Please read this article from AgriGold Agronomist Bob Berkevich regarding our nitrogen situation this year. If you have questions, call me and we can discuss.
Thanks,
Tim
From: "Tim Harbaugh" <Tim.Harbaugh@agreliantgenetics.com>
Nitrogen Loss in 2013
June 07, 2013 by Bob Berkevich
While wet weather has many of us thinking about getting the rest of the crops planted, it's also important not to forget about the ones that have been planted. Warm soils and continuous soil saturation lead to losses of nitrogen that may have already been applied. The nitrogen cycle is complex and there is no way to know exactly how much nitrogen may have been lost, but understanding how nitrogen acts in the soil can help growers decide if additional nitrogen should be applied to corn in extremely wet areas to avoid the N deficiency and yield loss shown in Figure 1.
Forms of Nitrogen
Generally, fertilizer nitrogen is composed of ammonia, ammonium, urea, nitrate, or some combination of these sources (Table 1). Once applied, the fertilizer initially becomes either ammonium (NH4+) or nitrate (NO3-).
In the soil profile, ammonium cannot be lost, because its positive charge is held tightly by the negative charge of soil particles. Over time, all sources of fertilizer transform into nitrate (Figure 2) in a process called nitrification. As soil temperatures rise above 50°F, the nitrification rate increases.
Leaching
Since nitrate has a negative charge, it is not held by soil particles and flows wherever soil water flows. Nitrate leaching occurs when soil water is drained through natural outlets or in tile lines. The amount of nitrate lost from leaching depends on how much of the original fertilizer was in the nitrate form at the time of water drainage out of the field. Dr. Peter Scharf at the University of Missouri tracks rainfall amounts and identifies areas where nitrate leaching could be severe and where growers should be aware of the potential for nitrogen loss and deficiency. Fields in the cross-hatched areas of the "N Watch" in Figure 3 have significant leaching potential, especially if they are lighter soils or are tile drained.
Denitrification
Nitrogen can also be lost in a gaseous form. Aerobic bacteria in the soil need oxygen to survive. In saturated soil conditions where oxygen has been depleted from the soil profile, the bacteria break the oxygen off of the nitrate (NO3-) molecule. With the loss of the oxygen (the O's in the NO3-), all that remains is nitrogen, or N2 gas. Nitrogen is lost to the atmosphere in this gaseous form. Once again, the amount of nitrogen lost depends on the amount of the original fertilizer nitrogen that was in the nitrate form at the time of soil saturation. Areas in the cross-hatched areas of the "N Watch" in Figure 4 and localized fields in other areas that have been saturated for many days have significant denitrification potential.
How much nitrate has been lost?
There are several factors that influence how much of the originally applied nitrogen fertilizer might be present in the nitrate form at the time of heavy rainfall, and therefore available for loss.
•UAN solutions initially have some nitrogen in the nitrate form that could be lost immediately. Anhydrous ammonia, urea, and ammonium found in DAP/MAP/AMS nitrogen is initially in the ammonia form and is not immediately available for loss. See Table 1.
•Earlier applications give more time for ammonium to convert to nitrate and lead to higher loss potential.
•Nitrification inhibitors like N-Serve and Instinct delay nitrification, keeping N in the ammonium form, which is not at risk for loss. Urease inhibitors like Agrotain protect urea from volatilizing from the soil surface but do not protect from nitrate loss via leaching or denitrification.
•Soil temperatures in the 70-80°F range have occurred during parts of this spring, leading to 4-5% loss of nitrate-nitrogen per day, compared to 2-3% loss per day when soil temps are in the 55-65°F range.
•Soils don't need to have a foot of water on them to be considered saturated. If you kneel down in the field and your knee feels wet, there is enough moisture there for denitrification to occur. Longer periods of saturation lead to more nitrate loss.
The worst case scenario of fall-applied N, no nitrification inhibitor, warm soil temperatures, and continuously saturated soils could equate to N losses greater than 50% at this time. Growers who utilize spring-applied N, nitrification inhibitors, split applications, and in-season applications will have less N loss, and therefore less uncertainty about how much additional N (compared to the planned program) the crop might need.
Sources:
Fernandez, Fabian. 2013. Determining How Much Nitrogen is Present. The Bulletin, University of Illinois Extension. 3 June 2013. <http://bulletin.ipm.illinois.edu/?p=523>
Lamb and Kaiser. 2012. University of Minnesota Extension.
