Agronomy: Profitability Matters: Do the Math on Farmland Values
Aired: January 2016 Lower commodity prices have brought tight margins to farmers around the country—and last year farm income was the lowest since 2002. However, farm economics works in a cycle and land values are beginning to adjust. "The economics of crop production drives land values,” says Brent Gloy, Ph.D., agricultural economist with Agricultural Economic Insights. “These have fallen in recent years, so we can look for land values to follow.” In this episode of Profitability Matters, Gloy shared his insights on 2015 and 2016 farmland values, negotiating rents and financing tips for a profitable 2016. Launch audio>>> Key [...]
Disease Management: The Challenge of Managing SCN
Most of you already know that the soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is the most damaging pathogen to soybeans. There are currently two widely recommended options for combatting this microscopic worm. 1) Rotate crops 2) Plant resistant varieties Unfortunately, both of these accepted strategies have limitations. Rotation is essential for preventing a buildup of SCN populations. However, the biology of SCN allows the worm to survive long periods without a soybean host. As an egg in the soil, SCN can sense the presence of soybean. If SCN senses that soybeans aren’t around (i.e., if corn is there) then it will [...]
Agronomy: Growing Continuous Beans: Dos and Don’ts
With the low commodity prices and lower production costs with soybeans, growers may be inclined to plant some of their fields back to soybeans. While this should work okay, there are some dos and don’ts to this practice. Do expect a small amount of yield loss when soybeans follow soybeans: Continuous soybeans over the past 11 years averaged 95 percent as much as soybeans rotated with corn at the Monmouth site, where yields have averaged above 65 bushels per acre. At Perry, where soils are lighter and yields have averaged a little less than 50 bushels, continuous soybeans have [...]
Weed Management: Dealing With Waterhemp Resistance
During the last two years waterhemp has exploded in soybean fields. Are they herbicide-resistant? Were they too tall to be controlled by a post herbicide application? Did they receive their post herbicide application or was it too wet? Had herbicide residual leached away? Was the waterhemp emergence probably due to late-emerging populations? We can’t be sure if the problem is herbicide resistance without testing, but in the last few years, we assumed that more and more waterhemp (and other weeds) are now resistant to glyphosate. As of last year, based on testing, it was estimated by Dr. Aaron Hager, [...]
PROFITABILITY MATTERS: Powerful Nutrient Package Boosts Yields
No longer dismissed as a waste byproduct, manure is now considered a high-value nutrient package that boasts a number of soil-enhancing benefits. With the number of livestock operations in Illinois, manure can be a readily available option for enhancing soybean, and other crop, yields in Illinois fields. Laura Pepple, Livestock Extension Specialist, University of Illinois, explains how growers can effectively add manure to their crop management plans. LAUNCH AUDIO>> Key Takeaways: Benefits Manure offers a complete nutrient package and can provide additional benefits beyond commercial fertilizers. In addition to supplying N, P and K for a corn or soybean [...]
PROFITABILITY MATTERS: Seed Selection
The 2013 soybean harvest is coming to a close, and it’s time to think about where crops are headed beyond the elevator—to soybean processors, animal nutritionists and livestock producers. It’s not too early to think about next year’s seeds and varieties that meet these customers’ standards for protein and oil. Secure market share in 2014 by making informed seed selections next time around. John Schillinger, president and founder of Schillinger Genetics, Inc., reminds farmers that soybean customers increasingly look at nutritional and specialty qualities like protein and oil when choosing their supplier and price. Technology allows seed companies to [...]
MANAGEMENT MATTERS: How to Market Your Crop
Aired: January 2016 With the low commodity prices of 2015 likely to continue in 2016, many advisors recommend cutting costs. Meanwhile, growers are afraid that doing so may lead to minimizing the bushels they have to sell. In these times of tighter margins, it’s critical to look closely at on-farm finances and identify the available options to make a greater profit, such as with futures, options and overall grain marketing. “Managing risk will be one of the bigger parts of farmers’ operations in the next couple of years,” says Matt Bennett, independent grain marketing consultant. “It’s times like this that [...]
PROFITABILITY MATTERS: There’s a Bug in my Bean Field
Farmers may be optimistic that certain insects didn’t survive the winter of 2013 – 2014, but cold weather should never warrant a relaxed attitude towards pest management and scouting. In the second episode of “Management Matters,” Michael Gray, Department of Crop Sciences at University of Illinois, predicts which insects survived the winter, which didn’t and how to scout this spring and summer. LAUNCH AUDIO>> Key Takeaways: Some insects overwinter better than others and some do not overwinter at all; pest management plans will vary from season to season depending on winter weather. In 2014 farmers may see lower-than-average spring [...]
PROFITABILITY MATTERS: Watch These Weeds
Herbicide resistance is already a common issue in southern Illinois, one which presses northward each year. Without careful management, it’s only a matter time before resistance problems break out across the entire state and rob even more fields of yields. In the third episode of “Management Matters,” Mark Bernards, assistant professor of agronomy, crop science and weed control at Western Illinois University, gives tips on how to recognize, control and prevent herbicide resistance. He also discusses four herbicide-resistant weeds that should be of greatest concern to Illinois soybean farmers. LAUNCH AUDIO << Bernards’ Forecast Herbicide resistance is already common [...]
PROFITABILITY MATTERS: You Want Higher Yields
Most growers invest in managing their corn crop, unaware that similar practices can achieve higher yields and profits for soybeans, too. While management matters for soybeans, there isn’t one silver bullet solution. With the right combination of management practices, growers can capture more soybean yield potential. In the fourth episode of “Management Matters,” Fred Below, professor of plant physiology and crop sciences at University of Illinois, shares tips on how farmers can more effectively manage their soybeans and achieve higher yields and profits. LAUNCH AUDIO<< Key takeaways: Start off strong by selecting the correct varieties, protect them with the [...]
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