Seed Consultants April 2014

vol. 31

April 2014

The Seed Consultant

A B I - M O N T H LY N E W S L E T T E R N E W S A N D V I E W S F R O M T H E F I E L D

Higher Corn Yields Need Nutrient Attention

For the past several years the corn price farmers received when they sold their crop has been very good. Even though fertilizer prices remained high, farmers continued to apply macro and micro nutrients knowing their fertilizer investment would pay off in higher yields with good growing conditions throughout the season. Grain prices for this fall’s corn crop appear to be more than $2.00 less per bushel than past years. A typical decision by the corn producer, in this situation, is to cut back on his nutrient purchases other than nitrogen. A decision like this has the possibility of less yield even with good growing conditions throughout the season. continued on page 2

Seed Consultants, Inc. 800-708-2676 www.seedconsultants.com

Simply, the Best Value in the Seed IndustryTM

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Guidelines for Replant & REturn 2014 dates

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As You Sow, So Shall You REap Control herbicide resistant weeds early

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Improve Yields with uniform emergence Critical issue in maximizing yields

By Bill Mullen SCI Director of Agronomic Services Phone:740-505-2022 bmullen@seedconsultants.com

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Seed treater buyback Potential for 400% return

Higher Corn Yields Need... (continued from page 1) Corn planting rates, for the past several years, have increased and higher corn yields have resulted. A recent study by Purdue showed with the new, higher yielding corn genetics more nitrogen is taken up however more phosphorous and micronutrients like zinc contribute to the high yields as well. Should we choose to back off of these other nutrients, there is a strong probability that we will see reduced corn yields. All macro and micro nutrients are important to raise the higher corn yields. Micronutrients like zinc, iron, manganese, and boron contribute to these higher yields as well. Corn plants take up zinc and store it in the stem during the vegetative stage. Iron is stored in the corn leaf.

Manganese is stored in the leaf and stems before reproductive stage occurs. The study showed with a high population rate and over 200 pounds of actual N, over 50% of zinc used was removed in the grain, 18% of iron and 15% of manganese as well. With more plant biomass and higher grain yields certain micronutrients are needed to meet the best possible yield.

Sulfur amounts in the soil have decreased over past years, much of it due to the higher emission reductions by coal burning power plants leading to less sulfur in the atmosphere and in rains that fall later on to our fields. Sulfur is an essential nutrient for creating proteins so high protein producing crops like corn, for corn silage, alfalfa, and soybeans will have that good, grain quality that is needed.

Ph and moisture will influence the micronutrient uptake by the plant. The plant’s ability to take up these nutrients occurs in the soil at the root area. It is important that root growth is normally occurring and factors like sidewall compaction and nutrient shortages will not be an issue. Anything that impairs good root growth will have an effect on nutrient uptake.

As we develop our management plan for a successful corn crop in 2014, we need to keep in mind not only nitrogen is needed for higher yields but other macro and micro nutrients need to be available as well. Our part and good growing conditions will help make our fertilizer investment pay off even when lower grain prices do occur.

SCI 2014 Replant and Return Guidelines Spring 2014 Replant Guidelines

Deadline to issue replant credit: July 1, 2014

Growers must contact & allow the Area SCI Seedsman &/or agronomist to assess the stand & approve replant.

General Guidelines • No replant credit, if seed is planted prior to insurance guidelines.

• Must replant in 2014; no credit for 2015.

• Delivered replant seed is subject to a delivery charge.

• Subject to product availability • Subject to change without prior notice.

Soybeans • Grower must allow sufficient time for planted beans to emerge • No replant if seed is still viable • TURBO TREAT…100% replant • Standard Treat…75% replant • Untreated…0% replant

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Corn • VOTiVO 1250, AMX, AMXT, AM1, AM, AQ, HQ, AXX, HXX, RR, GT, &/or HR hybrids…100% replant • Conventional hybrids w/o VOTiVO 1250…75% replant • Competitive replant ½ of list price • Replant of replant ½ of list price

2014 SCI Return Guidelines • No return on treated soybeans

• Growers may return untreated beans to the Sabina warehouse; but no soybean returns will be picked up

by SCI trucks.