Scharf, Peter. Nitrogen Watch 2013. University of Missouri Extension. 3 June 2013. <http://plantsci.missouri.edu/nutrientmanagement/Nitrogen/Nitrogen%20watch%202013/nitrogen%20watch%202013.htm>
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Farmland Sale Report- Ida County, IA
John Nelson (@johnleroynelson) tweeted at 1:39 PM on Tue, Jun 25, 2013: 80 acres in Ida County Iowa sold for $18,900.00 today.
End of an Era for Cheapest Farm Mortgages
As seen on dtn.com
Like Rip Van Winkle, long-term interest rates are awaking from years of deep sleep. Panic over the Fed's eventual exit from mortgage markets sent rates on the benchmark 10-year Treasuries spiraling, up from 2.14% on June 14 to 2.62% a week later. Rates are now running the highest since August 2011.
Rates on 20-year fixed rate farm mortgages bounced to 5.55% this week, up from a low of 4.25% just a few months ago.
Farm mortgages at the nation's largest farm real estate lenders are responding in kind--and then some. As bond markets fell out of favor, the spread between Treasuries and Farm Credit System bonds widened, from 50-70 basis points to more than 100 basis points over comparable Treasuries.
Twenty-year, fixed rate mortgages for qualified borrowers at Louisville-based Farm Credit Mid-America (see Farm Finance page, under Farm Business) topped out at 5.55% today, up from all-time lows of 4.25% only a few months ago. For every $500,000 borrowed, that's an extra $4,400 payment annually. Popular 15-year mortgages bottomed at 3.9% in early December 2012, but have since risen to 5.2%. (Farm Credit rates in other regions may charge a bit more, as Mid-America pays no patronage dividend).
So far, short-term rates seem unaffected, in part because the Federal Reserve doesn't expect inflation or unemployment to reach trigger points until mid-2014. That's a rare situation, since short-term rates normally lead the charge when bond markets hit a turning point.
"These are very volatile times. We've got the Feds saying they will stop monetary infusions, but they haven't done anything yet," says Paul Bruce, Mid-America's chief financial officer.
Bruce isn't convinced this is the permanent turning point in rates. He characterizes the unusually large big bond moves the past few weeks as a possible over reaction, with the chance for some dips later should global imbalances in European or Asian countries send investors fleeing back to the safety of U.S. markets. Farmers could also capture some rate relief if the premiums Farm Credit bonds pay at auction later narrow back to normal. He recommends growers keep a close eye on credit markets.
Mid-America's customers converted much of their fixed-rate credit at historically low terms over the last 18 months, so they already may be immunized from some of the rate fallout. In 2012, the lender reset rates on 32,500 customer accounts saving $130 million in interest payments; another 11,200 customers refinanced through May.
Even with the rally, rates still appear low by historical standards, Bruce says. Normally, long-term fixed mortgage rates have run closer to 7% to 8%.
Several Federal Reserve economists believe the convulsion in long-term mortgage rates is worth monitoring, even if you pay cash for your farm purchases. History shows that for the past century, farm incomes and interest rates move in opposite directions, former Kansas City Federal Reserve Economist Jason Henderson points out. Rising rates and falling farm profits also curb enthusiasm for land purchases. Federal Reserve surveys already show farm real estate gains slowing in some regions in 2013.
It was easy for the Fed to create its $85 billion/mo. spending in mortgage markets as a way to jump start the economy, Henderson tells farm audiences, but the question now is how to retreat.
July Newsreel Topics
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As seen on agweb.com- Crop Comments
- 6/26 - East central Iowa: We have received just under 2.5" of rain since Saturday. Areas around Jackson County received 2-9" (by my unofficial results). Some areas had 4-6", last night alone. Rain was welcome here, we were not hurting yet, but some corn was starting to roll in the light areas last week. Corn is knee to waist high and is looking good overall. Beans are also progressing well. We are due to cut 2nd crop alfalfa and new seeding.
I hate to beat a dead horse, but folks in my area feel extremely lucky yet. I know that doesn't help the rest of you who are having major trouble, but we do want to let you know that we hope for the best for all you realizing that we could be in the same boat.
And thanks for the kind words from Freeborn County. As you could probably tell, I get bored easily. I like to do it because I have a poor memory and like to hear how people outside of our area are doing to get the real picture of crop conditions (not so much this year). Like one of you stated earlier, "farmers want to plant". Like a lot of you are saying, where is the USDA coming up with these numbers and crop conditions? There are 2 websites that I look at every day: "agweb: crop comments" and "news from the coffee shop" to keep up on the happenings on the farm.
