Seed Consultants February 2013 Newsletter

vol. 24

February 2013

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

How to Get Top Corn Yields in 2013 After a tough year like 2012, it is easy to overreact and start making drastic changes. That would be a big mistake! By any measure, last year was an abnormal year. During last summer and fall, I have heard all kind of horrific stories from farmers about 1981 and 1988. I was here and lived through it. Those years did not even come close to 2012!

An “old-timer” from Illinois who read my article, called to chew me out that I “didn’t know nothing” about heat and drought since I was not here in 1936 and the dust-bowl years. Now, I am not a spring-chicken myself, but it is true, I was not even born in 1936. According to Tom Bechman, Editor of Indiana Prairie Farmer, Bob Nielsen of Purdue recently stated that 2012 was the worst season for growing corn in Indiana in recorded history since 1866, based on departure from trend-line corn yields. Interesting!

It doesn’t really matter how you slice it, 2012 was a bad year and I really want to forget it and move on for better crops. So, turn the page for a summary of the things that we must focus on for 2013: 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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SCS 1083AMX-R™ Population Study Hybrids perform well under stress

SCI Teams with myfarms Placement tool offers benefits to customers

Nematodes in corn Numbers increase following drought

SCI PROFILE Rick Shepard of Warehouse/ Processing

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How to Get Top Corn Yields... continued from page 1

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The top ten ideas for maximum economic yields Soil Test - Make sure to have your soil tested this spring. We really don’t know what we have left in the ground after last year’s crops.

Be Realistic - You need to be realistic about the yield potential based on soil type and historical data. Fertilize to match your yield goals. Make adjustments as needed according to the soil tests.

Fertility Enhancement - Along with Nitrogen, maintain proper levels of key nutrients like Phosphate, Potash, Calcium, Sulfur and Magnesium. Also, check for deficiency of seven essential nutrients which are in alphabetical order: Boron, Chlorine, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum and Zinc.

Each of these elements plays an important role in the essential physiological processes of the plants.

Balance your soil pH - Corn likes a pH value of 6.0 to 6.5, whereas soybeans prefer slightly more acidic soils with pH of 5.8 to 6.2. Try to maintain a pH of 5.8 to 6.8; it should work for most of your crops.

Take credit for nitrogen that your corn crop could not use last year and is still available, as well as from the previous soybean crop.

Use starter fertilizer, especially, if you are planting early and in no-till or minimum-till system. It should give the seedlings a healthy start and early stand establishment so critical for good yields.

Split nitrogen applications - Apply most of the nitrogen when it is needed by the fast growing plants.

Use crop rotations - It has been established that you will have fewer diseases and insects as well as higher yields when corn follows soybeans.

Plant with accuracy and patience - Fine-tune your planter; have each row unit checked; prepare a good seed bed; use seed firmers; and plant in moisture but not too shallow or too deep. Also, don’t plant too fast and you will have a start for a good year. If you can vary planting populations on the go, plant at higher seeding rate on better ground and slightly lower rates at lighter soils with lower water retention capacity.

Plant cover crops - Improve soil tilth, organic matter content and water retention capacity. Make your ground healthier; let the earth worms and microorganisms do their dirty jobs. Work with Mother Nature and she will smile at you again!

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

SCS 1083AMX-R™ brand Population Study One test included in Seed Consultants’ short row replicated research for 2012 was a population study using the Optimum® AQUAmax™ hybrid, SCS 1083AMX-R™ brand. This Supreme EX brand hybrid was planted at populations of 30,000, 35,000, 40,000, 45,000 and 50,000 plants per acre in 30 inch rows.

This population study was included in 10 plot locations in Indiana and Maryland and replicated within each plot. The purpose of the study was to introduce stress (by using very high populations) to demonstrate the Optimum® AQUAmax™ brand hybrid performance in a stress environment. Not only do the results show that Optimum® AQUAmax™ brand hybrids perform well under stress, but, analysis of the results shows that this particular hybrid needs higher populations to reach its full yield potential (see table below.)

