Seeking: 100-Bushel Soybean Farmers

BLOOMINGTON – A new add-on to the Illinois Soybean Association’s (ISA) annual Soybean Yield Challenge– the 100-Bushel Challenge– will give farmers an opportunity to break yield barriers by optimizing production practices, according to ISA Yield Challenge spokesperson Marit Harm.

“There has been increasing chatter about farmers pushing for 300-bushel (per acre) corn. Similarly, there is much to be gained by farmers dialing in their soybean management practices to reach 100 bushels per acre,” Harm said. ”Research such as the Six Secrets of Soybean Success show making a few changes to management practices can make a huge difference.”

Produced by University of Illinois researchers Fed Below and Jason Haegele, the “Six Secrets” pamphlet assures farmers that high soybean yields will come from protecting and enhancing fertility throughout the entire season, starting with a phosphorous and potassium fertilizer prior to planting. “A popular practice is to fertilize corn, and hope there is enough left for the soybean crop. This may not be adequate for reaching maximum yield potential,” Haegele says in Six Secrets.

After protecting the soybean crop during germination with a fungicide, insecticide and nematicide to encourage rapid seedling growth, later on you can use a fungicide and insecticide to protect leaves. At R3 reproductive stage, use a foliar treatment to maximize photosynthesis. And since soybean plants require large amounts of nitrogen to fill their pods, nitrogen fertilizer may be added during reproductive stages, the researchers advise. “Focus on and protect fundamental inputs such as variety and fertilizers. A good variety will take advantage of the extra fertility,” writes Haegele.

To learn more about and register for the ISA Soybean Yield Challenge and 100 Bushel Challenge, visit www.soyyieldchallenge.com.

U of I Center to Study Farmland Values

URBANA – What are the primary factors that affect farmland prices, and how can they be sustained for profitability? Those are the questions researchers and educators at the University of Illinois at Urbana (U of I) College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) will attempt to answer with the launch of the new TIAA-CREF Center for Farmland Research. The center, which opened March 13, was created to enhance the university’s research and educational initiatives for its students and the agricultural community by conducting research and hosting academic symposiums focused on farmland and the financial aspects of farm management, according to Professor Paul Ellinger, a department head and administrator for the center.

“The center was created to stimulate interest and research. TIAA-CREF is investing to bring people together that have common interests, and (utilize ACES) research with the focus on issues related to farmland values. It’s an investment in people,” said Ellinger, adding that research will be utilized in multiple ways in conjunction with TIAA-CREF’s agreement with the U of I. “One way is to target research that relates to farmland economics and the issues that relate to what drives farmland prices, whether it be taxation, budgets, commodity prices, land rents or other factors. Just to be able to devote deeper research and develop databases on things like farmland sales will help us to better answer these questions.”

Grain Bin Deaths Examined by NPR

BLOOMINGTON – One of the major hazards of agriculture– grain bin entrapment and death– was examined by National Public Radio’s (NPR) All Things Considered on March 27. During the story, NPR asked Jeff Adkisson, director of the Grain and Feed Association of Illinois (GFAI), if the state’s ag industry is doing enough to prevent work tragedies such as grain bin engulfments. “I think we have increased the safety awareness and I think we are doing a better job,” replied Adkisson. “Have tragic incidences still happened? Yes. Are we working to reduce them even further? Absolutely.”

In fact, the GFAI recently joined Illinois Corn and other state ag organizations in the Grain Handling Safety Coalition, which has developed curriculum for training community leaders and rural fire departments in responding to grain bin engulfments. The GFAI is also a partner in the new Asmark Agricenter in Bloomington, which offers farmers and community first responders hands-on rescue training in actual grain bin environments.

Those who are interested in learning how to become safer on their farms while working in and around grain bins are encouraged to call Illinois Corn for upcoming opportunities. NPR’s story on grain bin engulfments can be accessed at Illinois Corn’s website, www.ilcorn.org. (Ill. Corn Daily Update)

“N WATCH” Results Announced

BLOOMINGTON – Results of the first “N (nitrogen) WATCH” soil testing program, part of Illinois’ “Keep it in the Crop” nutrient management initiative, are available for viewing, the Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association announced last week. The survey followed the drought of 2012 and seeks to chart the results of the prolonged dry, hot and humid weather on farm chemical effectiveness and retention.

“We felt it vital to gather scientific evidence of nitrate levels and to track the fate of nitrates through the spring season,” said Kevin Runkle of the IFCA, in a newsletter to members last week. “Critics of fall applied nitrogen normally blame this practice for all nitrate losses, so the N WATCH soil testing program was key to allow the industry to track the fall 2012 applied ammonium in the soil versus the residual nitrate left for the drought to compare the conversion rates and movement of N.”

To view a bulletin from the University of Illinois on the N WATCH program containing new information on what the initial soil tests revealed, visit www.bulletin.ipm.illinois.edu/?p=160.

Illinois Farm Fact:

As of April 1, topsoil moisture levels in central Illinois averaged 88 percent adequate and seven percent surplus, while subsoil moisture levels averaged 84 percent adequate and five percent surplus. (USDA-NASS Illinois Weather & Crops Report)

(Tim Alexander is a freelance reporter who writes agriculture, news and feature articles for the News Bulletin, Farm World and many other publications.)