Monthly Archives: February 2011

From the FieldPushing Corn Populations

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With corn pushing $6 to $7 per bushel, many farmers will look at pushing corn populations to increase yield even more this year.

“Trying to uncover the mystery behind plant populations” is the focus of a recent Wallaces Farmer article, featuring Latham’s own Nick Benson. As corn product specialist and Northeast Iowa regional sales manager, Nick had the opportunity to share his thoughts with Rod Swoboda.

There are multiple factors corn growers should consider when looking to push plant populations, but Nick says the highlights include:

1) Reviewing the true data – not the skewed data.

2) Avoiding planting populations that are too high and thus risking decreased yield.

3) Remembering that all growing conditions are different, from grower to grower and from field to field – plant populations aren’t a “one size fits all” practice.

Click here to read the full article and to get Nick’s complete list of factors to consider when pushing plant populations.

With corn markets where they are today, are you planning to push population in your field(s) this year?

Food & FamilyPlanning an “A-mazing” Birthday Party

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I love blogs! (Please keep reading because this really isn’t a self-promotion here.)

Thanks to “The Party Animal,” planning my daughter’s birthday party was especially easy and hassle-free! Her “Zhu Zhu Pets Birthday Party” post includes links to everything from invitations and party favors to a list of activities that will keep a group of six, 9- and 10-year-olds entertained for 19 hours. (Yes, 19 hours and counting! As a veteran Girl Scout leader, I’ve learned that keeping a group of girls constructively occupied is key to maintaining their peace and my sanity.)

In a matter of minutes I’d planned the party and ordered all of the related supplies. Online shopping made it so quick and convenient! I was pleasantly surprised when my customized Bingo cards arrived in my e-mail inbox within hours of placing my order. Also within a matter of hours, an e-mail arrived with the customized party invitations. It took me longer to get them addressed and delivered than it did to get them designed! Finally, the Zhu Zhu Pets balloons and the Zhu Zhu Pets Activity Set shipped to me within days. A few days later, I made a quick stop at Hobby Lobby and picked up all the supplies needed to make our “Hamster in a Ball” craft. I e-mailed my neighbor, who also happens to run her own baking business, and placed my Zhu Zhu Pets cupcake order. I couldn’t have been happier with how they turned out!

The big day is here at last! During my lunch hour, I’ll run to the local video store and rent “Bolt.” (Remember, this movie features the cute little hamster in his own ball as Bolt’s sidekick.) The girls will come home from school today with my daughter, and the fun will begin. My mom, a former cosmetologist, will give mini manicures to anyone who’s interested. Meanwhile, I’ll set up the obstacle course for Zhu Zhu hamster races and get out the craft supplies.

A plethora of fun-filled activities is just as important as a fully stocked fridge when it comes to hosting a successful slumber party. Sloppy Joes are on the menu for tonight.

Tomorrow morning I’ll serve monkey bread (a hit at last year’s Zany Zebra party), and the girls will have a chance to make their own Breakfast Banana Splits. Recipes for both are provided below.

What are your favorite kid-friendly breakfasts? I’d also like it if you’d share your own tips for planning a successful birthday party.

Breakfast Banana Split

Ingredients

  • 1 small banana
  • 1 container, (4.4 oz.) Jell-o® Kid Pack Wild Strawberry Low Fat Yogurt (or any flavor)
  • ½ c. Post® Alpha-Bits Frosted, Letter-Shaped Oat and Corn Cereal
  • 1.4 c. berries, sliced (choose your favorite like strawberries, blueberries, blackberries)

Peel and split the banana length-wise. Place in sundae dish or cereal bowl. Top with yogurt. Sprinkle with cereal and fruit. Makes 1 serving.

Monkey Bread (Apple School)

  • ¾ c. sugar
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • 4 tubes of biscuits (cut into ¼’s)

Place sugar in cinnamon in a plastic bag; shake biscuit pieces. Arrange coated pieces in Bundt pan.

Syrup:

  • 1 c. brown sugar
  • ¾ c. melted butter
  • 1 ½ tsp. cinnamon

Mix well. Pour over biscuits in Bundt pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes. Turn out on cookie sheet to cool.

Fertility Levels Key to Raising Top Soybeans, Part II

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A common practice for farmers in a corn-soybean rotation is to apply enough P&K prior to planting corn to supply their crops for two years. This works well until corn yields are higher than expected, and no extra nutrients are added for the subsequent soybean crop. Soybeans are big users of Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K), and soybean yields will suffer unless more nutrients are applied to compensate for the higher corn yields.

Nitrogen is essential to photosynthesis. Nitrogen is usually supplied to soybean plants by a process called nitrogen fixation, which is associated with Rhizobia bacteria in the soil. It’s important to note, however, that these bacteria are not always present – especially if soybeans haven’t been grown in that field for a few years. Recent studies show that adding an inoculant to seed may have beneficial effects if planted in soils with low organic matter content or in fields that have undergone significant flooding in recent years. Try inoculants in your own fields and study whether they benefit your production levels.

In addition, be sure to monitor the calcium levels in your fields. There are soils in the Upper Midwest that contain too much calcium. Known as alkali soils, they can cause other problems for soybean development including stunting, poor root development and iron deficiency chlorosis.

Soybean yields will also suffer if micronutrient levels are deficient, even if there is adequate P & K present. If soil tests show low levels of Sulfur, Zinc and Boron, add them to your fertilizer blends.

Managing nutrient levels will help produce maximum yields – and returns – from your soybean crop given the high market values.