Innovative Agriculture
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Ready For 2018 Gerrit Bancroft
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Pest Control Through Plant Nutrition JW Lemons
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The 1ST Step John Leif
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Innovative Agriculture Dr. Zouheir Massri Dr. Chris Underwood
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An Expert in the Field Reid Abbott
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Observations for Agronomy AgroLiquid Agronomy Team
The North Central Research Station focuses on harvesting and collecting data. The latest in product development results, fertilizer trials in your area, and all research is available at agroliquid.com
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Ready for 2018
– Ensuring Quality & Efficiency in Manufacturing – Gerrit Bancroft Senior Site Operations Manager As we begin post-harvest clean-up and maintenance, and look forward to spring 2018, we are sure to reflect a few things. AgroLiquid takes pride in providing value in a number of ways, one being manufacturing high quality crop nutrient products. As we review the year, we look for trends in quality issues at our manufacturing plants, as well as monitor issues with customers. We are happy to report customer concerns have declined and we continue to develop new processes to ensure the highest quality product we can formulate. AgroLiquid continuously looks for higher quality raw materials, sourced from all over the world.
This can bring many logistical challenges that we have been able to overcome. Beginning with high quality raw materials is vital, but we also examine how product is handled in the manufacturing process to make improvements through the use of standard operating procedures and training. Diligence in cleaning tanks and other equipment continues to be high on our list as a means to monitor both equipment and product. Not only is this important to our manufacturing and distribution processes, but it gives us a look into some of the things that may be seen in the field. AgroLiquid does not store mixes, however, as this is where some issues can happen. Mixing products can cause chemical properties to change as the products interact, this is where it is important to use resources such as your Sales Account Manager or AgroLiquid Retail Partner.
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Spring 2017 had its challenges. Last minute orders made it difficult to position trucking contractors in a short timeframe. This comes at a cost for these just-in-time deliveries that is a challenge in the current agriculture economy. We continue to find new contractors to help meet demand, and manage orders to garner contracted drivers in-season, before they contract with other work. AgroLiquid continues to partner and work to improve our delivery capabilities. This is an area where facilities appreciate leadtime on orders so we can manage priorities and keep resources working for us for added delivery capabilities. The AgroLiquid distribution facility in Carrington, ND is complete. The grand opening with the Carrington Chamber of Commerce was held October 5. The company was warmly welcomed into the community. Previous years’ sales volume has been evaluated and product has been moved to that area and stocked to support the region. Having this facility fully online allows pressure relief on our Goodland, KS, Williams, IA, and
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Billings, MT manufacturing sites by supporting their areas and supplying volume to the Dakotas. Work continues on our Stockton, CA project. Growth is challenging at times, and this project has been a long time coming. The Stockton site is routinely manufacturing bulk products, as well as filling twin packs. AgroLiquid always strives to improve every aspect of our manufacturing and distribution processes. We are developing and refining standard operating procedures and monitoring quality samples to ensure we consistently send the highest quality products we can. While building projects have slowed this year, we are still investing in all our facilities to guarantee they can efficiently meet spring demand. Continuous and conscientious improvement is our goal at AgroLiquid. We are committed to providing our customers with the highest quality products and service available.
Pest Control Through
Plant Nutrition
JW Lemons, CCA, CPAg Field Agronomy Manager Mineral plant nutrition has a critical role in integrated pest management. Almost every primary, secondary and micro nutrient can play a major role in the plant’s ability to develop primary pest resistance. Agriculture faces environmental pressure to find ways to reduce the amount of pesticides we use. Plant nutrition can provide a significant tool for farmers. Pests can develop resistance to important pest control chemicals. It is up to us as an industry to try to extend the life of such chemicals. Potassium (K) is a primary nutrient, critical for plant health. Potassium’s role is essential for the synthesis of proteins, starch, and cellulose in plants. Cellulose is a primary component of cell walls. Deficiency of this critical nutrient causes cell walls to become leaky, resulting in high sugar (starch precursor) and amino acid (protein building blocks) concentrations in the cell. When K is sufficient, there is an increase in the synthesis of high-molecular-weight compounds such as proteins, starches, and cellulose. This depresses the concentrations of low-molecular-weight compounds such as soluble sugars, organic acids, amino acids, and amides in the plant tissue. These concentrations of low-molecular-weight compounds sustain development of infections and insect infestations. The lower concentrations of those compounds brought
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about by sufficient levels of K leaves a plant LESS vulnerable to disease and pest attacks. Adequate K increases phenol concentrations, which play a role in plant resistance. The syntheses of other defensive compounds in K-sufficient plants have resulted in higher pest mortality, according to research findings. The role of potassium has been extensively studied. One study1 reviewed 2,449 references, and found that the use of K significantly decreased the incidence of fungal diseases by 70%, bacteria by 69%, insects and mites by 63%, viruses by 41% and nematodes by 33%. Meanwhile, K increased the yield of plants infested with fungal diseases by 41%, bacteria by 57%, insects and mites by 36%, viruses by 78% and nematodes by 19%. The statistics below show the impact of fungal diseases on world food supply. Imagine what could be accomplished if the ability of potassium was utilized to aide in the control of pests such as fungal, viruses, bacterial, insect and nematode.
