31 minute read
Green & Growing
Always follow stewardship practices in accordance with the Product Use Guide (PUG) or other product-specific stewardship requirements including grain marketing and pesticide label directions. Varieties with BOLT® technology provide excellent plant-back flexibility for soybeans following application of sulfonylurea (SU) herbicides such as DuPont™ LeadOff® or DuPont™ Basis® Blend as a component of a burndown program or for doublecrop soybeans following SU herbicides such as DuPont™ Finesse® applied to wheat the previous fall. Always follow grain marketing, stewardship practices and pesticide label directions. Varieties with the Glyphosate Tolerant trait (including those designated by the letter “R” in the product number) contain genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate herbicides. Glyphosate herbicides will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. Always follow grain marketing, stewardship practices and pesticide label directions. Varieties with the Genuity® Roundup Ready 2 Yield® (RR2Y) trait contain genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides. Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. Genuity®, Roundup® and Roundup Ready 2 Yield® are registered trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC used under license. Individual results may vary, and performance may vary from location to location and from year to year. This result may not be an indicator of results you may obtain as local growing, soil and weather conditions may vary. Growers should evaluate data from multiple locations and years whenever possible. Varieties with the STS® trait are tolerant to certain sulfonylurea (SU) herbicides. This technology allows post-emergent applications of DuPont™ Synchrony® XP and DuPont™ Classic® herbicides without crop injury or stress (see herbicide product labels). NOTE: A soybean variety with a herbicide tolerant trait does not confer tolerance to all herbicides. Spraying herbicides not labeled for a specific soybean variety will result in severe plant injury or plant death. Always read and follow herbicide label directions and precautions for use.
Varieties with the LibertyLink® (LL) gene are resistant to Liberty® herbicide. Liberty®, LibertyLink® and the Water Droplet Design are registered trademarks of BASF.
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DO NOT APPLY DICAMBA HERBICIDE IN-CROP TO SOYBEANS WITH Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® technology unless you use a dicamba herbicide product that is specifically labeled for that use in the location where you intend to make the application. IT IS A VIOLATION OF FEDERAL AND STATE LAW TO MAKE AN IN-CROP APPLICATION OF ANY DICAMBA HERBICIDE PRODUCT ON SOYBEANS WITH Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® technology, OR ANY OTHER PESTICIDE APPLICATION, UNLESS THE PRODUCT LABELING SPECIFICALLY AUTHORIZES THE USE. Contact the U.S. EPA and your state pesticide regulatory agency with any questions about the approval status of dicamba herbicide products for in-crop use with soybeans with Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® technology. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS.
Soybeans with Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® technology contain genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate and dicamba. Glyphosate herbicides will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. Dicamba will kill crops that are not tolerant to dicamba. Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® is a registered trademark of Monsanto Technology LLC used under license. Varieties with Enlist E3® (E3) technology: The transgenic soybean event in Enlist E3® soybeans is jointly developed and owned by Dow AgroSciences LLC and M.S. Technologies L.L.C. The Enlist weed control system is owned and developed by Dow AgroSciences LLC. Enlist Duo® and Enlist One® herbicides are not registered for sale or use in all states or counties. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your area. Enlist Duo and Enlist One herbicides are the only 2,4-D products authorized for use in Enlist crops. Always read and follow label directions. Consult Enlist herbicide labels for weed species controlled. P = Plenish® high oleic soybeans for contract production only. Plenish® high oleic soybeans have an enhanced oil profile and are produced and channeled under contract to specific grain markets. Growers should refer to the Pioneer Product Use Guide on www.pioneer.com/stewardship for more information. SCN = Resistant to one or more races of soybean cyst nematode.
