Field Focus 2011 Archive Page:

Agronomic Update – 12/05/11

DSM COMMENTS:
EAST CENTRAL IL:  Dennis Opperman (Tuscola, IL – Douglas Co.)  Hello from the east central Ill. area.  With field work done for the year, I’ve been busy writing orders on corn and beans.  With the good performance of our products and the strong showing in the plots around the state, sales are up 40% on corn and 20% on beans.  If you haven’t yet clicked onto stoneseed.com and looked at plot results, please do so.  We have an excellent line-up of corn and bean products for you to try if you’re new to the Stone family of seeds.  In the meantime, be safe and enjoy the holiday season with family and friends.

SOUTHEAST IL:  David Collins (Albion, IL – Edwards Co.) We got our first taste of winter this week with a surprise snow on Monday morning.  Everything was pretty and white for the morning, but of course the slush and mud came that afternoon.  What a great Fall we had, but there still wasn’t enough time to get as much dirt work done as most farms would have liked.  Seed orders have been much earlier than last year, with about 80% of ordering done in my area.  We still have good hybrids available in all the Trait packages.  I’m really looking forward to see how the new 6604 GVT3P corn performs on our toughest soils this year.

SOUTH CENTRAL IL:  Jay Ryan (Pana, IL – Christian Co.) With much precipitation in the past couple weeks it looks as if the fall has come to a close in my area.  I would guess that near 80% of the NH3 was applied that was intended for this fall.  All in all it was a great fall to get much needed fall tillage, surface drainage repair, and tile work done.  In a quick wrap up the beans as a whole were pleasantly surprising as many fields came in above 50, several in the 60’s, and a rare 70.  The corn through my region varied tremendously, most of which was well under the potential for the ground.  The best corn yields came from rotation, side dress, and well drained soils.  That being said, I do anticipate a shift to more bean acres in my area.  Although, one move in the right direction on the corn market come spring and we all know what could happen to corn acres………….

TAMMY’s 2 Sense Nonsense – Welcome back and I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday and was able to spend time with family and friends.  It is hard to believe that we have moved into December already and everyone is busy preparing for Christmas.  The weather certainly has been back and forth between warm, cooler to cold and back to warmer.  Vicious cycle that it continues to move in.  December 21st is the first official day of winter, ready or not it is coming!

With harvest officially complete for most everyone and fall tillage work is wrapping up as well, hopefully most of you have had some time to sit down, go through your harvest reports and see how well your crops produced for you in 2011 so that you can firm up your orders or plans for the 2012 growing season.  If you have any questions, concerns or just need some good friendly advice, do not hesitate to call your local Stone Seed Group DSM or one of our 3 agronomists to help align 2012’s crop plan where you need it to be.

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,
Greg Wolf, Geneseo, IL

This week’s featured plot in our northern regions is the bean plot managed by Kevin Pinter in Princeton, Illinois.  It is unusual to be able to have such a wide spread of maturities in a bean plot, in this case from 2.5-3.9.  It is also unusual that the moistures were manageable for combining, i.e. with this range of maturities usually something is too dry and has heavy field losses or is too wet and very difficult to combine.  In addition to the advantages of seeing across the range of maturities, you can also see some of the products that are replacing 3A259NRR and 2346NRR. Click Here

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,
Jeff Brown, Sidell, IL

Corn on Corn Challenges in Central Illinois 2011 and moving forward:  The attached document is a comprehensive look at the many factors that can and did affect continuous corn production in 2011. 

Accurately identifying and managing the issues that can occur with corn/corn requires an agronomic approach.  The following are key areas of study:

• Seedbed preparation
• Tillage
• Residue Management
• Seed to soil contact
• Seed selection
• Corn growth and development
• Planting depth
• Insects
• Seedling diseases
• Foliar diseases
• Nutrient management

As you can see this is an extensive list and by combining knowledge of corn growth and development, agronomics, local weather, and field conditions, can help explain why corn reacted with various symptoms seen this year.   The interaction of “Stress on Stress” is a reality that does occur involving the factors mentioned above and amplified even more by adverse weather conditions.  I encourage you to set aside some time and study this document online or print it off as it is very informative and well written. Click Here to open.

Field Focus Contributors:
Dave Love, CCA                    (M)217-652-9534
Greg Wolf , CCA                   (M)309-314-5001
Jeff Brown, CCA                    (M)217-714-6006

Agronomic Update – 11/18/11

DSM COMMENTS:
NORTHERN IL:  Kevin Sanderson (Creston, IL – Creston Co.) Corn 97% complete.  There is still much desire for RIB corn; 5508RIB and 6128RIB have run very well. I have found numerous occasions of root worm feeding on VT3’s, especially those hybrids with weaker root systems to start with. Many growers are going to use soil insecticide next year. Soybean sales are picking up now and I expect those sales to continue with CBOT being the biggest driving factor. I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!

CENTRAL IL:  Dale Luster (Downs, IL – McLean Co.) There is ammonia still going on but little other field work. I hope we get an early spring with little rain and I hope the guys that want to side dress get a chance to do so.  You should sign up to go on the Stone-Camp Cruise; if you have not you are gonna miss the fun!

SOUTHEAST IL:  David Collins (Albion, IL – Edwards Co.) Overall, it’s been a very nice harvest in the southeast part of the state.  Most crops are now out of the field with a few exceptions being some very wet bottom ground that was planted extremely late and is probably wet again.  The ground is pretty wet and with the rains we’ve had lately we might be done with dirt work for now as well.  Most everyone is cleaning the combine and working on seed orders.   In most of my area, farmers are very pleased with their yields considering the crazy year.  The general consensus is a few years ago we wouldn’t have seen yields even close to this high in these tough conditions, so the seed technology is working. 

TAMMY’s 2 Sense Nonsense – Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  It is a time to relax, enjoy good food and spend time with family and friends. 

In observance of the Thanksgiving Day Holiday the Stone Seed Group Offices will be CLOSED Wednesday, November 23rd thru Friday, November 25th.  All three locations will re-open with regular business hours on Monday, November 28th.

There will not be an issue of the Field Focus released next week due to the holiday and vacation schedules.

REMEMBER: CONTINUE to check our web-site www.stoneseed.com for PLOT Results and harvest information.  The plots will be updated regularly and you will be able to follow the results on your favorite corn hybrid or soybean variety.  Contact your local STONE SEED GROUP DSM for more information on these great, high yielding products to place them on your farm today!

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,
Greg Wolf, Geneseo, IL

This week’s featured plots in the North are Gary Gaskill’s and Mark Kudela’s. I highlight these two for the extremes. Gary’s corn plot was located about 4 miles NW of the Monsanto Monmouth Research Farm.  It is a dark, higher organic matter soil, and we saw great yields for only applying 30 units of N (plus 6,000 gal./acre hog manure).  This plot gave us a great perspective on the genetics in high yield, high management conditions.
Mark’s bean plot is just south of Starved Rock State Park, and it is on very low organic matter timber soil.  Plots such as these give us a whole new insight into varietal performance, because now we’re dealing with different management challenges and responses.  In addition to our lineup, we were able to observe some experimental bean varieties for their performance in these conditions.

    Illinois Crop Progress Percents as of November 14, 2011

1/ Less than one percent.

Field Focus Contributors:
Dave Love, CCA                    (M)217-652-9534
Greg Wolf , CCA                   (M)309-314-5001
Jeff Brown, CCA                    (M)217-714-6006

Agronomic Update – 11/14/11

Time is running out! Dealine to Register is Nov 15th to join us for C.A.M.P. CLICK Banner below for details.

DSM COMMENTS:
CENTRAL IL:  Dave Love (Petersburg, IL –Menard Co.) As harvest winds down yields overall were better than expected as a whole.  Field work is running full speed ahead until this recent rain which we need for 2012. Anhydrous is also going on in a lot of my areas. This year shows again that split applied N pays a big percentage of the time.  Fall applied plus another shot during the growing season paid dividends due to some loss due to excessive spring rains.  Soil testing at a consistent time of the year will also be beneficial to keep abreast of soil fertility and PH levels.  Remember, tillage on soils that are too wet can do more harm than good.  Don’t push it!!!  I would like to thank everyone that reads Field Focus and if any questions come up feel free to call your local DSM or a member of the agronomy team.  If it wasn’t for our growers we wouldn’t be here and thanks again.

CENTRAL IL:  Dale Luster (Downs, IL – McLean Co.) Hello all from beautiful but wet and gray Central Illinois.  Ammonia was going on hot and heavy but came to a screeching halt Monday from the rains.  Pretty much all the other tillage work has been done.  I was very impressed with the soybean plot results in the 1st trials and the Uof I plots.  After seeing these results I would recommend the 2R2801, 2R3401 and 2R3802.  Well, until next time, thanks!

SOUTHWEST CENTRAL IL:  Dave Dimmick (Murrayville, IL – Morgan Co.) Harvest has been completed for 2011 and all in all most were satisfied with yields; not what they could have been but thankful for what we got.  A lot of tiling has been accomplished with more water control structures planned for the fall and winter.  The dry conditions allowed for some fall tillage operations but very little NH3 has been applied.  We’ve been enjoying some very gentle soaking rains the past week.  To show how dry we were/are, we got 1.5 inches of a gentle soaking rain last week.  It only went down about the depth of a soil probe 7 to 8 inches.  We will need a great deal of rainfall to recharge our sub soil as many in our rural areas are hauling water for house and livestock use.  Remember Quad 11  Veterans Day - 11:00 am - Nov. 11 – 2011.    Say a little prayer for our current service members overseas. 

TAMMY’s 2 Sense Nonsense – I don’t know about you, but this time change sure has been hard getting used to.  I know it happens every year and we all have the same complaints every time it happens but doesn’t make it any easier.  Now that a lot of the crops are out and fields have had fall tillage completed some of the wild life are on the move.  Last night going home I saw a buck laying snug as a bug in the ditch and a little ways further up the road there was a doe standing in that same ditch.  Neither of them moved a muscle as I drove by, but one or both of them could have shot out in front of me as I was driving by. 

We receive e-mail alerts from our safety team at Monsanto and thought a couple of them worth sharing with everyone and hopefully you will find it to be useful information. 

Did you know….Dawn and dusk, from October through January, are the most common periods in North America to encounter an animal on the highway, with November having more animal collisions than any other month.

Did you know…. Fatalities from vehicle crashes with deer and other large animals have more than doubled over the last 15 years.  Stay alert and avoid distractions in order to be prepared at all times. 

In our continuing focus on vehicle safety, both on and off the job, we ask that you recognize, avoid and, when necessary, properly respond to dangerous situations from these chance encounters.

Think Safety, Drive Safely
Monsanto Vehicle Safety Team

REMEMBER: CONTINUE to check our web-site www.stoneseed.com for PLOT Results and harvest information.  The plots will be updated regularly and you will be able to follow the results on your favorite corn hybrid or soybean variety.  Contact your local STONE SEED GROUP DSM for more information on these great, high yielding products to place them on your farm today!

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,
Greg Wolf, Geneseo, IL

This week I’m featuring Gary Rinker’s corn plot.  This plot was located roughly 20 miles south of Ottawa.  It was an interesting plot because this field featured some fairly distinctive soil type changes going across the field in bands in one direction, and the crop was planted the other.  As we look at plots down the road, this type of field will be important as we take information off of yield monitors, break it down by soil type, and look at the plots not just as a whole, but dissected by soil types.  These can then help us fine tune our recommendations even more.  This is work in progress, but it shows great promise.
   

Illinois Crop Progress Percents as of November 7, 2011

1/ Less than one percent.

Field Focus Contributors:
Dave Love, CCA                    (M)217-652-9534
Greg Wolf , CCA                   (M)309-314-5001
Jeff Brown, CCA                    (M)217-714-6006

Agronomic Update – 11/07/11

DSM COMMENTS:
CENTRAL IL:  Dale Luster (Downs, IL – McLean Co.) The removal of crops is well over. However in most areas, field  preparation is ongoing, and anhydrous started big time yesterday. It’s raining hard here this morning; will halt things for a few days. Our customers enjoyed talking to the leadership team; I  believe  good was accomplished. I’m very busy now meeting with customers,and getting next year purchases figured out.

WEST CENTRAL IL:  Lance Robertson (Cartgage, IL – Hancock Co.) Harvest in the area has come to a close.  Overall yields were better than expected but corn yield was lower than average for the middle and southern part of the county.  Corn yields were very good to the north end of the county as they received some later season showers and not as many heavy rains in June.  Most farmers will agree that the excess June rains hurt their yields much more than the later hot and dry conditions in July, August and September.  One bright spot is that beans in most of the area were very good.  Nitrogen is starting to go on and most fall tillage has begun as well. 

TAMMY’s 2 Sense Nonsense – This past weekend while I was out and about around the local area I noticed a lot more crops out of the fields, but at the same time still quite a few corn fields left to harvest.  On our farm in rural Henry County we still have around 200 acres of corn to harvest.  The corn yields sure have been all over the board this year.  Anywhere from 100 bushel to the acre in some areas of the field to 200 plus depending on the soil types.  Some have started and/or almost completed applying fall fertilizer and tillage work. 

There is a good amount of rain forecasted for the next couple days; hopefully you are one of the lucky ones to be complete or almost completed with your fall harvest.  If you get a chance during a rainy day maybe check our website for yield results; see where your crop yields ended up compared to some of the yields in your surrounding area.  Are you planting the best of the best?  Do you want to plant the best of the best?  Call one of our Stone Seed Group DSM’s in your area or one of our 3 agronomists and they can assist you in placing the best products for your farm.   

REMEMBER: CONTINUE to check our web-site www.stoneseed.com for PLOT Results and harvest information.  The plots will be updated regularly and you will be able to follow the results on your favorite corn hybrid or soybean variety.  Contact your local STONE SEED GROUP DSM for more information on these great, high yielding products to place them on your farm today!

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,
Greg Wolf, Geneseo, IL

      Sometime when we look at plots, the story behind the plot is as interesting as the plot results.  Today’s plot is from Jim Bruch, in Dekalb County.   The accompanying photo shows the result of high winds which went through his area earlier this year before pollination, and the plot results are listed so you can see how the damage shown correlated to the actual yields.

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,
Jeff Brown, Sidell, IL

Nitrogen Management
In Central and Northern Illinois the combines are being put away for the season and thoughts have turned quickly to fertilizer and limestone applications while the weather is still cooperating.  Fall is a great opportunity to get these tasks completed with the exception of highly erodible soils.  One of the many decisions at this time of year is how to manage nitrogen for next year.  In particular, how do I manage my nitrogen risk?  In recent years, weather conditions have wreaked havoc on traditional nitrogen programs where all N is fall applied particularly ahead of continuous corn acres.  Take time now to evaluate how you can spread this risk going into 2012.  If you traditionally apply the bulk of your nitrogen in the fall as anhydrous ammonia (NH3), consider splitting up this nitrogen application between fall and spring and utilize different sources of N.  Good results have been observed with later season nitrogen applications including 28% solution and urea based prill products (always consider a urease type inhibitor with these applications).  Feel free to contact the Agronomy Team for their personal input on this very important topic. 

Fabian Fernandez, fertility extension advisor with the University of Illinois does a very good job of pointing out the options available in the attached article.  Click here to read the article:   http://bulletin.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=1572

Illinois Crop Progress Percents as of October 31, 2011

1/ Less than one percent.

Field Focus Contributors:
Dave Love, CCA                    (M)217-652-9534
Greg Wolf , CCA                   (M)309-314-5001
Jeff Brown, CCA                    (M)217-714-6006

Agronomic Update – 10/24/11

Time is running out! Register Now to join us for C.A.M.P. CLICK Banner below for details.

DSM COMMENTS:
EAST CENTRAL IL:  Dennis Opperman (Tuscola, IL – Douglas Co.) Not much news as harvest is winding down over here in East Central Illinois.  Had a dealer at Paris report some double crop beans making 46 bu./acre.  With the cool weather, guys are starting to put on gas in their fields.  Just remember to be careful out there.  Last but not least, it was great to see the Cardinals win the World Series last Friday night.  Now let’s get the Illini going.

TAMMY’s 2 Sense Nonsense – HAPPY HALLOWEEN to everyone!  Be Safe and Beware of all the spooks out there TRICK or Treating tonight. 

I would also like to say along with Dennis Opperman’s comment WAY TO GO St. Louis Cardinals and winning the World Series Championship!

REMEMBER: CONTINUE to check our web-site www.stoneseed.com for PLOT Results and harvest information.  The plots will be updated regularly and you will be able to follow the results on your favorite corn hybrid or soybean variety.  Contact your local STONE SEED GROUP DSM for more information on these great, high yielding products to place them on your farm today!

Illinois Crop Progress Percents as of October 24, 2011

1/ Less than one percent.

Field Focus Contributors:
Dennis Opperman, DSM
Tammy Smith, CCS Geneseo

Agronomic Update – 10/24/11

DSM COMMENTS:
CENTRAL IL:  Dale Luster (Downs, IL – McLean Co.) We are finally getting close to done here. I have a lot of folks who will be done here this weekend. Bean yields are pleasantly surprising, and very good for some. Corn supplies are tight, and  good performers are selling fast, so customers please contact us. My suggestions; rip deep, and bury the corn trash well. There is a lot of field work getting done and tile being put in. Until next time.

CENTRAL IL:  Matthew Meyer (Mapleton, IL – Peoria Co.) Well, harvest is starting to wrap up in most parts of the area I cover, with Greene, Scott, Morgan and Cass counties at the tops of the list. The farther I go north in my area, the more crops I see still standing in parts of Fulton and Peoria counties.  As I traveled to the University of Illinois game this past weekend in Champaign, there was still a surprising amount of corn and soybeans still left to harvest between Peoria and Champaign that I could see directly off of I-74.  Yields for corn have been vastly variable to say the least but still unexpectedly high in some areas.  I had a couple corn plots in Greene county average over 200 bu/A, but also had one average in the lower 170’s.  Beans have been more at the average to above average in most areas.  I have heard several reports of upper 70 bu/A beans and even some 80’s and 90’s touching the yield monitor, but most averages have been in the 50’s and 60’s.  Remember to stay safe out there as harvest wraps up and always call your Stone Seed Group DSM or dealer with any questions or highlights that you would like to share because we would love to hear them!

EAST CENTRAL IL:  Dennis Opperman (Tuscola, IL – Douglas Co.) Guys got back into corn this weekend with the good weather.  I had a customer near Philo text me a week ago that his 6404 was beating his Pioneer 1567 by 30 bu. in the field and was 2 pts. drier.  I took out a side by side this Mon. morning between Pesotum and Tolono and our 6N52VT3 went 178, 6N52RR went 169, 5913VT3 went 172, Pioneer’s 1395 went 172 and P1184 went 172.  I stayed on the farm with the customer ordering 6N52 and 5913.  Most guys are done with beans but there is still a lot of corn out there, with yields still coming in surprisingly good.   Get your orders in early because corn is going fast.  Be safe out there and root for those Cardinals to win the World Series.

REMEMBER: CONTINUE to check our web-site www.stoneseed.com for PLOT Results and harvest information.  The plots will be updated regularly and you will be able to follow the results on your favorite corn hybrid or soybean variety.  Contact your local STONE SEED GROUP DSM for more information on these great, high yielding products to place them on your farm today!

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,
Greg Wolf, Geneseo, IL

Every fall as the grain bins are filled it’s time to brush up on the temperature/moisture relationships for grain storage longevity.  Attached is a chart to summarize the details.  It doesn’t take too high of a moisture increase in the bin to quickly decrease the storage time possible.

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,
Jeff Brown, Sidell, IL

Agronomic Spotlight

Black Cutworm (BCW) had a big impact on Illinois corn growers in 2011.  This spring, winter annual weeds flourished in fields where herbicide applications and tillage operations were delayed due to wet weather.  It’s these winter annual weeds that migrating BCW moths look for to lay their eggs.  Once these weeds are killed in the spring say by a burndown herbicide application, the BCW larvae that have hatched move right into emerging corn.  As a result this year, significant corn stand loss was experienced across central and southern Illinois.

What steps can you take to help control BCW?

1. Manage winter annual weeds now with a Fall Burndown Herbicide (see attachment for herbicide recommendations for both corn and soybeans)
2. Plant Genuity® SmartStax® RIB Complete™ corn which includes a mode of action to provide control of BCW. 

Click here to read the entire publication. 

Plot highlights for this week concentrate on Stone Seed Group soybeans.
Performance from north to south has been very good as these yield results show.  To begin, the FIRST Trial summary results for northern Illinois show the strong performance of our Group II Genuity® Roundy Ready to Yield® soybeans.
Moving into central Illinois in Champaign County to John and Bill Lannon’s plot results where 2R2801brand, 2R3701 brand and 2R3801 brand  take top honors.  In a side by side comparison Stone Seed Group 2R3401 brand outperforms Pioneer 93Y40 by over 4.5 bushel/acre.

Find these and much more on our 2011 plot results page at http://www.stoneseed.com/plots.htm

 Illinois Crop Progress Percents as of October 17, 2011

1/ Less than one percent.

Field Focus Contributors:
Dave Love, CCA                    (M)217-652-9534
Greg Wolf , CCA                   (M)309-314-5001
Jeff Brown, CCA                    (M)217-714-6006

Agronomic Update – 10/14/11

DSM COMMENTS:
CENTRAL IL:  Dale Luster (Downs, IL – McLean Co.) All done with plots as of today!!  Today the top hybrids were 6114 and 6328, but I really liked hybrids 6404, with 6134, 5913, 6N52, 6214 and 6314.  Additionall the 6404 has won 3 of the last 3rd party on farm plots with one of the plots averaging 258 bu./acre and another plot around 240 bu./acre.  The 2 soybean plots nearby did well, on averaged 84 bu./acre and the other averaged 74 bu./acre.  The 2R3001’s have looked good in my area and won the plot at Paines’s.  The 2R3401 yields were up and I also like the 2R3602 and 2R3802. Several customers have signed up for our Stone C.A.M.P. Cruise with several more to sign up soon.  I need to get them in ASAP and it will be good to see you!  Thanks, Dale

EAST CENTRAL IL:  Dennis Opperman (Tuscola, IL – Douglas Co.) 3 tenths of an inch of rain Wed. night and Thurs. morning helped settle the dust and has stopped the combines for the day.  A lot of beans have been taken out and guys are ready to switch back to corn.  I had a customer up by Philo who texted me on Wed. afternoon and was getting 200+ bu. per  acre with his 6404GVT3P.  I continue to hear good results on beans and corn.  I took out a side by side on Sat. morning near Arthur with 8T212VT3 making 210bu. and 6404GVT3P making 211bu., and a customer at Lincoln, Ill. made 55 bu. on his 2R3401 beans in a 70 acre field.  I took a bean plot out on Tues. down at Casey, Ill. with 2R3801 and 2R3701 shining near the top and out ten entries,  Pioneer ‘s 93Y40 came in tenth.  Take care and be safe.  Go Cards and Illini!

REMEMBER to check our web-site www.stoneseed.com for PLOT Results and harvest information.  The plots will be updated regularly and you will be able to follow the results on your favorite corn hybrid or soybean variety.  Contact your local STONE SEED GROUP DSM for more information on these great, high yielding products to place them on your farm today!

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,
Greg Wolf, Geneseo, IL

In many of the drought-stressed fields this year we saw ears drooping prematurely, before they were actually mature. The accompanying article to the right from Purdue goes into this phenomenon in more detail, as it explains the progression of what happened in many fields.

Illinois Crop Progress Percents as of October 11, 2011

1/ Less than one percent.

