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Three Top Tips For Managing Continuous
Corn
Farmers who want to grow corn following corn in 2008
will need to address three difficult challenges to be successful, says
Bob Nielsen, Purdue University Extension agronomist.
The first hurdle is crop residue management. "Too much crop residue can
create interference with the planter," says Nielsen. "In no-till or
reduced-till situations, the challenge is even greater. This year there
were a lot of problems with clods, root balls and inadequate
seed-to-soil contact in fields planted to second-year or continuous
corn."
The second challenge is hybrid selection. "It is imperative to select a
high-yielding hybrid that is also disease-resistant," advises Nielsen.
"In Indiana, gray leaf spot and northern corn leaf blight are the two
major diseases that corn growers need to protect against."
Finally, the third difficulty is the possibility of having to apply more
nitrogen (N) fertilizer and still reap potentially lower yields than
what is typical for corn planted after soybeans. "To achieve top yields,
N fertilizer requirements are generally 30-50 lbs. more in continuous
corn than in corn following soybeans," says Nielsen. "Yields of
continuous corn, however, often range from 3% to 20% less than rotation
corn -- the magnitude of loss depending on how well growers manage the
risks associated with continuous cropping."
For more detailed tips on how to avoid a yield drop when planting
continuous or second-year corn, read the newly updated publication,
"Mitigate the Downside Risks of Corn Following Corn," at this Web link:
www.kingcorn.org/news/timeless/CornCorn.html.
By John Pocock
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Study Reveals Too Much N Can Lower Corn
Yields
Too much nitrogen (N) fertilizer can be bad for corn
yields. Just ask University of Illinois (U of I) soil scientists Saeed
Khan, Richard Mulvaney, Tim Ellsworth, and Charlie Boast. Their paper
"The Myth Of Nitrogen Fertilization for Soil Carbon Sequestration" is
published in the November/December 2007 issue of the Journal of
Environmental Quality. Their research shows that too much N
fertilizer decreases carbon levels, which could decrease corn yields.
"It is truly fortunate that researchers over the past 100 years have
been diligent in collecting and storing samples from the U of I Morrow
Plots in order to check how management practices have affected soil
properties," says Khan. "We were intrigued that corn growth and yields
had been about 20% lower during the past 50 years for the north
(continuous corn) than for the south (corn-oats-hay) end of the Morrow
Plots, despite considerably greater inputs of N and residues."
To understand why yields were lower for plots that received the most N,
Khan and his colleagues analyzed samples for organic carbon in the soil
to identify changes that have occurred since the onset of synthetic N
fertilization in 1955. "What we learned is that after five decades of
massive inputs of residue carbon ranging from 90 to 124 tons/acre, all
of the residue carbon had disappeared, and there had been a net decrease
in soil organic carbon that averaged 4.9 tons/acre," says Kahn.
"Regardless of the crop rotation, the decline became much greater with
the higher N rate."
The findings have troubling implications for corn production due to the
widespread use of yield-based N recommendations since the 1970s, says
Mulvaney. "The one-size-fits-all approach was intended to minimize the
risk of N deficiency as insurance for high yields," he explains.
"Unfortunately, the usual result is over-fertilization because of the
assumption that the fertilizer supplies more N than the soil. The
opposite is true in most cases, and especially for the highly productive
soils of the Corn Belt that receive the highest N rates."
The Morrow Plot research results are confirmed in published literature
from field studies that include initial soil organic carbon data. "In
numerous publications spanning more than 100 years and a wide variety of
cropping and tillage practices, we found consistent evidence of an
organic carbon decline for fertilized soils throughout the world and
including much of the Corn Belt besides Illinois," says Boast.
N fertilizers are important for corn production, confirms
Ellsworth. "But, excessive application rates cut profits and are bad for
soils and the environment," he adds. "The loss of soil carbon has many
adverse consequences for productivity, one of which is to decrease water
storage."
Because soils differ in their capacities to supply N, Khan and his
colleagues stress the need for soil testing, ideally on a site-specific
basis, as a prerequisite to soil-based N management that optimizes
fertilizer rates. In comparing USDA data for Iowa and Illinois -- the
two states that rank highest in corn production -- they found that from
1994 to 2001, annual grain yields in Iowa averaged 1.7 billion bushels
with 740,000 tons of N, as compared to an average of 1.5 billion bushels
produced in Illinois with 847,000 tons of N. The difference, Khan says,
translates into lower fertilizer efficiency that cost Illinois farmers
$68 million/year.
The abstract and full text article on this U of I research can be found
at: jeq.scijournals.org/cgi/content/full/36/6/1821.
