Author Archives: Mark Lawson (Indiana)

About Mark Lawson (Indiana)

Mark enjoys participating in activities with his local Scottish Society in addition to golfing.

National Farm Machinery Show Recap

Posted on March 3, 2011 by Mark Lawson (Indiana)

It’s been a busy two weeks on and off the farm.  Snow came, snow went, and then snow came again.  The National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, Kentucky also came and went as it has been doing for 46 years now.  It’s been a tough winter, we are all suffering from a bit of cabin fever, and the NFMS must be a proven cure for that particular ailment – which would account for the record attendance this year. Our Syngenta … Continue reading →

Posted in Agrisure Corn Traits, Agrisure Viptera, Great Lakes, Herbicides, Hybrid selection, Indiana, Infestations, Insects, Kentucky, Pests, Weed Control | View Comments

Welcome to Louisville!

Posted on February 15, 2011 by Mark Lawson (Indiana)

Every year as the seasons roll from one to the next, it seems like the post-holiday, bleak midwinter season between New Year’s and spring planting – with one gray day after another – is the slowest and longest season of all. But one bright spot before planting is the National Farm Machinery Show, usually referred to by farm folk as “the Louisville Show.” Along with the machinery exhibits and new, innovative introductions is the Syngenta sponsored Championship Tractor Pull, with … Continue reading →

Posted in Great Lakes, Kentucky, Region, State, Uncategorized | View Comments

The Good, Difficult and Different of 2010

Posted on January 14, 2011 by Mark Lawson (Indiana)

We haven’t seen the ground since December 5th and we’re already into 2011, so now is a good time to reflect on the past year. This is when we take a “good, difficult, different” look at 2010. What was good? In Indiana, we began the year with good soil moisture and an earlier than usual start to planting. Things went downhill from there, but the dry weather did have one benefit – it drove nematodes deep into the soil and … Continue reading →

Posted in Agrisure Viptera, Corn, Great Lakes, Indiana, Infestations, Insects, Pests, Planting, Profitability, Scouting | View Comments

Following a Plan That Fits Your Needs

Posted on November 30, 2010 by Mark Lawson (Indiana)

It’s been very, very dry across the eastern Midwest this fall.  Central Indiana has gone 104 days since receiving a rainfall greater than a quarter inch at one time. And of course, farmers are notorious for assuming the worst.  If there is a dry spell they assume it won’t start raining again – ever.  If it does rain, they assume it won’t stop – ever. As we head into making planting decisions for next year, farmers who assume it won’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Great Lakes, Harvest, Indiana, Profitability | View Comments

Great Lakes and Upper Midwest Harvest Barreling Along

Posted on October 13, 2010 by Mark Lawson (Indiana)

It’s true, harvest is running at full speed. In fact, in some parts of the Great Lakes and Upper Midwest territories this was one of the earliest harvest seasons on record. In many areas of Indiana, soybean harvest is at least two weeks ahead of normal corn harvest. In central Indiana, they’re about three weeks ahead, and south to the river a few finished corn by the end of September. I estimate 80% may finish harvest by mid-October and 95% … Continue reading →

Posted in Great Lakes, Harvest, Indiana, Ohio, Upper Midwest | View Comments

Corn Updates from Indiana

Posted on September 13, 2010 by Mark Lawson (Indiana)

I’ve been spending a lot of time in meetings and talking to farmers as well as getting out into plots. I’m finding a late hatch of corn earworm that is doing some damage and helping create some moldy ears. We’ve also determined that spraying doesn’t stop damage from Western bean cutworm. In our trials, we’ve observed that our new Agrisure Viptera™ trait effectively controls Western bean cutworm. It’s obvious this new trait has raised the bar for insect control in … Continue reading →

Posted in Agrisure Corn Traits, Agrisure Viptera, Great Lakes, Harvest, Indiana, Insects, Multi-Pest Complex, Pests, Yield | View Comments