Fertilizer Magazine fall 2015 by AgroLiquid

FERTILIZER Agro-Culture Liquid Fertilizers

Fall/Winter 2015

Feature Story:

The Evolution of a Farm

Kuhn Orchards

WIN A DRONE! 10

Farming in the Digital Age

Drones

Precision Nutrient Management

Preparing Your Orchard for Winter

2016

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INSIDE

Fertilizer Magazine Fall 2015

7 10 12

Letter from the Editor

14 16 18 22 26 29

Precision Nutrient Management

pg. 12 < < < < Precision Drone

Farming in the Digital Age Drones - Forward Vision in Field Scouting

Technology: Embrace the Change

> > > > pg. 26 Smoked Beef Brisket from J.W. Lemons.

The Evolution of a Farm Preparing Your Orchard for Winter J.W.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cowboy Kitchen Advances for Tomorrow

pg. 18 < < < < The Evolution of a Farm

> > > > pg. 22 Preparing Your Orchard for Winter

Fertilizer Magazine serves the diverse business, production, and lifestyle needs of families who make farming and ranching their business. Our passion is to help you make money, save time, and grow your satisfaction. Fertilizer Magazine is a proud product of Agro-Culture Liquid Fertilizers.

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Milton Knouse was looking for research-proven, innovative ways to increase quality, efﬁciency and productivity on their 600-acre fruit farm when he began using AgroLiquid products. He was initially impressed with height growth in his young trees, but then, “I noticed the lateral limb development in the trees, which means more fruit bearing surfaces for increased production… you can actually measure the difference.” Milton has also realized an increased fruit size using AgroLiquid products, “The bigger the fruit, the more bushels you produce. We were quite pleased with that.” When selecting your fertilizer products, remember that for more than 30 years, AgroLiquid has provided the research-proven performance growers trust.

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Second generation farmer Joe Webb his father, Ernes started farming t Webb, sixtywith college the farm six years ago. farmed about Origi continued expa 30 miles west nsion. Then, his of Guymon, towa nally, they a health scare City, OK. In 1952 that dad had rd Boise , his dad purch to the farm full-ti signaled it was time for Joe ased land near They drilled their to return me. From there Guym first irrigation , the Webbs took another sectio well in 1964. With on. Oklahoma Panh n of land and on andle climate the started row, also irrigation. Row being semi-arid, around 16 inche called flood, irrigation was averaging s of moisture in resource inten a lot of hours a good year, it extremely diffic sive. of labor to put was ult to the irrigation pipe It took at the beginning land farming meth product adequate yields using in place of the season ods. Wheat and dryand end. Also, every the only crops morning and even then remove it at the that stood a chan sorghum were really be turned off ing, some rows ce in this unfor growing envir and others turne onme had to giving d on. It often or sometimes Aquifer completely nt. Access to water from the took a week, more, to comp Ogallala changed crop lete an irrigation the field. This area. The Ogal cycle across toiling process lala Aquifer, one production in this was repeated growing seaso of the world and the entire n. During the the largest in North the largest aquifers in farm 1987 â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grow increase water , Amer the Webbs adde th period, aroun ica, has helped availability and d their first sprin d this time the farm has of production kler system. At agriculture. Sudd opened up a new world experienced the a business partn difficult transition enly, more wate crops like corn er passing, Joeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s r intensive could be grow of the sprinkler syste father. The addit n. ion of m was crucial at this time as eliminate much Following the it helped of the labor and initial land purch time it took to field. ase near Guym the Webbs gradu irrigate the on, ally increased acreage throu purchases, as gh land well as rented land. The incre One of the most acres correspon ase in difficult tasks ded with grow for any farmer planning. Joe th because, after irrigated was the key to is successio began to all, t cons

Letter from the Editor

Albert Bancroft,

Agro-Culture Liquid Fertilizers Marketing Department Manager With another harvest in the books for most, some of us are licking our wounds and some of us are deciding what investments to make. Whichever side of the fence, it’s already time to make plans for next season. It’s like the Christmas commercials: it seems to come earlier and earlier every year. As information becomes easier and quicker to access, we should continue to make decisions sooner, as it allows us to structure our strategy. The variables that go into our operation can be overwhelming and even endless. We all look to experts in our lives, whether it’s the mechanic convincing us we need to replace the wheel bearing on our vehicle or to the latest and greatest laundry detergent that will remove any stain known. We seek information to make decisions. As cost is a driver, the lowest or simplest is not always the most profitable. We can all relate to tires; if you buy cheap ones most likely they are noisy, don’t ride as good or provide the best traction, and ultimately they don’t last as long. Look at the less obvious repercussions of the poor performing tires: they could shorten the life span of the shocks because the way they rode, not to mention the extra time spent having to go back to the shop and get another set. OK, I know relating that to farming seems obvious, but as decisions for 2016 are made, use resources available to ensure that your plans make for a productive and profitable yield a year from now. With decisions like population, hybrid, fertility, and so much more being components to meeting goals, don’t be hesitant to use the experts that have the experience and research to guide your decision. I’m sure we have all heard their spiel a thousand times, but I mean it. Don’t make these decisions alone. Companies have whole divisions with people specifically trained, educated, and experienced to help you make the best decision based on the constant evolution of what is available to us. The support available isn’t just provided to sell you a product. Many companies are driven to sell you the right product, at the right rate, to be used at the right time, and put in the right place. Knowing your needs and keeping up with the ever-changing technology from equipment to data to marketing your products, it’s a total package. Partnering with companies wanting you to prosper is essential to managing margins. I know this seems like a sermon but, as you read further in this publication, make sure you can trust the resources around you to make your 2016 a year to springboard to the next. FERTILIZER MAGAZINE

