Latest News From Agronomy

10 Easy Ways to Take Your Crop-Scouting Practices to the Next Level
10 Easy Ways to Take Your Crop-Scouting Practices to the Next Level

In a year with razor-thin margins, at best, corn and soybean growers can use a variety of new technology and tried-and-true agronomic tools to score higher yields this season.

Ferrie: Four Ways to Scratch the Planting Itch Without Regret
Ferrie: Four Ways to Scratch the Planting Itch Without Regret

Don't take equipment to fields too soon and create headaches that will linger all season. While you wait for the right timing, consider doing prep work and projects that can help set you up for yield success.

New Water-Use Management Tool For Commercial Crops
New Water-Use Management Tool For Commercial Crops

Helena introduces Resgenix to help farmers manage the water available to crops and optimize its use.

Ferrie: It's Only February, but Iowa Farmers are Considering Field Work and Anhydrous Applications
Ferrie: It's Only February, but Iowa Farmers are Considering Field Work and Anhydrous Applications

Before heading to the field to apply anhydrous, firm up what crop you're going to plant. Growers have been kicking around the idea of going beans-on-beans, given the markets. But anhydrous essentially ties you to corn.

Handy Bt Trait Table Updated and Available Now
Handy Bt Trait Table Updated and Available Now

Corn growers can use this free tool to understand which hybrids have which traits, as well as evaluate insect problems and herbicide needs in-season.

Ferrie: Freezing and Thawing Cycles Can Help Or Hurt Compaction
Ferrie: Freezing and Thawing Cycles Can Help Or Hurt Compaction

A sudden change in soil density that occurs from the freezing-thawing process can cause problems with corn root growth this spring and impede water movement in the soil during the growing season.

Tall Order for Short Corn: The Latest On Short-Stature Hybrids
Tall Order for Short Corn: The Latest On Short-Stature Hybrids

Compact corn hybrids appear to take winds 50 mph in stride with little greensnap or lodging resulting. However, yield performance hasn’t been as consistent, and technology providers are working to change that.

Illinois Farm Families Star in Super Bowl LVIII Commercial
Illinois Farm Families Star in Super Bowl LVIII Commercial

Super Bowl fans in Illinois will be able to cheer on some familiar faces in a commercial during the big game on Sunday. Illinois pork producer Chad Leman says the commercial is all about communicating trust in farmers.

Ferrie: Does Spring Or Fall Horizontal Tillage Cause More Density Layers?
Ferrie: Does Spring Or Fall Horizontal Tillage Cause More Density Layers?

Ken Ferrie answers two additional questions: Was it allelopathic toxins in the cereal rye ahead of corn that caused such a yield ding last season? Will there be a cap to Carbon Initiative payments per farm operation?

Don't Skip This Important Step In Weed Control
Don't Skip This Important Step In Weed Control

Herbicide + oil adjuvant = improved active ingredient uptake by the plant and heightened weed control performance.

 Agronomists Worry Moisture Deficits Will Contribute To Herbicide Carryover
Agronomists Worry Moisture Deficits Will Contribute To Herbicide Carryover

While you can't make Mother Nature send rain, you can review crop-rotation restrictions on chemistries you applied last year. Knowing that information can guide what crop you plant where this spring.

Industry Experts To Share Insights During Upcoming Crop Nutrition Week
Industry Experts To Share Insights During Upcoming Crop Nutrition Week

The weeklong, virtual event hosted by AgroLiquid offers free learning opportunities from agronomists and crop nutrition experts.

314 Bu. Corn Yield Uses Only 7" of Rain to Score Big Win in Minnesota
314 Bu. Corn Yield Uses Only 7" of Rain to Score Big Win in Minnesota

David Heublein won the conventional, non-irrigated category of the 2023 NCGA yield contest for the state. The amazing yield was grown with only one-third of the total rainfall his fields usually get in a growing season.

Ferrie: Farmer Asks How to Use Red Clover as a Cover to Reduce Nitrogen Rates and Costs
Ferrie: Farmer Asks How to Use Red Clover as a Cover to Reduce Nitrogen Rates and Costs

Red clover can fix nitrogen, suppress weeds and improve crop yields. Based on test plot research in Illinois, a good stand of red clover can provide between 50 and 100 pounds of nitrogen per acre.

Ferrie: No-Till Farmer Asks at What Depth to Pull Soil Samples?
Ferrie: No-Till Farmer Asks at What Depth to Pull Soil Samples?

Growers can benefit from evaluating the dispersion of N, P and K and pH levels in no-till fields. Often, there is a drop off in soil fertility levels in no-till soils once below the three-inch mark.

Ferrie: Farmers Are Strip-Tilling Covers Now. Is That A Good Idea?
Ferrie: Farmers Are Strip-Tilling Covers Now. Is That A Good Idea?

The practice can be useful in some scenarios but not all. Farmers need to evaluate the potential impact on 2024 yield outcomes. Perhaps a bigger concern is how the practice impacts weed management, especially waterhemp.

Ferrie: Picking Corn Hybrids For 2024? Here Are Five Tips
Ferrie: Picking Corn Hybrids For 2024? Here Are Five Tips

For a lot of farmers, 2023 was a tough growing season and Mother Nature didn't cooperate. But don't let that drive your seed-selection process for next year. Consider these five recommendations instead.

How Did Cluster, Skip-Row, Triple Crop Corn Fare In 2023?
How Did Cluster, Skip-Row, Triple Crop Corn Fare In 2023?

In 2023, John Smith planted cluster corn, James Hitchcock tried wide row corn and Bill Jones targeted a triple crop. How did each farmer fare?