Pioneer® brand products are provided subject to the terms and conditions of purchase which are part of the labeling and purchase documents. TM ® SM Trademarks and service marks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies. © 2020 Corteva. PION0LOCL055
Late fall is easy to identify buckthorn
Is there a bush or small tree (possibly not change color in the fall. The plant up to 20 feet tall) on your property that is flowers in May or June and produces still green? There is a noxious weed small berries which turn from green to known as buckthorn which is likely to black and remain on the plant in the still have green leaves — even after our winter. A problem with identifying buckrecent low temperatures. thorn is that it can be confused with The problem plants are the common or European buckthorn (Rhamnus catharti- GREEN AND native plants such as wild cherry, wild plum, chokecherry and dogwood. ca) and the glossy buckthorn (Frangula GROWING Native buckthorn has stipules or long alnus). Both varieties have male and female plants with berries found only on By Linda G. Tenneson green extensions at the base of each stalk, and it does not have thorns. There the female plants. Both a female and a male plant are also some differences between the flowers of the are needed to produce berries. native and non-native plants. Go to minnesotawildThere is also a native version called Alder-leaf buckthorn (Rhamnus alnifolia) which looks like the flowers.info/shrub/alder-leaved-buckthorn for more details and illustrations of the stipules. problem non-native plant. However, the native ver- The non-native buckthorn is an aggressive grower sion is shorter — growing to only 3 feet tall and is which crowds out native plants and shelters the not aggressive. soybean aphid insect. Plus, the plant gives off a The web site extension.umn.edu/identify-invasivespecies/common-buckthorn has a video which describes the best way to identify buckthorn. Another useful website is 1854treatyauthority.org/ images/IDComparisonsofInvasiveBuckthorn&Honey suckletoNativePlantsinNEMN which has a lot of picchemical which keeps other plant seeds from germinating. It creates dense shade, crowding out native plants. Once established, it is difficult to remove. Both non-native buckthorn plants are on the restricted noxious weed list. It is illegal to import, sell or transport them in Minnesota. tures of both the common and the glossy buckthorn If the berries are eaten by birds, they have a laxaand the plants that they may be confused with. tive effect and are quickly defecated in other locations. S:9.666" T:10.166" B:10.166" The name “buckthorn” comes from the two slightly curved horn-like projections at the end of each stem. They look like the hooves of a buck deer. In between Unfortunately, the seeds have a high germination rate and can remain viable for five or more years. Young plants may be pulled out of the ground the horn-like projections is a small thorn. Common with their roots. Taller established plants can be buckthorn has serrated or saw-toothed leaves, while sawed off near ground level. However, the remainthe glossy buckthorn has leaves with smooth on the ing stumps must be sprayed with herbicide — makedges. The glossy buckthorn prefers to grow in wet ing sure to cover the cambium or growing layer outareas, but has been found in other places. The bark side the heartwood and just under the bark. If not is smooth and shiny, and gray or brown with light- treated, the remaining roots will sprout — creating colored lenticels or corky projections. If the outer many new plants. layer of the bark is scraped with a knife, the inner layer is orange. The leaves are dark green and oval — plus the leaf veins are easy to see. The leaves do Linda G. Tenneson is a University of Minnesota master gardener and tree care advisor. v Fund-A-Farmer grants available
Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT) is accepting grant applications for livestock and poultry farmers who wish to expand animal welfare, build capacity, and/or improve pasture for their animals. Grants of up to $2,500 are available to independent family farmers who raise beef cattle, bison, broiler chickens, dairy cows, goats, laying hens, pigs, sheep and/or turkeys.
All applications will be submitted online through one main Fund-a-Farmer grant application, no matter the type of project. Only one application per farm per year will be accepted.
All proposed projects must begin and be completed within the time frame of February 2021 through May 2022. Projects completed before February 2021 are not eligible for funding. Eligible expense categories include: materials, supplies, equipment, shipping/ delivery costs, consultant/professional fees, travel, training, and hired labor costs.
The purchase of animals (with the exception of livestock guardian dogs and breeding stock for animal welfare-certified farms), land, or recurring operational expenses such as animal feed will not be funded. Projects related to the production of raw milk or to the slaughter of animals will not be funded.
