One of the concerns that I have been encountering is regarding the use of a soil applied insecticide for fields that are going to be Corn on Corn in 2015, do I need it, and does it pay?
Some of the questions that need to be answered prior to making that decision are:
How many years has the field been Corn on Corn?
In most instances the longer the Corn on Corn rotation the higher the levels of corn rootworm larvae and beetles which translates into a reduced yield and income loss. Read more …
Attached is a good article from one of our suppliers on planting soybeans with different seed sizes.
Click on this link: PlanterOptimizationforDiffSoybeanSeedSizes_
Hope everyone is staying warm, if you have problems opening this file let me know.
Brian
It started off being cold and wet with sprinkles of hail and high winds in April and ended the growing season similarly with frost on September 13 followed by areas of hail in on September 20.
Looking at what were yield makers in 2014:
Water Management with tile and/or irrigation was a 10-20 bushel difference for corn and a 5-10 bushel difference in soybeans. Drought resistance or water efficient hybrids made a difference in 2014 especially when additional Nitrogen was added. Pre-Emerge weed control was in some cases a 30-40 bushel yield difference or more especially if rainfall or wet field conditions did not allow you to get in and control weeds when they should have been. Early data suggests a 5-18 bushel yield advantage for early weed control in soybeans. RR2 soybeans vs RR1 Soybeans. The average yield difference between RR2 and RR1 soybeans in 2013 was 8 bushel/acre. With the data we have to date I believe that number to be accurate for 2014. If the average price of beans is $9.80/bushel there is a $78.40 reduction in revenue for planting RR1 soybeans.
$9.60Price per Bushel x 8 Bushel Difference = $78.40 Lost Income per Acre Read more …
In the last few days I have been seeing and hearing of more corn yields that are 130-160bu/acre or less.
In some instances the frost that we received on September 13th, impacted yields far greater than I anticipated. As has been stated in previous Agronomy Updates or weekly Agronomy Notes the frost damage from September 13th was topographical, affecting lower elevations more than higher elevation in the field. The photos below show the less affected frost damage corn being lighter in color than the darker more affected plants. Read more …
As we had talked about earlier in the year with some of the less than ideal planting conditions we are seeing more instances of crown rot. 
If you have corn that is leaning starting from the roots, dig up the plant and then split it down to the roots. If you have brown or tan areas that tend to be “soft or mushy” you have crown rot. Read more …
During the week we had 3-4 mornings that had frost that in some areas ended the growing season. On Saturday morning I believe we received cold enough temperatures 25°F- 28°F in enough of our area that we can call the growing season done.
In looking back at Central Valley data 2007 until 2013, our average frost date was October 11th. If you use our September 13th frost date for this year it would put the average at October 8th. It is a coincidence that our frost date this year was the 11th but it does solidify the average. Read more …
| Planting Date | GDU’S |
| 25-Apr | 2511 |
| 05-May | 2491 |
| 11-May | 2443 |
| 17-May | 2409 |
| 24-May | 2351 |
These are the Growing Degree Units (GDU’s) as of Saturday October 4.
Some of the Corn that is being harvested is 25-30% moisture with test weights 50-53.5lbs.
At this point in time with the recent frost event we had on Sunday and Monday October 5th and 6th as well as the frost event on Saturday September 13th, it appears as though we will have portions of the field that have died prematurely and portions of the field that have just black layered. Read more …
Central Valley wishes you a safe and bountiful harvest!
On the morning of September 13, 2014 we received temperatures that were 32°F or less creating frost on windshields, lawns and plants.
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