Yield
USDA reports 73% of the corn crop nationally is in good to excellent condition – a 5% increase over this same time in 2024. Industry analysts believe the Aug. 12 Crop Production report will boost its estimate for the 2025 crop because of the overall favorable growing season.
Just as corn growers were ready to put their pollination problems behind them, another one comes along. This time, the issue had to do with moisture occurring at the wrong time, and the results are significantly impacting yield.
Despite USDA’s strong corn condition ratings, more agronomists and farmers are reporting pollination problems from what’s being called ‘overly tight tassel wrap,’ an issue that can’t be seen until you walk into your fields.
This year’s program features all new agronomic content to help farmers grow and harvest high-yielding crops. Two of the key sessions: selecting a corn planter that’s right for your farm, and developing a systems approach to success with early-season soybeans. We look forward to seeing you there!
Many early-planted soybeans in the Midwest are in the R2 to R3 growth stages now, ideal treatment timing for most disease issues. Agronomists offer three reminders to help you make the call — plus a fourth tip on herbicide rescue treatments.
Wheat streak mosaic virus decimated some fields this season, say K-State Extension specialists. The problem is also showing up and expanding in other key wheat-producing states. What farmers do this fall will determine whether the disease is reined in or takes off again next season.
In some cases, the sulfur deficiency can be traced back to last fall when ammonium sulfate and DAP were taken out of fertilizer programs to reduce costs. In other scenarios, the corn just isn’t getting adequate sulfur — but the problem can be corrected.
A recent congressional hearing addressed how U.S. crop protection companies and researchers use artificial intelligence to help farmers eradicate diseases, boost yields and stay competitive globally.
One farmer who was chased out of fields by rain this past weekend told Farm Journal, “This is the wettest drought I have ever seen.” There are some silver linings, though: soil-applied herbicides are being activated, the U.S. corn crop won’t all pollinate the same week and you have time to make stand counts where the crop has emerged.
Analyzing both old and new growth, a sap test measures nutrient levels in the plant’s vascular tissues to identify current and soon-to-occur deficiencies.
“Sunlight drives photosynthesis, which drives starch production, which drives yield,” explains Ken Ferrie. If sunlight hits the ground, it’s wasted, so maximizing sunlight capture requires closing rows as quickly as possible.
David Cogen partnered with John Deere during the 2024 growing season to till, plant, spray and harvest a small field at Deere’s Boundurant, Iowa, test farm. In the process, he says he learned a lot about farming and how difficult it truly is.
How can advisers help their growers remain viable when the economic pitfalls are out of their control? One way is to help them research each field’s yield history.
When growing soybeans, the first thing farmers need to explore is where they can get those “free bushels,” says Randy Dowdy. One of the most important factors to consider is planting date, specifically the need to plant early.
New Product of the Year runner-up RhizoSorb puts an emphasis on phosphorus sustainability from start to finish.
Voted by The Scoop’s readers as the best new product released in 2024, Awaken FlowBoost marks a new path for Loveland Products’ seed treatment portfolio.
Among the independent field agronomists’ recommendations: Address your No. 1 yield-limiting factor, employ the 5% rule and fix soil pH.
A new map from the SCN Coalition can give you an idea of whether the pest is in your county. Soil testing this spring will confirm whether the pest is in your fields, dinging yields and dollars.
Maximize yield potential by tapping into how plant leaf structure and ear type work together in the field.
Find out why University of Illinois professor Gary Schnitkey says maximizing profits may not mean maximizing yield.
“There might be ways for farmers to become more efficient with fertilizer while maintaining yield, but only by carefully analyzing each farm, field and soil management zone,” says Ken Ferrie. He shares 4 tips to cut fertilizer with confidence.
Ken Ferrie advises farmers to plant no more than a third of their acres to a new corn product, if they don’t have significant experience with it. He says to bank on proven winners in the field for next season.
In addition to planting soybeans early and applying fungicide, Dan Vogel puts on the appropriate amount of nutrients for the given year, instead of trying to bank nutrients or apply a two-year spread.
With harvest in full swing, “Unscripted” welcomes agronomic expert Ken Ferrie who explains what he’s seeing in the fields of Illinois. Forecasts call for record-breaking corn and soybean yields despite late-summer drought and the largest infestation of corn aphids that he’s dealt with in his career.
A Virginia Tech report finds global agricultural productivity growth has slowed from 1.9% to 0.7% annually.
New research from Syngenta, in partnership with America’s Conservation Ag Movement, outlines the key obstacles in adopting conservation agriculture practices, and how the path of least resistance forward is via ag retail.
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.
In 2017, Bob Recker kicked open the door on 60” row corn, and exposed a ton of questions on sunlight capture, weed suppression, cover crops, and much more.
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.
Severely bruised corn stalks can limit the plants’ ability to translocate water and nutrients and even cause the growing point region to die.