News from Your Federated Agronomists | Sept. 24, 2019

Fall Lime: It’s the Best Time Fall is a great time to get lime applied, according to Ryan Peterson, Federated agronomy sales rep at the Osceola location. And here’s why: Proper soil pH is just as important as crop nutrients, though it is often given lower priority. The primary function of ag lime is to increase the soil pH balance. Ag lime is a natural way to improve crop yields in a wide range of soil conditions. Fall is the perfect time to prioritize lime applications ... Read more.

Burn Down Weeds Before They Freeze When the crops are off and the weeds are still growing, it’s time for burndown herbicides. “ Time and timing are important,” said Tim Stelter, Federated agronomist at the Osceola location. Federated’s custom applicators and growers alike have more available time in the fall; it’s easier to get applications scheduled and completed. More importantly, some weeds (biennials and perennials) are better controlled with fall herbicide ... Read more.

Harvest Safety First . . . and Last Staying safe on the farm is no small feat, but careful attention to basic guidelines can make the difference between life and death. Tom Rausch, Federated’s safety director, pointed out two areas of great concern as harvest approaches: farmer fatigue and grain bin safety. Being tired may be the norm for busy growers – and ag retailers – but excessive fatigue is dangerous. Safety in the field and on the job is everyone’s responsibility. Safety begins with good rest. There’s only one solution to fatigue: sleep. Well-rested people are able to be fully aware of the machinery, the environment, the people, and the work conditions around them. Tired people miss the obvious! They often miss the danger signs ... Read more.

Visit Federated Co-op's Website