Farmers must agree to a possible scheduled farm visit(s) by FACT and/or ASPCA staff.
Applications must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 1 to be considered for this round of funding. Grants will be awarded in February 2021.
Questions regarding grant requirements and an application form is available at grants@foodanimalconcerns.org.
This article was submitted by the National Farmers Union. v
Local banker is optimistic after healthy crop year
By DICK HAGEN great job breaking down crop residue; and can build The Land Staff Writer Emeritus soil health by keeping more structure in place. OLIVIA, Minn. — As Minnesota’s The Land: Is this season making your farm cusfirst ‘winter storm’ was blanketing tomers more financially healthy? fields with 6 to 8 inches of snow, F&M Bank President Erik Peterson was graciously willing to share a few minutes of his time on Oct. 22. Peterson: Well, we won’t be seeing things quite as dire (meaning horrible) as they have the past couple of years. Good yields have helped; safety nets provided through USDA are important; and I give credit Peterson, 40, is into his third year Erik Peterson to farmers doing a good job keeping expenses in as bank president. He grew up as a check. So overall, things are looking more reasonable farm kid with his father, Rabbi, and grandfather than past years. Paul, raising corn, soybeans, and pig farming on their farmstead just north of Olivia. Peterson majored in mechanical engineering at North Dakota State The Land: Is debt load an increasing reality in farm finances? University. Upon graduating, Emerson Electric out Peterson: Overall farm debt is on the rise, but of St. Louis offered him a position and a Master’s we’re expecting it to cycle. Like most banks supportdegree opportunity at the University of Minnesota. ing agriculture, we take a long-term view across the Soon Peterson was flying to China and other Asian ups and downs. Yes, some operations dug a bit of a countries making business deals on behalf of Emerson hole in prior years. 2020 might backfill some debt, Electric. After 14 years with Emerson, Peterson but there’s still work to do.” decided Minnesota agriculture and working in a bus- The Land: Some economists say money is a ‘bartling new bank in his hometown should be the next gain’ these days with interest rates on a downward chapter in his life. trend. What are your thoughts? The Land: Was Crop Year 2020 a good year? Peterson: Guidance from the FED (Federal Peterson: We would have liked for the weather to Reserve Board) tells us short-term interest rates are cooperate a little bit longer here at the end, but it was not expected to change for potentially a few years. a nice growing season. Yields are really good. Sugar That should keep variable rate operating loan costs beet crop so big that it’s maxing out the plant’s pro- down. Long-term money, for land or buildings, looks cessing capacity. And great quality with over 17 per- pretty optimistic right now also. Bonds are a primary cent sugar content. This is a welcome improvement money source and those rates are staying low; but after several years in the red for those producers. they’re tougher to predict. There’s a lot of uncertainty AD COPY INSTRUCTIONS 3.75 wide Please read attached email Soybean and corn yields really good — even specialty crops like our edible navy beans were above average. Our sweet corn farmers faced some slowdowns because our canneries couldn’t always keep up with daily harvest from grower fields. around inflation and where it might go, but the FED recently indicated that when it starts to creep up, they’ll let it run longer than they have in the past before they pump the brake … creating a likely delay or lag for when they would increase benchmark interest rates. ADD REP INFO AND CODE under “Local Sales Rep” SEE INSERTION ORDER The Land: What are these rates today? Peterson: They’re historically low. On home loans for example, we saw the 15-year rates as low as low to mid-2s. Land deals are pretty variable, but typically start with a 4. Yes, I recall my Granddad Paul trying to work with interest rates in the 20-22 percent range in the ‘80s. Almost impossible to believe today! The Land: So the big question, how were yields on Petersen farms this year? Peterson: They did fine. It’s all out of the field so that’s good! Now we’re wrapping up tillage and getting manure incorporated for next year’s corn crop. Vertical tillage has become popular — especially with more weather challenges each fall. Yesterday our Salford tillage equipment was working with several inches of snow on the ground. It gives you a little more window to work in tough conditions; it does a But now with these moderate rates on land it will be interesting to see the effect on land values. Over time, we see land values trend up when interest rates go down and vice versa. With lower rates, buyers might afford a little more in the budget and sellers If no names are listed might be asking for more. We’re already seeing this on Insertion Order: in residential housing. As rates go down there’s more people buying; and that’s part of the reason home Remove “local sales rep” prices are trending up these days. and replace with:The Land: Is it fair to say consumers — including MN Lic farmers — have more money to put to work these #BC048615 days?Michael Luft: Worthington IA Lic David Baldner: Austin-Rochester C088675 Peterson: I would say consumers face a mixed bag right now. Some real challenges facing many house-
holds while others are trying to find better return on their assets — especially those on a fixed income. The stock market has enjoyed a good run, but tough to weigh where it will go. Plus, safe investments, like money markets, have such low returns these days that people are looking for other ways to generate returns on their assets.