History of Farming Technology 1793

Eli Whitney invents the cotton gin

1989

More farmers use low-input sustainable agriculture techniques to reduce chemical applications

1990

Congress passes the Organic Food Production Act, authorizing the U.S. Department of Agriculture to establish a nationwide defintion for organic food

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1834/35 John Lane, New England

invented the first steel plow

1987 First crop

biotechnology field tests are conducted

1991

DNA Plant Technology received approval from the USDA to field test its Fish tomato

1837

John Deere used the same process and is credited for inventing the steel plow

1985 Irrometer Company

develops a moisture sensor

1992

First yield monitor is created

1854

1862-75 American agricultural

Self-governing windmill perfected

revolution is spurred by the transition from hand power to horse power

1983

Intuit introduced accounting software Quicken and later TurboTa both programs are critical in farm-specific accounting programs.

1994

Farmers start using GPS receivers for precision operations

1881

Hybrid corn produced

1975

Roundup herbicide is first commercialized

1994

FDA grants first approval for a whole food processed through biotechnology the FLAVRSAVR tomato

1892

John Froelich invented the first gasoline powered tractor

1972 The Dickey-John

Manufacturing Company introduced “electronic monitoring devices” that attach to planters and seeders, allowing farmers to slowly monitor seed populuations

1930

First use of aerial photos in earth sciences and agriculture

1945

Transition from horses to tractors spurs the next American agricultural revolution

1964

1970s No-tillage

Moist-O-Matic, one of the first plastic lawn sprinklers for underground use, is introduced

agriculture popularized

1946

Aluminum pipe for irrigation starts becoming the new standard

1951 Organic chemicals called

chelates are found to help protect plants against certain metal deficiencies

1964

Dick Chaplin develops drip irrigation

2011 1997

The first weed - and insect-resistant biotech crops — soybeans and cotton — are available commercially

2003

RTK is first used tractor auto steer.

John Deere debuted Machine Sync, which can provide specifics to a farmer on equipment location and operational status and automatically direct equipment

2012

Farmers, developers begin producing smartphone apps

2014

Variable - rate swath control for tractors becomes mainstream.

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FA R M I N G I N T H E

By: Lowry D. Perry East Territory Ag Banking Sales Manager, PNC

Scott Rueff West Territory Ag Banking Sales Manager, PNC

For many people, the word “farmer” may not conjure images of high-tech entrepreneurs tethered to their smart phones just yet, but give it a few years. A 2014 study by Float Mobile Learning, a consulting firm, found that 94% of producers now use mobile devices in their work.1 A 2015 study by DTN/The Progressive Farmer predicts that by 2017, 88% of producers will be using mobile devices as much as, or more than, their desktop computers to help manage their operations — almost the reverse of the findings of DTN’s 2011 survey.2 In fact, mobile technology has become such an important piece of managing a farm, it even has its own digital moniker — mAgriculture.3 Its efficacy in helping producers cut costs while boosting output has been well documented. In the absence of more traditional infrastructure, farmers in developing countries have been using mobile technology for more than a decade to do everything from deciding what to plant to monitoring water use. Thanks to the rapid innovation of mobile apps developed specifically for agriculture, U.S. producers are now leveraging new technology in just about every corner of their businesses, too.

Prescriptive planting technology is leveraging Big Data to deliver targeted advice that can tell you exactly what type of seed to plant in any field and how much to plant in each section, based on the chemical composition of the soil, its moisture content, the grade of the land and the average annual rainfall. It can even tell you when to plant, how much and what kind of fertilizer to use, and the optimal time to harvest your crop to maximize every yield.

Increasingly sophisticated irrigation apps regularly measure the moisture in the soil, calculate each crop’s absorption rate, and integrate real-time weather forecasts to let you know when, where, and how much you need to water. With remote irrigation control systems, you can set programs to run automatically or manage them manually, make changes to individual valves, and receive immediate alerts if there is a fault in the system — from anywhere in the world.

