Knoxville Main Office
Pleasantville Location
Centerville Location
Albia Location
1650 Quebec St
702 E. Jasper
1605 S. 24th St
805 Hwy 5 North
Knoxville, IA 50138
Pleasantville, IA 50228
Centerville, IA 52544
Albia, IA 52531
Office: 641-828-8500
Office: 515-848-5000
Office: 641-856-2828
Office: 641-932-2100
Knoxville City Location
Melcher-Dallas Location
Milo Location
Columbia Fuel Station
Spring is here and in full swing. We can finally say we
601 N. Sherman St
126 2nd St SE
101 1st St
2441 Hwy 14
got into the field to apply dry fertilizer and super
Knoxville, IA 50138
Melcher-Dallas, IA 50163
Milo, IA 50166
Columbia, IA 50057
grow. It’s a long way from perfect field conditions
Office: 641-842-5511
Office: 641-947-2000
Office: 641-942-6223
Cell: 641-218-4035
Charles Smith Northern Division Manager
with it being a pretty wet spring, but we are running. We have had to pick and choose where we can run but it is working. It looks like the weather is going to warm up next week. A few farmers may try planting some corn if it does. The cold rainy weather doesn’t make a person get too excited about
planting yet. I know the ground was working up well before this rainy spell so hopefully the weather cooperates. We all know that there will be plenty of mud holes and regular old wet spots in the field. Some of these spots may not even be in the same areas as the past. If you have some known areas that are a problem try to give us a heads up. We do not need an applicator to get stuck or tear up your field if it can
be helped. The gravel roads alone are going to be a challenge. We all know that we are going to push as hard as we can to get all this work done. As far as getting the application done this spring we are as ready as we can get. We just need the weather to cooperate. The more notice as to when we can get into your field the better off we will all be. We are all going to have to be as efficient as we can to get it all done. I’m sure when this spring is over this
will be one we talk about for many years. Be safe.
SFG Update
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SFG Update
booking prices available now for creep from both
Derrick Hoodjer R7 Specialist
Hubbard and Kent. As expected, the price has
Planters have started to
increased over last year’s but I think if you feed a
hit the field with corn
quality creep feed you will still see a return on
and soybeans here in
your investment. This return will be seen not only
South Central Iowa. We
•
In-season sulfur on soybeans
in dollars, but in hidden factors as well.
have experienced some
•
Topdress Urea and Sulfur
this
Creep feeding allows your calves to reach their
weather
and
•
Fungicide + Insecticide on soybeans
time of year. However,
genetic potential. They will be better equipped to
complications
but
•
I am sure that will
handle weaning and the related stresses, and it
overall, the start of the
New Dekalb product hybrid plotE3 vs Extendflex split planter over 80 acres
change shortly. Aside from a few days, I think
teaches them to eat. This allows them to hit the
2021 planting season has gone very well. Seed
•
Biological treatments
everyone has had a good calving season. The grass is
feedlot eating right away, which keeps them
availability at SFG has been very good but we are
•
Nitrogen stabilizer options
green, it just needs some water and warm weather.
growing and healthy. In addition, your cows will
finding that the most popular hybrids for southern
•
Iowa are getting harder to find. We have extra seed
Corn/Soybean population
be 20-30 pounds heavier at weaning time if their calves were creep fed. That extra condition will
to cover any in season needs for all types of ground
give you a jump start in getting them ready for
and price ranges. Do not be afraid to reach out if you
calving and breeding next spring.
were not able to get the hybrids you wanted. The last
Scott Goetz Milo Feed Sales, Location Manager Well, the calendar says it's spring, but it sure doesn't feel like it. It is unusual to see so many planters
sitting
A lot of cows are starting to go to pasture around here, so don't forget to get some magnesium in front of them two weeks prior to grass. Keep in mind, if you have trouble getting them to consume
Something else to think about is that we have
enough hi-mag mineral you can use a mag tub
Due to current grain market conditions, the creep
instead. The molasses in the tub will help cover up
feed programs will look a little different this year.
the bitter taste of the magnesium. SFG has a good
Please contact a SFG Feed Representative to learn
selection of both loose mineral and tubs from
more about current creep feed pricing or with any
Hubbard and Kent, so we can cover all your needs.
other feed questions.
delays
customers. This year we have started the testing process and will have multiple plots to look at
thing you want to do is settle on a hybrid that does
not fit the farm. On soybeans this year we have seen a swing into the E3 and ExtendFlex soybean traits. These traits can be sprayed with Liberty and we have seen very good weed control with ease of application. SFG has plenty of stock of soybean seed for in-season uses and can treat seed on demand. Let any salesmen know if you need those few extra bags for 2021.
throughout the growing season. The following are a few plots and products we will be looking at in 2021.
These plots are ones I will be watching closely this year, but we will have many more as the season progresses. If you have any interest in this plot information or doing your own plot this year
reach out to us. SFG has great company support from our partner brands and can provide tests of new products that will boost production for 2021. As always, our goal at SFG is to provide the best return for our customers and give that extra support during the growing season. Our sales staff is devoted to the products we sell and believe in them because of the extensive testing
Here at Smith Fertilizer & Grain we take pride in
we provide. Reach out to any SFG agronomist for
testing products in plots and on farms to find the best
up-to-date information on new products for
products that provide the best return for our
2021.