The Land: Now that China is rebuilding their swine industry, is the U.S. swine industry likely to continue in financial turmoil? (The Peterson family also operates a 4,000-hog grow out program which produces about 12,000 pigs yearly.)
Peterson: Yes, the hog market has been very turbulent. It’s tough to say what’s ahead, but for hog operations with some integration and hedging, they’ll be okay. We’re optimistic for the long term. China continues to grow. They have huge populations with increasing earnings. That tends to change diet preference to higher-end protein sources. And there’s only so much useable land in China so they’ll always need outside help. It’s just a question from where. They know it’s in their best interest to have multiple sources for the same product. So even as China rebuilds their internal supply chain for pork, many expect we’ll still see solid overall exports of U.S. farm products to China.
The Land: Do you advise your farm customers on marketing — particularly on hedging?
Peterson: A good question. It’s really up to our customers. We offer an opinion when asked and let our farmers run their operations. Like many ag banks, if a customer wants to get bigger into hedging to manage their marketing risk, we’ll break out a separate account to keep a clean financial structure. We don’t want to see their hedging account being muddied up with their operating money.”
The Land: With record crop yields around here, did growers have adequate bin space?
Peterson: Apparently so. We’re not seeing outdoor corn piles. Plus virtually all corn went directly from the combine into storage, bypassing the dryers. Being able to avoid the cost, the labor, and the time of having to dry your grain before storage is a substantial saving. One farmer joked his savings on propane this year can make his annual payment on his new dryer. Good sense of humor. Also, teams at the local elevators did an excellent job of moving grain as needed — both on exports out and new grain in. Nothing was overloaded like last year.
The Land: With more and more money needed by farmers to run their operations each year, is the banking industry continuing as a dependable financial source?
Peterson: Yes, we’re very much aware of farming getting more capital intense which also applies to we lenders. We’re fortunate to have common ownership with a few other larger banks in rural Minnesota, so we keep our local rural focus; but have the financial
See PETERSON, pg. 13
Seehusen brothers pleased with hemp firm’s first year
By DICK HAGEN a growing season like this year and 9,000-pound The Land Staff Writer Emeritus yields are doable too. This year we averaged just a
OLIVIA, Minn. — With the 2020 little over 5,000 pounds fiber. Our seed source will be harvest behind us, I thought I’d from a European country with seed production in check in on prairiePROducers— the about the same latitude as us.” Olivia hemp brokerage started up by He notes Wisconsin hemp growers getting 40 to 50 brothers Tim and Paul Seehusen. cents per pound for their grain; but nothing for the The firm works with area farmers to fiber (about 3 feet of fiber from each plant). “But we fill hemp contracts with assorted Tim Seehusen could be the buyer of this fiber. For them that would product producers and the Seehusens be just a little more frosting on the cake.” were aiming for 1,000 acres planted in 2020. Yet to be installed are decortication equipment and
“No, we didn’t reach that 1,000-acre goal,” Tim refining tools ”for combing out the fiber to make it admitted. “Our growers planted 180 acres. However, more ‘cotton-like’ plus special equipment to process we did a bunch of learning and that should make the hurd,” noted Tim. As word spreads into the finannext year’s crop a little bit better. We were hoping for cial world, Tim is very encouraged since potential 5,000 to 7,000 pounds of fiber per acre. We were investors are now contacting the Seehusens! Buyers using seed varieties out of Canada. In our lower lati- will likely be scattered across the textile and manutudes down here we likely didn’t get full growth out facturing industries. So far, textile firms are primary of the plants. Longer summer days up there make contacts. some difference.” ”We’re happy with this first year,” Tim exclaimed. “Next year we’ll be going only with an all-fiber “Yes, we made a few mistakes, but gratified we were variety for a little more weight and height. Yes, 7,000 spot-on with most of our decisions. Most of our growlbs. would be an excellent crop. The right variety with ers did 20 acres with field sizes ranging from 10 acres Bank works with other lenders
PETERSON, from pg. 12
banking in our network to do larger projects. The current interest rate environment is helping too. Many operations are taking the opportunity to refinance and restructure their debt which helps their cash flow.