Drones, a.k.a. unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), give producers a bird’s-eye view of their fields at a fraction of the cost of walking them or using traditional airplane flyovers. From your tablet’s touchscreen, you can monitor the health of your crop, check for pests, and make sure water is being used efficiently with a level of detail that can’t be matched on foot or from the cab of a truck. You can even download images to track a crop’s progress through the growing season or over the years. With new innovations coming to market every day, the only thing slowing mAgriculture’s U.S. deployment is getting a cell signal out in the field. But, as carriers expand and improve networks, coverage gaps are narrowing, making mAgriculture more accessible than ever before. Learn how PNC provides solutions for farming operations at pnc.com/agriculture. Sources: 1floatlearning.com/2014/12/how-using-mobile-technology-in-agriculture-benefits-you 2www.dtn.com/forms/ag/try/dtnonline/new/wp-resource-dl.cfm 3floatlearning.com/2014/12/how-using-mobile-technology-in-agriculture-benefits-you

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ENTER TO WIN Precision Drone® PaceSetter Enter at fertilizermag.com The Precision Drone® PaceSetter is the top-of-the-line drone for the agriculture industry. It is equipped with Precision Vision™, auto-pilot, and industry-leading flight time. You will not find a more complete, well-rounded product for aerial crop scouting on the market. Sponsored by Agro-Culture Liquid Fertilizers and Precision Drone® *Winner is responsible for all applicable taxes and training fees. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. Open only to legal residents of the 50 United States, 18 and older. Void elsewhere and where prohibited. Sweepstakes ends March 4, 2016. Odds of winning depends upon the number of entries received from all participating publications. See Official Rules at http://www.fertilizermag. com for complete details.

Drones By: Angi Bunn, Communications Coordinator

Forward Vision in Field Scouting

What is the best way to move forward? In the evolution of a family business, that is the question most struggled with. It was no different for Aaron Sheller when, in 2004, his father passed away while Aaron was still a college student. Aaron suddenly became the manager of his family’s seventh-generation farm in central Indiana. He was quickly faced with making decisions on how best to move forward as a business. “I knew if we were going to grow and be viable, we needed to be innovative in our practices.” Aaron explains that, eleven years ago, the most volatile nutrient the Sheller farm used was nitrogen. He had seen field trials out of Iowa using a high-boy side-dress bar, and commissioned one made for his farm. While applying nutrients, though, it became apparent that he was still missing an important component. “I was seeing areas of the field where there were problems I could have fixed — but it was too late. I didn’t have time to walk every acre of these fields. That’s frustrating. I could have fixed the problem if I was aware of it sooner.” Aaron tried to address his scouting problems in various ways for several years. When his friend Matt Minnes stopped by the farm on a seed sales call, Aaron says, “I told him, ‘man, stop trying to sell me seed and fix my real problem’.” Aaron then explained his scouting issues to Matt, and “he came back a few days later with this toy.” The toy was a remote control drone, which the pair used to take images of Aaron’s fields. It wasn’t a solution, but they could see potential. “It was essentially a mobile grain leg — you know when you climb up on your grain leg and you can see out over your fields? — that’s what we were seeing. We thought, yeah, this could work.”

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That was the beginning of Precision Drone®, a company owned by Aaron and Matt. They are joined by Director of Sales, Adam Sheller. As a company, Precision Drone has evolved, just as the Sheller family farm has done. Aaron explained that they quickly realized they needed some type of mapping technology. “It’s hard to sit and watch hours of video, spotting problem areas.” While they knew field mapping was essential for drone images to be of use, the first stages of the technology were very basic. “Our very first map, my two-year-old daughter sat in the sprayer next to me, holding the printed image, while I drove the tractor, manually adjusting the rate controller — we just knew there was a better way.”

Those steps led to Precision Vision™, a true Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, geo-rectified orthophoto. NDVI is a numerical indicator that uses the visible and near-infrared bands of the photosynthetic spectrum to assess whether the targeted object is live green vegetation or not. Aaron explains that Precision Vision is an overlay image and will show efficiencies in photosynthesis. The images can pinpoint areas of nutrient deficiency, pest damage, or disease. Aaron says one of the most important aspects of utilizing drones and mapping technology is that he is able to make same-day decisions on his operation. “The farmer gets the images immediately following the flight. The map will load

into any farm management software — the images are even small enough to email.” Best of all, it makes input decisions more effective. “This is a road-map — I can walk right to problem areas, — and can adjust my crop protection products to the areas it will do the most good. I can put the nutrients where they will be most effective.” While drones are proving their value as a field-scouting tool, Aaron stresses that it is a tool – and a grower must be educated on how to operate the tool. “Training is as important as the product purchased. A multi-rotor drone makes sense for a grower who isn’t a flight specialist - and doesn’t want to be. Training hones in on what the grower needs to know to manage his fields.” He adds that the drones can be programmed to automatically fly fields in a systematic pattern for historical data. “That works great — unless there’s a situation where you need to take control. It doesn’t happen often, but you need to know what you’re doing, in case.” The Federal Aviation Administration oversees guidance for unmanned aircraft systems, which is how drones are categorized. A grower who wants to use a drone to scout land he owns can do so as a hobbyist; the drone must operate in accordance with community-based safety guidelines, must not fly within five miles of an airport, remain under 400 feet, remain within sight of the operator at all times, and may not be flown at night. Operators must also comply with all Temporary Flight

