Seed Consultants June 2013 Newsletter

vol. 26

June 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

The Amazing Corn Plant!

When I came from India as a PhD student more than 50 years ago, the United States produced more corn than all the other countries combined. Even though many countries like Argentina, Brazil, China and India have learned how to grow hybrid corn, we still produce more corn than any other country. Some people consider our ability to grow abundant corn as one of the reasons for our progress.

After working with the corn plant for all these years, I am still amazed at the range of maturities, adaptability and variation available in this crop. The ears vary in size from a strawberry size to 2 foot length. The number of kernal rows may vary from 8 to 40 rows. Some of the varieties from Canada can mature in 4 weeks and is only a couple of feet tall where as the tropical corn can grow 12-15 feet tall.

What a wonder of nature and boon for mankind! Corn is one of the most efficient producers of food. It has the potential to return 800-1000 grains for each one planted. That’s why the American Indians and the Mexicans used to worship it and adorn their crowns with it. Corn evolved in nature in Mexico from crossing two grasses, Teosinte & Tripsacum. The individual kernels were wrapped in separate pods and it used to be called Pod corn. American Indians were the original “breeders” who selected the seeds from plants that produced more grain, made better flour, or tasted better. continued on page 2 ©istockphotography/Lezh

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

Simply, the Best Value in the Seed IndustryTM

Page 3

Scouting for nemotodes Tools for effective treatment in corn

Page 4

SCI 2013 YIELD CONTESTs Four contests to award production achievements

Page 5

Double crop soybeans The right maturity and population for success

Page 6

Profitable Wheat Selecting the best variety

1

The Amazing Corn Plant.... continued from page 1

How does this amazing plant grow and produce?

The corn seed has to be planted in moisture in a well prepared seed bed, at the right depth with no trash on top.

Starter fertilizer can help the seedling get an early start in life, with nourishment close to the roots. The growing point stays below the ground, protected, until five leaves have already. How can a puny little seedling grow to be a 10 foot tall plant within less than two months? The plant is engineered to plan way ahead. At the V5 stage, the uppermost ear and tassel are initiated and the kernel row number is determined. The stalk internode elongation begins when the growing point nears the soil surface.

At the V6 stage, the growing point which ends as the miniature tassel is now above the ground. Corn plants at this stage are very vulnerable to above-ground damage from insects, diseases or other environmental stresses.

Ear shoot initiation also begins at this stage based on the maturity of the hybrid. You can side-dress with nitrogen up to the V8 stage. Make sure excessive root pruning is not caused.

During V7 to V10 stage, the plant starts to pick up speed.

The stalk is in a rapid growth phase now as it accumulates dry matter and nutrients. As the plant continues to elongate, the tassel also begins a fast growth phase. If you dissect the stalk at this stage, many ear shoots should be visible in the leaf axels. The rapid growth stage is ending just before the reproductive stage begins.

Within only seven weeks after the seedling emergence, the plant is at V14 stage and only about 10 to 15 days away from silking. During this critical stage, the number of kernels will be decided. Now new leaves can develop in every one to two days. The reproductive stage starts with tasseling and silking followed by pollination. This period is very critical for kernel development and shortage of water and nutrients can affect grain set and yield.

SAVE THE DATE!

SCI’s 2014 Customer Trip

The Westin Maui Resort and Spa Ka’anapali Beach

Maui, Hawaii • January 18-25, 2014 Hotel: The Westin Maui Resort & Spa Ka’anapali Beach Duration: 7 nights, 8 days Potential Activities: Island Tours – Volcano Tours – Whale Watching Various Island Hopping – Fishing Traditional Hawaiian Luau Snorkeling – Swimming – Hiking – Road to Hana “Seed Consultants’ Winter Trips are a blast!

We look forward to traveling with them every January.”

Let’s hope for favorable growing environment in 2013 to increase our chances for maximum yields from this amazing plant!

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

2

Mike and Laura Vallery - Sedalia, Ohio Julie and Mark Anthony Beth Smith

Stay tuned for registration information and important deadlines in late-July.

Scouting for Nematodes in Corn In the past, corn producers would make sure their corn order was treated for soil borne insects, ones that attack the seed, as well as Black Cutworm protection. Another insect issue that attacks the roots of corn plants and leads to reduced yield potential is the nematode. Recent university and industry trials have found nematodes attacking roots of young corn plants, interacting with root rotting fungi, and causing yield losses. Nematodes are part of the roundworm family, microscopic in size.

