Seed Consultants October Newsletter

vol. 28

October 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

Residue Decompostion of Corn Stalks after Harvest Over past years of raising corn, yields have increased and so has all the residue left in fields after harvest. Raising higher yields is a plus for the grower’s benefit however trying to decompose the corn stubble has been a challenge and, in some instances, a big problem for the following crop, especially no-till soybeans. New corn heads and attachments have addressed the issue with positive results. However for successful decomposition to occur healthy soil bacteria is needed to digest the residue in the soil.

Recent articles addressing residue decomposition are bringing to light the importance of managing this post harvest problem. Undigested corn stalks and other plant matter cause a tie up of nutrients and not building up soil organic matter. In continuous corn additional nitrogen has to be applied to compensate for nitrogen tied up in the residue. Undigested residue in fields the following spring keeps the soil cooler and longer allowing fungal organisms to infect seed if not using proper seed treatments. Crop residues contain nutrients waiting to be recycled in the soil. If residue is properly digested by soil bacteria, nutrients become more available and help crops attain higher yields due to this increase nutrient flow. Soil

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Fall Herbicide application Prepare fields now for less weeds later

Scout for stalk rots Disease prevention

SCI Bulk bin program Store and save options for grain

Wheat yield contest 2013 Winners Announced

Residue Decompostion of Corn Stalks... continued from page 1

bacteria need oxygen to further decomposition.

Better plant genetics have increased high lignin content in corn stalks making it harder to decompose. Corn hybrids with corn borer protection has slowed down microbial digestion.

Herbicide carryover in the soil also hinders the microbial process. Corn residue lacks in sugars and carbohydrates, both of which are needed for soil bacteria to digest crop residues and recycle nutrients. A recent article showed that soil bacteria require a carbon to nitrogen ratio range of 20 to 30:1. Corn residue can be as high as 70:1, wheat straw can be as high as 80:1. Growers need to apply some form of nitrogen on corn residue to narrow the ratio.

After corn harvest is done, we need to apply some nutrients for decomposition to occur prior to fall work. Remember sugar and carbohydrates are food sources for soil bacteria to function.

One mix, sprayed on corn/wheat stubble that has shown success and isn’t too expensive; 7 gallon water + 5 pounds of sugar + 9 gallon of 28% per acre. Lightly disc or incorporate in the top 3 inches; good soil to residue contact is important.

On soybean residue, drop the 9 gallon of 28% to 5 gallon but add 5 gallon more water per acre.

Crop residue is an issue that needs to be addressed. Shredding the stalks is good but not the only solution. For a successful decomposition to occur we need soil bacteria to work on the residue. As this process continues less residue will be on the surface, recycled nutrients will be available for following crops, and soil tilth will improve over the years. We need to be better stewards of the soil, this is one way of doing that.

Fall Herbicide Application Anyone who has seen the weedy fields across the Eastern Corn Belt knows that growers are having more and more difficulty controlling weeds. Herbicide resistant Marestail continues to be a challenge and rob yields from crops.

While agronomists and weed specialists have been warning growers about the possibility of a new challenge on the horizon; Palmer amaranth, in some areas of the Corn Belt it is currently a reality. It has been found in Michigan, several counties in Indiana and within the last month in multiple fields in southwest Ohio.

The time to start working toward better weed control next year is now. As harvest wraps up this year keep in mind fall is the time to begin planning and working on keeping weeds under control next year. Fall herbicide applications are great tool for controlling existing weeds after harvest, which will provide a weed free field in early spring the following year. For example, herbicide applications last fall would have kept weeds from getting a head start this spring when fields were too wet for field work.

According to Mark Loux, OSU Weed Specialist, “Even where the herbicides lack residual, the fall treatment seems to enable more effective control of marestail the following season. In some cases, it’s probable that you don’t even know how much the fall treatment helps out, but our research shows that more often than not it does.” University research also suggests that most fall-applied herbicides provide minimal residual control in the spring and that the greatest benefit from residual herbicides is gained from a spring application. The timing of fall herbicide applications is important to ensure control of existing weeds. “In our research, herbicides seem to be effective for control of winter annuals and biennials well into December. The rate of plant death can slow considerably, but this is not a problem since weeds just have to die by early spring. Control of perennials typically declines in late November or early December though, depending upon weather,” writes Loux. University experts have published several excellent articles on this subject that go into great detail, all of which are available online.