Field Focus Contributors:
Dave Love, CCA                    (M)217-652-9534
Greg Wolf , CCA                   (M)309-314-5001
Jeff Brown, CCA                    (M)217-714-6006

Agronomic Update – 10/10/11

DSM COMMENTS:
NORTHERN IL: Kevin Sanderson (Creston, IL – Ogle Co.) Unbelievable weather conditions have allowed progression of bean harvest. Yields running from 70-90 bu/ac. Some corn has been done with yields running from 175-240 dry bushels per acre. Stalk quality hanging there but some standability issues becoming evident. 5508GSS and 5608GSS are just outstanding with yield of 237 on high end. Corn moisture still at 22-25 percent. Goss Wilt has taken toll on yield with 1 field yielding 115at 47 tw. Now is especially the time to think SAFETY.  All be safe during harvest!!

CENTRAL IL:  Dale Luster (Downs, IL – McLean Co.) Hello out there.  Most everyone is now cutting beans. The 2R3001’s are doing well, not many 2R3401’s have been cut yet. One customer had a field of 2R3001’s go over 70 bu./acre, another in the high 60’s; had a field of 2801’s made 73, beat Pioneer 92y80’s by 3bu./acre. !! Almost done with corn plots with 1 left to go. 6404 is doing well, as well as 6328, 6314, 6214, 6128, 5913-! Thanks till next week.

EAST CENTRAL IL:  Dennis Opperman (Tuscola, IL – Douglas Co.) Well, bean harvest has certainly swung into high gear around the Tuscola area this past week.  With the very warm weather guys can’t get them out fast enough to keep them from shattering.  I’m hearing reports of beans as dry as 8%.  However, bean yields continue to surprise everyone.  Most all of my customers are having yields above 50 bu., with a lot of them reaching the 60 bu.+ avg.  I did some yield strip tests on the 3rd and had guys getting 70 and 75 bu. out of our 2R3401 bean.  Yesterday we had a 58 bu. bean avg. out of John Lannon’s bean plot south of Sidney, in Champaign Co.   6404GVT3P also won his corn plot with 218bu./acre.   Several hybrids in John’s plot were over 195.  I also won a large Pioneer plot north of Bement, Ill. with 6404 again.  This time it was the only hybrid topping 200 bu. out of 47 entries, with a 206 bu. avg.  I have a new dealer down near Paris getting 65-68 bu. beans out of our 388’s, 3801’s and 3901’s.  From what I’ve seen, our bean line-up looks like its second to none again when it comes to yield.  The top corn hybrids coming in so far look like 6404, 6314, 6N52, 5913 and 6328RIB.  I rode with a customer on Wed. between Bement and Monticello and his 5913 and 6N52 were avg. 190 to 200 bu. in a 65 acre field.  I also had a customer north of Lincoln report a 220 bu. dry avg. with our corn in a 65 acre field.  As the weather continues to bring us great harvest weather, remember to be safe out there in the fields and be sure to carry a fire extinguisher with you in that combine.  So long for now.

SOUTH CENTRAL IL:  Aaron Miller (Brownstown, IL – Fayette Co.) Many growers in my territory have switched from shelling corn to cutting beans. Much of the corn has been running in the 160-170 bu. range, which is very good for our area. The bean yields for the most part are average for my area, but better than everyone was expecting. Most beans are in the 45-55 area. There has been little field work done, but most of what has been worked has been planted to wheat. It looks like we will see quite a bit of wheat planted this way if the weather continues to cooperate!

TAMMY’s 2 Sense Nonsense – Harvest is in full swing pretty much in all areas around the state of Illinois.  Some farmers are working on corn and some have changed over to soybeans.  On our farm we have been combining away on the soybeans.  The yields have been pleasantly higher than expected. 

Let’s harvest down memory lane!  I thought I’d share the picture to the left of Bob Smith, Prophetstown, IL combining with his antique JD 40 combine; my how the times changed.  Can you imagine combining in todays world with this combine?  This picture was actually taken at an Antique Engine and Tractor Show.  It gives the BIG kids a chance to play in the fields with their BIG toys.  Hope harvest is going well on your farms!  Be safe and if you need any assistance, the Stone Seed Group is only a call away! 

REMEMBER to check our web-site www.stoneseed.com for PLOT Results and harvest information as we progress through the season.  The plots will be updated regularly and you will be able to follow the results on your favorite corn hybrid or soybean variety.  Contact your local STONE SEED GROUP DSM for more information on these great, high yielding products to place them on your farm today!

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,
Greg Wolf, Geneseo, IL

    This time of year as we take one final look at corn before it is harvested, we can usually find stinkbugs, woolybears, and sometimes corn borers or earworms.  How about something different?  The lump sitting on my hand in the photo is a mummified tree frog, which is something you don’t normally see in a corn field.  The other 3 pictures are from Andrew Musselman, taken down by Morton.  These are the ones you guess as to turkeys? pheasants? coons?  deer?  (We just had an escaped convict up here running through corn fields NE of the Quad Cities; maybe he thought it was sweet corn, but once he took a few bites knew it wasn’t  J)

    Many more beans were treated with postemerge fungicide or fungicide/insecticide applications this year.  The weather has cooperated to allow the beans in many areas to really express their genetic potential.  If you treated your beans with these applications, are you noting the yield differences?  Are you noting differences in maturity between beans sprayed and those not sprayed?  Are you noticing any differences in standability?  With overall lower rates of bean diseases this year, we can examine the different varieties to see what they can really do.

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,
Jeff Brown, Sidell, IL

This Week’s Stone Seed Group Plot Feature:

Soybeans- Champaign County

We are receiving great yield reports from the field for Stone Seed Group corn and soybeans.  Our featured soybean plot this week shows how our products performed in Champaign County near Sidney, Illinois.  Consistency was very good in this plot with strong results from our Roundup Ready 2 Yield® soybeans 2R2801, 2R3801 and 2R3701.  Note the 4.5 bushel/acre advantage comparing our 2R3401 to Pioneer’s 93Y40 of the same maturity.  See this and more on our plot page at http://www.stoneseed.com/plots.htm. 

Illinois Crop Progress Percents as of October 3, 2011

1/ Less than one percent.

Field Focus Contributors:
Dave Love, CCA                    (M)217-652-9534
Greg Wolf , CCA                   (M)309-314-5001
Jeff Brown, CCA                    (M)217-714-6006

Agronomic Update – 10/03/11

DSM COMMENTS:
CENTRAL IL:  Dale Luster (Downs, IL – McLean Co.) Hello out there!  To start there is not much bean cutting going on but there will be very soon.  I have seen and heard of some very good corn yields; 7T231VT3 is yielding 250+ bu./acre and 6404GVT3P planted in corn on corn yielding over 200 bu./acre.  Corn yields are much better than expected with moisture hanging up there with the cool and wet weather with some areas recently receiving over 2 inches of rain.  Most plots have had 200 bu./acre corn with 6214GVT3P, 6404GVT3P, 5913VT3 and 6N52VT3 all showing good yield results as well.  Thanks I’m out.

CENTRAL IL:  Dave Love (Petersburg, IL –Menard Co.) Harvest is going very well here in central Ill.  A lot of corn has come out with yields ranging from 90 to 235 bu./acre.  There have been some stalk issues and ear rots in areas but it doesn’t seem as bad as last year.  Dry down has slowed down especially in the north where corn seems to be hanging above 20%.  Some early soybean yields are showing some phenomenal results.  2R3401’s have been great, so far nothing under 70 bpa has been told to me.  I think that these yields are partially what they are because of improved genetics, traits and improved farming practices.  All of us working together can get the results we want and make even adverse years hopefully profitable.

EAST CENTRAL IL:  Dennis Opperman (Tuscola, IL – Douglas Co.) Hello to all of you on this fine WINDY and sunny fall day! Harvest is kicking into full gear and corn yields are averaging anywhere from 160 bu./acre to 200 bu./acre.  I had a customer that harvested 7N88VT3 with 208 bu./acre average and moisture at 19%.  6404GVT3P is still showing good results and proving to be a high yielder.  Area farmers that I have talked to have said that their corn yields have been better than first anticipated.  Be safe out there!

TAMMY’s 2 Sense Nonsense – Despite the rain in some areas this past week some were still able to get into the fields and combine some corn.  There have been quite a few plots coming out this week as you can tell by the picture to the left. If you have a Stone Seed Group plot that you would like assistance with, call your local DSM or one of our 3 offices nearest you and someone will be right there to lend a hand.  Our SSG Agronomist Team is also on hand to assist with plot harvest or inspect any irregularities you may being seeing out in the fields as you are harvesting your crop.

REMEMBER to check our web-site www.stoneseed.com for PLOT Results and harvest information as we progress through the season.  The plots will be updated regularly and you will be able to follow the results on your favorite corn hybrid or soybean variety.  If you have any questions regarding any of the plot results, please do not hesitate to contact one of our 3 agronomists!

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,
Greg Wolf, Geneseo, IL

Here in northern Illinois we had 50 mph winds last night and broken tree limbs this morning, but the corn has withstood it amazingly well.  Farmers are trying to find fields of corn in the low 20’s range for moisture, and it is taking some patience. Earlier this season we were in many corn fields sorting out leaf scorch vs. leaf diseases.  Now as we look at some of the fields being harvested we’re in the process of sorting out compacted or poorly developed roots vs. actual rootworm issues.  Making the actual determinations now helps our management decisions for later. Soybeans are finally losing their leaves and revealing possibilities of great yields.  We’re seeing strength across our lineup, and are looking forward to the harvest numbers to begin coming in. 

Illinois Crop Progress Percents as of September 26, 2011

1/ Less than one percent.

Field Focus Contributors:
Dave Love, CCA                    (M)217-652-9534
Greg Wolf , CCA                   (M)309-314-5001
Jeff Brown, CCA                    (M)217-714-6006

Agronomic Update – 09/26/11

DSM COMMENTS:
EAST CENTRAL IL:  Dennis Opperman (Tuscola, IL – Douglas Co.) Better than expected corn yields are coming in here around Tuscola.  6N52VT3 has had yields of 190 near Arthur, 184 at Bement, 200 at Lincoln, 215 at Elkhart, and 200 at Arcola.  I had a customer get 50 bu. beans out of 2R3401’s near Sullivan.  I also had a customer get 63 bu. out of our 2R2801’s up near Sidney, Ill.   6328RIB won the Douglas-Moultrie Co. extension corn plot last week with 217 bu. and 6404 came in also near the top at 215 bu.  We got 7 tenths of an inch Sunday night and that has shut down things around here for Monday.  Be safe out there as you continue with harvest.

TAMMY’s 2 Sense Nonsense – Today as I am trying to make sense of my nonsense it has been a light steady rain outside.  I am not sure if it is welcomed at this point and time or a hindrance but whatever the case may be we are getting it.  I wasn’t sure what to use this week so I went on-line in search of a topic and with the rain decided to see what was in store for the 2011 harvest season.  I pulled the following information from the Farmer’s Almanac Website. 

Be safe out there as you are harvesting your crops! 

REMEMBER to check our web-site www.stoneseed.com for PLOT Results and harvest information as we progress through the season.  The plots will be updated regularly and you will be able to follow the results on your favorite corn hybrid or soybean variety.  If you have any questions regarding any of the plot results, please do not hesitate to contact one of our 3 agronomists!

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,
Greg Wolf, Geneseo, IL

As you begin or continue harvest, what are the corn ears telling you?  Ohio State University put together this excellent poster documenting the story that you can put together based on what your corn ears are visually showing.

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,
Jeff Brown, Sidell, IL

Plot results are coming in from the field this week.  Preliminary findings show strong results from our newer genetics and our core offerings throughout Illinois.  Check our “2011 Plot Results” for daily additions.  Rain has covered much of Illinois over the weekend slowing harvest for a day or two.  Overall, corn yields appear to be higher than expected and preliminary soybean yields (2R2801 - 2.8 RM) are also doing well in East Central Illinois.  One thing is certain, variability is huge this year.  Expect large yield swings between different soil types within a field. Be safe!

Stone Seed Group’s 2011 Plot Page is UP and Running!

Check our 2011 plot results at http://www.stoneseed.com/plots.htm.  Once there you will find Stone Seed Group strip trial reports and 3rd party results such as FIRST, University of Illinois and Missouri and Soy Capital.  Results are just beginning to trickle in so plan to check back frequently as we will update this page on a daily basis.    

Corn Following Corn; Emerson Nafziger weighs in on this for 2011:  One of the key questions asked this season is why my corn/corn appears “challenged” compared to rotated (corn-soy) ground.  Emerson takes a look at this question and offers his thoughts for 2011. Click here to read the article just released in last Friday’s U of IL “Bulletin”.

Illinois Crop Progress Percents as of September 19, 2011

1/ Less than one percent.

Field Focus Contributors:
Dave Love, CCA (M)217-652-9534
Greg Wolf , CCA (M)309-314-5001
Jeff Brown, CCA (M)217-714-6006

Agronomic Update – 09/19/11

DSM COMMENTS:
CENTRAL IL:  Dale Luster (Downs, IL – McLean Co.) Hello all. Did my first plot. Much better corn than expected. 180-220 b/a no rain essentially. Near Delavan,il. 6404,6214,5913 were stars! We are still getting orders,and moving along. Looks like Headline, and other fungicides are helping to keep corn standing,somewhat .  Most corn now has anthracnose,it’s time to get operators out there. Getting good comments from customers; most saying corn is better than anticipated. Beans are finally turning; 3001’s are turning the most; saw some fields that will be ready soon.

CENTRAL IL:  Matthew Meyer (Mapleton, IL – Peoria Co.)  As of Tuesday September 13th, the corn crop that has been coming in has been surprisingly better than what farmers were expecting in my area here in west central Illinois.  Corn yields have been ranging from 150 to 230 BU/A.  Nothing has been quite consistent, but some fields are averaging in the 170’s even 180’s.  Farmers that got a head start to harvest are finishing up some of their earlier season hybrids and may have to sit and wait out for their later season hybrids to dry down some more, with most of those hybrids still testing around 22% moisture and planted after May the 5th.  County wise, most farmers are harvesting from down south in Jersey and Greene, up to Scott, Morgan and Cass, and a week or two behind are parts of Fulton and Peoria counties but most have 15-25% of their corn crop out.  As for beans, they are starting to turn and with some predicted frost in some areas, may turn sooner, but probably still close to two weeks away in most parts before harvesting beans.  Remember to think safety first when it comes to harvest and always be extra careful around your farm machinery.  Happy harvesting!

EAST CENTRAL IL:  Dennis Opperman (Tuscola, IL – Douglas Co.) Hello from East Central Illinois.  Harvest is starting and underway in our area.  We are seeing good yield results on 6N52VT3 and 681-76VT3 on what has been harvested thus far.  I have had a couple customers report yield averages; on customer in the Lincoln, IL area reports a 190 to 200 bu./acre average and another customer in the Tuscola, IL area reports a wider range of anywhere from 140 to 175 bu./acre.  With the dry summer growing season we experienced I would say these yields are nothing to shake a stalk at!  Be safe as you begin harvest on your farm.

TAMMY’s 2 Sense Nonsense – WOW, what a welcomed cool down, from the above normal summer temperatures to the nice crisp cool air that we have experienced this week.  The calendar shows that autum officially begins on Friday September 23rd, but I’d say Mother Nature is giving it to us a week early. Some areas to the north may have experienced some frost damage, but hopefully nothing too severe. 

If you have a few minutes click on the link below in red.  It is an article I found on the web and thought it might be of interest to some of you.  Hopefully there are some good tips that you will be able to utilize and pass along to a neighbor or friend.  Maybe some of them you already know and have put to good use.

TOP 10 CORN HARVEST TIPS
http://cornandsoybeandigest.com/top-10-corn-harvest-tips#.TnNuuUHHnDw.email

REMEMBER to check our web-site www.stoneseed.com for PLOT Results and harvest information as we progress through the season.  The plots will be updated regularly and you will be able to follow the results on your favorite corn hybrid or soybean variety.  If you have any questions regarding any of the plot results, please do not hesitate to contact one of our 3 agronomists!

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,
Greg Wolf, Geneseo, IL

The last couple of months many farmers have spent time in the fields with their sales reps or agronomists trying to figure out the cause of dying corn leafs.  Is it Goss’s Wilt or leaf scorch?  What about anthracnose?  Is it something else?
As the season winds down and harvest is here or approaching, we’re seeing corn dying from the bottom up and top down, but the top leaves may not show signs of disease.  What is that all about?

To the right in the accompanying article Bob Nielsen at Purdue discusses Top Death in Corn, whether it be from environmental stresses, disease, or corn borers.
  

Jeff Brown, Sidell, IL

Does Corn Lose Drymatter After Physiological Maturity?  NO
Roger Elmore with the Iowa State University Department of Agronomy weighs in on this question:  “It seems like every year at this time – just like the onset of harvest and changing of the seasons – the question poised in the title of this article resurfaces; it doesn’t change. Neither does the answer.”  Roger has compared several hybrids over three years of testing under different drying environments and harvesting techniques.  “Grain weights, i.e. dry matter, were stable in all environments following maturity. It was clear: grain does not lose drymatter during in-field drydown.”

“As grain dries in fields after reaching black layer, monitor individual fields and hybrids for grain moisture, stalk quality and ear retention. You can lose yield to ear drop and kernels shelled out onto the soil during harvest. Schedule harvest based on these variables.”  Read the entire article and additional linked related topics by clicking here:  http://www.extension.iastate.edu/CropNews/2011/0918elmore.htm

Illinois Crop Progress Percents as of September 12, 2011

1/ Less than one percent.

Field Focus Contributors:
Dave Love, CCA (M)217-652-9534
Greg Wolf , CCA (M)309-314-5001
Jeff Brown, CCA (M)217-714-6006

Agronomic Update – 09/12/11

From the Desks of Andy & Roe Stone.

2011 Field Day Season Ends with a Bang!!

This year, The Stone Seed Group made a special effort to pull out all the stops to have the best attended field days ever.  We provided timely, helpful agronomic information and informative speakers at all of our events.  We realize that all seed is only as good as proper placement and the knowledge that goes along with it.

Our relationships with our customers really set us apart from other companies.  Over the course of the summer, through all of our events, we have had the wonderful opportunity to see and talk with nearly our entire customer base.  Roe and I, along with the rest of our team have had a “blast!”  This really is the fun part of our jobs and what we most enjoy doing.  Meeting and talking with so many of you, lets us know what is important to you and what we can do better in the future.  We are very, very excited about the momentum we have going into the 2012 sales season, and the early harvest results are proving we have the products to back up our claims.

To close out the field day season, Roe and I attended one of the most special, unique events ever.  Stone Seed Group Dealer, Mr. Tom Bointnott (TNT Seeds) and his wife Nancy hosted an event that topped the rest!  Not only did he have a tent, delicious food, and a great band, The Cattle Bandits, but he also had a Punkin Chunkin Cannon.  Please see the attached photos - it was something to behold!  Guests at the field day were amazed as they watched several pumpkins being launched over a mile into the air.  It was truly fascinating!!  A special thanks to Tom and Nancy for putting this event together and also for embracing the change from Heritage to Stone.

We would also like to thank all of you who have welcomed us to your farms for field days and activities throughout the summer.  THANKS for your hospitality, your enthusiasm, and for helping us spread the word about the Stone Seed Group.  Special thanks also to the entire Stone Seed Group Team for your planning, promotion, and participation in these many events.  We had great fun, but most importantly learned so much from visiting with our Dealers and our Customers.

And so one season turns into another, and field day season is now harvest season. Please, everyone be safe, be aware of your surroundings, and take the time to appreciate all the Gifts that Mother Nature has given us this harvest.

All the best,
Andy & Roe

DON’T FORGET!!! 
Stone Seed Group’s first Early Pay Discount Deadline is fast approaching.  Any payments received prior to September 30th will receive a 10% cash discount.  What a great return on your money!  Don’t delay – contact your Stone Seed Group CCS or DSM for further details.

DSM COMMENTS:
CENTRAL IL:  Dale Luster (Downs, IL – McLean Co.) Hello out there in Central, Illinois.  We are having our last field days this week. The plots still look pretty good despite the extremely dry weather. I was in Streator, Illinois and can’t believe how green the grass is there. They are gonna have good crops.  There is only a handful of customers in the field but am sure I will have many more next week.  Check with you then!

TAMMY’s 2 Sense Nonsense -Well we have made it through all the Stone Seed Group Field Focus Events, Farm Progress Show and Customer Appreciation Meetings!  Hopefully you had the opportunity to attend one of our events and enjoyed them as much as all of us at the Stone Seed Group did.  We appreciate your participation, your business and support at the Stone Seed Group!  THANK YOU!

With that said, now we look to harvest!  It is hard to believe that it is that time of year again already.  I don’t know about you, but as hot as it has been this summer I am welcoming the change in the weather and LOVING this crisp, cool fall air.  While out and about I have seen a few fields opened up and harvest beginning in corn.  On our farm we have been chopping corn silage pretty steady the past couple of weeks.

While you begin your harvest and start moving equipment up and down the highways, please be aware of your surroundings, the people around you and other motor vehicles on the road.  We know what we are doing when pulling in and out of the fields but the other members of the community do not so please keep your eyes open and ears tuned in to what is going on while you are operating that big green tractor (or red if you prefer). 

REMEMBER to check our web-site www.stoneseed.com for PLOT Results and harvest information as we progress through the season.  The plots will be updated regularly and you will be able to follow the results on your favorite corn hybrid or soybean variety.  If you have any questions regarding any of the plot results, please do not hesitate to contact one of our 3 agronomists! 

Have a great week and be safe in the fields!

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,
Jeff Brown, Sidell, IL

This week wraps up our summer field days and plot tours.  Thank you all for your attendance and interest in Stone Seed Group.  Harvest is well underway in many areas of our footprint and with that comes plot results.  Check our webpage entitled “Grower Resources – 2011 Plots” which is devoted exclusively to Stone Seed Group plots and key Illinois 3rd Party Trials.  This page will be updated on nearly a daily basis throughout harvest. 

Agronomic Spotlights

Aaron Hager, Weed Extension Advisor with the University of Illinois discusses assessing the effectiveness of your weed management program.  What better time than at harvest to take an elevated view from the combine cab to survey weed species and populations in your field.  Check out this link to read the entire article which provides some simple tips for managing unwanted weed seed:  http://bulletin.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=1561

Angie Peltier, a new addition to the University of Illinois plant pathology extension department discusses Aspergillus and Fusarium ear molds, both of which are capable of producing mycotoxins, by products that are toxic to humans and animals.  Our recent hot, dry weather has elevated the potential of both of these ear rots.  Learn more about identification of both of these ear rots and measures to take to help reduce long term affects by clicking on this link:    http://bulletin.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=1562

Corn Stalk Rot Identification and Scouting:  Many recent field calls have involved areas of “down corn”.  Oftentimes a specific pathogen such as Anthracnose Stalk Rot can be identified as the culprit; however, in moderate drought stricken areas, stalk cannibalization appears to be the key factor.  Become more familiar with (4) common stalk rots and begin checking fields now for signs of decrease stalk quality.  Read the entire piece by clicking here:

Considering Corn Harvest Losses and Drying Costs:  In this “Spotlight” find several tables that estimate the value of harvest losses and energy costs to dry corn with low, medium and high excess harvest losses.  If signs of stalk instability are found, consider an early harvest in those fields.  Overall, losses are minimized when grain is harvested in the 22-23% moisture range compared to allowing grain to dry down in the field which could result in harvest losses from 2-8% above normal levels.  Check out the entire article and pencil in your own numbers.

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,
Greg Wolf, Geneseo, IL

Here are a few miscellaneous notes from my recent field observations:

---The corn crop overall may be modest in yields, but there are many areas where farmers will be pleasantly surprised with their corn yields, considering what the crop has been through.
---Corn borers, especially 2nd generation, are alive and well.  Check out your refuge acres and look at the ear shanks to see if there is borer activity there.  You may have to adjust your harvest schedule accordingly if ear droppage begins due to the borers.
---By now many farmers up here in the north have been able to determine whether they have leaf scorch or are dealing with Goss’s Wilt, and that is going to help your decision process for placing your corn orders for this next year.  Check out the Stone Seed Guide on page 14 and 15 for Goss’s Wilt ratings.
---Beans are still coming on strong.  Overall, recent spider mite and aphid activity has been apparent, but at very low levels.  If you have sprayed fungicide on your beans, remember you’ll probably see a delay in maturity as compared to non-sprayed beans.  A 7-10 day lag catches a lot of them.
  