Recent work out of OH, IN, IL, KY, and MI has shown nematodes in corn, in the areas of no-till, reduced tillage practices and 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.

Normally, it is not just one nematode causing damage but several combined.

Over eight different species have been found throughout the above states. Some specie will cause more damage than others. Threshold levels of the different specie in the soil will be determined from laboratory testing.

To determine nematode prescence in the corn field, a soil sample is needed. The best time to take the sample is 5 to 7 weeks after planting. Focus on the areas where stunting or past yield loss has occurred. Take soil samples in the row next to plants using a soil probe. Take approximately 20 samples 12 inches deep in the affected area. Leave the soil cores intact, if possible, and place in a Ziploc bag. Mark the bag and store in a dry, cool place until shipment. University and private labs do test for nematode presence.

One seed treatment in particular, Poncho 1250 and Votivo from Bayer, is being used for nematode and other soil borne insect protection. Most of the corn entries in Seed Consultants strip plots have been treated with Poncho/Votivo. This treatment is just another tool to eliminate a yield robbing pest and make for a healthier corn plant with high yield potential.

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

2013 Return Policy Corn deadline July 1, 2013

Soybean deadline July 15, 2013

NO RETURN ON TREATED SOYBEANS

Untreated soybeans may be returned to the Sabina, Ohio warehouse; but return beans will not be picked up.

If you have return beans, please contact your Area Seedsman. Your Seedsman will then visit your warehouse to verify each brand, bag count, & lot number; hence your Seedsman will fill out the “UnSold Soybean Credit” form & return it to SCI’s WCH office—no later than July 15, 2013.

Untreated RR Soybeans will receive an account credit of $26.00/unit.

Untreated LL Soybeans will receive an account credit of $26.00/unit.

Untreated Conventional/STS/FG Soybeans will receive an account credit of $13.00/unit.

Grower agrees to dump beans at a local elevator for the difference.

CAUTION Soybeans claimed as ”UnSold” cannot be kept & used the following spring, or as double crop (SCI has an excellent double crop program). Please be aware that if a grower plants RR, LL, or patented conventional/STS/FG soybeans claimed as UnSold, they would be considered “Pirated Bin-Run”.

3

2013 SCI Yield Contests

SCI To Offer 2013 Yield Contests for Corn, Soybean and Wheat In addition to state and national yield contests, Seed Consultants also offers companywide yield contests. Seed Consultants is committed to helping entrants in yield contests and any customer who enters will receive frequent tips, advice, and agronomic updates via email. Below are the contest categories and awards structure for Seed Consultants, Inc. yield contests:

Project 300 Corn Yield Contest Non-Irrigated Class No-Till/Strip-Till Irrigated Class No-Till/Strip-Till Non-Irrigated Class Irrigated Class Project 100 Soybean Yield Contest Project 150 Wheat Yield Contest Double-Crop Soybean Yield Contest The following awards will be offered for each Seed Consultants yield contest: •

First place: Trip for two to the 2014 Commodity Classic in San Antonio, TX. Prize of $1,000 in SCI and/or Supreme EX® brand Seed and commemorative plaque.

• Second Place: Trip for two to the 2014 Commodity Classic in San Antonio, TX. Prize of $500 in SCI and/or Supreme EX® brand Seed and commemorative plaque.

• Third Place: Trip for two to the 2014 Commodity Classic in San Antonio, TX. To find out more about the complete rules and requirements for each contest and to learn how to sign up, contact your area seedsman or visit www.seedconsultants.com/sci-yield-contest/ NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. The 2013 Seed Consultants Yield Contests are open to residents of the 50 United States who own or operate a farming operation. Contests subject in all respects to the Official Contest rules, available by mailing a self-addressed stamped envelope to Yield Contest Rules Request at sponsor’s address below, and to the official rules of any applicable state or national yield contest.