Below are some effective fall herbicide treatments determined to be effective by Ohio State University research. Keep in mind; it is important to make application decisions based on the weeds present and the crop to be planted the following spring.

Any Crop Next Spring: -Glyphosate + 2,4-D

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

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Soybeans next spring: Canopy EX or DF + 2,4-D Glyphosate + 2,4-D Metribuzin + 2,4-D (excluding dandelions) Corn next spring: Basis + 2,4-D Glyphosate + 2,4-D Simazine + 2,4-D (except dandelion)

Scout for Stalk Rots and Win! During the last five years, we have not seen a near-normal year. Climatologists tell us that we need to get used to it and expect more of the same. Cool and wet weather in May and June was conducive to the development of leaf diseases, like Northern Corn Leaf Blight, Gray Leaf Spot and Rusts, making the plants more susceptible to stalk rot pathogens. The early rains were responsible for a lot of nitrogen loss due to leaching. Late August heat and drought plus nitrogen deficiency has put a lot of stress on the plants and caused cannibalization of stalks to meet the needs of kernels during the grainfill period. The stalks have been weakened and we might have stalk rot problems this fall. So, we need to be proactive and do rigorous scouting for stalk rot diseases and prioritize fields for harvest by conducting stalk pinch or push tests.

Some of the major stalk rot diseases of corn:

Anthracnose Leaf Blight and Stalk Rot is caused

by the fungus Colletotrichum graminicola. This pathogen can over-winter in corn debris. In the leaf blight phase, it produces long, wavy lesions on the leaves. Depending on weather during the grainfill period, the pathogen can move to stalks. This disease is pretty easy to identify by the shiny black spots near base of the plants which eventually move up to several internodes. Premature plant death interrupts the grainfill and causes yield losses. It has become one of the most important diseases in the Cornbelt.

Diplodia Stalk Rot is caused by the fungus Diplodia

maydis which also causes the ear rot. Infections can occur within two weeks after silking. It usually starts at the base of the ears and eventually the whole ear may become infected. The shank and husk of the ear look bleached and whitish. The base of stalk produces small black dots called pycnidia which are embedded in the rind of the stalks and cannot be scraped.

Fusarium Stalk Rot is caused by the fungus Fusarium

moniliforme and Gibberella Stalk Rot caused by the fungus Gibberella zeae are difficult to distinguish in the field. Both of these can infect ears as well as stalks. The ears are infected at the tips first and then move towards the base.

They attack the base of the stalks through the roots. When stalks are split, the inside tissues and fibers are deteriorated, soft and pink to reddish in color.

Disease Control and Prevention

Stalk rot diseases are difficult to control but following preventive measures may reduce yield losses: F Hybrid selection is very helpful in stalk rot prevention. Hybrids with good resistance are available. Hybrids which are resistant to stalk rot diseases like Diplodia or Gibberella may not be resistant to Anthracnose.

F Balanced fertility programs reduce plant stress.

Too much nitrogen and insufficient potash can make corn susceptible to stress and stalk rot diseases.

F Reduced tillage systems increase the level of disease organisms. Deep tillage and rotation are very helpful in reducing most of the above diseases.

F Foliar fungicides that reduce leaf diseases and improve plant health may also help in reducing stalk rots.

F Use of insecticides and genetically modified hybrids with insect resistance may also reduce the infection by stalk rot pathogens.

F Plant optimum population suited to the genetics of the hybrid. Excessive plant density can cause stress and increase the risk of stalk rots.

F Cover crops keep the soils healthy and reduce diseases.

Let’s hope for less stalk rots and a safe and high yielding harvest!

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

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SCI’s 2014 Customer Trip The Westin Maui Resort and Spa Ka’anapali Beach

Maui, Hawaii • January 18-25, 2014 Leave the Midwest’s winter blues behind and travel with Seed Consultants on our 2014 Customer Trip to the Hawaiian Island of Maui. Attendees will be staying at the beautiful Westin Maui Resort and Spa located on the famous Ka’anapali Beach.This spectacular 5 star resort is surrounded by the one of the best beaches the Hawaiian Islands have to offer.