The Land: In situations such as wanting bigger equipment, or renting more land, or simply wanting to start farming … what’s the advice?
Peterson: We are a community bank so our major mission is to help grow and support our community. And if we have a financing request we can’t make work, we have no problem going out to other institutions. FSA often is that good helping hand for young and beginning farmers. Expansion might make sense, but not always. Each operation is unique. And yes, every banker has some challenging discussions. Unfortunately in some situations, “no” is the better answer — but only if we have explored every logical option available … either within our bank or with other financial sources. Sometimes an analytical, neutral opinion might not be the answer an owner wants to hear; but it can be important they hear and consider their options.
The Land: Slip on your Chamber of Commerce cap. Why should any farmer or business entity want to join with this Olivia community?
Peterson: This area continues to be a seedbed of success stories. We need to keep our entrepreneurial spirit to maintain our thriving community. At F&M we take pride in our building here in Olivia; formed years ago by farmers and business owners of the area, each with ties to the seed industry dating back to Trojan Seed some 60 years ago. Once you get that charisma working, it seems each generation feels a responsibility to keep it going and advancing to the next level. There’s a precedent of innovation from Renville County. Hemp farming may be next. The Seehusens and their team at PrairiePRO are paving a new path in the complex, growing world of industrial hemp.
The Land: And any new learning from your 2020 farming experience?
Peterson: (Chuckling) Of course. Plenty of mistakes and lessons learned again this year. I recall my Granddad saying, “Learn something new every day, but never forget to keep on learning.”
Every farmer likes the challenge of trying to improve each year, but agriculture is unique from other businesses as you only get one chance a year. In my lifetime (God willing) I’ll get maybe 30-40 chances to try and apply the lessons learned and that’s it. Game over! This is why agriculture is a many-splendored ambition … often at the whim of Mother Nature … but often incredibly rewarding too!
The Land: Could 2021 be almost as good as 2020?
Peterson: We hope so, or even better. U.S. agriculture is becoming a desirable business partner for more and more people worldwide and we hope our trade channels and pricing continue to improve. Current grain markets have experienced a nice bounce; and with a weaker dollar, we’re still competitive on the global market. Some producers are putting a price floor on part of the production for next year. With the good Lord favoring us with another comparable growing season, 2021 can be a prosperous year also — but with less October snow! v to 50. One grower double-cropped after his pea harvest … that didn’t fare well. Yes, we know farmers like to experiment also … that’s what we appreciate about these guys. They were willing to take a chance on us.”
