Planting Pointers
Should you try twin-row corn?
Twin-row corn has gained interest as a way to potentially increase yields without some of the difficulties and costs of switching to narrow rows. For this reason, Pioneer Hi-Bred conducted extensive on-farm research in 2010 comparing yield in twin and 30-inch rows.
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Deal promptly with volunteer corn
Volunteer corn has proven to be more than just a nuisance, with major yield reductions to both corn and soybean crops, says Purdue University Extension weed scientist Bill Johnson.
Problems with the weed arise when corn kernels that dropped during harvest persist in the soil, overwinter and grow in the spring. In many areas, volunteer corn has become increasingly difficult to control.
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Alfalfa questions answered
Good quality alfalfa is the cornerstone of any dairy farm forage ration. It takes a lot of effort to figure out what management practices work best on your farm. “This article contains just some of the questions and answers that have often come across my desk regarding good alfalfa management,” says Wayne Schoper, University of Minnesota Nicollet County extension educator.
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Know your field history to stop disease in its tracks
Controlling crop diseases starts with keeping accurate field records even before the seeds are planted and continuing through harvest, a Purdue Extension specialist advises.
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How profitable is your alfalfa stand?
Is your alfalfa stand as profitable in the fourth year as it was in the second year? Or vice versa? A calculator developed by experts at the University of Wisconsin can help you make that determination.
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New tools available to help with corn decisions
To help you better prepare for spring planting and maximize their productivity, Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, offers corn growers an online plantability tool and planting guidelines. This tool and plantability information provide precise recommendations for individual seed batch numbers for a wide range of planters.
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Plan for 2011 crop production expenses now
The cost of growing crops is expected to grow in the year ahead, according to Purdue University estimates.
The 2011 Purdue Crop Cost & Return Guide projects that farmers could see double-digit increases in variable costs, which include fertilizer, seed, pesticides, fuel, machinery and other expenses not related to labor or land rental.
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Seed selection decisions critical
Get the facts when selecting 2011 corn hybrids.
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Drought-tolerant crops developed through modern breeding are key
Drought-tolerant crops developed through modern breeding are key to sustainably increasing production —
discussion on opportunities and challenges of maize cultivation under dry conditions.
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The right silage corn for every acre
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Planting delays or replant situations
Pioneer Account Manager offers advice on corn hybrid maturity in these situations.
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