Lagging sales of Monsanto’s new SmartStax corn hybrids and Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybean varieties have led the company to lower some seed prices as second quarter earnings dropped 19%.
In selling its eight-trait SmartStax corn hybrids, Monsanto is not only competing with competitors’ hybrids, but also its own triple-stacked hybrids, says Brett Begemann, the company’s executive vice president for seeds and traits.
Without a doubt, one of the biggest concerns among no-tillers is seed placement. With the many attachments and tools available to move residue, drop seed in the row or close the seed slot, all are designed to put seed in the best possible position to emerge with the potential to be a high-yielding machine.
I was pleased when the Illinois Department of Agriculture reported in late 2006 that no-till acres in the state had, for the first time, exceeded the number of conventionally tilled acres.
Timing is everything, especially when it comes to controlling weeds, insects and diseases. Spray delays of even a day or two, in some instances, can cause substantial erosion in yield potential.
Tougher stalks from Bt corn hybrids, increased use of fungicides and the chance to trim fertilizer needs are bringing more attention to effective residue management at harvesttime.
Implement steering and compatibility with other equipment are key features that could grab attention and address common challenges of precision farming.
More no-tillers, especially many who are adopting strip-tillage, are investing in assisted steering to make their efforts easier and more accurate. Assisted steering of both tractors and implements can boost precision field operations.
Several St. Louis National No-Tillage Conference attendees who use GPS auto-steer systems raised the question of adding more GPS wizardry directly to drills, planters and sprayers for reducing costly side draft on steep slopes.
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On this episode of Conservation Ag Update, brought to you by Martin-Till, Brian and Darren Hefty, fourth-generation farmers and hosts of Ag PhD, share tips for treating tar spot in corn.
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