Grower contracts dictate growers don’t get their checks until “year end.” Once buyers get into the market, the revenue stream for prairiPROducers will be solidified. “So we’re enthused — even though our strategy is a reverse of starting a business. Usually you want the demand; then start the processing. But our potential buyers aren’t signing orders until they can be assured of steady supplies. And that’s why 2021 will really be our launching year,” summed up Tim Seehusen. v
After tough years, 2020 sugar beet crop a needed hit By DICK HAGEN “We’ve been reviewing this system since about harvesters and other big equipment.” The Land Staff Writer Emeritus For veteran Bird Island area farmer Keith McNamara, sugar beet farming dates back into the 1980s. However, he recalls in the 1960s, ‘70s era his father, Larry, would haul his beets to a processing facility at Chaska, Minn. After that plant’s demise, Larry and other Minnesota beet farmers would haul to a rail-car siding in Bird Island for railroad delivery to sugar beet processing facility on the north edge of Mason City, Iowa. Fast forward to the May, 1973 construction start of the huge Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Company facility at Renville, Minn. Larry was a charter board member of the new co-op. In 1975 nearly 50,000 acres of beets were planted by 400 farmers in 12 westcentral Minnesota counties. That 1975 crop produced 2012,” admitted SMBSC Vice President of Agriculture Todd Geselius. “We’ve looked at different ways, but still haven’t found the best way that works for us. We did not use it that past two years when we had smaller crops. But when we did have larger crops we used as a way to mitigate how many tons were going into our various piling sites. This year we are sending these loads directly here to the factory.” In 2020, 380 growers planted 121,500 acres and produced an estimated 3.5 million tons of sugar beets. A typical beet weighs 2 pounds, is 75% moisture and produces 6-8 ounces of processed sugar. Minnesota is #1 sugar beet producing state (tons produced). With semi rigs being loaded at the end of this field, isn’t there a fair amount of soil compaction occurring? “Sure, if soils were wet this would be a concern,” explained Geselius. “You can’t avoid compaction when you’re running loaded beet trucks over the same portion of a field. But with the extremely favorable weather conditions for this harvest — plus remarkably dry soils — it’s a lesser issue this year.” None the less, grower Ron Mehlhouse was using a big 4WD tractor and vertical tillage machine on this compacted area as soon as the semi rigs departed the field. Geselius was reluctant to predict how big the 2020 sugar beet crop will be. “I’d rather not put a number 768,000 tons of sugar beets. Minnesota accounts for 35% of national sugar beet out today,” he said. “We’ll know in about three weeks Since that time, continual improvements and additions have increased grower base to 465 shareholders and 100,000 shares. SMBSC has also made many economic contributions over the years. Currently, production. The Russian Federation tops the world in sugar beet production. Their 2018 crop produced 42.1 million tones accounting for 15.27 percent of the world’s sugar beet when this harvest season will be pretty much wrapped up, assuming no weather interruptions. Yes, lots of good yields out there. I can’t predict a record, but it will be close.” there are nearly 500 shareholders with operations in production. The next four top countries are America, Geselius added SMBSC growers planted about 121, 17 counties. The largest sugar beet plant in the Germany, France and Turkey which account for 56.92 500 acres this season. He said there were a few United States employs 350 full-time and 450 sea- percent of the world’s production based on 2018 data. drowned-out spots, but he figures about 119,000 sonal workers. SMBSC produces enough sugar for acres will be harvested. And good sugar content too. 12.5 million people. “The last few days sugar contents have been quite I visited with Keith on Oct. 9 as he monitored his fleet of 10 semi rigs being field-loaded by a huge German-built machine. The unit gathered beets from a half-mile long berm of freshly-harvested beets on the west end of a 180-acre sugar beet field. For us newcomers to such a scene, I mostly just marveled this new system. Beets get field loaded and delivered directly to the processing plant. Surpriing to me, this is how the beet crop is routinely handled in Germany where fields are smaller. They don’t use piling sites located in various parts of their sugar beet production areas. If SMBSC were to adopt this system it could justify a significant reduction in manpower and equipment. “But that created other problems because we eliminated ‘management pile’ techniques in the process. So we’re trying to find a different way to utilize the machine. So this year we’re putting these beets into long-term storage piles to see how they store. If they store, that opens some new possibilities. When fieldloaded such as from the Mehlhouse field, the beets are quite clean. This year’s harvest is uniquely good in that respect.” Called a ReLoader machine, the Germany-based company manufacturing this particular machine is HOMER. Geselius noted other companies make similar machines. “A more commonly-known name is ROPA. These companies also make self-propelled See SUGAR BEETS, pg. 18 good … helped by this great sunshine and favorable temps. It looks like we’re going to average about 17 percent when all done.” The SMBSC processing facility located east side of Renville has the appetite to handle a big harvest. “When we’re clipping along we can do about 16,000 tons per hour,” said Geselius. And if growers averaged 30 tons per acre you can do the arithmetic on total tonnage to be processed. That transcends into about 223 days (mid-April) processing campaign without disruptive slowdowns. Summed up Geselius, “It’s so refreshing to not have
A Great 2021 Fertility Plan Starts with Testing
Agronomic insights and innovations for forward-thinking farming.
