ENDURANCE · 4 Taming the Bulls and Bears 5 Bayer’s Leadership Development 6 Impact from Trade...

Page 2 Prairie Grains • March 2020WestBred and Design® and WestBred® are registered trademarks of Bayer Group. ©2018 Bayer Group, All Rights Reserved. MWEST-19009_PRAIRIEGRAINS_122018-032019

You can’t control nature. But you can plant the

latest WestBred® Certified Seed varieties, built

on years of research and breeding to stand

strong against the season’s unknowns.

T O W I T H S T A N D T H E U N E X P E C T E D

T A K E O N T H E S E A S O N A T WestBred.comWB9590 • WB9479

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March 2020 | Issue 175

PRAIRIE GRAINS

CONTENTS 4 Taming the Bulls and Bears

5 Bayer’s Leadership Development 6 Impact from Trade Agreements Still Uncertain

7 Allocating Economic Resources

8 Board Members Elected to MWRPC

10 Handle With Care

12 Why I Invested in Drainage

14 Do Spring Sulfur Applications Increase Yield at Harvest?

17 A Northern Disease Migration

19 Pay Attention to Soybean Yield Threats

20 More Than Meets the Eye

23 The Bad and The Ugly

24 Wheat and Soybean Fertility

26 Farm Groups Join Forces

28 Fine Tuning Soybean Production

30 Cost of Production: What Is It?

PUBLISHERMinnesota Association of Wheat Growers2600 Wheat Drive • Red Lake Falls, MN 56750218.253.4311 • Email: [email protected]: www.mnwheat.org

EDITORIALMinnesota Association of Wheat Growers2600 Wheat Drive • Red Lake Falls, MN 56750Ph: 218.253.4311Email: [email protected]

CIRCULATION2600 Wheat Drive • Red Lake Falls, MN 56750Ph: 218.253.4311 Email: [email protected]

ADVERTISING SALESMarlene Dufault2604 Wheat Drive • Red Lake Falls, MN 56750Ph: 218.253.2074Email: [email protected]

ABOUT PRAIRIE GRAINSPrairie Grains magazine is published seven times annually and delivered free of charge to mem-bers of these grower associations, and to spring wheat and barley producers in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana. To subscribe or change address, please write or call our circula-tion department.

Minnesota Association of Wheat Growersand Minnesota Wheat Council

2600 Wheat Drive • Red Lake Falls, MN 56750218.253.4311 • Email: [email protected]

Web: www.mnwheat.org

North Dakota Grain Growers Association 1002 Main St. W. #3 • West Fargo, ND 58078 Phone: 701.282.9361 • Fax: 701.239.7280 Email: [email protected] • Web: www.ndgga.com

South Dakota Wheat Inc.116 N. Euclid, Box 667 • Pierre, SD 58501

605.224.4418 • Email: [email protected]

Montana Grain Growers AssociationP.O. Box 1165 • Great Falls, MT 59403 •

406.761.4596Email: [email protected] • Web: www.mgga.org

ON THE COVER: At the Best of the Best sessions in Grand Forks and Moorhead, one of the breakout sessions featured Dr. Yu (Heather) Zhang, PhD, Research Assistant Professor / Agricultural & BiosystemsEngineering Department’s Weedbot. WeedBot is a multi-sensor integrated weed species detection robot in the NDSU Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department Precision Ag Program. This demonstration showed the algorithm in the WeedBot system of how to identify different weed species in the field in real-time, which will help farmers to apply different herbicides accordingly.

Cover Photo: Dan Lemke, Spirited Communications

March 2020 • Prairie Grains Page 3WestBred and Design® and WestBred® are registered trademarks of Bayer Group. ©2018 Bayer Group, All Rights Reserved. MWEST-19009_PRAIRIEGRAINS_122018-032019

You can’t control nature. But you can plant the

latest WestBred® Certified Seed varieties, built

on years of research and breeding to stand

strong against the season’s unknowns.

T O W I T H S T A N D T H E U N E X P E C T E D

T A K E O N T H E S E A S O N A T WestBred.comWB9590 • WB9479

IT TAKES

E N D U R A N C E

Page 4 Prairie Grains • March 2020

Betsy Jensen | TAMING THE BULLS & BEARS

Join the MN Wheat Growers on Facebookhttp://www.facebook.com /MNWheat

Lean Mean Farming Machines

We all know farming in 2019 was bad. Crops are still in the field, we had qualityissues on the crops we were able to harvest, and prices were low. I am still determined to make the best of the bad situation.

I want 2019 to turn me into a lean mean farmingmachine for 2020 and beyond. I want to pinch every penny. Question every purchase. Review every invoice. You get the idea.

We make better decisionswhen we’re broke. I’ve heard this from many lenders, and I have seen it in farm management. We should question our deci-sions more often. Why did we buy that? Sell that? Plant that? Sell that much at that price? Store that many bushels at one time?

Pretend your farm is a com-pany holding an earnings phone call with investors. What would the investors ask about your farm? How would you justify your decisions? “Please tell me

why you invested in com-bine tracks in September.” “Please explain why your per acre crop insurance expense is lower than aver-age. Are you fully insured?” “Why did you spend more on a brand name chemicalinstead of generic?”

Question your decisions like an outside investor would question your farm.

When we complete a farm business management anal-ysis, we have a whole page of ratios and measurements. We need to utilize those ratios for decision making.

If we look at investing in a stock, we can read their quarterly reports, see if the company is rated buy, sell or hold, review their ratios and determine if the company is a good investment. We need to treat our farm as an investment. We keep

investing in it every year, and we want our money invested in a good company.

Think about your crop mar-keting decisions. If you had farm investors, could you justify your crop marketing decisions? Would Warren Buffet, famous investor and owner of BNSF and Brock Grain Systems, nod his head and agree with your crop marketing decisions? I can only imagine the look he would give you when you explain why you are holding two years of wheat in the bin with no sales for 2020. Most of the time you cannot look in the mirror and say you made good crop marketing decisions. It would be very hard to justify your decisions to an outside investor. When reviewing 2019 finances, one of the top comments from farmers is “I thought we’d rally once we signed the trade agree-ment.” I have heard that from nearly every farmer. We thought things would get back to normal with Chinese trade, and prices would rally. We learned there is more to the marketsthan China trade.

We are fortunate to be in

an era of cheap money and cheap interest rates. Storinggrain is much easier at five percent interest versusten. That still doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. It just means we won’t go broke as fast as we would at ten percent interest.

In 2020, let’s flip the story on crop marketing, and instead of justifying sales decisions, try to justify storage decisions.

Don’t look for reasons to sell. Look for reasons to hold. It is usually very difficult to find reasons to hold.

We learn lessons everycrop year, and my hope is 2019 will help me become a leaner and meaner farmer. My crop marketing will al-ways need improvement. I always fight my bullishinstincts and my fear that I’m going to sell and miss out on a big rally. The battle between Bullish Betsy and Cash LovingBetsy will be there every year I farm. In 2020 and beyond, I want to do a better job of questioning my business decisions. I’m going to take a step back, and think if I could justify this decision to someone else. I don’t have to justify my decisions to a board of directors, but I’m goingto farm like I do.

We need to treat our farm as an investment. We keep investing in it every year, and we want our money invested in a good company.“

March 2020 • Prairie Grains Page 5

Bayer’s Leadership Development Program Opportunities for Wheat MembersEvery wheat grower is a leader, and has the potentialto take on a leadership role within their state or national organization.

One benefit of belonging to the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) is that our members have ac-cess to leader development programs at no cost to them.

One of these programs is the Bayer Leadership Program which provides advanced leadership training for state wheat grower leaders who will soon become part of the NAWG Board of Directors or

want to be more involved in their grower associations.

Charlie Vogel, Executive Director for Minnesota Wheat, attended the leader-ship programs in Sante Fe, NM and Washington, DC. “It is a great program for those that want to be more involved in their grower associations. It included sessions on leadership styles and communica-tion; major policy and economic issues facing the agricultural industry; and effectively engaging the public through new and traditional media outlets.”

The Bayer Leadership Program includes a skills assessment, agriculture policy overview, and media training just to name a few highlights. NAWG also works with Syngenta on its Leadership at Its Best™ Program. Syngenta has designed an ag advocacy conference which promotes cross-cultural exchange for various commodity and trade associations.

The conference focuses on various aspects of leader-ship training and the prior-ity issues facing agriculture with the goal of empowering

today’s leaders for tomorrow’sfuture challenges and opportunities across the industry. To learn more about both opportunities, visit https://wheatfoun-dation.org/leadership-training/.

