Logan Ag News 1

Logan Ag News August 2019

L O C A T I O N S

* Griggsville, IL 217-833-2375; 1-800-LOGAN AG

* Pitsburg, OH 937-692-5181 (JACK BAKER)

* Paris, MO DEAN OSBORN 573-406-8579; MEGAN

MORGAN 217-617-3450

www.LOGANAG.com

Protect Yield Potential And Gain Bushels In Crops Many crops in the Midwest are well behind normal in development due to late planting and in some cases, multiple replanting. With improvement in market price for grain, it makes sense in most instances to protect yield potential in both corn and soybeans with fungicides for control of diseases and consider nutritional products to help gain bushels at harvest. Application of fungicides in corn protects the plant from diseases that rob bushels and lead to late season stalk rots. Yield response to fungicides in 2018 was exceptional and 2019 weather conditions have certainly been conducive for disease development. There have been reports of Gray Leaf Spot (shown in photo to right), Anthracnose and rusts in corn. Corn fungicides should be applied at Vt (tassel stage) to control the above diseases and others. Add an insecticide to control populations of Japanese beetles that may be clipping silks (or rootworm beetles in non-GMO or non-rootworm corn hybrids). AGRI-YIELD™PREMIUMFOLIAR, added to the fungicide application at the rate of 1 qt. per acre may increase corn yield by as much as 6 bushels per acre. Warm and wet conditions promote several soybean diseases including Septoria Brown Spot (shown in photo to right), Bacterial Pustule, Frogeye Leaf Spot (see lower right photo), Cercospora Leaf Blight and Downy Mildew. Soybean growers in more northern areas must consider White Mold. Many fungicides provide excellent control of these diseases. Application is recommended at R2 to R3 growth stage. At the R3 growth stage, a small pod is visible on one of the four uppermost nodes of the soybean plant. Protecting the green leaf material of the soybean leaf is critical to plant health and top yields. Logan Ag typically recommends ground application of continued on page 3

They’re Back – Japanese Beetles Attack Crops Japanese beetles began feeding on corn and soybean fields in late June/early July. Easily identified by their green head and bronze- colored wing covers, Japanese beetles attack emerging silks on ears of corn at tassel and devour green leaf tissue between the veins on soybean leaves. Left uncontrolled, damage to yield can be substantial especially when plants are already under various forms of stress. Understanding why Japanese beetles return each year requires knowledge of their life cycle. The adult beetle emerges from the soil during late spring/early summer annually. Food sources include corn leaves and silks, soybean leaves and many ornamental shrubs such as roses. Female beetles begin laying eggs in the soil in mid-to-late June and may lay eggs as many as 10-15 times each year (up to 60 eggs per female). The eggs hatch into grubs which burrow deeply into the soil to overwinter below the frost line. White grubs feed on plant roots including corn, soybeans and turf grasses the following spring before pupation and emergence as Japanese beetle adults. In corn, Japanese beetles primarily feed on silks emerging from the ear. Similar to rootworm beetles, Japanese beetles clip silks and can interfere with pollination resulting in incomplete kernel fill.

