Prepare For Planting
ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC
Southern Production & Marketing Strategies
A Supplement to Cotton Farming and The Peanut Grower Magazines
January 2020
CornSouth
New Analytics Tool
Promising New Tool A small, handheld device may soon have a big impact in farming. The device is a Raman spectrometer. Raman spectroscopy measures how molecules scatter harmless laser light and has been found by Texas A&M AgriLife research scientists as a Amanda Huber quick, accurate, nondeEditor structive, and portable way to scan produce for its nutrient content. Dmitry Kurouski, assistant professor of biochemistry and biophysics, led the team in this new application of Raman spectroscopy. Using the handheld scanner the size of a kitchen scale, six red or yellow corn kernels were scanned. Each scan took about a second. From the data, the team could calculate levels of nutrients inside each grain: protein, carbohydrates, fiber and carotenoids. Currently, analyzing nutrient content either destroys the sample or is less accurate or more time consuming than the team’s method. The team used the older methods to confirm the results. “The method could someday be used to quickly estimate the economic value of grain in a field or grain elevator, or predict grain’s starch content,” Kurouski says. “This could change the economy for farmers and consumers.” But the applications don’t end there. Researchers used the same tool to identify corn plants growing in a field. Each plant’s signature pattern of light scattering allowed the team to identify different corn varieties, which would be helpful for both plant breeders and farmers. In another application, the team was able to diagnose citrus greening disease months before visible symptoms appeared. Raman spectroscopy detected telltale symptoms inside citrus plants. Kurouski says it was talking to producers that gave him the idea to apply Raman spectroscopy in agriculture. “From talking to farmers, I understood what they wanted. No sample preparation, quick turnaround and at least 70%-80% accuracy,” Kurouski says. “I realized that Raman spectroscopy could fulfill all these requirements.” The team now plans to work with partners to commercialize the technique. It will be interesting to see where the many ways this small device may revolutionize production agriculture.
Sentera Announces Tassel Counts
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he Tassel Count analytics product will be available to all Sentera FieldAgent customers in March 2020. Instead of forecasting yield with a few spot samples, Sentera Tassel Count analytics tool allows users to more precisely calculate yields using tassel population data gathered across the entire field. Understanding tassel population can also help to more accurately time the application of certain crop protection products. This addition to Sentera’s toolbox will help growers and ag professionals leverage late-season data for crop marketing decisions to maximize profit and optimize storage costs. The product delivers tassel count density throughout a field so users can more easily forecast and refine their crop yields prior to harvest and make
other management decisions. Visualization is available in FieldAgent, and data layers can be exported via shapefile. Users can also convert their results into zone maps, which provide an average tassel count per acre per zone and total acreage per zone. Application programming partners have the option to integrate these new data layers directly into other digital platform products. Tassel count analysis will be available starting March 2020 through Sentera’s FieldAgent platform. The new analytics tool will be $1,200 for one-year unlimited use, and users can run the analysis on all or part of a field. Learn more about tassel count analytics, as well as other existing FieldAgent Platform analytics by calling 844-SENTERA (844-736-8372) or by email at info@sentera.com.
Corn South: Covering Southern Corn Production Corn South is a supplement to the Mid-South and Southeast versions of Cotton Farming magazine and to The Peanut Grower magazine for producers in Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi. To receive Corn South, visit www.CornSouth.com and click on “Subscribe to Corn South.” Send comments to Corn South, 875 W. Poplar Ave., Suite 23, Box 305, Collierville, TN 38017. You may also call 901-767-4020 or contact Lia Guthrie at lguthrie@onegrower.com or Amanda Huber at ahuber@onegrower.com.
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Product News
New Gramoxone 3SL Formulation
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yngenta recently received a label for its new formulation of paraquat sold under the trade name Gramoxone 3SL at 3 pounds active ingredient per gallon. Paraquat is a widely used, restricted-use pesticide in the United States. However, because of misuse of the product and the subsequent poisonings, the Environmental Protection Agency is requiring changes to paraquat-labeled products. Products used in the 2019 cropping season were made and labeled in 2018. Now, as explained by University of Georgia Extension weed specialist Eric Prostko, many rules regarding the purchase, han-
Product Resources: •• To learn more about Gramoxone 3SL, visit http://www. syngenta-us.com/current-label/gramoxone_sl_3.0. •• Current bulk handling systems meet the new closed-system packaging requirements. A video of the new closed system for 2.5 gallon containers can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/XNxHq_asxXg. •• EPA-approved paraquat training information can be found at https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-worker-safety/paraquat-dichloride-training-certified-applicators.
