Central Valley Cooperative

Planting Depth 1-1.5 inches deep. Planting 1” or less increases the likelihood of soybean seed not germinating due to cooler temperatures or lack of moisture.

Soybeans need to take in 50% of their weight during the germination process, by not having the proper planting depth you risk seeds not fully germinating or not having enough moisture to continue to grow. By planting 1-1.5” deep you increase the probability of having adequate moisture for germination.

Soil Temperatures Plant when soil temperatures are 55°F, or when air and soil temperatures will be increasing. Soybeans can germinate with soil temperatures at 50°F but are more consistent at 55°F or more. By planting in cooler soil temperatures you increase the likelihood of Imbibitional Chilling Injury or Cold Shock Syndrome (yes soybeans can get this too). Cool wet soils (less than 60°F) increase the likelihood seeds of a seedlings succumbing to a soil borne pathogens such as Pythium, Phytophthora and Fusarium

Seed Treatments If planting early use a quality seed treatment. A quality seed treatment will help with germination and protect the seed from early to mid-season insects such Bean Leaf Beetle, Seed Corn Maggot, Soybean Aphids and Soybean Cyst Nematodes as well as cool season diseases like Pythium, Phytophthora and Fusarium and warm season diseases such as Rhizoctonia.

Not all seed treatments are equal, just because something has a pretty color does not mean it is the best investment.

Plant Populations Recommend seeding rates are 140,000 to 155,000 in a 30 inch row. Soybeans can yield with less than 140-155,000 planting rate, the issues we encounter that suggest maintaining a higher seed rate are:

• Less than ideal planting seedbed
• Hail
• Wildlife i.e. Geese, Deer etc.
• Seed and Seedling diseases
• Soil Types

 

If you have further questions or concerns regarding this contact your local Central Valley Agronomist or myself at 507-456-3034 and [email protected]

 

The revised version of the Nitrogen Fertilizer Management Plan (NFMP) will be released the winter of 2015 in which the Minnesota Department of Agriculture will outline new regulations for nitrogen fertilizer applications. The new regulations will be based on the nitrogen best management practice (BMP) regions as well as areas that were identified to be vulnerable for groundwater contamination as illustrated in the map to the right. The Central Valley Coop territory falls in the South Central region which will restrict fall and winter application of urea and anhydrous ammonia without the use of a nitrogen inhibitor with in the vulnerable areas. The BMPs that are used for these regulations are developed by the University of Minnesota. Originally developed for Minnesota in the late 1980’s-early 1990’s, BMPs were developed as a tool to manage N efficiently, profitably, and with low environmental loss. These practices are based on hundreds of “site years” worth of University agronomic and environmental research and the understanding of the nitrogen cycle. The 2013 draft of the NFMP states that “while acknowledging that no generalized recommendations are relevant 100% of the time, BMPs represent a combination of practices that will reduce risk of excessive N loss in a normal year.” While currently these practices are promoted as voluntary, the new NFMP proposes that once farmers have been notified about specific BMPs for their region they will have three years to comply and adopt the practices before additional rules will be applied.

In 2010 the MDA partnered with the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) along with University of Minnesota researchers to collect information about fertilizer use and farm management practices. Approximately 1500 corn farmers from across the state were contacted for this survey over the phone. The information collected provided the MDA and University of Minnesota a benchmark of what current nitrogen management practices are.

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We have two promotion starting this month to help you get stocked up and complete your equipment maintenance before you start your field work.

Cenex Spring Fill - no minimums quantities on bulk delivery for Superlube TMS 15w40 and Qwiklift. We have new lower prices! Order deadline is March 27^th.

Mobil Delvac Days – Discounted prices on bulk and drum purchase of Mobil Delvac 1300 15w40 & 10w30, Mobilfluid 424 & Mobil Delvac MX 15w40. Discounts are available March 2^nd – April 30^th.

Contact your Central Valley Lubricant Expert for Details

Steve Lonning — 507-456-7658

Mike Keller — 507-649-0383

Fred Urch - 507-676-7088

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nitrogen management is a key factor in maximizing yields and return on investment. By more intensively managing nitrogen applications and timing to crop needs, excess nitrogen application can be minimized. The Minnesota Department of Ag (MDA) encourages the implementation of best management practices (BMPs) which is defined by the three criteria of rate, timing, and method. This fall the MDA has released a revised version of the Nitrogen Fertilizer Management Plan (NFMP). Regulations will now be developed by the MDA through a rule making process which will include two parts. The first proposed rule will restrict fall and winter applications of nitrogen fertilizer in areas vulnerable to groundwater contamination. These restrictions will vary for different regions. The second proposed regulations will put into law the approach outlined in the NFMP.

While regulations on nutrient application, especially nitrogen, have been discussed for years these steps being made by the MDA must be taken seriously. Central Advantage has been working on approaches to help our customers be in the best position to meet these requirements. The nitrogen management tools we have been researching and developing are available and will allow growers to still maximize yield potential and return on investment, while minimizing over-application of nitrogen. Central Advantage has access to precision technology tools that quickly and accurately measure soil nitrate levels. The NitrateNow program has been developed over the past three years and offers solutions for intensive nitrogen management. A variety of options are available such as testing a few composite nitrate soil samples to the preferred method of pulling geo-referenced soil nitrate samples. By grid nitrate sampling a field, 12”soil cores are pulled and GPS referenced. These can then be used to create a variety of variable rate nitrogen application recommendations based on the nitrate test results and historical productivity of the field. By utilizing the NitrateNow program soil nitrate samples can typically be pulled and a variable rate application rec can be available to the grower within 24 hours.

To learn more about the NitrateNow program and how you can better manage your nitrogen inputs, please contact your Central Valley Agronomist.

 

Central Valley Coop was recognized at the Agronomy Retailers Association Conference for winning the Precision Impact Award for the North Region of the United States. Three awards were given by ARA and AgProfessional Magazine to a local retailer for their excellence in incorporating precision agriculture into the retail operations as well as their customer’s operations. We are honored at Central Valley to receive such an achievement in the rapidly growing space of Precision Agriculture. The award was based on 5 areas of criteria Input Efficiency, Grower Engagement, Stewardship for the Environment, Innovative Use of Technology, and Bottom Line Profitability for Customer and Retailer. When our Central Advantage team heard about this award at the Info Ag Conference this past summer we were very excited to apply. We felt like it was a perfect fit since these 5 areas are exactly what we work to achieve everyday with the Central Advantage program. Central Advantage partners with its customers to create the best recommendations for each individual acre. This creates optimum input efficiency and implements environmental stewardship all along adding to the grower’s bottom line. We accomplish this thru learning centers, precision ag tours and our annual conference where we bring new ideas and education to our customers and ourselves . Central Advantage is now on its 11^th year of data analysis and variable rate operations. We have worked side by side with our customers over the years pushing each other to deliver the best results and recommendations. We look forward to serving all of Central Valley’s customers with precision agriculture and with the drive of our customers’ needs and enthusiasm of our Central Advantage staff we are all going to have a great future in precision agriculture.

We would like to say Thank You to all of our Central Advantage members for working with our team and making us one of the best in the Industry.