Restrictions (TFRs) as issued by the FAA. To scout fields commercially — or for hire — an operator must be a commercial pilot or apply for a Sec 333 exemption from the FAA and become a Certified Sport Pilot as licensed through the FAA. To acquire a sport license, the operator must meet medical eligibility, pass an FAA sport pilot knowledge test, receive flight instruction in an appropriate aircraft, and pass an FAA sport pilot practical test. As an agent of Precision Drone, a commercial application can be completed using Precision Drone’s Sec 333 to reduce lead time. While drones and mapping technology have solved the scouting problems on Aaron’s farm, he stresses the necessity of utilizing all resources available. “We work with local agronomists. Lots of companies have resources available; partner with someone who wants to help you make decisions.” He says his goal is to use the information he gets from Precision Vision to make informed management decisions on his operation. “I may not decrease my input costs, but I know that money is going to directly affect my yield. I’m putting what my crops need, where I need to be putting it. That’s the bottom line.” A prescription-based solution to management issues — that’s the answer to Aaron’s original problem. He encourages others to utilize technology to benefit their farm: “Stop hoping you’re addressing the right problems; start knowing you are.” That’s the way Sheller Farms and Precision Drone are moving forward.

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Precision Nutrient Management By: Mick Johnson, Vice President of Agronomic Services, Ag Spectrum Company

Precision agriculture has evolved into a vibrant and important sector of the agricultural industry. From the initial foundation of grid sampling and variable-rate technology (VRT) applications, we now have sub-inch equipment management, electric and hydraulic control of planter row units, cloud-based data management, and many companies providing decision-support tools. With all the technology advancements pressing against the professional producer, the base question still rings true: where is my return on investment, and how does it impact future decisions on my farm? Many producers have invested in precision management of nutrients on the farm. This has provided better stewardship of the soil and increased the net profit per unit of product produced. The majority of producers use grid sampling to lead better applications of dry fertilizer and lime on the soil. Few producers and companies have looked at management of liquid products to increase efficiency of plant and soil-available nutrients. In 2015 Larson Farms, in Western Iowa, decided to reevaluate the way they manage all nutrient applications to achieve optimum efficiencies. For many years Clayton and David Larson had managed dry fertilizer and lime applications by using zone sampling to lead VRT applications. The rest of the nutrients were applied at a flat rate, based on the overall average need for the field. They didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel that this was a responsible way to manage the needs of the soil and crop produced. Nitrogen is a major input cost, and Clayton and David figured that they would receive a return on their investment if they purchased tools to help them better manage the application rates and timing of applications of nitrogen. They began planter-applying liquid nitrogen. They also invested in a 360 Yield Soilscan, which enabled them to have real-time, zone-specific soil nitrate analysis while in the field. This information, along with geoAdvantage imagery of their fields, allowed the Larsons the flexibility to make multiple applications of nitrogen for extended plant availability. They also have implemented the use of CDS piston pumps with rate controllers, which enable them to apply multiple products at different rates with each pump.

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Larson Farms utilizes manure applications in their nutrient management plan; while they have moved to a mostlyliquid fertilizer program, they use dry fertilizer when manure and liquid applications won’t support either the crop or the soil. Clayton and David have achieved better results by applying lower rates, more often with no-till farming. To ensure that they are achieving optimum soil nutrition, they soil test every two years with a 6” and a 2” stratification sample for better understanding of lime and nutrient levels across the soil profile. Larsons Farms oversees its manure management very closely. Cattle and poultry manure are spread using a Tebbe spreader with John Deere dry fertilizer controller, which enables them to increase the acres spread while being better stewards of the soil and water, as well as manage soil needs with manure. With limited manure availability, Larson Farms was able to increase acres covered by over 30% by utilizing the available technology. Another major input cost for any farm is seed. In the past, Larson Farm’s variety management has been straight rate. With better understanding of management zones and nutrient timing, the Larson Farms began a VRT seed program in 2015.

As more professional producers look at the 4R’s of nutrient management: right source, right rate, right time, and right place, — the opportunity to manage the crops’ needs with liquid nutrients is now. The drive to change the management of nutrition for Larson Farms wasn’t to save money, but to be better stewards of the soil and resources needed to grow a profitable crop. With growing concerns around water quality and nutrient applications, innovators like Clayton and David Larson and Larson Farms are finding ways to be better stewards of the soil while producing top yields. Management of soil and plant needs with liquid nutrition is not difficult; it’s just different. Technology continues to provide opportunities for producers to be more efficient in management of equipment and products applied. Innovators like David and Clayton Larson see Responsible Nutrient Management® as an opportunity - not a requirement.