dling and application of paraquat are changing. “Most notably, all newly labeled, non-bulk paraquat products must adhere to closed-system packaging requirements set forth by the EPA’s Paraquat Dichloride Human Health Mitigation Decision. Also, all paraquat applicators are required to complete an EPA-approved training module.” Prostko says that in recent discussions with both Syngenta and AMVAC field personnel, there will still be some of the previously labeled paraquat formulations in the marketplace for 2020, but supplies will be exhausted eventually. “Growers need to be very aware of the label requirements of the container(s) they have in their possession,” he cautions. “Generally, research results from 2019 field trials with the new Gramoxone 3SL formulation have been positive.” CS
Marketing
Price Above PLC Trigger
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n his “Feed Grain Outlook” marketing newsletter, Mark Welch, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension economist, says U.S. corn production decreased by 118 million bushels, according to the November World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates. The national average corn yield declined from 168.4 bushels per acre to 167 bushels, 3% below trend. Harvested acreage was unchanged. That number would have been more bullish if not for adjustments on the demand side of the balance sheet: feed use down 25 million bushels; ethanol down 25 million bushels; exports down 50 million bushels. The net impact on projected ending stocks was a modest decline of 19 million bushel or down about 1%. The 2019/20 marketing year season average farm price is now projected at $3.85, above the $3.70 reference price that would generate a Price Loss Coverage payment. Grain sorghum production increased 9 million bushels on a 2-bushel increase in average yield. Offsetting this was an increase of 10 million bushels in exports. The WASDE reported a greater reduction in global corn supplies with ending stocks down about 2%. Supplies were down 6 million metric tons (229 million bushels) and use up 1 million metric tons (31 million bushels). Stocks are projected lower by 6.6 million metric tons (259 million bushels) and days of use on hand
Market Outlook: •• •• •• ••
Average yield 3% below trend. Global ending stocks down 2%. Days of use on hand down by two days. Harvest significantly late in 2019.
at the end of the marketing year was down by two days. Removing China from the equation of world stocks-to-use calculation leads the days of use on hand to drop from a 46-day supply to 43 days, the lowest since 2012. Corn harvest was significantly behind normal. The top 18 producing corn states are projected to account for 12.8 billion bushels of the total 13.7 billion bushels this year. Using November crop production estimates and harvest percentages at the same time, about 3 billion bushels were still in the field. The seasonal price pattern for the December corn contract shows that prices tend to have some upward momentum early in the year before trading below the yearly average in July. Relatively speaking, prices were lower than normal the first half of the year but peaked and bottomed about normal. CS
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Irrigation
Don’t Neglect Winter Maintenance
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ummer irrigation woes offered a good reminder to do winter maintenance on these critical production systems. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension irrigation specialist Wes Porter encourages producers to make the necessary modifications in irrigation system preparation to avoid potential problems during the growing season. “If farmers haven’t employed a good maintenance plan, ensured good uniformity in their irrigation systems, and done a good job fixing leaks and stopped-up nozzles, it was noticed during the 2019 season,” Porter says. “We had such a hot and dry mid-May to mid-June when corn was in peak tassel, we saw a lot of streaking. That’s usually attributed to poor uniformity.” Streaking refers to a section of a field where the crops have been underwatered and the effects are visible in the form of smaller plants, wilted plants exhibiting stress and those with a canopy that is not fully developed. Irrigation issues that can lead to streaking include clogged nozzles, leaks and inadequate or aging pumps. “Usually, when we get to the point where we start seeing these maintenance type of issues in a normal year, we have had enough rainfall to mask some of the problems,” Porter says. According to the UGA Extension Corn Production Guide, corn needs the most water — approximately 0.33 inches per day — during pollination. If malfunctions exist and corn doesn’t receive the right amount of water at the right time, the amount and size of the corn kernels could be impacted. Porter points out that while you may see water coming out, if you are not certain it is coming out at the correct rate, you may not be applying what is needed by the corn plant. “It will be easy to tell if there was an irrigation system problem on the yield map, as the yield reductions will follow irrigation system patterns.” Porter recommends farmers thoroughly inspect their irrigation systems and make needed repairs once harvest season is done. Before next season, conduct thorough maintenance of irrigation systems based on company recommendations. These tips are a good place to start:
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Make sure to do an electrical system shutoff beforehand or risk electrocution. You’re working with 480 volts, so make sure the power is turned off in your work area. Proceed with electrical safety in mind. Check the power unit, especially the main control panel, for any issues. Make sure all fuses are in working order and that no animals have chewed on wires or built nests in the electrical control box. Check the pumping system to see if pressure and flow are optimized. If pressure has been lost from last year or the pressure spikes, there’s more than likely a leak or possibly a clog. Check the sprinkler systems to make sure they are functional and properly applying irrigation. Perform a uniformity check on the pivot to determine any nonvisual application issues. Check the pivot point as it could contain leaks, loosened bolts, bad fittings and improperly greased joints. Check the drain valves to see if they’re in proper working order. When the system shuts off, the valves should drain water out of the pipe and should prevent leaks at the drain areas when the system is full of water. Make sure that the auto-stop and reverse are working. If chemigation or fertigation are being used, check their respective pumps. Check to see if the drive motors at each tower are in proper working order and that there is nothing nesting on the inside. Check the tires to make sure none have leaks, cracks or are flat. “The last thing you want to do in the summer is go out in the middle of a corn field to change a tire or a drive motor. It can be hard to get to,” Porter says. For a more complete checklist, read UGA Extension Bulletin 1452, “Spring Center Pivot and Lateral Irrigation System Preparation,” at extension.uga.edu/publications. CS Article provided by UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences. CORNSOUTH.COM