Source: University of Illinois
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Corn Prices
At Marketing Year High
Cash corn prices in some markets are at the highest
level for the marketing year that began on Sept. 1. The recent strength
reflects higher futures prices and a stronger basis.
The average cash corn price in central Illinois briefly dipped below $3
in mid-September and was just above $3 on Oct. 8. That average, however,
was at $3.47 on Oct. 26. Since reaching a low of about $3.35 in early
October, December 2007 corn futures settled at $3.72 on Oct. 26. The
average basis in central Illinois was extremely weak in the pre-harvest
and early harvest period, with cash bids on Sept. 20 averaging about
50¢ under December futures. The weak basis pattern was widespread
throughout the Midwest. On Oct. 26, the average central-Illinois cash
bid was 25¢ under December futures, very close to a "normal" level.
Higher futures prices and a stronger basis have developed in spite of an
extremely large crop, the need for corn to be stored in temporary
facilities and high transportation costs. The strength reflects a
continuation of strong export demand, higher energy costs, concerns
about U.S. acreage in 2008 and a slowdown in the rate of farmer sales of
the newly harvested crop. In addition, storage shortages may not have
been as severe as generally expected.
To continue reading this article, click here: www.farmdoc.uiuc.edu/marketing/weekly/html/102907.html.
By Darrel Good, University of Illinois marketing
specialist
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How Long Will The Good Times
Last?
Are the current boom times for U.S. farmers the start
of a new era or merely a prelude to historical pattern ending in a bust?
Answering these and other related questions will be the focus of three
programs in December sponsored by University of Illinois (U of I)
Extension.
The 2007 Illinois Farm Economic Summit, to be held Dec. 11 in Effingham,
Dec. 12 in Bloomington and Dec. 13 in Sycamore, is the successor to the
Farm Income Seminar series held in past years, says Paul Ellinger, U of
I Extension farm finance specialist who is organizing the program.
"We've revised and retooled the program to reflect the immediate
situation," says Ellinger. "Farm profits are at an all-time high this
year. Net farm income for the U.S. is forecast to be $87.1 billion, up
$28.1 billion from 2006 and $29.7 billion above its 10-year average of
$57.4 billion. A question on everyone's mind is: Will the good times
last?"
At each meeting, speakers from U of I Extension's farmdoc team will
explore the farm profitability outlook from several perspectives.
"These include the direction of prices, new farm policies, new
technology and corn and soybean yields, bio-fuels, production costs and
farm lease trends," says Ellinger. "The format will be fast-paced and
allow plenty of time for questions from the audience."
Joining Ellinger on the program will be Darrel Good, Bob Hauser, Scott
Irwin, Dale Lattz, Nick Paulson and Gary Schnitkey, all from the U of I
Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics and part of the
farmdoc team. Todd Gleason, an Extension communications specialist, will
moderate the meeting.
Registration for each location is $50/person and includes all
meeting materials, breaks and lunch. Registration at the door will be
$55 as space permits. Each meeting begins at 8 a.m. with registration
and concludes at 3 p.m.
Online registration is available at farmdoc ( www.farmdoc.uiuc.edu) by filling
out a registration form and returning it with a check for $50 payable to
the University of Illinois. Brochures and other information may be
obtained by contacting Sue Esposito at (217) 333-5506. Registration
brochures will also be available at the local U of I Extension unit
office.
The Effingham meeting will be held at the Keller Convention Center. The
Interstate Center is the site of the Bloomington meeting and the
Sycamore meeting will be in the Center for Agriculture.
Source: University of Illinois
Extension
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Grain Sales Boost U.S. Ag Export
Value
USDA has raised its forecasts for U.S. corn and
sorghum exports to the highest levels in nearly two decades. Buoyed in
part by U.S. corn and sorghum sales, the value of U.S. agricultural
exports rose $1 billion compared to last year. Estimated exports of U.S.
corn were increased by 100 million bushels and U.S. sorghum by 40
million bushels.
This is particularly good news for U.S. grain producers as corn demand
for ethanol was lowered by 100 million bushels for the second
consecutive month.
Ken Hobbie, U.S. Grains Council president and CEO, also noted that the
organization's market building programs have introduced ethanol
co-products such as distiller's grains and corn gluten in markets from
Morocco to Taiwan.
According to USDA's Oct. 12 World Agricultural Supply and Demand
Estimates, U.S. corn production is expected to reach 13.3 billion
bushels and 2007-2008 exports are projected to be 2.35 billion bushels,
the most in 18 years. USDA also lowered China's corn production by 157
million bushels, to 5.6 billion bushels.
