Tag Archives: Corn

Farm productivity climbs while land, energy and water use decline

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submitted by Aaron Putze
Director of External Relations & Coordinator
Iowa Food & Family Project, Iowa Soybean Association

If past performance is an indicator of future success, then there’s much to be optimistic about regarding agriculture! Corn production has nearly doubled since 1980 while the amount of nutrients used to grow it has declined by more than half.

The numbers speak for themselves. Nearly 30 years ago, America’s farmers harvested 6.64 billion bushels of corn and used 3.9 pounds of nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium) per bushel to nourish it. In 2010, farmers harvested 12.45 billion bushels of corn while using 1.6 pounds of nutrients per bushel.

Similar trends can be found in soybean, beef and dairy production. For example, since 1987, producing a bushel of soybeans uses 26 percent less land, 61 percent less energy and 20 percent less water. Similarly, a gallon of milk is produced today using 65 percent less water and 90 percent less land than in 1944 while each pound of beef requires 14 percent less water and 34 percent less land.

Why the improvement?

Better feed, seed, livestock facilities and farm equipment. Advancements in all phases of agriculture have helped farmers optimize the use of each acre of land and raise livestock, dairy and poultry that’s healthier and achieve market weight sooner.

Hybrid Selection for Continuous Corn

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The number of corn acres are expected to rise for 2012 planting. Since only a portion of the projected acreage was planted to soybeans in 2011, it stands to reason that more acres will be continuous corn in 2012.

Corn-on-corn can be a profitable venture if those acres are properly managed:

  1. Residue management is the first step of a successful corn-on-corn situation.
  2. Fertility should be evaluated and applications planned for continuous corn fields. It really pays to have a soil test to determine needs for N, P & K.
  3. Work with your Latham representative to put a crop plan together and stick with it. Selecting hybrids with the right trait package is important, but that’s just one part of a crop plan. These plans should focus on hybrid selection, plant population, fungicide usage and other management issues.

Hybrid selection can make a 40- to 50-bushel difference in grain yield, according to university researchers. Important hybrid characteristics for continuous corn include quick emergence, stalk strength, as we potential disease problems in corn following corn.
Spread your risk and increase your potential for high yields by planting at least three different Latham® hybrids with differences in genetic traits, maturity or disease susceptibility. Balance yield with reasonable grain moisture. Hybrids must be well suited specifically to the area they will be grown. Hybrids planted in continuous corn situation must be able to perform across the field in tough conditions. Spray with a foliar fungicide to help preserve overall late-season intactness.

Although corn supplies are tight this fall throughout the industry, Latham Hi-Tech Seeds still has availability for these hybrids in corn-on-corn situations:

Crop Report 11/9/11: Focus on Field Placement for 2012 Planting

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Now that most fields have been tilled and a majority of the anhydrous has been applied, it’s time for farmers to turn their attention the 2012 crop and specifically to finalizing seed orders. When choosing seed, there are several factors to consider including amount of crop residue, soil fertility and production practices. Some hybrids handle corn-on-corn situations better than others. Some racehorse hybrids should be placed on the best soils and fed throughout the growing season to reach full yield potential, while other hybrids are more defensive in nature and should be placed where there are challenges such as Goss’s Wilt.

Even soybeans benefit from proper placement. Avoid the temptation of purchasing a product that has won nearly every plot or achieved 80-bushel yields in northern Iowa if you’re farming in another area of the state. Just because it’s a company’s best selling variety doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for your acres. Also remember to spread your risk by planting a minimum of four different seed numbers from the same seed company. The best way to achieve genetic diversity is by working with Latham Hi-Tech Seeds on all your acres.

To help you determine what would best meet your needs, Latham Hi-Tech Seeds is holding a series of post-harvest meetings throughout our territory yet this month. We’ll share yield data and talk with you about your specific seed needs. Contact your local Latham® representative for the date and location of one closest to you!

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Select a territory in the map below to view a region’s most recent crop report, provided by Latham’s regional sales managers.