Top 5 pageviews this week I Check them out if you missed them
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Wednesday, June 26, 2013
New crest level for Wapsipinicon River
Schnack KWWL (@KWWLSchnack) tweeted at 9:16 PM on Wed, Jun 26, 2013: UPDATE: The Wapsipinicon River at Independence will now crest at 15.6 ft Thu eve. Much lower than the original forecast. Currently at 13.4ft
Farmland Sale Report- Jesup, IA
Benjamin Riensche (@BenRiensche) tweeted at 3:19 PM on Wed, Jun 26, 2013: 80 Acres auctioned today. Jesup, IA. Nice farm. 80 CSR. $15,400.
NE Iowa Rainfall Chart 2011-2013 by Month
Chris Barron (@chrisbarron24) tweeted at 1:13 PM on Wed, Jun 26, 2013: NE Iowa Rainfall Chart to Date. More Rain than 1993 so far. #rainmakesgrain?? #corn #soybeans
Do we need to build an Ark?
Chris Barron (@chrisbarron24) tweeted at 11:43 AM on Wed, Jun 26, 2013: 5.3 inches of rain today on already saturated soil.
SW Minnesota
Peter Meyer (@openingprint) tweeted at 11:31 AM on Wed, Jun 26, 2013: SE MN as advertised. Miles of prevent plant.
Corn planted 5/21/13... Population 86,000
Corn planted 5/21/13. Population 86,000. Left a little check strip to see what my screw up would look like throughout the year.
From Scott Hingtgen- Jackson County, IA
From Scott Hingtgen- Jackson County, IA
Sorghum/Sudan planted 6/12/13
Sorghum/Sudan planted 6/12/13. Hope to stretch corn silage supply.
From Scott Hingtgen-Jackson County, IA
From Scott Hingtgen-Jackson County, IA
Waterlogged in NE Iowa
Jon Blin (@jjbcattleco) tweeted at 7:43 AM on Wed, Jun 26, 2013: Can hear the bank of the creek getting ripped away. Damn it we JUST bought that dirt.
Waterlogged in NE Iowa
Benjamin Riensche (@BenRiensche) tweeted at 8:28 AM on Wed, Jun 26, 2013: 2" to 8" over our fields last night in Black Hawk and Buchanan County, IA. No explanation or comments required.
Wapsi River- Independence, IA
Schnack KWWL (@KWWLSchnack) tweeted at 8:01 AM on Wed, Jun 26, 2013: A very dangerous situation is unfolding in Independence. Wapsipinicon River will rise rapidly to a record 24 ft.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Rainfall Facts
Chris Barron (@chrisbarron24) tweeted at 0:20 PM on Tue, Jun 25, 2013: Since April 1st we have had 24.89 inches of rain. We are 13.29 inches over our 30 year average to date.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
World Pork Expo 2013 from the Ag Building
Pete,
I was asked about how the change in buildings affected this years show for the WPX. So a follow up article if it helps.
Thanks Brad
I was asked about how the change in buildings affected this years show for the WPX. So a follow up article if it helps.
Thanks Brad
Respectfully,
Brad Forkner, Owner
Nutrient Management Specialists, LLC
Home of Solid-Solutions for Livestock
P.O.Box 303
614 E Cherry Ave.
Cherry, IL 61317815-257-8463
brad@nutrientmanagementspecialists.com
http://www.nutrientmanagementspecialists.com/
Skype: brad.forkner1
Twitter: @BradForkner
Brad Forkner, Owner
Nutrient Management Specialists, LLC
Home of Solid-Solutions for Livestock
P.O.Box 303
614 E Cherry Ave.
Cherry, IL 61317815-257-8463
brad@nutrientmanagementspecialists.com
http://www.nutrientmanagementspecialists.com/
Skype: brad.forkner1
Twitter: @BradForkner
Relocating our booth from the Cattle Barn to the Ag building as part of the group transition brought a good atmosphere of climate control and better acoustics. This move allowed for more conversations at each vendor’s booth without the competition of reverberation that is inherent in the Varied Industries building with all the ventilation equipment being demonstrated.
And each change also brings about the challenge of people not finding you where you were last year. For some of the Seed Stock providers, being located next to the Swine show provided more opportunities to catch exhibitors between their own show demands. Also getting the attendees to either start from a parking lot through our building first or being funneled through the row of tents to keep going after eating at the “Big Grill” was necessary.
As a group we made suggestions to bring the street of tents our direction with a start at the main entrance of Varied Industries and concluding closer to the triangle. We believe this would also improve pedestrian flow for the tents past the Varied Industries Building.