To read this article in its entirety, click here: deltafarmpress.com/news/071029-grain-sales/.
Source: Delta Farm Press
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Commodity Classic Registration, Housing
Reservations Open
Registration and housing reservations are now being
accepted for Commodity Classic, the combined convention and trade show
of the American Soybean Association, the National Corn Growers
Association and the National Association of Wheat Growers. The event
will be held Feb. 28-March 1, 2008 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in
Nashville, TN.
Commodity Classic will feature valuable educational sessions,
cutting-edge technological demonstrations, association banquets,
entertainment events and important networking opportunities. For more
information, visit www.commodityclassic.com.
Source: National Corn Growers
Association
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Late Corn
Harvest Brings Insurance, Aflatoxin Problems
Late corn harvest due to wet weather could mean
problems with crop insurance claims and aflatoxin damage.
Farmers need to contact their insurance provider if corn is left in the
field beyond the Dec. 10 deadline for insurance claims. Then the agent
can submit or open a claim on behalf of the farmer for use after the
insurance period. Farmers can't just give up on the crop because the
insurance period has expired and expect to receive an indemnity payment
for a full loss.
If there is any corn in the field and it can't be harvested, the
insurance adjuster will follow the crop through the winter. They may
deem it unharvestable at some point, but that's up to the judgment of
the insurance company.
Aflatoxin damage can occur if there's ear damage due to drought stress
as well as rainfall at the end of the growing season that postpones
harvest and prevents drydown. In addition, corn in storage can be
contaminated with aflatoxin when corn moisture is above 13% and
temperatures are warm. Aflatoxin causes potential health risks for
humans, as well as livestock.
If aflatoxin or mold is present, an insurance appraisal and adjustment
must be done before the crop is harvested. If not, there can be no
adjustment made and thus no indemnity payment. So be sure to contact
your insurance agent before you harvest if you suspect this damage.
Each situation is different, so be sure to check with your crop
insurance provider. For more information, visit the University of
Minnesota Center for Farm Financial Management website, www.cffm.umn.edu. Click on
"publications," and "farm management topics."
By Gary Hachfeld, University of Minnesota
Extension
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Nearly Three Out Of Four Americans Want
Increased Renewable Fuel Use, Production
Americans of all stripes agree: We want greater use of
renewable fuels like ethanol. According to a new national poll released
today by the Renewable Fuels Now Coalition, 74% of Americans believe we
should increase our use of domestically produced renewable fuels like
ethanol.
In addition, 87% of Americans maintain the federal government should
actively support the development of a renewable fuels industry in this
country, and 77% think Congress should encourage oil refiners to blend
more ethanol into their gasoline products.
"By overwhelming margins, Americans want renewable fuels like ethanol to
play a larger role in our nation's energy future," says Renewable Fuels
Association President Bob Dinneen, a member of the Renewable Fuels Now
Coalition. "The consequences of continuing our dependence on foreign oil
are unacceptable. Renewable fuels like ethanol offer our nation an
opportunity to go in a new, more sustainable energy direction."
Additional findings include:
- 77% of Americans want the government to provide incentives to
encourage refiners to reduce their use of oil and increase use of
renewables.
- 78% maintain that increasing domestic ethanol production will help
create new jobs and improve the economy in rural America.
- 58% believe more use of domestically produced ethanol will help
reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
- 75% of Americans view ethanol as somewhat important in reducing
greenhouse gas emissions, with 41% viewing ethanol as extremely
important in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Focusing on one of the more popular myths about ethanol production, the
poll found that 84% of Americans believe something other than ethanol is
at the root cause of rising food prices. Specifically, higher oil prices
(46%), increased global demand (15%) and adverse weather conditions like
drought (14%) were deemed to have a greater impact on food prices than
ethanol production (7%).
For more information about Renewable Fuels Now, click here: www.renewablefuelsnow.org/.
For more information about the research findings on U.S. attitudes to
renewable fuels, visit the Renewable Fuels Association Web site at: www.ethanolRFA.org.
Source: Renewable Fuels Now
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Follow The
Rules When Planting Transgenic Corn
As the number of Ohio growers planting transgenic corn
hybrids increases, Ohio State University Extension entomologists are
reiterating the importance of following required insect resistant
management (IRM) guidelines.
Ron Hammond, an OSU Extension entomologist with the Ohio Agricultural
Research and Development Center, anticipates increased acres of Bt
hybrids next season to help control such insects as western corn
rootworm and European corn borer. But such hybrids need to be carefully
managed with non-transgenic areas.
