News & Information for Your Farming Operation
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Soybean Plot 
Yield Results

Yield results are in from Federated's soybean plots, and the yields are noteworthy. Click on the PDF links below to see the harvest/yield report from each of the plots. Talk to your Federated Agronomist for further information or with any questions.
 
soil sampling tools
Greater Yields Mean More Depleted Soils

"We're seeing corn yields at 200 bu./ac. and higher in a lot of situations," said Kevin Carlson, Federated's senior agronomist, "and with the higher crop yields the nutrient removal rate is higher too."
 
Soil sampling -- yes, we're saying it again -- soil sampling needs to be done now, to analyze the soil for next year's crops.
 
A 200-bu. corn crop removes 70 lbs. of phosphorous and 50 lbs. of potassium in the grain out of every acre. "To restore those nutrients," said Carlson, "converted to product, that means adding 150 lbs. DAP and 90 lbs. of potash per acre." That equates to about 250 lbs. of P and K (at a minimum) to be restored to reach the nutrient levels next year's crop will require (and that is assuming the soil started with sufficient levels this season).
 
A 60-bu. soybean yield, on the other hand, requires product application of 100 lbs. DAP and 125 lbs. potash per acre to put back what the soybeans took out of the soil.
 
This year's high yields took their toil on the soil on every farm. Soil sample now, apply nutrients this fall and/or in the spring, and prepare for a great 2016 growing season. Contact your Federated Agronomist with questions, or to schedule grid sampling or VRT application services.
October 27, 2015
soybeans in wagon
Strong Soybean Varieties for 2016 Fields

Even as the 2015 crops come off the fields, it's time to consider seed options for 2016. Federated Co-ops, Inc. offers strong soybean options with varieties that fit every farm.
 
Duane Droogsma, Federated agronomist at the Rush city location, said, "We stock five bulk soybean varieties that are good for all soils." These "defensive" bulk beans, all of which are soybean cyst beans, include the following:
  • Legend LS09R606N
  • NKS06-H5
  • NKS12-H2
  • Asgrow 1431
    • This variety was introduced in 2011 and is the bean everyone compares to, according to Droogsma. "Everyone wants to beat this one," he said.
  • Asgrow 1435
    • This variety replaces 1431; in all likelihood, 1431 will not be available after 2016.
These five early beans are good in most of the Federated service area. "We also offer Croplan and Renk soybeans," said Droogsma, "but not in bulk."
 
Growers in areas to the west and south, serviced by Federated's Albertville location, have additional full-season soybean options. According to Bob Marquette, Federated agronomist at Albertville, growers in these areas should consider:
  • Asgrow AG1935
    • This tall, bushy variety is very offensive, produces top yields on best soils.
  • NK S20-T6
    • This variety has great standability, good white mold tolerance, and is good on brown stem rot.
  • Croplan R2C1572
    • This variety has excellent stress tolerance, is both offensive and defensive, and goes anywhere.
  • Legend LS20R663N
    • This variety had great lodging resistance.
  • NK S15-P1
    • This variety has strong white mold resistance, great top-end yield, and goes anywhere.
Contact your Federated Agronomist to order your 2016 seed, or with questions about which varieties are best for your farm.
Best Wishes to Federated's Retiring GM

Tim Kavanaugh
Tim Kavanaugh
For more than three decades Tim Kavanaugh effectively served as the general manager of Federated Co-ops; he started his service to agriculture and energy co-op customers even before the Federated system came to exist as it does today. Last month, Kavanaugh retired and said his farewells, handing off a well-managed cooperative to a new leader.
 
Kavanaugh's journey through the Federated system began in 1982 after working with several smaller co-ops in Minnesota and Wisconsin. He oversaw four mergers that brought together 12 local cooperatives, which set Federated on course to be one of the Top 50 propane companies in the U.S., as well as a leader in agronomy in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
 
He demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the cooperative way of doing business -- which included a great appreciation for co-op patrons -- as he guided Federated through the challenges of maintaining and growing both the ag and energy sides of the business, even through economic downturns.
 
The agronomy team at Federated wishes Tim and his wife Connie the very best in their retirement, recognizing that his shoes will be hard to fill. Thank you for a job well done!
Federated Co-ops | 763-389-2582 | federated@federatedcoops.com | http://federatedcoops.com
502 S 2nd St
Princeton, MN 55371-1941

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