Latest News From Rhonda Brooks

New Soybean Fungicides Target White Mold and Phytophthora Root Rot
New Soybean Fungicides Target White Mold and Phytophthora Root Rot

Corteva Agriscience introduces Viatude and LumiTreo to address tough disease issues and protect soybean yield potential. Both will be available for use in 2024. There are limited supplies of Viatude this season, as well.

Angels In Blue Offer Helping Hands To Farmers In Crisis
Angels In Blue Offer Helping Hands To Farmers In Crisis

Farm Rescue's mission is to help farmers and ranchers who have had a major illness, injury or natural disaster by providing equipment and volunteer labor – free of charge – to perform time-sensitive services.

30 Days Left for Iowa Corn Crop to Complete Fill, Pack On Yield
30 Days Left for Iowa Corn Crop to Complete Fill, Pack On Yield

The past four days of high heat and no moisture have taken a toll in the state with some farmers predicting corn yield lows of 140 bu. per acre. Some still anticipate 200-bu. plus yields. All they need is some rain.

Split, Pinch And Push Stalks If Tar Spot Strikes Now
Split, Pinch And Push Stalks If Tar Spot Strikes Now

Conditions are right for the disease to break loose in parts of the Midwest. If it does, agronomists recommend three steps farmers can take to prioritize affected cornfields for harvest to minimize yield loss.

Double-Edged Sword: Did Rains from Derecho Save Illinois Corn and Soybeans?
Double-Edged Sword: Did Rains from Derecho Save Illinois Corn and Soybeans?

A fast-moving storm flattened crops on June 29, but the rain gave much needed relief to area crops and hope to farmers struggling to stay optimistic. Pro Farmer Crop Tour provides insights on how those crops look now.

Want to Take More Beans to the Bin at Harvest? Pay Attention to Soybean Growth Stages
Want to Take More Beans to the Bin at Harvest? Pay Attention to Soybean Growth Stages

Understanding soybean growth and development can help determine the best stages to maximize untapped yield potential. Consider these six key times and manage soybeans accordingly.

'No Monster Yields' but Nebraska Irrigated Corn has Above-Average Potential
'No Monster Yields' but Nebraska Irrigated Corn has Above-Average Potential

First thing Tuesday, Pro Farmer Tour scouts saw Nebraska irrigated corn with 208 to 250 bu. yields. But a lot could change as they head into dryland corn. In the eastern Corn Belt, scouts are evaluating Indiana crops.

Midwest Crops Swelter In High Temperatures, Little Relief Ahead
Midwest Crops Swelter In High Temperatures, Little Relief Ahead

A heat dome will consume the Plains and Mississippi Valley into the South this week with "oppressive and dangerous conditions" expected at least through midweek, the National Weather Service reported early Monday.

 Corn and Soybeans Look 'Darn Good' In Ohio, Similar to 2021
Corn and Soybeans Look 'Darn Good' In Ohio, Similar to 2021

Out of the gate this morning, scouts saw a high of 208 bu/A for corn and a low of 92 bu/A. In the West, the initial report is positive for South Dakota with "better than last year" the key phrase scouts are repeating.

Ugh. Tar Spot Moves In After Drought Leaves
Ugh. Tar Spot Moves In After Drought Leaves

Corn growers in 13 states have confirmed tar spot outbreaks now. Iowa leads the pack with the disease reported in at least 36 counties. Indiana is a close second. "It’s starting to explode," one agronomist says.

Syngenta Unveils New Seeds Research-and-Development Innovation Center 
Syngenta Unveils New Seeds Research-and-Development Innovation Center 

Some of the research now underway at the facility is focused on improving germplasm performance, launching stacked, next-generation differentiated traits and demonstrating  regenerative agriculture cropping systems.

‘Reckless Spending’ is Putting U.S. Fiscal Health at Risk, Analyst Says
‘Reckless Spending’ is Putting U.S. Fiscal Health at Risk, Analyst Says

A market analyst shared a gloomy outlook for the country on Thursday, saying the U.S. balance sheet and financial condition have been deteriorating significantly over the last decade. He expects more of the same ahead.