The parking crew was great and the weather cooperated nicely for the entire show. Hospitality is un-matched at any other event I attend. You are welcomed by vendors who truly want to improve your life and the quality of care their product brings to your operation. Cooperation between vendor booths to share resources and supplies is another joy
This was the first Expo for my new wife to join me see why I am always excited for this show. Trudy keeps me detail oriented and is invaluable in having me organized for following up with further information for each person who stopped to learn about my segment of the pork industry.
From the new dysentery, to pits, lagoons, animal nutrition, and environmental protection I have thoughts that I shared so producers could evaluate my approach to the other opinions and methods presented.
For me this is the main reason to come to World Pork Expo. Attend the seminars to find out about current challenges where you get instant access to some of the industry professionals dedicated to provide solutions to solve those problems.
Eastern Iowa Crop Conditions Report
From Scott Hingtgen- Jackson County, IA
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
KCCI Des Moines, IA Interview
FluffyCows (@FluffyCowzz) tweeted at 1:24 PM on Tue, Jun 18, 2013: KCCI News Channel 8 Reporter Vanessa Peng Interviewing @newscoffeeshop today! http://t.co/SiT496AaNo
Airs at 6pm on KCCI channel 8 in Des Moines, IA market.
Monday, June 17, 2013
Machinery Pete TV Show
Greg Peterson (@MachineryPete) tweeted at 7:09 PM on Mon, Jun 17, 2013: Big news...new weekly 1/2 hour Machinery Pete "Auction of the Week" show coming to RFD-TV this Nov. Next Monday... http://t.co/j6VpdNdQ3P
Click To Listen To Fluffy Cows Radio Interview | Duane Hilbert | Fluffy Cow Hall Of Fame | From David Bradford
Click To LIsten To Fluffy Cows Radio Interview
Duane Hilbert | Fluffy Cow Hall Of Fame | From David Bradford
Posted by Matt Lautner Cattle on June 15, 2013
Duane Hilbert | Fluffy Cow Hall Of Fame | From David Bradford
Matt,
Heres a pic of the Res Grand Steer in Denver Shown by Bob Frerk. My uncle “The Great” Duane Hilbert is to the rear of the steer. Behind him is Pete Burmeister. Kirk Stierwalt to the front and Im in there as well. Duane was probably one of the first to sell these as Fluffy as he could find them. He used to say the small little chubby HAIRY ones are the calves you buy this time of year. People don’t realize its not all about the hair though. For example this steer was a Who Made Who we sold. And one of the best to ever win in Denver. And he was a powerhouse. And always had great hair. I remember Kirk and I clipped him in the yards. And it was an Honor to clip alongside him. People just stopped and watched in awe. Pretty neat.
Duane and your dad found Who Made Who. For those times was as Hairy/Fluffy of a Bull/COW as they came. A lot of people didn’t like the bull because he was a freak. But in my opinion “and Ill bet yours dads also” was the first real game changer in this business. So yes in my opinion “and if Duane was alive I’d bet his also” Fluffy Cows are a GREAT thing. Just thought I would share what one of the greats in the business did. He is a TRUE FLUFFY COW LEGEND!
David Bradford
Heres a pic of the Res Grand Steer in Denver Shown by Bob Frerk. My uncle “The Great” Duane Hilbert is to the rear of the steer. Behind him is Pete Burmeister. Kirk Stierwalt to the front and Im in there as well. Duane was probably one of the first to sell these as Fluffy as he could find them. He used to say the small little chubby HAIRY ones are the calves you buy this time of year. People don’t realize its not all about the hair though. For example this steer was a Who Made Who we sold. And one of the best to ever win in Denver. And he was a powerhouse. And always had great hair. I remember Kirk and I clipped him in the yards. And it was an Honor to clip alongside him. People just stopped and watched in awe. Pretty neat.
Duane and your dad found Who Made Who. For those times was as Hairy/Fluffy of a Bull/COW as they came. A lot of people didn’t like the bull because he was a freak. But in my opinion “and Ill bet yours dads also” was the first real game changer in this business. So yes in my opinion “and if Duane was alive I’d bet his also” Fluffy Cows are a GREAT thing. Just thought I would share what one of the greats in the business did. He is a TRUE FLUFFY COW LEGEND!
David Bradford
The Great Debate
As I See It...
By Pete Burmeister on
News From The Coffee Shop
June 11, 2013 at 12:58 PM
I've followed along with the "hash tag" #fluffycows sensation from its beginning in late May. As you probably know by now, it went viral on the Internet with several major news networks throughout the USA and world picking the story up. That part doesn't surprise me. People are, in large part ignorant, the media understands this, & is willing to sell them whatever they choose to buy in a given 24-hour "news cycle."
