 Evaluating a Great 2015 Season
Federated's agronomy service area covers parts of western Wisconsin and east-central Minnesota. Perspectives on the growing season vary from location to location, but without a doubt, this year's assessments shared a common theme: It was a nearly perfect growing season, weather-wise, and with especially noteworthy yields. Another recurring theme across the locations: nutrient management. With the record yields came high nutrient removal (e.g. fields were fertilized for 150 bu. corn, but 200 bu. corn was harvested). Replacing those nutrients (especially P and K) will be important for 2016 crops. Variable rate technology (VRT) is an effective way to manage nutrients cost-effectively (talk to your Federated Agronomist about VRT and grid sampling). Managers from each of Federated's five agronomy centers shared other comments on the 2015 growing season: Brian DeVries, Manager at Ogilvie High Yields, Location Expansion - Record yields followed a smooth spring planting season, timely rains, and very nice growing conditions.
- High yielding corn and soybean crops have producers asking, "Where do we put all this grain?" They are out of bin space.
 - Last spring's fertilizer rush saw one million pounds of fertilizer go out from Ogilvie, in one day of business -- and "it couldn't have been done without good people," said DeVries. Fall fertilizer continues to go out as well.
- Ogilvie is in the middle of an expansion that will provide greater opportunities to service growers, and things will be busy in preparation for next spring.
- Cody Lezer joined the Ogilvie sales staff, and additional fulltime positions will be open with the expansion.
Rod Gustafson, Manager at Albertville High Field Averages, Big Weed Problems - Perfect growing conditions for crops -- and weeds. No drowned out areas, and exceptionally consistent conditions. "Normally in our [Albertville] area we have areas that stay wet for too long," said Gustafson. The field moisture levels were consistent from the top of the hills to the low areas.
- "Higher yields than we've ever seen in this area," said Gustafson. Field averages were 60+ on soybeans, and corn field averages were at 200.
- Lots of weed problems, primarily with tall waterhemp and giant ragweed on soybeans. "We are not getting the control," said Gustafson. There were
 some successful herbicide combinations that produced better results, but the problem is not going away. "We have more waterhemp and giant ragweed (photo) than other [Federated] areas. We were the first to get it, 3-5 years ago, and it's just getting worse," he said. (For details on some of the working herbicide combinations, contact Gustafson at the Albertville location.)
Matt Kurtz, Manager at Rush City Impressive Yields, Weed Control - From a prevent plan year (2014) to a record-breaking year (2015), "I couldn't have asked for a better year in my first year as manager at Rush City," said Kurtz. "We had rain in August and we hardly ever see that."
- Growers who have been farming for 50+ years said this was the best they've ever seen.
- Giant ragweed and tall waterhemp are creeping north in soybeans. "Pre-emerge is going to be a big deal because glyphosate isn't cutting it anymore," said Kurtz. Farmers were not getting control even with 3-4 passes in a post-emerge system. They will need more pre-emerge.
Ron Paulson, Manager at Isanti Perfect Timing, Bin Capacity, High Rye Yields - Everything was timely this year: planting, rain, temperatures. "Within a day or two of crops needing rain, we'd get rain," said Paulson. All season long.
- One of the best years ever, and "even the old-time farmers will tell you that," he said. And in Isanti, where sand is prevalent, 50% or more of the years produce poorer than better crops.
- One of the best, if not the best, soybean and corn crops ever. Corn being harvested with 15-19% moisture level.
- Bin capacity is an issue in the Isanti area. "We're running out of room to store the grain," said Paulson, adding that there could be growers picking all winter as they are able to move a load, market the grain, etc.
 - Commodity prices are lower than desired, but the number of bushels make up for it this year.
- Excellent rye yields, at about 50 bu./ac.. Could be the most profitable crop this year, since input costs are low for rye.
Tim Stelter, Manager at Osceola Excellent Yields, Custom Application - Excellent grain quality and yields followed early planting and timely rains.
- The down side of the rain was lower quality hay. Hay quantity didn't suffer, but the quality diminished as rains adversely affected cutting and baling.
- Weed management is about to get harder -- a common theme across locations. Stelter said, "We are learning from other locations [who are already battling tough, glyphosate-resistant weeds]." His advice: "kill weeds twice." Ensure that every herbicide pass includes at least two modes of action.
- Osceola did a significant amount of custom application in 2015, giving growers -- and and Federated -- a larger application window. "The investment in facilities and spreaders paid off," said Stelter.
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