Illinois Crop Progress Percents as of September 6, 2011

1/ Less than one percent.

Field Focus Contributors:
Dave Love, CCA                    (M)217-652-9534
Greg Wolf , CCA                   (M)309-314-5001
Jeff Brown, CCA                    (M)217-714-6006

Agronomic Update – 09/02/11

Andy & Roe Stone Farm Progress Show Recap.

The 2011 Farm Progress Show was a huge success!  I’d like to extend a special BIG thank you to all of our friends and customers who stopped by Lot 613 to see us.  Tuesday was the largest opening day ever and Wednesday was slightly larger.  There were many times during the first 2 days that there was little room to move around our tent due to all the great people stopping in to see us.  How wonderful!

In my mind, several things really stood out over the three days.   I’m humbled at how many of our new friends and dealers from the Heritage group stopped in.  Roe and I have truly enjoyed all the summer activities and customer events we have attended and it was great to have these folks feel at home in our Stone Seed Group Tent.   Also, people come to where the fun is.  We at the Stone Seed Group have always tried our best to make work fun and it really shows at events like this.  Relationships are the key to our business and we never take them for granted.  A show like this is our way of demonstrating that - and our way of proving to the world that the Stone Seed Group owns Illinois.

Special thanks go out to Kenny Wallace of NASCAR fame for stopping by, talking with customers, and signing a few autographs.  Thanks also to Brian Barnhart, the Voice of the Illini, for stopping in and signing some team pictures.  The Illinois Director of Ag, Mr. Tom Jennings also spent time with us visiting with those in our tent.  This show was especially fun as you never knew who would pop in next!

Lastly a special thanks to all of the Stone Seed Group employees!  Not only did they build the displays and set it all up, but every employee worked the show at least one day with many working all three days.  I don’t think any other Seed Company can make that statement and it’s a testament to our folks always wanting to do what it takes to be with our customers. The end of the show is always a bittersweet moment.  A year’s worth of planning and execution has gone into it with a ton of very hard work by everyone.  But this year feels different; this year it feels like it was the springboard to what is going to be our most successful sales year ever.  We have more corn and beans on order now than ever before at this date.  Every team member is excited about our products and our programs and they have hit the ground at a full run.  In case you were unable to attend the show, I have included a few pictures for you to see what a great event it was.  And now we move to harvest and start the planning cycle for the next show all over again.

Thanks so much – it was great spending time with so many of you!
Andy and Roe

DSM COMMENTS:
NORTHERN IL: Kevin Sanderson (Creston, IL – Ogle Co.) Corn crop in Northern Illinois has really picked up after last rain 9 days ago. Appears for now yield to be 170-180 bu/acre. Both kernel width and depth have increases dramatically. Goss’ Wilt has really spread severely. Some Fusarium has shown up on kernels. 5508GSS, 4504VT3P, 6128 RIB continue to look outstanding. As of Tuesday we were 130 HU ahead of last year. should be early harvest situation. Soybean crop looks very good. Top growth has filled with 2s and 3s. Sudden Death seems to be slowing down. Beginning to see that pale yellow color across bean fields. Harvest will be onto us sooner than we think. Be SAFE!!

NORTHERN IL:  Mark Blackert (Cambridge, IL – Henry Co.) Thanks to all for stopping at the Stone Seed Group tent at the Farm Progress show.  Ninety percent of the people I visited with said they are dry and could use rain to help with soybean fill. In my area farmers are chopping corn for silage and getting combines ready for harvest;  many farmers are walking fields checking for stalk quality and where to start first.That's all for this week,have a safe holiday weekend .

SOUTHWEST CENTRAL IL:  Dave Dimmick (Murrayville, IL – Morgan Co.) It has been a month since I have submitted Field Focus comments from my area.  Maybe it has to do with the old adage, if you don’t have anything good to say don’t say anything at all.  On June 30th I thought, as many did, that we had one of the best crops of corn and soybeans in years if not ever.  Our crop has literally evaporated from excessive heat and lack of rainfall in 2 months time.  The positive is we have decent markets to take some of the sting out of the heat and drought bite.  It still stings though.  I am surprised that the corn crop looks as good as it does but it is still disheartening.  There are some areas that will not be hurt as much as others but it’s just because the clouds smiled with a touch more rain.  It’s all hurt to some extent.  Lot’s of variability within fields.  Yield monitors will get a real workout.  My concern now is to salvage as much as we can during harvest.  Stalks have been cannibalized and with the rapid dry down things are a bit fragile considering standability.  Ear molds are not as prevalent as last year but we do have our share under some conditions.  Management of this grain following harvest may become challenging to keep it in condition.  We could see a lot of head shatter and the chance of fire always scares me.  Keep the combines blown out and for God’s sake carry a fire extinguisher or two.  I wish everyone a very safe harvest and keep your head up.  You could be farming in Texas.          

TAMMY’s 2 Sense Nonsense – WOW, what a week!  The Stone Seed Group has an AWESOME showing at the Farm Progress Show and I was able to attend to meet and greet a few of you that stopped by our tent.  THANK YOU to those of you that had the time to attend the show to stop by our tent and say hello.  We hope that you enjoyed yourselves while you were there but yet were able to walk away with a little more knowledge than before you stopped in!

The picture to the left is one that was taken by one of our Agronomist/DSM’s, Dave Love and DSM Dave Dimmick.  As you can see by the picture, there are some pretty substantial cracks in some fields that have not been blessed with much if any rainfall.  While attending a Field Focus Event myself a couple weeks ago, I observed cracks in the field similar to this one as well as being able to see the sidedressing line between the rows where the knives went into the ground and after being so dry, created a long deep crack.  How well did that nitrogen seal into the ground? Did it make it to the roots of the corn before it became too dry and created the crack?  No matter the situation you may be dealing with, do not hesitate to contact one of our Agronomists , OR your local DSM and have them come out and take a look at the field, do yield checks, etc., they can handle whatever you throw at them.  There is no need too big or too small that the Stone Seed Group Team can’t handle.

Please double check the Field Focus Events listed below and if there is one near you, the Stone Seed Group hopes to see you there.  Come on out, LEARN about ALL our products, eat some good food and meet the Stone Seed Group Team that will be on hand to answer any questions or if you’d rather, just visit and get to know us.

Wednesday, September 7th - Stone Seed Group Field Focus Event – Geneseo Location 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Wednesday, September 7th - Curt Clapper Plot Day - Dennis Opperman
Wednesday, September 7th – Judd Stover Customer Appreciation Meeting
Thursday, September 8th - Rick Corneglio Plot Tour
Thursday, September 8th - Keith Fluegel Plot Tour
Friday, September 9th – J & J Farms Field Focus Event 12:00 p.m., Galva IL – Tony Strom DSM
Tuesday, September 13th - Nick Garkie Plot Day - Dennis Opperman, DSM

We will be updating these events regularly as information on them becomes available.  Please be sure to go to our website www.stoneseed.com to check our calendar as well as to view the most up to date edition of the Field Focus for more information.

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,
Greg Wolf, Geneseo, IL

     In many areas where the corn has been under severe drought stress, farmers are deciding whether to chop the corn for silage or take it as grain.  Here are a couple of formulas that can be used in this situation.
---If the corn has been under continual moisture stress, you can roughly figure 1 ton of silage/5 bushels of grain for corn yielding under 100 bu/acre.
If the corn would yield over 100 bu/acre you can figure 1 ton silage for each 6-7 bushels of grain.  If you figured that your corn would yield around 125 bu./acre, the silage yields could be estimated at 18-20 tons/acre at 30% dry matter  (5-6 tons/acre dry matter yield).
---If little or no grain is expected, you could make a rough estimate of silage yield by figuring that for each foot of plant height(not including tassel), you could estimate 1 ton of 30% dry matter silage.

Illinois Crop Progress Percents as of August 29, 2011

1/ Less than one percent.

Field Focus Contributors:
Dave Love, CCA                    (M)217-652-9534
Greg Wolf , CCA                   (M)309-314-5001
Jeff Brown, CCA                    (M)217-714-6006

Agronomic Update – 08/29/11

DSM COMMENTS:
NORTHERN IL:  Mark Blackert (Cambridge, IL – Henry Co.) The northern portion of my area received some rainfall this past week; however the southwest portion of my area did not and is in desperate need of water.  The corn stalks are under a lot of stress and farmers are preparing for an early harvest.  Estimated yield checks have been done and are indicating that yields will be all over and a lot will depend on test weights.  I hope to see you at the Farm Progress Show August 30 thru September 1st and be sure to stop by the Stone Seed Group Booth and bring the postcard you should have received in the mail.  We have a lot of exciting things to come.  I would also like to invite you to the Geneseo Field Focus Plot Tour and luncheon on Wednesday, September 7th!  I hope to see you soon!!   

CENTRAL IL:  Dale Luster (Downs, IL – McLean Co.) We are getting heavy rain this morning that started about 10:00 a.m. We really needed the rain for the beans and it will help abundantly!  I looked at several fields of 6N52VT3 and they all are looking good, at first they looked a little rough, but now it look like the yields could be 175 bu./acre or more.  The ears are not nosed back, they seem to be pollinated well and kernels getting deeper than I thought; however I also see many more fields getting browner with more dead spots. Diseases are not any worse and stalks appear to be in good shape, disease free.

EAST CENTRAL IL:  Dennis Opperman (Tuscola, IL – Douglas Co.) Part of my area has received some rain of late that will help the beans.  I live in Tuscola and we got half of an inch of rain Sat. night and 1 inch of rain on Tues.  People north and east of us got some but the area southwest of Tuscola [Arcola, Arthur and Sullivan] has not received any yet.  It continues to be a critical time on these beans and we need a wide-spread rain quickly.  I would like to invite anyone who is interested, to come to my field day on Sept. 7th at 5:30 p.m. and see our new corn hybrids during this droughty condition.  The plot is located just east of Rt. 45, 6 miles north of Tuscola.  Please call me at 217-493-2920 for more information.  An evening meal will be served around 6:30 p.m.  See you at the Farm Progress Show this week!

TAMMY’s 2 Sense Nonsense – We have had a lot of successful FIELD FOCUS EVENTS around the state the past couple of weeks.  Attendance has been up and a lot of new and there are a lot of exciting things to learn about for the 2012 season.  Be sure to stop by the STONE SEED GROUP booth at the 2011 Farm Progress Show and remember to bring your postcard invitation with you!

The list below has been updated. Please double check the field events listed and if there is one near you, the Stone Seed Group hopes to see you there.  Come on out, LEARN about our products and who we are, eat some good food and meet the Stone Seed Group Team that will be on hand to answer any questions.

Tuesday, August 29th – Thursday, September 1st FARM PROGRESS SHOW, Decatur, IL.  Make sure to stop by the STONE SEED GROUP booth!
Tuesday, September 6th – Rick and Mark Eskew - Ashmore, IL
Wednesday, September 7th - Stone Seed Group Field Focus Event – Geneseo Location 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday, September 7th - Curt Clapper Plot Day
Thursday, September 8th - Rick Corneglio Plot Tour
Thursday, September 8th - Keith Fluegel Plot Tour
Friday, September 9th – J & J Farms Field Focus Event 12:00 p.m., Galva IL
Tuesday, September 13th - Nick Garkie Plot Day

We will be updating these events regularly as information on them becomes available.  Please be sure to go to our website www.stoneseed.com to check our calendar as well as to view the most up to date edition of the Field Focus for more information.

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,
Greg Wolf, Geneseo, IL
  --As we continue our way toward harvest, now is the time to start looking at the ears to check for any kind of ear molds.

-- Let’s check out Fusarium Ear Rot (see attached picture).  It is most often seen when hot, dry weather occurs at and after flowering, which certainly was the case this year in many areas.  The fungus overwinters in crop debris, and grows down the silks as they start to die and infects individual kernels.  Sometimes you’ll see random brown kernels with white streaks running the length of the kernels (“starbursts”).  Other times you’ll see whole groups of kernels with white to pink to lavender colored fungal growth.  Sometimes you’ll see a clump of kernels at the tip of the ear affected, which is usually associated with earworm/bird/insect feeding.  Early scouting now is important, especially if you are storing the grain in your bins.  Compare this to Aspergillus ear rot seen in the second attachment.  Both of these ear rots are capable of producing mycotoxin contamination. 

Jeff Brown, Sidell, IL

Our Field Focus Events have been the highlight thus far for the month of August and with very good attendance.  The week before last began the series in Macon, Illinois followed by Princeton, Pleasant Plains and Farina this past week.  Key topics included current crop reports and field issues reported by the Stone Seed Agronomists and Illinois Monsanto Technology Development Representatives Dave Shenaut and Randy McElroy.  Other topics included corn breeding technology by plant breeder Jeff McElroy of Thomasboro, Illinois.  Down south in Farina, IL we heard from Dr. Jason Bond, extension plant pathologist from Southern Illinois University who discussed plant diseases seen this year.  Also at Farina, Randy McElroy led the discussion on weed management and how our current approach to weed control will have to change and how.  Check the information below on a new small seeded broadleaf herbicide for soybeans that is great for Tall Waterhemp called Warrant®.  The group at Farina got a firsthand look at how our Genuity Traits work against Corn Earworm compared to a popular Pioneer Herculex® 1 product in the same trial.  Our 6502GVT2P (Genuity® VT Double Pro™) was clean of Corn Earworm whereas the Pioneer product had corn earworm damage and live larvae on nearly every ear tip. 

This week’s Agronomic Spotlights

	Benefits of a Timely Corn Harvest; Begin monitoring grain moisture once black layer is reached!  That’s the message from this article which adds “Above average temperatures and below average rain fall have set the stage for an early corn harvest this season”.  Stalk cannibalization is common this year and fields with compromised stalks need to be harvested first.  Use the pinch test and push test to determine stalk integrity.  Conduct the pinch test by squeezing the second or third internode above the ground.  If it collapses, stalk quality is compromised.  The push test is performed by pushing a corn stalk to approximately a 45 degree angle.  If it breaks, stalk quality has been reduced.  Conduct these quick tests on 10 plants in a row in several locations.  10% or more that show poor quality is a good indicator that field should be harvested early.  Additional harvesting and storage tips are included in the full article by clicking here:
	Corn Drydown Rates;  Choosing the corn moisture content for harvest is often an economic decision that weighs excess harvest losses against the energy costs (propane, natural gas) for drying corn.  Factors such as the presence of stalk rots should also be considered when determining harvest dates.  The optimum harvest moisture for corn is between 23% to 25%.  Kernels shell easily and harvest losses are minimized.  Waiting until moisture levels are in the 17-18% can lead to excess harvest losses, as much as 2-8% over an earlier harvest (mechanical loss, ear drop or stalk lodging).  Watch those crop conditions in an effort to balance field drydown with harvest losses.  Check out the entire article by clicking here:
	Warrant® Herbicide Offers Residual Control in Soybeans;  A common question the past few weeks during field days has been “Who still has Tall Waterhemp showing above the soybean canopy?”  This year early season weed control was challenging to say the least for many growers due to weather issues and poor application timing.  Tall Waterhemp is a resilient weed species that germinates throughout the growing season and in some areas of Illinois has become tolerant to glyphosate.    The need for including a soybean residual herbicide such as Warrant® is growing ever stronger.  Read more about this product and its effectiveness against key small seeded broadleaves/grasses including Tall Waterhemp and foxtail by clicking here:

Illinois Crop Progress Percents as of August 22 2011

1/ Less than one percent.

Field Focus Contributors:
Dave Love, CCA                    (M)217-652-9534
Greg Wolf , CCA                   (M)309-314-5001
Jeff Brown, CCA                    (M)217-714-6006

Agronomic Update – 08/15/11

DSM COMMENTS:
NORTHERN IL:  Kevin Sanderson (Creston, IL – Ogle Co.) Recent rainfall has really helped filling out the corn…much denting going on…early harvest probable…many Western Corn Rootworm beetles in both the corn and soybeans…spraying continues to go on for the beetles…top growth on beans setting pods and appears as though bean crop will be a good one…Sudden Death is spreading across bean fields…earlier infestation could have caused a real disaster…could use a little rain but overall the crops are as good as can be expected.

CENTRAL IL:  Dale Luster (Downs, IL – McLean Co.) Hello All! We caught an inch of rain here in Downs, IL Saturday; however it is still dry. I looked at corn near Maoa today that looked bad in spots and some of it was completely dead.
I have a plot on Route 51, and on the end rows and the low areas it looked pretty tough but when we got out in the field, it looks like it could be better than expected.  Some of our NEW hybrids are showing up very well and I really like the looks of them.

EAST CENTRAL IL:  Dennis Opperman (Tuscola, IL – Douglas Co.) Hello from a very dry east central Ill.  Cargill’s yield estimates for Douglas Co. came in at an average of 143 bu.  So far in and around Tuscola, we’ve had 1 inch of rain since July 1st [49 days].  The beans look very good with a lot of potential but need rain fast to amount to something.  I was over checking some customers corn fields around Elkhart and Lincoln on the 18th and the corn sure looks a lot better over there with that area getting more rain than we’ve had east of Decatur.  6404GVT3P, 6328RIB, 6418RIB, and 6128RIB continue to look good in my stress plot here north of Tuscola.  They’re going to be my 4 main “dogs” that I’m leading with for my customers for next year.  Don’t forget to see the half century farm progress show up at Rantoul the weekend of the 27th.  See you at the Farm Progress Show in Decatur Aug. 30th, 31st and Sept. 1st.

SOUTHEAST IL:  DAVID COLLINS (ALBION, IL – EDWARDS CO.) We had a good plot tour and dinner at David Clark’s corn and bean plot in Macedonia on Thursday.  As of right now, I’d say that my best corn is our 6502 GVT2P.  It has handled the stress very well on all soil types and produced a very healthy full ear throughout my territory.  Additionally, its trait package is perfect for Southern Illinois and with it probably becoming a RIB product this year, highly consider this product if you’re in my territory. 
For the most part, beans could really use some nice rains.  Many beans look very good, with the current leader being the 2R4201. They’re tall and healthy, with pods adorning the plant from top to bottom which provide high yield hopes. 
One of the very exciting side by side comparisons we saw yesterday in the bean plot was our 4760 beans next to the new 2R4702 beans.  4760’s have been an outstanding double crop bean in Southern Illinois for years and we are committed to consistent improvement in double crop.  Keep a look out to see if we successfully improved our already outstanding double crop beans this year.

TAMMY’s 2 Sense Nonsense – The list below has been updated. Please double check the Field Focus Events listed and if there is one near you, the Stone Seed Group hopes to see you there.  Come on out, LEARN about ALL our products, eat some good food and meet the Stone Seed Group Team that will be on hand to answer any questions or if you’d rather, just visit and get to know us.

Monday, August 22nd and Tuesday, August 23rd – Field Focus event in Princeton hosted by Kevin and Brock Pinter 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. with dinner following at the Prime Quarter
Tuesday, August 23rd – Jeremy Puetz Customer Appreciation
Wednesday, August 24th – Field Focus event at our Pleasant Plains Location
Wednesday, August 24th – Field Focus event hosted by Larry Troyer, Hudson, IL starting at 6:00 with dinner to follow.
Thursday, August 25th – Field Focus event in Farina, IL
Friday, August 26th – Kenny Lidy Plot Tour, Teutopolis, IL  Tour starting at 6:00 p.m. with meal following
Friday, August 26th – Smith Farms Meeting, Jacksonville, IL
Friday, August 26th – John Frazee/Biddle Corp Care, Newman, IL
Tuesday, August 29th – Thursday, September 1st FARM PROGRESS SHOW, Decatur, IL.  Make sure to stop by the STONE SEED GROUP booth!

We will be updating these events regularly as information on them becomes available.  Please be sure to go to our website www.stoneseed.com to check our calendar as well as to view the most up to date edition of the Field Focus for more information.

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,
Greg Wolf, Geneseo, IL

Two items to consider today:
---We all know the heat and sunny days are pushing the corn maturity and drydown at an above average pace, but how fast is that?  Research shows that if corn is nearing half-milkline in late August, the drydown will average .8%/day.  If the corn is nearing the half-milkline in mid-late Sept., the drydown average will drop to .4%/day.  The message here is not to let the accelerated drop in moistures catch you off guard.

---This year we’re seeing more instances of short husks and exposed ears, both in varieties that sometimes do this and in varieties where this is unusual to see.  Bob Nielsen at Purdue writes about this phenomenon in the attached article.

Agronomic Spotlights

Corn Kernel Development; Effects of high temperature and humidity
High temperatures and humidity have taken their toll on the corn crop in many areas of Illinois this season.  July was a “hot one” for the record books and coupled with regions lacking significant rainfall, corn yield potential will be impacted.  Reviewing some physiological concepts and comparing environmental conditions over the past three years may shed some light on the current crop status.  Environmental conditions during the 2011 growing season suggest heat unit accumulation may once again drive the crop to mature much faster than in recent years.  Click here to read the entire article: 

Soybean Growth and Development
Soybean yield potential is determined by the interaction of the seed’s genetics and the environment in which it grows.  As we move toward the end of August a quick review of the developmental stages of the soybean plant will help provide a better understanding of what we see in the field.  Click on this link to read the entire article:

R4 Stage of Development: A developed pod is 3/4 inches long at one of the top 4 nodes on the main stem.  Most of our full season soybeans planted in Illinois this year are currently at this stage or later.   This stage is characterized by rapid pod growth and by beginning seed development and marks the beginning of the most critical period of yield determination.  Stress, including lack of moisture, nutrient deficiencies, lodging, and defoliation, occurring anytime from R4 and R5 is particularly critical because plants cannot compensate as flowering ends, and young pods are more likely to abort under stress than older pods.  Yield reduction at this time results from fewer pods per plant.  Compensation by increasing seed size can occur, but it limited. 

R5 Stage of Development: Seed is 1/8 inches long on one of the top 4 nodes on the main stem at R5.  This stage is characterized by rapid seed growth or seed filling.  Demand for water and nutrients is high through this period.  Stressful conditions from late R5 stage into the R6 stage may also cause large yield reductions due to fewer pods per plant and fewer beans per pod. 

R6 Stage of Development:  A green seed fills the pod cavity on one of the top 4 nodes on the main stem at R6.  The R6 bean or “green bean” is characterized by being as wide as its pod cavity; however, wide variation in bean size may be found on the plant at this time.  Total plant pod weight peaks and leaf maturation and senescence begins shortly after R6.

R7 Stage of Development:  Beginning maturation marks R7 stage, with one pod on the main stem reaching its mature, brown or tan pod color, depending on the variety.  Dry weight accumulation has essentially ceased.  Stress occurring at R7 or thereafter has basically  no effect on yield. 

R8 Stage of Development:  Full maturity marks the R8 stage, with 95% of the pods reaching their mature pod color.  After R8, 5 to 10 days of favorable drying weather are required before the soybean reaches less than 15% moisture. 

(pictures from North Dakota State University of Agriculture website.)

Illinois Crop Progress Percents as of August 15, 2011

1/ Less than one percent.

Field Focus Contributors:
Dave Love, CCA                    (M)217-652-9534
Greg Wolf , CCA                   (M)309-314-5001
Jeff Brown, CCA                    (M)217-714-6006

Agronomic Update – 08/15/11

Andy Stone's Field Focus Report. Hello all from Central Illinois near Springfield. I have had the opportunity this week to look at a lot of Corn. I guess we are going to call this a Clint Eastwood crop because it so aptly was named by one of his movies “the Good the Bad and the Ugly”. In traveling I have seen it all ,a few observations I will make are.

