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December 2015

Weed Management: Considerations for Weed Management in 2016: Part 3

Multiple or EffectiveThe continuing and expanding challenges imposed on agronomic cropping systems by weed populations resistant to various herbicides has led to renewed interest in utilizing multiple modes of herbicide action in weed management programs. Indeed, articles written about and advertisements for products that contain multiple modes of action populate many farm media publications. But, simply because a herbicide premix or tankmix combination includes herbicides representing more than one mode of action doesn’t necessarily mean that each component in the premix or tankmix will be effective against the target weed species of greatest concern. There are many instances when multiple [...]

By |December 8, 2015|

Agronomy: Growing Continuous Beans: Variety Selection

Want to plant back to soybeans after the last soybean crop? Start with selecting the right variety. With everyone looking for ways to trim costs going into 2016 there have been more questions about planting soybeans two years in a row. Economic studies show that even in times of low commodity prices yield is still the primary driver of profitability. Cutting costs at the expense of yield will not always improve profitability. That being said, input costs for soybeans are significantly less than for corn. Many producers in central Illinois will argue that corn is more profitable, but there [...]

By |December 4, 2015|

Growing Continuous Beans: Seed Treatments – A Key to Successful Continuous Soybean Rotation

Growers have been contacting the Illinois Soybean Association asking about growing continuous soybeans. Soybeans require few inputs and have a lower product cost per acre than corn, so this is a very relevant question as we go into 2016. While growing continuous soybeans may not be the status quo, there are management practices that you can follow to have a successful growing season. In this article we will be focusing on using seed treatments to mitigate risks associated with continuous soybeans. It is important to remember that seed treatments alone cannot make continuous soybean production successful. Given that varietal selection [...]

By |December 3, 2015|

Agronomy: Profitability Matters: Maximizing Crop Insurance Opportunities

Lower commodity prices pose a unique challenge of staying profitable in a tough market. Crop insurance provides farmers with an important risk management tool, and this is especially important as farmers look at continuing tight margins in 2016. “Producers are trying to find a positive net return in their budgets for 2016 and it’s hard to find,” says Giles Distinguished Agricultural Economics Professor Keith Coble, Ph.D., with Mississippi State University. “But good management and smart decisions will go a long way this year.” In this episode of Profitability Matters, Coble shares his insight on crop insurance decisions and steps farmers [...]

By |December 2, 2015|

Agronomy: Growing Continuous Soybeans

Is 2016 the year to grow more soybeans in rotation? Commodity prices are low, production of corn and soybeans is high (particularly for corn), and growers want to both ensure a profit as well as save money. Is there an opportunity to grow more soybeans in a rotation and is a there a soybeans-on-soybeans yield penalty? For years we have thought that the yield penalty for growing continuous soybeans was greater than for growing continuous corn. The reason was a buildup of soil pathogens that knocked off seedlings and led to poorer plant health. I have often wondered if this [...]

By |December 2, 2015|
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