Phytophthora Root Rot Grabs the Spotlight in Soybeans
Phytophthora Root Rot Grabs the Spotlight in Soybeans

The increased incidence of the disease this year in the Midwest has to do with the extremely hot, dry weather followed by heavy precipitation events farmers received in June and July.

Farmers Seize Market Opportunities but Concerned about Rising Interest Rates
Farmers Seize Market Opportunities but Concerned about Rising Interest Rates

Sixty-five percent of farmers surveyed in July expect interest rates to climb in the next 12 months. On a positive note, 7 out of 10 said they expect farmland cash rental rates to remain roughly the same for 2024.

Senators Look To Rein-In Abuse Of Farm Payment System
Senators Look To Rein-In Abuse Of Farm Payment System

Sens. Chuck Grassley and Sherrod Brown have introduced the Farm Program Integrity Act. It would create a cap of $250,000 in commodity support for a single farm operation and, potentially, some undesirable side effects.

Ferrie: Give Corn A ‘Big Push’ With Better Nutrient Allocation
Ferrie: Give Corn A ‘Big Push’ With Better Nutrient Allocation

Using the same amount of fertilizer -- but at different times and more than one way during the season -- can help you harvest more bushels and improve your bottom line. Check out our two brief videos to learn more.

High Humidity a Contributing Factor in Tar Spot Outbreaks
High Humidity a Contributing Factor in Tar Spot Outbreaks

Farmers can use humidity charts for their area to assess when the disease could hit their corn crop as well as the optimum time to make a fungicide application, says Missy Bauer, Farm Journal Associate Field Agronomist.

Ferrie: Biofuel Tax Credit Needs Could Mean More Dollars For Farmers’ Grain
Ferrie: Biofuel Tax Credit Needs Could Mean More Dollars For Farmers’ Grain

There is now a dollar value assigned to grain carbon intensity scores below 29 in the form of tax credits to biofuel plants that buy grain as part of their decarbonization efforts.

High-Quality Farmland Is Still Inching Up In Price Across 18 States
High-Quality Farmland Is Still Inching Up In Price Across 18 States

A mid-year report from Farmers National shows land values are increasing by single digits instead of the double digits common in 2021-22. But the company says it has a strong roster of listings headed into late summer.

Bayer Plans to Sell its Crop Science Division, says German News Service
Bayer Plans to Sell its Crop Science Division, says German News Service

Platow Brief, a banking and finance publication, says new Bayer AG CEO Bill Anderson and team are working on a deal to spin off the division to improve the pharma giant's financial wellbeing and placate investors.

Crime Sprees Target Precision Ag Technology at Farms and Dealerships
Crime Sprees Target Precision Ag Technology at Farms and Dealerships

Thieves are ripping off yield monitors and navigation systems, many of which retail for $4,000-plus. Some authorities speculate the tools are sold on the black market abroad for use as is or pieced out for their parts.

Red Crown Rot Reaches Illinois Soybean Fields, Suspected in Other Midwestern States
Red Crown Rot Reaches Illinois Soybean Fields, Suspected in Other Midwestern States

Double-digit yield losses are not uncommon. To date, 14 Illinois counties have confirmed the disease, and it's being scouted for elsewhere by seed company and Extension pathologists and agronomists.

Here's 3 Things to Know About Purchasing Farmland Now 
Here's 3 Things to Know About Purchasing Farmland Now 

Paul Schadegg, with Farmers National Company, shares his perspective on agricultural real estate demand, the impact of interest rates on the market and the outlook for land values later this year.

Ferrie: Derecho Took 20 to 30 Bu. Off the Top of April Corn but Don’t Throw in the Towel
Ferrie: Derecho Took 20 to 30 Bu. Off the Top of April Corn but Don’t Throw in the Towel

Flattened corn can often recover, stand and produce decent yields. Soybeans can shake off a storm and flourish, but beware spider mites in the next 10 days if temperatures stay 85-plus degrees with low humidity.