1. Corn on Corn is not enjoying this environment. I really can’t explain why other than to speculate that all stress is cumulative. A plot on my farm is ½ rotated and ½ Corn on Corn. I’d say conservatively there is a 30 BPA yield differential. Planted the same day in  ideal conditions.  As I stated I really can’t explain it. (but I’ll bet my Agronomists can)
2. Any Sin that was committed either at planting or even going back to last fall, be it compaction, planting too wet, etc. etc. seems to be doubly magnified this season. We all know these facts but when the planting seasons are as challenging as the last 2 years the thought process becomes ‘just get it planted”. This theory works as long as there is never any stress, this year we see why your Grandfathers used to say a Crop well started is a Crop half grown.
3. Personally I don’t believe in 31 years I have ever seen a crop go downhill as fast as this one has. A month ago I would have estimated my Corn crop at 220 Bu/ac.+. now Id say 180 for an average would be a happy outcome. That is a large difference in a month. The lack of moisture compounded by stress is truly amazing. I can only think of what this Crop would have been in 1980, probably  lucky to average 80 as did my Corn crop in 1980.
4. Farming is a bit like being a Firefighter; large amounts of slow times with the occasional moments of sheer terror. I have had a few calls from Farmers this week that hadn’t ventured into their fields till now and were experiencing those moments of sheer panic.
5. We as American farmers are extremely fortunate when compared to our Foreign brethren. We have a functional Insurance system that gives us the ability to quantify and insure a lot of risk. Next with insurance we have the ability to take advantage of the markets proactively and last but not of least importance ,we still enjoy the right to make our own mistakes and learn from them. The US is still the best spot in the bad world stage. Folks will besmirch us our success while at the same time buying our dollars to protect themselves from the risks in their own countries.

Now, I’ll go a bit off the Field focus ideal and explain a bit of practical political reality. We live in a very uncertain time. The entire world has lived beyond it’s means and now unfortunately we will all pay the piper. The downgrade of the credit rating this past Friday was not a bad thing. ( I still believe it is a sad commentary on the state of our affairs) Other Countries that have experienced this , Australia, Canada, Japan  etc. have all cleaned up their respective financial affairs and are much better because of it. Hopefully so too will our dysfunctional Politicians.

On investing- I always remember the quote from Lord Keynes, “the markets have the ability to remain irrational far longer than we have the ability to remain solvent.  We all know a lot of things that will probably happen a far piece down the road but sometimes it’s more detrimental to be “right” too early.

The other comment that he always made was that in the time of war a premium was always to be had for dry Powder. Meaning- to live to invest another day is sometimes better than being correct to soon and there are great buying opportunities when no one has money. Sorry for getting away from Crops but these are the most fascinating of times.

Finally I’m attaching a chart that shows the correlation between the price of Illinois Farmland and Gold. I had never seen this Graphed out in this context. I believes it has two very important lessons.

1. If Gold drops drastically so will the price of Farmland.
2. If Gold continues it’s rapid ascension so too will Farmland.

(Chart courtesy of Bruce Huber, Hickory Trust Bank & Trust, Decatur, IL)

I know at these historically high values many feel it cannot go much further, but, if you believe in the chart you have to assume that if you have $3000 gold you could have $25,000 ac farmland. Just Some food for thought..

All the best, Farm safe, and be Careful out there,
Andy

Stone Seed Group's Robbin Nickelson, Presents the Regional 4-H Volunteer of the Year Award to Robin Forney at the 2011 Illinois State Fair. This award is part of the Salute to Excellence 4-H Volunteer Recognition program of which Monsanto is the presenting national sponsor. Robin Forney is also the national winner and will receive that recognition later in October. Robbin Nickelson also presented a check to Robin Forney for $2,000.

DSM COMMENTS:
NORTHERN IL:  Kevin Sanderson (Creston, IL – Ogle Co.) Cool weather and rain have perked up the corn crop. Kernel depth continues to be shallow. Goss's Wilt continues to increase in severity. Some sudden death now showing in beans. Overall beans look very good. Early planted corn beginning to dent (too early?); most corn tipped back 1-2". Harvest should be early in Northern Illinois.

SOUTH CENTRAL IL:  Jay Ryan (Pana, IL – Christian Co.) I've been in most all of my customers fields in the last three weeks. I still have a few to see in the next couple weeks but have a pretty good idea of what to expect.  All in all not a fantastic crop. Too much water early followed by too much heat and not enough rain late.  It shouldn't come as a complete surprise that rotated ground and side dress are going to be the winners again this year. Much like last year I anticipate as much as 50+ bushel variations when comparing fall NH3 to side dress and as much as 30+ bushel variations when comparing corn on corn to rotation. The April corn will begin to reach black layer within the next 10 days. MORE IMPORTANTLY, I found Western Bean Cutworm in southern Christian county!  That was a new one for me.  We have heavy earworm pressure for the 2nd year in a row. Estimates of up to 10 bushel hit in some of the worst fields.  I'm very glad that we have an answer for both of these pests in our RIB products for 2012. At least we are getting some good kernel fill in these cool nights. "Cold Pack" as the produce guys like to call it. There's a lot to learn in the corn fields this summer. The corn is talking to you, just get out there and listen to it.

TAMMY’s 2 Sense Nonsense – We have added a couple more items to our calendar list below.  Check out the new additions to see if it is in an area near you and mark your calendars.

Tuesday, August 16th – Field Focus event at our Moweaqua Location
Tuesday, August 16th – Randolph Ag Plot Tour with lunch catered by LongHorn Smokehouse
Wednesday, August 17th – VanHorn Field Day at Warrensburg, IL
Thursday, August 18th – Farmers State Bank Plot Tour north of Pittsfield I-72 Exit #31 New Salem
Thursday, August 18th – Bob Paine Plot Tour 5:30 with dinner at 6:30
Thursday, August 18th – KAS Farms Plot tour, Victoria, IL
Monday, August 22nd and Tuesday, August 23rd – Field Focus event in Princeton hosted by Kevin and Brock Pinter 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. with dinner following at the Prime Quarter
Tuesday, August 23rd – Jeremy Puetz Customer Appreciation
Wednesday, August 24th – Field Focus event at our Pleasant Plains Location
Thursday, August 25th – Field Focus event in Farina, IL
Friday, August 26th – Kenny Lidy Plot Tour, Teutopolis, IL  Tour starting at 6:00 p.m. with meal following
Friday, August 26th – Smith Farms Meeting, Jacksonville, IL
Friday, August 26th – John Frazee/Biddle Corp Care, Newman, IL

We will be updating these events regularly as information on them becomes available.  Please be sure to go to our website www.stoneseed.com to check our calendar as well as to view the most up to date edition of the Field Focus for more information.

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,
Jeff Brown, Sidell, IL

Marion, IL Field Day and Training

(Right) Dr. Jason Bond, Plant Pathologist with SIU kicked began our program at Brian Taylor’s farm near Marion last Friday discussing corn/soybean diseases that have shown up in Southern Illinois this year.  The big take home message was that weather and planting dates play an important part in what diseases show up from year to year.  A good example is Sudden Death Syndrome which we are not seeing much of this year due to later soybean planting compared to last year. 

(Left) Brian Taylor, Chad Beeley, Dale Luster and David Clark compare notes on hybrid characteristics in the plot.

Soybean Insects this time of year
	Green Stink Bug The photo is of an immature or nymph stage.  The mature stage is a bright green.  These guys have piercing-sucking mouthparts and seek out leave and pods, insert their needle-like mouthpart, inject enzymes to dissolve plant tissue and suck out “pre-digested” plant fluids.  They are more commonly seen in field edges/sides.
	Japanese Beetle This one needs no introduction and they are still about.  For curious minds a typical adult life cycle for this insect ranges from 30-60 days.
	Bean Leaf Beetle These smaller beetles use their chewing mouthparts to defoliate leaf tissue and also developing soybean pod walls.  This insect comes in many colors and can be confused with rootworm beetles however; a positive ID is easy by locating a small black triangle at the base of the wings near the thorax or “neck” region.
	Corn Earworm and Western Bean Cutworm Control with Genuity Traits Check out this publication that describes each insect and the Genuity traits provide protection.  Both of these insects feed directly on developing corn ears and can cause extensive damage to kernels leading to poor quality grain at harvest time.  Read all about this at….

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,
Greg Wolf, Geneseo, IL

     Instead of talking about diseases or bugs this week, I decided to take a look at Growing Degree Days throughout the state to see how far along the heat has pushed us.  In some cases it has moved things along, and other cases surprisingly we’re not too far ahead.
   

This data is from the Illinois State Water Survey:

Growing Degree Days (Base 50) from 4/10/2011 through 8/11/2011

TOWN                   ACTUAL TOTAL          11 YR. AVERAGE           DIFFERENCE

Freeport                    2004                               1940                           +64
St. Charles                 1998                               1842                         +156
Dekalb                       2048                               1960                          +88
Stelle                         2086                               2077                          +9
Monmouth                2223                               2041                         +182
Peoria                        2341                              2146                          +195
Kilbourne                   2439                              2169                          +270
Champaign               2414                               2200                          +214
Perry                        2424                              2170                         +254
Springfield                 2516                              2324                         +192
Brownstown               2532                             2380                         +152
Olney                        2590                               2345                          +245
Belleville                    2534                              2380                         +154
Fairfield                     2687                              2480                          +207
Rend Lake                 2705                               2500                          +205
Carbondale               2516                              2404                           +112
Dixon Spring             2665                              2463                           +202

Illinois Crop Progress Percents as of August 8, 2011

1/ Less than one percent.

Field Focus Contributors:
Dave Love, CCA                    (M)217-652-9534
Greg Wolf , CCA                   (M)309-314-5001
Jeff Brown, CCA                    (M)217-714-6006

Agronomic Update – 08/08/11

DSM COMMENTS:
NORTHERN IL:  Kevin Sanderson (Creston, IL – Ogle Co.) Corn crop continues to suffer under extreme heat conditions.  Plenty of rain here but heat has cooked crop creating smaller kernel depth with possibly a lighter test weight.  Some early planted corn is denting prematurely. This situation can only spell trouble. WCR is beginning to show up in large numbers.  Some evidence of Goss Wilt is prevent and some earworms appearing in sweet corn. Rain and heat are benefitting bean crop. Much top growth setting pods. Let's hope for the best on the corn crop!

NORTHERN IL:  Tony Strom (Victoria, IL – Knox Co.) Weather in Knox, Warren and Stark Counties continues to be dry. Estimated yield checks in corn run from 140 to 190 bu. Cooler temps predicted next week and some chance for rainfall will help corn and soybeans. No signs of any spider mites in soybeans yet. With the dry weather it looks like an early harvest so be checking your fields.

CENTRAL IL:  Dale Luster (Downs, IL – McLean Co.)  Hello from Central, Illinois . It is very dry here now. We are seeing a lot of fired corn, kernel tip-back, and gray leaf spot.  There are a few corn fields that still look pretty good!! It depends on N-timing, drainage and care taken at planting.  Corn yields will be way up and down. We are seeing corn in the dent stage so it won’t be long!

CENTRAL IL:  Russ Terry (McLean, IL – McLean Co.) You don’t have to be a farmer or have any involvement in agriculture to know that we are dry, dry, dry! I have been in and out of corn and bean fields for the past week and have witnessed some issues. I have noticed that for the most part that corn after beans seems to be holding its own but it too is becoming more and more stressed. Although the plants do not seem to be as fired as far up as the corn after corn, it is showing some “tip back” due to the heat and lack of moisture. However the corn after corn is a different story. It seems that half of the continuous corn that I have been in lately is in serious trouble. The plants are fired three to four leaves up the plant and some really stressed plants are fired to the ear. The question is why? It seems that no one has a really good answer other than a serious lack of moisture that seems to compound other problems such as compaction and the inability for the roots to reach the N that is available. Timing seems to be another factor that may be affecting this corn after corn crop. In my area, the folks that were able to get in early seem to be better off than the others that were just a couple weeks later. These plants seemed to have pollinated better and are showing slightly less stress on the plant and thus the ear seems to be filled out more.  When the root digs were performed, the hybrids that had stronger more vigorous roots were only in slightly better shape than the hybrids that have weaker root systems. We looked at soil types, water holding capabilities of the soil and drainage available and it seems there is no real correlation there either. Could tillage have an effect on this corn after corn? We really couldn’t pin point that, although most growers do not work their bean stubble as much as the stalks for obvious reasons. One thing is for certain, without moisture, we are open for a wide variety of stressors that will adversely affect our crop that wouldn’t seem to bother us in “normal” years. My biggest fear is that some growers may be oversold on this corn crop and I strongly advise everybody to get out and look, if for no other reason than to prepare yourself for what kind of crop you can expect this fall.

EAST CENTRAL IL:  Dennis Opperman (Tuscola, IL – Douglas Co.)  All I can say is that we are needing rain badly.  The cooler weather is helping to relieve the crops, but an inch of rain since July 1st is not good.  Yield estimates that I’ve taken have me guessing between 150 and 170 bu. per acre.  As I’ve said before 6324, 6418 and 6404 look real good with all this stress.  With some August rains, the bean crop still carries some real good potential on yield.  Keep enjoying the summer. 

CENTRAL IL: Andrew Musselman (Morton, IL – Tazewell Co.) The continued heat and lack of rain has further taken yield from the corn in a large part of my area.  Beans are struggling to fill, but with good rains this month, we should still expect a decent crop from them.  Corn is beginning to dent in many fields.  Corn rootworm beetles and Japanese beetles are still very active in corn fields and aphids have shown up in the past few weeks.  The rootworm and Japanese beetles are also active in the bean fields.  Generally, where fields have received rain, the crops look better.  Here are a couple of links to articles that should help us think about what we are seeing develop:

Physoderma Brown Spot of Corn
http://bulletin.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=1548
Will Goss’s Wilt be the “Disease of the Year” in 2011
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/CropNews/2011/0805robertson.htm
Leaf Loss in Stressed Corn
http://bulletin.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=1549

TAMMY’s 2 Sense Nonsense – The Stone Seed Group is busy, busy with everyone getting ready for all our upcoming Field Focus Events.  Below is our first week of events starting this Friday, August 12th near Clinton, IL.  Make sure to mark your calendars and plan on attending an event near you.  Also mark you calendar if you haven’t already for attending the Farm Progress Show and stopping by the Stone Seed Group tent; it will be awesome and worth your while to stop by and check us out!  Hope to see you out and about at some of the events!!

Friday, August 12th – Jerry Toohill Plot near Clinton, IL
Monday, August 15th – Customer Meeting at Fatty’s in DeKalb, IL starting with Hors d’oeuvres at 5:00 and dinner at 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, August 16th – Field Focus event at our Moweaqua Location
Tuesday, August 16th – Randolph Ag Plot Tour with lunch catered by LongHorn Smokehouse
Wednesday, August 17th – VanHorn Field Day at Warrensburg, IL
Thursday, August 18th – Farmers State Bank Plot Tour north of Pittsfield I-72 Exit #31 New Salem
Thursday, August 18th – Bob Paine Plot Tour 5:30 with dinner at 6:30
Thursday, August 18th – KAS Farms Plot tour, Victoria, IL

We will be updating these events regularly as information on them becomes available.  Please be sure to go to our website www.stoneseed.com to check our calendar as well as to view the most up to date edition of the Field Focus for more information.

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,
Greg Wolf, Geneseo, IL

    As the weather and disease stresses continue to hit the corn, we’re all seeing various leaf issues, and at this time of the year they can become very confusing.

Goss’ Wilt---In last week’s Field Focus we posted a video to help you identify Goss’ Wilt.  It’s usually in the upper part of the plant, and you’ll see wavy lesions that follow along the leaf veins.  Within or next to these lesions you’ll see dark green to black spots, or “freckles”.  If you hold the leaf up to the sun, you’ll usually see a shiny area, which is the dried bacterial ooze.  If you slice the stalk sideways, you may observe that the vascular tissue is orange, or in streaks of orange.
Northern Corn Leaf Blight---At this time you may see a few lesions on the lower leaves, but most will be on the upper leaves.  It’ll start as gray or green cigar-shaped lesions that may become tan.  Within these lesions you may see spores.
Anthracnose Leaf Blight---As with Northern Corn Leaf Blight, you may see a few lesions on the lower part of the plant early, but this time of the year you’ll see them on the upper part of the plant.  The lesions start out semitransparent, and become tan at the centers with reddish brown or yellow orange borders. If you have a hand lens and look closely at the lesions, you may see dark, “hairlike” growths coming out of them   These “setae” are a good id sign to identify anthracnose.  As it progresses across the leaves and you stand back and look at the crop later in the season,  it may look like it has a “green band” across the middle; the bottom leaves will be maturing and dying off, and the upper part of the canopy will be brown from the blighted leaves, while the middle of the plant will remain relatively green.
Leaf Scorch---the relentless heat and moisture stress have in many places caused the leaves in the lower part of the canopy to go from green to lesions to symptoms of nutrient shortages to brown, or burnt looking.  When the corn plant is under stress it’ll do whatever it can to fill the ear, and that can include moving nutrients from the lower leaves up to the ear.  What is different this year is the rapidity and thoroughness of how it has happened; whole fields look scorched, or burnt from the ground up to the ear leaf.

Illinois Crop Progress Percents as of August 1, 2011

1/ Less than one percent.

Field Focus Contributors:
Dave Love, CCA                    (M)217-652-9534
Greg Wolf , CCA                   (M)309-314-5001
Jeff Brown, CCA                    (M)217-714-6006

Agronomic Update – 08/01/11

DSM COMMENTS:
CENTRAL IL:  Dave Love (Petersburg, IL –Menard Co.) This past week I have received a lot of phone calls on the condition of our corn crop.  It seems to vary as to where you are in the state.  We all have had the extremely high temps; some have received rain to help with this problem.  In some areas we have confirmed cases of Goss’s wilt which has been a predominantly western Corn Belt disease.  More research and reading will be done on this one.  Some of the later planted corn is getting sprayed with fungicides now.  Soybeans overall are looking good, you know it is hot and dry when the soybean leaves kind of roll over and have that light colored appearance.

CENTRAL IL:  Dale Luster (Downs, IL – McLean Co.)  This week has seen some serious changes in looks of many corn fields and they have gone down hill fast.  A lot of fields still look good; however we are separating the men from the boys and starting to see all sorts of issues with a lot of sidewall, deep compaction along with nitrogen loss and gray leaf showing. Most areas I have traveled in has received some rain but it has been too hot for too long now!

EAST CENTRAL IL:  Dennis Opperman (Tuscola, IL – Douglas Co.)  It’s been very hot and humid here for the last 2 weeks, just like everywhere else.  Most of the corn has pollinated and we really need a rain, having had roughly an inch or so in July.  The 6234, 6314, 6324 and the 6404 hybrids all look very good in my plot north of Tuscola.  It has not received much rain and has been stressed very hard.  The Pioneer 1395 looks terrible and looks like pineapple.  These new heavy wide leaf hybrids seem to add extra shade and pick up more photosynthesis [how’s that for spelling].  Anyway, those four hybrids seem to be handling the drought conditions pretty good.  Continue enjoying your summer and let’s hope for some rain and a relief from the heat.  So long for now and as always, GO CARDS!

CENTRAL IL: Andrew Musselman (Morton, IL – Tazewell Co.) The quality of the crop, as it stands, is highly dependent on the amount of water that has been received.  GLS is now apparent in most fields that I have looked at, but mostly on the lower leaves; some North Corn Leaf Blight is observable as well.  Corn rootworm beetles remain active, along with Japanese beetles.  Goss’s Bacterial Wilt has been confirmed in McLean County.  The corn ears have been “tipped-back” due to the hot weather conditions.  If we receive rain in August, the crops should do fairly well, overall.  Want to grow more beans?  Consider these tips: http://www.agweb.com/farmjournal/article/15_tips_for_high_soybean_yields/.

TAMMY’s 2 Sense Nonsense – Another steamy week out in the countryside this week!  Some of us have been receiving some nice showers, some not so much and others have received more than ever imagined and it can quit anytime now. 

It is hard to believe that in just a couple weeks schools will be back in session which means Fall will be just around the corner.  We have a lot of activities going on in August as well as the first week or so of September.  Please continue to check for updates for a activity near you! In the mean time please take note of the dates and locations below and mark your calendars for attending any or all of these events. 

• Friday, August 12th – Jerry Toohill Plot near Clinton, IL
  
• Monday, August 15th – Customer Meeting at Fatty’s in DeKalb, IL starting with Hors d’oeuvres at 5:00 and dinner at 6:00 p.m.
  
• Tuesday, August 16th – Field Focus event at our Moweaqua Location
  
• Tuesday, August 16th – Randolph Ag Plot Tour with lunch catered by LongHorn Smokehouse
  
• Wednesday, August 17th – VanHorn Field Day at Warrensburg, IL
  
• Thursday, August 18th – Farmers State Bank Plot Tour north of Pittsfield I-72 Exit #31 New Salem
  
• Thursday, August 18th – Bob Paine Plot Tour 5:30 with dinner at 6:30
  
• Thursday, August 18th – KAS Farms Plot tour, Victoria, IL
  
• Monday, August 22nd and Tuesday, August 23rd – Field Focus event in Princeton hosted by Kevin and Brock Pinter 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. with dinner following at the Prime Quarter
  
• Wednesday, August 24th – Field Focus event at our Pleasant Plains Location
  
• Thursday, August 25th – Field Focus event in Farina, IL
  
• Friday, August 26th – Smith Farms Meeting, Jacksonville, IL
  
• Friday, August 26th – John Frazee/Biddle Corp Care, Newman, IL
  
• Tuesday, August 30th thru Thursday, September 1st – 2011 FARM PROGRESS SHOW, Decatur, IL  Be sure to stop by the STONE SEED GROUP lot and see what’s new and happening!!!

We will be updating these events regularly as information on them become available please be sure to go to our website www.stoneseed.com to check our calendar as well as viewing the most up to date edition of the Field Focus for more information.

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,
Greg Wolf, Geneseo, IL

As mentioned above, we are finding Goss’s Bacterial Wilt in corn scattered throughout Illinois. Our findings are in agreement with Dr. Bissonnette, director of the Univ. of Illinois Plant Clinic. Their tests have confirmed Goss’ Wilt in Bureau, Edgar, Knox, Livingston, Piatt, Sangamon, Shelby, and Woodford counties.

The accompanying YouTube video from Purdue does an excellent job of leading you through the identification process.
If you have fields that you suspect may have Goss’ Wilt, contact your Stone Seed Group sales rep or agronomist, and we’ll help you with the ID process. http://www.youtube.com/user/PurdueExtensionEntm#p/u/0/vDYcC1jFzI0

Information for sending samples to the Univ. of Ill. Plant Clinic can be found at:  http://web.extension.Illinois.edu/plantclilnic/

Since Goss’s Wilt is a bacteria and not a fungus, the fungicide applications currently being applied will not control it.  Proper identification is crucial so management decisions involving tillage, rotations, and seed selection can be made this fall.

Illinois Crop Progress Percents as of July 25, 2011

1/ Less than one percent.

Field Focus Contributors:
Dave Love, CCA                    (M)217-652-9534
Greg Wolf , CCA                   (M)309-314-5001
Jeff Brown, CCA                    (M)217-714-6006

Agronomic Update – 07/25/11

DSM COMMENTS:
NORTHERN IL:  Kevin Sanderson (Creston, IL – Ogle Co.)  Very hot temperatures the last 2 weeks have slowly deteriated the corn crop in Northern Illinois...there are corn fields northwest of Rockford that will be lucky to make 70 bu/acre...beans in th same area are very short...this morning 1.2 inches of rain fell but for many fields the moisture came too late...from route 64 south to Shabbona, the crop is much better but far below the 2010 yields...disease and above ground insect pressure is nominal...with the hot temperatures, high humidity, and some early morning fog GLS may become an issue...thus far the season has become a real challenge...most wheat has been harvested with an average of about 80 bu and higher than normal test weight.