Enter by participating in a state, national, or Seed Consultants corn, soybean, or wheat yield contest using Seed Consultants or Supreme EX brand seed and submitting a completed an entry form available by contacting your Seed Consultants, Inc. sales representative or visit www.seedconsultants.com/sci-yield-contest/ To enter without purchase, contact sponsor at the address listed below to request seed for contest entry. Contest start and end periods vary by contest—see Official Rules for more information. First, second, and third place winners in national, state, and Seed Consultants yield contests will win a trip for 2 to the 2014 Commodity Classic (ARV: $3000). Winners may also receive seed prize, as stated in Official Rules. Total value of all prizes depends on number of winners of national and state contests. Minimum ARV of all prizes is $42,000. Odds: The winners of the Contest will not be determined at random, but rather by their ability to grow a high yielding grain crop. Void where prohibited by law. Sponsor: Seed Consultants, Inc., P.O. Box 370, 648 Miami Trace Rd. SW, Washington C.H., OH 43160.

4

©istockphotography/Irina Tischenko

What is the Right Maturity and Population for Double Crop Soybeans?

With soybean prices consistently at or above $12.00 per bushel over the last few years, many of our customers find it profitable to double crop soybeans.

A reoccurring question many of our growers ask is, “What is the right population and which maturity should I plant?” As many of you know, lots of factors contribute to yield potential such as planting date, final stand populations, varietal selection, soil fertility, rain fall, planting conditions, etc.

According to Jim Beuerlein (now retired OSU Extension Specialist), “late planting reduces our cultural practice options for row spacing, seeding rate and variety maturity. For the last half of June, 225,000 to 250,000 seeds per acre are recommended, and in early July drop 250,000 to 275,000 seeds per acre.”

Soybeans are not like corn because they are photo period sensitive. The amount of daylight the plant gets triggers its Region- Ohio and Indiana Northern Central

Southern

reproductive cycle. The date and timing of physiological maturity are affected by day length and the stage of seed development in the uppermost pods on the plants. Relative maturity (RM) has little effect on yield for plantings made during the first three weeks of May but the effect can be large for late plantings.

During the first half of June, a 4-day delay in planting delays physiological maturity about one day. In the last half of June it takes a 5-day planting delay to delay physiological maturity a day.

As planting is delayed, yield potential goes down and there is concern about whether late maturing varieties will mature before frost.

When planting late, the rule-of-thumb is to plant the latest possible maturing variety that will reach physiological maturity before the first killing frost. The reason for using late maturing varieties for late planting is to allow vegetative

growth for as long as possible to produce nodes where pods can form before flowering and pod formation. Also, it is recommended to plant taller varieties that will allow for greater amounts of pods to form because more nodes equals more pods and more yield. So we need late maturing varieties that will mature before getting frosted but since we never know when first frost will occur, we use a narrow maturity range that will not be damaged by frost occurring at the normal time.

Assuming normal weather and frost dates, varieties with the following relative maturity should mature before frost and produce maximum possible yields when planted on the dates indicated. Varieties with an earlier relative maturity will mature earlier but will produce reduced yields (C.O.R.N.).

Planting Date

Suitable Relative Maturity & SCI Soybean Varieties

Yield Potential

July 1–15

3.1 – 3.6 (SCS 9319RR™ – SCS 9363RR™)

15 – 35 bpa

July 1–15

July 1–15

2.8 – 3.3 (SCS 9282RR™ – SCS 9330RR™)

3.6 – 4.1 (SCS 9362RR™ – SCS 9412RR™)

10 – 30 bpa

20 – 40 bpa

Source: CORN Newsletter June 2004 – 17, by Agronomic Crops Team, OSU Extension., http://corn.osu.edu/story.php?setissueID=41&storyID=192

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

5

2013 Wheat Profitability Start With Selecting the Best Variety

Wheat profitability in 2013 will depend upon many factors from planting to harvest. Selecting the best variety is the first step for a successful crop in your fields. When selecting the right variety one needs to include the variety’s characteristics of maturity, winter hardiness, test weight, yield potential, and good agronomics with disease tolerance/resistance.

Throughout OH, IN, IL, KY, and MI, Seed Consultants conducts on-farm testing of the different wheat varieties as well as planting its own Replicated Research Wheat Plots. SCI participates in university’s Wheat Performance Trials as well.

We test existing varieties and new lines to help you make the right selection for your area. For protection of the seed at planting time against soil borne disease, SC wheat varieties are treated with Dividend Extreme. If someone is in need of insect protection, at planting time, Gaucho can be added to Dividend Extreme.

SCI wheat varieties listed below are choices for wheat planting in fall of 2013.

SC 1302TM

• 2012 New Release, Clark +2 maturity, smooth head, ideal for double crop.

• High-yield variety with excellent test weight and winter hardiness.

