ASK THE AGRONOMIST BLOG

2023 taught us that no season is the same and we must be flexible to adapt to what Mother Nature brings our way. The drought in the Corn Belt and South threw a wrench in growers’ in-season plans. Fortunately, Stine® genetics persisted and even thrived under pressure.

“Yields were still there,” says Mark Johnson, Stine corn technical agronomist. “I think it goes back to breeding. What we’re doing with our corn and soybean genetics and how we’ve progressed over the years … The genetics have improved and are better equipped to adapt to these extreme situations.”  

Stine has spent decades researching and developing high-yielding genetics in various maturity ranges for different environments. While genetic selection is important in any given year, so are the cultural practices you pair with them.

“As we advance, we’re seeing different trends of what we can do to support genetics,” says Johnson. “We can utilize no-till, strip tilling … We can do things so that we’re not letting the moisture escape so readily when the drought sets in.”

Waiting for the right time to plant is critical to start the season off right, Johnson notes.

Early planting has become common practice for both corn and soybeans. Early planting can benefit the crop if the extended weather forecast is favorable. However, in some cases, like we saw in the South last year, it can lead to replant.

“In the South down in Louisiana and southern Arkansas, there was an early warm up in February,” says Johnson “Some people planted too quickly, even the third week in February. Then, a cold snap came back with a vengeance. Thousands of acres were affected, and replant came into play. No matter what the weather might be, you need to wait.”

Planting into cold soils can be especially challenging for corn and soybeans as the seed is vulnerable to imbibitional chilling, leading to uneven emergence. Corn is particularly at risk. If it sits in the ground longer than it should, the plant is forced to live off the energy and nutrients stored in the seed.

In an April 2023 article, Stine technical agronomist Tony Lenz noted corn imbibes 30% of its weight in water before it germinates. It can severely disrupt the germination process if it imbibes cold moisture within 24–48 hours after planting. It can also lead to issues with the developing embryo, including corkscrew effect of the mesocotyl, which can result in the death of the seedling.

Planting into cold soils can impact the early vegetative stages of the plant and weaken its root structure in the long haul. Also, planting into cold and wet soils can lead to sidewall compaction, limiting your crop’s ability to thrive during the growing season. When in doubt, it’s best to wait until soils are consistently 50+ degrees Fahrenheit for more than a few days and the extended weather forecast is clear of cold rains for 24–48 hours after your anticipated planting dates.

The growing season ahead

Knowing what 2023 brought to corn and soybean growers, Mark Johnson has a few tips for the upcoming planting and growing season.

1. Know your fields. What corn hybrids and soybean varieties have worked in the past? Which ones haven’t panned out? Know what genetics work best in each field. Also, understand the soil on each field. If you’re unsure what lies below, consider soil testing. And review what diseases and pests could be present and what cultural practices work for each field. Consider crop rotation where it makes sense.
   
   
2. Have a game plan. Sit down, go through your options for each field and map out a plan. Study your soil sample results to determine your fertilizer needs, including your pH levels and how that impacts your inputs. Plan for all the variables that will give your soil the best chance to maximize yield. Have a game plan to help you control the things in front of you and be proactive versus reactive in-season.
   
   
3. Leverage your relationships with your seed reps. Stine regional sales agronomists and independent sales reps are available year-round to discuss every part of the crop production process with you. They can help you with product selection, seed treatment options, inputs such as fertilizers and insecticides, weed control, and any other variable before planting begins and throughout the growing season.

To learn more about the year that was and what growers can do to get ahead in 2024, listen to Johnson’s episode of the Stine Seedcast wherever you get your podcasts. To speak to a Stine rep about your planting plan before the season kicks off, find your local rep here.

STINE^® HAS YIELD, and that goes well beyond the farm. We thrive on being active in and out of the field to yield results and action in the communities where we live and work. That include supporting our youngest, most vulnerable populations in times of need through the Harvesting Wishes^® Program.

A collaboration with Make-A-Wish^® Iowa, Stine announced the formation of Harvesting Wishes in summer 2023 — a unique program to engage farmers and agricultural workers across the country to participate in granting life-changing wishes to kids with critical illnesses in their communities. The program is available to our customers nationwide in 2024, and individuals can direct their donation to children in a community of their choosing. Specifically, Stine corn customers donating to Make-A-Wish can earn a $20/unit discount on all full price increase corn units purchased, shipped and planted in the 2024 season. There’s still time to participate!