• Contact your Area Seedsman, he will visit your warehouse and complete a dump sheet verifying the brand number, unit count, and lot numbers, for all extra untreated soybeans. Grower will then dump all extra soybeans and SCI will appropriately credit their account. CAUTION…soybeans claimed as “Unsold” cannot be kept and used the following spring, or as double crop. This would be considered a violation of our agreement and the beans would be considered as “Pirated Bin Run”.

No corn returns will be accepted after July 1, 2014.

No soybean returns will be accepted after July 15, 2014.

As You Sow, So Shall You Reap!

Herbicide resistant weeds could be a major problem unless controlled early. The productivity of plants is affected by their neighbors. It is really the rule of the “jungle” even in our corn fields! The plants appear to know early-on whether they have enough elbow room to grow and prosper or they are crowded. They grow healthy and strong when they have plenty of space but are weak and spindly when crowded by other plants. It doesn’t matter if their neighbors are other corn plants or weeds.

Check out the following points to increase your yields:

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Early weed control is especially important now so herbicide resistant weeds like Palmer Amaranth don’t get established. When the crop plants are young seedlings, their leaves and roots are not long enough to touch other plants and “feel” they don’t have much elbow room and that they need to grow taller to survive. So, how do they seem to know they have more company than they need in order to have a healthy life and produce more progeny for their survival?

Scientific studies indicate that light reflected from the chlorophyll of neighboring plants indicates how close the other plants are. All green plants have chloroplast cells that capture energy from sunlight to produce photosynthates.

The openings in the leaves (stomata) allow the leaves to obtain carbon dioxide from air and give out oxygen during the day.

Roots collect water, nitrogen and other nutrients from soil and with all these ingredients in the recipe, plants manufacture starches and proteins, which are used for growth at first, and eventually, deposited in the kernels or seeds.

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Corn plants are not concerned about making sure that the grower who planted their seed gets a good crop.

They just want to survive and make as many healthy seeds as possible. If they have too much space, they will produce tillers, multiple ears, a couple of extra rows of kernels, and may even increase ear length and kernel depth. However, if there are a lot of weeds or other corn plants in close proximity, they get taller and spindly to beat out other plants for sunlight and try to survive.

Knowing this information about light reflectance from chlorophyll and how plants react to crowded conditions, what can the growers do to create an environment for maximizing their corn yields? Growers need to plant high enough population so there is no wasted space, but not plant too many seeds for excessive competition for their environment.

Early weed control is very important to reduce light reflectance from weeds. If you wait to spray herbicides until corn gets taller, you will decrease potential yield of corn plants since they would have sensed the presence of competition from the weed canopy and programmed themselves for producing smaller ears with fewer kernels.

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Uniform emergence and equal spacing within the row is very important to provide all plants with ability to receive greater sunlight and help produce maximum number of kernels. The seedlings that emerge even one to two days later than their neighbors will have a hard time catching up for sunlight and nutrients and will end up producing nubbins. Equal spacing among plants within row will produce good ears on all plants rather than some big ears and some small. Provide the plants with good environment and reduce their competition from weeds and other corn plants and they will pay you back with great dividends at harvest!

By Dave Nanda, Ph.D. Director of Genetics and Technology Phone: 317-910-9876 nanda@seedconsultants.com

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Improve Yields with Uniform Emergence Two aspects of stand establishment in corn often discussed by agronomists are emergence and seed spacing. “Picket fence” spacing in corn allows plants to grow efficiently while minimizing competition between them. More importantly to achieving high yields, however, is uniform emergence.

Plants that are just 1 leaf collar behind (due to uneven emergence) significantly reduce yield. According to Paul Jasa, University of Nebraska Extension ag engineer, “When a plant develops ahead of its neighbor, it hurts yield dramatically. It’s going to vary somewhat from year to year, but a plant lagging behind those around it becomes a weed.” Uniform emergence is critical to maximizing yield potential. To achieve uniform emergence, several factors must be taken into consideration.

Soil Moisture

Soil moisture at planting is an important part in ensuring uniform emergence. Seed should be planted into enough moisture to allow for germination. Planting into soils that are too wet will hinder the development of corn plants and cause yield-robbing compaction as well as sidewall compaction of the seed furrow.