Soybean Aphids Have Arrived. Send in the Scouts
Soybean Aphids Have Arrived. Send in the Scouts

The pest is showing up in early-season soybeans. Current numbers don't necessarily warrant treatment. Because the pests can double in population in only a few days, scouting is the only way to stay on top of them.

Smoky Skies and Reduced Air Quality Return to the Midwest and Mid-South
Smoky Skies and Reduced Air Quality Return to the Midwest and Mid-South

Unhealthy levels of air pollutants are spreading across some parts of the U.S., a result of the worst-ever start to wildfire season in Canada. Sixteen million acres have burned--an area a bit larger than West Virginia.

Homegrown Tar Spot Is Showing Up Now Thanks To Inoculant From 2021
Homegrown Tar Spot Is Showing Up Now Thanks To Inoculant From 2021

Farmers with cornfields affected two years ago need to be ready this season, based on a corn-soybean rotation. Fields with high levels of residue are more susceptible, and beware heavy rains just prior to canopy.

Technology Unlocks The Door to New Modes of Action for Controlling Insects, Disease and Weeds
Technology Unlocks The Door to New Modes of Action for Controlling Insects, Disease and Weeds

Bayer Crop Science has unveiled a novel approach to the discovery and development of crop protection solutions, called CropKey. Company officials say it is helping them bring new products to the marketplace faster.

7 Steps to Better Post-Herbicide Weed Control In Soybeans
7 Steps to Better Post-Herbicide Weed Control In Soybeans

Dry weather stymied many early-season control efforts. But keep going after weeds, agronomists encourage. Why? Research shows weeds not controlled after V2 can reduce soybean yields by up to 1% per day.

Ferrie: If You Want Agronomic Answers, Read Your Crown Roots
Ferrie: If You Want Agronomic Answers, Read Your Crown Roots

Many Midwest farmers are seeing their corn crop struggle from compaction, nutrient deficiencies and herbicide carryover. Some of these issues can be addressed yet this season.

The Value of In-Season Nitrogen Use
The Value of In-Season Nitrogen Use

Corn yields can swing 100 bu. to the positive or negative in some hybrids today based on nitrogen use that supports kernel depth. Tune into hybrid characteristics, and avoid “gapping” nitrogen and volatilization.

4 Reasons Your Corn Crop Leafed Out Underground This Spring
4 Reasons Your Corn Crop Leafed Out Underground This Spring

Weather conditions at planting, herbicide damage, insects and poor closure of the furrow are just a handful of the factors that can hinder corn emergence success.

UV Light Seed Treatment For Corn and Soybeans Headed to Farmers’ Fields
UV Light Seed Treatment For Corn and Soybeans Headed to Farmers’ Fields

The new technology is designed to improve seedling vigor, boost root biomass and contribute to yield increases – up to 15% in corn and 12% in soybeans. It will be commercially available starting in 2024.

A Perfect Storm for Increased Insect Pressure in Corn
A Perfect Storm for Increased Insect Pressure in Corn

Several factors converge making corn rootworm, black cutworm and true armyworm a high concern this season.

Oklahoma_Wildfire
Smoke From Wildfires Creates ‘Indirect Concerns’ For U.S. Corn Crop

A concentration of smoke over a period of several weeks could contribute to lower temperatures and fewer growing degree units for row crops because of reduced solar radiation.

One Silver Lining In Clouds Of Economic Concern
One Silver Lining In Clouds Of Economic Concern

The latest Ag Economy Barometer shows farmer sentiment has soured as crop prices have tumbled over the past month, but it's not all gloom and doom. Strong working capital can help address the downturn in farm country.

Look For Evidence of Corn Seedling Diseases Now
Look For Evidence of Corn Seedling Diseases Now

With more than 90% of the corn crop now planted and growing in 12 key states, it's time to look for evidence of Pythium, Fusarium and Rhizoctonia. They're often overlooked because they work underground to steal yield.