Are 100-Bushel Soybean Yield Averages On The Horizon?
Are 100-Bushel Soybean Yield Averages On The Horizon?

Illinois farmer Ryan Myers has increased his 60-bushel-per-acre yield average to 70-plus-bushel averages in just three years. How? By focusing on the details from variety selection to in-season management.

Scouting Kit Must-Haves: Tools You’ll Want In The Fields
Scouting Kit Must-Haves: Tools You’ll Want In The Fields

A seasoned crop consultant shares a list of items that are sure to make scouting a bit easier this spring.

Corn Yield Checks In and Out of the Combine
Corn Yield Checks In and Out of the Combine

Ken Ferrie offers five practical agronomic tips you can use during harvest this fall. These practices can help you improve corn performance and yield outcomes across your farm.

Three Ways to Be a Successful Soybean Yield Sleuth 
Three Ways to Be a Successful Soybean Yield Sleuth 

If your combine monitor is showing a wide range of yields in the field, Ken Ferrie says to investigate. Evaluate soybean stand, pod set and bean size while there’s agronomic evidence.

New Profit Calculator Reveals How Much Soybean Cyst Nematode Costs You By Field
New Profit Calculator Reveals How Much Soybean Cyst Nematode Costs You By Field

The online tool from the SCN Coalition is free and easy to use. It’s backed by research done on more than 25,000 university soybean research plots across the U.S.

I-80 Harvest Tour:  Missouri Drought Hurts Statewide Yields but Harvest Results in Some Areas Buck That Trend
I-80 Harvest Tour: Missouri Drought Hurts Statewide Yields but Harvest Results in Some Areas Buck That Trend

Corn harvest in Missouri is at 28% complete, with soybean harvest at only 4%. While Missouri was hit by drought this year which will cut yield average, some areas are bucking that trend.

Fall Planted Cover Crops Can Break a Corn Soybean Rotation and Improve Soil Health
Fall Planted Cover Crops Can Break a Corn Soybean Rotation and Improve Soil Health

Fall is a great time for farmers to plant cover crops to improve soil health.

April-Planted Corn Hybrids Took A Blow To The Chin
April-Planted Corn Hybrids Took A Blow To The Chin

Ken Ferrie expects yields to climb as Illinois farmers start harvesting more of their May-planted corn. Looking ahead, he says farmers will see some challenges from herbicide carryover in 2024.

waterhemp in soybeans
Two Likely Dicamba-Resistant Waterhemp Populations Found In Iowa

Illinois, Missouri and Nebraska have previously confirmed populations of dicamba-resistant waterhemp. Extension stresses the importance of not allowing any seed-bearing waterhemp to remain in the field at harvest.

 Ferrie: 3,000-Mile Crop Tour Reveals the Good, Bad and Ugly
Ferrie: 3,000-Mile Crop Tour Reveals the Good, Bad and Ugly

Out East, Ken Ferrie saw good corn crops with delayed maturity. Black layer will be pushed out to October. In the West, one Iowa field had the highest corn yield check of the season, while other fields were burned up.

Poll: What Words Do You Use To Describe Conservation Practices?
Poll: What Words Do You Use To Describe Conservation Practices?

How do you describe conservation farming?

Syngenta Seeds, Sustainable Oils Announce Commercial Agreement to Sell Camelina Seed 
Syngenta Seeds, Sustainable Oils Announce Commercial Agreement to Sell Camelina Seed 

The oilseed crop offers farmers the opportunity to grow three crops in two years. It can be used for sustainable aviation fuel, renewable diesel and animal feed production.

What Is a Carbon Intensity Score?
What Is a Carbon Intensity Score?

Here are the FAQs for farmers who are exploring carbon’s next chapter on the farm.

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.

Drought is More than just 'Water Stress' for Corn and Soybeans
Drought is More than just 'Water Stress' for Corn and Soybeans

An ongoing lack of water and volatile prices bring heightened focus on fertilizer and nutrient management. They are critical components to creating a more resilient ag production system, says one industry agronomist.   

WinField United’s New Three-Fold Micronutrient Foliar Blend
WinField United’s New Three-Fold Micronutrient Foliar Blend

Introduced as a premium foliar applied blend for 2024, Max-In Ultra ZMB Plus delivers high loads of zinc, manganese and boron. 

The Weeds We Love to Hate
The Weeds We Love to Hate

What weeds do you hate and why? As a native of New Mexico, Clinton Griffiths spent hours alongside his dad, a hoe and bucket in hand, ridding their property of goatheads, a prickly plant with no proven useful purpose.

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.

Got Skip Row Corn? Georgia Farmer Goes 60" Wide
Got Skip Row Corn? Georgia Farmer Goes 60" Wide

Can skip row corn add bushels to the bin? James Hitchcock wants the answers from one trusted source—his own fields.

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.

Drought Mitigation Strategies For Operational Resilience
Drought Mitigation Strategies For Operational Resilience

Dry conditions in some parts of the Midwest are putting a strain on yield potential early this season. But some stands are thriving. Practices such as continuous covers and no-till are making the difference.

Agoro Carbon Marks Two-Year Milestone Totaling $15 Million in Payments
Agoro Carbon Marks Two-Year Milestone Totaling $15 Million in Payments

Last year the company said its payments totaled $9 million so far. 

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.

Seize Your Corn Yield Potential With Sulfur's Amazing Superpowers
Seize Your Corn Yield Potential With Sulfur's Amazing Superpowers

If you’re aiming for a 200-bu. corn crop this season, be aware it will need at least 34 pounds of sulfur per acre.

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.

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. 

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.