Agronomy Zone 10

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It's the age-old question: do we start planting now, or wait for warmer weather? I've already fielded several such calls this season. While we have seen some pretty nice temps lately, the fact that we haven't yet been able to put together a consistent stretch of warm weather makes this question more difficult than usual to answer.

So, how do you decide? I like to look not just at where the temps are currently, but also at the direction that temps are going. If the current soil temperature is above 50 degrees F and the 5-7 day weather forecast trend is toward increasing temps, then go ahead and plant; if not, it would probably be best to wait. Corn needs soil temperatures exceeding 50 degrees in order to germinate properly; for soybeans, temps should be closer to 60. With soybeans it is especially critical to have soil temps going up, as a drop in temperatures in the first 48 hours after planting really hurts soybean germination.

One last thing: always remember soil conditions are just as important as soil temps, especially when planting before May 1. If the soil is wet then wait until conditions are favorable, otherwise your stand will be uneven at best.

Click here to view a map of soil temps across Iowa. Good luck, and hopefully warmer weather will come and stay.

As we get closer to the 2011 growing season, I'm suggesting each producer take one corn field and one soybean field and challenge themselves to see how much they can increase yield on those two fields. To do so, we may have to think outside the box compared to what we have been doing, but 2011 is the year to do it.

Why 2011? Simply put, there has never been a year with as little risk but greater possible rewards. With record or near-record price levels, the yield needed to pay for the new investments has never been less. Look at what an additional 10 bushels of corn or five bushels of soybeans per acre will bring - up to $50-60/acre!!!

So what changes can we employ to bring these types of increases? For corn, increasing the planting population just 2,000 plants per acre can often deliver this kind of return. The total cost of this change amounts to $4.50-$4.75/acre. On soybeans, maybe use fungicide and inoculate, or possibly explore the use of a seed treatment. There are many products out there that, in the right situations, will help you increase your profitability. Ask your local Stine rep for ideas that work in your area.

It helps to think of all of your crop inputs including the seed, seed treatments, chemicals, and fungicides not as expenses, but rather as investments. Look at the return on investments (ROI), this is how you determine which products make you the most money.

I have just scratched the surface on ideas to try in 2011. Sit down with your Stine rep and come up with a plan for 2011. Doing this will help you increase your profitability in 2011 and beyond.

Remember, YIELD IS WHAT COUNTS!

No matter how 2010 turned out, it is done and we need to start planning today to make 2011 a successful year. How do we do it? One idea that I suggest is that during January and February attend farm shows and crop meetings in your area. They can be a great way to learn about new ideas, equipments, and products. Plus they provide an opportunity to see equipment and to interact with the representatives of the products you are interested in.  

As we all know, agriculture is changing quickly. New genetics and traits are introduced almost daily, so much so that it is hard to keep up; farm shows are great opportunities to stay current.

Also, farm shows allow a great place to interact both with company reps and other producers. If you see producers you know or get to meet, it can be a great place to discuss new products. The farm shows will have space to see equipment and ”kick the tires”. The videos may show you the product in action and demonstrate expected results.

I would suggest that before you go make a list of what you would like to look at and who you want to talk to, as it can be easy to get sidetracked. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and ask for testimonials. If you find something that looks like it could be profitable for your operation, make arrangements with the company for a follow-up and tailor it for your farm.

Another idea is to attend an extension crop meeting in your area. These are tailored to local conditions and can be an excellent learning meeting.

Three shows that I really like in my area are the Quad Cities Farm Show (Jan. 16-18) in Moline Illinois; the Iowa Power Farming Show (Feb. 1-3) in Des Moines; and the On-Farm Network Conference (Feb. 21-22) in Ames. Stine will be at each of these events, so please stop by and see us.

I really believe that if you can pick up one good idea that will increase your profitability, it is a worthwhile meeting. So grab a couple neighbors and head to a farm show!! If nothing else, it is good to get away from winter, socialize and take advantage of the learning opportunity!!

In much of Eastern Iowa and Northern Missouri, the excessive rains we experienced this past season will lead to tremendous weed pressure in 2011.  Postemergence spraying on corn couldn't be done in a timely manner in 2010, which allowed for grasses, broadleaves and everything to get out of control.  So, what can we do to get things back under control next season?

First of all, using a pre down early is a MUST.  Secondly, use something other than glyphosate for your pre - there are several combinations out there that work well.  Your crop protection supplier can recommend a product or combination of products that will work on the weeds you have.  For 2011, I would strongly advise using a FULL rate, not 1/2 or 3/4 rate.  By going full rate, we can get complete kill and not 75 percent kill, which leads to resistance.  For soybeans, I would recommend taking a good look at Stine LibertyLink® Soybeans, which allows for over-the-top application of Ignite herbicide.  Introducing a herbicide with a completely different mode of action can help tremendously in the fight against weed resistance.

In summary, I believe that weed pressures next season will be some of the worst we have seen. Plan ahead so you can stop it in its tracks. By controlling weeds early, you will have cleaner fields and much better yields.