Category Archives: Harvest

Out with the Old, In with the New: A 2010 Agronomy Year in Review!

Posted on January 12, 2011 by Josh Erwin (Nebraska)

As 2011 begins, now is a great time to reflect back on the past year. Was it what everyone expected?  If that was the case, then we would all make a ton of money, right? I had a grower once tell me, “I don’t have 20 years of experience farming, I have had one year of experience as a farmer 20 times!”  There is a lot of truth in that statement. Every year is different and this year has been … Continue reading →

Posted in Corn, Disease, Genetic diversity, Harvest, Nebraska, Western Plains | View Comments

The Big Three Culprits: Residue, Compaction and Moisture

Posted on January 4, 2011 by Barry Soliday (Illinois)

It’s hard to write an accurate story about the 2010 corn crop without going back to the fall of 2009, the one all of us in Illinois have tried to forget. That year we saw the harsh effects of a very late, very wet harvest season. It was common for corn on corn fields to be off by 50 bushels or more than rotated corn fields. Blame the disappointing corn yield results on the big three culprits: Residue, Compaction and … Continue reading →

Posted in Genetic diversity, Harvest, Nitrogen Efficiency, Soil Conservation, Yield | View Comments

Which is King: Yield or Test Weight?

Posted on December 8, 2010 by Mark Ellis (Kansas)

As I traveled the state of Kansas, the one question that seemed to be on everyone’s mind was the quality of corn test weight.  Test weight is expressed as pounds per volumetric bushel. Corn test weights can range from 45 to over 60 lbs. per bushel.  The market standard is 54 lbs. per bushel, the grade limit for No. 2 yellow corn. Kernel size, shape and density all affect test weight. Higher test weights mean better filled kernels with a … Continue reading →

Posted in Harvest, High Plains, Kansas, Profitability, Yield | 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

Planning Another Perfect Harvest for Next Year?

Posted on November 30, 2010 by Rich Lee (Iowa)

By most anyone’s standards 2010 was one of the Heartland’s most agreeable fall harvest seasons that nature has ever provided. No mud, warm days, blue sky – the whole nine yards. Amazingly perfect. We probably will need to do something about that. Perhaps the surest way to not have another fall like this is to actually plan on having a repeat, but that usually does not stop us from thinking it can happen. It seems that no matter how many … Continue reading →

Posted in Agrisure Viptera, Harvest, Heartland, Hybrid selection, Planting, Weed Control | View Comments

How to Rate Hybrids for Late-Season Harvestability

Posted on November 1, 2010 by Gary Prescher (Minnesota)

Do you remember when late-October storms changed the landscape in your neighborhood? Corn fields from standing to tangled and blown down. And who could forget the massive Halloween snow storm almost 20 years ago that brought harvest to a stand-still? I’ve come to use terms like “Stand N’ Dry”, “Stick N’ an Ear” or “Snow Corn” to describe hybrids designed to best withstand the onslaught of wind and snow. Selecting a few products for late-season harvest management or an extended … Continue reading →

Posted in Harvest, Hybrid selection, Minnesota, North Dakota, Northern Plains, Planting, Region, South Dakota, State, Upper Midwest, Yield | View Comments

Weather and Harvest Results: Planning for Next Year

Posted on October 20, 2010 by Rich Lee (Iowa)

We are deep into harvest and a couple of yield trends are showing up all across the state. Last year was the summer without a summer – too cool, too wet and too hard to forget. Because of that experience many corn growers cut back on the amount of full-season hybrids they plant, and who could blame them?  We all try to outguess the weather but doing that is a bit like expecting to see a beauty shop spell the … Continue reading →

Posted in Agrisure Corn Traits, Harvest, Heartland, Hybrid selection, Iowa, Missouri, Yield | View Comments

Corn News From The Wheat State

Posted on October 18, 2010 by Mark Ellis (Kansas)

Heeellllloooo, Kansas! Harvest is well under way and here’s the quick and dirty lowdown on what we’re seeing: Dryland corn is ranging on average from 80-110 bu/A.  Irrigated corn is ranging on average from 180-240 bu/A.  In eastern Kansas, we have probably 95 percent of corn harvested and are just over half finished with the soybeans. In western Kansas, about 90 percent of corn has been harvested thanks to the warm, dry weather. A concern I’m hearing throughout the state is that … Continue reading →

Posted in Agrisure Viptera, Harvest, High Plains, Kansas | View Comments

Ready, set, harvest!

Posted on October 14, 2010 by Josh Erwin (Nebraska)

The green flags are waving and the harvest race has begun in the western plains, but there is a long road before the checkered flag is waved. This road will surely bring its challenges along the way, obstacles to maneuver around and pit stops that must be taken. But harvest also brings many rewards and victories. Here is a brief update for the first lap of the harvest race: Silage and high moisture harvest began over a month ago across … Continue reading →

Posted in Harvest, Nebraska, Silage | View Comments

Illinois Harvest Enters the 4th Quarter

Posted on October 14, 2010 by Barry Soliday (Illinois)

Fall is my favorite time of year for two reasons: football and harvest time. Growers look forward to these few weeks all year, and it makes my job as an agronomist even more rewarding to see them succeed.  So I’m pleased to say, for the most part, it’s shaping up to be a great 2010 harvest in Illinois. Things are rolling along at a very quick pace with corn nearing 100 percent complete here in the east central part of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Harvest, Illinois, NK Soybeans, Soybeans, Tri-State | View Comments