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continued from page 1 In soybeans, Japanese beetles “skeletonize” leaves, eating the green leaf material between the veins. Loss of leaf material can be damaging to yield especially when soybeans are experiencing other stress factors such as disease, weather stress, fertility issues, etc. Clusters of Japanese beetles are often seen on soybean leaves or ears of corn. When beetles feed on leaves or silks, the damaged plant emits a volatile chemical which attracts more beetles to the site. Thus, it is not uncommon to find 5 to 6 Japanese beetles feeding on the same soybean leaf or ear of corn. The life span of an adult beetle ranges from 30 to 60 days. Peak emergence of beetles generally occurs at least one month after initial emergence according to the University of Illinois. As a result of the extended period of emergence, Japanese beetles feed for several weeks following emergence. Many insecticides are effective in controlling Japanese beetle populations but do not have sufficient residual to be effective throughout the growing season. As a result, multiple insecticide applications in soybeans may be required. Logan Ag crop specialists advise applying insecticide with any soybean herbicide and/or fungicide application, as well as with any corn fungicide application. Scout your fields and let us know the extent of pressure for further recommendations. Fortalis Provides Soybean Yield Boost And Great ROI Brian Selle – Plant Impact Fortalis™ may be new to some but quite a few soybean growers have tried the product with some pretty impressive results. In 2018, we averaged 4 bushels per acre yield increase for less than a bushel investment (>4:1 ROI). In 2019, the price of Fortalis is even lower – around $5/acre! So how does Fortalis work? Plant physiologists have been aware for years that calcium (Ca) is immobile (cannot move) in soybean plants. Calcium is needed for flower and pod retention. When the plant cannot move enough calcium to the blooms and pods, they abort and fall to the ground. Nearly 60% of soybean blooms fall on the ground. The normal process of moving calcium in the soybean plant is through moisture flow around the cell walls. The developers of Fortalis at Plant Impact found a new way to mobilize calcium in the plant, moving it through the cell walls in the leaves into the flowers and pods. This

movement not only gets more calcium to the flowers and pods, but it also helps strengthen the cell walls for better disease resistance. Plant health photos using satellite imagery and drone flights show plants are healthier where Fortalis has been applied. Fortalis should be applied with fungicide and insecticide at R2 (full bloom) to R3 (beginning pod) growth stage. The R2 stage has the greatest opportunity for larger yield increases as more flowers are retained by the soybean plant. Many Fortalis customers are repeat users who have experienced yield success previously. Logan Ag applied Fortalis to its 100+ bushel high yield soybean plot in 2018. See the Fortalis yield benefit for yourself! Visit your Logan Ag crop specialist for more information. Fortalis is a trademark of Plant Impact. Logan Ag Adds Dry Fertilizer Storage Construction has begun on a building for additional dry fertilizer storage at Logan Ag’s Griggsville location. A “hoop” building measuring 80’ x 55’ will be placed immediately west of the existing dry fertilizer storage building. The existing building, constructed in 1988 of 6”x6” posts and tongue and groove lumber, has seen tens of thousands of tons over the past 30+ years. As a result of continual stress from fertilizer tons in the wooden structure, the back wall (west wall) has become somewhat compromised. A plan to stabilize the back wall included construction of a 10’ concrete wall situated on the outside of the building. Upon consideration of the cost of the concrete wall, an idea to utilize the support wall for construction of additional fertilizer storage formed. The most cost effective means of creating storage was determined to be a hoop building. Visits to other fertilizer facilities currently using hoop buildings for fertilizer storage ensued, as well as conversations regarding continued use of the existing conveyor system to fill the original building. The hoop building will utilize two doors in one end (one for truck entry/exit to unload fertilizer) and a smaller door where endloaders will carry fertilizer from the storage area to the conveyor system of the original building. It is anticipated the new building will provide an additional +/-1500 tons of storage. Pre-cast portable concrete barriers will divide space in the hoop building to allow storage of multiple fertilizer products. Completion of the project is anticipated in late August.