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EMBRACE THE CHANGES By: Brad Schultz Sales Account Manager – ND, SD, NE

In agriculture today, technology abounds in all aspects of the industry. It’s a race against the clock for equipment manufacturers and service providers to create, prove, and release the “next best thing.” While there’s definitely no shortage of new products and technology to try to keep up with, let’s take a minute to explore a few items that can be beneficial to your farming operation today. Mechanized irrigation technology is no stranger to some recent amazing changes. The addition of GPS - guided systems, variable rate water application, and systems that you can monitor and control from your smartphone is enough to keep any producer busy researching these options to make better use of his or her time and equipment. All of these items are generally focused on one thing; water conservation. Through the use of some amazing sprinkler designs, irrigation systems today are able to run very low water pressure and still get even water application across the length of the system. The use of low-pressure, consistent droplet size, and reduced wind drift can dramatically reduce over watering and make efficient use of our most precious resource: water. In the equipment sector, new planter technology is not only changing the efficiency in planting our crops, but also changing the precision in how our seed is planted. Looking first at efficiency, there is now equipment with the ability to plant at speeds up to 10 mph! And, even at that speed, you are able to maintain even emergence, correct plant population, and uniform spacing. Other options can deliver precision seed placement and ideal seed-to-soil contact through hydraulic down-force row sensing units. This technology can almost instantly detect changes in soil type, soil variability, and heavy trash areas and make quick corrections to the row unit to maintain

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precision seed depth. Seed placement too shallow or too deep can be the cause for yield losses of up to 1015 bushels per acre. Today’s planter technologies are addressing this issue and helping to minimize these losses that were previously difficult to correct. When it comes to discussing changes in ag technology today, it’s hard to miss the amazing advancements in data. Yield maps, soil type zones, planting guidance lines, and fertilizer prescription maps are just a few of the types of data that you may be gathering and storing. So where do you store all of this data? Today’s newest data storage technology is called cloud-based data storage. No, it’s not flying through the sky on the wings of birds. Cloud data storage is technology that allows all of your data from your equipment to easily be saved on a remote server for easy access from your smart-phone, tablet, or desktop computer. This eliminates the need for a removable thumb drive or other storage unit to transfer your data to other devices. Simply, this means no more lost data. It allows you to easily share information with your trusted advisors, such as agronomist, seed specialist, co-op, or farm manager. There are several systems on the market for cloud-based data storage and each provides different levels of security and ease of access. Do your homework and find the one that best fits your operation.

Just when you think you understand the latest technology for one aspect of your operation, rest assured someone is working hard behind the scenes to make it better, faster, smarter, or more efficient. One thing is certain: new models will come along and make current models obsolete. Changes are imminent. It will require each of us to be diligent in our learning to utilize new technologies available that can benefit our farming operations. Embrace the changes.

the

Evolution Farm Kuhn Orchard of a

By: Adam Baudoux, Advertising Coordinator

Since its inception in the 1840s, Kuhn Orchards has shifted and evolved under the management of five generations of family farmers. The size, scope, and marketing direction of the operation may have changed, but focus remains on producing a quality product. Fifth-generation owner, Sidney Kuhn, along with her husband and Field Manager Anthony Herring, have identified an expanding market for their fresh fruits and vegetables in the Northern Virginia and Washington D.C. area. With more than 30 varieties of apples and, 40 varieties of peaches, plums, apricots, and pears, it could be said that Kuhn Orchards is a diverse fruit farm. Add to that row crop vegetables, grapes, berries, herbs, and cut flowers, and Kuhn Orchards suddenly becomes a distinctive operation. The orchard originally focused on wholesaling fruits to brokers and producing peaches and apples for processing. The fourth generation, Sidneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s father David Kuhn, decided to try selling directly to consumers at farmers markets in Northern Virginia. Experiencing success with direct marketing, current owner Sidney Kuhn is now selling produce at 12 farmers markets in Northern Virginia and Washington D.C.

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According to Field Manager, Anthony Herring, the farm is becoming more diverse every growing season. “Sidney reads and researches a lot. She tries to stay ahead of the trends and know what people are going to want next season — she was ahead of the antioxidants trend.” The partnership works well. “She tells me what to grow, and I figure out how to grow it.” The relationships developed by selling directly to the consumer also shapes the farm. “People can tell us what they’re interested in.” Anthony says that connection with purchasers is critical to creating a farm plan. For instance, Kuhn planted heirloom tomatoes in response to customer requests. Anthony has also recently improved the operation’s nutrient - management plan. “I work with [an agronomist] to work out a prescription plan; the application rate per acre for the row crops,” he explains. “Then, we’re on a pretty strict 7-10 day schedule for the duration of the growing season.” He adds that he has converted to only using liquid fertilizer. “I used more material this year, but I almost doubled my yield. It’s been a phenomenal year for yield.” Anthony said the weather did its part in his area to help those yields, but he is more than happy with his new nutrient-management program, “the fertilizer changed the flavor of my carrots — customers just loved them.” His philosophy on nutrient management is fairly straight-forward, “Take the plant, keep it happy. That’s it. Put what it needs, where it needs it. Give it a little bit — not all at once — and the plant responds to that. Simple.”