CENTRAL IL:  Dale Luster (Downs, IL – McLean Co.)  HELLO EVERYONE: It is getting very dry here and starting to see really large cracks in the ground, the likes of which I have not seen in years SAY since, 2005. Hurricane Katrina saved us that year, however I have a great looking late planted corn plot in FARMER CITY, 28%  applied mid- may. I also have a customer that has crop dusting planes, he is very busy spraying Japanese Beetles and fungicides in corn. I don’t see Gray Leaf Spot here or any other diseases to speak of. That’s all for now.

CENTRAL IL: Andrew Musselman (Morton, IL – Tazewell Co.) According to the weather forecasts, it looks like the next two weeks will be very warm, in the mid-90s.  This will probably take a toll on the crops as water is depleted from the soil profile.  Gray Leaf Spot is appearing in fields near Secor, Woodford County, along with the beginnings of nitrogen deficiency.  Japanese beetles are still active in corn and soybean fields.  Fungicides and insecticides are being sprayed in my area.  At Trivoli, Peoria County, I observed a field where there were approximately one rootworm beetle to every corn plant.  This is the most significant pressure observed in several years by the farmer.  I’ve had a half inch of rain so far for the month of July. Check out the Biology of Soil Compaction: https://www.agronomy.org/files/publications/crops-and-soils/the-biology-of-soil-compaction.pdf

SOUTHWEST CENTRAL IL:  Dave Dimmick (Murrayville, IL – Morgan Co.)  We can chalk up another weather event to remember 2011 by.  Some say you have to go back to 1936 to equal the heat.  I would just as soon not because they didn’t have AC back then.  I do remember as a young 1950’s farm boy in northern Illinois sleeping outside in the orchard because the house was boiling.    A good thing about this heat was we had enough soil moisture to help compensate our corn and soybean crops.  Key word is “had”.  It’s now gone and we like most could use a nice timely set of rain falls up until September sometime.  How bad has the heat hurt yield?  I’ll let the self proclaimed experts predict that but I feel if we get some timely rain events from here on out we haven’t really lost that much yield with these newer genetics that Stone provides. 

I was visiting with a Iraq Army Veteran last week in a corn field and I made a comment that at least it’s not as bad as Iraq.  He looked at me like “You Idiot” and said “Hell, This is worse than Iraq.” as the sweat dripped off his nose. Just putting things in perspective.    

TAMMY’s 2 Sense Nonsense – The weather seems to be a constant surprise!  This extreme heat, well I don’t know about you but it can leave anytime now.  Some of us have received some much needed rain, others received TOO much rain along with unwanted WIND and then some didn’t receive any rain and are still dry.  No matter what you did or did not get, remember we are all in this together.  Continue to scout your fields for insect damage and diseases.  If you see anything that needs attention do not hesitate to contact one of our Stone Seed Group Agronomists and they will be happy to come help solve any issues you may be having. 

Watch for upcoming events coming to your area soon! We have Field Focus Events, Plot Tours and appreciation meetings coming up for you to mark the calendars.  Stay tuned for next weeks listing!   

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,
Greg Wolf, Geneseo, IL
     As management decisions are being made concerning fungicide and insecticide applications, and tissue testing, consider some of the cause and effects that may be going on.

---If you’re taking tissue tests in corn at silking for nutrient analysis, good samples and readings depend on active nutrient uptake by the plant.  Ideally these samples would be taken before brown silk, so if your corn is in early silking, you are planning on these tests and can wait a few days for the temperatures to cool down, (so the corn plants can resume a more normal growth pattern rather than being stressed), you’ll have better results.

---If you’re planning on spraying fungicides on your corn, what kind of results will you have if your leaves are all rolled up and the plants are stressed?  Coverage and fungicide movement in the plant will be compromised, as well as your results.  If the application window allows, wait till the plants resume a more normal appearance and the leaves remain open.

---With all of the hot and dry weather come concerns about spider mites in beans.  Under normal conditions naturally occurring fungi infest mites to keep the populations under control.  If you have sprayed a fungicide as part of a high management program for your soybeans, some of these naturally occurring fungi will have been removed, and when the soybeans are severely stressed, these would be first fields you would want to check for spider mites.

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,
Jeff Brown, Sidell, IL

Agronomic Alerts, Rootworm update, Corn Development Review and comments from University of Illinois Extension Agronomist

Dry Illinois conditions spur Spider Mite presence:  Spider Mites can cause serious damage to both corn and soybeans.  Outbreaks can occur in hot/dry weather conditions.  Now is the time to begin scouting fields for these arachnids.  Infestations typically are first noticed near field edges or where soybeans are stressed.  Recognizing the speckling or stippling effect on the lower leaves when foliage is still green is important for early detection of mite feeding.  Take a look at these two Alerts to learn more about identification, injury and management: 

	Spider Mites in Corn
	Spider Mites in Soybeans

High Temperatures and Crops:  “The dome of heat that has settled over the Midwest this past week promises to bring high day and night temperatures, with relief currently predicted to be some time away, and perhaps modest at that. It has been some time--2005 in some parts of the state, even earlier in others--since we've had temperatures stay this high for this long.”  Emerson Nafziger, U of IL Extension Agronomist weighs in on the recent run up of hot and dry weather and crop conditions.  Click here for the full article:  http://bulletin.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=1537

Root Digs Confirm Corn Rootworm Larval Injury Greater than Recent Seasons:  “On July 18, roots were dug at the Northern Illinois Agronomy Research Center, located near Shabbona. The roots were evaluated the next day for injury, and significant levels of pruning were revealed in the checks (control)… Although it appears that the level of rootworm injury in our trials is greater than in the most recent summers (2009 and 2010), the overall level of the western corn rootworm population can still be described as moderate for this season…Data from these studies will be used by university and industry scientists to construct mathematical models to predict the potential longevity of new Bt hybrids entering the marketplace that will be sold in 95% (Bt seed) and 5% (non-Bt refuge seed) mixtures. In my estimation, the seed mixture blends (refuge-in-a-bag) will form the foundation of resistance management plans for Bt hybrids well into the future.”--Mike Gray 
Read Mike’s complete report by clicking on this link: http://bulletin.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=1535

The corn fertilization process involves a complex series of events.  An engaging series of articles written by Bob Nielsen, Extension Agronomist for Purdue discusses both SILK DEVELOPMENT and TASSEL EMERGENCE & POLLEN SHED in the following linked articles.  Of particular importance are the references to dry or droughty conditions and how each of these physiological processes can be affected.  Use your Ctrl key and mouse click to view the entire articles:  

SILKS -  http://www.agry.purdue.edu/ext/corn/news/timeless/Silks.html 
TASSELS - http://www.agry.purdue.edu/ext/corn/news/timeless/Tassels.html

Illinois Crop Progress Percents as of July 18, 2011

1/ Less than one percent.

Field Focus Contributors:
Dave Love, CCA                    (M)217-652-9534
Greg Wolf , CCA                   (M)309-314-5001
Jeff Brown, CCA                    (M)217-714-6006

Agronomic Update – 07/18/11

DSM COMMENTS:
NORTHERN IL: Kevin Sanderson (Creston, IL – Ogle Co.) Tremendous wind storm blew down 75 percent of the corn on Monday early am...some older bins, electric poles also went down...as of today corn is much better...if there would have been complete formation of brace roots, corn may have not fallen as badly...since a week ago Friday, this corn crop has really improved...5508 GSS looks just excellent...hope we get more rain before the onslaught of next week’s extreme heat...with down corn be aware that injured plants may be open for disease infection and possibly less than desirable pollination...treated beans looking very good to date...insect pressure is nominal.

CENTRAL IL:  Dale Luster (Downs, IL – McLean Co.)  We had an inch of rain here in the Downs, Heyworth area, but Leroy to the east got zip! Very timely though; pollination is in full swing. Most OF THE CROPS look GREAT, IN Tazewell, McLean and Livingston Counties. The beans look great also, with most all sprayed and canopy applied. We have some great looking plots, the best set of plots I’ve seen in years, and really nice looking new varieties. The only place I’ve noticed Japanese Beetles has been between Danvers and Mackinaw, IL about 20 miles west of here, however, NO SIGN of corn diseases, yet!

TAMMY’s 2 Sense Nonsense – It looks like we are going from one extreme to the other with the weather!  What’s new, right?  The last time I gave my 2 Sense we were happy to see the sunshine, warmer temperatures and NO RAIN and now some of us are begging for a ½” to 1” of water.  There have been a few areas getting some rain as well as some areas with severe weather that damaged the crops. 

After coming home from vacation this past weekend, I was amazed at how much the crops had changed in a week’s time.  My son even commented as he looked out the window coming down from the sky on the airplane, “yep mom, the crops grew while we were gone just as I thought they would”.  Be in close contact with your Stone Seed DSM and Agronomist, scout these fields and be watching for disease and insect infestation.  My husband sprayed for Japanese Beetles last weekend that were in our soybean field and he said they were so thick that the screen on the tractor was BLACK from all the bugs.  Scout your fields daily, they can change by the minute, hour and day.  The Stone Seed Group Team is here to help with whatever problems you need solving. 

With the extreme heat and humidity this coming week please be sure to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water or drinks with electrolytes as well as rest often in a cool place to bring your body temperature down.

Keep cool and have a safe week! 

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,
Greg Wolf, Geneseo, IL

The recent strong storms that moved across Northern Iowa and Illinois resulted in thousands of acres of flattened corn, some because of greensnap, but much was due to being partially uprooted and blown over.  The attached bulletin discusses some of the decisions that can be made at this time in determining how the corn will recover. Storms that bring strong winds, hail, and blowing sand and soil can also open wounds in the corn stalks and leaves which are entryways for bacteria and fungi.  Over the next couple of weeks, keep an eye on these fields for the development of gray leaf spot and Goss’ Wilt.  The key will be accurate identification; gray leaf spot is a fungi and is a labeled disease for fungicides; Goss’ Wilt is a bacteria and will not be controlled by a fungicide application.

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,
Jeff Brown, Sidell, IL

Agronomic Alerts and Spotlights

Western Corn Rootworm Rebounds in Some Illinois Locations according to a recent report by Mike Gray, Extension Entomologist with the University of Illinois.  Significant root pruning was observed north of Urbana, Illinois in Champaign County while at the Orr Research and Education Center in Perry, Illinois on July 5, western corn rootworm beetle numbers in the trap crop where higher than what was observed over the entire season last year.  Mike and his team will continue to dig, wash and evaluate roots in plots near DeKalb, Monmouth, Perry and Urbana with results to come in the near future.  Read the entire article by clicking this link:  http://bulletin.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=1530
More on Corn Rootworm…Dave Shenaut, Monsanto Technology Development Representative in Champaign County reports today that adult Western Corn Rootworm beetles have been observed at a Genuity® SmartStax® demonstration located at Parkland College.  The demonstration was planted following pumpkins (WCR trap crop) and severe plant stress is being observed in the Roundup® only traited corn.  The photographs are from this demonstration area and show a Roundup Ready® hybrid compared to a Genuity® SmartStax® hybrid of the same genetics.
Japanese Beetles in Corn and Soybean Fields: One of the most often asked questions about this pest is “how long will these beetles be a pest in our crops”?  According to the information in this Agronomic Alert, adult Japanese Beetles generally lives for 30-60 days which indicates they will be around for some time yet.  Read more about their life cycle, economic thresholds in both corn and soybeans and control measures by clicking this link:
Roundup® Brand Agricultural Herbicide Application Reminders:  Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides need to get on the plant, in the plant, and through the plant for good weed control. In other words, they need good coverage, absorption, and translocation. Click on following link to revisit some reminders and considerations when using Roundup brand agricultural herbicides.
Tank-mixing Glyphosate and Micronutrients:  There is interest in tank-mixing foliar micronutrient fertilizers with glyphosate (the active ingredient in Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides) to save time and application costs.  However, this practice is not recommended because it can result in reduced weed control due to possible antagonism in the spray solution.  Take a quick look at this information by clicking this link.
Postemergence Herbicide Applications in Soybeans:  This time of year postemergence applications of fungicides, insecticides, and herbicides takes on new meaning.  Questions such as what can be mixed together, at what stage of soybean growth become very common.  Keep in mind that on the Roundup® Brand labels that application timing goes through the R2 stage of soybean development.  When tank mixed with other products, this application limit can be sooner.  When good week control is the primary objective, close attention to water volume, mixing order and application time growth stage is needed in order to have satisfactory control.  Click here to read this informative publication.

Illinois Crop Progress Percents as of July 11, 2011

1/ Less than one percent.

Field Focus Contributors:
Dave Love, CCA                    (M)217-652-9534
Greg Wolf , CCA                   (M)309-314-5001
Jeff Brown, CCA                    (M)217-714-6006

Agronomic Update – 07/11/11

SOUTHWEST CENTRAL IL:  Dave Dimmick (Murrayville, IL – Morgan Co.) 7.8.11 – I have been very pleased with how the corn crop has rebounded from our 2 weeks of constant rain in June.  We still have our wet holes and yellow corn but where its good its good and getting better.  Corn pollination is in full swing.  Not finding a lot of rust or GLS in corn fields from Jersey to Sangamon to Pike counties.  I have experienced large populations of Jap beetles especially in Sangamon.  Not just on the field edges either.  Deep within the field.  Other insects like rootworm beetles and corn borer seem to be low in numbers.  We got another shower Thursday late afternoon of 1 to 3 inches depending how your luck was running.  But that was the first one since Sunday evening.  Most bean fields have been replanted and sprayed and earlier planted beans are looking much better with rows closing, darkening off and getting some height.  Potential remains for a good corn and bean crop.  I just don’t agree with some of the number of acres being predicted.  But I could be wrong.  It’s happened.  J  Have a good week.      

EAST CENTRAL IL:  Dennis Opperman (Tuscola, IL – Douglas Co.) Good weather this week over most of my area here in east central Ill. has the crops looking very good.  Some corn is tasselling while the rest will be by next week.  Wheat harvest is done and the last of the double-crop beans is in the ground.  Guys are still spraying beans and it is time to be checking corn to see if it will need any fungicides.  So far what I’ve seen looks pretty healthy and in great shape.  Stay safe and keep enjoying the summer.  Dennis Opperman, DSM in Tuscola, IL.

CENTRAL IL: Andrew Musselman (Morton, IL – Tazewell Co.) Grey leaf spot has arisen in my area near Delavan.  Japanese beetles are out in full force.  I’ve only seen two rootworm beetles so far this season.  The crops look quite good in the area overall.  Things are starting to dry up.  I received .05” rain today (7.7.11) with last significant rainfall in the Morton area on the 27th of June at 1.4”. Also, check out NASA’s view of agriculture (the videos take a little while to download):http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/ag_casts/index.html

NORTHERN IL: Kevin Sanderson (Creston, IL – Ogle Co.) Temps in last week have really made the crops grow...wednesday night .9 inch came down...prior to that the corn was rolling...should see first tassels in 6 days...corn will be 9 inches shorter at tassel compared to 2010...to date we are 130 HU ahead of 2010 and 2.5 inches of rainfall behind...beans have first blooms as of Monday...mosquitoes are the only insects around...all corn has greened up but many, many water holes...will be very good corn and extremely bad corn within the same field.

SOUTHERN IL:  David Collins (Albion, IL – Edwards Co.) Southern Illinois fields are either in “pretty good” or “terrible” shape depending on who you’re talking to and how much untimely rain their farm received.  There is some nice corn out there, however there is plenty that needs to be replanted and won’t be.  There are still a few bags of return corn still to get, and some beans that might still be planted if the rain holds off.  I have seen some green snap…..anywhere from 3-75% spots in fields.  We did have some extremely strong winds that really hurt some hills and open areas.  Otherwise…we’re moving right along and looking forward to eating sweet corn and BLT’s pretty soon!

CENTRAL IL:  Dave Love (Petersburg, IL –Menard Co.) The planes are in the air, spraying fungicides and in a lot of cases insecticides.  Warm summer sun and a little dry weather have helped get t6he double crop beans in the ground and off to a good start.  Wheat harvest went well with yields from 55 to 85 b/a.  I don’t want to sound like a broken record, but scouting can pay off in the long run.  Do what needs to be done in a timely fashion, check with your rep to see if a particular variety has a history of needing or responding to a fungicide.  Not only can a fungicide application help with disease like GLS, plant health is a plus too.  Be safe while cutting and bailing hay, the weather should be great for hay.

SOUTHERN IL:  Scott Gooden (Carbondale, IL – Jackson Co.) Here is what’s happening down here in Southern Illinois and in the Bootheal of Missouri. The wheat harvest is happening in full force and we have been inundated with large rains that range from 1 to, in some places, 5 inch down pours from one storm. There are still a great deal of acres of soybeans, both Double Crop and Replant still left to be planted. Some beans are looking at being planted for the third time. On a more positive note, the corn that made it thru looks great. In Southern Illinois, rain does mean grain when the corn is able to get up and out of the ground. This is mostly due to the lower water holding capacity of the soil from other areas.

NORTHWEST IL: Tony Strom (Victoria, IL - Knox Co.) Corn grew over 20’’ last week with the increase of temperatures and the lack of rainfall. Wheat harvest has started in Knox County with yields 70-80 bushel. Soybeans are really starting to recover from all the post spray of cobra. Corn Planted the 1st week in April is starting to tassel and I am finding GLS in the lower leaves. Be checking your varieties to see which one are more susceptible to GLS. Have a great week .

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,
Greg Wolf, Geneseo, IL

The corn is tasseling or close to it, and the moths are flying.  So when you see all of the moths flying, which ones could affect your crops?  Below are a couple of pictures (from Kansas State Univ.), one of a variety of corn earworm moths , and one of a western bean cutworm moth. They lay their eggs differently, as seen in the pictures. Corn earworms will lay tiny single eggs on the silks, and western bean cutworm moths will lay a group of eggs, usually on the top of the uppermost corn leaves.

     Japanese beetles are bouncing off of windshields and chewing on grapevines and ornamental shrubs while waiting for the corn silks to come out.  If you want to astound your friends and family, you can explain to them the differences between False Japanese beetles and regular Japanese beetles.  They can both chew holes in leaves, but their arrival timing is somewhat different.

False Japanese Beetles
---Usually make their appearance the 3rd or 4th week of June
---The “neck” is shiny black, and the sides are reddish brown
---The wing covers are metallic bronze with parallel grooves
---The abdomen will show 5 tufts of white “hair” below the edge of the wing covers
---There are no white spots on the tail

Japanese Beetles
---Usually show up in mid-July and August
---They have a dark green metallic body, with reddish wing covers
---They have tufts of white “hair” below the wing covers, and there are 2 white spots on the tail

Japanese Beetle
False Japanese Beetle
Japanese Beetle in Soybeans
Japanese Beetle in Corn
Western Bean Cutworm Eggs
Western Bean Cutworm Moth
Corn Earworm Egg
Corn Earworm Moths

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,
Jeff Brown, Sidell, IL

Bacterial Blight in Soybeans This picture was taken in Champaign County recently following several rainfall and wind events.  Soybeans damaged from such weather may show symptoms of bacterial blight.  Leaves infected become yellow with orange water-soaked angular lesion.  As these lesions age, the leaf tissue will drop out of the leaf giving the leaves a tattered appearance.  This bacterial survives on soybean residue and enters the plant through stomates and wounds such as what can be caused by a heavy rainfall event.  Long periods of damp leaves and cool weather favor infection.  However; since this photograph was taken, temperatures have warmed up and new trifoliates show no symptoms of the disease.   Although considered more of a curiosity than a potential yield robber, crop rotation, tillage and planting resistant varieties are key control measures.

It’s Rust Season!
Typically around corn pollination time, two fungal foliar diseases Common Rust and Southern Rust generally begin to be seen in Illinois.  Although both are Rusts, they are two distinctively different pathogens that thrive under different environmental conditions:

Common Rust:   Summer fronts blow the fungal spores north into the Corn Belt as it does not overwinter here.  Younger leaves are more susceptible to infection and disease development is favored by moist conditions caused by rainfall, dews, or high relative humidity (95% or greater) and MODERATE temperatures between 60-77 degrees F.  Read more about this disease by clicking on this link:

Southern Rust:  Similar to Common Rust, summer fronts spread these spores into our area as well.   The difference is disease development intensifies when temperatures are between 80 and 90 degrees.  Southern Rust has the potential to cause much more severe yield loss due to its ability to develop and spread rapidly.  Take a moment and study the differences between these two important foliar diseases by checking out this link.

Soybeans Treatment with Acceleron® Seed Treatment
At a recent tour of the Farina, Illinois research location participants saw firsthand the benefit of Acceleron® Seed Treatment.   Acceleron® Treated soybeans (fungicide/insecticide) were side-by-side untreated soybeans.  As can be seen in the illustration, a significant difference in plant size was noted although the most astounding observation was the plant stand counts from both treatments. 

Acceleron® Treated: 121,100 plants/acre

Untreated: 60,550 plants/acre

This trial was planted on 6-8-2011 and on 6-10-2011 from 2-5 PM the location had 1.85 inches of rain. Overall 9.55 inches of rain fell from June 6th to June 27th on the Farina Research Farm.
This is very impressive that twice as many treated soybeans emerged as compared to the untreated. 

*Courtesy of Randy McElroy; Technology Development Representative

Field Focus Contributors:
Dave Love, CCA                    (M)217-652-9534
Greg Wolf , CCA                   (M)309-314-5001
Jeff Brown, CCA                    (M)217-714-6006

Agronomic Update – 07/1/11

SOUTHWEST CENTRAL IL:  Dave Dimmick (Murrayville, IL – Morgan Co.) 7.1.11 – The past 3 weeks have been a roller coaster of weather.  We have received between 10 to 18 inches of rain with intermittent wind and tornadoes.  Nitrogen depletion along with oxygen depletion and wind damage has taken the top end off of a very high potential yield.  I know markets have not reflected this but its reality.  I am confident that we will still have very respectable yield potential in both corn and soybeans.  Many are trying to mud on herbicide treatments in beans and replant creek and river bottoms as best they can. No year is like a previous one but that’s why we farm.  We like challenges and it builds our character of who we are.  Americans!!  People who don’t give up in the face of adversity. That’s the way we were raised and how we in rural communities are raising the next generation. I thank God everyday for being born in America. Have a GREAT 4th.

CENTRAL IL:  Matthew Meyer (Mapleton, IL – Peoria Co.) Weekend rain gave way to a week full of sunshine in west central Illinois. Rain totals varied from 4 inches down in Carrollton, 2.5 in Roodhouse, 3 in Beardstown, and 2 in Peoria. With the rain, came some wind in and around Morgan County however. Uprooting some rather large trees and corn fields in some areas did have significant damage with corn laying flat in some areas! Corn however, did make some headway in my southern counties that I cover. The sunshine and heat this week did help us catch up on some Growing Degree Units and corn is even tasseling in Greene County with silking starting to take place. Remember to be safe out there, with heat indexes reaching 110 degrees on Friday. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated if you plan on working outside for a significant amount of time.

CENTRAL IL:  Dave Love (Petersburg, IL –Menard Co.) Two things have happened this past week.  The corn is tasseling and the Jap beetles have returned with a vengeance.  Where things were planted in a timely fashion the crops look great if water wasn’t an issue.  As more corn begins to change from vegetative growth to tasseling and silking, our scouting priorities move to plant diseases and spraying of fungicides.  When scouting for leaf diseases check the progression of the disease up the plant closer to the ear leaf.  Once diseases like GLS have reached the ear leaf or above consider spraying a fungicide.  Any questions call your Stone Seed DSM or agronomist with any questions you may have. As far as spraying for Jap beetles, normally you will see them on the edges of your fields.  Make sure you walk into the field to see how far the silk clipping damage is in the field.  

