Hybrids and genetics provide the basis for tolerance to cold stress. High seed quality helps ensure that the seed will perform up to its genetic ability. Agrigold and NK Seed concentrates on selecting the best genetics for consistent performance across a wide range of environments and producing high quality seed. However, even with the best genetics and highest seed quality, environmental factors can still play a large role in stand establishment and emergence. We can assist growers and help pick the correct seed for their soil and conditions to help better manage their field operations to maximize stands. Soil temperatures at planting are a key environmental component of stand establishment. It is generally recommended that growers plant when soil temperatures are at or above 50 F. However, soil conditions after planting are also critical we started out this year with good conditions and then the weather got cool then stayed cool and moist. The worked ground with dark soil warmed up and dried out much faster like always I have looked at some high residue no till fields that plant stands are not where they should be we need to look at some products and practices WS Ag has to offer to better handle our residue this fall to help for next springs planting.

Thanks, Joel Wilhelmson

Sidedress season is here, and many producers, agronomists, and consultants will be making decisions about putting additional nitrogen on their corn. If you ask five different people how much nitrogen you need, likely you would get five different answers. This is because of the many factors that come into play when calculating nitrogen uptake and availability. With today’s technology we can really fine-tune our recommendations and follow up on our predictions through soil nitrate testing. Not having the accurate nitrogen rate in a field can cost a producer two ways: through missed yield opportunity from underapplying, or through overspending on nitrogen when overapplying.

The biggest factors in determining corn nitrogen needs are yield potential, soil fertility, application timing, and weather. We can manage three of these factors with yield data, grid sampling, and application equipment; but when it comes to weather we obviously take what comes our way. By choosing to sidedress a portion of our nitrogen mid-season, we can more accurately apply the right rates of nitrogen based on remaining soil nitrogen and crop health. A producer can also minimize nitrogen loss significantly by a split application.

At WS AG Center we have the technology to help our customers make the most economical fertilizer recommendations for their crops. We know that our success is based on the success of our customers. Call our Agronomists to let us help you fine tune the needs of your crops through data management, soil testing, aerial imagery, plant tissue analysis, and precision application—all of which are helping producers save money and increase yield.

Andrew Tucker

At this time of year, it is important to start thinking about making another pass on corn fertilizer, especially nitrogen. Corn will be knee high soon, which means that it will need adequate amounts all nutrients to make sure you get the most yield out of your crop.

At V5-V7 stages, a corn plant is at the perfect maturity to start the application of nitrogen   fertilizers. Applying nitrogen during the V5-V7 maturity stages is important because corn takes up around half of its nitrogen supply during the V8-VT stages. Nitrogen plays an important role in green tissue formation and ear fill in corn. Below is a graph depicting a corn plant’s nitrogen uptake and usage during its maturity stages.

From V8-VT, corn uses over half of its available nitrogen for green tissue formation and plant growth. It is important to make sure that a corn plant has the nitrogen it needs so that it can continue to grow at its normal, rapid, rate.

In addition to green tissue development, nitrogen is also instrumental in ear and kernel development. By the time corn reaches the R1 stage, it has been much too tall for far too long to think about a sidedress application of nitrogen. That is why it is important to provide the plants with adequate amounts of nitrogen during the short window of opportunity presented during the V5-V7 stages of development. If done under correct weather conditions, a sidedress nitrogen application during the correct stages of development can provide a corn plant with enough nitrogen to carry it all the way through ear and kernel development.

To recap, if supple nitrogen is available for corn during the V8-VT stages of development, you can maximize yield production. With nitrogen playing such an important role in both green tissue development and ear and kernel development, it is a necessity to have enough of it to allow your corn to thrive and really show its high yield potential.

Tom Arndt

As many cornfields transition away from the seedling stage they might start to show uneven growth patterns and become very erratic in appearance. This phenomenon has been referred to as the “ugly” or “roller coaster” stage of corn growth.

What causes many fields to exhibit this variable growth or color pattern during this time? The young corn seedling relies on the nourishment of the food reserves in the seed until V1 or V2, which is when the nodal roots start to become visible. Until this point the seminal roots or seed root have provided mainly moisture to the young plant. Once the nodal roots begin developing around the V3 stage, the plant relies on the nodal roots to take over and supply the required fertility to grow.

It is right around this stage that the roller coaster ride often begins in a corn field. At this V3 stage, the nodal roots should be tapping into starter fertilizer, but if anything has damaged or delayed, the roots big differences can be observed. Things like a smeared seed wall, root-feeding insects such as grubs, or even hot/dry soils that can inhibit root bud elongation will begin to take their toll on the uniformity of the stand.

Even in the absence of a starter application, anything that limits the growth of the nodal roots at this critical transition can cause that uneven growth. In many cases, the additional stress can also lead to color changes such as purpling, striping or white blotches. There are many explanations for these color changes, but they are often associated with this critical phase of root system transition. Often times, the field is a mirror reflection of past sins that will show up at this critical time, such as harvesting in wet conditions in the fall.

Although it can be tough to look at a field as it grows through this stage, often times the nodal roots are able to get going and start supplying the plant with nutrition and moisture. The corn begins to “straighten out” and recover from whatever factor was limiting its growth. If the unevenness continues, a walk with your favorite agronomist would be time well spent to help diagnose the issue in order to avoid it again in the future.

WS AG Center is a 360 Yield Center dealer and offers technology such as 360 Soilscan and 360 Y-Drop along with other management tools to help customers make the most of their fertilizer applications.

Wow we have to feel really blessed, our crops were planted in a timely manner and so far they look great. In our last newsletter we said that you need to be ready with a marketing plan when the markets give an opportunity, we never dreamed it would happen this soon. Cash Corn and Soybeans for both old and new crop are at profitable levels. This could be the start of something or be very fleeting. All we are saying is that be ready with a marketing plan because in March most analysts said these prices would not be seen in the next 2-3 years. As we’ve always said though, world consumption is increasing and carry out levels vs usage is at and has been at historical lows.

We just want you to take advantage of every marketing opportunity. Also some fertilizer prices are reaching 10 year lows on certain products, this will also change just as fast as the grains market has. Let us help you plan for a profitable crop year and future crop years.

Kent Ganske

We recently had an anhydrous ammonia mock accident training day at our WS Ag Center Darlington location with our local and neighboring fire departments. Afterwards our hazmat team met at the Darlington Fire Department for more hands on training. Thank you to all that attended and helped set this up. We hope to do more of this kind of training in the future. If anyone has any questions or concerns please feel free to contact any of WS Ag Centers sales team anytime. Thank You and safe planting!