Soil Temperature

Soil temperature in the mid 50s F or higher is required for quick and uniform emergence. Soil temperatures below 50 F can result in uneven emergence of corn seedlings. After the winter or 2013-2014 with extended periods of very cold temperatures, soil warm-up this spring may be delayed.

Planting before soils warm up adequately could result in uneven emergence and yield loss.

Seeding Depth

By Matt Hutcheson, CCA, Product Manager Phone: 937-414-6784 matt@seedconsultants.com

Consistent and uniform seeding depth is an important factor that can help ensure uniform emergence. In general, a seeding depth of 1.5 to 2 inches is the recommended planting depth for corn, depending on soil conditions. Planting shallower than 1.5 inches can result in poor or uneven emergence of corn seedlings. Gauge wheel settings, down pressure, field conditions, residue, and planter speed will all affect seeding depth. Make sure planters are set correctly and equipment is operated at the correct speed. Check seeding depth regularly throughout the season to ensure uniformity.

Seed-to-Soil Contact

For proper germination to occur, corn seed must have adequate contact with soil. Germination with be uneven if planting results in poor conditions: cloddy soil after tillage, seed furrows with residue pinning, open furrows where seed is visible, etc. Proper seed-to-soil contact is crucial to insuring uniform emergence of corn seedlings. Seed should be placed firmly in the bottom of a furrow that is properly closed to provide seed-to soil-contact.

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2013 Project 300 Corn Yield Contest Winners Rank Entry

Class

Brand

Yield

City

State

1st

Jennifer Milless

Irrigated-Conventional

SCS 11HQ31™

258.03 Bu/Ac

Amanda

OH

1st

Charles Hinkebein

Non-Irrigated

SCS 11HR63™

298.46 Bu/Ac

Chafee

MO

2nd

Roger/John Ertel

Non-Irrigated

SCS 1131AM™

270.75 Bu/Ac

Batesville

IN

3rd

Don Jackson

Non-Irrigated

SCS 1132AMX™

264.50 Bu/Ac

Camden

OH

1st

Hinkebein and Landewee Farm

No-Till/Strip Till Irrigated

SCS 11HQ23™

293.62 Bu/Ac

Chafee

MO

2nd

Matt Milless

No-Till/Strip Till Irrigated

SCS 11HR21™

234.05 Bu/Ac

Amanda

OH

3rd

Matt Milless

No-Till/Strip Till Irrigated

SCS 1142YHR™

201.77 Bu/Ac

Amanda

OH

1st

Tim Bishop

No-Till/Strip Till Non-Irrigated

SCS 1131AM™

266.47 Bu/Ac

Queenstown

MD

2nd

JSJ Farms

No-Till/Strip Till Non-Irrigated

SCS 11RR19™

249.94 Bu/Ac

Bloomingburg

OH

3rd

James Jacobs

No-Till/Strip Till Non-Irrigated

SCS 1131AM™

245.58 Bu/Ac

Bloomingburg

OH

2013 Project 100 Soybean Yield Contest Winners Rank

Entry

Brand

Yield

City

State

1st

Marlon Corwin

SCS 9328RR™

83.84 Bu/Ac

New Palestine

IN

2nd

Don Jackson

SCS 9363RR™

75.29 Bu/Ac

Camden

OH

3rd

David Fisher

SCS 9328RR™

73.67 Bu/Ac

London

OH

Congratulations!

2013 Double-Crop Soybean Yield Contest Winner Rank

Entry

Brand

Yield

1st

Curtis Garber

SCS 9328RR™ 49.04 Bu/Ac

City

State

Coshocton

OH

to Seed Consultants, In

2013 Yield Contest Winners

c.’s

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SCI’s Grower Seed Treater BuyBack Program Potential for a 400% return on your investment!

Soybean inoculation research conducted at Michigan State University by Kurt Thelen showed that inoculation increased soybean yields on average by 1.3 bushels per acre in fields having a history of previous inoculation use. Similar results have been documented in longterm soybean inoculation trials conducted in Ohio (two bushels per acre), and Indiana (one bushel per acre). So, why doesn’t Seed Consultants offer commercially applied inoculants?