I suspect with this premise in mind, the many online articles, photos, advertisements, social media pages and accounts, etc. set-up in the days and weeks following, were to capture the momentum of the Fluffy Cow craze and more importantly, tell a preferred side of the story, aka an opinion. In the wake of the #fluffycow trend an entrenched debate between show cattle and beef production has, again, risen pitting the two sides at odds with one another.
You've no doubt heard the statement that opinions are like....., well you know, everyone has one! If you're still reading, let me share my story and how my opinion on the subject matter has been formed.
What's important here and relevant to the article title are my unique experiences sandwiched between the past and present that have shaped my opinion about the production beef business, showing cattle and the time-honored debate among folks about which is right, which is wrong, and wether or not the two can co-exist.
Before I tell you the why let me explain the how behind my reason. Here it goes...
I learned to AI cattle at age 14, spent a summer in college artificially breeding hundreds of cows for Carrousel Farms in Wisconsin, scraped feedlot pens on the farm, hauled manure on crop ground for fertilizer, ran break-even projections on groups of cattle, managed feed costs, balanced feed rations, treated sick cattle, saved cattle from rising flood waters from time to time, rinsed-brushed-blown on 4-H show calves, competed on the ISU Meat Judging Team & ISU Livestock Judging Team, coached the WKU Livestock Judging Team, taught undergraduate animal science lab classes, livestock evaluation classes, and authored a graduate thesis on Body Condition Scoring Beef Cattle, loaned money to cattle farmers, judged county fair market beef shows and prospect feeder calf shows, and now raising my own kids the same farm in the same fashion.
Now to the point. What most folks who most adamantly argue on either side don't realize is that they have forgotten one critically important step before jumping on their soapbox, Education. Before you Tweet or Facebook a thought that discounts the other side so quickly, please try to gain an appreciation for both arenas, embrace the positives that each represent, and try to understand that #Fluffycows isn't good or bad, it just is.
Real Fathers Nurture on Father’s Day
By Brad Forkner on
News From The Coffee Shop
June 17, 2013 at 8:49 AM
Our family approach to all holiday’s is that we will try to get together sometime during that timeframe. With extended relatives spread out across multiple states and children at every stage of activity, planning an exact gathering is a real challenge. One of the things we learn growing up in agriculture is that holidays can be celebrated in segments over more than one day when necessary.
Animals and sometimes crops need attention that takes precedence over our personal wishes for a day off. Checking feeders, the hand delivered portions of meals for animals not on free choice full feed and always dairy and farrowing are not only every day, but multiple times a day activities. Fathers celebrate occasions, but they also nurture, their children and their livestock. Perfect training for the next generation.
My father was an excellent example of getting out making sure cows and pigs were in the right pens and pastures before we eventually moved most pigs to confinement to avoid the mud and diseases that could accumulate. Fresh feed, clean water and bedding were twice a day in the farrowing houses and the grinder usually ran birthday or Memorial Day.
My two boys that live in driving distance celebrated Father’s Day with me on Saturday because that is when it fit the best this year. Early meeting for breakfast to watch the weather radar and decide if a bit of rain would actually impair our sub-par golfing expertise. On the way to meet them I saw a boy and his father jogging together, I saw a girl and her dad riding bicycles for exercise maybe, but mostly for time to be with each other. There was a father son trying to get some corn side dressed before the next storm, grass being trimmed for the family gathering and grocery store parking lots and gas stations crowded with a flurry of activities.
What a great breakfast where the owner takes time to stop by the table to see how your boys are doing and share about his own children with a gleam in his eye and pride in his voice, because real fathers are nurturers.
Off to the local golf course where we show up once or twice a year and although it is not open, there are carts with keys to allow you to play now and pay before you go home, because this owner/father is a nurturer who accommodates others. No need to keep score on the card, because this day on the course is not about competition, bocce ball is where you keep score, and that comes after lunch!! Spring rains have germinated hundreds of mushrooms that look a lot like golf balls on the fairway until you realize you have been tricked by your eyes, and you all laugh when you hear the distinct crack of your ball crashing through trees never to be seen again. Today is for nurturing and building memories.
Lunch at the Mongolian Grill and then on to bocce, foosball, and a quick game of cards before each boy heads back to their own home at the end of the afternoon. Fun and memories made for this generation on Saturday made it possible for my older boy to be at his house on Sunday. Jed has a daughter almost two years old to spend Sunday with. Jed also is a dad and Father’s Day is for nurturing……
Respectfully,
Brad Forkner, Owner
Nutrient 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
From Field To Feed To Food, To Field and Back To Food
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