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Visit tcgwheat.com to find a TCG seed associate near you.All TCG wheat varieties are PVPA 1994 or pending. TCG-Heartland is Patent pending.

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Impact from Trade Agreements Still UncertainBy Dan Lemke,Spirited Communications

Farmers got good news in recent months with the passage of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade agreement and the signing of a Phase One trade deal with China. How those agreements will affect farmers remains to be seen.

In the newly signed Phase One trade agreement, China has agreed to buy $200 billion of U.S. goods over the next two years, including $80 billion in agricultural products.

“Ag wasn’t the reason we got into a trade war, but we cer-tainly were impacted,” says North Dakota State Univer-sity Extension Crops Econo-mist and Marketing Special-ist Dr. Frayne Olson. “There are still questions about whether or not China will live up to this agreement.”

Olson says that within the Phase One agreement and specifically the agri-culture portion, there are targets for each commodity.However, those totals remain confidential.

“My guess is there is a minimum for oilseeds, and the only oilseeds mentionedin the agreement is soy-beans,” Olson adds.

Olson says he’s not surprised that China hasn’t made huge purchases of U.S. products just yet. He says it is going to take time for their purchases to ramp up. Since the Phase One agreement doesn’t specify amounts for each commod-

ity, just a dollar count, Olson says China could purchase nearly any agricultural product including high-dollar products like meat, processed foods or fruit.

“Will China buy U.S. soy like they have in the past? I don’t think so,” Olson says. “The supply chain has changed.”

Uncertainty over when China will make purchases and how that will impact prices makes it challengingfor farmers to make marketing plans. Since the agreement just went into effect weeks ago it’s too early to tell just how and when farmers will benefit.

“China is going to buy when they need to, and they have a huge portfolio of products to choose from,” Olson says. “It will have a volume impact when they do start to buy.”

CORONAVIRUSAn outbreak of Coronavirusis slowing down trade, Olson says. The outbreak is limiting movement to China and within the country. China is trying to control it, so they’re limiting the flow of feed and meat within country and are trying to limit the spread of the illness. It is slowing down the Chinese economy.

The key question regarding Coronavirus is whether the issue is resolved quickly or if it is a long-term problem.

“In my opinion, there will be some negative market attitudes until it peaks and slows down,” Olson says.

Phase One went into effect Feb. 14. Olson expects purchases to pick up now that the date has passed. Corn and wheat could be among the first purchases China makes, not soybeans, Olson says. That could be the case partially because the U.S. has lost its positionas a soybean provider.

“Brazil is now the dominantsource of soybeans. In my opinion,” Olson contends,“the U.S. in now a residualsoybean supplier. Insteadof being the first phone call they make, we’re down the line.”

The U.S. and China are starting to negotiate a Phase Two trade agreement.The countries could impartthe structure of Phase Oneinto Phase Two.

“My fear is Phase One could be used as a negotiationchip for Phase Two. We

have two years of details,but beyond that it gets fuzzy,” Olson says.

China has lost millions of hogs to African Swine Fever. However, Olson says, soybean meal consumptionhas not dropped as much as many industry experts expected. He says Chinesecompanies are now feedinghogs much longer and raising bigger pigs while trying to rebuild their domestic hog herd as quickly as possible.

Olson says the USMCA trade deals isn’t a lot different than its predecessor, the North American Free Trade Agreement. Olson expects short term impacts to be minimal, but long term, the agreement will have more benefits. USMCA contains changes on how new tech-nologies receive approval, including global innovationlike gene editing.


Allocating Economic ResourcesBy Dan Lemke,Spirited Communications

Midwest farmers have had a difficult time in recent years maintaining profit-ability. Bryon Parman, North Dakota State Uni-versity (NDSU) Extension ag finance specialist says farmers have faced an un-precedented period of below average net farm income.

“We haven’t had a commodityprice increase to turn things around, so farmers have had to look internally,”Parman says.

During a difficult farm economy, farmers often look to increase their efficiency in order to maximize their dollar investment. Parman says economic efficiency is when all goods and factorsof production in an economy are distributed or allocated to their most valuable uses and waste is eliminated or minimized.

Parman says there are two ways to evaluate if farmersare being efficient. One way is through productionefficiency. That means farmers hold inputs con-stant and evaluate the output quantities.

“Could more be produced using the same inputs if they were allocated differently? For instance, could you farm more acres with the same equipment,” Parman asks.

Another method is to hold output quantities constantand evaluate inputs. In this case, farmers can consider if equipment is sitting idle for long periods

of time, or if there are periods of the year when labor is not fully utilized. Parman says considering economies of scale means spreading certain fixed or operating costs out over a larger portion of outputs. Leveraging economies of scale will help lower average costs per bushel, but only to a point.

“Eventually, getting biggercan cause production efficiency issues and limit flexibility,” Parman says.

Parman says diseconomies of scale occur when getting bigger increases the cost per unit. This can occur if management is stretched too thin and yields suffer, or costs increase dramatically. Inflexibility can occur if operations become suf-ficiently large, making it difficult to adjust to different cost or market conditions.

“For example,” Parman says, “cash rents go up to very high levels, but you have to continue farmingthe expensive rented ground to spread equipment costs over more acres.”

Economies of scope utilizeexisting capacity and additional resources to produce joint outputs more

cost effectively. This occurs through the reduction in per-unit production costs by employing under-utilized assets to produce outputs.

“This could be a farmer using existing equipment, land, and grain storage to produce corn and cattle,” Parman explains. “It would cost more per bushel and more per pound of beef produced to produce one or the other by itself.”Parman says that conceptwould also apply to someone who has 3,000 acres of soybeans only versus a farmer who has 1,000 acres of soybeans, 1,000 acres of barley, and 1,000 acres of corn.

Diversification can help lower costs per unit and risk through economies of scope. However, Parman says to be effective, diversi-fication has to utilize exist-ing infrastructure like land, labor or equipment that farmers would have needed to employ anyway. Diversi-fication could include crop and livestock enterprises, geographic diversification or even off-farm employment.

Diversification could also include utilizing the en-tire growing season more effectively. Many of North

Dakota’s crops have dif-ferent planting dates and harvest dates. Growing a variety of crops may spread the planting and harvest windows out to make optimal use of labor and equipment.

Increased diversificationdoes require more man-agement skill and time. Parman says activities should also match the available resources.

To help farmers make man-agement decisions, NDSU Extension offers a Crop Compare tool. This online resource allows farmers to select one crop, enter esti-mated market price, yield, and input costs for that crop and compare those crops for expected profit or losses. The Crop Compare tool is available at www.ag.ndsu.edu/farmmanage-ment/documents/2019-crop-compare/view.

Striving for economic efficiency is an ongoing challenge. Parman says diminishing marginal returns and changing input prices versus outputprices mean production decisions should be re-evaluated every year.

REVIEW:1) Leveraging economies of scale will help lower average costs per bushel – but only to a point. Eventually getting bigger can cause production efficiency issues and limit flexibility.

2) Diversification can help lower costs per unit and risk through economies of scope. To be effective, it generally has to utilize existing infrastructure like land/labor/ equipment that you would have needed to employ anyway.

3) Diminishing Marginal Returns and changing input prices vs. output prices may require us to conduct yearly re-evaluations on production decisions.


Huskie® Complete Herbicide is the all-in-one answer to your weed control problems. Powered by multiple effective sites of action, Huskie Complete controls both grass and broadleaf weeds, helps manage weed resistance, and reduces the time and hassle of tankmixing. So wheat growers can stay focused on one thing: clean fields.

©2018 Bayer CropScience LP, 800 North Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63167. Always read and follow label instructions. Bayer, the Bayer Cross and Huskie are registered trademarks of Bayer. Huskie Complete is a Restricted Use Pesticide and is not registered in all states. For additional product information please call toll-free 1-866-99-BAYER (1-866-992-2937) or visit our website at www.CropScience.Bayer.usCR0918HUSKICB008S00R0 B-29498-4

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Mark currently raises wheat, soybeans and corn. Jossund was asked why he wanted to serve on the MWRPC. He wants to help support on farm research to find more ways to keep wheat profitable on the farm. Jossund also supports US Wheat to promote wheat around the world.

In Area 3, Scott Lee, Benson, was also re-elected.

Scott has served on the MWRPC board since 2011 and currently raises wheat, soybeans and corn.

Lee stated he wanted to serve on the MWRPC, to continue to help direct checkoff dollars for wheat production

research and promote export and domestic end use of wheat.