Today’s elite corn and soybeans require more macro- and micronutrients than ever before. To achieve the highest yields possible, it’s necessary to stay on top of plant demands before plant development and ultimately yield is affected. When it comes to evaluating nutrient levels, soil testing and tissue testing are both key components.
Soil tests indicate if your field has adequate nutrient levels, but the tissue test can reveal if you have adequate nutrients available to the plant during peak uptake. The goal is to be proactive with nutrients and understand the relationship of nutrients and nutrient demand trends through the season. Any time a nutrient is in excess it will influence the uptake of another nutrient.
Tissue testing is one piece of the yield puzzle, and it gives us an opportunity to make more informed in-season management. Sampling can help catch the deficiency before the plants show any outward signs. Once nutrient deficiency shows up in the plants, yields have already been hit, and then it is too late. However, even if it was too late to address nutrient deficiencies uncovered this year, tissue sampling has already helped determine what’s needed for next season. It’s an opportunity to understand specific nutrient needs based on season trends and good data from the tissue samples.
Through tissue sampling efforts this year, one common occurrence was the need to get more Sulfur into the plant. Sulfur continues to be increasingly needed as emissions standards reduce atmospheric sulfur deposition on fields. Ideally, we would like to get to a 30 pounds or a 6:1 or 7:1 ratio of nitrogen:sulfur. For in-season nitrogen fertilizer applications, I recommend applying the nitrogen fertilizer with a blend of sulfur fertilizer. With that in mind, I see tissue sampling as a very important tool to first, uncover the nutrient we need to manage through and second, help us manage by the constraint of specific nutrient limitations. For more information, contact your local Pioneer sales representative or visit Pioneer® agronomy at pioneer.com/agronomy.
Sign up to receive the latest agronomy updates for your geography from Pioneer at
pioneer.com/signup.
ALLIE WISE
Field Agronomist Mabel, MN
Are edible beans still the ‘quiet crop?’
By DICK HAGEN
The Land Staff Writer Emeritus
Over the years I’ve liked to keep the readers of The Land informed about the commodity of edible beans. In December 2006 I wrote an article, “Edible beans, Minnesota’s ‘quiet crop’.” I led off the article with this: Perhaps because Minnesota ranks only sixth in the nation in the proRobb Zenk duction of dry edible beans, this crop seldom makes farm magazine headlines. Depending on the price outlook, Minnesota farmers grow only 120,000 to 170,000 acres per year.
This fall (2007) the edible bean crop is making good coffee shop conversation because it appears to be generating more revenue per acre than soybeans. With potential new uses such as a renewable fuel resource, the crop could have a brighter future.
Bounce ahead to November 2009 when my message read: Sometimes you just luck out — especially when Mother Nature assists with the production of record yields. Such is the satisfaction of Minnesota farmers growing navy beans in 2009
Check the arithmetic:
Yields generally exceeding 3,000 pounds per acre.
Contract prices at $27 per hundredweight.
Total production costs (land at $200) of about $350 per acre.