"Knowing that Ohio growers will, in all likelihood, plant more Bt corn
hybrids next spring, we continue to remind growers about IRM
requirements," says Hammond. "The purpose of employing these practices
is to help prevent insects from developing resistance to the Bt gene."
The IRM requirements are "government regulations that must be followed,"
adds Hammond. "Growers who fail to follow IRM requirements risk losing
access to corn biotechnology."
Transgenics is the science of introducing a gene from one organism or
plant into the genome of another organism or plant. In crop production,
Bt corn to control European corn borer and rootworm, and Roundup Ready
corn and soybeans for enhanced weed control would be examples of
transgenics.
The most important requirement when using Bt corn hybrids is to
plant a 20% refuge of non-transgenic corn. "A refuge is simply a block
or strip of corn planted with a hybrid that does not have the Bt gene.
The primary purpose is to maintain a pest population that is not exposed
to the Bt toxin, allowing susceptible insects to remain within the
population and mate with any resistant insects that survive in the
transgenic area," says Hammond. "This allows any offspring to remain
susceptible to the Bt hybrid."
When managing the refuge, growers are urged to adhere to the following
guidelines: In terms of distance of the refuge from the Bt corn for corn
borer, the non-Bt refuge can be within, adjacent or near the Bt field,
but it has to be within a half mile -- preferably within a quarter mile.
For corn rootworm, the non-Bt refuge has to be within the same field as
the Bt corn, or adjacent to it.
There are several planting options, including a separate field refuge
mainly used to control corn borer; an adjacent field; a separate, but
adjacent block next to the Bt corn; a block refuge within the Bt field;
a refuge planted along the perimeter; or a split-planter refuge. "If
planting the refuge using a split planter, the strip width must be at
least four rows, preferably six rows," says Hammond.
Both transgenic and non-transgenic areas should be managed in a similar
manner. Growers should plant both hybrid types close to or at the same
time, and select Bt and non-Bt hybrids that have similar growth and
development characteristics. "If planting a refuge for corn rootworm,
for example, the cropping history must be the same. That is, if Bt corn
is planted following corn, then the refuge must be planted following
corn," says Hammond.
When using insecticides, there are procedures for controlling the target
insect and secondary insects. When controlling for European corn borer,
the non-Bt corn refuge may be treated with conventional insecticides
only if the target pest reaches economic threshold. "A foliar Bt-based
insecticide cannot be used within the refuge," says Hammond. When
controlling for western corn rootworm, a soil-, seed- or foliar-applied
insecticide is allowed for the refuge. If an aerial insecticide is
applied to the refuge for control of rootworm adults, the same treatment
must be applied at the same time to Bt corn.
If a refuge is planted in a rotated field, the Bt field must also be
planted on rotated ground. However, if the refuge is corn following
corn, the Bt field can be planted on either a continuous or rotated
field.
Guidelines also exist when planting a hybrid with stacked traits that
contain both Bt types. "Growers have two management approaches. The
first choice is to plant separate refuges for each target pest," says
Hammond. "We recommend the second choice -- the common refuge approach
where corn without any Bt technology is planted. In this case, a 20%
refuge must be planted within or adjacent to the transgenic field."
Hammond said that growers should consult their seed dealers for
information regarding proper management for transgenic corn hybrids, or
for any additional IRM requirements related to single and stacked-trait
corn hybrids.
Source: Ohio State University
Extension
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Renewable Energy Conference Focuses On
Southern Ohio Opportunities
Learn about renewable energy options for southern
Ohio, including grain-based ethanol, biodiesel, cellulosic ethanol and
woody biomass, at the Southern Ohio Renewable Energy Conference Nov.
14.
The conference will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Comfort
Inn in Piketon, OH. Registration is $20 and includes lunch and
conference materials.
For more information or to register, contact John Hemmings at (800)
223-7491, (740) 947-2853, ext. 16, or jhemmings@ovrdc.org, or log on to
www.ovrdc.org.
Source: Ohio State University
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Risk Management Course Offered For Women In
Agriculture
The Cooperative Extension Service program, popular
across the Midwest, was held in Ohio for the first time last year in
Wood and Delaware counties. This year, the program is expanding and will
be offered in Ashland, Ashtabula, Auglaize, Defiance, Erie and Wood
counties.
Annie's Project, launched in 2003 by University of Illinois Extension
educator Ruth Hambleton, in honor of her mother, Annie, and her
commitment to the family farm, is designed to empower farm women to be
better business partners through networks and by managing and organizing
critical information and increasing communication skills.