Beginning July 1, Tabert, Jossund and Lee will serve three-year terms on the MWRPC.

Board members direct Minnesota wheat checkoff dollars for wheat promotion and research activities.

Board members must be wheat producers willing to serve as leaders and advocate for the Minnesota wheat industry and work to improve industry profitability and viability.

Board members elected to Minnesota Wheat Research & Promotion Council (MWRPC)In January, wheat producers in the state of Minnesota elected members to their board of directors.

In Area 1, Mikayla Tabert, Red Lake Falls was newly elected.

Mikayla currently farms with her husband, Benjamin and her parents. They raise wheat, corn, soybeans, tall fescue, sunflowers, peas, cereal rye, alfalfa, and beef cattle.

Tabert stated, “I would like to serve on the MN Wheat Council to further encourage the wheat industry to work towards sustainable and regenerative practices, while increasing farm profitability. Low crop commodity markets

and high land and input costs have made profit margins low, but I believe that if we as farmers continue to work towards more efficient uses of resources, we can be profitable even with poor markets. To do so, we need replicated, unbiased research that will show us what is profitable and sustainable. This would help us decrease our carbon footprint, while providing safe, nutrient-dense food, which will improve the public’s perception of the farming industry.”

In Area 2, Mark Jossund, Moorhead, was re-elected.

Mark has served on the MWRPC board since 2006.


Huskie® Complete Herbicide is the all-in-one answer to your weed control problems. Powered by multiple effective sites of action, Huskie Complete controls both grass and broadleaf weeds, helps manage weed resistance, and reduces the time and hassle of tankmixing. So wheat growers can stay focused on one thing: clean fields.

©2018 Bayer CropScience LP, 800 North Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63167. Always read and follow label instructions. Bayer, the Bayer Cross and Huskie are registered trademarks of Bayer. Huskie Complete is a Restricted Use Pesticide and is not registered in all states. For additional product information please call toll-free 1-866-99-BAYER (1-866-992-2937) or visit our website at www.CropScience.Bayer.usCR0918HUSKICB008S00R0 B-29498-4

Huskie® Complete. The Power of One™.

WHY USE TWO WHEN ONE WILL DO?

For more information, contact your Retailer or Bayer Representative.

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Handle With CareBy Dan Lemke,Spirited Communications

Few farmers across Min-nesota and North Dakotaharvested under ideal conditions. Most growers battled excess rain and soggy soils trying to gather their crops. The evidence of what kind of harvest farmershad is written on farm fields across the region.

Farmers who were able to get harvest done and fall tillage accomplished in a business as usual fashion are the exception. Some growers were able to get crops harvested but were unable to get any fall tillagework done. Still other farm-ers are waiting to finish harvest as tens of thousandsof acres of standing corn remains across northern Minnesota and North Da-kota. Still other producersgot their grain harvested but left some damaging rutsin the field.

Each of the scenarios thatfarmers face can potentiallyhave long term impact onsoil structure and productivity.

North Dakota State Uni-versity (NDSU) Assistant Professor of Soil Physics Dr. Aaron Daigh says that crop residue left on the surface keeps water from going up into the atmosphere via evaporation. Meanwhile, soil compaction keeps water from going down.

Research shows there is a 70 percent drop in soil water evaporation rates with one-inch thickness of residue compared to bare soil. However, after about a week of dry weather, evaporation rates are nearly the same.

Daigh says soil temperaturehas a lot to do with the amount of water that can escape. Different tillage practices from chisel plowing to strip tilling and

no-till product will result in varying spring soil tempera-tures and moisture levels.

“You will see a difference in temperature and moisture level at spring planting. Will it affect yield later in the year? Not as much as you’d think,” Daigh says.

Farmers may be tempted to increase their tillage thisspring to try out soils, but Daigh says that won’t solve the problem.

“Tillage won’t dry out soil if you have a drainage problem,” Daigh explains.

STILL STANDINGIf growers are still waiting to get their remaining crops out of the field, Daigh urges farmers to avoid making ruts at all costs.

“Be patient waiting to get out there. Early snow has insulated the ground, so the frost is not very deep,” Daigh says.”

Farmers should also try

to minimize tillage be-cause Daigh says if the soil is too wet to plant, then it is too wet to till.

Daigh says farmers will also need to adjust their plantersto deal with high residue conditions before each field. That means adjustingrow cleaners, leveling planter bars, adjusting down pressure and closingwheels. Disc openers also need to be sharp.

If conditions remain wet, Daigh says growers may need to consider taking prevented planting.

In the haste to get crops harvested or planted, compacting soils has a negative affect on soil health and yield. Multiple years of research shows that avoiding compaction has long-term implications. “If you have rutted fields, next year’s crop yields will not be as high as you want no matter what you do,” Daigh says. “Compaction is a multi-year consequence


and repairing compaction is a multi-year process.”

Data from the University of Minnesota shows that both corn and soybean yields are substantially reduced in rut-ted areas due to compaction.

DEALING WITH RUTSWhen soils are compacted, Daigh says they reduce their ability to drain water. If ruts have been made in fields, Daigh recommends farmers to level off soil ruts by tillingonly as deep as the rut itself. Ruts should be filled in and leveled just enough for spring planting. Because subsoil dries slower than topsoil, deep tilling into wet subsoil will cause more compaction and smearing.

For ruts less than 4 inches deep, Daigh says a disc, cultivator, vertical till imple-ment or other typical sec-ondary tillage implementsshould suffice. For ruts deeper than 4 inches, farmersmay need several passes with a chisel plow to fill inthe ruts.

Regardless of the time of year or soil conditions, Daigh says soil compaction can be limited by properly adjusting implement tire pressures, minimizing the number of field passes, minimizing load size, controlling field traffic and avoiding wet soils. Overall, he says, patience is required.

Daigh is also a proponent of reducing tillage because me-chanical tillage homogenizes soil and can either weaken or compact soil structure. Till-age can also reduce drainage, which can keep soils wetter, longer. Reduced tillage allows soils to aggregate and lead to better drainage in most soils.

Strategies for Ruts• Level off soil ruts by tilling only as deep as the soil rut…

• Fill and level just enough for spring planting • Subsoil dries slower than topsoil• Tilling into wet subsoil will cause more compaction and smearing

• For ruts < 4 inches:• Disc, cultivator, vertical till, your typical secondary tillage implements

• For ruts > 4 inches: • Chisel plow for ruts deeper than 4 inches

• Will likely need multiple passes

• Properly adjust tire pressures

• Minimize # of field passes

• Minimize loads

• Control traffic

• Avoid wet soils

• Patients

Strategies for Any Year


Why I Invested in DrainageBy Dr. Lindsay Pease, Extension Nutrient Management Specialist

This past fall, I made the decision to invest in a new subsurface drainagesystem at the Northwest Research & Outreach Center (NWROC) in Crookston.

Over the next several years,I will be taking northwest Minnesota farmers on thisjourney with me as I evalu-ate my investment. Like any major financial in-vestment, there is someamount of risk involved in this decision. Times are hard right now, and not everyone can take on the risk of installing a new subsurface drainage system. We are doing this to helpyou decide whether in-vesting in drainage is right for your farm.I was willing to take this on because I do not be-

lieve that installing drainage is that much of arisk. I invested in drainage because I believe it will im-prove the profitability of ouroperations.

Previous drainage research conducted at NWROC from 2001 to 2004 indicatesthat we should look beyond grain yield as the only way to profit from subsurface drainageinstallation. The study showed that drainage had a limited impact on grain yield, but it increased grain protein content in spring wheat and soybeans. This research also found that subsurface drainage in-creased soil temperature.

Higher soil temperature combined with lower soil moisture improves field workability in the spring and fall. This will saveanother valuable resource

during planting and harvest: time.

This past October 2019, I designed and installed our new subsurface drain-age system with the help of Ellingson Companies. The system currently drains 30 acres of a 60-acre fieldowned and farmed by the NWROC. I divided the 60-acre field into four 15-acre plots: twodrained and two undrained.We designed the system so that we have the option to install drainage on the other 30 acres in the future.

My plan is to monitor the improvement in crop yield compared with our histori-cal averages and calculate the return on investment for our newly-drained field. I am also partnering withExtension soil health specialist Anna Cates to

look at changes in carbonpools now that we have made a fundamental change in soil conditions.

I will also measure the amount of fertilizer (nitrogen and phosphorus)lost in both surfacerunoff and subsurface discharge. If we see high levels of fertilizer comingoff the field, I will work with our NWROC farm manager and our Extension nutrientmanagement team ondifferent strategies to lower the concentrations. Lower-ing fertilizer application rates is by no means the only way to reduce nutrient loss in drainage discharge.