After inoculants are applied, their viability starts to diminish (depending on temperatures, humidity, etc.); of all the inoculants offered in the industry, six months is the longest shelf life offered. SCI starts delivering beans in November, December, January, etc.; if we were to have a wet spring, delayed planting; there would be no guarantee as to the necessary bacteria counts for yield response.

SCI’s Solution is the Grower Seed Treater BuyBack Program

• Grower purchases Seed Treater (through SCI or another retailer, must submit copy of invoice to SCI) • SCI treater options:

#1 GST

• 2.5 gallon container • mounts on seed tender • conveyance system applies to beans ($675)

#2 CST

#3 CST

• 10 Gallon • complete slurry treater • mounts on seed tender • conveyance system applies to beans ($1,325)

• 30 Gallon • complete slurry treater • stationary • conveyance system applies to beans ($1,950)

Based on yearly purchases of inoculants and/or biologicals from SCI; grower can earn up to 10% per year over a five-year period towards the seed treater purchase price. Accounts will be credited in November based on inoculate and biological purchased from SCI. Units Treated

GROWER CASE RETAIL PRICE

NO RETURN ON ALL INOCULANTS & BIOLOGICALS Graph-EX soybean inoculant Graph-EX SA soybean inoculant w/T22

6x50 uts.

300

Graphite Carrier

$787.50

$2.63

6x50 uts.

300

Graphite Carrier

$1,192.50

$3.98

ABM Sterile Peat

5x75 oz.pkt.

250

Dry Peat

$573.00

$2.29

ABM non-sterile Peat

8x75 oz.pkt.

320

Dry Peat

$320.85

$1.00

Vault NP

1x200 uts.

200

Liquid

$312.00

$1.56

Vault NP

4x50 uts.

200

Liquid

$352.50

$1.76

RhizoStick

20x6 uts.

120

Peat

$297.00

$2.48

Vault SP

10x20 uts.

200

Sterile-Peat

$573.00

$2.87

N-Dure (economy dry)

6x30 uts.

180

OMRI Peat

$226.50

$1.26

N-Dure (economy dry)

35x6 uts.

210

OMRI Peat

$304.50

$1.45

Optimize

4x2x50 uts.

400

Liquid + LCO

$1,380.00

$3.45

Cell-Tech

4x50 uts.

200

Liquid

$412.50

$2.06

Cell-Tech

4x30 uts.

120

Peat

$187.50

$1.56

NO RETURN ON ALL INOCULANTS & BIOLOGICALS 6

(Purdue Agricultural Communication photo/Tom Campbell)

Biddle Honored By Purdue University Long time SCI customer and SCI seed grower, Bill Biddle, received the Purdue College of Agriculture Certificate of Distinction in Indianapolis. Biddle was also selected as a Purdue Distinguished Agriculture Alumni Award recipient in 2000.

Bill Biddle, BS ‘64, West Lafayette, Ind., founded Biddle Seeds Inc. in 1970 and expanded the family’s business interests in 1986 with the founding of Biddle Insurance Services Inc. Biddle served on the board of directors and numerous committees of the Indiana Crop Improvement Association for more than 40 years and was a member of the board of directors of the Indiana Seed Trade Association. He has served as president of both organizations. Biddle was secretary and treasurer of the American Soybean Association and was part of the group’s trade committee that visited China and Japan in 1980. He is a longtime leader of the Ag Alumni Seed Improvement Association, the foundation seed company of the Purdue College of Agriculture.

John Deere Financial Preferred Customer and/or RABO financing programs only available to approved customers. To apply for a John Deere Financial Preferred Account or RABO account or to increase your John Deere Financial or RABO line of credit, contact your SCI representative, so the necessary paperwork can be completed with John Deere Financial &/or RABO. GUIDELINES • Must be a John Deere Financial Preferred Customer or approved by RABO • Credit limits established by John Deere Financial &/or RABO…not by SCI • To increase or establish your credit line call John Deere Financial (800-433-8964) or RABO (888-395-8505) • Must be enrolled and approved to qualify for discounts • Discounts applied on approval date from John Deere Financial &/or RABO • Signed terms of disclosure on file • Minimum purchase of $1,000 • Due date of December 2014 • Applies only to seed purchases • Please write on order (Plan A or B) allowing for proper cash discounting Finance Plan Purchase & Approval Date Apr-14 In Season