The summary shows that SCS 1083AMX-R™ planted at 45,000 plants per acre finished first in the study, with a six-bushel advantage over 35,000 plants/ acre and a nine-bushel advantage over 30,000 plants/acre. Are we recommending that our customers plant corn at populations of 45,000 plants per acre? No. Although this hybrid performed well at 45,000 plants/acre in Seed Consultants short row replicated testing, that population is too high for current hybrid genetics and management practices on the farm.

per acre every year, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Based on our testing and experience with SCS 1083AMX-R™, we know that for tough growing environments this hybrid needs populations of at least 30,000 plants/acre and for high yield environments populations of 35,000 plants/acre or more.

As hybrid genetics continue to improve, planting populations should increase to allow for more uniform ear size, more ears per acre, and to maximize productivity. Corn planting populations are increasing at a rate of 280 plants

To get the best performance out of any hybrid customers should work closely with their seedsman to determine where each hybrid is best positioned and what management practices will result in the best performance.

Product performance in water-limited environments is variable and depends on many factors such as the severity and timing of moisture deficiency, heat stress, soil type, management practices and environmental stress as well as disease and pest pressures. All hybrids may exhibit reduced yield under water and heat stress. Individual results may vary.

®Supreme EX is a registered trademark of Pioneer Hi-Bred.

Supreme EX® brand seed is distributed by Seed Consultants, Inc.

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Seed Consultants Working With MyFarms In recent months, Seed Consultants has been working with MyFarms to develop a hybrid placement tool for customers. This tool will help seedsman and customers work together to select and place each hybrid based on soil type, which will increase accuracy, efficiency, and add convenience. MyFarms, headquartered in Portland, Indiana, was founded by fourth generation corn producers.

The hybrid placement tool developed by MyFarms will make hybrid and population recommendations based on soil type, management practices, diseases and pests, as well as desired agronomic characteristics (seedling vigor, stalk strength, test weight, staygreen, etc.). Seed Consultants replicated data will be loaded into the program and customers will upload yield maps and yield information for their own fields. While each customer’s information will remain confidential, the placement tool will take into consideration all yield data when making recommendations.

Any customer interested in finding out more information should contact their seedsman or Matt Hutcheson.

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

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The MyFarms hybrid placement tool will offer many benefits to customers: Soil Maps and Information

Once customers outline their fields in the program, they can retrieve soil maps for each field as well as a report showing percentages of soil type per field with details about each soil type.

Data-Driven Seed Placement

Growers are capable of collecting accurate yield data thanks to new technologies such as yield monitors, scales on grain carts, etc. Now they will be able to put the information they collect to use. Just as Seed Consultants has large amounts of yield data, so do growers, when entered into the program the yield data will be used along with other information to make accurate planting recommendations.

Rainfall Reports

Along with the other benefits provided by the program, customers who have an account can get rainfall reports for each field. The program created by MyFarms will report both cumulative and daily rainfall amounts for each field.

Increased Accuracy and Efficiency

The use of the MyFarms hybrid placement tool will allow farmers to make better decisions when selecting hybrids. Their decisions will be assisted by an automated program that takes a great deal of data points into consideration. This improvement in hybrid placement will ultimately help to increase productivity while making the selection process easier.

Nematodes in Corn “In drought conditions, like we had in 2012, research has shown the nematode population increasing.”

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n the past, corn producers would make sure their corn order was treated for insect protection. Recent university and industry trials have found nematodes attacking roots of young corn plants, interacting with root rotting fungi, and causing yield losses. Reduced tillage, less use of in-furrow insecticides, and an increase in corn-after-corn production have caused an increase in populations resulting in below ground destruction of the corn plant, less yield potential. Nematodes are part of the roundworm family, microscopic in size.

Recent work out of Illinois has shown nematodes in corn, in the areas of no-till and conservation tillage practices as well as continuous corn. Nematode importance in corn becomes a priority when other root related stresses like early moisture stress, root injury from insects, poor drainage, and compaction occur in the same field at the same time. Symptoms of nematodes in corn fields include stubby roots, moderate to severe stunting, darkened and discolored roots, small root systems, and symptoms of nutrient deficiencies.