TABLE: 1 • More than 600 million people could be fed each year by halting the spread of fungal diseases in the world’s five most important crops (rice, wheat, maize, potatoes and soybeans). • Fungal infections destroy at least 125 million tons of the top five food crops each year, which could otherwise be used to feed those who do not get enough to eat. These crops provide the majority of calories consumed by humans. • The damage caused by fungi to rice, wheat and maize alone costs global agriculture $60 billion per year. • World scientists are calling for new solutions to prevent the spread of existing and emerging fungal infections in plants and animals. Limiting these infections would prevent further loss of biodiversity and food shortages, and plant nutrition is part of the solution.
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Viral
Bacterial
Fungal
“Imagine a tool that can help control multiple pests, improve the health of the plant, increase the productivity of the crop,...� While additional studies need to be conducted, we should understand the importance of potassium in pest management. All crops are at risk of reduced production from pest pressures. There are many studies done on potassium pest control on crops, and hopefully these examples stimulate a deeper look at how this one nutrient can affect Pest Management planning. Integrated Management strategies should be used to select materials for pest control that have a minimum effect on human health. Imagine a tool that can help control multiple pests, improve the health of the plant, increase the productivity of the crop, and play the dual role of balanced plant nutrition and assist in your Integrated Pest Management plan. Potassium (K) could be that tool. While this is only one nutrient, it shows the enormous potential nutrient management has in the IPM arsenal. 1- Perrenoud S. Potassium and Plant Health. 2nd ed. International Potash Institute; Bern, Switzerland: 1990. pp. 8–10
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John Leif, Field Agronomy Manager Every grower has a budget for fertilizer– where should the first crop nutrition dollar be spent? The first, most important tool for developing a plant nutrition program is a good soil test. Unless a grower knows the condition of their soil, any fertilizer program will be based on averages and generalities. Significant nutrient deficiencies cannot be adequately addressed without soil test information. In today’s economic environment, it is vital to understand what the soil has, and what it doesn’t have, in order to make a well-thought-out fertilizer program. The first step is, of course, collecting a sample. While not complicated, there are a few things to keep in mind when collecting a soil sample. USE CLEAN EQUIPMENT Make sure you don’t have any sources of contamination that could influence the results of a soil test. For instance, use plastic containers that are dedicated to soil testing and not used for other purposes. The soil samples in Table 1 were taken using a standard soil probe, and the samples were placed in either a plastic bucket or in a galvanized bucket. Soil cores were mixed thoroughly in their respective container before being placed in a soil sample bag and sent to Midwest Labs for analysis. Obviously, the sample placed in the galvanized container had P, K, S, and Fe values similar to the sample placed in the plastic bucket. The Zn level, however was substantially higher in the sample placed in the galvanized bucket.
