Teachable Moments in a Hurried Planting Season
I am a bit late getting this month’s article together what with the lingering cold temperatures and wet soils. Finally Mother’s Day brought a ray of hope. Some of my neighbors (and even some customers) couldn’t resist the temptation to get into a field before it was ready to be worked and planted. Most only by a day or a day and a half, but many will be finished this weekend and every acre put in wrong???
Wednesday I was asked to help put the Corn and Bean plot in for LaSalle County, IL. Nineteen companies paid their fee and dropped off seed for the evaluation, but only two companies sent representatives along to assist in getting the seed in the ground in a properly prepared seedbed, in sequence, at the correct depth, with the correct down pressure, by maturity, without contamination between entries.
As school let out, the Ottawa FFA brought out some help. Fresh recruits were on hand, eager to learn and assist. Joe Schmidt, who was the cooperator, stopped the process and we took time to explain seedbed preparation, what seed treatment was necessary, and why different colors. We discussed refuge in a bag as different from other versions of seed genetics, how we decided on depth, population, starter fertilizer, the addition of humic material on half the length of the plot to feed the soil biology.
After planting a few rounds, lesson two was about seed sizes, grading, row cleaners, slower planter speed to ensure even depth of placement, getting adequate moisture around each seed, and raising full size ears, not just more plants.
A few more varieties went into the ground and we had lesson three. This time on soil aggregation, biological life and heavy metals in the soils, balanced nutrition and managing micro nutrients. Weed control and how multiple modes of action are incorporated in all phases of farming to avoid resistance. Discussions on pest and disease monitoring, multiple forms and feeds of Nitrogen to keep the N in the plants and out of streams found their way as topics shared by four industry professionals. Residue management and keeping the soil on the farm finished out the main topics before discussing color preferences of machinery, which always brings a brisk discussion and a few prejudices to the forefront.
Long day by the time we had planted 30 varieties of soybean and 34 of corn? You Bet. Is it worth staying in the field an extra 3 hours to train the next generation and give them a passion for doing things correctly? Every time we get the chance. Connecting people to their food source is our entire objective. Till next month.....
Brad Forkner, OwnerNutrient Management Specialists, LLC
Home of Solid-Solutions for Livestock
P.O.Box 303
614 E Cherry Ave.
Cherry, IL 61317
815-257-8463
brad@nutrientmanagementspecialists.com
http://www.nutrientmanagementspecialists.com/
Skype: brad.forkner1
Twitter: @BradForkner
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