2 Ways to Tell Whether Corn is Deficient in Nitrogen or Potassium
2 Ways to Tell Whether Corn is Deficient in Nitrogen or Potassium

Ken Ferrie is seeing potassium deficiency in corn this season because of dry soil conditions. It's easy to confuse with a nitrogen deficiency and even the carbon penalty and ugly corn syndrome.

Soybean Group Wants Heavier Semi-Truck Loads Approved For Interstate Transport
Soybean Group Wants Heavier Semi-Truck Loads Approved For Interstate Transport

Bill 3372 could lower greenhouse gas emissions, mitigate factors leading to supply chain backlogs, reduce damage to roads, and provide an extra set of brakes to improve stopping capacity and safety, one lawmaker says.

Ferrie: 3 Agronomic Problems to Look For This Week
Ferrie: 3 Agronomic Problems to Look For This Week

Farmers finding dead corn plants in their fields are texting pictures to Ken Ferrie, asking for help. Some of the culprits he's found include wireworm, the carbon penalty, rootless corn syndrome and herbicide carryover.

Corn, Soybeans and Wheat in the Grips of Drought
Corn, Soybeans and Wheat in the Grips of Drought

The U.S. Drought Monitor says 26% of corn acres, 20% of soybean acres and 47% of winter wheat acres are in drought. The wheat crop has little chance of revival, but corn and soybeans have a long runway ahead of them.

New Biological Supports Soil Health, Improves Crop Residue Breakdown
New Biological Supports Soil Health, Improves Crop Residue Breakdown

Reclaim is designed to help soils warm up faster, resulting in more uniform seed emergence and better plant stands. 

Small-Town Bank CEOs are Cautiously Optimistic, says Rural Mainstreet Index Survey
Small-Town Bank CEOs are Cautiously Optimistic, says Rural Mainstreet Index Survey

Despite the positive sentiment, local community bankers report concerns about lower commodity prices, the ‘big bank mess’ and another potential rate hike in June by the Fed.

3 Things to Know About Purchasing Farmland Now 
3 Things to Know About Purchasing Farmland Now 

Paul Schadegg, with Farmers National Company, shares his perspective on agricultural real estate demand, the impact of interest rates on the market and the outlook for land values later this year.

Farmers Edge Satellite Image
NASA’s Newest Mission is Focused on Helping U.S. Farmers

The agency recently launched a new initiative called Acres. Scientists plan for the data gathered through the program to help farmers with all kinds of decisions, from water use to what crops to plant and when.

Considering Vertical Tillage? Here are 5 Benefits
Considering Vertical Tillage? Here are 5 Benefits

Watch the 1-minute video by Farm Journal Field Agronomist Ken Ferrie and his agronomic team, showing how residue can be sized to protect soil surfaces to minimize dust and potential erosion.

Disease and Insects are Attacking Your Wheat Crop. Here's How to Know Whether to Make One Treatment or Two
Disease and Insects are Attacking Your Wheat Crop. Here's How to Know Whether to Make One Treatment or Two

Similarly, Ken Ferrie says to time your post-herbicide application in corn based on weed size and to address cutworm based on the level of damage you find. One pass in the field could work for both, but don't bet on it.

Compaction
8 Soybean Planting Reminders for When Mother Nature Doesn’t Cooperate

"Plant early for optimum yield" is a common refrain soybean growers hear from agronomists and other crop production experts today. But when you can't get into the field, regroup and go to Plan B.

6 Moth Species You Need to Know About 
6 Moth Species You Need to Know About 

Agronomists are reporting high numbers of black cutworm and true armyworm moths in pheromone traps. Their offspring, the larvae, can do serious harm to corn. So can the offspring of four other common moth species.

Estimating Growing Degree Days is a Simple Calculation
Estimating Growing Degree Days is a Simple Calculation

If your corn isn't flying out of the ground, the reason is you likely need more heat units. Ken Ferrie shares the easy formula for your use. Tracking heat units can help you make better agronomic decisions this season.