Discovery Plots Today, Propane and Seed Orders Tomorrow

News from Your Federated Agronomists | August 28, 2018

Seed for '19: It's All in the Genes

The 2019 growing season starts before the 2018 season ends – with seed selection.

Federated’s Senior Agronomist Kevin Carlson pointed out that if you don’t choose seed with yield potential, nothing else matters.

The best genetics have the best yield potential.

Federated’s Discovery Plots (this week and next) are the showcase for new genetics, giving growers the chance to see how the various traits actually look in the field. The traits that produce high-yielding corn or soybeans are found in the seed.

Federated can help with plant nutrition and crop protection. Federated Agronomists can help find solutions to challenging production issues growers encounter. And, “we want to be your trusted seed advisor,” said Carlson, because, in the end, “it all starts with the seed and genetic selection.”

Your Federated Agronomist is ready to help answer your questions about seed choices for the upcoming season. It’s not too early to place seed orders, especially for seed products that are new or in high demand. (Attend a Discovery Plot Tour to see what’s new – details below.)

Find what fits your fields. Learn what performs best in your geography. Discover what works for your production practices. Talk to your Federated Agronomist soon. Order early.

Discovery Plot Tours Underway This Week

Discovery Plot Tours got underway yesterday (in Osceola, pictured) and continue through next week. Registration begins at each plot site at 10:30 a.m. with the presentation and tour running from 11 a.m. to noon. Lunch follows. Be sure to head out to your closest plot and get the latest hybrid and variety updates. Give your local Federated location a call to RSVP.

This year’s key topics:

Hybrids and varieties for 2019
A new Liberty® Round Up® soybean double stack will be available in 2019 from Legend® Seed; it has full market grain channel approval.
Local agronomy updates
Fall fertilization programs
Comparisons of old and new hybrids and varieties

Today – Aug. 28 – Rush City | Craig Mold Farm

Aug. 29 – Hinckley | Nate Nelson Farm

Aug. 30 – Princeton | Larry & Sharon Wilhelm

Sept. 4 – Foley | Doug Lezer Farm

Sept. 5 – Ogilvie | Steffen Farms

Sept. 6 – Albertville | Linneman Farm

Sept 7 – Isanti | Paul & Janet Bostrom

Summer Heat Gives Way to Demand for Propane

Summer’s heat is drying down the crops in the field but that may not be enough. Now is the time to fill propane tanks in preparation for post-harvest drying.

According to Mark Grave, Federated’s propane division manager, “nationwide propane inventories are near a five-year average,” which should help avoid price spikes.

However, he cautioned that even with adequate propane supply there is always the concern that trucking capacity won’t be able to keep up with demand. There may not be enough trucks to “timely transport propane from supply terminals to bulk plants,” he said.

The alternative to running short on propane is to have all dryer tanks full well ahead of expected harvest dates, Grave recommended.

And about the price of propane, he said, “As is the case with all energy products, propane prices are very firm to rising as we approach fall and winter.” Grave also noted that “high propane export volume, in addition to expected domestic demand this fall and winter, has placed a firm floor on propane prices.”

Call your nearby Federated location to place propane orders soon. Specific propane questions can be directed to Grave.

Federated Focus: A Person, A Service

Best Part of the Job:

Getting Growers the Best ROI

It’s not too likely that people know Federated’s Rush City location manager used to be a park ranger, but Matt Kurtz fought wild fires, policed campgrounds, and managed maintenance needs for the National Park Service before he joined the Federated team in late 2012. The transition from using his criminal justice degree (UW-Platteville) to providing agronomy services was in essence a return to his agriculture roots.

Kurtz is an Osceola, WI, native who grew up helping his dad and grandpa with their Black Angus cattle. His farm roots run deep in this area, and when he started at Federated doing custom application and mixing fertilizer, he knew he’d found his career niche.

“I was tired of moving around, working for the government [and the bureaucracy], and I wanted to get back home,” he said. He ended up settling down outside his home state of Wisconsin, but this Packer fan is at home on the edge of Rush City where he can find plenty of places to fish or bow hunt in his spare time.

In true Federated Co-ops form, Kurtz says the best part of his job is making sure growers get the best return on their investment. He understands the challenges of farming today and though he is on the early edge of his career in agriculture, he loves to help growers who have been at this longer than he has.

“I want to help them do the best they can with the acres they have,” he said. At age 30, Kurtz knows that some growers hesitate to put their trust in his recommendations (because of his fewer years of experience), but “I want to build that trust and a good relationship.”

“I like working with a wide variety of growers who have different styles, different viewpoints. I enjoy the challenge of fitting the pieces of the puzzle together . . . helping put together the best plan for their operation.

“Whether it’s fertility programs, chemical programs, seed and crop choices, deciding whether to top dress – or what? – I like to see if there’s something we can do to improve [growers’] business,” said Kurtz.

In the end, he sees his job at Federated as one that makes life a little easier for growers, helping them get more bushels with their crops. He described himself as being all about efficiency. “I try to get everything running as smooth as possible,” he said. For the benefit of growers.

“Rush City’s prize offering is our service. We are able to provide a lot of good one-on-one service to the grower,” said Kurtz.

His bent toward one-on-one service will take a turn toward his bride-to-be at their early October wedding, but he’ll be ready to serve Federated customers throughout harvest. Stop by Rush City or any Federated location to discover how the co-op can best serve you and your growing operation.