Producers Blog

Scott Dugan
(Sales Agronomist, Region 3 – Western Nebraska)

The 2014 growing season included a little bit of everything that Mother Nature could muster, except heat. It was actually the third coolest on record. The year consisted of reoccurring weather systems that brought some form of severe weather each and every week. Whether in the form of hail, tornadoes, high winds or flooding caused by heavy cold rains, we experienced it all in Nebraska. It was rare to hear a grower that had not been affected by weather at some point in the 2014 growing season.

Entering the spring of 2014, the majority of the region was dry and cold which gave way to wetter conditions later on in the year. Winter had provided periods of extreme cold but little moisture. There were consecutive weeks from December 2013 to February 2014 of sub-zero temperatures that affected the mortality rate of offspring insects such as corn rootworm.  Rootworm had been a growing concern entering 2014, but because of the cold winter or the switch in corn acres, the overall pressure of CRW was down in 2014. The month of April provided some hope of warmth, which quickly subsided the second week in May with five consecutive nights that were below freezing. These temperature drops can create major issues with emergence and overall stand with its effect on soil temperature. Cold soils can cause seedling diseases and imbibitional chilling. Tillage practices, crop residue and soil texture influenced the effect these cold temperatures had on soil temperature. June was mostly dry followed by a mild and wet July and August. September had a frost that limited some areas ability to finish black layer. Disease was a huge concern given the weather pattern: cool, good humidity and crop injury (high winds & hail). Goss’s Wilt was observed early but the progression was slow. Gray leaf spot, which is the #1 yield robbing disease, was again observed early but didn’t really progress beyond the ear leaf. Harvest was slightly delayed and wet due to the mild temperatures. Stalk and root rots are a given side effect of year we have been dealt. The cold planting conditions contributed to the root rots and the mild and wetter mid-season conditions contributed to the crown rots that have been noticed this harvest. Given the many obstacles, harvest 2014 is complete and yield reports have been great.

Overall performance of our products in Nebraska was very good this year. The new additions in our lineup have giving us some excellent results this year and the yield results in our NET trials show our new experimental products having tremendous performance and look to be great additions to our existing commercial lineup going forward. To view plot data, visit our website and click the “Yield Results” button. You can sort the data to your liking or feel free to contact your local District Sales Manager for additional information.