Ag Partners Agronomic Insights
 Joe DeeMorristown |
 Casey CarlsonGoodhue |
 Zach ThompsonLewiston |
 Jake IngliEllsworth |
WEST
I am hopeful to soon experience dryer weather and to not walk in a field with standing water or end up with 10 pounds of mud on my boots! We haven’t turned a wheel in this area since May 20th and weeds continue to germinate and grow. As well as the pre-emerge herbicides have worked this year, it’s time to start our post-emerge herbicide applications on any April planted corn and soybeans as soon as conditions allow. While scouting, be mindful of weed height and what weeds are out there to ensure we have the right mix in the tank, along with the correct adjuvant load. It’s the patch of giant ragweed (pictured below left) in the back 40 that you can’t see from the road that will surprise you the most. If you think it is too soon to be out spraying, you’re probably right on time.
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While out scouting weed pressure, it’s important to keep nitrogen in mind as this crop begins to take off with the upcoming forecasted heat. With the amount of rain we’ve had this spring, we could potentially see some nitrogen loss. As unpredictable as nitrogen can be sometimes, there are ways to determine field levels to help ensure sufficient nitrogen through maturity. By utilizing 4.4-acre grids sampled at the 0-12” depth, we can pick up nitrate variability across the field. From there, we can build a prescription to variable rate apply nitrogen where the crop needs it the most. Talk to your Ag Partners agronomist today about nitrate sampling and its benefits! – Joe
Pictured below is an example of nitrate grid sample results.
Above Normal Rainfall Ends Drought, Brings Likely Strong Benefit of Split Application of Nitrogen This Year:
The wet weather we have experienced has officially ended the drought from 2023 through the winter of 2024. Only a small portion of Ag Partners trade area is classified as dry.
The last 30 days of total rainfall range from normal to 200% of normal. AYS data in the past has shown a strong corn yield response to split applications to nitrogen on wetter than normal early growing seasons. Historically we see a corn yield response of +7 bpa or greater during these years. – Casey
In a year like this, the pre-emergence herbicides are working very well. Just a reminder we need to keep layering residual chemistries to win the battle against those tough to control weeds. Ideally, we should be spraying “pop can” height weeds. When making the post pass on corn and using group 27 herbicides, consider adding a ¼ pound of atrazine to increase the efficacy. Adding 2.4 ounces of stinger HL for some quick knockdown has also worked very well.
Some guys managed to get the hay put up before the rain. Reminder to add potash, sulfur, and boron on these acres. We have also seen alfalfa weevils doing some damage. As regrowth comes, be sure to keep an eye out and make an application of the proper insecticide as needed.
Sidedress is getting started here. If you had planned on pulling nitrate samples, just a quick reminder to talk to your agronomist on lining those up. Have a great week. – Zach
Pictured here are common weed species and pressure that is popping up and is that “pop can” size that is ideal to spray.
Planting has come to a close for the majority of the acres in Western Wisconsin. We are seeing some inconsistencies in corn stands on some acres, specifically those with a planting date of the last week of April. Colder and wet conditions has made Spring a challenge, in more ways than just planting. Some sunlight and heat would help dry some fields so we can get those timely herbicide applications done.
With that being said, corn post spraying is in full swing here and most of the soybean pre is wrapped up. Don’t forget to have proper modes of action in your tank mixes this summer when controlling those small seeded broadleaves! – Jake
 Inconsistent corn stands we are finding in the fields |
 Common weeds are finding out in the field- lambsquarter, common ragweed, and giant ragweed |