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October 20, 2016
Enjoy, in this edition:
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Time to Soil Sample
by: Alex Yost,
YieldPoint
™ Program Specialist
As the progression of this damp harvest unfolds, our thoughts turn to providing the 2017 crop with nutrients to curb the large removal of this year's yields. With fertilizer prices at all-time lows the mindset is for a fall application of both potash and phosphorus to minimize the rush next spring.
With this in mind every four years comes a special time in farming, soil sampling. Soil sampling is seen as an unneeded expense from some growers and a much needed tool to others. I myself see soil sampling as a mandatory tool to be used in taking the guess work out of fertilizer recommendations. With today's tight margins on both corn and soybeans, dollars saved are dollars well spent.
The key to using soil sampling as a tool to minimize over application of fertilizer is to have an accurate sampling method and analysis. Analysis accuracy can be guaranteed by sending samples to an accredited laboratory for the state. Sample methodology can be trickier to combat though, for agronomic crops grown in Wisconsin. The best and most accurate samples are said to provide a representative sample of the entirety of the main rooting zone. Simply put they should be the same depth and that depth needs to be at minimum 6 inches.
At CHS Larsen Cooperative we pull our samples with an automated electric sampler set to 7 inches which guarantees the proper depth of samples time after time, from field to field. If done with precision in mind a hand sampling method can be useful to provide management decision information, but should not be utilized for writing variable rate prescriptions of fertilizer. With georeferenced grid sampling an accurate picture of the field is created across different soil profiles, allowing a variable rate prescription to be designed for each field independently. This prescription if designed correctly will over the course of a few years, elevate nutrient deficits and nutrient banks across variable fields, and variable soil types, in turn elevating yield ranges in the field.
For application purposes the majority of machines used at CHS Larsen Cooperative can provide growers a variable rate spread, with three machines providing dual product spreading. If soil sampling and or variable rate applications are a tool you wish for your operation contact any of our
Sales Agronomist
or
YieldPoint Specialist
for more information.
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Welcome our New Nutritionist
by: Bob Krentz, Feed Division Mgr
The CHS Larsen Cooperative Feed Division welcomes a new addition to their sales team. Steve Schneider started in Mid-October as a Feed Nutritionist.
He comes CHS with a long history in the dairy industry. He graduated from UW Madison Farming and Industry Short-Course in 2001. He then went on to work at a few dairy farms in North East Wisconsin. At Cloverhill Dairy, a 1,500 lactating cow dairy, he was the Heifer Farm Manager where he worked with young stock from three months through breeding. He also worked for Horsens Homestead Dairy in Cecil, a 500 lactating cow dairy, as their Feed manager. He has great experience with animal nutrition and overall farm success.
Most recently he was the Assistant Manager at Equity Livestock in Bonduel. Some of his experience there involved managing employees, overseeing loadouts, and working with farmers that need assistance on grouping animals. It is very evident that he has a passion for feeding dairy cows and the farming industry. Now, he is excited to work with farmers one on one to help ensure best nutrition on their farms and overcome the challenges they may face with their animal nutrition.
Steve grew up east of Fond du Lac on a 60 cow dairy farm and was involved with 4-H and FFA. He is happily married with a two month old daughter. He and his wife, Sara, enjoy showing dairy cows on the local and national level. Recently, they showed at World Dairy Expo assisting many local youth in the show. He is also involved with the Holstein Breeders of Shawano County and manages the State Ayrshire Sale each spring. He looks forward to serving North Eastern territory for CHS Larsen Cooperative and getting to know the farmers in that area. Please help us in welcoming Steve Schneider to our feed division.
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Planning Ahead Can Save Big Dollars
by: Dave Banks, Loan Officer
Harvest has been underway for some time now and next spring is probably not "top-of-mind" right now.
I encourage you to start planning for next year.
Some of you have made or in the process of making decisions on the seed, feed, crop protection products and fertilizes you will use next year. You do this so you are assured you have a plan in place so everything will run as smoothly as possible. By having your financing needs in line you can make this happen with ease.
Your cooperative offers a wide range of agricultural financing programs through CHS Capital LLC which can meet just about everyone's needs. One of our goals in doing so is to help our customers increase their profitability. You may ask "How can financing increase my profitability?" First off we know farming and we know you and that gives you a great advantage in securing the funds needed to make your operation run smoothly. By securing a loan through CHS Larsen Cooperative your account is paid on time which avoids interest charges. It also, ensures you receive our cash discounts. These factors add up to substantial amounts of money. Have you ever added up your interest charges and lost cash discounts in a year? If you have, I am sure you will agree, that money is better off in your pocket. It is a direct savings to you and adds to your profit.
We offer many types of loans, our two most common loans are convenience credit and operational loans. Convenience credit loans are designed to be used solely for purchases from CHS Larsen Cooperative. Operating loans are used for CHS Larsen Coop purchases as well as "other" needs like repairs, rents, labor, etc. In either case the process is easy, straight forward, and fast. Feel free to contact me or your CHS Larsen Coop sales person. I will gladly meet with you to fully explain our programs at a time and place that is convenient for you.
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Harvest Season!
by Helen Nemitz
Full swing into harvest. Yes, it is wet but when the customers start rolling it is GO TIME!!!
Beans are struggling to find dry days to loss moisture, so... customers are switching over to find some reasonable corn to combine. Moistures are in the upper 20's with test weights above 55.
The beans that have been trickling in picked up moisture, 15 to 18% again and will look for some nice sunny, dry days to get back down to the 12's. Get out there and do your sun dance. In the meantime, at Readfield we are taking in wet beans, dry beans, wet corn, and dry corn all in a day with both dryers aiding in the movement of the grain to keep the ball rolling.
The market has been in an upward direction on both corn and beans despite the impressive yields that have been reported. Crop progress showed corn harvest at 46% compared to last week at 35%. Soybean harvest came in at 62% with last week at 44%. It is evident that progress is being made.
As you come through the facilities watch for the new signage to help direct you to the correct area and please be cautious as we have a great deal of activity at this time of year.
Thank you for your continued patience, loyalty, and business.
HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY HARVEST SEASON
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Thanks again for your continued support.
Sincerely,
You local Experts at CHS Larsen Cooperative
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CHS Larsen Cooperative | 800-839-2667
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The information provided above is written as a suggestion or observation as to what has been seen as successful; it is not guaranteed to work with each individual's setup or operation. Any rates, products, or service recommendations are provided as a general suggestion and should be discussed with our agronomy, energy, or grain marketing staff before use to ensure it fits your specific needs, geographic location, and operation.
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