Each year, our agronomists focus on a special project – here’s a look some of their findings in 2017.
The 2017 special projects were conducted to address certain questions that farmers were consistently asking our DSMs, and we wanted to conduct these projects on a large scale in local fields with farmers using normal management decisions and inputs. That way the results were “real life” scenarios that farmers could relate to their own farm. Since the projects were large scale, we were not able to get enough replications to be confident in the findings but we feel the process worked extremely well and DSMs/growers have been very interested in the results. We hope to get a bigger testing platform out in 2018 that would confirm the results.
The Process: The questions being asked revolved around hybrid population and pH:
- “What population should I plant this hybrid at?” “How much flex does it have?” “Will it stand at higher populations?”
- “How does it handle high pH?” (Corn and Soybeans)
With these questions in mind we tried to find a process that could give us answers.
- Hybrid population
- Equipment Needed:
- Ability to variable rate
- Harvest monitor
- Pivot
- Wanted large-scale testing, so we used whole-field passes. We tried to find fields that were consistent in soil type, slope, production and had pivot irrigation. Reason being, if soil type, slope and production (yield) were consistent, then no single rate should have an advantage or disadvantage. Pivot irrigation allows us to remove natural precipitation as a variable and gauge hybrid flex. Therefore, if a hybrid has ample water, how much can it truly produce at lower populations.
- We did eight rows per hybrid and variable rated the hybrid as the planter went across the field. A planting prescription was used that started at 20k and increase 4k up to 44k. The seven rate changes were all approximately 250ft in length, removing the outsides to avoid edge effects and turn rows. Once planted, we used the as-applied data to know exactly what rates were planted where. We then made several observations during the year regarding emergence, vegetation, plant height, disease, ear formation and standability. Once harvest was completed, we overlaid the data onto our as-applied planting data and got our “Yield by population”.
- pH performance
- Equipment Needed:
- Field required +8.0pH in soybeans and +8.2pH in corn. Took soil samples to confirm soil pH and nutrient levels. Planted four rows soybeans and corn, made observations throughout year regarding root development, vigor, disease, IDC tolerance, vegetation, grain fill and standability. Used a weigh wagon to measure productivity.
These projects have revealed a few interesting observations and results. As mentioned, we would like to expand the number of these projects in order to confirm the results. If you would be interested in doing a population or pH project in 2018, please let your DSM or Sales Agronomist know.
