Throughout the year, the Riggert brothers have multiple contacts with their SciMax Solutions Specialists, MaxYield Agronomy Specialists and other SciMax clients.

Last fall, the brothers utilized the SciMax Nitrogen program. Anhydrous was variable rate applied last fall based on actual removal rates plus a management zone to build available nitrogen. Early spring, MaxYield Seed Solutions Specialist Dan Stokes worked with them to finalize their seed plans for the 2013 growing season. In February, they attended the SciMax Learning Seminar in Des Moines where they were able to spend time with other SciMax clients and hear industry updates. Later that month Mike, his wife Steph and Brian joined other SciMax clients and SciMax Solutions Specialists on a trip to Florida for the Commodity Classic. While in Florida the group was able to tour the Mosaic Phosphate Mine.

In March Janie Imming and Dan Stokes met with them to go over variable rate planting recommendations. After using the yield data and soil maps, Brian and Mike were able to make adjustments to the management zones. Early in April, Janie met with them to load the recs into their 20/20 monitor, went over their SciMax Field Information book and discussed trials that they were doing. One of the new trials is soil sampling one field on 1.6 acre grids as opposed to the traditional 2.5 acre grids.

Throughout the growing season, we will be tracking their Luedtke farm. This 143 acre field is located in Lotts Creek township.

A flat rate of MicroEssentials (12-40-0-10s-1z) and Potash (0-0-60) was applied when the field was strip-tilled along with the anhydrous for the SciMax Nitrogen program. This field has been on a corn following soybeans rotation for many years. MicroEssentials and Potash are variable rate applied to cornstalks during the fall before soybeans are planted to account for the fields variability. Variable rate planting is used on this field.

After planting we will provide many more updates on this field to show everyone Mike and Brian Riggert’s SciMax Advantage!

Eric Goodman, SciMax Solutions Specialist, shows the Kindergarten Prep students at Bertha Godfrey how a corn plant grows

Over the past year, MaxYield Cooperative and SciMax Solutions has been a business partner with the Kindergarten Prep class at Bertha Godfrey Elementary in Algona.

On Friday, May 10th, Diane Streit, Human Resource Director and Eric Goodman, SciMax Solutions Specialist, visited the classroom to discuss agriculture and the spring planting season.

Last fall the class visited MaxYield’s Algona location to witness what happens during the harvest season. Friday’s visit was a follow up from the fall discussion.

Thank you to Mrs. Goodman and her students for hosting us!

We had a great time showing ag’s importance in Kossuth County, and the world.

Diane Streit, MaxYield HR director and Eric Goodman, SciMax Solutions join the students after class.

Al Laubenthal (left) and his brother Andy, review nitrogen management options with SciMax Solutions Specialist Eric Goodman.

With the release of Iowa’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy, it’s more important than ever for farmers to make the most efficient use of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). For more than four years, SciMax Solutions has been finding science-based solutions to help local producers advance conservation efforts and protect water quality.

“It’s all about healthy people, healthy crops, and a healthy environment,” said Peter Bixel, SciMax Solution’s team leader. “That’s why we’re focused on continuous improvement and continue to learn more every year.”

The stakes are high. The Gulf Hypoxia Task Force requires Iowa’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy to reduce the nitrogen and phosphorus load to the Gulf of Mexico by 45%. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is requesting a strategy that emphasizes state implementation of new and existing N and P management practices for point and non-point sources.

SciMax is leading the way in nutrient management by focusing on four key areas, including:

1. Optimized nutrient rates. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to nourishing a crop properly. Sometimes fewer nutrients are required, and sometimes more nutrients are needed, depending on the soil type, crop removal rate, and many other factors. SciMax harnesses the power of modern precision ag solutions and variable-rate technology to pinpoint these needs and spoon-feed the crop, said Larry Arndt, MaxYield Cooperative’s agronomy team leader. It’s not unusual to find ways to cut back on nutrient applications while protecting yield potential. In one field where SciMax clients Brian and Mike Riggert normally applied a flat rate of 150 pounds of N per acre, SciMax helped the Whittemore-area farmers determine that they only needed to use 71 pounds of N.

2. Solutions based on science. While many nutrient management guidelines were established in the 1970s, there are more current, effective systems to determine proper nutrient applications, said Dr. Rick Vanden Huevel, a partner with SciMax Solutions who has worked on nitrogen throughout his career. He favors the Illinois Soil Nitrogen Test (ISNT), a soil-based system that promotes sustainable agriculture, offers growers increased profit potential, and enhances environmental stewardship. SciMax uses field-specific agronomic information to interpret the ISNT data and develop detailed nitrogen management prescriptions tailored to each client’s specific needs. “The ISNT, variable-rate technology, and SciMax have opened up many new opportunities to fine-tune N applications,” Vanden Huevel said.

