For 2011, Pioneer offers the groundbreaking Optimum AcreMax 1 system of insect protection, making corn rootworm refuge management easier. Bill Belzer, senior market manager for corn with Pioneer, gives us an update on AcreMax 1 and also discusses Pioneer’s new research initiative called IMPACT. He says this new program supports a 50 percent increase in the number of experimental products Pioneer can test to help growers ultimately get the right product on the right acre to maximize productivity.
An update on Pioneer’s Optimum AcreMax 1
December 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Impact and Smart Choice from AMVAC
December 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment
At NAFB Trade Talk, we stopped by the AMVAC booth to visit with product development manager Richard Porter and marketing manager Paul Vaculin. They gave us an update on two of their most popular products—Impact postemergence herbicide for selective control of broadleaf weeds and grasses in corn; and Smart Choice granular soil insecticide.
Channel emphasizes ‘Seedsmanship’
December 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment
According to Channel Seeds brand manager Stacy Markovich, Channel is now the third largest corn seed brand and the fourth largest soybean seed brand in the country. She says what sets Channel apart is “Seedsmanship”—getting to know customers and their farms first, then using that knowledge to provide expert hands-on service and support, and industry-leading seed product recommendations.
MO prisons fill food pantries with produce
December 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment
The Missouri prison program that grows fruits and vegetables for Missouri food pantries grew to new levels this year. Missouri Corrections Department Director George Lombardi says it’s all about the people in need, “This year, in particular, I asked all the wardens and all the staff to do the best they could to increase production as much as they could.”
And, increase production they did. “I think our final total was somewhere near 28 tons of produce that was distributed to pantries all across the state,” says Lombardi. That translates to more than 58,000 pounds – a new record in the program’s 15th year.
“It’s been of great benefit to the department, to the offenders, the staff that have been involved with it but, most importantly, to the people in need and the pantries around the state,” Lombardi says.
Eighteen of the state’s 21 correctional centers have working gardens that are tended by offenders who qualify for the prison system’s “restorative justice” program.
Lombardi says food pantries have come to depend on the prison produce. He adds that the Corrections Department will partner with the Missouri Ag Department in future production seasons.
Vault HP–growth enhancement for soybeans
December 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment
It was just over a year ago that Becker Underwood introduced the Vault HP growth-enhancement system for soybeans. Becker Underwood’s product manager for inoculants, Russ Berndt, says the Vault HP system features a new, patented performance booster, a biofungicide and a unique formulation of nitrogen-fixing rhizobia—offering industry-leading on-seed survival and field performance.
Wisconsin producers asked to avoid spreading manure
December 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment
With above-freezing temperatures and rain in the forecast for Thursday and Friday, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture is asking livestock producers to avoid spreading manure the next couple of days. The potential for runoff is great with rain and melting snow on top of frozen ground.
If producers are in a jam for storage space and manure must be spread, choose fields with minimum slope and no snow cover if possible. Your county Land Conservation Department can help with field selection as well as alternatives to spreading. Information is also available on line from the Department of Natural Resources “How To Prevent Manure Runoff” web pages.
If runoff does occur, farmers should call the 24-hour spill hotline immediately 800-943-0003.
A good year for Dekalb and Asgrow products
December 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Monsanto’s Christie Chavis is the national brand marketing lead for the Dekalb and Asgrow seed brands. Chavis says 2010 was a great year for their seed products—Dekalb corn had an overall 9.7 bushel per acre yield advantage, while Asgrow Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans outyielded the competition by four bushels per acre.
Records essential for nutrient management
December 29, 2010 By 1 Comment
Regardless of their size, livestock producers need to properly manage nutrients and keep detailed records of nutrient management practices.
If a producer applies manure and rain causes runoff, the only proof that there was no over-application is the detailed record, said Tamilee Nennich, and animal scientist with Purdue Extension.
“I think it’s actually one of the most important things,” Nennich told Brownfield during an interview Wednesday, “because if a producer says they did the right thing and their neighbor says they didn’t, the only way they can actually prove that they did the correct thing, is through their records.”
Manure carries a high nutrient value depending on the price of fertilizer, but Nennich says that’s variable.
“Even from farm to farm we can see a lot of variation in nutrient value, and we do see some variation between species,” said Nennich, “but it also depends on how that manure is stored, like in dairy operations if you’re flushing it and adding a lot of water, those nutrient levels are going to be lower just because you’re diluting them down.”
Purdue Extension, the Indiana Soybean Alliance and the Indiana Corn Marketing Council are providing free nutrient management record-keeping calendars.
The calendars have inspection reminders and space for producers to keep records.
Copies of the free calendar are available by contacting Nennich at 765-494-4823, or emailing her at tnennich@purdue.edu.
Novartis veterinarian on swine dysentery
December 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment
The reemergence of swine dysentery is a challenge for some pork producers. In an interview with Brownfield’s Ken Anderson, Dr. Mark Hammer, manager of professional services with the pig and poultry business unit of Novartis Animal Health, talked about SD and offered some advice on how producers can control the disease.
Wednesday midday cash livestock
December 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Direct cash cattle markets remain pretty quiet, but packer inquiry has improved in some areas. There are bids at $165 to $167 on the dressed in Nebraska with asking prices holding around $107+ in the South and $168 to $170 in the North. We could see some business today, but widespread trade will most likely wait until Thursday.
Boxed beef at midday was sharply higher with Choice up $1.44 at $162.71 and Select $1.63 higher at $156.40.
At the slaughter cattle auction in Dunlap Iowa, steers and heifers were up $3 from last week. Choice 2 to 4 steers sold at $100 to $103.50 and heifers ranged from $100 to $103.
Cash hogs are steady to higher with packers continuing their generally solid demand to fill their late week slaughter needs. At the terminals, butchers are steady to $1 higher at $45.50 to $48. Missouri direct butchers are steady to $1 higher at $62 to $66 and sows are unchanged at $39 to $47. Illinois direct sows are mostly steady at $39 to $47.
Eastern Cornbelt barrows and gilts opened $.80 higher with a weighted average of $69.77, the Western Belt was up $4.33 at $73.65 and Iowa/Southern Minnesota was $4.28 higher at $73.77.
Pork trade at midday was slow with light demand and mostly moderate offerings.
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