This time of the year on the farm is always busy with planting, managing crops, getting supplies, moving tractors from field to field, troubleshooting problems, fixing equipment…..the list goes on and on.  So, you certainly get the picture.  There is much to do but little time to do it, right?  IF you planted over a… Read More It May be a Good Time to Stop and Assess our Corn Crop

IF you are watching the weather forecast for the state, it will get much colder over the next few days.  Just how cold remains to be seen.  When it comes to our corn crop, should I be concerned?  First, I will point you to Dr. Eric Prostko’s blog post, https://ugaweedscience.blogspot.com/ , regarding the potential spraying… Read More Cold Days Ahead for Corn

What is climate-smart agriculture?  Well…..there are a lot of definitions of this term and they don’t always mean the same thing, but it is about to become policy in many areas of our government.  Taking a tag line from the movie Apollo 13, “Houston, we have a problem”.  USDA published in the Federal Register a… Read More Climate Smart Agriculture?

In the southern part of the state, corn growers are busy either planting or preparing ground to plant. Every day is crucial to move towards hitting the ideal window for good yields in corn. Yet, so many other needs on the farm, need the same attention. If you happen to have any small grain production,… Read More Check Your Small Grain Fields for Aphids

A big mistake that I see growers make in an attempt to be effective in controlling weeds in corn is waiting too long before they take action.  Most of the time, it is with good intentions.  Too many growers wait in hopes of getting most or all of the weeds to emerge before applying a… Read More Early Weed Control A Must in Reducing Yield Loss in Field Corn

Ok…What is a flag test? Simply, it is a way to look at and determine factors that influence corn seed emergence and the affect that it has on yield. This test takes a little time going to the field every day watching for your seed to germinate and emerge.  Once you start you will see… Read More Is a Flag Test in Corn of any Value?

It’s simple really. Have you noticed in previous years, that some seeds are emerging over several days or some that are weeks behind? Do you notice you always have some plants that are smaller and seemingly behind? Did you think about why? Or what may have caused it? Are you getting doubles, skips or very… Read More Will Your Planting Equipment Cost You Yield in the 2021 Corn Season?

Yes, this is a rhetorical question just to get a thought out and on to paper, well the blog. Two weeks ago, I wrote an entry with this paragraph, ” There are many moving parts to getting ready to a new crop year. Checking on equipment, ordering seed, pesticides, fertilizer, fuel, and parts as you… Read More Are You Ready for the 2021 Corn Season?

Last Friday, USDA announced several changes to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), including updating payments to accurately compensate some producers who already applied for the program and expanding eligibility for some agricultural producers (swine, turfgrass sod, pullets, contracts livestock growers). These changes utilized remaining CARES Act and CCC funds, but do not impact funds… Read More USDA Changes to CFAP