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continued from page 1 soybean fungicides for optimal coverage of leaf surfaces. Aerial application is available for those who desire no additional wheel tracks through the field. An insecticide should always be included with the soybean fungicide application. The insecticide controls insects feeding on the leaves at the time of application and creates a synergistic effect with the fungicide to enhance yield response. Some insecticides provide slightly longer residual control of insects while others have quicker “knockdown” of feeding insects. Discuss recommendations with your Logan Ag crop specialist. Several nutritional products may be added to the fungicide/insecticide application. Logan Ag’s HIGH YIELD SOYBEAN PROGRAM includes products specifically designed to boost yields in soybeans. AGRI-YIELDPREMIUMFOLIAR: A balanced blend of nitrogen, potassium and micronutrients increases plant growth, enhances overall plant health, and defends against stresses incurred by the plant. Premium Foliar provides as much as 5:1 ROI in soybeans. Expected yield increase = 3 bushels per acre. FORTALIS™ (see article on page 2): Applied with fungicides, Fortalis helps mobilize calcium in the plant for bloom and pod retention. Expected yield increase = 4 bushels per acre. TRIAD™: Plant growth hormones aid plant growth and development and maximize yield potential of the plant. Expected yield increase = 2 bushels per acre. BORON PLUS®: Foliar applied boron at pod set enhances translocation of sugars and nutrients in the soybean plant and helps the plant hold and set more grain. Expected yield increase = 2 bushels per acre. POTASSIUM PLUS®: Soybeans require as much as 3.5 LB potassium daily beginning at pod set. Added potassium helps defend against late season potassium stress. Expected yield increase = 2 bushels per acre. The above products provide consistent performance, have been used in Logan Ag’s own crop production, and are highly recommended. Contact Logan Ag or your local representative for additional information Agri-Yield is a trademark of Logan Agri-Service, Inc. Fortalis is a trademark of Plant Impact. Triad is a trademark of Rosen’s, Inc. Boron Plus and Potassium Plus are trademarks of DeltAg Formulations.

continued from page 2 Logan Ag expects the additional storage capacity to help alleviate in-season supply issues as experienced during river and river terminal closures this past spring and afford the opportunity to take advantage of better pricing options sometimes offered for immediate product shipment.. Final Comments Edward Logan, Logan Ag President Illinois Department of Agriculture Director John Sullivan will speak at Logan Ag’s annual Plot Day. Mr. Sullivan will provide comments on projects under the auspices of the Department of Agriculture, as well as various programs available to farmers and certain regulatory items. Mark your calendar now for this event which will be held on Tuesday, September 17 at Logan Ag in Griggsville. Mr. Sullivan is an active farmer with acreage and a cattle operation just north of Rushville. Following application of Plant Growth Regulators (PGR) such as Triad and RyzUp to corn in 2019, I am completely convinced we have experienced more advanced growth and development of the plant both above- and below-ground. I have noted 1.5 to 2 growth stage gain and increased stalk diameter above-ground, as well as expanded root mass below ground. This increased growth should equate to as much as 7-10 days gain in the maturation process of corn. We also applied Triad in some soybeans and have seen increased early season growth. Seed beans custom treated at Logan Ag included a PGR in the fungicide and insecticide application and our staff is evaluating side-by-side comparisons to determine overall effectiveness of seed-applied PGR’s. My expectation is that the seed treatment will provide a very positive yield response at harvest. Nearly everyone is aware of my support for renewable fuels including ethanol and biodiesel. I am very concerned by the fact that, for the first time in 20 years, U.S. ethanol consumption fell. Part of the drop is undoubtedly due to increased fuel economy in newer cars and trucks, but I believe a greater factor involves EPA biofuel waivers for small refinery operators that has served to eliminate some markets. The waivers reportedly reduced ethanol demand by 2.6 billion gallons since President Trump took office. With nearly 40% of the U.S. corn crop used by the ethanol industry, it is imperative that the U.S. government forces EPA to cease refinery waivers and reopen these markets. My standard statement - “Burn what you grow” - is never more important than it is today, and I hope all Midwestern state legislators determine some type of biofuel (ethanol and biodiesel) mandate soon through tax incentives or otherwise. I’m proud to tell you Logan Ag uses B11 biodiesel blends year-round and either 10% (E10) or 15% (E15) ethanol blend in all our gas-powered engines.

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LOGAN AG HIGH YIELD SOYBEAN PROGRAM PUTS MORE BEANS IN

THE POD AND RETAINS MORE

PODS ON THE PLANT RESULTING IN HIGHER YIELDS

AND PROFITABILITY