We can also look at howto place fertilizer so that it avoids transport into tile drains, and when to delay fertilizer applications based on the weather forecast. Our goal will be to minimize fertilizer losseswhile maintaining a profit-able operation.

Installation Day 1: October 17, 2019. The two lift stations were installed first. This image shows the lift stations on a truck, and the excavator machine ready to break ground. The field is still wet, as can be seen by the muddy tracks left by the excavator.

Dr. Lindsay Pease


Dr. Pease helps the crew from Ellingson join two pieces of drainage tile together during installation. (Photo: Mike Enright of Ellingson Drainage)

Down the line, I would like to build on this research by exploring new ways to filter residual nutrients out of drainage water without impacting in-field operations. Two notableexamples of current technologies that can do this are denitrify-ing bioreactors andphosphorus removal structures.

Any profit we make from our farm operations goes right back into a general fund to support the research that goes on here. That means that our investment can pay off in more waysthan one. If we can increase profits on this field, it will help NWROC faculty and staff keep answering the critical questions that you have about agriculture in the Red River Valley.

Keep track of the projectby following Lindsay on Twitter (@LPeaseUMN) UMN Nutrient Manage- ment on Facebook (UMN Extension Nutrient Man-agement) and Twitter, (@UMNNutrientMgmt) and subscribing to MinnesotaCrop News email alerts (https://blog-crop-news.extension.umn.edu/).

Lindsay will bepresenting updates at events across the state in the future, including NWROC’s annual Crop& Soils Field Day in Crookston on July 15, 2020.

Source: University of Minnesota Extension/ Minnesota Crop News. Reprinted with Permission. Water pumping out of the lift station on November 18, 2019.


Do Spring Sulfur Applications Increase Yieldat Harvest?

By Melissa Geiszler, MN Wheat Research and Promotion Council

With the increasing amount of sulfur (S) deficiency in spring wheat fields seen early in the growing season in northwestern MN, many producers wondered how beneficial spring sulfur applications would be for increasing wheat yield. In response, MN Wheat’s On-Farm Research Network (OFRN) began a project with MN’s Agricultural

Fertilizer Research and Education Council in 2017 to determine whether or not a spring sulfur applica-tion made a measurable effect on yield at harvest.

TRIAL SETUPThe on-farm trials took place at 15 locations from 2017-2019. Ammonium sul-fate (AMS) was broadcasted at 100 lbs per acre in the treated strips and compared to a no-sulfur control (N was balanced with urea between the treatment and control).

The sulfur treatment and control strips were repli-cated 3-4 times in the field. Individual plots were typi-cally 140 ft wide, depending on the size of the spreading equipment, and ran the full length of the field.

At harvest, yield was measured by weighing one pass of the combine through each plot in a weigh wagon or grain cart with a calibrated scale. Grain was also sampled from each plot to measure

moisture content, protein content, and test weight.

RESULTSAfter combining three years and 15 locations of data, we found no significant yield or protein differences between the S treatment and the control (Figure 1), with only one of the locations from 2019 showing a significant yield response to sulfur.

Similarly, the University of Minnesota tested several locations of sulfur applica-

Sulfur-deficient wheat. Photo by Dave Mengel, K-State Research and Extension.


tions to spring wheat in two small plot studies in northwest and central MN during 2008-2016, but did not find a yield or protein content response to sulfur applications in the majority of their locations (Kaiser et al., 2019). Their data sug-gested that soils with more than 2.0% organic matter are not likely to show a yield or protein increase in response to sulfur. They did find that on sandy, irrigated soils in central MN, spring wheat showed a positive yield response to sulfur, and as little as 7 lbs S per acre was enough to maximize wheat yield and protein.

This may explain some of the results from Figure 1, since none of the 15 loca-tions had soil tests with less than 2.0% organic matter.

SO, SHOULD I APPLY S TO WHEAT?When driving around the countryside in the spring in the weeks following plant-ing, invariably there are whole fields or fields with patches of yellow wheat. While a tissue test should be used to properly diagnose whether the problem is S, N, or something else, it’s safe to say at least some (or likely most) of the yellowing in the field during that time is

due to sulfur deficiency. If we know sulfur deficiency is out there, then why doesn’t it show up in the yield data?

It comes back to having the right conditions.

As with nitrate, S in the sulfate form is mobile in the soil and may leach in excessively wet conditions. In cold, wet springs like the ones in recent years, sulfur mineralization from the soil’s organic matter is minimal to very low until the soil warms up, leav-ing young wheat plants left hungry for S soon after emergence. These condi-

tions not only occur sandy soils with low organic mat-ter, but can also occur in low areas or hilltops where S has either leached away or where the organic matter has not supplied enough S to meet crop demand.

It can be difficult to test the variable response to S fertility with small plots since they are often placed in the more productive parts of the field. In the larger OFRN strip trials, small within-field variations in sulfur deficiency and a yield

continued on page 16

Figure 1

Figure 2


response to S application are difficult to detect at harvest if they deficiency did not span the major-ity of the harvested plot.

Another possible reason why we may not have seen a yield response to S is because of small amount of S required by the crop, compared to the larger quantities of N, P, and K that are needed. The current UMN recommendations for spring wheat are to apply 25 lbs S per acre broadcasted or 10-15 lbs S per acre with the drill prior to or at planting on sandy, low organic mat-ter soils. NDSU currently recommends applying 10

lbs S per acre at planting on all spring wheat fields. It is likely this small amount was supplied by the soil, or may have been present as a small residual from S applications made in years past at the test locations.

While applying S to wheat may not pay every year single year, applying 10 lbs S per acre at planting is insur-ance so that if conditions for S deficiency do develop in the field, the young wheat plants can continue grow-ing vigorously during criti-cal early growth stages.

For more information about the OFRN sulfur trials, see

the full report available on-line at https://mnwheat.org/farm-research-network/

ABOUT THE ON-FARM RESEARCH NETWORKMN Wheat’s On-Farm Research Network conducts field-scale replicated strip trials to answer the produc-tion questions of wheat producers in MN. Funding for this research has been provided by the MN Wheat Research & Promotion Council and the Agricul-tural Fertilizer Research an Education Council. Ques-tions can be directed to Melissa Geiszler, On-Farm Research Coordinator, by email at mgeiszler@mn-

wheat.com or by phone at 218-253-4311 Ext. 8.

REFERENCESD.E. Kaiser, A.K. Sutradhar, and J.J. Wiersma. 2019. Do hard red spring wheat varieties vary in their response to sulfur? Agron. J. 111:2422-2434.

W

Sulfur continued from page 15

Interested in on-farm research?

MN Wheat’s On-Farm Research Network is looking for MN wheat farmers to

participate in the 2020 research trials:

■ N-stabilizers ■ Elevated P + K fertility ■ Rye cover crop after wheat ■ Flag-leaf fungicides ■ Wheat seeding rates

For more information about these trials, contact Melissa Geiszler at 952-738-2000 [email protected]


A Northern Disease Migration By Dan Lemke,Spirited Communications

Soybean diseases that for years had been limited to fields in the southern United States are making their way to farms in Min-nesota and North Dakota.

Dr. Dean Malvick, Univer-sity of Minnesota Extensionplant pathologist says changing weather patterns that feature more rain and humidity are increasing the disease risk. Global travel and trade, new soybean varieties and changes in crop rotations and croppingsystems are having an impact. Time is also a factor.

“Problems tend to increase the longer we have soybeansin a particular field,” Malvicksays. “Issues tend to build up over the years.”

Malvick says soybean cyst nematode is a good example of a southern problem that’s moved north over time. Some other “southern”diseases are showing up in northern soybeans.

“We don’t want any of them,” Malvick contends, “but the fact is, they’re already here or they’re coming.”

FROGEYE LEAF SPOTHistorically uncommon in Minnesota, Frogeye Leaf Spot (FLS) instances increased in 2018 and 2019. Malvick says the disease reached high levels in a few Minnesota fields in 2019. FLS shows up as brown spots on leaves, surrounded by a dark reddish brown or

purple ring. Spots can coalesce, fall off and kill large portions of soybeanleaves. The FLS pathogenthrives in warm, humid weather.

“Frogeye Leaf Spot has been an issue south of I-80 for decades. The disease has been showing up more here in the last few years,” Malvick says. “Some fungi-cides were used in Minne-sota last year, but fungicide resistance is becoming an issue in some areas.”