Tune in to SFG Top Performance, with new episodes posted weekly on Monday Mornings! View them on our website at https://www.sfgiowa.com/. Be sure to subscribe on YouTube and click “follow” to be notified of new episodes and other video content from SFG!
SFG Update
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SFG Update
planting in the corn belt. The Safrina corn crop Mark White SFG Grain Merchandiser
Plant analysis provides a good evaluation of the
in Brazil is under drought stress right now. If
Mark Young Senior SFG Agronomy Manager
you believe the acres the USDA, put out on the intentions report in March, the US bean carryout may stay low another year giving the
micronutrient status of a plant when soil tests and field scouting are not conclusive. For best results, soil and plant analysis should be used together to detect
shortages and to develop effective
We have seen a
bean market some excitement. Another prime
lot of volatility in
Micronutrients
pricing time comes just ahead of pollination as
the
grain
biologicals are a critical
hot dry weather in that time frame can cause
markets
since
part
crop loss in a hurry. The rest of the year we are
harvest
ended
nutrient plan for your
at the mercy of true supply and demand which
last fall. Chances
farm.
will change right along with the weather, not
are we will see more between now and this
they’re used in a more
just in our country but around the world. Today
year’s harvest. World weather, Chinese buying,
delicate way than macronutrients, they play a
we are being offered some good new crop
and trade funds all contribute to this volatility.
significant role in plant growth and development,
prices. As farmers we always want to sell at the
In years past a dime move in a week was big,
which can help you achieve greater ROI and yield
high but few of us can brag that we have
now that can happen in an hour. Information
potential in your corn and soybeans. As you and your
accomplished that. It is far better to make
moves at warp speed around the world so any
SFG agronomist finalize your inputs for this season,
profitable sales along the way that protect your
hiccup in production somewhere is known
use these considerations to weigh how micronutrients
operation. If these prices turn out to be the
In
immediately. The days of a live trade on the
and biologicals should factor into your overall nutrient
worst sell you make, good for you as you will
micronutrients, biological additives can give crops
Chicago Board of Trade are long gone and now
strategy.
make money this coming year. The last time
computer programs do the trading. The process is so streamlined you can buy or sell a commodity at the market price and the order is filled in seconds while you wait on the phone. This has also increased the volume of foreign
new crop corn approached 5.00 was 2013. That year the fall price of corn peaked in mid- April and the fall price turned out to be in the 3.30 range. These high 4.00 prices being offered right now would look good come fall if we see a
of
an
Even
and overall
though
Micronutrient need is evaluated first by soil sample. Appropriate soil testing provides an indicator of the probability of crop response to a give nutrient. Because
of
the
complexity
of
micronutrient
interactions with other production factors, the
micronutrient management programs. Start by anticipating potential problems based on current crop conditions and the weather forecast. Use both physical and virtual tools to assess crop health and plant nutrition. In-season imagery and modeling applications, including the R7 Field Forecasting Tool, can help you visualize where there might be a nutrient deficiency in your fields. That can help you target your tissue sampling strategy to get the best data to make in-season fertility decisions.
an
addition extra
to
boost
traditional especially
fertilizers during
and
stressful
conditions. Biostimulants and biologically derived products that can trigger reactions in a plant ranging
from
stress
alleviation
to
yield
micronutrient
needs
enhancement.
predictability of micronutrient response is often
Confident
somewhat less than for other nutrients. Responses to
requires more than a scan of laboratory results
micronutrients can be observed when soil test levels
from a 0-6” soil sample. Success increases
are adequate. Conversely, a low test does not
dramatically when considering overall fertility
moves can become big moves real fast. It forces
guarantee crop response when other factors are
management, management level you desire, soil
all of us to be more ready to make sells when
limiting. Nevertheless, soil test information should not
type and conditions, crop sensitivity, and past
the time is right. So, when is the “right” time to
be ignored. Crop history and field scouting records
observations of crop response, quality, or
price some new crop grain? I am a firm believer
help to pinpoint previous problem areas and gain
deficiency symptoms. SFG agronomists can give
that most years we have 2 or 3 prime times to
some insight as to how the crop responded to
better
price new crop prior to harvest. We are in one
treatments.
probability of economic return if this additional
trade as we now trade 17 hours a day, 12 of
repeat of 2013. As always give us a call if you
these are during the night which is daytime on
would like some marketing help. We may not
the other side of the world. We have seen an
have all the right answers, but we do have
increasing volume of traders which means small
some good things to discuss.
of those times right now. Early April weather
Visit www.sfgiowa.com/grain/sfg-daily-bids for
has been cool and has delayed most of the
daily corn and bean bids, updated at 3pm
diagnosis
of
recommendations
and
improve
the
information is used in making micronutrient and/ or biological recommendations.