rhizobia inoculant with INTEGRAL biological fungicide. Collectively, these components work together to deliver 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.
"We continue to see a consistent response with VAULT HP plus INTEGRAL," adds Stenzel. "There are seed treatments on corn so it makes sense to have quality seed treatments on soybeans, too. And with the cost of seed, it's important to give plants every opportunity to maximize their potential."
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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'I don’t have time' is a lie!
You have heard people say this over and over again, “I don’t have time.” The fact is that we all have the same number of hours in each day and we choose what to do with those hours. We choose whether to stay in bed, get up and go to work, or show up at our exercise class. We choose whether to write a letter to our mothers, take out the trash, clean the garage or paint the house. We choose what kind of work we want to do, where we want to live, who we want to live with, what hobbies we like to pursue. Our lives are a collection of our choices. Full story.
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Guide to diagnosis of chlorotic and poor vigor wheat in fall
If the wheat emerges, but is chlorotic or has poor seedling vigor, several factors may be the cause. Often, a combination of factors is involved. Full story.
For more, visit the Wheat Resource Center.
Corn molds of little concern in 2011, despite weather
As the tough 2011 cropping year draws to a close, farmers can take solace in knowing that despite unfavorable weather conditions, corn molds don't seem to be of widespread concern, says a Purdue University plant pathologist. Full story.
For more, visit the Corn Resource Center.
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