Malvick says soybean yield losses of up to 30 percent have been reported in the southern U.S.

Best FLS management op-tions include planting resis-tant soybean varieties, crop rotation and tillage. Foliar fungicides can be effective as well. Malvick says there is no definite threshold for FLS, but growth stage, disease level and varietal susceptibility are key factors in determining if fungicide applications are necessary.

“Use fungicide products that contain active ingredients from different fungicideclasses for efficacy and resistance management,” Malvick adds.

WHITE MOLDWhite mold is not a new disease and it doesn’t just occur in soybeans.

“It’s one of the most com-mon diseases we have,” Malvick says.

White mold thrives with high moisture and humidity

during flowering, followed by cooler temperatures during and after flowering. White mold also is more common in fields with high soybean plant population. High soil fertility, espe-cially manure, can also increase the presence of white mold. Field history is also an important factor. “Know your fields, and if you can, pick a seed varietywith white mold resistance,” Malvick says.

Other factors that reduce the risk of white mold in-cluded decreasing planting density and increasing row spacing. Malvick sug-gests farmers consider fungicide application when rows are filling and the white mold risk is high.

A gall midge, different from the soybean gall midge, feeds on white mold. However, Malvick says it’s not a realistic biological control because the white mold grows faster than gall midge can eat it.

SUDDEN DEATH SYNDROMESudden Death Syndrome (SDS) has been spreading north and west into states including Minnesota, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. Severe SDS can result in yield losses greater than 50 percent. While SDS is primarily a root disease, it typically also affects leaves and causes defoliation.

SDS risk factors include the presence of the SDS pathogen and a field history of the disease. SDS thrives in compacted soils with

poor drainage and also prefers areas in fields with high SCN populations.Susceptible soybean variet-ies increase risk for SDS, as do rainy conditions through July and August.

Malvick suggests farmer begin looking for the disease the first week of August. SDS often first appears in low, poorly-drained, or com-pacted areas. Symptomsinclude yellow, diffuse spots on leaves.

“SDS isn’t widespread, but it’s likely to become an increasing problem,” Malvick says.

Planting soybean varieties resistant to SDS and using specific seed treatments can help reduce SDS impacts.

Dr. Malvick, U of M Extension plant pathologist

says changing weather patterns that feature more

rain and humidity are increasing the disease risk.



BROWN STEM ROTYears of soybean productioncan increase the risk for Brown Stem Rot (BSR), which can cause yield losses of up to 30 percent, although Malvick says 10 to 20 percent losses are more common. The BSR pathogen infects the inner stem, and symptoms may or may not be visible without splitting stems of infected plants.

BSR can cause significant yield reductions, and plants without visible symptoms on leaves may also suf-fer yield losses from five to 15 percent. BSR can cause premature senes-cence of infected plants.

Infestations are often most severe when cool tem-peratures and wet soils are present during pod fill, followed by dry soils. As with other soybean diseases, crop rotation and resistant soybean varieties are the best methods for combatting BSR.

Malvick says changing weather patterns and crop varieties lead to changes in soybean diseases and their risks.

“We don’t know what disease risks are over the horizon and around the bend,” Malvick says. “But we also can’t ignore estab-lished problems like white mold, SCN and others.”

Migration from page 17

Malvick recommends that farmers watch their fields for disease symptoms and stay informed on what’s out there. A good source for information for growers

comes from the Crop Protection Network. Descrip-tions and photos of com-mon soybean diseases and management options are available online at https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/.

Capture the value of today’s best genetics.

Plant North Dakota Certified Seed.


Pay Attention to Soybean Yield ThreatsBy Dan Lemke,Spirited Communications

Identifying an issue is a key factor in treating the problem. North Dakota State University (NDSU) researchers surveyed 400 fields, scouting for soybean stem diseases to determinewhat problems were pres-ent and which ones posed an economic threat.

A variety of root diseases were identified, includinganthracnose, stem canker and charcoal rot.

“Anthracnose not an eco-nomic problem in soybeans, but it can be confused with other diseases,” says NDSU Extension Plant Pathologist Sam Markell. “Northern stem canker in some cases can cause yield impact, and charcoal rot, in some environments can lead to yield loss.”

Markell says researchers found more stem diseases than expected in North Dakota, and he suspects farmers in Minnesota likely are facing the same problems.

“We’ve got a few more dis-eases that I didn’t expect,” Markell says. “It’s importantto know what they are because some cause yield issues, some don’t.”

Information on soybean stem diseases, including how to identify them is available at www.ag.ndsu.edu/extension.

A PERSISTENT PESTSoybean cyst nematode (SCN) is a growing problemfor northern soybean grow-ers. The parasitic worm can cause substantial yield loss with few above-ground symptoms. Not only does SCN feed on soybeans, dry edible beans and even

some weeds can be hosts. SCN favor average to dry soils that are high in pH. SCN spreads with anythingthat moves the soil includingfarm equipment, water and wind.

A vital first step in managingSCN is for farmers to know if they have an infestation. North Dakota Extension has a sampling program. Farmers can get sample bags from their county Extension office, mail in soil samples and get data returned by mail.

Markell says about 70 percent of samples tested in the past six years have been negative. But numbers in some areas are exploding.Samples with 10,000 eggs per 100 cubic centime-ters of soil are considered high. Some hotspots have been discovered with 40,000 to 60,000 eggs per 100 cubic centimeters.

“We know SCN is moving north,” Markell says.

The SCN Coalition was formed in 2018. The Coalition is a made up of universities, state soybean checkoff boards as well as agriculture companies all committed to combatting SCN and helping

farmers better manage the pest.

MANAGE THE PESTThe best way to manage SCN, according to Markell, is to keep egg numbers low. The first step is to find soil test to find out if SCN are present and at what level.

Planting resistant soybean varieties that don’t allow the parasite to multiply is a major SCN management tactic. There are two major resistance genes found in soybean varieties: PI88788 and Peking. Some SCN populations have overcome the PI88788 resistance, but Markell says the gene is still largely effective in Minnesotaand North Dakota.

“Rotate resistance like you rotate herbicides,” Markell says. “Rotate resistant varieties and resistances between PI88788 and Peking genes.”

Planting non SCN host crops like corn and wheat can help reduce egg num-bers. Treating seed with a nematicide can help, although Markell says there is limited data on seed treatment’s ability to affect egg numbers.

“Work to control SCN num-bers proactively. Take soil samples, rotate crops and resistance to try to stay on top of it,” Markell says. “It’s a situation we can manage.”

For more information on SCN and the SCN Coalition, visit www.thescncoalition.com.


More Than Meets the EyeBy Dan Lemke,Spirited Communications

Technology continues to shape the evolution of modern agriculture. North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension Agrono-mist Dr. Joel Ransom and fellow researchers won-dered if drone-collected normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data could help them estimate yield and pro-tein potential in wheat.

“There may be some les-sons we can learn from digital data collected by

drones,” Ransom says. “Can we use digital data to make better decisions?”

NDVI measures the ratio of the near-infrared and red light reflected from an object. NDVI readings are more precise than the human eye. Higher NDVI values may equate to better plant health, more nitrogen in plant tissue, and there-fore, potentially more yield.

Ransom says the NDVI readings have many poten-tial uses, but one intriguing possibility is to help with nitrogen management deci-

sions. Nitrogen affects leaf color, which can be detected through NDVI. Nitrogen is one of the most expensive fertility inputs. Having predictive in-season data could help guide farmers with in-season nitrogen application decisions.

In-season application of NDVI sensing in wheat has been limited, Ransom says. Researchers wonderedif they could make prescrip-tion maps for nitrogenin hard red spring wheat using that data.

Dr. Joel Ransom, (NDSU) Extension Agronomist




GATHERING DATAResearch was undertaken in 2018 and 2019. NDVI data was collected from drone-mounted sensors multiple times during growing the 2019 growing season. The test fields had nitrogen-rich strips, fertilized at 1.2 to 1.5 times normal fertility rates as well as nitrogen-limited strips, fertilized at .75 times the normal rate. The drone data was compared to satel-lite NDVI images from the previous season and yield maps from the 2019 harvest.

Ransom says the NDVI in-consistently predicted yield,

although the technology may be the most useful in situations when soil factors limit yield. In fields where yield data are lacking, the NDVI imaging may be a way to help farmers start to identify production zones.

Given the variability of yield, managing inputs by production zones has merit, Ransom says. NDVI maps of the previous season may be useful but less so than in-season from wheat.