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Something else that has changed on Kuhn Orchards in recent years is their on-line presence. They have utilized the Orchard’s website and social media to increase direct- sales to consumers. They offer an on-line enrollment option for a winter CSA (community supported a agriculture) program or a-la-carte ordering; they also have an active blog, recipe page utilizing their fresh fruits and vegetables, and much more — all in an effort to engage customers and personalize their business. Anthony says the goal is to move away from wholesale marketing completely and sell 100% of their produce directly to consumers. Despite different methods and marketing, the focus of Kuhn Orchards remains the same as it was in 1840: to produce a quality product. “We like to say we’re a flavor farm,” Anthony says. “I tell my guys, ‘don’t pick anything you wouldn’t take home to your wife.’ I tell them that because my wife doesn’t like to sell anything she wouldn’t eat, and my job is to get the best fruit possible to her so she can sell it.” It’s a partnership that’s working for this operation.

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PREPARING YOUR ORCHARD FOR WINTER By: Jacob Emling, North Central Research Station Horticulture Specialist

FERTILIZER MAGAZINE

As most orchardists will agree, fall is the time to start thinking about the harvest for next season. Once the fruit is off the trees, it is time to think about preparing the orchard for the upcoming winter months. During the fall / early winter, the trees are starting to transport the carbohydrates and sugars that have been created in various tissues (such as the leaves) back to storage tissues (roots, woody tissue, and buds). Because of this physiological event, nutrients are able to reach specific tissues, which will help with the survival of the orchard during the winter and help with flowering and early leaf development in the spring. At this time of year a fall application of fertilizer can be beneficial for many reasons. Proper nutrients at this time allow the plants to “recover” from the fruit load that was removed from the tree. At the time of postharvest, it is recommended to apply 40% of the seasonal total of the tree’s requirement for nitrogen. Nitrogen in trees (and plants in general) is essential for plants to produce proteins, amino acids, vitamins, and other compounds that are essential for plant growth and development. Common symptoms of nitrogen deficiency in fruit and nut trees include earlier-than-normal fruit ripening, decreased fruit set, poor development in fruit buds, and early leaf abscission (leaves falling off earlier than expected because of the death of the petiole). Another nutrient that should be applied at a rate of 30% of the tree’s seasonal total is potassium. Potassium is used by the plant to perform various tasks for enzymes, for cell expansion, and for water relations in the plant (referred to as osmoregulation). Most fruit have high concentrations of potassium. An insufficient amount of potassium in the fall can therefore deplete the amount of potassium that is stored in the plant. The nutrient will not be available to the new tissue in the spring until the roots start taking potassium up from the soil solution.

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Of all micro-nutrients, three in particular should be applied to the orchard in the fall / early winter. These micronutrients are zinc, boron, and magnesium. The application of these micro-nutrients, in addition to nitrogen and potassium, is needed by the plant to start the process of acclimation, which is the ability to withstand cold temperatures and different physiological processes that occur in the fall Ââ&#x20AC;&#x201D; important in many parts of the country. Zinc is important for protein production in the plant. When zinc deficiency is apparent, the plant appears smaller in stature compared to a healthy plant. In contrast to zinc, magnesium in plants has been documented to be important for proper development of fruit. This micronutrient is highly mobile, which allows the fruit to draw on the magnesium that is found in the leaves around the fruit. When magnesium levels are not up to the recommended rates, plants will start early leaf shedding. This early shedding of leaves can have negative effects on the amount of nutrients that have been transported to the storage tissues. Boron is also a very important micro-nutrient for many processes that occur throughout the tree during both the fall and the spring. In particular, boron is needed for the proper fertilization of flower buds in the spring. It has also been documented that applications of boron in the fall help to improve the amount of boron that is available for the flower buds, which will enhance fruit quality in the following growing season. It has been recommended to make the majority of micro nutrient applications in the fall due to the fact that in the spring the plant then relies on what has been stored in the roots and various storage tissues.

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Of course all fertilizer recommendations should be based on soil tests, information about particular climate, and local recommendations from a fertilizer professional. During this time of year a soil application can be helpful, but if the plants still have a healthy canopy, a foliar application would be the most efficient way of getting the proper nutrients to the tissues that require them. Just remember that proper nutrition in the orchard is a yearround matter and should be considered to allow for the best possible yield and quality of the orchard.