That shows a net profit of $460 per acre. And with some yields zipping up to 3,900 lbs./acre there’s little doubt navy beans put some bucks into grower’s bank account.
So much for past history.
What’s the coffee shop talk this year? Even diehard conservatives are chattering about harvest yields from all crops this year — including dry edible beans. So today I’m zeroing in on two dependable sources: Robb Zenk, agronomist/technical field rep for the Archer Daniels Midland-owned facility in Olivia; and Zach Ankney, plant manager of this ADM facility.
Zenk has been a navy bean grower for over 20 years and keeps a keen but cautious eye on each navy bean crop — particularly as it relates to potential production the next season. “Next year’s acres depend upon how much of this year’s crop gets processed and moves into commercial markets,” Zenk explained. “We can only handle so much here at our Olivia facility. Navys are a contract crop, so the industry closely follows both production and marketing cycles.”
Some navy beans move into export markets. United Kingdom countries have been long-time buyers of U.S. edible beans. The United States is the sixthleading exporter of dry edible beans behind Brazil, India, China, Burma and Mexico. Currently, about 20 percent of American-grown beans are shipped to 100 different countries around the globe.
Years back, growers often needed special harvesting equipment for edible beans. Not so today, says Zenk. “Navy beans don’t require any special equipment. Yes, more fertility and management than soybeans; but less than corn or sugar beets. And disease issues such as Rhizobia, Fusaria root rot can be an issue. Also good weed control. Often desiccants are used to kill late-season weeds ahead of harvest.”
Zenk’s beans are hauled directly to the Olivia facility. Once delivered, beans are processed, cleaned and either bagged or bulk stored until orders start moving them into delivery across America and export countries around the world. Beans move out in everything from 50-100 pound bags, 2,000-pound totes or bulk delivery — either by semis or rail cars. “Essentially you tell us how you want your navy beans packaged and delivered … that’s how we do business,” related Zenk.
In 2018, Otter Tail County was the largest dry edible bean-producing county in Minnesota with 353,000 hundredweight. Otter Tail was also the highest-yielding county averaging 2,540 pounds per acre. Chippewa and Kandiyohi were second and third, respectively. Minnesota produced 3.96 million hundredweight of dry edible beans. This is up 11 percent from 2017. Yield increased 170 pounds from last year to 2,360 pounds per acre.
As a well-trained agronomist and now a veteran farmer, Zenk pays attention to genetic improvements in navy bean varieties — similar to his strict adherence to genetic improvements in the corn, soybean and sugar beet varieties he plants each season.
“We’re continually trying one to two new varieties each season,” he said. “That’s important so we’re not
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stuck on one variety like we often were in past seasons. Yep, it’s a competitive business for seed providers of these edible crops also.”
“Up-right varieties are now common which have greatly lessened harvest problems. A major focus of breeders is strong, up-right plants with higher pod set and greater disease resistance. Easier harvest ability is the goal. Rust used to be a challenge, but not so anymore in navies”
Zenk’s favorite variety is HMS Medalist, by far the largest acreage planted in this area. It’s a 103-day maturity. Zenk plants 100,000-120,000 seeds per acre in 22-inch rows. And no rush into early planting. To the contrary: he stressed the importance of warmer soil temps so late May into the first week of June is his date. “Memorial Day plus or minus a week is the planting window I recommend,” summed up Zenk.
An enticement into edible bean production is the option of contract pricing a portion of your crop, even before planting. “Yes, so many pounds per acre at a given price is the contract format,” explained Zenk. “Last year we were in the upper 20s, lower 30s. This year, because of good harvests in all production areas, ADM (and I suspect all major handlers) are delaying forward pricing contract info for the 2021 growing season.”
He wraps “Yes, 2020 produced a nice, clean crop for all of us. So let’s hope Mother Nature repeats again next year.”
“Yes, 2020 was a great year,” concurred Ankney. “Everyone got planted timely. Lots of extended sun-