Container P K S Fe Zn Plastic 5 66 18 46 1.5 Galvanized 8 76 26 43 40.5 8
Building a Crop Nutrition Program KNOW YOUR FIELDS Soil sampling can be done in a grid sampling pattern if nutrients are being applied using precision application and variable rate technology equipment. If variable rate applications are not intended, fields can be separated into similar areas (zones). Often the similar areas can be grouped by soil type. Knowledge of the field is critical, so that distinct areas of the field can be sampled separately. A composite soil sample should represent an area no larger than 20 acres. Larger areas can be split into multiple samples. Sampling should be done in a zig-zag pattern throughout the zone, making sure to stay away from the outside boundaries of each area. Make sure the zone is well represented in the soil sample. Remember that up to 20 acres are to be represented by less than 1 pint of soil in the sample bag, and the lab uses just a small portion of that to do their analysis. ORDER THE PROPER TESTS There are many good soil analysis laboratories across the country. It is important that the laboratory conduct tests on cation-exchange capacity (CEC), pH, organic matter, base saturations, and all nutrient levels, including micronutrients. Most laboratories offer several test packages that offer various nutrient tests. Individual tests can be requested in addition to those included in a test package. BE AWARE OF SEASONAL EFFECTS Consistency is key when comparing multi-year soils tests. There can be considerable seasonal influence on soil test values, especially on potassium and pH. According to Midwest Labs, clay soils, like those in much of the northern corn belt, have a tendency to have a higher potassium level during winter months. Soil pH values can vary, as well,
depending on rainfall or irrigation, nitrogen or sulfur inputs, and soil buffering capacity. It may be wise to take soil samples during periods when these variations hit average values. These periods are generally in the early fall (SeptemberNovember) and again in the late March-April time frames. However, the ideal timeframe for taking soil samples should be based on ease of field access, so that differences in soil type, slope, drainage and cropping pattern can be most easily accounted for. EFFECTS OF CULTURAL PRACTICES Reduced tillage, ridge tillage and zero tillage can cause layered, stratification of organic matter, pH and soil nutrients. According to Midwest Labs, soil samples in areas where these practices are used should include samples that are split into 0”-3” and 3”-7” increments, to assess to what extent stratification is occurring. This is important in getting an informed fertilizer recommendation for the area. THE NEXT STEP While properly collecting and submitting soil samples is a critical first step, interpreting the results is another challenge. Upon first glance, a complete soil sample report can look like something a nuclear engineer carries in his briefcase. In our Spring 2018 newsletter, we will take a closer look at each component of a soil analysis report and use the data to build a crop nutrition program.
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AgroLiquid Sales Account Manager
Innovative
Agriculture AgroLiquid’s Look into Incorporating Chemistry & Biology in Fertility Programs Dr. Zouheir Massri Dr. Chris Underwood Recognizing the need for a sustainable approach to agriculture, AgroLiquid emphasizes advanced technologies in the form of liquid fertilizers that not only do not have a negative effect on soil, water, and air quality, but actively improve soil vitality. For that purpose, AgroLiquid introduced a new package of microbially enhanced formulations, PRIMAGRO. This line of crop nutrients, formulated with specific microbes and BioActivites, is designed to provide season-long nutrition and optimize yields while creating a robust, biologically-active soil.
Beneficial Microbes and Carbon Compounds In creating the PRIMAGRO line, AgroLiquid has taken its Flavonol Polymer Technology and performed Targeted Molecular Expression, or chemistries on the Polymer that affect its chelation of nutrients in the soil. AgroLiquid has combined this with BioActivites, specific combinations of beneficial microbes and carbon compounds that help to stimulate plant roots and good microbes in the soil. These microbially enhanced formulations influence soil structure, and nutrient and water uptake through the direct growth of root mass. Processes encouraged by PRIMAGRO Technology release water-soluble compounds such as amino and organic acids and sugars that supply food for the microorganisms, and trade sugar for nitrogen, creating a symptomatic partnership.
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Technical Technical Explanations Explanations Chelant A carbon-containing molecule designed to bind to positively charged metal ions in solution and prevent these ions from forming insoluble precipitates with other ions that may be present. Flavonol Polymer Technology Plant-derived molecules bonded together in a framework that acts as a natural protectant to the crop nutrients formulated in AgroLiquid products. • Flavonol –molecules that accumulate mainly in the outer tissues (skin and leaves) of fruit and vegetables, since their biosynthesis is stimulated by light • Polymer – a substance that has a molecular structure consisting chiefly or entirely of a large number of similar units bonded together, e.g., many synthetic organic materials used as plastics and resins Targeted Molecular Expression Chemical synthesis where a reaction is performed on a specific part of the Flavonol Polymer molecule in order to create new structural features on/from the Polymer. BioActivitesTM Nutritional compounds and carbon sources used to accelerate and establish the colonization of beneficial microbes.