A John Deere Financial Fixed 0% 0.0% 0.0%

B RABO Fixed 0% 0.0% 0.0%

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Seed Consultants Inc. P.O. Box 370 648 Miami Trace Rd. S.W. Washington Court House, OH 43160 USA

Editorial Board Stuart Yensel, director of sales and marketing 740-505-0889 - Mobile stuartyensel@seedconsultants.com Bill Mullen, CCA director of agronomic services 740-505-2022 - Mobile bmullen@seedconsultants.com Chris Jeffries, general manager 740-505-0073 - Mobile seedconsultants@seedconsultants.com Matt Hutcheson, CCA product manager 937-414-6784 - Mobile matt@seedconsultants.com Dave Nanda, Ph.D. director of genetics and technology 317-910-9876 - Mobile nanda@seedconsultants.com

Clearfield® is a registered trademark of BASF. Herculex® Insect Protection technology by Dow AgroSciences and Pioneer Hi-Bred. ® Herculex and the HX logo are registered trademarks of Dow AgroSciences LLC. Liberty®, LibertyLink® and the Water Droplet Design are trademarks of Bayer. YieldGard VT Triple®, Roundup Ready®, YieldGard Plus®, and YieldGard® are registered trademarks used under license from Monsanto Company. Cruiser® and Dynasty™ are registered trademarks of a Syngenta Company.

The Rapid Inbreeding® Advantage is a registered trademark of PSR Global Research. Agrisure™ is a trademark of a Syngenta Group Company. ® Supreme EX is a registered trademark of Pioneer. Supreme EX® brand seed is distributed by Seed Consultants, Inc. Roundup WeatherMAX®1 and Roundup PowerMAX™ are trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. Optimum® and AcreMax® are registered trademarks of Pioneer Hi-Bred. Optimum® AcreMax® system available through the Supreme EX® brand. The information provided within this newsletter is not a substitute for advice concerning your specific situation. The information contained herein is general and educational in nature. Because each situation is different and each recommendation is specifically tailored for each customer, the information contained herein should never be used to determine your course of action. All products are trademarks of their manufacturers. © 2014, Seed Consultants, Inc.

Between the Rows It is now spring 2014 and SCI founders Fox and Jeffries are still here!

Why? • We were able to build SCI into the largest Ohio-based seed company and a leader in the eastern cornbelt.

• SCI is competitive on every level – from the local grower to the National Corn Growers Yield Contest.

• We still believe that SCI’s regional approach provides tremendous value to our customers.

• We stay true to our committment of building value for our customers, while continuing to grow SCI. • Because we like our customers and enjoy our strong relationships.

• Because we love to watch the continued profitability of SCI customers. While

Updates from Chris Jeffries, general manager corn sales appear to be up only 2-3%; soybean sales are up 10%+.

I just presented our five year plan to PROaccess® Genetics, which included our commitment to grow Seed Consultants, Inc. based on the foundation that we have built over the past 24 years.

This foundation includes: • Extensive replicated testing • A plethora of new genetics – we are now part of the largest genetics company in the world • Strong Agronomic Services – SCI is blessed with four unique and highly qualified agronomists that assist SCI with Field Days, Winter Agronomy Meetings, Sales Meetings, Kick-Off Meetings, Service Calls, SCMatch, Research Plots, Special Testing, and much more!

Don’t Miss Our Weekly Email Newsletter!

The SCI free e-newsletter comes via e-mail every Monday. The newsletter is packed full of current agronomic topics. Subscribe by sending your e-mail address to matt@seedconsultants.com or by signing up on our website at www.seedconsultants.com.

• Varietal selection based on an Eastern Corn Belt bias – SCI continues its STEPP testing and SCI’s regionalized replicated testing.

• Quality seed – the very highest standards in the seed industry • Avenue to superior seed traits and technologies – our cutting-edge, proprietary breeding program is #1 in the seed industry.

• Direct Sales Model – by passing the conventional dealer network, we are returning savings to our customers.

• Reasonable pricing – my personal commitment to emphasize our pricing advantage Dan and I are still on a mission to be “Simply, the Best Value in the Seed Industry™” Thank you for allowing us that opportunity!

Chris & Dan