“There’s nothing more important than our youth,” says Myron Stine, company president. “Unfortunately, many children throughout the United States are afflicted with critical illnesses. For all their struggles, they need something BIG to brighten their lives, and the Harvesting Wishes Program helps turn their wishes into reality. I couldn’t imagine a more deserving audience.”

The process to participate in Stine’s Harvesting Wishes Program is simple:

1. Purchase Stine corn to be shipped and planted in the 2024 season.
2. Qualify to earn a $20/unit discount on qualifying corn units increased over 2023.*
3. Pledge a donation to Make-A-Wish’s Harvesting Wishes Program in an amount equal to the entire earned discount.*
4. Complete your donation to Make-A-Wish to help cultivate hope for children with critical illnesses.*

There are also other ways individuals can participate, including by providing in-kind, monetary or supply requests, which can be done through the program’s website, HarvestingWishes.org.  Alternatively, farmers can donate Gifts of Grain. To learn more about Harvesting Wishes and how you can get involved, talk to your local Stine sales rep.

*Certain restrictions apply. See official rules and eligibility requirements at StineSeed.com/harvestingwishes. Stine’s Harvesting Wishes Program is open to both new and existing Stine corn customers and can be used in conjunction with other discounts and incentives offered by Stine Seed Company on qualifying purchases. Eligible discounts earned will be in the form of an “adjustment” of the final statement once the donation has been fulfilled with Make-A-Wish. Donations to Make-A-Wish may be tax deductible as a charitable donation.Consult a tax professional regarding options.

On Jan. 2, Stine Seed Farm manager Steve Luther talked through takeaways from 2023 and how growers can plan ahead for the 2024 season on the Stine Seedcast. He discussed why developing a plan for the upcoming planting season is of the utmost importance to ensure crops have what they need to yield success come harvest. Here are Steve’s top four recommendations to incorporate into your plan to secure a smooth planting and growing season.

1. Weed control. While weeds may have not been a problem for some last year, with the drought-like conditions that plagued much of the country during the 2023 season, suppressing weeds that overwintered in the soil will be of top importance this growing season.

“The big thing for us and the Midwest, and I hear it time and time again, is how we’re going to deal with suppressing weeds,” says Luther. “They’re out there; I don’t think it’s any secret. It’s probably because it was hot and dry and a lot of the herbicides that we use in today’s age are very water soluble, so it takes a lot of rain to keep those activated in the soil.”

Many of the best post-emergent and pre-emergent herbicides on the market require rainfall to activate and move the herbicide within the soil profile. Unfortunately, 2023 was a dry year for many, so their in-season or post herbicide program last year may not be viable as a weed control method this season.

Luther suggests being proactive and planning ahead to modify and strengthen both soybean and corn preprograms to ensure your post program works as it should. “You don’t want to have rescue trips with your sprayer,” he adds. Talk to your local Stine agronomist or sales rep or crop protection specialist about an integrated weed management approach for 2024.

2. Nutrient program. Before hitting the field, growers should test their soil for nutrient shortages. The big three — nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium — are critical for plant production, but there are other inputs that should not go overlooked.

“Harry and I have always agreed, you’ve got to feed the crop. You can’t just put something on in the fall with your anhydrous and hope that’s going to be good enough,” says Luther. “This is even more important when you increase corn populations.”

Sulfur should be a foundational component of your nutrient program. The role of sulfur in corn plants is important to chlorophyll production and photosynthesis, which helps convert sunlight into energy and supports the plant’s nutrient uptake. Deficiency of sulfur can greatly impact the growth process and yield outcome of your crop.

To apply sulfur to plants, Luther recommends including it as part of your pre-plant and side-dressing program. “If you put pencil to paper, it’s one that returns.”

3. Fungicides and insecticides. Fungicides and insecticides are not just “insurance” in an unpredictable year; Luther says they should become a yearly practice. “There are affordable options that work really well out there,” he notes. Luther suggests taking a split-shot approach, applying fungicide as part of the post-program and then following it up over the top adding an insecticide to the pass.

4. Hybrid/variety selection. Stine has spent decades improving and expanding our genetic material to ensure growers have options. Luther does just that on the Stine Seed Farm, where he leads efforts to ensure our products perform and even exceed when paired with the right environment and best agronomic practices. Stine agronomists and sales reps are properly trained and well versed in how available products fit in their region. Setting up time to talk to our experts to place the right products on the right fields is a critical step to guaranteeing yield success in 2024.

Listen to Steve’s episode of the Stine Seedcast on your favorite podcast platform for more tips for the 2024 season and to learn about the evolution of the Stine Seed Farm.