Latest News From Agronomy

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Illinois’ Jack Shissler hit major dryland corn yields in 2022: “Boiled down, my yields were about choosing the right variety and applying fungicide. Variety and fungicide—that’s where it was at.”

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.

"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.

The change will not impact how farmers work with their current seed salesman in 2023, a Bayer spokesman tells Farm Journal. However, a different go-to-market approach is in the works.

Farmers in some states can expect BCW damage in corn by mid-May. One larva can ruin five corn plants in a 24-hour period. Rescue treatments are most effective and economical -- not seed treatments or Bt hybrids.

Don't let the rush to plant cause you to be filled with regret and utter these five words at some point: "I wish I had waited." Chilled seed corn struggles to emerge and grow. It can cost you 10% of your stand.

True armyworm (not to be confused with fall armyworm) is moving into Midwest wheat and corn crops now. Many are newcomers from the South, but homegrown populations are also concerning in Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.

When soybean seed sits in the ground for weeks, unable to germinate, the risk for Sudden Death Syndrome to develop trends higher. Yield losses upwards of 80% are documented.

Here are some tips to help you translate your data into higher yield and ROI.

Potassium (K) is a fascinating macronutrient. In corn, it sets the stage for a healthy and vigorous plant that produces a beautiful ear. 

Be diligent to keep pesky and invasive weeds out of your field boundaries. Otherwise, those weeds can produce seed and drift to additional acres in future years. 

Row spacing is getting a closer look from farmers who are evaluating the practices that contribute most to soybean yield. Agronomic experts offer their insights here to help growers heading to the field this week.

Cutworm and armyworm moths are on the move, looking to lay eggs. Wireworms, grubs, flea beetles, gophers and voles are also looking to take up residence in your fields. Act now to stop them.

By turning biological test results into gigabytes of data, Pattern Ag has developed the largest soil metagenomics database with more than 200 billion DNA reads. 

Caution can help you avoid creating compaction or density layers. Plus, if you're applying anhydrous now, allowing 14 days between the application and planting can prevent dead or damaged plants and costly yield dings.

The company, known for its extensive work in soybeans, formally moves into the corn marketplace with its introduction of Maverick herbicide, now available for use this season.

Do some final noodling on hybrid selection, planting processes and agronomic practices to grow that big-yielding crop you want to harvest next fall. Here are five tips to help you make this season a success.

Envita offers corn growers season-long nitrogen availability, according to Azotic Technologies. The product retails for approximately $15 an acre.

Missy Bauer, Farm Journal field agronomist, has found adding a dry ammonium sulfate at V3 or V4 growth stages can make the most significant impact on yields in soils with less organic matter.

Marion Calmer says nutrient stratification in soil is a significant problem on his western Illinois farm — and it’s only getting worse.

Farmers in the northwestern corn belt have had normal to above normal moisture this winter which will play into planting intensions, but so will commodity and input prices. So what will the acreage mix look like?

Experts agree there’s potential in the jug if used correctly and under the right expectations. Here are eight tips experts say can maximize your ROI of biologicals this growing season.  

With more than 1,500 responses, we have a clear winner for the two most common tillage types.

Some farmers saw A 40-bu-per-acre yield surge across fields in 2022, thanks to nutrient efficiencies. They lost less N and had better mineralization. Now, they ask, how can they get a repeat performance this year?

With higher-than-average costs and spring planting on the horizon, farmers are locking in their 2023 input needs.  

Your technology investment will maximize corn yield on every soil type.

If you're looking to replace some of your nitrogen this season, urea is an option. Volatility will be one of the things to address.

With organic matter above 3.5%, do you need to worry about applying sulfur? Ken Ferrie, Farm Journal field agronomist, is seeing financially positive responses. He shares several sulfur options to consider.

High input costs, excessive disease pressure or commodity prices — any of these factors could be pushing you to plant back-to-back corn or back-to-back soybeans. 

Define your goals and desired ROI for conservation practices on your farm.

Tom Ryan says this will be a transformational year for two reasons: the groundswell of efforts with USDA Climate Smart grants and a shifting focus to carbon insets.

“We keep a close eye on reservoirs, and they're looking promising at the moment,” Matt Comrey says. “But the jury's still out."

There are ways to pull back on fertilizer effectively -- up to a point. Join Ferrie for the Winter Corn & Soybean College this Thursday, Jan. 5. Get practical answers to your questions during this live event.

If your soil is sick, there are ways to nurse it back to health. How long it takes depends on how unhealthy your soil has become. It’s worth the effort because healthier soil means more water for crops.

Text of the $1.7 trillion omnibus spending package was released early Tuesday morning. The Senate will vote first and intends to pass the measure before Thursday, leaving the House no time to demand changes.

Sudden density changes block root growth and water movement.

For years farmers have focused on banding starter fertilizer 2x2 at planting — 2" over and 2" below the seed. While the process works, delivering nutrition to a plant’s roots sooner might be worth the effort. 

Make sure each acre earns its spot on your farm roster.

Urea can be used to replace part of your spring N needs, but there are risks to be aware of and evaluate before you decide to go with it. The same is true for a mono-crop, especially if you choose continuous corn.

Some hybrids require nitrogen early, some require it late.