• Very good disease package including Head Scab and Glume Blotch tolerances.

• Nice companion variety with SC 1321TM in early, high yield environments.

• Medium height plant with excellent standability and heavy bucket weight.

• Will tolerate spring topdress N of 90 to 100 pounds

SC 1321TM

•

•

•

High-yielding, bearded variety, adapting throughout OH, IN, IL, and KY. Ideal for crop management programs, medium maturity, short stiffed straw wheat.

Excellent winter hardiness and solid disease package with good pant health and test weight.

SC 1341TM

•

•

•

•

Bearded, medium late maturity with excellent hardiness positioned throughout OH, IN, IL, KY, and MI. In areas where Head Scab and Powdery Mildew are an issue, use of a fungicide is recommended.

Short, stiff straw wheat responding to spring topdress N of 90 to 100 pounds of actual N. Elite wheat genetics with unique look and stature.

SC 1342TM

• 2012 New Release, superior yields with excellent test weight.

• Medium tall, medium late variety, smooth head with excellent standability.

• Very susceptible to Leaf Rust, otherwise SC 1342TM has a very good disease package.

• Excellent variety for those growers needing straw tons.

• 2012 OSU Wheat Trial, SC 1342TM was second out of 68 entries, 2012 KY Wheat Trial, SC 1342TM was 16th out of 104 entries.

Get the Latest From SCI! 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.

6

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

In Memoriam

Dedicated to the loving memory and passing of SCI customers, friends, family and former employees.

Harold David Warner Harold David Warner, 85, of Bradford, Ohio, was a lifelong farmer in Miami County and later in Wilcox, Arizona. He established Warner Seeds that is now operated by his sons. He also operated a service station in Covington. He was a 1945 graduate of Newton Local School in Pleasant Hill.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 65 years, Myrna Lou (Bader) Warner. Also surviving are his children, Julia (Glen) Vickery of Covington, David (Marge) Warner of Greenville, Emily Warner and Mike Moutoux of Sliver City, N.M., and Daniel (DeeDee) of Bradford. His daughter, Marianne Bettage and her husband Gene preceded him in death. He is also survived by many grand and great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Seed Consultants Profile Lance Weaver, Area Seedsman Birthplace: Coshocton, Ohio

Seed Industry Experience: 5 years

Home: Howard, Ohio

How long have you worked at SCI? 2 years

Family: Wife, Jaimye and son, Dixon Hobbies: Cleveland Indians, gardening, grilling, tractor pulling, and chicken wings Education: Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Franklin University

What I like most about working at SCI: Being able to offer my customers great products for their farms Keys to Serving Customers: Be honest and straight froward

If you know of someone who should be mentioned in future issues, please email their information to stuartyensel@seedconsultants.com.

Šistockphotography/Hillary Fox

7

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 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. 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.

© Catalin Petolea | Dreamstime.com

Part of SCI’s brand has always, been its customer’s programs.

Phenomenal! All while continuing to maintain SCI’s brand identity!

At the time I am writing this, Seed Consultants is well on its way to having an approximately 14% corn volume increase and 8.5% soybean volume increase; but the more overwhelming fact is since Seed Consultants started working with PROaccess Genetics, SCI’s corn volume has grown 74%, while the bean volume has grown 82%.

Well every spring is different; and this one was, not like 2011 and certainly not like 2012; but the majority of the corn and beans got planted in the right fields; and we have a promising wheat harvest approaching.

Both of these programs promote increased safety while being more cost effective for our customers and allow SCI to do a better job for its customers.

Regionalized testing has always been a part of SCI’s brand, and we are more committed than ever…bumping our replicated corn locations (+12) to 50 and replicated soybean locations (+18) to 48.

Our first major program, the Bulk Bin Program has 222 bulk seed bins set on 69 growers’ farms, which average 297 units of corn & 1809 units of beans per customer.

Over 70 customers participate in the Bulk PayBack Program; averaging 199 units of corn & 785 units of beans per customer.

Between the Rows

Chris Jeffries Have a save spring!

All said, SCI is headed in the right direction; and as always thank you for all your support and being the #1 factor in our being “Simply, the Best Value in the Seed Industry™”.

Additionally, being part of one of the largest genetic pipelines in the seed industry has its benefits – with the release of 15 new corn hybrids on 8 different platforms for 2014 and seven new soybean varieties on two different platforms.

Updates from Chris Jeffries, general manager