Drones and data collec-tion are relatively simple, but the process of flying fields can be slow and it takes time to analyze data.

Ransom says farmers who are interested in using NDVI technology may need to enlist the help of software or a third party to develop production zones.

Research shows that wheat protein in the test fields was generally negatively associated with yield. The higher the yield, the lower the protein.

“To the extent we can predict yield with NDVI we can predict protein,” Ransom says, “although there are some importantexceptions.”

Ransom says extra nitrogen in zones that are likely to be high yielding may be best strategy for optimizing ni-trogen for protein and yield. Substantial variability in yield suggest benefits from variable rates of nitrogen.

Ransom says research shows NDVI inconsistently predicted yield, but the data could be a start in defin-ing zones in absence of yield maps or to augment yield map information.

Also, predicting protein with NDVI directly wasn’t possible, but it could be estimated indirectly by predicting yield.

Eye continued from page 20


The Bad and The UglyBy Dan Lemke,Spirited Communications

Wheat and barley grow-ers are facing an ever-increasing threat from Bacterial Leaf Streak (BLS). The disease can be found across the globe and has become more prominent in Minnesota and the Dakotas in recent years.

BLS invades the plant either through leaf pores or injury caused by wind or hail. The bacteria can spread by rain splash, ir-rigation, plant-to-plant contact and even by feed-ing insects. BLS can occur in wide temperature range, but does appear to prefer warm, humid conditions.

North Dakota State Uni-versity (NDSU) Extension Cereal Plant Pathologist Dr. Andrew Friskop says wheat plants appear to be most susceptible to BLS at flag leaf stage. BLS can be identi-fied by dark brown, water-soaked streaks on the leaves and bacterial ooze that is especially visible when the leaves are wet. Black chaff will also start to appear on

the seed head. Plant leaves will show signs of necrosis. “We don’t have a treat-ment option, so the best defense is host resis-tance,” Friskop says.

NDSU researchers con-ducted variety trials at a number of locations. BLS resistance was among the characteristics the scien-tists examined, applying a score to indicate a variety’s resistance level. Varieties with scores of 2 to 3 showed good BLS resistance, ratings of 5 to 6 were middle of the road and did show some leaf browning and necro-sis. Varieties that scored an 8 or 9 were susceptible to BLS and were at risk for substantial yield loss.

The NDSU research showed significant yield differences between resistant and sus-ceptible varieties. Friskop says varieties with a BLS resistance score of 5 were the breaking point. Any lower ratings and significant yield loss occurred.

“Above a 5, yield loss re-ally picks up,” Friskop says. “Looking ahead, a 5 and

above is a good place to start. Farmers planting an 8 or 9, could see 50 per-cent or more yield loss.”

FUSARIUM HEAD BLIGHTFriskop says fusarium head blight (FHB) was a widespread issue in 2019. Vomitoxin levels were high and test weights were low as a result.

While resistant varieties are a key defense against scab, Friskop says research shows well-timed fungicide treat-ments can be a big help in minimizing scab’s impact. Treatments for hard red spring wheat and barley do come with a limited window for maximum effectiveness.

“FHB fungicide timing should occur at early-flowering for wheat and at full-head for barley, and up to 4-7 days after,” Friskop explains.

Friskop says wheat re-searchers in ten states tested a relatively new wheat fungicide from Syngenta called Miravis® Ace for its effectiveness in suppress-ing scab. The research

showed Miravis Ace was an effective product, and ap-plication timing is similar to other fungicide products.

Wheat and barley growers are concerned with the impact thousands of acres of standingcorn in North Dakota and Minnesota will have on scab. Friskop says corn is a host for fusarium and the more residue is available, the better the chances the fungus will survive the winter and cause problems in the year ahead.

“Spring will tell,” Friskop explains, “but there’s a pretty good inoculum load heading into spring 2020.”

Dr. Andrew Friskop, NDSU Extension

Cereal Plant Pathologist

Source: NDSU


Wheat and Soybean FertilityBy Dan Lemke,Spirited Communications

Nutrients play a vital role in crop production. North Dakota State University NDSU) researchers regularly update their fertility recommendationsfor field crops like wheat and soybeans.

NDSU Extension Soil Scien-tist Dr. Dave Franzen says recommendations are not yield goal-based, they’re based on economics.

For wheat, Franzen says research shows starter phosphorous is important

to wheat productivity while chloride and micronutrients are of minor importance, unless soil organic matter above 10 percent. Nitrogen,meanwhile, is a key nutrientand NDSU offers an on-line nitrogen calculatorthat helps farmers make fertility decisions.

“Use the N calculator for wheat for the most profitable N rates,” Franzen explains. “Use common sense todetermine the rate best suit-ed to your farm and variety.”

Franzen says yield goals are not a factor in deter-mining nitrogen rates.

Farmers can download an app for Android and iPhone. The app includes the avail-able nitrogen calculators for corn, wheat and sunflowers.

Chloride is not as importantfor wheat as it is for malting barley especially if soil test is low. Chloride increasesplump and helps to reduce the effect of lower barley yield due to reduced kernel size.

SOYBEAN FERTILITY Iron Deficiency Chlorosis IDC) is a concern in EasternNorth Dakota. Iron makes up about 5 percent of North Dakota soils by weight.

Only a tiny fraction is ever available to plants. As soon as ferrous iron is exposed to oxygen, it oxidizes to oxidized or ferric iron. Ferric iron is a trillion times less soluble than ferrous iron. Plants implement iron uptake strategies to improve iron nutrition and avoid deficiency.

In soybeans, iron is mobile in the plant from germi-nation through the first mono-foliate leaf. As the first trifoliate leaf emerges, iron becomes immobile in the plant and must be taken up continually through the season to avoid deficiency.

The soybean strategy for iron uptake begins by soy-bean roots acidifying the soil environment directly around the soybean root. An acidic soil environment is necessary for the activity of an iron-reducing proteinthat the soybean root secretes. If the root remains acidic, the iron-reducing protein contacts oxidized iron and reduces it to soluble ferrous iron, makingit available to the plant

NDSU research shows the best application to reduce IDC is an ortho-ortho-EDDHA iron che-late applied with water in-furrow at seeding. The ortho-ortho-EDDHA not only succeeds in deliveringiron to the plant root early in the season, but it also has the ability to go back into the soil solution, bind to additional iron and deliver it to the plant root with the soil water stream.


Research shows that soybeans and soil salts don’t go together well. Soybean yields were re-duced by 15 percent with a soil electrical connec-tivity (EC) rating of 1.5. Because soybeans may not thrive in all soils, Franzen says it’s important that growers plant the crop in a favorable environment.

“Selecting which fields will support a successful soybean crop is not a trivial thing,” Franzen says.

Franzen says fields with low carbonates or slightly acid soils are preferred. Select fields with EC no higher than 1.5 and parcels

with decent drainage. If soybean will be planted in a field for the first time, the seed will need to be inoculated with soybean inoculum. Several in-oculums types can be used: peat-based, liquid-based or granular.

NDSU research shows that inoculation is not neces-sary or helpful if the field has had a successfullynodulated soybean field within the past 4 years.

“Supplemental nitrogen is not helpful unless the nodulation is a total disaster and the leaf tissue indicates a nitrogen deficiency,” Franzen adds.

Phosphorous is only needed for yield increase when soil test shows 7 parts per mil-lion or less. NDSU research indicates that broadcast or band-seed separated phosphorous is best. Seed-placed phosphorous does not increase yield in most trials and can decrease yield, especially if the soil becomes dry after seeding.Franzen says in-season

foliar sprays for nitrogen,phosphorous and potas-sium are almost never effective at achieving a financial payback, let alonegenerate a profit.

NDSU’s entire updated soybean fertility informa-tion is available online at https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/publications/crops/soybean-soil-fertility.

There’s an App for that...There is an App for Android and iPhones for

the 3 N calculators, including wheat.

Go to the App store and search for North Dakota Crop Nitrogen Calculator and follow the instructions.

It is free to download.


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Farm Groups Join Forces for Sustainabilityand Responsible Climate PolicyTwenty-one farm groups publicly launched Farmers for a Sustainable Future, (FSF) https://www.fb.org/land/fsf . The coalition’s mission is to share U.S. agriculture’s commitment to sustainability and the tremendous strides that have already been made to reduce agriculture’s environmental footprint.

FSF will serve as a resource for lawmakers as they con-sider climate-related poli-cies, providing its guiding principles as a foundation to further advance adoption of conservation programs. FSF’s principles call for poli-cies that support science-based research, voluntary incentive-based conserva-tion programs and invest-ment in infrastructure.

