Ag Partners Agronomic Insights
 Garrett Johnson Morristown |
 Todd Anderson Goodhue |
 Madalynn Lundell Stewartville |
 Al Williams Ellsworth |
WEST
This week we have seen spreading acres dwindle and a large amount of acres getting planted and sprayed. We are plenty busy hauling soybeans to keep up with planters and sprayers. It has been a busy week for all, however it is important to be checking any early planted corn and soybean acres. We have scouted a decent number of fields that have reduced stands, from either hard crusts or cold shock from the last week of April plantings. Many growers are using a rotary hoe to try to break some of the crust and others were banking on some decent rain, like what we received Wednesday night. It’s important to get out to see some of your acres and address whether you should have an agronomist come scout. Your Ag Partners agronomist can help you decide if there needs to be replanted acres. I was hoping we were going to avoid some situations like we had last spring, but it doesn’t look that way! If you have questions on your stand, contact your agronomist and they can help advise on the next moves going forward. – Garrett
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Planting progress is moving right along now that mother nature is allowing us more than 2 dry days in a row. I would encourage you to go back and check your corn population stands as we are starting to see some issues with corn that was planted the 3rd week of April. Some common threads we are noticing are:
1) Planted April 24th or 25th
2) Corn on corn is worse, but still finding some issues in corn after soybeans
3) No till or minimum till has been worse
4) Planted too soon after tillage pass
Most of these questionable stands can still be saved with the rotary hoe or some rainfall. Below is a chart to help with decision making if there is a questionable stand. Please reach out to your Ag Partners agronomist or seed salesman with questions. – Todd
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Since it has been a cool, wet spring our area has been seeing heavy pressure of Spring Black Stem in alfalfa which is pictured below. Spring Black Stem can significantly lower the quality of your hay and as well as greatly reduce yield. To manage this disease, it’s best to cut early and spray the regrowth with a fungicide such as Priaxor which will help increase leaf retention and boost plant health. Make sure to reach out to your Ag Partners agronomist for any questions or concerns and have a great week! – Madalynn
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This planting season has presented challenges that vary from area to area. Spring started early with questions coming up in regards as to whether it was too wet to plant or was it too cold. In the New Richmond Wisconsin area, the soil conditions early were near perfect. The soil had not worked up this well in years and growers were ready to go. Many made the decision to plant as early as April 21st. In most cases there have been no issues. However, I have come across several fields where we have cold shock that is affecting the stand. In some areas by as much as 30%.
The next question is do we replant or not. There is not a one answer covers all. The grower, along with their agronomist should take into consideration many factors. Is the current hybrid more of a flex ear? Does my seed supplier have a replant policy? Can I terminate the existing stand and replant in a timely manner? There are also equipment and labor costs that vary from operation to operation.
Contact your local Ag Partners agronomist and ask them to check any fields that you may have concern over as you finish up planting. With their eyes and advice, you can then decide on the economic value to replant or not.
Lastly please remain vigilant and stay safe while moving on the roadways. – Al
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