Seed, Starter, STP ... and Communication

2.11.20 News from Your Federated Agronomists

The spring rush isn't far off, so get seed orders finalized now, and if you placed early orders, your seed is ready to leave Federated's warehouse at any time. It's also time to nail down nutrient management plans -- from choosing starter fertilizer to determining if your soil test phosphorous levels will "leave yields on the table." And remember to keep communicating with your Federated Agronomists to avoid preventable mistakes and get a good start to the new season. Also, watch for winter grower meeting info in the Feb. 25th Agronomy Update.

2020 Seed: Get it Ordered, Picked Up, or Delivered Soon

“The early order seed is in the shed now,” said Cody Lezer, Federated's seed warehouse manager at the Ogilvie location. And it’s time to move it out, from Federated to the farms.

February is the ideal time to pick up or arrange to have seed delivered because it “saves time when everything is ready [for planting] in the spring,” said Lezer.

If you haven’t ordered seed yet ... Read more.

XLR-rate® Boosts Early Growth, Faster Dry-Down

XLR-rate™ is one of the go-to starter fertilizers Federated recommends when growers ask about in-furrow liquid fertilizer options, according to Mike Slater, Federated agronomy sales rep serving the Isanti and Osceola locations.

XLR-rate 7-23-5 , from CHS, Inc., is a high-ortho liquid fertilizer consisting of 7% nitrogen, 23% phosphorus, and 5% potassium per pound of starter. “It is a low-salt ... Read more.

Leaving Yields on the Table with Inadequate STP Levels

Federated Agronomists say it over and over again: Start with a soil test. In the case of STPs – soil phosphorous levels – what the soil test reveals is vital to yields.

“Starting with a soil test, from there we interpret the results,” said Kevin Carlson, Federated’s agronomy sales manager. “Once the pH is in balance, where it needs to be, we can look at the soil phosphorous level (STP) and determine ... Read more.

Don’t Forget the Grapevines!

“There’s nothing worse than when one of my [applicators] calls me and says they were spraying and got to the end of field only to find grapevines!” In other words, they discovered sensitive plants that the product being sprayed could kill or damage.

“Communication is key ... Read more.