Corn farmers have long been leaders in working to improve the quality of soil, water and air around our farms through NCGA programs, including the Soil Health Partnership (SHP).

More about the coalition, guiding principles and sustainability achieve-ments can be found at sustainablefarming.us.

Also, USDA Secretary Perdue announced a new USDA departmen-tal initiative called, “The Agriculture Innovation Agenda” https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releas-es/2020/02/20/secretary-perdue-announces-new-innovation-initiative-usda.

The members include American Farm Bureau Fed-eration, American Pulse As-sociation, American Sugar Alliance, American Soybean Association, National As-sociation of Wheat Growers,National Barley Growers Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Associa-tion, National Corn Grow-ers Association, National Cotton Council of America, National Council of Farmer

Cooperatives, National Farmers Union, National Sorghum Producers, National Milk Producers Federation, National Pork Producers Council, Nation-al Sunflower Association, Southern Peanut Farmers Federation, United Egg Pro-ducers, US Canola Associa-tion, US Dry Bean Council, USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council, and USA Rice.

RESILIENCY & CLIMATE ADAPTION BEGINS WITH USWe represent U.S. farmers and ranchers who are committed to producing the world’s food, feed and fiber supply in a sustainable way. Farmers and ranchers continue to be stewards of the land by promoting soil health, conserving water, enhancing wildlife, efficiently using nutrients and caring for their animals. For decades they have pushed past the boundaries of innovation by investing in agricultural research and adopting practices with the goals of improving productivity, providing clean and renewable energy, and enhancing sustainability.

90%

130%

170%

210%

250%

290%

1948 1958 1968 1978 1988 1998 2008

Index, 1948 = 100%

Total Farm Inputs*

Total Agricultural Output**

+28%

+56%

+97%

+148%

+223%

Methane Digesters

Windmills

Wind Rights

Solar

Geoexchange Heating

*Includes transportation, electricity, commercial and residential sectors of the economy

U.S. Agriculture’s Share Of GHG Emissions, 2017 2/

U.S. farms are producing more food, feed and fiber without using more resources, helping to save water and soil, enhance biodiversity and conserve energy.

+270%

Growth is driven by productivity gains, not

more cropland or livestock

U.S. farmers and ranchers are adopting and investing in RENEWABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY sources. In the last five years, farmers and ranchers have put in 132% more renewable energy sources including geothermal, solar panels, windmills, hydro systems and methane digesters. More than 130,000 operations employ renewable energy sources.

Farmers Are Providing More Clean & Renewable Energy 3/

U.S. Farms Are Boosting Productivity While Conserving Resources 1/

Livestock Emissions

Global agricultural GHG emissions are 24%, but because of U.S. FARMERS’ & RANCHERS’ CONSERVATION efforts and IMPROVEMENTS inTECHNOLOGY, U.S. farmers have a LOWER GHG CONTRIBUTION than other farmers around the world, averaging 9% over the last decade.

Total acres U.S. farmers have enrolled in certain USDA conservation programs. Equal to the total land area of California & New York. This does not include millions of acres in voluntary - or state-led conservation practices.

>15% Of All Farmland Is Used For Conservation & Wildlife Habitat Efforts 3/ 4/

+140,000,000 Acres

Change from 2012

BeefCattle 2%

DairyCattle <1% Pork <.3%

2015

*Inputs include land, labor, capital and machinery, and materials including energy, fertilizer and chemicals.**Outputs include crops, livestock, fruits and vegetables, fiber and other agricultural commodities.

*Includes CRP, CSP, EQIP and VPA-HIP active and completed contracts through fiscal years 2017

*

Total Agriculture9%

The use of ETHANOL AND BIODIESEL in 2018 reduced GHG emissions by 71 MMT– equivalent to 17 MILLION CARS off the road.

Non-Ag Sectors*91%


90%

130%

170%

210%

250%

290%

1948 1958 1968 1978 1988 1998 2008

Index, 1948 = 100%

Total Farm Inputs*


+28%

+56%

+97%

+148%

+223%

Methane Digesters

Windmills

Wind Rights

Solar

Geoexchange Heating




+270%






Livestock Emissions




+140,000,000 Acres

Change from 2012

BeefCattle 2%


2015



*

Total Agriculture9%


Non-Ag Sectors*91%

= +


90%

130%

170%

210%

250%

290%

1948 1958 1968 1978 1988 1998 2008

Index, 1948 = 100%

Total Farm Inputs*


+28%

+56%

+97%

+148%

+223%

Methane Digesters

Windmills

Wind Rights

Solar

Geoexchange Heating




+270%






Livestock Emissions




+140,000,000 Acres

Change from 2012

BeefCattle 2%


2015



*

Total Agriculture9%


Non-Ag Sectors*91%


90%

130%

170%

210%

250%

290%

1948 1958 1968 1978 1988 1998 2008

Index, 1948 = 100%

Total Farm Inputs*


+28%

+56%

+97%

+148%

+223%

Methane Digesters

Windmills

Wind Rights

Solar

Geoexchange Heating




+270%






Livestock Emissions




+140,000,000 Acres

Change from 2012

BeefCattle 2%


2015



*

Total Agriculture9%


Non-Ag Sectors*91%


Become a MAWGBecome a MAWG Member Today!Member Today!

The Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers places a high

priority on legislative issues such as crop insurance, the farm bill, wheat research

funds and water and other environmental issues.

By joining the Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers, you become an important member of an organization that is committed to providing you with the latest advancements and improvements in the wheat industry.

Choose the type of membership that is best for you and your farm operation. Call the MAWG office at 218-253-4311 to join.

Visit mnwheat.org to join today.Visit mnwheat.org to join today.

2019 Membership full page ad (Jan 2020 issue #173).indd 12019 Membership full page ad (Jan 2020 issue #173).indd 1 12/31/2019 10:11:19 AM12/31/2019 10:11:19 AM


Fine Tuning Soybean ProductionBy Dan Lemke,Spirited Communications

The 2019 growing season didn’t do many farmers any favors. The combina-tion of a wet spring, late planting, periods of dry weather and early snow made for a challenging year for soybean production.

North Dakota State Uni-versity (NDSU) Extension Agronomist Dr. Hans Kandel says in addition to planting and harvest chal-lenges, weather conditions also influenced soybean quality in the region.

“We had lower protein in 2019 compared to the ten-year average,” Kandel says. “Oil content was lower, too.”

Weather conditions influ-ence both oil and protein content. Northern-grown soybeans typically have a lower crude protein content than soybeans grown in warmer, southern climates. However, northern soy-beans generally have higher levels and a better mix of essential amino acids, the key building blocks that make up crude protein. Essential amino acid levels remained strong in 2019.

NDSU researchers conduct dozens of soybean-related research projects. Among those projects are variety trials from a range of differ-ent locations and agronomic conditions. Farmers can gather important infor-mation to make planting decisions based on how soybean varieties per-formed in areas with similar environmental influences.

Results of the 2019 trialsare available online at https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/varietytrialS/soybean/2019-trial-results.

IRON DEFICIENCY CHLOROSISKandel says one of the major soybean production issues for soybean is iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC). IDC is expressed in new leaf tissue by yellowing, while the veins remain green. Leaf tissue and the growing point can die, and yield can be significantly reduced.

Kandel says soil high in salts and carbonates are at increased IDC risk. Iron is an insoluble nutrient, and with increased soil pH, the plant is unable to uptake the required amount of iron.

North Dakota Planted Acres by Crop 2017-2019

0

1000000

2000000

3000000

4000000

5000000

6000000

7000000

8000000

Spring Wheat Soybean Corn Canola2017 2018 2019


Soil conditions prone to IDC are high pH soils, cool wet soils, poorly drained soils and high saline soils.

Planting varieties that are IDC tolerant is one way that farmers can combat the issue.

“The NDSU soybean variety book has IDC scores for each of the varieties we tested,” Kandel says. “There are quite a few varieties within tolerance levels. If you have an issue with IDC, you have to pay attention to IDC score.”

Kandel says that if soybean varieties have a 0.1 differ-ence in IDC score, farmers are giving up a potential 1.1 bushels of yield.

“If you have IDC issues, the score is critical,” Kandelsays. “There is a strong correlation between IDC score and yield.”

SEEDING DECISIONSOther NDSU research focused on row spacing and soybean seeding rates. Researchers tested 12-inch and 24-inch rows with a variety of seeding rates from 80,000 seeds per acre to 200,000 seeds per acre.