In drought conditions, like we had in 2012, research has shown the nematode population increasing. During drought conditions nematodes will cause additional stress to the corn root system while the plant is trying to protect itself from these hot, dry conditions. Normally, it is not just one nematode causing damage but several combined. Over eight different species have been found throughout Ohio and Indiana. Some species will cause more damage than others. Threshold levels of the different species in the soil will vary from laboratory testing.

To determine nematode presence in the corn field, a soil sample is needed. The best time to take the sample is five to seven weeks after planting. Focus on the areas where stunting or past yield loss has occurred. In the row of corn, with a soil probe, next to the plant, go down at least 12 inches taking approximately 20 samples in the affected area. Leave the soil cores intact, if possible. Mark the Ziploc bag and store in a dry, cool place until shipment. Not all soil test labs will test for nematodes. Use the Internet to find a lab that tests for nematodes, there are several that do this test.

Poncho®/VOTiVO® is Seed Consultants answer for controlling the nematode problem and other soil borne insects making for healthier corn plants with higher yield potential. ® Poncho and VOTiVO are registered trademarks of Bayer.

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

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Jump on Early Cash Discounts Seed Consultants offers opportunities to maximize seed cost savings through early cash discount schedule.

SCI offers the following early cash discount schedule for the 2012-13 planting season. If you have any questions, please call the office at 800-708-2676.

Spring Seeding Cash Discounts

February .......7.0% March .......4.0% April .......2.0%

Accounts Due Paid in Full: July 1, 2013

Seed Consultants Profile Rick Shepard, Warehouse/Processing

Birthplace and Home: Fayette County, Ohio Family: Wife of 36 years, Cathy; children Tiffany, Scott and Adam Education: Studied at Ohio State University Seed Industry experience: Farmed for 40 years and years working at SCI What I like most about working at SCI: The people, the new customers I meet, and bagging beans.

How long have you worked at SCI? 10 years full-time and 5 years part-time Hobbies: NASCAR® races and helping my grandchildren with 4-H projects Keys to Success: Work hard when there is work to be done.

Words to Live by: Take pride in your work and treat every day like it might be your last.

Stay In The Know!

E-News 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.

Social Media Visit SCI’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/seedconsultants and by following SCI’s ‘tweets’ on Twitter at http://twitter.com/SeedConsultants

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8 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

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. Ignite®, 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. © 2012, Seed Consultants, Inc.

Bart Baudler, PROaccess Business Unit Director, from day one challenged everyone within SCI to protect our brand identity and to grow SCI. I believe the SCI team, as well as PROaccess, have done an exceptional job to assure that We’ve recently added our first area seedswoman and a new area seedsman for southern Illinois; which complements our three new 2012 hires in Indiana and SE Michigan/NW Ohio.

Dave Nanda, Ph.D. director of genetics and technology 317-910-9876 - Mobile nanda@seedconsultants.com

Our agronomists have completed 13 Winter Agronomy Meetings in Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana. Attendance has Recently, the SCI research staff, the PROaccess product development staff, Daniel Call (SCI Operations Manager), and myself attended product advancement meetings. After evaluating SCI and PROaccess research data, we are advancing the best genetic class in our history – these are exciting times!

Corn sales are up 21,698 units and bean sales are up 66,251 units compared to this same date last year. My personal goal was to work at SCI until we reached 250,000 units of corn and one million units of beans. I may need to revise my numbers upward with this level of success!

Chris Jeffries

Recently, SCI announced a new program, which matches hybrids to soil types and management practices; while tracking rainfall (more details to come). been outstanding and our agronomy staff covered topics from Optimum® AQUAmaxTM hybrids to marestail control.

Between the Rows

SCI is still on a mission to be “Simply, the Best Value in the Seed Industry™.”

Thank you for allowing us that opportunity! those things that impact our customers do not change, allowing us to protect our brand. Additionally, PROaccess continues to show its commitment to SCI’s unique business model by giving us the needed resources to grow our company.

Updates from Chris Jeffries, general manager