Central Valley Cooperative

As Agronomists we have know that certain hybrids or genetic types have shown greater response to increased rates of Nitrogen (N) or split applications of Nitrogen than others.

Recent Data from Purdue has shown that today’s hybrids take up to 27% more total Nitrogen after tasseling than pre 1990 hybrids. At first thought it makes sense that as you increase yield, which has taken place since 1990 nutrient uptake will increase as well. What this study points out is that the uptake is taking place later in the growing season.

Managing nutrient uptake later in the season especially Nitrogen is easier than it has been in the past. We can’t kid ourselves, we are still at the mercy of the weather and putting a solid base rate of Nitrogen on early is still a good plan. We now have more options for applying Nitrogen products than we have in the past.

• Sidedressing with UAN (28% or 32%) or Anhydrous Ammonia (Nh3) is still a good way to put N on. (And in the case of UAN products we also have a the opportunity to put additional Potassium (K) or Sulfur (S) on.)
• Topdressing with Urea or Coated Slow Release Urea with a High Clearance Spreader into a standing corn.
• Drops or Drop Tubing UAN products onto the soil surface after canopy
• Aerial applying or combing Slow Release Nitrogen products with your Fungicide prior to Brown Silk.

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Central Valley/Interstate Mills provided Grain Bin Rescue Training for their employees and the first responders that service our communities.

“We value our partnership with local rescue teams for the service they provide to our business and our patrons and felt that we wanted to open these sessions up for all of those who would like to attend”stated Dave Picha, Safety Manager at Central Valley/Interstate Mills.

With the plentiful harvest we observed in our area last fall, we find ourselves looking at the potential for individuals to get themselves in trouble transferring grain on and off the farm. In an effort to keep our employees trained in the event of an entrapment or incident with grain, we worked with the Safety and Security Consultation Specialists of Southern MN, who brought in a grain entrapment simulator to demonstrate how fast an entrapment can happen and the importance of a well-executed plan. A plan is vital in ensuring a positive outcome in these situations. They spoke about tools needed and making a list of those who could help if a situation arose, also everyone in attendance had an opportunity to be on a team that recused one of their members from the simulator.

This is the type of training you hope to never have to use, but in our communities this is very real so please enter every bin with caution and the understanding that things can happen very fast, never take a chance and always let someone know your plans.

Attached is a Hail Assessment Bulletin that one of our suppliers put together that does a nice job of outlining yield lose by growth stages in both corn and soybeans.

2014 Late Season Hail Assessment TB

Because of the timing of the wind and hail we may see considerable yield loss. Contacting your insurance agent and speeding up work on harvest equipment to get it ready to go will become crucial.

On Soybeans that received hail damage we will start to see the “Snap, Crackle, Pop” effect. Soybean pods that were hit by hail stones will start to dry, the damaged pod will “Snap” open, the pod will start to “Crackle” and with wind moving the pod the soybean seed will “Pop” out of the pod. Bruised stems on soybean plants may cause more lodging and will be more prone to wind damage.

Beans that were previously hit by frost last weekend may have already started the “Snap, Crackle, Pop” effect.

On Corn that received hail damage the odds of having mold start on affected ears increases dramatically.