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Application
Average CO2 release (ppm) per day Dryland NCRS 2017
Pro-Germinator + Kalibrate + PRIMAGRO N (SD) Pro-Germinator + PRIMAGRO K + High NRG-N (SD)
811
783
PRIMAGRO P + Kalibrate + High NRG-N (SD)
802
PRIMAGRO P + PRIMAGRO K + PRIMAGRO N (SD) Pro-Germinator + Kalibrate + High NRG-N (SD)
809 765
Values of carbon dioxide (CO2) released in the PRIMAGRO applications on dryland corn at the NCRS were measured. Results show the positive impact of the application of different PRIMAGRO formulations on the waste product (CO2 released) of microbial activity respiration. An increase in released CO2 indicates increased microbial activity.
The combined chemical and biological effects of PRIMAGRO required the development of new and innovative research methods in order to follow their performance in three key areas: the soil, water, and plant. Thus, AgroLiquid has focused on measuring soil microbial activity and plant sap extraction, and how they relate to soil fertility and PRIMAGRO application.
Increase in CO2 Indicates Increased Microbial Activity Our first focus was to determine soil microbial activity through respiration. We found a simple and effective way of how to measure this respiration through capturing the amount of CO2 released by the microbes in the root zone within each treatment. Based on this method, we were able to determine that the use of PRIMAGRO products is increasing the breakdown of complex soil carbon into humic substances. This breakdown releases more nitrogen in the soil that is readily available for plant uptake. Increasing soil microbial
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activity helps to reduce a considerable part of lost (atmospheric) carbon, improve soil health and productivity, stabilize the carbon cycle, and benefit agricultural production.
Nutrient Concentrations and Availability Throughout The Season To follow the advantages of PRIMAGRO formulations in an integrated system of nutrient uptake in both the soil and plant, AgroLiquid research staff utilized a standardized test for analyzing extracted plant sap. Testing plant sap, rather than leaf tissue, gives us a more accurate description of nutrient uptake and translocation so that we could monitor nutrient concentrations and their availability throughout the entire crop vegetative cycle. This innovative technique for the extraction of plant sap was utilized for assessment of N, P, and K. This is an effective early-warning tool compared to the classic analysis of petioles in
Alfalfa petioles sap extraction process using I bar suction process by plastic syringes
leaf tissue testing. The plant sap extraction and analysis is a real-time informative tool that will help researchers and growers alike to avoid hidden nutrient deficiency, and make prompt decisions for nutrient application to satisfy plant requirements. For example, potassium sap monitoring in alfalfa should improve alfalfa forage quality when used to control K. We found that adequate application of PRIMAGRO K reduces the impact of luxury consumption of K+. For livestock producers, this information tells them that the controlled release of K+ will yield alfalfa that minimizes bloat potential in their animals. Recent analyses by Midwest Labs show high content of potassium (K+) in alfalfa sap, up to 10,050 ppm, which constitutes 0.58% of the potassium in the alfalfa petioles. The analyses represents actual amounts of K+ availability and reaction in leaf cells. Another facet of plant potassium sap analysis is the calcium-related disorders that result when there is unregulated absorption of potassium. Excessive potassium concentrations in plant
sap indicate inhibition of calcium flow into the developing seeds/fruits, regardless of calcium concentrations already accumulated in the plant.
Next Steps Rhizosphere activity has been largely overlooked in agriculture. AgroLiquid is leading the examination of this frontier in agricultural science and starting to unravel the complex interactions that occur in soil. The next steps in this investigation are to identity the microbes that populate the root zone and how the plant responds to them. This will help us better understand how to both easily characterize soil bacterial strains and maintain equilibrium among these different strains. We know a great deal about how plants grow above the ground. We are only beginning to understand what is happening beneath our feet in the vital soil. AgroLiquid remains devoted to finding economical solutions to sustainably integrate soil chemistry with soil biology. Novel techniques such as these give us a more accurate picture of the relationship between the plant and the soil.
