Northwest Agronomy Update

Jason Jensen Northwest District Agronomy

Sales

In my area, most crops went in the ground under fairly dry conditions. We started the growing season off with a cool spell but have made up for that as of late. We’ve seen many hot and humid days with small areas of pop-up showers. Most crops look extremely good for the weather that we’ve had. Current soil moisture ranges from very dry in the southern part to normal in most areas. As we look into the next few weeks, it is time to be planning for fungicide and foliar applications to optimize yields on our top acres. So far, on fields that have used a two-pass program, corn and soybean weed control looks to be good. Any chemical issues to date have been due to one-pass programs.

Corn that had an additional form of nitrogen applied along with NH3 is doing very well. It looks like applying Supergrow, 32% mixed with sprayed preseason chemical, or top/side-dressed urea really pays off in addition to fall or spring applied anhydrous.

Soybeans appear to have started their growth surge. Most fields look good at this point. So far I have not scouted any fields that have had any insect or disease pressure, but it’s still early. It’s important to remember timely fungicide and pesticide applications to keep fields clean.

We have also been busy with several hay field applications of P/K and Micro Sync Pro. This seems to be adding a new life to many stands that are thick but stagnant in growth. This tells me that sulfur, boron, and zinc really do add to quality alfalfa fields. Many of these fields have experienced very good regrowth after adding micros to them. Contact your SFG agronomist to schedule fungicide applications on your corn and soybeans, as well as to discuss any foliar products that may be added to optimize yields on your farm.

Northeast Agronomy Update

Greg Willer

Northeast District Agronomy Sales

Besides needing some rain, the crop in my area looks pretty good. Corn has come out of its ugly duckling stage and beans are starting to grow. Second-pass chemical has been applied to most of the corn and beans are getting underway.

Before long we will be applying fungicide. In a dry year I often hear growers say they will pass on fungicide, thinking there’s no diseases to worry about. Take some time to discuss this with your

Southern Agronomy Update

Taylor Banks

Southern District Agronomy Sales

Planting is just about all wrapped up in my area. The drier weather we’ve been having has helped get most of the spraying done. There was some disappointment from missing the bulk of the agronomist. We have response to fungicide scores for almost every hybrid and brand that you may have planted in your field. On your better acres where you placed a racier hybrid, you’ll likely get a good return on investment no matter what the weather. weekend rain however. In the lighter soils, we’re starting to see some stress in our corn and beans from the extended dry period we’ve been in.

Beans are a different story when it comes to fungicide. Fungicide on your beans at the R3 stage will give you a good return almost every time no matter what the ground is like. We consistently see 4-to-5-bushel yield increases, sometimes even 10+. We have also noticed that adding insecticide to the fungicide can increase the yield even more.

With the markets how they are, it will not take many bushels to get your money back and then some with fungicide. Take some time to discuss fungicide options for your corn and beans with your SFG Agronomist.

Overall, stands on corn have been very good where I’ve been scouting. We’ve seen some issues on soybeans though, mainly related to the dry weather. There’s been some re-plant soybeans but most of those have been isolated issues.

Hay fields are being cut right now and we are working on getting fertilizer on them as they get harvested. Hopefully we can catch some rain soon and keep the crop looking good.