3. Support for the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. The nutrient management solutions available through SciMax fit with the Nutrient Reduction Strategy developed by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “Successful nutrient management is already happening, thanks to MaxYield’s willingness to make major investments in SciMax,” noted Vanden Huevel, who added that growers have enrolled nearly 15,000 acres in SciMax. “Putting these nutrient management solutions into practice hasn’t required a dime of taxpayer investment.”

4. Promoting a voluntary approach. Since Iowa has countless soil types across the state and many different types of farming operations, a voluntary approach to nutrient management through SciMax offers a much more practical—and effective—than a regulatory approach, said Bixel, who serves on the Nutrient Reduction Plan Science Team. Bill Northey, Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture who farms near Spirit Lake, agrees. “The tools for successful N and P management aren’t going to be driven by government regulations—they will be driven by innovation. MaxYield Cooperative is playing a huge part of putting this innovation in the hands of producers through SciMax.”

While there’s no silver bullet with the complex issue of nitrogen (N) management, SciMax is taking a key leadership role in nutrient management, Northey added. “The SciMax team has the sophisticated tools that deliver solutions to get more conservation on the ground. Very few individuals or organizations have made the investment that SciMax making to research new solutions, protect water quality, and provide proven, practical solutions that benefit farmers, as well as our non-farm friends and neighbors.”

To see how SciMax Solutions can benefit your farming operation, contact us.

Mike (left) and Brian (right) Riggert farm near Whittemore and are SciMax Solutions clients. Mike and his wife Stephanie have three young boys.

This year we will be following clients, Mike and Brian Riggert to learn more about the advantages they see from being clients of SciMax Solutions.

Mike and Brian Riggert’s farm north of Whittemore in the Lotts Creek township, following in the footsteps of their grandfather, Herman Riggert, and father, Elmer. The brothers are graduates of Sentral High School (Mike in 1998 and Brian in 2000) and North Iowa Area Community College, where they studied agriculture and farm management.

The brothers began farming full-time right out of college and have been part of SciMax Solutions from the start. They each farm more than 1,000 acres, for a total of nearly 2,400 acres of corn and soybeans. They utilize grid sampling, yield monitoring, variable-rate technology for planting and fertilizer application, including nitrogen. They have participated in SciMax Nitrogen for five years and are active participants in the SciMax Learning Group.

The Riggert brothers commented that their favorite part of being in the learning group is being able to interact with like-minded growers and sharing ideas.

“What you put into SciMax is what you get out of it,” says Mike.

The Riggert’s meet with the SciMax team at least ten times per year. This includes on-farm visits, large grower meeting every winter in Des Moines, three or four grower meetings, fertility update meetings and shop talks in the early spring.

Mike and Brian work directly with SciMax Solutions Specialist, Janie Imming and MaxYield Cooperative Central Area Seed Solutions Specialist, Dan Stokes. With the help of these two, Mike and Brian determine where they would like to do any trials. In 2012, Riggerts did a fungicide trial. They have also done populations trials, and different rates of nitrogen. This year Brian and Mike will do strip trials of variable rate anhydrous versus ESN.

An advantage that they have seen with SciMax Nitrogen is that they are placing the nutrients where they are needed and not just guessing. Instead of 150 pounds of nitrogen across the entire field, now they are applying rates from 50 to 200 pounds exactly where it is needed. Some of their fields they are still using the same amount of nitrogen, but they aren’t applying a flat rate anymore.

“In the last couple years, variable rate fertilizer application has been very valuable. We’re now looking at removal rate, based on yield. So now we are replacing the nutrients that we have removed and building up the nutrient levels where they are low,” explains Mike. “SciMax gives you a reason to do something different and try new solutions, because you can ana-lyze the data a lot better.”

To learn more about SciMax Solutions, we invite you to call or email our team or c0ntact us at 641-425-8164, pbixel@SciMaxSolutions.com.

Our sessions started Wednesday, March 27th at Denny and Tony Meyer’s new hanger south of Whittemore. We headed east the next day to meet with SciMax members at Tim Tusha’s farm near Garner. The discussions ended for the week and Steve King’s shop south of Dickens on March 29th.

Eric Goodman, SciMax Solutions Specialist provided sprayer table demonstrations, where clients had the opportunity to see the benefits of sprayer nozzels.

We very appreciate the Meyer’s, Tim Tusha and Steve King hosting these events.