"Annie's Project brings women together to learn the financial skills and
critical information needed to manage the complicated business of
running a farm," says Julia Nolan Woodruff, an Ohio State University
Extension educator for Ashland County. Specific topics include financial
record keeping, understanding basic financial statements, financial
management tools, goal setting and mission statement writing, commodity
marketing basics, crop insurance, family communication, retirement
planning and learning about individual personality types and
characteristics through the Real Colors program.
The class meets one evening a week for six consecutive weeks. The
registration fee is $60 and class space is limited.
For registration information contact the host county or project
coordinators: Doris Herringshaw at (419) 354-9050 and Julia Woodruff at
(419) 281-8242, or log on to ohioagmanager.osu.edu and follow
the link for the November newsletter.
Since 2003, over 2,000 farm women in nine states have completed the
six-week course.
Source: Ohio State University
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Golf Goes 'Green' With New Natural-Derived
Fertilizer
Some communities have requested and even mandated that
golf courses utilize natural fertilizers in order to minimize the
possibility of a downstream threat to surface and groundwater. Currently
used fertilizers are made from urea, ammonium sulfate or ammonium
nitrate. "These are synthesized from natural gas and each is acidifying
in nature and can impact the soil pH with overuse," says University of
Illinois (U of I) researcher Tom Fermanian.
"The fertilizers available to golf course managers have similar
properties," says Fermanian. To develop a natural fertilizer with a
higher nitrogen (N) content, the U of I worked with Archer Daniels
Midland Company (ADM) to test a series of natural-derived fertilizer
products. The result of the testing is a line of products marketed under
the name NaturStim. They contain lysine, a bio-product from fermented
corn.
"One advantage of these lysine-based products is that they dissolve
quickly in water and can be mixed with other turf products that are
normally applied as a spray," says Fermanian. "Lysine in its granular
form is 15% N and soluble in water so it is quickly available for turf
use, similar to most synthetic fertilizers."
In the study, ammonium sulfate (the current fertilizer industry standard
used by most golf courses) as well as two forms of lysine were dissolved
in water and applied in a liquid spray. Sustane, a natural fertilizer
product, and the NaturStim L-Soy 9 materials were applied dry as
granules. The three newly formulated NaturStim fertilizers made from
lysine were rated as well as the ammonium sulfate and Sustane controls
applied at the same rate.
"Research shows that the NaturStim products perform as well as synthetic
fertilizers, but have the added benefit of providing golf course
managers with a more natural alternative to traditional fertilizers,"
says Fermanian.
ADM intends to have NaturStim available for residential use, as well as
commercial applications. Fermanian said that long-term studies are
needed to observe any additional positive effects with the routine use
of lysine as a fertilizer.
Source: University of Illinois
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U of I
Students Take Robotic Harvesting System On The Road
Automated harvesting is considered science fantasy by
some farmers, but students at the University of Illinois have developed
a small-scale harvesting model that could help bring fantasy one step
closer to reality.
Students in the Off-Road Equipment Management class in the department of
Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE) have developed an
autonomous harvester-to-bin system that uses wireless communication to
synchronize the action between a harvester and an unloader. The team
recently took their project to the robotics demonstration at the
American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual
International Meeting in Minneapolis, MN.
"The challenge was to design an automated harvesting operation that used
one harvester and one or more unloading carts," says Tony Grift, a
professor in ABE who teaches the equipment management class. "An
autonomously guided harvester sends wireless messages to an unloader to
indicate that its bin is full. The task of the unloader is then to
engage the harvester and return to a location where it dumps its loads
into a pit. Then the process starts again and the goal is to move as
much simulated grain as possible from the harvester to the pit in a
five-minute time period."
The size of the bin had to be one liter, and green BBs were used to
simulate grain. Students were allowed to fill the bin manually after
each cycle.
"It's great when students build something that can eventually be used
for research," Grift concludes. "We want to do something that is very
close to the real problems we're trying to solve here."
Source: University of Illinois
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Payoff From
Polymer Seed Coats: A Note From The Corn E-Digest
Editor
If you've had experience using polymer seed coats on
corn seed and would like to share the pros and cons of doing so, please
let me know who you are, where you farm and what problems or successes
you might have had.
I'd like to hear from farmers, researchers and industry sources on the
topic. Also, please let me know if you have any other ideas on what
you'd like to see covered in a future issue of the Corn E-Digest, or if
you have concerns or questions about this issue, please write me (John
Pocock) at: jpocock@csdigest.com.
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