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By: J.W. Lemons, Field Agronomist

SMOKER TECHNOLOGY

BEEF BRISKET

As summer fades DO NOT PUT AWAY THAT BBQ. Today we are going to learn to smoke a brisket using a very old style of equipment with modern technology. The Kamado style grill is a heavy ceramic BBQ smoker/grill introduced to the US. Many companies have caught on to this great tool, and now you can buy different models of the ceramic dome — style grill. The three keys to this superior method of barbecuing, grilling, and smoking (I know, those are all different cooking methods — stick with me here) are listed below. Heat Retention: The thick ceramic container retains the heat, so unlike with conventional BBQs you don’t lose your heat through the surface. Air Circulation: The unique pattern of fire bed, heat deflector panels, and grill surfaces allow the heat to circulate all around the item you are cooking so you do not need to constantly turn the meat over. Temperature Control: The draft control, thickness, sealed chambers, and controlled heat escape make this the most precision BBQ on the market. Below is an example of how the unit works. Many professional chefs will tell you this style of cooking tool is more precise than many professional and domestic ovens. Now take this ancient, but near-perfect equipment, and add modern technology — you can go inside and watch the football game as you monitor your cooking temperature and the level of doneness from your favorite easy chair. Everyone has a cell phone or tablet now a days. So let’s see what we have to use.

FERTILIZER MAGAZINE

For starters, we have temperature monitoring of the inside cooking heat and also heat probe units that monitor surface heat and inside the meat cooking temperatures. But that’s not all. You can have a digital read out unit placed away from the heat at your lounge chair, poolside, or on the picnic table in the shade. I can hear you now, “but JW, what if I have yard work around front to prepare for the company coming?” Better yet, “the big game is on and I want to share that time with friends and family. I could be constantly running in and out to check the dinner. Standing over the grill sweating as I flip the meat to keep it from burning.” OR You could be sitting in front of the big screen TV cheering your team on — all the while monitoring the heat on your BBQ and the internal temperature of that meat with an alarm to tell you when it is done just right. That’s what I do! By cell phone or tablet it is all monitored and sent up to 200 feet away — into the den where the team is driving

for the touchdown. Oh, did I mention your app could monitor multiple dishes being cooked in the same BBQ unit? Or multiple cooking locations — including the kitchen? So now we have all this technology — new and old. Lets get to the food! The cut of meat we are talking about is the brisket. It is from the belly region of the cow and is one of the toughest cuts of beef you can buy. Chances are if you grilled it or pan roasted it in the past you may have given up on the brisket completely. The cut is heavy with collagen, a substance that holds the cell walls bound tightly together. Fast, high heat will actually make the meat tougher. The ONLY way to successfully prepare a brisket is by slow cooking it over low heat. The low heat “internal” at about 125º will actually turn the collagen gelatinous or very soft. This should result in a tender, delicious cut of meat.

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Prepare Meat: Start with a 14 pound prime cut brisket. Trim fat strap to about an even 1 inch strip. The fat is important to the proper cooking of this cut of beef. Lay the meat on plastic wrap; this will help catch any extra spice. Make sure the meat is damp but not wet and rub the spice combination into the grain of the meat. Once you have it well rubbed in, use a shaker and coat all sides evenly with remaining rub mix. Wrap tightly with the plastic wrap then wrap a second clean layer of plastic wrap around the cut to seal in flavor. Place in refrigerator overnight, or a minimum of 12 hours (longer will not hurt). The Heat: Get up early (it will be worth it) and take your meat out of the fridge to warm up while you start your fire with hardwood chunk charcoal only. You should add hardwood chunks (mesquite or hickory are best for beef) among the charcoal as directed by the instructions of your grill. Soaked hardwood chips will work, but the flavor is better with the first method. Use an electric charcoal starter. No starter fluid or processed charcoal; they will leave a residue and bad taste in this style of cooker. Heat per instructions until you hit 200 degrees then shut draft and escape to level temp at 225 to 250 degrees dome temperature. Cooking: Attach the temperature probes inside grill and the internal meat probe. Lay the meat on the grill fat side up so the juices will flow down and over the meat. (Some lay the fat side down, but that is for grilling — not smoking the meat). Close your BBQ and start the app on your phone or tablet. Level off at 250 degrees and monitor for 14 hours. If you are a worry wart you can probe the meat with a fork towards the end for tenderness. NO NEED. When the internal heat hits 190 degrees it’s done.

The Side:

Cut stem ends off 20 large green jalapeño peppers. Remove seeds and place into a pepper cooking frame (available at most kitchen or BBQ stores). Cut the tender, pointy end off the brisket then wrap remaining brisket in aluminum foil and a towel. It will keep it hot for a long time. Chop the pointy end of meat into very fine pieces and mix into bowl with 16 ounces cream cheese, 2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese and diced onion (optional): add a dash of Worcestershire sauce and add some well-drained and diced pickled jalapeños to taste. Mix into thick paste. Stuff into peppers and place on grill standing up in the frame. Cook 20 minutes, pull, and top with some more shredded pepper jack. Now you have dessert! Unwrap brisket and slice, serve, and eat.

