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Schedule Custom Applications Ahead of Need
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Federated's custom application staff participated in a training workshop last month focusing on how to
identify sensitive areas, protect the environment, prevent drift, understand crop protection labels, and maintain/operate equipment effectively.
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Federated Co-ops, Inc. offers a wide range of agronomic services but near the top of that list each spring are custom services:
- traditional dryfertilizer and ag lime application,
- variable rate fertilizer and ag lime application,
- pesticide application, and
- top dress application with highboy spreaders.
Federated's highly trained professional applicators are among the best in the industry, but they need a few important pieces of information to do their jobs:
- Scheduling info - the earlier growers schedule application services, the better Federated can stay on top of demand.
- Well-mapped fields - either by growers themselves or through Federated using the Surety Mapping System - will ensure that applicators show up at the right fields with the right products, at the right time. A good map "tremendously reduces missed fields" and "eliminates questions about the correct fields," said Craig Peterson, Federated agronomist at the Ogilvie location.
- Identification and locations of special features adjacent to fields - anything that could be adversely affected by the products being applied: vegetable and flower gardens, organic farms, vineyards, beehives, etc.
- Information on what will follow application to help with timing and application windows.
And last, but certainly not least, Federated needs each grower's current (2017) signed Product Service Policy on file before products can be applied or delivered.
Talk to your Federated Agronomist with any questions about custom application, and call your nearby Federated location to schedule applications.
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What's So Important About a 50-Degree Soil Temp?
Why do we always tell growers to wait to plant until soil temperatures are 50 degrees and the extended forecast looks good (for 24-48 hours)?
Kevin Carlson, Federated's senior agronomist answered this question:
The first 24 to 48 hours after planting corn are
extremely important to seedling health and for optimum stand establishment. Corn seed needs to take up roughly 30% of its weight in water prior to germination. Since the corn seed can take up water under that 50-degree mark, the potential problems start: If the soil is cold, the corn kernels take up cold water and begin to swell. If the conditions are too cold, the cell tissues become less elastic and may rupture during the swelling process.
Even if the cell tissue does not burst with the cold water, other chilling injury symptoms can occur including:
- stunting or death of the seminal root system,
- deformed elongation of the mesocotyl (corkscrew effect),
- delayed emergence,
- complete failure of emergence,
- leafing out underground.
The nearly guaranteed results of cold soil at planting are poor germination and a thin stand count.
Once the soil temp reaches that 50-degree critical level, the above stated problems start to disappear.
Thus, the million-dollar question:
Do you wait? Feel free to discuss the answer with your
Federated Agronomist.
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Adjust Planting Depth as Needed or Error on the Deep Side
"Planting depth in corn is very important," said John Swanson, Federated Agronomist at the Ogilvie location. It's a given to adjust planters first thing in the spring, but "we really should be making adjustments [on the planters] as we change soil types or as planting conditions change," said Swanson, adding that "shallow placement of seed increases the risk of poor nodal root establishment."
He further explained: "The mesocotyl is the portion of the corn shoot below ground between the seed and the crown of the plant. The crown is the base of the corn plant from which the permanent roots grow. We need to be sure we plant deep enough or the roots develop too close to the surface and we can end up with what is known as rootless corn . . . the condition where the permanent or secondary roots do not grow from the crown."
The end result is a serious stand-ability issue because the necessary roots for proper support are missing. "This is why we say, said Swanson, "in corn it is better to error deep on your planting rather than shallow."
Swanson indicated that a planting depth of 2 in. is optimal for corn in most situations in east central Minnesota and western Wisconsin, but as shallow as 1.75 in. is acceptable on tight clay soils, or as deep as 2.25 in. on sandy soils.
Check planting depth regularly and make planter adjustments as conditions vary. Talk to your Federated Agronomist with any planting questions.
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Enlite® Battles Tough Weeds with Pre-Emerge Control
Pre-emerge herbicides on soybeans are gaining ground. Enlite®, from Dupont®, helps fight the battle against tough, glyphosate-resistant weeds and weeds that get too large, too fast, such as waterhemp, lambsquarter, and giant and common ragweed.
"While post-emerge herbicides remain standard, what used to be true only in corn has proven true in soybeans: waiting to kill weeds with only post-emerge herbicides is a sure way to give up yield," said Bruce Carlson of DuPont.
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Small waterhemp plants
grow into a big challenge.
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Waterhemp, which is now commonly glyphosate resistant, is one of Enlite's primary targets as this tough weed emerges all season long, grows very quickly (1-1.25 in./day), and produces prolific seeds (2500+/plant) that remain viable for several years.
Enlite offers two modes of action (with three active ingredients), can be used in any tillage system, and can be applied up to two weeks ahead of planting and up to three days after planting. (It must be applied before soybeans crack the soil surface.) Enlite also provides excellent burndown and long residual control on many annual and perennial weeds. Its effectiveness on broadleaves and early grasses means a wider window for post treatments. Enlite is applied at 2.8 oz./ac., alone pre-emerge, or in a tank mix with glyphosate if weeds are present (see fact sheets).
Contact your
Federated Agronomist to learn more about the benefits of Enlite pre-emerge herbicide on soybeans.
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No Such Thing
as Too Much Safety
Tom Rausch, Federated's safety director, reminds everyone that farm accidents are usually avoidable with a little extra care, and proper attention to equipment and the people who use it.
Stay aware, and use this simple checklist throughout the growing season.
- Is all farm equipment in proper working order, with all parts properly secured?
- Are machinery safety guards and other protective features kept in place?
- Is equipment turned off, hydraulics lowered, and keys removed before leaving equipment unattended?
- Is proper eyewear worn when working on equipment?
- Is loose clothing removed or tucked in securely when approaching any moving parts on machinery?
- Are product labels intact - and read before use?
- Are chemicals locked up and out of reach of children?
- Are children kept away from tractors and machinery and not allowed to operate or ride as passengers on any equipment?
- Are equipment operators - growers, family members, hired hands - getting enough sleep so they are alert on the job?
- Is there a plan in place in case of accidents or injury - who to call, etc.?
Federated looks forward to serving growers all the way to harvest!
Safety is no accident.
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