Winter 2019 Advantage Newsletter

ADVANTAGE NEWSLETTER

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Tim Bratland, Legend Seeds President

I want to thank you for working with Legend Seeds over the years and entrusting us with seed for your operation. The 2018 Legend Yield Advantage Club was a great success and I want to thank each of you who participated. This is one of my favorite ways to recognize the hard work and dedication you put in each growing season. Here are a few examples: • “This hybrid has excellent “bouncebackability” if that was a word.

I’ve planted it two years in a row and have been impressed with it despite different stressors. It was my best corn in all respects - yield and test weight and set record yield despite being totally wiped out by hail July 2nd.”​

Kent Maershbecker, New England, ND, LR 9583 VT2PRIB • “Planted Legend since 1990 and has always been consistent. Best corn and soybeans I have ever raised in 2018.”

Gary Timm, Wolsey, SD, LS 9897 RR, 221 bpa​ • “In my 55 years of farming it was the best corn I have ever raised. The moisture was 18 percent when taken from the field on October 17, 2018.”

Gary Mrnak, Miltona, MN, 40J684 RR, 210 bpa • “1.5 inches of rain in July. Good stand in both corn and soybeans.”

Larry Beyersdorf, Hemlock, MI, LS 5495 CONV, 222 bpa​ • “Great all round corn.”​

Jerry Bates, Dallas, WI, 40J684 RR, 165 bpa • “Still a great hybrid!”​

Josh Assmann, Panama, IA, LR 9509 GENSSRIB, 226 bpa​

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UPCOMING EVENTS KMOT AG EXPO

Jan. 30- Feb. 1, 2019 .......................... Minot, ND

WISCONSIN CORN/SOY EXPO

Jan. 30- Feb. 1, 2019 ........ Wisconsin Dells, WI

WATERTOWN WINTER FARM SHOW

Feb. 5-9, 2019 ............................. Watertown, SD

INTERNATIONAL CROP EXPO

Feb. 20-21, 2019 ...................... Grand Forks, ND

CENTRAL MINNESOTA FARM SHOW

Feb. 26-28, 2019 ........................... St. Cloud, MN

WHAT’S INSIDE PAGE 2

• Donation to SDSU School of CAFES • Yield Protector Pro: Soybean Treatment

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• “With the insect pressure we dealt with this year, this hybrid held strong and had amazing standability.”

Matthew Rohde, Battle Creek, NE, LR 9910 GENSSRIB, 252.2 bpa I’m excited about the opportunities that we have for 2019. We are committed to bringing you the best products for your land and the best service we possibly can!

• Becoming a Legend Seeds Dealer

PAGE 4-5 •Soybean Germination Concerns and Solutions

PAGE 5 •AURI Ag Innovator of the Year

To your success,

PAGE 6

Tim Bratland

•SD Soybean Yield Contest

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LEGEND SEEDS MAKES 2,500 DONATION TO CAFES

$

On January 3, 2019, Legend Seeds President, Tim Bratland, presented a donation for $2,500 to John Killefer, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences. Legend Seeds committed to donate $100 for each forced turnover that the Jackrabbits had in the 2018 football season. Legend Seeds is proud to make this donation to the South Dakota State University Jackrabbits.

YIELD PROTECTOR PRO: SOYBEAN TREATMENT

• Excellent systemic control of four main seedling diseases, including: Phytophthora Root Rot, Pythium, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium.

• Excellent systematic insecticide control to protect the seed and emerged seedling.

• Includes a polymer to reduce dust off or loss of treatment.

• Flow & Shine finishing powder to improve handling, and plantability.

- Bob Mack, Watertown, SD

MAXIMIZE YIELD POTENTIAL OF HIGH-VALUE SEEDS:

FLOW & SHINE

Yield Protector Pro: Soybean Treatment provides the protection you need, guarding against all major seed and early season soil-borne diseases. You can expect greater root mass, healthier roots, and more plants per acre – which all adds up to more yield.

LOCALLY PROVEN TO INCREASE YOUR FARM’S RETURN ON INVESTMENT. Treatment

Yield*

“We were exceptionally happy with the plantability of our Legend soybeans with the new seed treatment. We have had issues with seed bridging up in the past, but with the YP Pro treated beans we had no issues and the seed flowed through the air seeder great.”