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,
Greg Wolf, Geneseo, IL As Cobra spraying continues in many areas to lessen the impact of white mold,  discussion revolves around the R1 (first flowering time) for timing of sprays.  When exactly is R1?  What initiates it?  In the June 30th issue of “the Bulletin” from the University of Illinois, Dr. Emerson Nafziger has this discussion: “A crop is not considered to be in the flowering stage (R1) until at least half the plants have a flower; most fields are not yet there.  The largest factor in soybean flowering time at this stage and date is night temperature; flowers will appear much faster with warm nights than with night temperatures in the 50s or low 60s.  The substance in the plant that triggers flowering converts from an inactive form to its active form during the night; if the conversion isn’t complete by the next morning, the plant won’t flower.  Both longer nights (night length increases after June 21) and warmer nights speed this process and help bring on flowering.  Later varieties need longer (or warmer) nights to trigger flowering.”

Field Focus Contributors:
Dave Love, CCA                    (M)217-652-9534
Greg Wolf , CCA                   (M)309-314-5001
Jeff Brown, CCA                    (M)217-714-6006

Agronomic Update – 06/28/11

DSM COMMENTS:
NORTHERN IL: Kevin Sanderson (Creston, IL – Ogle Co.) Seems as though the water just does not want to quit…has rained every day since last Sunday…much corn is still yellow and weedy…growers pushing the limits to apply nitrogen and herbicides to their corn…ground conditions not fit but corn and weeds are getting tall…where the corn is good it is really good and where the corn is bad it is really bad…beans actually look better than the corn but they too are very weedy…Mother Nature is just not giving us a break…most corn is thigh high…saw first beans blooming today…full treatment beans look very much better than untreated beans.  Are we set for a white mold year again?

CENTRAL IL:  Dale Luster (Downs, IL – McLean Co.)  Hello Stone friends! Welcome to our wet world with too much rain all over our general area!  The early planted beans now have 5-tri.’s, time to hit those with over top treatments, foliars and fung.’s etc. I have one observation; while with customer Keith Fluegel looking at his corn, he applies starter and 28% with his planter in low ponded and wet areas, his corn is NOT yellow like all his neighbors as well as his brother-in-law’s Dekalb corn on same soil types. His extra, avail. –N is keepiing his corn greener in the low areas.  It was striking to see the big differences.

CENTRAL IL:  Matthew Meyer (Mapleton, IL – Peoria Co.) Well, the spring showers have returned that’s no doubt!  Rain totals around my area have varied a bit, but most farmers got plenty. Down around Jacksonville, IL, they had around 5 inches this past weekend, but if you went north towards Beardstown, they had less than an inch to any at all.  South in Greene County, rain totals were around an inch plus.  Heading north toward Peoria, areas had little to no rain this week, some totaling up to a half an inch to an inch total this past week.  Corn for the most part looks healthy and growing quickly with whatever heat we can get. I’ve seen corn anywhere between the V4 stages up to the V12 stage with ear formation starting at that stage.  Beans are coming along, but I haven’t heard one farmer tell me that all his beans are sprayed if any! Lot more work to be done, but the crops sure look good on the west central side of the state.  Everyone stay safe and go have some fun at any of your local county fairs that are going on!

CENTRAL IL: Andrew Musselman (Morton, IL – Tazewell Co.) Much rain has been received in the area over the past week.  The cooler temperatures should moderate some of the affects of the ponded areas, allowing the water to soak in more before the oxygen is depleted. Corn is greening up and growing and masking some of the unevenness.  Soybeans were planted late, so they do not look as vigorous as the corn looks.  Have not seen much disease pressure on corn or beans yet.  I’ve seen one corn rootworm beetle and a few Japanese beetles. It sounds like we here in central Illinois may be in the garden spot of the state.
Visit the Chat ‘n Chew Café for up to date agronomic information:  http://www.agry.purdue.edu/ext/corn/cafe/

CENTRAL IL: Russ Terry (McLean, IL – McLean Co.) Well it looks like we are in for some drier weather here in the next week…for a change. I expect to see the spraying efforts continuing for soybeans and later planted corn. On our farm, we had a little over an inch of rain with this last system, however other growers in my territory received as much as three inches. I suspect there will be a little more intense crop scouting, especially in the beans with regards to Sclerotinia and all the un-wonderful diseases associated with this cooler wet weather we have witnessed. All in all I could not be happier with the corn stands that I have been in the last couple weeks and the soybeans seem to be coming on strong as well.

EAST CENTRAL IL:  Dennis Opperman (Tuscola, IL – Douglas Co.)  Dodged the big rains from last weekend.  Corn and beans are looking very good over here in about a 40 mi. radius of Tuscola.  Just finishing up returns and putting up signs.  Have a great safe upcoming Fourth of July and enjoy this nice weather we are currently having here (I write this on the 23rd of June).

CENTRAL IL:  Dave Love (Petersburg, IL –Menard Co.)  There are crops ranging from emergence to two leaves from tasseling in the state.  The rain and the new threat of white mold in some areas make this season another challenging one.  We are going to have to be persistent in our scouting efforts as the year progresses.  Weather patterns, with ample moisture and temperature swings, could have an effect on disease development as the crop develops. Wheat harvest has begun on a limited basis and yields seem to be good.  Hay cutting has been a do it when you can between rain drops.  Scout those fields also and keep them healthy whether it is spraying for insects or a fertilizer application.

TAMMY’s 2 Sense Nonsense – I thought we could ALL use a little ray of SUNSHINE to brighten this week’s issue of the Field Focus.  Mother Nature sure has been in a mood with all this rain and the cooler temperatures this week.  Going from August weather to March weather back to August is getting old. We need to get some sun rays and HEAT going to get these crops dried out and growing.  The first day of SUMMER was this past Tuesday and let me tell you, we aren’t experiencing that summer feeling today as I’m typing my 2 Sense Nonsense.  Hang in there everyone, together we’ll get through this!  If there are any fields you need the Stone Seed Group Agronomy team to take a look at do not hesitate to give one of them a call (contact information below) and set up a time for a farm visit or call your local DSM or CSR and we’ll get something set up for you! 

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,
Greg Wolf, Geneseo, IL

Here in northern Illinois I’m receiving many calls with questions about white mold, and I know all the reps up north are receiving them too.  Many of you went through this in 2009, and you remember the lessons learned.  Currently we have retailers in the “it’s everywhere-spray it mode”, and farmers confused about what to do.
 
   When having these conversations, get past the chatter and focus on 3 items:

1. The Pathogen (Disease)

What you’re looking for is the presence of the fungal fruiting bodies which will shoot out the spores.  Right now if you look in bean fields you may see many types of fungi.  Which one is the cause of white mold?  Open the attachment “Scelerotinia Stem Rot Checklist”, scan through to the end, and you’ll see pictures of the apothecia, which originate the spores.  Apothecia could be showing up now or later as the crop canopy is partially closed to provide shade to the soil surface.  If you had white mold in the past, the sclerotia (see pictures in checklist)you saw then are the source of the apothecia you’ll see now.

2. The Susceptible Host (Soybean)

The susceptible time for infection begins when the beans are flowering, beginning at R1, which you may start seeing around the 4th or 5th trifoliate, but sometimes earlier or later depending upon planting date.  The spores will enter through the flower, and when the flower wilts the white mold infection is in the plant.  As the plant continues flowering the potential for infection is there if the conditions are right.  If the stems or petioles are damaged due to hail, blowing sand, etc. the infection can also enter through those wounds.

3. A Favorable Environment

White mold likes it cool and wet.  Prolonged morning dews, frequent rains, high soil moisture, ground fog, higher humidity, cool temperatures; these combine to form the perfect germinating conditions.

“So What?”

---For white mold to happen, you’ve got to have 1,2, and 3 happening together.  That could be now, or it could be later on as the beans continue to flower.  If you don’t have 1, 2, and 3 together, you don’t have the conditions for white mold.
---In addition to the options listed in the attachments, you may hear retailers talking about using a product called “Incognito” for white mold.  It has the same active ingredient as Topsin M, which has been around for years, and has been recommended for white mold.
---The next couple of weeks will be the main window of activity if it’s going to happen.  If spraying is already being done, it’s important to consider if all 3 events are still happening in 10-14 days to determine if further action is needed.

Jeff Brown, Sidell, IL

Do Foliar Applications of Sugar Improve Soybean Yield?
High commodity prices have led growers to consider many other “yield enhancing” products this year.  Shawn Conley, Soybean Extension Specialist with the University of Wisconsin weighs in on this topic with 2010 research results from testing in Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota and Indiana.  Click here for the full article.

Stone Seed Group is very pleased to announce sponsoring 2 grower teams for this year’s Illinois Soybean Yield Challenge. 

What is the Yield Challenge?
The Yield Challenge seeks to reward top soybean growers and identify the innovative management practices used to produce the highest soybean yields across Illinois.  Working together, Illinois growers can lead in soybean yield and production in the United States. 

Meet the Stone Seed Group Teams
Teams across Illinois are sectioned into the nine different crop reporting districts in Illinois.  Stone Seed Group’s first team “The Good 5th” is being led by DSMs Scott Good and Callie Wilson.  The second team is led by DSMs Dennis Opperman and Tucker Beckmier and is called “The Eastern Illinois Bean Bandits”.  Each team is made up of 10 growers who have recently met to discuss a multitude of yield engaging ideas to implement during the growing season. 

How the Challenge Works
Growers in each team will set up a side-by-side plot.  One plot will receive the grower’s normal management practices and the Challenge plot will receive the innovative, high-yielding strategies.  All production practices will be recorded and reported.  At harvest, all team members will conduct a yield check.  For each team, the average of the five highest yielding plots is used to determine the final Challenge yield for each team.  The teams with the highest average yield in each of the nine districts are recognized.  This will be exciting for all participants as ideas are implemented for reaching top soybean yields.  GOOD LUCK teams!

Illinois Crop Progress Percents as of June 20, 2011

1/ Less than one percent.

Field Focus Contributors:
Dave Love, CCA                    (M)217-652-9534
Greg Wolf , CCA                   (M)309-314-5001
Jeff Brown, CCA                    (M)217-714-6006

Agronomic Update – 06/20/11

DSM COMMENTS:
CENTRAL IL:  Dale Luster (Downs, IL – McLean Co.)  Hello all!  The last of the beans were planted here last week and weekend. The corn and beans are really growing with the heat from last week. We are off to a great start and most crops look much better than at this time last year.  Let’s hope we can keep this going.

EAST CENTRAL IL:  Dennis Opperman (Tuscola, IL – Douglas Co.)  A nice ¾ inch rain last Friday night and then another ¾ inch rain on Tues. has the crops looking pretty good over here around Tuscola.  Bean stands look good and are getting sprayed while corn rows are filling shut.  I finished putting plots in early this week and now it’s time to go around and pick up black boxes and put up signs.  Took some beans over to a customer in Hannibal, Mo. for replant as farmers in that area are still trying to finish up after some big rains last weekend.   Sounds like some hot weather is coming back which will keep these crops really popping.  Enjoy this June weather and be careful out there.

SOUTHWEST CENTRAL IL:  Dave Dimmick (Murrayville, IL – Morgan Co.)  Since last Friday evening we have received over 4 inches of rain.  This has brought about some flooding in creek bottoms and some possible “late” corn replanting decisions that we had not expected.  The Greene and Jersey county areas were needing some rain but not 4 inches.  We wish big around here.  J  We did receive some stout winds and light hail with various storms.  Some corn was snapped off at the ground and leaned some.  Most corn is in 9-10 leaf (thigh to waist high) or better.  Root systems are rapidly expanding as it is turning dark green and seems very healthy.  Bean replant and 1st plant has pretty much been completed up until the recent rains.  Have a few beans to get sprayed whenever it dries up.  Wheat harvest may commence around the 3rd week of June.  Excellent moisture conditions for double crop soybeans if a clover crop wasn’t interseeded.  Maybe even if a clover crop was interseeded.  There are 20 to 40% chances of rain for the next several days.  Temps are supposed to rise into the 90’s again this weekend.  Happy mud Trails! 

TAMMY’s 2 Sense Nonsense – It sounds like most everyone is finished up or finishing up with planting and/or replant, WooHoo!  It sure has been yet another wet planting season in most areas.  Some of the farmers in our area are trying to get the crops sprayed in between the rain showers.  Hopefully you are able to as well.  Now we are entering into the time of the growing season to start checking those fields for diseases, insect damage, etc.  If you notice anything unusual going on in your fields that you are not sure of do not hesitate to contact one of our Agronomists with the Stone Seed Group, they would be more than happy to drive out to your farm and take at look at whatever issues you have going on as well as answer any questions you might have!  The agronomist information is listed at the the bottom of our Field Focus!

I would like to take a few moments and wish all of you farmers who also happen to be a dad, a grandpa or a father figure to someone special in your life a very HAPPY FATHERS DAY!  We at the Stone Seed Group hope that each and everyone of you were able to take some time this past weekend to forget about the farm and just enjoyed being with your family or did something that YOU yourself enjoying doing but don’t often get the oportunity to do.   

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,

Greg Wolf, Geneseo, IL

As the rain continues and the wet areas are slow to drain, once again we’ve got to keep in our minds the height restriction for spraying Roundup Ready 2 Technology corn postemerge with Roundup.  There are physiological reasons for these restrictions, and too often we’ve seen corn injury and yield loss when these guidelines have been ignored or “stretched”.
    
As taken from the Roundup Weathermax label, “the product may be applied alone or in a tank mixture over the top of corn hybrids with Roundup Ready 2 Technology from emergence through the V8 stage(8 leaves with collars), or until corn height reaches 30 inches (free standing), whichever comes first.  Drop nozzles are recommended for optimum spray coverage and weed control when corn height is 24 to 30 inches.  For corn heights 30 to 48 inches (free standing), apply this product using only ground application equipped with drop nozzles aligned to avoid spraying into the whorls of the corn plants.” Click on the link for more information.

Jeff Brown, Sidell, IL

There is much excitement around RIB Complete (RIB: refuge in the bag) and how well it looks across the Stone Seed Group “Footprint”.  This single bag solution combines the most advanced insect protection/herbicide tolerance (95%) on the market plus refuge (5%)… all in a single bag!  Check with your Stone Seed Group salesperson for more information.

HAIL DAMAGE
Recent severe storms marched across the region bringing along hail that damaged corn in localized areas.  Once the initial shock of viewing a severely damaged corn field has diminished, the stages of determining the extent of the damage begin.  Learn more about how damage estimates relate to yield loss by clicking on this link.

	Learn more about how damage estimates relate to yield loss by clicking on this link.
	Photo courtesy of Lance Robertson, DSM

More Insight on Nitrogen
While recent hail events across Illinois have been widely scattered, the subsequent heavy rains have been much more widespread.  Some areas in Western Illinois have received in excess of 10 inches of rainfall in the past week causing flooding and at the least caused lingering saturated soils. 

Illinois Crop Progress Percents as of June 13, 2011

1/ Less than one percent.

Field Focus Contributors:
Dave Love, CCA                    (M)217-652-9534
Greg Wolf , CCA                   (M)309-314-5001
Jeff Brown, CCA                    (M)217-714-6006

Agronomic Update – 06/13/11

DSM COMMENTS:
CENTRAL IL:  Dale Luster (Downs, IL – McLean Co.)  Hello farm friends; it has turned hot and dry now and everyone is don planting.  I’ve seen a lot of spraying and sidedressing or both being done.  Most of the crops look really good with some areas with yellow stunned corn, but not much.  Most soybeans are up and look good also.  All is well, until next time!

CENTRAL IL:  Dave Love (Petersburg, IL –Menard Co.)  The second week of June and planting continues.  I have traveled this week from north of Bloomington to southeast of St. Louis, and have seen corn from emergence to almost knee high.  Soybeans also in all stages of growth.  A lot of the corn in the central part of the state has hit the N and has greened up, with the help of warm weather and sunshine.  One of the hot topics this week is should I spray fungicide at V5,V6?  This may be something you may want to experiment with.  Compare spraying at V5-V6, VT-R1 and no spray at all.  One thing to always remember is that scouting is still part of the spraying of fungicides.  At the price of corn now this could be an excellent time to try something new on a limited basis.  If have any questions call your DSM or a member of the agronomy team.  Wheat harvest should begin next week in southern ILL. Weather permitting.

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,
Greg Wolf, Geneseo, IL

With much corn in the state currently in the 4-8 leaf stage, many questions have arisen about early fungicide spraying, especially in the absence of obvious disease.  Other driving issues have been using ground rigs rather than airplanes due to wind farms and subdivisions.

By spraying at this early stage you are trying to increase the plant health in general.  If you figure 200 bu. corn at $6.00/acre, your breakeven point would probably be in the 3-6 bu. range, depending on the fungicide you use.
   

The accompanying article goes into detail about the concept of spraying fungicide in the absence of observable disease.

Illinois Crop Progress Percents as of June 6, 2011

1/ Less than one percent.

Field Focus Contributors:
Dave Love, CCA                    (M)217-652-9534
Greg Wolf , CCA                   (M)309-314-5001
Jeff Brown, CCA                    (M)217-714-6006

Agronomic Update – 06/6/11 

Andy Stone's Field Focus Report.

It was another amazing week in Central IL. As of June 1 I’m starting my 53rd trip around the sun and my 31st planting season is behind me! Those are amazing numbers as I think how fast it has gone.

This week (Friday June 3) I scouted a lot of my crops. I have attached some pictures so that you can see the stage of growth on average. My first observation is that modern planting equipment, carefully adjusted and operated by skilled operators (not myself) is capable of incredible seed placement and spacing. If you look at the Corn pict, 6128RIB, I would describe it as a “Picket fence”. No gaps, no bunches just 37,000 plants per acre, perfectly spaced! When you consider that this was done with a 24 row CIH planter, this level of perfection is hard to believe if you have done this as long as I have.

The Soybeans are exactly the same. These are 3401RR2’s treated with the high rate of Acceleron. Again, this is as close to perfection as you will get without doing it by hand. The population we aim for is 150K and we are at 150k up and growing. As of now, the Stone farm operation is off to what I would consider the best ever start.

Unfortunately this is not the case for a lot of our customers. This week we had increasing reports of Black Cutworm damage with several areas in East and Southeastern Illinois reaching above threshold levels. We are seeing amazing results in these hard hit areas with Genuity Smart Stax vs VT3. The damage differential is dramatic where they are side by side. This is yet a further reason to go with all the RIB you can next season.

We also still have a lot of folks assessing stands. The recent flooding in North West Illinois and the continued wet in far Southern Illinois has caused many instances of stands that are questionable but yet probably economically best considering the date. If you have questions or need help in deciding, please call your DSM and he will be happy to help Scout. If he doesn’t know he will get one of our Agronomists out to have a check.

Finally the markets. As we hit new life of the contract highs on Thursday in Corn our market advisers are urging us to  reward the market. I’m at present about ½ sold on new crop and the other half I have a floor established with Puts. One never knows when the high is in and I don’t try and hit it, I try to get a good profit that covers my cost of production. I have always tried to guard the downside and be flexible on the high but at these prices I feel it’s prudent to take some of the market risk off the table.

We will start spraying Fungicide on the Corn next week and with the good forecast we will lay down all our hay acres and hopefully get them Baled without rain on them. All the best, Farm Safely.

Andy

Craig Saddoris, Regional Sales Manager, Moweaqua, IL

Below is a collection of pictures showcasing severe cutworm damage just discovered in Assumption Illinois.  Field was looked at last Saturday (5/28/2011) and then yesterday afternoon (6/3/2011) this is what was left “essentially nothing”. I was still finding cutworms less than one inch in length. This field had heavy grass pressure before worked with one pass Land-All tillage tool.  Yet another reason to make sure we are keeping fields clean, so we can start weed and insect free. Remedy will be a Warrior application followed by 6128 RIB, to help speed up the replant process.

DSM COMMENTS:
NORTHERN IL:  Kevin Sanderson (Creston, IL – Ogle Co.)  Before the heavy rains hit on Sunday, corn looked as good as it has ever looked...picked up 2 to 6 inches of rain Sunday...water is standing in places where it has never stood before...corn is in a stand still mode right now...neither corn nor beans are growing this last week...still 20 percent of beans to be planted 1st time...cut worms not an issue to date.

CENTRAL IL:  Aaron Miller (Brownstown, IL – Fayette Co.)  After receiving a wide range of rain (0.5 – 2.5 inches) in my area most growers are going to have some corn and beans to replant.  On a brighter note, I do have one customer that farms right next to the Kaskaskia River.  He had planted two different fields that are across the road from each other.  One field was planted with treated beans and other was planted with non-treated beans.  After receiving as much rain as they did in that area, the river got out of its banks and flooded both bean fields, completely submerging the planted beans for 36 hours.  The outcome was very interesting, but not surprising.  The non-treated beans did not make it and will have to be replanted.  On the other hand, the treated beans have emerged and look great.  There will be no need to do any type of replanting with the treated beans.  Needless to say, the customer will be a 100% treated bean customer next year.  We just never know what each year will hold.  That being said, we should protect the investment that we have out in the field, and planting treated beans is just one simple way that can be done.  Have a good week.

EAST CENTRAL IL:  Dennis Opperman (Tuscola, IL – Douglas Co.)  Since we had very little rain over here on Thursday morning, guys are getting back in the fields to either finish beans or touch up some replant corn.  In some areas, guys are checking and spraying for cutworms.  My dealer, Nick Garkie in LaGrange, Mo. received 5.5 inches of rain Thursday morning.  The storm was heavy on the eastern edge of Mo. and western edge of Ill.  I’ve still got 3 bean plots to get planted and hope to have them in by the end of next week.  Be careful out there and good luck finishing things up.

SOUTHWEST CENTRAL IL:  Dave Dimmick (Murrayville, IL – Morgan Co.) The recent warm conditions have jump started our corn crop.  It never ceases to amaze me how fast corn can grow if you give it a chance.  It has also jump started the black cutworm.  We have had some “major” problems with black cutworm outbreaks.  Many acres have been sprayed or need to be sprayed and several fields may be replanted.  We got over a half inch of rain this AM which will delay rescue treatments and/or replant.  Not Good!  They are attacking with a vengeance.  SCOUT, SCOUT AND RESCOUT; continue to monitor later planted corn especially in weedy fields.  Also start SCOUTING your Soybean fields as it is never too early to SCOUT.  I haven’t seen a lot of the black cutworm, but I am starting to see them cut through in some soybean fields.  If there isn’t corn to feed on they will move into the soybean fields. 

There are still a few fields of beans to get planted/replanted but majority that’s up seems to be in good shape.  We enjoyed several days of good field conditions but the ol spotty pop up showers have begun and kept us out of many fields.  We are not “laid by” by any stretch of the imagination. 

Overall we are in “great” shape considering Joplin MO.  It’s unbelievable what a few minutes can do to change lives and take lives.  Live each day well and make it a masterpiece.  PS:  I echo Tammy’s thoughts about Memorial Day.  All Gave Some – Some Gave All - NEVER FORGET THE COST OF FREEDOM.

TAMMY’s 2 Sense Nonsense – This week, thanks to Dave Dimmick sharing his photos from last weekend’s festivities we are going to talk about FFA.  After all, the “Future Farmers of America” are as important as those of us farming TODAY!  The Stone Seed Group donates many bags of seed to use in plots for area FFA Chapters all over the state as well as sponsoring the FFA Chapters.  We need to work hard to keep our area FFA Chapters going in many of our rural school districts as some of these chapters are becoming threatened because attendence in these classes is declining more and more every year.  Let’s do what we can to help the FFA Chapters GROW and THRIVE for the Future Farmers and generations to come!

