Story Archives

2010

Agronomy

Answer Plot Session III Aug 19th

Mark your calendars now for the last Answer Plot Technology tour in Santiago. Click here for list of agenda topics.

Answer Plot Technology Session II

Answer Plot Technology Session II – July 16th Santiago, MN. Click here for list of agenda topics.

Over 150 Farmers attend June 18th Answer Plot Technology Tour

After the stormy weather on June 17th – a huge turnout attended the first of 3 Answer Plot tours at our Santiago location. Staff members from Congresswoman Michele Bachman office also were in attendance and marveled at the advancements taking place in Agriculture. Mark your calendars now to attend the next 2 sessions – July 16th and August 19th. Agendas will be posted on this site in coming weeks.

Check out a few pictures from the day!

Bugs, Bugs and more Bugs

Seems to be a banner year for insect issues in crops. Bruce Potter from the U of M published this interesting article on what he has seen across the state which is quite similar to what your Centra Sota Crop Advisors are reporting also. Alfalfa fields need to be monitored closely.

Glyphosate Alone is Not Enough

Across much of Minnesota, confirmed instances of glyphosate tolerant weeds have been confirmed. Click here to read a brief article by Dennis Berglund on this topic. We can’t emphasize his final comment enough –“Use full glyphosate rates and try to use a second mode of action on your fields”.

Cutworm Alert

Crop Advisors have been finding cutworms in area fields this week. The U of M and Iowa State have 2 good articles to view on scouting techniques and treatment thresholds. Contact your Crop Advisor for assistance. Click For Article One | Click For Article Two

Fun and Interesting video on Agriculture

Here's a fun yet interesting video produced by Monsanto on what all of us involved in Agriculture represent.

Early Season Crop Scouting

Rains and the recent warm weather have got a lot of things happening in the fields. Click here for a handy reference guide for weed identification and more importantly, contact your local Crop Advisor to finalize your pest management strategies. More and more weeds have been confirmed as glyphosate resistant or tolerant throughout Minnesota so planning is crucial.

How long do we delay Herbicide Applications on Frost Damaged Corn?

The wide spread frost our area received a week ago, followed by cold damp weather put a lot of stress on our emerged corn crop. Click here to read an article from Iowa State on when we should go back to the task of weed control.

Frost this weekend? Be Patient

Much of the Centra Sota trade area was hit with very low temperatures Saturday night leaving many of us wondering what effect will it have on emerged corn. With the growing point remaining under the soil surface till around the 5th collar, most of the fields we have observed will be fine, so being patient is the key. Click here to view an article from Purdue university that addresses the topic quite well.

Spring Frost Free Dates

Some additional information as you decide when to start planting soybeans. Many of you are concerned about last frost of the spring. Click here for some statistical information from the State Climatology Office.

When should we plant Soybeans?

The unusually early Spring combined with little rainfall has made short work for many area growers in getting all of their corn planted. Now the question is – when do we start soybeans? There is very limited research available for this early of a planting in Central Minnesota, but click here to view an article by Monsanto that does a good job of helping you weigh the pro’s and con’s of early planting including the need for a good seed treatment.

Feed

Monitoring Your Forages

By: Dr. Jake Reed - Land O Lakes Livestock Nutritionist.

It is time to start monitoring your forages more closely. Now that freezing temperatures are gone, spoilage could be a risk, especially for wet feeds and silages that did not ensile properly. In addition, there was a lot of mold and yeast brought into storage at harvest. With the warmer weather, the mold and yeast could be growing again in the feedstuffs, especially in poorly ensiled corn silage. Proper feedoff rate (Click here read the article from Dairy Herd Mangaement) is one management stategy that will help to keep your cows on track this spring and summer.

LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION
BEYOND DOLLARS & CENTS

By: Dr. Jake Reed - Land O Lakes Livestock Nutritionist.

All aspects of Agriculture have come under more scrutiny in the past decade. The "Green Movement" with its goal of more natural and organic crops has put pressure on crop production to prove our food is safe and wholesome. Ironic in some ways as nobody including myself wants worms on our sweet corn or bugs in our cereal. <...read more...>