The Maui Trip Packages includes: • Round trip scheduled coach class air transportation to Maui from Columbus, Dayton, Indianapolis, Detroit, Akron-Canton and Louisville airports (Based on schedule availability and a minimum of 10 passengers from each gateway).

• 8 days, 7 nights accommodations at the beautiful Westin Maui Resort and Spa • Daily buffet breakfast • Hawaiian Luau with a bountiful dinner, cultural entertainment, and open bar • Half-day Island Sightseeing Tour with lunch included • Transfers to and from the Maui airport • Personalized baggage handling upon arrival and departure • All taxes included The Westin Resort and Spa Features: • Amazing wide sand beach located on the resort property with spectacular views of other islands • Five free flow pools including an adults only with Jacuzzi, 120 ft. waterslide and Beach Bar • Five different dining options on site including open-air, beachfront and pool side • Whalers Village with over 90 shops and restaurants just steps away from the Westin • 14.000 sq. ft. full service spa and a 24 hour a day workout facility Responsibility: SCI,TravelPlex Hilliard, or their agents, act only as agents and assume no liability during such travel for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity which may be occasional either by reason of defect in any vehicle or for any reason whatsoever, or through the acts of default of any company or person engaged in the passenger or in carrying out the arrangement of the tour. Many airlines charge fees for baggage and other services. Amounts vary by airlines and are subject to change.Travelers are responsible for verifying all fees charged by individual carriers.

Please visit the operating carrier website of your ticketed itinerary for applicable fees.You can email Patty and Jim Salle with any questions at Travelplexhilliard@yahoo.com or by calling 614-771-5557, Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

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Trip Cost: Single Occupancy – $4,047 Double Occupancy – $2,840 per person Triple Occupancy – $2,656 per person Quad Occupancy – $2,521 per person For any additional rooming rates, please contact Travelplex Hilliard.

• $300 Non- Refundable deposit by August 1st (per person) • $400 Non-Refundable deposit by September 1st (per person) • $500 Non-Refundable deposit by October 1st (per person) • Full Trip Payment is due by November 1, 2013 payable to Travelplex Hilliard.

• Full Trip Payment is Non-Refundable Space Is Limited.

Early Reservations Are Recommended!

Travelers may earn Trip Credit by: • Purchasing SCI seed Travel Documents: All participants will be required to present a valid driver’s license, government issued ID or passport to provide to the air carrier and TSA prior to boarding.

Book Early to Reserve your Trip and Departure City: Make all checks payable to: Travelplex Hilliard Please send all checks, registrations, travel documents, etc. to: Travelplex Hilliard P.O. Box 620 Hilliard, OH 43026 Phone: 614-771-5557

“Seed Consultants’ Winter Trips are a blast!

We look forward to traveling with them every January.”

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

Seed Consultants, Inc. Maui, Hawaii Customer Trip • January 18-25, 2014

I am including my non-refundable per person deposit and I agree to pay the remainder of the trip balance by November 1, 2013.

Make check payable to Travelplex Hilliard.

Space is limited. Early reservations are recommended!

Name: _ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Area Seedsman: _ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Guest’s Name: _ _____________________________________________________________________________________ Email: _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Address:_ __________________________________________________________________________________________ Cell Phone: _____________________________________ Home Phone: ________________________________________ Travel discounts will be discussed with you by your Area Seedsman and will depend on customer order and payment discounts.

For questions, you may email Jim and Patty Salle at travelplexhilliard@yahoo.com or by calling 614-771-5557.

Please Circle Your Choice of Departure City:

Columbus

Dayton

Detroit

Indianapolis

Akron/Canton

Louisville

If you wish to depart form a city other than those listed above or register after pre-reserved seats from your desired departure city are allocated, there may be an airfare surcharge to accommodate your request.You will be contacted to approve any additional cost prior to ticket issuance. Changes and cancellations after trip payment is made are subject to additional charges. Additional fees may apply if requesting another departure city. SCI reserves the right to change or discontinue program offerings at any time.

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The SCI Bulk Soybean Bin Program SCI began the bulk soybean bin program eight years ago for several reasons. For starters, bulk boxes cost $700+ each. This price translates to more than $14/unit of soybeans stored, assuming 50 units per box.