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Reid Abbott Field Agronomy, Southwest Region In today’s agriculture, growers are bombarded with decisions. Each choice can potentially help or hurt their operation’s bottom line. As input costs increase and agriculture markets have leveled out near the edge of profitability, the margin of error with each of those decisions is razor thin. Whether it involves seed, fertilizer, chemicals, equipment, or financial needs, a grower has to be an expert in all aspects of his operation to avoid risking his livelihood. Or does he? For most growers, there is simply too much information to completely rely on themselves for all the answers. While most farmers are well-versed in areas of interest, they may struggle to progress in other aspects of their operation. Without a holistic approach to management, growers will never see top-end potential on their farm. For instance, potential in seed varieties is at an all-time high, but those genetics, which often come at a premium cost, must be supported and nurtured throughout the growing season with higher levels of management. In some cases, these new genetic lines require maximum inputs to ensure yields don’t drop below acceptable levels.
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To effectively develop management strategies for every aspect of an operation, growers are hungry to fill knowledge gaps, so their crops can benefit from an all-around approach. The agriculture industry is capable of meeting this challenge. Even from a regional or local level, specialists in every segment of the business are available to provide their expertise to a grower. Unfortunately, the hunger for knowledge has created a lot of noise in the industry. This means some vendors and retailers are reaping the rewards of an increased demand for information, without bringing the value of genuine, informed recommendations. The key for the grower is to find advisors that differentiate themselves from the rest by the service they provide, the
products they sell, and their ability to bring a piece of the production puzzle up to the next level. It could be argued that a grower’s operation is judged just as much by the network of advice that enters through his farm gate as the production that leaves out of it. Speaking of the fertilizer business specifically, growers have to be especially careful to align with a service partner that has their best interest in mind. A fertilizer program typically accounts for one of the biggest inputs on the farm, but also represents one of the most misunderstood. Historically, fertilizer has been one of those necessary evils in a grower’s operation, rather than a flashy input he can show off in the farm yard. It does not come with a fresh coat of green paint, touch screen monitors, or with a spaceaged triple stack genetics label sewn on the side of the bag. It’s easy to see why growers discuss other topics at the coffee shop, farm shows, and ag seminars. Also, research and development of fertility products has fallen way behind other inputs like pesticides and seed varieties. Until recently, a grower could almost spend his entire career farming with the same fertility program and never get the impression he was falling behind his neighbors. That is simply not true anymore. With flexible application options, new product technologies, variable rate delivery, and an increased focus on research and development entering the market, progress is unavoidable. With the barriers to change falling around him, the grower really has only one question to ask himself: “Who do I trust to organize these new technologies into a package that works for me and my farm?”
of the country, as well as Canada and Mexico. These experts have first-hand knowledge of product efficacy from the results of the nation’s leading fertility-research facility, as well as research conducted throughout North America. They have established the most efficient rates and placements for industry-leading products on a wide array of soil types. AgroLiquid’s mission statement is to “Prosper the Farmer”. This mission is indoctrinated through our training programs, seminars, and literature. Our philosophy, that agronomic responsibility yields economic success, brings confidence to the grower that their money is being used to bring a maximum return on investment. AgroLiquid also aligns with independent Retail Partners to eliminate the distraction and pressure of corporate quotas and provide opportunity for greater ideological alignment from manufacturer to consumer. In other words, AgroLiquid has built an environment that breeds trust in our relationships with growers, rather than skepticism. Again, many times the most important decision a grower faces is who he will trust with his operating note to bring the greatest return on investment. Growers should turn to advisors that are passionate about the agronomics, and motivated by the successes of their guidance rather than the profits of their products. From there, the focus can shift to the fun part… Farming!