Seed treated with Flow & Shine has an enhanced shiny appearance that seed handlers and growers notice immediately.

Beyond appearance, seed finished with Flow & Shine flows better through seed handling equipment and planters. This means fewer problems with seed bridging and sticking for more consistent seeding and planting performance.

Additional Revenue Over Untreated @$8/BU

Untreated

51.22

$0.00

YP Pro: Soybean

54.33

+$24.88

YP Pro: Soybean + Preside CL®

55.05

+30.64

*Average of 10 trials in 2017 & 2018 across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and South Dakota.

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS

PRIMARY TARGETS

Fludionxonil................................................................................Fusarium, Rhizoctonia, Phomopsis Triophanate Methyl............................................................................................. Aspergillis, Fusarium Metalaxyl.............................................................................. Pythium, Phytophthora (Water Molds) Imidacloprid................................................................................................ Aphids, Bean Leaf Beetles,

Seed-Corn Maggot, Wireworm

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YP Pro with Flow & Shine finishing powder

YP Basic Seed Treatment

THE PATH TO BECOMING

A LEGEND SEEDS DEALER

By Maddie Schafer, Legend Seeds Marketing

Graves obtained a bachelor’s degree in agronomy from South Dakota State University. He later went on to Washington State University for his master’s degree in agricultural education. From there, he began working as an agronomist in the co-op system.

This made for a great career for Graves until he was asked by a friend if he might consider becoming a dealer

Brent Graves, Legend Seeds Dealer

for Legend Seeds. After some thought and consideration, he left his career as an agronomist and began his seed dealership with Legend.

Shortly after he became a dealer, Graves also became a part-time commissioned agronomist for Legend Seeds, allowing him to continue his passion in agronomy.

He has now been working as a dealer and commissioned agronomist with Legend for 14 years and says it is exactly what he loves to do.

“

This is exactly what I love to do.

“It’s a family focused organization, and that’s what has kept me around all these years,” said Graves regarding his views on Legend Seeds. “Different opportunities have come along over the years to do other things in agronomy, but the family aspect of Legend Seeds is the reason I’ve stayed here as a dealer.”

Over the years, his dealership has grown substantially from just six growers starting out to over 30 growers consistently today. Beyond his work as a dealer for Legend, Graves also farms 400 acres of corn and soybeans.

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“Brent has been a great partner with Legend Seeds over the years. His service-oriented thinking and ability to adapt to changes as they come make him a great dealer and advocate for our company,” said Bill Hogan, Legend Account Manager for Graves. “Brent having a farm of his own and experience as - Brent Graves an agronomist also helps him establish his credibility with growers.”

“

At Legend Seeds, dealers are a vital component to the success of the business as a whole, and their service and contribution to growers is essential. Take Brent Graves, for example. A third-generation farmer near Hartford, South Dakota, Graves has made his career with Legend Seeds for 14 years.

Graves is just one example of the dedicated, hard-working dealers that Legend Seeds works with. Whether they’ve been a dealer for one year or for 20, each one plays an important role in the future of Legend Seeds.

Brent Graves shares perfectly what Legend Seeds hopes all dealers think and feel.

“I plan to finish my career with Legend.”

Legend Seeds’ dealer network is comprised of more than 500 dealers across our seven-state footprint. Our dealers are focused on providing you superior products with access to the latest traits and technologies in the industry while providing tailored support to service your needs and ensure your acres reach their fullest profit potential.

2019 SOYBEAN GERMINATION

CONCERNS AND SOLUTIONS

By April Borders, Product Manager

SITUATION The seed industry has been challenged this year with a level of seed borne diseases that haven’t been seen for many years. A long, wet harvest with many delays provided an opportunity for diseases to infect seed pods and, in some instances, to infect the seed itself. Reports are coming out showing that this year’s seed soybean crop is frequently testing positive for the fungus Diaporthe, which causes Phomopsis seed decay.

Phomopsis seed decay causes a lower than normal germination rate in seed.

gence are all consequences of seed decay. Seed decay can also reduce seed test weight and oil content.