(Actually $17/unit if there are only 40 units per box.)

Bulk boxes must be returned, cleaned and nested. And growers must provide a covered structure for storage, unload, and load boxes. The bulk boxes eat up growers’ storage space (equipment must be moved outside or to other buildings).Growers are also liable for damages to boxes.

An even bigger headache can be bulk bags.

The benefits of bulk soybean bins stack up. SCI currently has more than 150 bulk soybean bins on customers’ farms. The majority are 521- bushel GSI bins with bean ladders. We are pleased with the bulk bin program, but believe many growers are missing out on the benefits.

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Safety.

Bins eliminate the need to climb in and out of seed tenders and seed wagons, untying bulk bags. Bins also eliminate the risk of straps tearing or bags teetering over. You cannot put a value on injury to a family member or yourself, especially at this time of year.

Convenience.

You can set the conveyor, pull under, turn on conveyor, open the bin door, and fill your seed tender.

Labor Saving.

One person can unload bins and fill seed tenders with little effort. Bulk bags, on the other hand, require at least two workers. Bulk bag pallets must also be returned and bags disposed of, and bulk boxes must be nested for return, stored, and loaded.

Cost Effective.

The bins eliminate the need for additional storage buildings by growers, reduces manpower requirements at planting and the conveyor can also be used for other loading/unloading chores.

Grower Friendly.

100% satisfaction by growers. While not an official survey, we don’t receive complaints about the bulk bin program.

How can you participate?

Contact your area seedsman and sign an agreement.

Pour a pad Purchase a multi use belt conveyor (40ft.)—eligible for Bulk Payback Program Order beans, minimum 400 units/variety/bin Order early and take early delivery

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2013 Wheat Yield Contest Winners For the 2013 growing season Seed Consultants customers entered into the Project 150 Wheat Yield Contest. The purpose of the contest was to support and recognize growers who achieve high wheat yields through sound management practices. Prizes for the winners include SC and Supreme EX brand seed as well as a trip for two to the 2014 Commodity Classic. Below are the top three finishers in SCI’s Project 150 Wheat Yield Contest:

1st Place

2nd Place

3rd Place

James Rodman Radnor, Ohio SC 1302TM 125.72 bu/ac

Bill Koch Middletown, Ohio SC 1341TM 112.58 bu/ac

Marlon Corwin New Palestine, Indiana SC 1341TM 109.05 bu/ac

There is no cost to the grower to sign up for these contests. Anyone who is interested in signing up for the Project 150 Wheat Yield Contest, the Project 300 Corn Yield Contest, the Project 100 Soybean Yield Contest, or the Double-Crop Soybean Yield Contest should contact their Seedsman or visit: http://www.seedconsultants.com/sci-yield-contest/

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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. 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.

Between the Rows While I don’t spend much time reflecting; I look back at my 34 years in this industry and I remember Ohio setting a record in 1980 with a state average of 113 bpa; which would be considered a crop failure today. Indiana anticipates a state average of 168 bpa, and Ohio expects an average of 174 bpa in 2013.

Per a presentation the other day at Tipton, Indiana, DuPont Pioneer President, Paul Schickler, stated that over the past 75 years the average corn yield has risen from 30 bpa to 165 bpa, a 5 ½ fold increase in 75 years.

I still remember talking with older seedsman; that sampled peck bags

Updates from Chris Jeffries, general manager

of hybrid seed corn to growers, in the 1930’s, 40’s, & early 50’s.

So when I hear talk of 300 bpa corn averages in the next 20 to 30 years; I view it as probable. Our continued improvement in genetics & traits will make it a reality.

SCI plans to be an important part of that effort with our continued focus on regionalized testing. We pride ourselves on the magnitude of SCI’s regionalized testing effort; our CT 108 test is at 48 locations throughout Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, and Virginia.

As our testing has grown, so has our sales (doubling every 5 to 7 years); so I

would like to thank you for your support; thank you for your guidance; thank you for your friendship; and thank you for being the #1 factor behind our growth.

Have a SAFE HARVEST and thank you for allowing SCI to continue to be “Simply, the Best Value in the Seed Industry™”

Chris Jeffries