“The purpose is to captureas much sunlight as possible. We can manipulate spacing and population to capture sunlight,” Kandel says.

Some seeds don’t emerge, and some plants die

during the growing season, so seeding rate doesn’t equate to live plants.

Kandel says research shows there was some increased yield going from 24-inch to 12-inch rows. More plants growing close together were also able to get more iron from the soil, reducing IDC impacts.

Kandel says research from on-farm tests showed popu-lations of 167,500 plants per acre gave the highest return. Economics play a big role in profitability of seed population. Kandel says if farmers plant a lower cost variety, they may be able to increase seeding rate to maximize profitability.

Planting date is an important factor in determining soybean yield. Kandel says research shows soybeans lose .35 bushels per acre per day yield potential from May 1 through June 1.

Later planted soybeans miss out on yield potential because they don’t capture as much solar radiation.

“If you can plant early, do it,” Kandel explains. “But use common sense.”

Planting a later maturing variety is also preferred. Kandel says farmers can gain as much as .77 bushelsper acre for every 0.1 increase in maturity grouprating.

15


Cost of Production: What Is It?By Jessica A. HansonFarm Business ManagementInstructor, Northland Community and Technical College

As a Farm Business Man-agement Instructor and a farmer, I knew that meeting with farmers last fall and winter was going to be full of emotion. There wasn’t a single farming enterprise that had it easy in 2019. Our crop farmers dealt with fall-ing numbers and vomitoxin in wheat, discolored soy-beans, low test weight and high moisture corn. Then Mother Nature left us with excessive moisture and flooding leaving soybeans, corn, potatoes, and sugar beets in the fields. Livestock farmers dealt with high feed prices and one of the

toughest winters that we had seen in over 20 years. Going into the fall 2019, hay, straw, cornstalk bales, sugar beet pulp and tailing, and potatoes were in short sup-ply for livestock feed. With all of this going on farmers also had to deal with low commodity prices.

Farmers are wondering where to go from here. What crops can I plant in 2020 to help my cash flow? Will my farm even cashflow? There isn’t a simple answer that will work for every farm but there are risk manage-ment tools to help farmers and one of them is knowing your cost of production. So why does this mat-ter and how can it help? First let me explain what all goes into figuring out your

cost of production. There are two types of expenses; direct and indirect ex-penses. Direct expenses are directly related to the cost of producing a specific com-modity such as seed, fertil-izer, chemical, land rent, and crop insurance. If you change acres from corn to wheat, direct expenses will change. Indirect expenses are necessary to the farming operation but are not depen-dent on a specific enterprise.

You can change your crop and livestock plan, and indirect expenses will not change. Examples of indirect expenses are ma-chinery leases, intermedi-ate and long term interest expenses, real estate taxes, and professional fees and dues. These expenses will

not change if you switch acres from corn to wheat.

Every once in a while I have a farmer ask me why it is worth it to figure out the cost per acre. The farmer tells me “it is what it is and I can’t change that.” While I agree that some things

Copyright © 2020 Center for Farm Financial Management, University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. Page 1

January 1, 2020 Expected 2020 production: 30,000 bushels

Objective: Buy crop insurance to protect my production risk, and have 75% of my APH insured wheat crop priced by mid-June.

Price 5,000 bushels at $5.50 cash price ($6.00 September futures) using forward contract/futures

hedge/futures fixed contract. Price 5,000 bushels at $6.00c/$6.50f, or by April 7, pricing tool to be determined (“tbd”). Price 2,500 bushels at $6.50c/$7.00f, or by April 21, pricing tool tbd. Price 5,000 bushels at $7.00c/$7.50f, or by May 7, pricing tool tbd. Price my last 5,000 bushels at $7.50c/$8.00f, or by June 5, pricing tool tbd.

Plan starts on January 1, 2020. Earlier sales may be made at a 50-cent premium and would be limited to 15,000 bushels. I will consider the Dec’20 futures contract for new crop sales at a 12-cent premium to Sep’20. Ignore decision dates and make no sale if prices are lower than $5.50 local cash price/$6.00 September futures.

Grain Marketing Center for Farm Financial Management University of Minnesota http://www.cffm.umn.edu/GrainMarketing/marketingplans.aspx

Spring Wheat: 2020 Pre-Harvest Marketing Plan by Edward Usset

Copyright © 2020 Center for Farm Financial Management, University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.

Jessica HansonNCTC FBM Instructor


Name: Date: 2/1/20

Crop Wheat Soybeans Corn Sugarbeets Sunflowers Edible Beans Hay Wht-share Soy-shareAcres 500.0 500.0Yield 65.0 35.0

Work Units/Acre 30 30 55 110 40 45 20 30 30Total Work Units/Crop 15000 15000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Direct Exp/Acre:

Seed 20.50 60.15Fertilizer 78.00 32.50Chemicals 33.00 28.20Crop Insurance 12.20 11.50Direct Custom HireDirect Labor * Land Rent 80.00 80.00 * J.Venture Other

Total Direct Costs/Acre 223.70 212.35 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00Net Ovhd & Other Costs/A. 68.53 68.53 125.64 251.28 91.37 102.80 45.69 68.53 68.53Total Costs/Acre 292.23 280.88 125.64 251.28 91.37 102.80 45.69 68.53 68.53

20% less yield 5.62 10.03 #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0!10% less yield 5.00 8.92 #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0!Breakeven price 4.50 8.03 #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0!10% higher yield 4.09 7.30 #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0!20% higher yield 3.75 6.69 #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0!

Income:Fuel & Oil 17,250 Gov't Pymt 18,000Repairs & Supplies 24,300 CRP Profit is:Other Custom Hire 8,000 Unit RetainsOther Labor Other Inc 1,500Mach & Bldg Leases 600 Total Inc: 19,500RE Taxes Total Rent 80,000Farm Insurance 4,225 68,530 Acres 1000.0Utilities 2,175 Ave. per acre 80.00Dues & Fee's 2,250Misc Exp 1,800 1000.0Operating Interest 3,680 Total JVPrin & Int - Term Pymts 16,250 30000 Beet AcresFam Living-NonFarm Inc 7,500 Ave. JV/Acre #DIV/0!

Total Ovhd & Other Costs: 88,030 2.28

*-Land Rent averaged over all acres (owned & cash rented)

Total Overhead & Other Costs:

Total Work Units:

Net Ovhd & Other Costs/Unit:

Cost of Production Sample

42,983

*-Joint Venture costs averaged over all sugarbeet acresTotal Acres:

(Total Ovhd - Income)

If you can market 15% above breakeven:

Change Inputs in Shaded Areas - Intended to be used as a guide only.

Net Overhead & Other Costs:

Josh Tjosaas/Ron Dvergsten: FBM-Northland College

cannot be changed, know-ing your cost of produc-tion can help a farm make vital decisions. Here are my three reasons to know your cost of production.

First on the list is under-standing which crops are profitable. Knowing your cost of production can help you see what crops are making the farm money or are losing money. Every farm is different and one crop maybe the main money maker for one farm but may not make money for another farm. Keeping a history on the farm’s profit and losses on a crop can help a farm eliminate the crop that is losing money.

Your cost of production can help a you decide on crop marketing. If you know your breakeven number for a crop, it is a good starting point to market a percentage of your crop. It is often rec-ommended to market a little at a time even if it is only at your breakeven price. This gives you a starting point to begin making sales, and if possible, sell when prices rally to profitable levels too.

Lastly, knowing your cost of production can help you improve farm practices. Un-derstanding your numbers allows you to benchmark with similar farms and iden-tify where improvements can be made. Is your fertil-izer too low or high? How about your seed costs? Often

overlooked are overhead expenses. Too much labor, or unnecessary machinery,can add up quickly.

To calculate your cost of production, you will need to spend some time on organizing and completing your paperwork. You need to know where every dollar that comes into the farmingoperation comes from and where every dollar goes in farm operation. Findingyour cost of production starts with good record keeping and an accurate balance sheet. There are several good software pro-grams to help keep track of your income and expense.

Once you have established a good system of keeping

your records you can then breakdown your income and expenses by crop and by acre. I have a sample spreadsheet that we use as Farm Business Management Instructors to figure cost of production. It is a simple example of a 1000 acres soy-bean and wheat operation. Remember there are many resources to help you get started with good record keeping and calculating your cost of production.

Take the time to invest in your farming operation. Every farm must start some-where but the important thing is to get started! The time and effort you take will never be a waste of time and can lead to good decisions with increased profits.


GET A HEAD START ON HEAD SCAB.

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