LOOKING AT THE DATA
As crop growers, it must be nearly a full time job at times of the year trying to analyze all the plots, side-by-side trials and government information to make an informed and economically beneficial management decision regarding management practices for your operation.
SOYBEAN TOP PODS…. WHAT ARE THEY WORTH?
We’ve all walked soybean fields and observed how sometimes the top cluster of pods is finished nicely and sometimes they aren’t. Many use the term “Florida pods” to describe these, since the yield from them represent the extra profit that can take the family on a trip to Florida.
PROTECTING YOUR INOCULANTS AND BIOLOGICALS
This is a must do!!
REMEMBER – These are living organisms that need to be protected and handled with care!!
BABY STEPS TO BIGGER YIELDS
It’s the time of year when all of us in crop production start doing the analyzing about what we did right or wrong in this year’s cropping program. ALPINE’s the same in that we look over yield data from the many plots we put out each season, trying to find new and different products to boost grower’s profits.
WHEAT PLANTING 2017
Wheat planting season will soon be upon us and it is important to plan ahead before putting the first seed in the ground. The previous crop has a part to play in planting this year’s wheat.Read more
4R’S ON YOUR FARM
On the educational circuit this winter, discussion around the 4R’s is in the forefront of cropping systems topics. By now hopefully everyone understands what the 4R’s represent in managing a crop fertility program: 1) the right source 2) the right placement 3) the right rate and 4) the right timing.
2 X 2 EQUALS?
In today’s agriculture, the buzz word is “precision”. Sometimes we jump over the basics and directly to “high tech”.
ROOTS ‘R US
When was the last time you dug a corn plant or soybean plant in a field to take a look at the roots? They are out of sight and they are quite often out of mind.
MY TOUGHEST CRITIC
During the course of any year on our farm we usually go through a similar cycle. I come up with some crazy idea that I heard at a farm show somewhere or my favorite – from a customer who is having good results with something that is a non typical approach to a common problem. Really the direct interaction with the farmers I interact with makes me a much better farmer. The passion, ideas, drive and ability never stops inspiring me – but I digress. The cycle then continues with selling the idea or concept to my dad, some fail and some succeed. The next step is me figuring out a way to put the approved idea into action. Once the combine rolls in the fall the proof will be in the pudding so to speak, and then comes the judgment phase of our cycle when my dad determines whether he feels it was a success or a failure. This is also the point where I try to quantify the changes and resell him on why we did what we did.
THE GREAT ESCAPE “PLOT”
I know I know; another industry rep talking to you about plots, that’s the last thing you need! I will be the first one right there to agree with you; plots are a pain and they probably always will be. I have been doing them myself for the better part of 26 years and I haven’t hit 40 yet!!! However, even though I know they are very time consuming, I also understand the importance of even the smallest plot, no matter how it happened.