• Low visual appearing seed: Seed decay is characterized by cracked, shriveled seed with white chalk-colored mold on the seed surface. Other visual observations that may be seen this year are obvious discoloration of the seed, some green seed, or some darker seed. The seed is simply not very eye-appealing this year.

• Winter storage: Winter storage of seed can help to increase germination rates, due to the fact that under dry storage conditions, the mycelium of the fungus will die, improving the seed quality.

FACTORS TO CONSIDER Due to the poor environmental conditions a lot of fungal growth has happened. Anytime there is fungi on the seed, the seed starts to deteriorate as the fungi feeds on it. Less than optimum germination scores are widespread across the entire industry this year, especially on soybeans grown in the Midwest during the 2018 season.

• Spring soil conditions: If soil conditions are wetter and cooler than normal, this could drastically improve both the survival and stand count of the plants.

• Lower germination: Phomopsis-infected seed will have a lower probability of germination when planted. Diminished seed quality and reduced seed vigor, germination and emer-

• Adjusting seeding rate: Depending on the germination scores it may be necessary to adjust seeding rate to account for lower germination.

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CONGRATULATIONS TO LEGEND SEEDS DEALER, TOM SMUDE, OF PEREZ, MN

Tom was recently named Ag Innovator of the year by the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI), an organization formed by the Minnesota state legislature 30 years ago. AURI has given the Ag Innovator of the Year award for the past 16 years to a client, company, or entrepreneur that has made a substantial impact in the areas of product innovation, uniqueness, and commercialization potential. It is the organization’s highest honor. Tom began working with AURI to start his sunflower oil crushing company in 2010. Tom was honored at a ceremony in St. Paul, MN on December 13.

ACTION PLAN According to past Iowa State University research, appropriate seed treatments can increase germination rates. Given the progress and development of fungicides, germination rates could be further improved, given the right mix.

Growers should check soybean bag tags carefully for germination rates, calculate seeding rates appropriately and pick the right fungicide seed treatments in the spring.

We recommend using Legend Seeds YP Pro Soybean Treatment to help improve germination rates and to protect the seed from other early season soil-borne diseases. YP Pro: Soybeans and YP Basic: Soybeans have THREE modes of action to help deliver a healthy stand in the spring.

SUMMARY Many growers will want to have their seed treated with a fungicide to increase the chances of germination and prevent seedling diseases. Contact your Legend Account Manager or Legend Sales Agronomist for additional information on the protection offered by YP seed treatments.

RESOURCES https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/cropnews/2018/12/ should-you-use-fungicidal-seed-treatment-lowquality-soybean-seed https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/news/crops/article/ 2018/12/06/lower-soybean-seedgermination-2019

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SOUTH DAKOTA SOYBEAN YIELD CONTEST

RECOGNIZING GROWERS FOR WINNING YIELDS From the SD Soybean Association

Sponsored by the South Dakota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (SDSRPC) and managed by the South Dakota Soybean Association (SDSA), this annual contest encourages soybean growers to push yield limits and share best management practices.

“South Dakota soybean growers are good at what they do,” says Jon Schaeffer, a second-generation Viborg farmer who chairs the South Dakota Soybean Yield Contest committee and serves on the South Dakota Soybean Association board. “This contest highlights those who have the highest yields, so

others can learn from their management successes.”

Since 2017, the Yield Contest has grown to include two additional classes; the youth class, designed to encourage the next generation of soybean growers, and the master class, focused on making South Dakota’s best soybean growers better.

Hutchinson County soybean grower, Tim Hofer, won the 2018 Master Class Yield Contest with 109.12 bushels-per-acre. He grew Legend Seeds variety LS 28X840. Hofer was also the 2017 master class yield contest winner with 98.63 bushels, growing a Legend Seeds variety as well.

Read the full press release here: www. sdsoybean.org/news-media/press-releas- Jon Schaeffer presents Hutchinson County soybean es/2018-south-dakota-soybean-yield-con- grower, Tim Hofer with the winning 2018 Master test-recognizes-growers-for-winning-yields/ Class Yield Contest award.

PO Box 241 De Smet, SD 57231

Soybean growers from across the state were recognized for winning yields during the 2018 South Dakota Soybean Yield Contest awards ceremony on December 5th during the annual Soybean Recognition Banquet in Sioux Falls.