By Dr. R. M. Vanden Heuvel

Profit estimates for grid soil sampling using University fertilizer response curves indicate that it is a sound agronomic practice compared to “composite” soil sampling. Compositing individual samples taken across a field obscure or hide the “very low” and “low” testing areas of a field, where increased profits can be realized.

For instance, if a low test of 10 ppm P is mixed with high testing parts of a field, say 30 or 40 ppm, the resulting average would be high enough to result in a fertilizer recommendation at or near 0. This would not correct the low test area and yield in that area would be limited.

Iowa State University response data indicates that at 10 ppm P (Bray P1 test), about 9% of the yield is lost (see Figure 1 below). For a 200 bu/a potential yield, that’s 18 bu/a that will not be realized. This loss can be avoided if the low test areas are properly identified and managed correctly with the right amount of fertilizer.

The same principles apply to testing pH for lime and also K for correct potash applications.

So, grid sampling and a routine analysis gives you 3 chances (P, K, and pH) to improve your profitability!

To learn how you can get more from every acre, contact SciMax Solutions.

The sessions are scheduled for:

When: Wednesday, March 27th, Noon – 3:30 p.m. (lunch provided)

Where: south of Whittemore

When: Thursday, March 28th, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. (supper provided)

Where: west of Garner

When: Friday, March 29th, 11:00 a.m. (lunch provided)

Where: south of Dickens

Each shop talk session will feature a sprayer demonstration table by Eric Goodman, SciMax Solutions Specialist

For more information or to RSVP, contact your SciMax Solutions Specialist.

Farmers throughout history have raised corn yielding 300 bushels per acre (bu/A). In 1985, Illinois farmer Herman Warsaw produced corn yields of 370 bu/A. Warsaw spent years working toward his goal. He patiently built up soil nutrition and tilth for better plant health.

So what do we need to do to raise 300-bushel corn? Like Warsaw, we must commit to plan. Our plan must involve soil fertility, which takes into account nitrogen and micronutrients. Weather dictates when nitrogen (N) can be applied, its availability to the plant and its usability by the crop.

Nitrogen loss can occur immediately after application, and leaching can occur after N has been incorporated into the soil. That’s why renowned corn yield researcher Fred below uses a stabilizer when applying his nitrogen. His fertility program also includes aggressive rates of Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) to push for higher yields. Potassium is very important but is often lacking, especially in a drought year like 2012.

“As growers, we need to look at agronomy first. It’s important to build a good database for each field, understand interactions of nutrients and use the tools to apply the agronomy,” said Ron Olson, who was one of the first consultants nationwide to use GPS/GIS tools to assist farmers in managing Precision Ag databases. From 1974 to 1996, Ron owned an independent agronomic consulting company based in Illinois.

Today Ron serves as Research and Development Manager – New Products for the Mosaic Company. During a recent presentation in Des Moines to SciMax Solutions clients, Ron admitted that a lot of work must be done to consistently achieve 300-bushel corn yields. However, he says taking incremental steps will lead to higher yields overall.

Nutrient management is key to increasing yield, according to research done in cooperation with Dr. Below and the University of Illinois. This research uses “omission plots” that compare corn both with and without fertilizer, fungicide, insecticide and seed treatments. While yields increase with each of these additions, fertility has the most impact.

In addition nutrient management, other factors influence yield. Click here to see Dr. Below’s 7 Wonders of the Corn World, which are the seven factors that have the most influence on yield.

This story was first posted to Latham Hi-Tech Seeds blog…www.FromTheField.com.

Monday, December 17th

Noon

Spencer Pizza Ranch

Tuesday, December 18th

Noon

Emmetsburg Pizza Ranch

Wednesday, December 19th

Noon

West Bend Wagon Wheel

Thursday, December 20th

Noon

Yes, rainfall occurring late summer through next spring will have a significant impact on herbicide degradation, especially rainfall occurring before the ground freezes.
Will herbicides continue to degrade between now and spring? If we have a warm fall and winter, will this reduce carryover?
Yes, provided there is adequate soil moisture, warm soil temperatures will accelerate herbicide degradation lessening the chance of any potential carryover issues.
Will an extreme winter affect the rate of degradation? Do freezing and thawing cycles have an effect?
Herbicide degradation will stop once the soil temperatures cools in the fall (microbial activity slowed) and freezing and thawing cycles will not have an impact.
How many half-lives of breakdown do we see in a normal fall and spring?

There is no effective method to predict the number of half-life breakdowns that will occur in the fall or spring. Multiple factors including soil temperatures, soil moisture, soil pH, organic matter and microbial activity all play an important but interdependent role.

Taken from the Syngenta Performance Insight Newsletter