Above:  The Jacksonville downtown turnaround parade and celebration with the Stone Seed Group sponsoring the Jacksonville FFA.  Center: The old truck is a 1929 Model A.  Parade theme “Old to New”

Stay tuned and continue to watch for UPCOMING events coming your way from the STONE SEED GROUP!  We have our Dealer Kick-Off meeting coming up in July and information on our Field Days will begin as well.  Watch for the dates, times and information to an event near you!  Visit us on our web-site @ www.stoneseed.com

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,

Greg Wolf, Geneseo, IL

As unusual weed challenges surface in various regions of the state, it’s important to do what we can to achieve consistent control with Roundup.  We know about using the correct rates for the conditions, but one area that is sometimes overlooked is the use of ammonium sulfate with Roundup.

Jeff Brown, Sidell, IL

Recent warmer weather has sure made a big improvement on crop growth.  In contrast, many fields show areas of stressed plants due to excessive rainfall and soil compaction (roots need oxygen to function).  Stressed plants will require time and good growing conditions in order to recover and begin absorbing nutrients and particularity nitrogen.  Remember this time last year when strong consideration was given to applying a small shot of extra “N”.  In my travels this past week, I saw plenty of 28% solution and NH3 bars sidedressing nitrogen.  I suspect many of these were planned applications however, take time now to evaluate your own nitrogen program to date such as when it was applied, did you take the nitrogen credit for a previous soybean crop or plan for slightly higher rates for continuous corn?   The key question on most of our minds is “how much “N” have I lost” due to rain event after rain event?  Look for symptoms of potential nitrogen stress such as seen in Figure 2.  For a more accurate assessment, soil N samples can be taken now and analyzed to help estimate the amount of remaining nitrate and ammonium forms of nitrogen.  Click on this link to learn more as Jim Camberato, Bob Nielsen and Brad Joern of Purdue discuss this topic including a link to locate labs nearest you who can conduct the analysis. 

Figure 1; 28% Solution Sidedress - Champaign County

Figure 2; Corn on Corn - Champaign County

Soybean Seedling Disease; Start Scouting Beans for Damping Off

Pythium has been the likely soybean seedling disease to cause “damping off” so far this year.  A scenario for rapid disease development can begin with a 3 inch rain event shortly after planting followed by a sudden drop in temperatures below 50 degrees such is the weather experienced recently in the Shelby County area as illustrated below.  (Shelby County data from WeatherPlot™). 

With unexpected weather swings the importance of Acceleron™ soybean seed treatment can easily mean the difference between having a good soybean stand or facing a stand reduction  due to a seedling rot disease such as Pythium or Phythophthora.  Take time to check your soybean stands and be sure to contact your Stone Seed Group Salesperson should you have any questions. 

For more information click here to check out what Allison Robertson, Department of Plant Pathology of Iowa State has to say about Soybean Damping Off this year. http://www.extension.iastate.edu/CropNews/2011/0601robertson.htm

Applying Fungicides to Early-Stage Corn Similarly to 2010, applications of foliar fungicides to early-stage corn (V5-V6) are being marketed this year. Now, however, we have more data from research on application timing than we did a year ago. Data from multiple states were compiled and summarized by Drs. Kiersten Wise and Greg Shaner, Purdue University (Figure 1). This summary from seven states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Kansas), indicates that a greater yield response was observed when fungicides were applied at R1 compared to V6, with the largest response being when V6 applications were followed by R1 applications.  Read the complete article by U of IL plant pathologist Carl Bradley by clicking here.

Illinois Crop Progress Percents as of May 31, 2011

1/ Less than one percent.

Field Focus Contributors:
Dave Love, CCA                       (M)217-652-9534
Greg Wolf , CCA                      (M)309-314-5001
Jeff Brown, CCA                      (M)217-714-6006

Agronomic Update – 05/31/11  

      
DSM COMMENTS:
NORTHERN IL:  Kevin Sanderson (Creston, IL – Ogle Co.)  Outside of the very heavy rain to the east and the 3 inches of hail to the north all is well in northern Illinois. It does not appear there will be any replant here, and 95% of the corn is up; still have 5 percent of corn to plant. There are beans just starting to break ground with 30 % of beans left to plant. Progress will slow with the 8 tenths of an inch of rain we had this morning and is raining again at 7 pm. Be thankful our weather is not like the areas south of here. God Bless all those people.

CENTRAL IL:  Dale Luster (Downs, IL – McLean Co.) Hello all and greetings from Central Illinois.  It has been raining here this morning, Wednesday, May 25th.  All the corn is in and most of it is up.  There has been no replant up to this point.  I saw my first field of beans up on Monday and so far they are looking good.  I have a few stragglers left getting started on corn with just a few getting started on beans; most are now finished or very close to being finished.  No real issues in my area.

EAST CENTRAL IL:  Dennis Opperman (Tuscola, IL – Douglas Co.)  Rain, rain, and more rain!  Be careful what you wish for.  We were in need of rain over here in the Tuscola area, as we had received only 2 tenths in the last 2 and a half weeks.  On the positive side, a lot of corn and beans have been planted and several farmers are done with most in the midst of bean planting.  As of this morning, May 26th, we have received 2 inches of rain since noon on the 25th.  My dealer and his customers down in the Casey area are just trying to get going on corn planting, as most of the farmers in that area got started on the 19th.  With these rains and the hot weather coming next week, the newly planted corn and beans will jump out of the ground.  I hope everyone can get back in the fields soon and get done.  Be careful and be safe.

SOUTHERN IL:  DAVID COLLINS (Albion, IL – Edwards Co.)  Southern Illinois is still wet, but at least there is some planting going on.  Here is a picture of some of the tallest corn down here on David Clark’s farm.  It’s pretty spotty, with some farmers now done with corn and starting to think beans, however there is still a lot of corn to be planted around here.  There has been a little bit of talk about moving to beans or an earlier corn, however its still May so there’s time….as long as we can hold off on more rain until July and August!

TAMMY’s 2 Sense Nonsense – It is hard to believe that May, 2011 has almost passed us by! With that comes Memorial Day and a time to honor all those whom have served and we’ve lost and those still serving our country today.  Without all of them, we would not have what we have today! The Stone Seed Group would like to THANK all Military active duty and veterans, and hope everyone had a safe and happy MEMORIAL DAY weekend.

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,
Greg Wolf, Geneseo, IL

As the planting season progresses, we’re using growing degree days to estimate crop development and insect growth stages for decision making.  Below is a chart listing growing degree days throughout our trade area.

If you’re trying to estimate black cutworm feeding time frames, the damage would begin roughly 300 growing degree days after an intense moth flight in your area.

   Accumulated Corn Growing Degree Days, 2011

Data provided by Meridran Environmental Technology Inc.

Jeff Brown, Sidell, IL

As a follow-up to Greg’s comments above about Black Cutworm there are hotspots of activity in various parts of the State.  One location of note is Marion, Illinois located in Williamson County.  At our Stone Seed Group corn plot just east of town Black Cutworm cutting was well above economic threshold levels.  Of particular interest was comparing the difference in the % cut plants between the Genuity® SmartStax™ products and the YieldGard VT Triple® (VT3) products.  After many comparison counts across multiple products, the YieldGard VT Triple products showed an average of 11% reaching as high as 15% Black Cutworm damage as cut plants wheras the Genuity® SmartStax™ products showed an average of 3% damage.  This clearly showed an advantage Genuity® SmartStax™ products can provide in battling Black Cutworm! 

Click below for a video taken on site.

Illinois Crop Progress Percents as of May 23, 2011

1/ Less than one percent.

Field Focus Contributors:
Dave Love, CCA                       (M)217-652-9534
Greg Wolf , CCA                      (M)309-314-5001
Jeff Brown, CCA                      (M)217-714-6006

Agronomic Update – 05/23/11

    
DSM COMMENTS:
CENTRAL IL:  Dave Love (Petersburg, IL –Menard Co.)  Rain over the weekend was welcomed in some central Ill. locations.  Ground that was worked more than once was getting dry and the shower helped some corn and beans to emerge in dry dirt or crusting situations.  Producers I have talked to in southern Ill. are putting nitrogen on and getting ready to start planting corn.  Corn planting in my general area is winding down with some replant in flooded or wet bottoms and crusting issues.  Remember when it is time to get back in the fields, it is time!!!  Don’t rush in and have problems that we create ourselves.  As time goes by we need everything to work right to get the crop up and going.  Don’t rush it now and pay for it later.

CENTRAL IL:  Dale Luster (Downs, IL – McLean Co.) Here in Downs, we had 1.2” of rain, but I have a dealer in Hopedale, who had 4” inches. Most of Central, IL received in the range of 1/2” to 1”. Here we will probably be back in the field soon, maybe Friday the 20th or sooner.  I have 3 bean plots done, and most guys have started on beans and are half done or more. Corn plots are done, almost all corn planting complete with only a few guys that have not finished. Except for a few wet areas, emergence on corn is good. I had a lot of corn that was out of the ground in 7 days more or less. Most of our area has very little ponding.

EAST CENTRAL IL:  Dennis Opperman (Tuscola, IL – Douglas Co.)  Very little rain fell in my area during the weekend of May 14th & 15th, so despite the cloudy, cool weather all week, planters were rolling on Monday and Tuesday.  Several guys are finished with corn or are close and some are starting on beans.  Stands look pretty good, with a lot of last week’s planting just spiking through the ground.  The upcoming warmer weather will be a welcome relief.  It looks like a lot of my customers could be all done by Memorial Day weekend.  I would never have thought that two weeks ago.  The convenience of 6128RIB has really helped a few of my customers speed up their planting in the fields, as I am still running to Moweaqua to grab some for a few guys.  The RIB concept will really be the “thing” next year for farmers.  It’s neat to have something that no one else has.

SOUTHWEST CENTRAL IL:  Dave Dimmick (Murrayville, IL – Morgan Co.)  Field work was brought to an abrupt halt last week with several inches of rain.  Some got more than they needed but for the most part it was a blessing because we needed some rain to get herbicide activated and later planted clay corn soaked up.  We did not need the 30 degree temps especially on the newly planted beans.  Verdict is still out as far as if some will need replanted; another reason to use treated soybean seed in my book.  Warm temps are on the way however so we should dodge the bullet.  Now is the time to scout fields for any black cutworm activity if there will be any.  Mike Roegge informs me that we have now reached enough GDD to get the rascals to 4th instar and cutting plants.  Check those weedy fields you may have planted corn into.  I have seen on occasion soybeans also cut by cutworms.  Some producers are back in the field yesterday and today, (18 and 19 May) spraying and trying to finish up beans.  Enjoy the day.

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,

Greg Wolf, Geneseo, IL

 Today (May 20), the strong winds from the east are a harbinger of the rain to come these next few days, and the race is on to keep the planters rolling.  While the focus is on corn and bean planting, here are a couple of items not to lose track of during this time.

• Giant ragweed and bur cucumbers are off to a great start this spring.  Keep an eye on fields where you know you have them; with these coming on so strong, if you were figuring 1 postemerge herbicide application you may need to consider additional applications.  By the time you wait for other weeds to emerge and be at a sprayable size, the ragweed and cucumbers will be a spraying challenge.  Watch the weed size and be prepared to adjust your rates.
• If you plan on no-tilling corn or beans into 1st cutting hay ground, make sure you’ve had a discussion with your chemical dealer.  If you’re prepared, it’ll work; if you try to just jump into it, it’ll be a disaster.
• As we begin to evaluate our test plots this year, we’re seeing differences in emergence and vigor.  If you have a test plot, what are you seeing?  Observations now help with recommendations (especially no-till) for next year. 

Jeff Brown, Sidell, IL

An observation from this past week across Central Illinois has been the ole “Silver Leaf” symptom in young corn plants.  According to University of Illinois Extension Agronomist Emerson Nafziger, these symptoms are almost certainly due to radiational cooling (frost injury or nearly so) of the upper, exposed leaves, probably in the morning(s) when temps were in the mid-30s about a week ago. When bright sunshine follows the low morning temps, it causes further physiological damage, and adds to the symptoms - (i.e. dead tissue in some places in photo).   A quick look at the recent temperatures from May 16 and 17 just south of Decatur (courtesy of weatherplot.com) confirms temperatures were low enough to cause these symptoms. 

The good news is this type of leaf injury does not typically slow corn plant development and is more of a curiosity.  Continued growth should not be restricted. 

As I write this, planters continue to roll across Stone Seed Group’s “Footprint”.  Key focus areas are southern Illinois and SE Missouri.  Elsewhere In central and northern Illinois, many are close to finishing up both corn and soybeans.    As a chance of rain continues to be in our forecast this week, the possibility exists that corn planting may continue into June in some areas.  In light of previous year’s corn and soybean prices, the decision to switch from planting corn to planting soybeans would have been easy to make in past years.  However, $7 corn today does change that scenario. 

A planting decision model has been developed by the University of Illinois that takes into account crop inputs, grain prices and planting date to help estimate expected yields and profitability.  This spreadsheet is easy to use and can be located at http://farmdoc.illinois.edu/pubs/FASTtool_special_PDM.asp .  For each of the four Illinois regions from north to south, a yield estimate is given that has a maximum yield on a given planting date. Yield then declines from this maximum. For example, the maximum yield for corn in central Illinois is 198 bushels and occurs on April 20.  Yield then declines .1 bushel per acre per day from April 21 to April 31, .4 bushels per day from May 1 to May 10, .6 bushels from May 11 to May 30, 1.0 bushel per day from May 21 to May 30, and 1.2 bushels per day from June 1 to June 10.  Other regions have different yield functions.  For Central Illinois, it is clear that corn is the better option through mid June.  The corn/soybean profitability intersection point for Southern Illinois occurs sometime during the latter part of the first week of June.  Keep in mind that these yield estimates should be taken as expectations, as actual yields will vary from those presented in the tool due to growing season conditions.

New Migrating Insect Forecast Tool!

Everyone check this out and consider signing up to receive free timely alerts and forecast maps for Corn Earworm and Western Bean Cutworm at InsectForecast.com.  This forecast service takes into account monitored insect trap counts and summer weather patterns to predict potential insect outbreaks.  The illustration below is a screen shot showing corn earworm is already migrating up our way. 

Forecast alerts will arrive by email as follows:

• Green: Low threat
• Yellow: Moderate risk. Scouting strongly recommended, scattered flights possible
• Red: High risk. Imminent threat, scouting required, insect infestations and yield loss likely.

For more information, contact your Stone Seed Group DSM or Agronomist. 

Illinois Crop Progress Percents as of May 16, 2011

1/ Less than one percent.

Field Focus Contributors:
Dave Love, CCA                       (M)217-652-9534
Greg Wolf , CCA                      (M)309-314-5001
Jeff Brown, CCA                      (M)217-714-6006

Agronomic Update – 05/16/11

Andy Stone's Field Focus Report.

What a difference a week can make ( at least in an isolated area) At my home base near Springfield in the last 10 days nearly all the Corn has been planted and a vast majority of the Beans. I do know that other areas of the State have not fared so well and I certainly wish for good weather so that they can catch up.

On my families farm, my hat is off to the folks that operate it ! It’s truly amazing how many acres a day 2, 24row planters can knock out while not appearing to be in any haste. I am continually impressed at how much modern large equipment can accomplish.  I can still remember how long and what an effort  it was to plant virtually the same acreage with smaller tractors and tillage equipment. Bulk Seed in Boxes is truly a necessity when you have 2 of these planters to keep up with and it makes the job so much more pleasant than all the bags we used to handle.

Refuge in a bag (RIB), with it being approved in time for the majority of the planting window it has been a huge time saver in this compressed season. One of my customers who was fairly far along in his corn planting called and needed an extra 88 bags of corn. When I told him we had the same variety in RIB he was really tickled as he said he had spent ½ of the previous day moving fields and planting refuge. He was actually somewhat surprised at how much RIB improved his pace of planting accomplishment. I’m positive that as we look ahead Refuge in a bag will be the only way to go.

Lastly, a huge Hat’s off to our agronomic staff. They have been very hard at work designing research plots, keeping up with new products and actually getting a lot of plots in the ground. Oftentimes I’m surprised at how much has been accomplished (without me being involved) and what dedication they all show in getting this data that is vital to understanding proper product placement.
To close, Hopefully the nice window of weather that we are presently enjoying will continue long enough for all to have a successful completion to planting. The American Farmer Awe’s the rest of the world with his ability to get a massive amount of work done in a short period of time. Please, Be safe, and take a moment to appreciate what you have accomplished.

Andy Stone

DSM COMMENTS:
NORTHERN IL:  Kevin Sanderson (Creston, IL – Ogle Co.) Wind and sun sure have dried the ground...dried so much we could actually use an inch or so of rain...last 10 days have yielded 85 percent completion of corn planting...at this point in time I don't foresee any replant...gentle rains will give fairly uniform emergence...will see corn emerging mid week next...bean planting about 20 percent complete...again we sure could use rain.

NORTHERN IL:  Mark Blackert (Cambridge, IL – Henry Co.)  90% of corn and 75% of the soybeans have been planted in my area with some replant on corn that was planted on April 13, and 14th.  In most cases the seed was planted in very good conditions.  Some areas could now use rain.

CENTRAL IL:  Dave Love (Petersburg, IL –Menard Co.)  A lot of planting has been done in central Ill. the last 7-10 days.  Corn planting is winding down in a lot of areas and bean planting is underway.  Emergence of the corn has been good as a whole with some replant issues due to crusting, flooding or other water issues.  Cutworms have raised their ugly head, especially in weedy fields where the ground was not worked or burn down was applied late.  Our counterparts in Southern IL are getting going in areas; hopefully the weather will stay good for them so they can get caught up.  Remember that when spraying Roundup, use the proper rate to kill the weeds you are trying to eliminate.  2” weeds on corn, 4” weeds on beans need to be addressed and taken care of to minimize stress on the plants.

CENTRAL IL:  Dale Luster (Downs, IL – McLean Co.) WOW, what a week! I don’t remember corn and bean planting going so fast! I have a lot of customers now done with corn and many planting beans with some close to finishing beans.  The rains have been missing us now and I hope that is not a sign of things to come.  I am in the process of planting the last corn plot this morning and hopefully 2 soybean plots as well; with good fortune all plots will be planted by tomorrow.  Be safe and stay cool!

EAST CENTRAL IL:  Tucker Beckmier (Atwood, IL – Douglas Co.)  Corn planting is progressing at a rapid pace in East Central Illinois.  A few pop up thunderstorms have slowed down a pocket here and there but for the most part we have had the best week yet this spring to get the crop in.  Over the next few days several customers will wrap up corn planting and focus on soybeans.   One thing to keep an eye on in the next few weeks is cutworms.  With later planting and green fields this could be an issue this year.

EAST CENTRAL IL:  Dennis Opperman (Tuscola, IL – Douglas Co.)  What a difference a week makes.  Farmers started planting corn over here around Tuscola on Monday morning and as I send you this email at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday evening, they are still going at it.  A lot of corn has gone into the ground in these last 4 days.  I’ve got 3 corn plots planted since last Friday, the 6th, so things are looking pretty good over here on the east central part of the state.  Continue to be careful and be safe out there in the fields.

SOUTHWEST CENTRAL IL:  Dave Dimmick (Murrayville, IL – Morgan Co.)  In the majority of cases corn planting is completed and bean planting has immediately commenced.  It’s been a wild 2-3 weeks.  There has been some replanting but not as much as last year.  Flooding continues to be a threat in many creek and river bottoms.  Weed control has gotten behind but should catch up this next week.  Wireworms and grubs have been busy in some fields making their living.  Black cutworm moth flights have been near intense levels but GDD’s have delayed their larval development. ) (*&^ Buffalo gnats are back.  Thought we were going to miss them in 2011.  With a chance of thunderstorms the next several days we should be able to catch a breather to fall back and regroup for the final push. 

TAMMY’s 2 Sense Nonsense – Our hats off to the DSM’s and their contributions this week.  Thanks for letting us know what is going on in your area.  Weather patterns can vary so much from the North to the South which affects the field activity and progress.  Good job of keeping us informed on what is going on in your area!

In other news, one of our very own took some early morning time before coming into the office to go turkey hunting and after many attempts came in on Tuesday morning with success!  Emily Klavon, a CSR for the Stone Seed Group out of the Geneseo office shot her very first turkey!  Those of you out there who are turkey hunters yourselves can appreciate the success felt by Emily when she came back with her kill.  Good Job Emily!

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,
Greg Wolf, Geneseo, IL

One of the recurring questions this past week from farmers who planted corn from April 13-15 has been “keep it or tear it up and replant?”  Now that a lot of those issues have been resolved one way or another, this question will return in another week as farmers in localized areas assess the damage from the recent flash floods and heavy rains that turned parts of their fields into rivers. 
The updated chart from the Univ. of Illinois reflects research based on updated genetic potential of hybrids and increased performance at higher populations.  This is very useful as one part of the discussion when figuring your best approach to a potential replant decision.

Jeff Brown, Sidell, IL

As our weather continues to go from barely dry to wet again, conditions are ever so great for planter induced compaction to occur.  A grower commented earlier this week that he is using the 80/20 rule in planting corn right now.  That is 80% of the ground is fit to plant and the other 20% is fair to wet.  These conditions are very favorable for “sidewall compaction”. 

How Does Sidewall compaction occur?
Sidewall compaction occurs when planting operations are completed on wet soils.1 Furrow openers can smear the soil on the sidewall of the furrow, and effectively seal it, making it a barrier to seedling root growth. When the seed slot is properly closed, the sidewalls should be fractured around the seed, providing good seed-to-soil contact. Press wheels set with too much down pressure to close the seed slot tend to over-pack the soil. If the seed placement is too shallow relative to the press wheel positioning, this packing occurs below the seed, again causing difficulty for root penetration.  Click this link to read the remainder of this Agronomic Spotlight; Effect of Sidewall Compaction on Corn Seedlings: 

Keep in mind that “root growth is reduced not only because of compaction but also because of low soil oxygen availability. Nutrient deficiencies such as potassium and nitrogen may occur due to slow root growth and poor root exploration. Restricted root development can also increase lodging and have a negative impact on yield, especially if the latter half of the growing season is hot and dry. During years when adequate water and nutrients are available, compaction usually will not impact grain yield. When the crop is water or nutrient stressed, compaction can reduce yield by up to 50 percent.”  Click here to read the entire article entitled Wet Spring Concerns.

Illinois Crop Progress Percents as of May 9, 2011

1/ Less than one percent.

Field Focus Contributors:
Dave Love, CCA                       (M)217-652-9534
Greg Wolf , CCA                      (M)309-314-5001
Jeff Brown, CCA                      (M)217-714-6006

Agronomic Update – 05/09/11

        
DSM COMMENTS:
CENTRAL IL:  Dale Luster (Downs, IL – McLean Co.) GREAT- finally have planters rolling. West and North of Bloomington and expect several more going this afternoon as well as tomorrow. We had 3/10” of rain keeping us out of the fields East and South WHERE I saw them working, it looked good, no mud on top. Otherwise, pretty quiet for the most part. Thanks again!

WEST CENTRAL IL:  Lance Robertson (Carthage, IL – Hancock Co.)  Planters began rolling again here in West Central Illinois this week.   Corn continues to come up out of the ground and we have finally seen some sun and warmer weather.  Many farmers in Hancock County are more than 50% done with corn and some beans have started to be planted.  Many have commented how well the ground continues to work even after the rains we received.  Many farmers feel that their ground worked better this year than it has in a very long time.

SOUTHERN IL:  Scott Gooden (Carbondale, IL – Jackson Co.)  It’s been apretty crazy spring here in the southern part of the corn belt with record rain fall, record river levels, multiple road, bridge, business, and interstate closings and the explosion of the multiple levees by the Army Corps of Engineers. We continue to receive torrential down pours every 3-4 days with as much as 30 inches of rain in some areas so far this spring. Slowly it is starting to taper off and even though most of the low lying areas will be untouchable for weeks, most growers will be able to get into the field within the next couple of weeks we hope.