For the past three decades, AgroLiquid has been building a national network of fertility experts both internally and through a web of Retail Partners positioned in nearly every corner
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OBSERVATIONS from Agronomy Galynn Beer, Senior Sales Manager In an effort to create consistency across the four AgroLiquid regions, we have designated an agronomist to cover each region. J.W. Lemons will cover the West, Dan Peterson the Great Plains, Reid Abbott the Southeast and John Leif will cover the Northeast. Each agronomist is capable of covering other geography, but we want to provide consistency across the regions. By assigning regional responsibility, the agronomists will get a more thorough understanding of crops and cultural practices across their region. AgroLiquid provides value to Retail Partners and growers in a number of ways. One of the valueadds is through our ability to provide a specialized approach to crop nutrition. As yields are pushed, quality emphasized, and economics challenged, more expertise and specialization are needed in order to maximize the benefit producers get from their crop nutrition dollar. Orienting our agronomists to specific regions will concentrate their experience in a smaller geography allowing them to accumulate an in-depth knowledge base of crops and management practices. This makes recommendations, training and other meetings more valuable because of the familiarity the agronomists will have achieved with travel in their region. We feel there is added value in this focused approach and hope that it enhances the AgroLiquid experience for our customers. John Leif, Field Agronomy Manager Northeast Region Row crops, fruits, and vegetable crops are being harvested in the northeast region. Yields vary widely across the region based on temperature and rainfall throughout the growing season. Many areas of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia had a good combination of rain and warm temperatures that allowed for some of the best crops in recent years. Wet spring conditions
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in Indiana and New York delayed planting and that had a negative impact on yields. Some areas of Michigan, Ohio, and Ontario had drought conditions during July and August that also limited yields. AgroLiquid products such as Fase2, Fase3, and LiberateCa have improved yield and product quality on apples, squash, and pumpkins in Michigan and Ohio. The PRIMAGRO family of products, including C-Tech, have performed well in a wide range of row crops and vegetables across the northeastern United States and Ontario. Dan Peterson, Field Agronomy Manager Great Plains Region The 2017 crop year is wrapping up, the new winter wheat crop has been mostly planted, and we go into winter with many challenges. From drought to hurricanes, the challenges have been extreme - although perhaps not as extreme as the stress brought on by low crop prices. Beef cattle prices peaked in May-June and since have been trending lower, causing some concern. The cow cull rate has been somewhat higher, indicating cattlemen are adjusting to lower beef prices and the adverse weather conditions. The big story, however, is continuing low wheat prices. Hard wheat prices continue at $4.00/bu or less, reflecting the global over-supply. The extreme weather fluctuations have caused some variability in the performance of AgroLiquid products. If you look at this agronomically, it is not surprising. The interaction between crop, night and day temperatures, rain and its timing, cloud cover, soil moisture at various crop growth stages, fertility, tillage, soil tilth, and so on is extremely complex. Response to any fertilizer becomes increasingly unpredictable the further the weather deviates from its averages. Finding a solution using AgroLiquid products will be a big win for us, and growers. I’ll be working on it.
JW Lemons, Field Agronomy Manager West Region For the first time in several years, the western region had great snow packs, and rainfalls filled the reservoirs and rivers in many states for the 2017 cropping year. However, we are not out of the woods. Too many years of dry weather has left the region susceptible to wild fires. Massive fires in Canada, Oregon, Montana, Washington, and California have impacted agriculture. This will continue to impact the west for years. Yet it brings opportunity as well. Other areas will need to fill the gap with good quality juice for the industry. We are accomplishing this already with full fertilizer programs on vineyards. In addition to the fires, floods impacted crops in California, snow cover stayed on winter wheat too long in WA, long cool and wet springs delayed crop planting in the entire western region. Couple this with hot, dry spells throughout the west, and growers in all crops faced challenges. We have many Product Field Experience plots in the region where we are working to address some of the issues faced by producers in the west. Results from these experimental plots are looking very positive, and I look forward to presenting the full results as soon as they are reported. Reid Abbott, Field Agronomy Manager Southeast Region The southeast region overall enjoyed a good growing season this year with most areas receiving adequate to excessive rainfall. Early on, there were some areas that struggled with planting, but that moisture seemed to help crops later in the season. There were some hot periods during the summer, but most seemed to not last too long or become too intense. The warm fall helped finish some beans and cotton strong. Unfortunately, hurricane season has been unfriendly this year, as we have endured three landfalls that affected harvest in those localized regions. I live on the edge of Hurricane Harvey’s path in College Station, Texas and still managed to catch 27 inches of rain in three days. Early yield reports from corn and soybean harvest are average to better-than-average in most areas. Cotton harvest is lagging behind, but in areas outside of hurricane impacts, the yields seem to be doing well. Despite a relatively successful year on the production side of agriculture here in the southeast, the commodity markets seem to be the bigger focus as we look to the future. All eyes will be concentrated on Washington, D.C. and South America to analyze our global position on agricultural trade as we look to plan for 2018.
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Pro-GerminatorÂŽ is used primarily for the application of phosphorus, but is partnered with nitrogen, potassium, and micronutrients for maximum performance. Pro-GerminatorÂŽ contains both ortho-phosphate and carbon-protected polymer phosphate to provide readily available and controlled-release phosphorus with minimal danger of tie-up in the soil.