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The Rub:

There are many styles and differences, but the favorite is a sugar-based rub. Another reason for low, slow heat is that this seasoning will burn at high heat. Some say to use an 8:3:1:1 ratio when preparing a rub — I don’t. Trust me. 2/3 cup dark brown sugar. The highest quality you can find. ½ cup paprika. You can use smoked paprika, but I like the plain. ¼ cup coarse sea salt, or if you prefer kosher salt ¼ cup cumin ¼ cup chili powder. If you want it really good, buy fresh dried chilies and grind your own in an electric coffee grinder. ¼ cup cracked pepper from fresh pepper corns ground coarse – use that coffee grinder 2TBSP of cayenne red pepper 2TBSP of red pepper flakes ¼ cup dry finely diced onions 2 to 3 TBSP garlic powder Mix all of the ingredients well in a bowl.

By: Galynn Beer, Senior Sales Manager

As you read through the articles in this magazine, you see that technology is being used in a number of ways in agriculture. Historically, there has always been some time lag between when a technological advance is introduced, and when a consumer figures out how to get the most value from it. Early buyers of technology are great filters for discovering the dos and don’ts of utilizing a new tool. During the 20th century, technological advances were generally easy to spot. A tractor and its benefits are easy to discern from a horse. Of course, dependability of early tractors was suspect, so they weren’t necessarily an easy sell. Early in agriculture, tillage implements were considered a great tool. Today, not using tillage is considered the most modern technology. It’s crazy how trends go. I wasn’t around when the one-way plow was introduced, but it took a while to figure out how to use properly. These implements were fantastic at turning the surface soil and creating the clean seedbed that was needed for the drills that existed in that era. As was learned, it really cleaned the surface too well. The result of this technology was the “dirty thirties!” If no rain was received to establish a crop of some sort after using the one-way plow, then wind erosion took a toll on the fields. A lot of topsoil was relocated until everyone became better at using that technology. In this case, the tuition for the learning curve was expensive. Of course, this is a worst-case example, but it illustrates the occasional struggle to figure out how to best use a new technology. Today, there are incredible technologies that improve efficiency and save costs. Auto-steer ensures that maximum efficiency is achieved from expensive equipment. While I’d like to think that I never over-lapped or skipped, or

that every lap row was exactly the same width, I know a few witnesses would point out that even my best effort was imperfect. But satellite guidance does an incredible job of perfect steering, even in a circle for those that farm with center pivot irrigation. GPS and elaborate software are excellent at turning on and off spray systems, planter boxes, fertilizer, etc. The cost savings of this technology are substantial; not including the purchase price of the technology. It is easy to see how this type of technology pays for itself over time. The uses and benefits of GPS are pretty clear-cut. A major difference between the old technological advances and today is that currently, technology is running in the background, so the benefits of automation are more apparent than the physical presence of the technology itself. One of the next steps I see coming that combines technology and liquid fertilizer is variable rate applications. There have been variable rate applications of high-volume dry forms of fertilizer, but the liquid has been a little more difficult to master. There are many nutrients that contribute to crop production, so testing responses for all, then developing the metrics to put into a program for each input can provide challenges. There are innovators using equipment that can do this, but there are some hurdles that remain before it becomes mainstream. A few of the obstacles would be: 1. How many separate nutrients can you segregate and carry? 2. What volume of each should you carry?, 3. How should you set the parameters so you don’t blow your budget? 4. How do you plumb and get the system to anticipate the upcoming need for a nutrient so it is injected into the stream to hit the exit as you travel onto the area FERTILIZER MAGAZINE

that needs the nutrient? Those are my questions. I’m sure most of you are thinking of others. Segregating and quantity will be an issue because there is no way everything will run out together, but you sure don’t want to have to go back and refill a particular nutrient after a few passes while others are pretty much full. Also with new technologies, dependability will be critical. The skills required to troubleshoot problems with high-tech equipment will be very different than fixing a broken hitch. Finding people who possess those skills could be difficult until their use becomes widespread enough to draw people to specialize in repairing or customizing such equipment. This much I know: having expensive tractors and planters sitting still because a fly caused a problem in some circuitry is frustrating and an inefficient use of capital assets. The free market system is great for creating products that are demanded by consumers, so we will see the equipment — and the dependability — at some point. The evolutionary process of that equipment may take time, but the benefits are apparent. The farmer gets economical yield bumps and in some cases, cost-savings. The general public gets food produced from very prescriptive nutrient management, so streams, rivers, and lakes remain free from off-target movement of nutrients. The need will produce the product. Technology will march on and I’m sure will lead us to solve problems we haven’t even discovered. Society as a whole will benefit, but we know the first beneficiaries will be the producer. So ready yourself for the changes in technology and embrace the benefits that come from them. Occasionally, you have to focus on the long-term benefits to overcome the short-term frustrations that come with developing and applying new technologies. But that is how progress happens!

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ad e r p S Measure first. Spend wisely.

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