TAMMY’s 2 Sense Nonsense – I hope this edition of the Field Focus finds you all well and plugging along with the 2011 planting season.  I know on our farm in Prophetstown, IL we just began planting on the 3rd of May and the weather has held off so that a few farmers could actually get some planting accomplished.  For those of you who haven’t been able to get into the field, please know that you aren’t alone and there is still plenty of time to get the crops in.  If there is anything you need, change of hybrid maturity numbers, from corn to beans, replant, you name it the Stone Seed Group has your back so do not hestitate to contact us!

The Stone Seed Group has something NEW and Exciting to offer, REFUGE in a Bag or RIB!  How cool is that!  The hybird number is 6128RIB. Tony Strom, one of our DSM’s in Northwest IL, took a picture of this hybrid in a planter box to show what it looks like.  A few of our farmers who planted earlier this season before the rains came are now replanting and have switched to the RIB.  If you are interested in trying a few bags of our new RIB, call your local DSM or dealer today!  Do not hesitate or you may be too late! 

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,
Greg Wolf, Geneseo, IL

Scenario:  Your Roundup corn has emerged, but the stand is very uneven and you decide to replant.  You no-till, and need to spray to kill the existing stands.  What are some options?

---Select Max   Use the 6 oz/acre rate, (plus Non Ionic Surfactant and Ammonium Sulfate) for corn up to 12” tall.  Don’t replant sooner than 6 days after application.

---Gramoxone and Ignite.  These are a couple of other options for controlling stands, but practical experience has seen that control may be erratic as the corn increases in size.  The labeled rate for Ignite would be 22 oz. for up to 10” corn and 29 oz. for up to 12” corn.  With both of these products you can improve consistency by adding Atrazine, but if you’ve already sprayed a preplant or preemerge herbicide premix containing Atrazine, you need to know how much Atrazine is already on the field, plus how much Atrazine is in your planned postemergence spray to prevent herbicide carryover situation.

Jeff Brown, Sidell, IL

Folks in Vermilion and Edgar Illinois counties were just getting back to planting Saturday (May 7) when a very powerful “pop-up” thunderstorm burst through the area that evening.  An inch and a half of rain in 15 minutes was too much for any field to handle.  You can bet the rotary hoes will be put to work fairly soon as a result.  Areas to the west have had success with planting overall, however; questions are coming in regarding corn emergence and subterranean insects. Several sightings have already been called in on White Grub and Wireworm.  Black Cutworm is also on the immediate radar.  Remember that Black Cutworm moths fly in from the south via weather fronts (they do not overwinter in Illinois) and are highly attracted to weedy fields for egg laying sites.  Fields with uncontrolled winter annual weeds could potentially be “hotspots” for Black Cutworm populations. Click here for a handy “Corn Insect Calendar” with illustrations of these insects and many more. 

Should you have any questions about corn emergence or suspect insect activity, contact your Stone Seed Group representative or Agronomist for assistance.

Illinois Crop Progress Percents as of May 1, 2011

1/ Less than one percent.

Field Focus Contributors:
Dave Love, CCA                       (M)217-652-9534
Greg Wolf , CCA                      (M)309-314-5001
Jeff Brown, CCA                      (M)217-714-6006

Agronomic Update – 04/29/11 

DSM COMMENTS:
Central Illinois: Andrew Musselman (Morton, IL – Tazewell Co.)  Things looked very promising a few weeks ago, with some corn being planted in the area, but the rains have now held off planting and field work, probably until next week.

CENTRAL IL:  Dale Luster (Downs, IL – McLean Co) What can I say, but RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY!!! COME AGAIN, THIS SUMMER. I’ve had a few calls about hybrid maturity and switching.  It’s not time to get nervous yet, although some farmers are concerned about combining wet corn this fall. (ie. 2009)  It is very wet now and the no-till fields are beautifully arrayed with purple henbit.  All is not lost, we have plenty of time!

TAMMY’s 2 Sense Nonsense – As I am typing my nonsense today I see out the front door a long lost friend of ours, the SUNSHINE and warmer temperatures!  It will help put the kick back in your step for spring field work and planting. 

Be safe out there planting and lets pray that todays SUNSHINE and warmer temperatures hold through a bit longer to get you back in the fields playing in the dirt, planting your STONE SEED corn and soybeans.  

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,

Greg Wolf, Geneseo, IL Hopefully this next week we’ll all be in the fields determining if conditions are suitable for planting.  We may kneel down, pick up some soil in our hands, and make the yes/no determination about field operations.  Be realistic about that soil ball in your hands; is it actually crumbling or is it still holding together more than you’d like? Do the top 3” feel like the next 3”, or are you facing 3” of soil ready to go followed by 3” of goo? If you’re fortunate and are able to make the decision to plant, please, please, please check your down pressure and look for sidewall compaction. A few common sense practices now will save us all from dealing later with the agronomy diagnostic trio of “could’ve, would’ve, and should’ve.

Jeff Brown, Sidell, IL

As of April 24th, ten percent of corn in Illinois was planted according to the Illinois Department of Agriculture as compared to a five year average of 27%. 

Of the corn in the ground, there have been several questions related to emergence and the date of planting.  The following table shows the amount of rainfall in selected Illinois cities since April 14.  This was the point that corn planting across the State came to a screeching halt due to persistent rainfall.  The next column indicates the number of Growing Degree Units (GDU) accumulated during this same period.  The last column shows the GDU accumulation from selected locations during the first two weeks of April.  You sure get a sense of where it is super wet and also areas that might be back in the field fairly quickly. 

It takes approximately 125 GDUs for corn to emerge.  Corn that was planted the first week of April is overall off to a good start as GDU accumulation ramped up pretty fast due to warm weather fronts.  Since that time, soil and air temperatures have moderated and subsequent GDU accumulation has decreased.  Corn planted just prior to April 14 deserves close observation as this combination of cool and wet soil conditions can affect emergence. 

*GDU (growing degree units) measures the cumulative effective temperature from
planting or emergence to physiological maturity (i.e. black layer).

Corn emerged and looking good near Broadlands, Illinois.  Planted first week of April.  Photo taken April 25, 2011

Planting Delay Lengthens: Are Decisions Needed?
As we move into the month of May, be mindful that there is ample time to plant our corn crop.  University of Illinois Extension Agronomist Emerson Nafziger weighs in this week:
“It is clear, though, that most of the hybrids we plan to plant this year should not be switched out for earlier hybrids until and unless planting is delayed to late May or early June. Even then it's likely that first-choice hybrids may do better than those earlier hybrids we would use to replace them…”  Click here to read more of Emerson Nafziger’s article.

Assessing Nitrogen Loss after Soil Saturation — Illinois All of us still remember the effect on yield due to nitrogen loss last year.  Consider what N you have applied already for this year’s crop - especially fall applied NH3 on corn following corn acres.  Are you planning to apply any subsequent nitrogen such as pre-plant or sidedress?  This Spotlight quickly reviews nitrogen loss and provides supplemental nitrogen recommendations.  Click here to read the full article:

Did you get your pre-plant herbicides applied or Burndown applied?  Weeds are getting mighty big now where conditions did not allow for earlier applications and/or tillage.  For burndown applications containing 2,4-D (ester preferred) be sure to refer to label directions for the interval between application and planting corn.  Most labels indicate a 7 to 14 day wait following application.  Read more about Winter Annual Weed management by clicking on the following links.  Aaron does a great job of reviewing the “do’s and don’ts” in his piece covering various herbicide combinations and larger weeds. 

Identification and Control of Winter Annual Weeds; Agronomic Spotlight – click here for more information…..

Delays in Weed Control Before Planting; Aaron Hager, University of Illinois – click here for the entire article.

Illinois Crop Progress Percents as of April 25, 2011

1/ Less than one percent.

Field Focus Contributors:
Dave Love, CCA                       (M)217-652-9534
Greg Wolf , CCA                      (M)309-314-5001
Jeff Brown, CCA                      (M)217-714-6006

Agronomic Update – 04/22/11     

DSM COMMENTS:
NORTHERN IL:  Kevin Sanderson (Creston, IL – Ogle Co.)  As of April 20th the Ark is 90% completed…heavy rains, some snow, and gale force winds since Sunday have brought every bit of field work to a standstill…prior to last Sunday approximately 2% of the corn crop was planted in ground temperatures of 38 to 43 degrees…common  sense and hind sight says this was not a wise operation…on the other hand oats are coming through but new seeding has yet to see sunlight…entry back to the fields should not occur before next week even if the rains(snow) should stop now…all will be fine in the end!

CENTRAL IL:  Dave Love (Petersburg, IL –Menard Co.)  There is not much news going on out in the field today or most likely in the near future.  Rain totals in my geography ranged anywhere from .6 inches in western IL to over 2.5 south of Springfield. With moisture predicted for the next week, planting will be delayed.  There is corn spiking through in some areas.  When conditions are right planters will be rolling and not stop for a while.  Just remember it is the middle of April, not the middle of June.  We have plenty of time to get this crop in so wait until conditions are right; going too early in wet conditions can cost you yield and money. Keep in mind when you do get back in the field be careful and safe, getting in a hurry can get you in trouble.

EAST CENTRAL IL:  Dennis Opperman (Tuscola, IL – Douglas Co.)  I’ve delivered some seed this week as everyone sits still with the wet fields.  I even sold an additional 75 bags of corn this week to a new customer.  The new 6128 RIB complete has been well received and causing some interest.  Let’s hope the rains hold off so we can all get going with our planting intentions.  Just remember to be careful out there in the fields.

SOUTHWEST CENTRAL IL:  Dave Dimmick (Murrayville, IL – Morgan Co.) Thousands of acres of corn went in the ground in the past 2 weeks.  Emergence has been very good.  Many fields you can row or I should say you can row in a few cases.  We experienced a couple hail storms and heavy rain yesterday the 19th.   Hailstones ranged from pea size to baseball size.  Rainfall went from 2 to 3 tenths to 2-3 inches.  Of course the growing point is well underground but it is cool today the 20th.  Better to get the hail out of its system now than later. We have rain forecasted for the next several days with highs of 70 and lows mid 40’s.  Barring any more major rainfall events we should be in better shape than we have been in the past 3 years.  Weed control in planted acres may become a concern if spraying has to be delayed.  I suggest NOT cutting your herbicide rates.  Use labeled rates.  Some feel since tillage went so well that they can cut rates in half.  I think this to be an oversight.  You have way too much at risk to sacrifice a bushel of corn.  (Basically the extra cost for a full rate)  Take these wet days to double check equipment, check seed supplies, harangue your chemical and fertilizer supplier and seed guy and get rested up for the next planting round.  Stay Well!    

CENTRAL IL:  Dale Luster (Downs, IL – McLean Co.)  Well, it’s been a long week of rain and cool temperatures that are around 10 degrees below normal. We had 2.2 inches of rain this last week.  I had one customer that was able to get half done with corn planting and another that is completely done with corn planting before the rains came and others that have gotten a good start.  Let’s pray for the best.

TAMMY’s 2 Sense Nonsense – Here came the rain again!  With the recent rains it has temporarily stopped activity in the fields.  Many farmers were getting the notion to start planting, some did start and a few were able to get a good amount of corn planted.  When the rain clouds do dry up, there is still a lot of work to be done.

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,
Greg Wolf, Geneseo, IL

Once it dries enough that sprayers can finally return to the fields, acres will be covered quickly.  If you are doing your own Roundup spraying, the accompanying article has some reminders to aid in insuring your success with the Roundup performance.  The order in which you add the chemicals and additives is very important for consistency in weed control.

Illinois Crop Progress Percents as of April 17, 2011

1/ Less than one percent.

Field Focus Contributors:
Dave Love, CCA                       (M)217-652-9534
Greg Wolf , CCA                      (M)309-314-5001
Jeff Brown, CCA                      (M)217-714-6006

Agronomic Update – 04/18/11

Genuity® SmartStax® RIB Complete™ has been approved!

We are extremely excited to announce that Genuity® SmartStax® RIB Complete™ has received registration approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  State registration approval is also completed in all States within the Stone Seed Group footprint including Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin and Indiana.  In the Corn Belt, this industry-leading technology will offer farmers:

• A simple, one bag solution for refuge management—no more separate, structured refuge
• Convenient fence row to fence row planting
• A 95/5 blend that allows you to plant the most traited acres in the US Corn Belt
• Broadest spectrum of above and below ground insect protection

What is RIB Complete?

Stone Seed Group’s Genuity® SmartStax® RIB Complete™ contains the necessary corn refuge seed for both above and below ground pest requirements for the corn growing region in each bag of corn seed that a farmer plants, thus requiring no additional refuge plantings in the US Corn Belt.  Simply pour the seed into your planter and plant both your traited corn crop and refuge with a single planter pass.  

**To learn more, contact your local Stone Seed Group sales representative.

DSM COMMENTS:
NORTHWEST IL:  Mark Blackert (Cambridge, IL – Henry Co.)  Today, April 12th seems to be a perfect day to put in a plot for the Stone Seed Group and that is just what we did at one of my customers down in Farmington, IA in Lee County.  The soil conditions are excellent in this area.

EAST CENTRAL IL:  Dennis Opperman (Tuscola, IL – Douglas Co.)  Farmers in the east central Illinois area are getting ready to plant corn, and a few have started.  However, most farmers that I’ve talked to are waiting for after this weekend’s forecast for rain and colder weather to get started.  I finished delivering all the seed late this week; however I’ve got some farmers who are excited to try some of the Smartstax RIB complete hybrid that just got cleared to plant this spring.  Just think, it will sure be nice in the future to not have to mess around with refuge and insecticide anymore.  Good luck to everyone this spring and be careful.    

SOUTH CENTRAL IL:  Jay Ryan (Pana, IL – Christian Co.)  We were fortunate to have a good week of field work to start off the month of April. A large percentage of NH3 went on in just a few days. There were several planters rolling as growers did anywhere from a 40 to get the planter set to finishing corn planting.  That is no joke. One large grower in the area actually wrapped up corn planting prior to the 2" rain we saw over this past weekend. With that rain and the not so friendly weather forecast for the next two weeks I would expect it to be towards the later part of the month before planters resume in full force. That is unless our forecast is inaccurate. Which never happens......right?

CENTRAL IL:  Dale Luster (Downs, IL – McLean Co.)  Shipping is near completion in my area.  We had an inch of rain here Sunday night, however east and north of here 30 miles they had much less and will be planting this week without any more precipitation falling.  The ground temperature is still low, so please be cautious, a word to the wise!  Rain is in the forecast for Thursday and Friday with cooler temperatures, keeping that in mind we are hoping to start planting soon.  It was nice to see regulatory approval on our NEW “RIB” Refuge In a Bag corn yesterday!!  RIB will be popular in this area.

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,
Greg Wolf, Geneseo, IL

     As you check your fields these next few weeks to see if they are fit to plant, dig a few inches into the ground and see what you have in the way of insects.  In addition to possibly seeing some white grubs, Japanese beetle grubs, or wireworms, you may see a few other critters that will have you wondering if they are good or bad:

	SEEDCORN BEETLES---This beetle is dark brown with a light brown to tan edging around its wing covers, and about 1/3 inch long.  More often you may see a slender seedcorn beetle, which is a reddish-brown or chestnut color, with no light edging.  It is slenderer and about ¼ inch long.  These damage corn by hollowing out the seed, which is more likely to happen after cool wet weather following planting.
	GROUND BEETLE LARVA---These look like wireworms, but have tail appendages.  They are predators, and eat whatever they can catch.  The adults are black beetles.
	SYMPHYLANS---You hear about these, but what are they?  They’re neither an insect nor a centipede.  They are pale white, about ¼” long, with 12 pairs of legs and a pair of beadlike antenna.  They feed on root systems of corn and other crops, but it takes great numbers of these to cause any damage.

Illinois Crop Progress Percents as of April 10, 2011

1/ Less than one percent.

Field Focus Contributors:
Dave Love, CCA                       (M)217-652-9534
Greg Wolf , CCA                      (M)309-314-5001
Jeff Brown, CCA                      (M)217-714-6006

Agronomic Update – 04/11/11  

DSM COMMENTS:
CENTRAL IL:  Dave Love (Petersburg, IL –Menard Co.)  Things are beginning to happen here in central Illinois.  Nitrogen is being applied, ground is being worked, and the mood is very upbeat.  Rumor has it that there is some corn in the ground, but the majority of producers are waiting for warmer soil temps.  Now is the time for final preparation of final product location.  Talk to your Stone Rep. if you have any questions on placement, populations, or herbicide warnings.  Also let’s not forget about the refuge.  Requirements are 5% for SS and Double pro, and 20 % for VT3, VT Triple Pro.  Preparation and safety are two factors that play an important role in a safe and successful planting season.

SOUTHWEST CENTRAL IL:  Dave Dimmick (Murrayville, IL – Morgan Co.)  Mother Nature has granted us some excellent field conditions.  Most ground has worked the best it has for 3 years.  Temps have been a bit cool but the soil moisture levels have allowed for much spring applied NH3, dry fertilizer, last minute tiling, tillage and yes planting.  Soil temps have been in the high 30’s to low 40’s.  Still a bit cool for corn I feel but many acres have gone in the ground.  There is an optimistic attitude as we look toward a profitable harvest, but it isn’t over till it’s over.  J  I’m sure we will have our usual twists and turns up until our crops are safely stored or sold.  Wishing everyone a very safe planting season.

TAMMY’s 2 Sense Nonsense – We’re BACK!  Spring has arrived and a few tractors have started running in the fields.  It has been amazing the past few years how different the field conditions are from year to year, from too wet, too dry, too cold and maybe a perfect day or week in between here and there.  Last year in some areas of Illinois we had seed in the ground; this year haven’t heard too many reports of anyone planting….how weird is that.  I know up here in Northwest Illinois the ground temperature has been a bit too cold but maybe the end of this week we can begin to think about it.

As you are out and about, beware of the various farm equipment on the rural highways. Below are a few safety points to keep in mind as you travel in your rural communities.

1. Farm equipment is usually wider than other vehicles and travels at speeds of only 15 to 25 mph.

2. Farmers will do their best to pull off of the road at a safe location to allow you to pass, but do not assume they will. Many road shoulders are soft, steep or simply not wide enough to pull off safely.

3. If you must pass, be mindful of vehicles behind you that may also try to pass and avoid passing on or before curves or hills that block your view.

4. Do not assume that a farm vehicle that pulls to the right side of the road is going to turn right or is letting you pass. Because of implement size, farmers often must make wide left turns. Check the operator's hand signals and the left side of the road for gates and driveways where the vehicle might turn.

5. Many farm machinery accidents are crashes from the rear. If you are driving 55 mph and come upon a tractor traveling at 15 mph, it takes only five seconds to close a gap the length of a football field between you and the tractor.

A few words from our Stone Seed Group Agronomists,
Jeff Brown, Sidell, IL

This marks our first issue for 2011 and as you can see by our DSM comments, some areas of the state are already planting away.  Soil temps vary greatly from north to south and is the determining factor for seed to germinate.  Moderate temps and a chance of showers forecast during this week will be followed by chilling temps by the weekend.  Keep an eye out on those early planted corn fields. 

Plant by Soil Temperature and Conditions, Not According to the Calendar; Optimum Temperatures – Corn requires a soil temperature of 50 degrees F to germinate and grow and soybeans require a soil temperature of 54 degrees F.  Temperatures below the optimum can cause seeds to sit dormant and become more vulnerable to disease, insects, and animal predators.  Crops should be planted when soil temperatures are optimal and within the target dates for the region.  To read the entire article hit this link.

Corn IRM – The Importance of Planting a Refuge; Refuge Compliance Requirements – Growers now have more B. t. corn product choices offering unique IRM requirements, which can add complexity to refuge planting.  Compliance means correctly meeting all of the refuge requirements, which can vary by product. To read the entire article please hit this link.

The importance of Insect Resistance Management (IRM) cannot be underestimated. Your compliance with following corn refuge requirements is critical to the success of an IRM plan to preserve the benefits of insect protection of products that contain the B. t. technology. Presently, refuge requirements are one of the most confusing aspects of corn farming today. »Stayed tuned as very soon Stone Seed Group will have a simple, one bag solution for refuge management—no more separate, structured refuge.

Greg Wolf, Geneseo, IL

As the soil warms and hope and optimism for another season begin, let’s check off some basics:

ALFALFA---did your stand make it through the winter?  Over the years, the magic number for keeping the stand has been >5 plants per square foot.  Researchers have discovered, though, that measuring stems/sq. foot may be a better indicator:

• >55 stems/square foot=full yield potential
  
• 40-55 stems/square foot=less than full yields
  
• <40 stems/square foot=consider rotating out of alfalfa or, depending upon the stand and situation, adding some grasses or wheat or rye to bulk up the tonnage.

WHEAT---once again, we look at some numbers that have been used over the years.  If your stand is fairly uniform and you have at least 15 plants/sq. ft., keep the stand; 25-30 plants would allow for maximum yield.  You can also count tillers to gather a perspective on vigor.  A count of 60-70 tillers would be considered low; 70-90 tillers would show positive potential.

Pre-Season Maintenance: Planter Check-up

Illinois Crop Progress Percents as of April 3, 2011

1/ Less than one percent.

Field Focus Contributors:
Dave Love, CCA                    (M)217-652-9534
Greg Wolf , CCA                   (M)309-314-5001
Jeff Brown, CCA                    (M)217-714-6006

As customers are now actively taking delivery, I have had many questions on grade and size changes as they pertain to customers and their planters.  The following is a brief rundown on what most planters can and can’t do:

John Deere Vac Planters:  JD 7200 and all models that start with 17, 1770 and 1790 for example.

*It is highly recommended that the customer’s meters be tested on a test stand to ensure that the seed disk selected is correct and that the double eliminator is properly adjusted.  “QUOTE FROM JOHN DEERE”
**The higher the vac setting, the better these meters will perform.  “MY OPINION”

Kinze and older John Deere Finger Pickup Planters:
These planters use a mechanical finger to pick up the seed, pictured below.  Finger Pickup’s can be very picky on seed size, grade size, and ground speed.

*The Precision Finger Pickup unit is a replacement for John Deere and Kinze meters.
All Finger Pickup units can physically plant any seed.  HOWEVER, they may plant certain grade sizes and weights better.

White Planters:
These planters utilize a number of seed plates designed to plant different size seed and grade size (Small Rounds, Large Rounds, Small Flats, Large Flats).  I have very little knowledge about these planters.  I know that they are very picky about having the right seed plate installed to match your specific grade size and weight.

Case IH:
These planters need split into two categories

1-Older Cyclo Air Planters:
In general this is a very simple planter to operate.  It uses three main parts: seed drum, seed cut-off brush and a seed release roller wheel.  These parts are then followed by a forced air delivery system to the row units.  Air pressure, cut-off brush, and roller wheel are then adjusted for different weights and grades of corn.  The main watch out for these planters is very small seed (under 40 lb) and very large seed (over 55 lb). 

2-New Style 1200-1250 Series:
These planters utilize Case IH’s Advanced Seed Meter.  This meter utilizes one seed disc and generally one vac setting for ALL seed.  The downfall to this meter is the adjustability in the seed singulator design.  The back of the meter allows the grower to adjust the meter to fine tune the singulation.  Sometimes this is good and sometimes this is NOT. 

This is a brief summary that should help you talk through grade changes or lack of desired weight or grade in a specific hybrid.  Please let me know if you have any questions or have some other application that I don’t have listed.  This is intended for your information only. Please print and keep with you if it helps, but DON’T leave behind with growers. 

THANKS,
Craig Saddoris
Regional Sales Manager
Stone Seed Group

At Stone Seed Group, we focus on you the customer. As planting season approaches, the stress on each of us continues to increase. Have I selected the right products? If it is Stone products rest - easy you're taken care of! Is my planter ready to go? Only you can answer that one, however we can help. Take the time to check out this short video featuring Craig Saddoris, a Stone RSM. Craig has many years in the field and continues to help on the family farm today. In this video, Craig will highlight some important areas on your planting equipment that will help you start the season off right. Every season becomes more critical to your future and ours. Let us know any way we can help....