Back-to-Basics: Regional Updates Archive

The focus of the IPNI U.S. Northcentral Regional program this winter has been nutrient interactions and the need for improved recommendation systems to meet future needs. Scott has presented various parts of this story in Minnesota, Alabama, Ontario, and Indiana. Still to go are more meetings in Minnesota. Additionally, Scott has assembled some information on weather extremes and nutrient management, which was talked about in Florida. To keep up with the new information available, visit http://nanc.ipni.net/ or search for “ipninanc” to find Scott on Twitter.

Since then, prices have been declining but are still higher than years previous to 2008. In 2010, they were $0.69/bu. Nutrient costs include commercial fertilizers, soil conditioners, and manure. Fuel costs have increased steadily over time and were approximately $0.25/bu in 2010. Fuel costs include fuel, lube, and electricity. Seed costs began increasing more rapidly in 2005 and in 2010 were $0.46/bu. Chemical costs began declining in 2000, reached a low in 2005 and then began increasing slowly again. In 2010, they averaged $0.19/bu. Land cost, reported as rental rates, began more rapid increases in 2005 and averaged $0.88/bu in 2010. Land costs are the largest cost of production. The category “other costs” includes custom operations; repairs; purchased irrigation water; interest on operating capital; hired labor; opportunity costs of unpaid labor; capital recovery of machinery and equipment; taxes and insurance; and general farm overhead. These costs, summed together, have been increasing since 2005 and in 2010 were $1.13/bu. The total costs of production in 2010 averaged $3.59/bu.

The graph below focuses just on nutrient costs. The data show the escalation in price starting in 2005 and peaking in 2008 at nearly $1.00/bu. Prices began declining in 2009 and 2010 but were still higher than those previous to 2008.

The graph below considers nutrient costs as a percent of the total costs of production. In 2006 to 2009, nutrient costs represented the highest percentage of the total costs of production on record. In 2010, they represented 19.3% of total costs, comparable to levels observed in the early 1980s but still higher than those observed from 1986 to 2005.

Across the region, wet weather has delayed planting progress for corn and soybeans. Limited topdress opportunities have resulted in wheat fields showing areas deficient in nitrogen (N). Sidedressing time is arriving soon for corn. The pre-sidedress soil nitrate test can help determine what the wet weather has done to your soil’s N supply. Cornell University’s weather-based N management tool, Adapt-N, also aims to account for the same thing. Recommendations for N need to take many factors into account – check out the N Calculator and information on other crops at www.gocorn.net.

Environment Canada predicts warmer-than-average temperatures, and less-than-average rainfall, for most of the crop area of Eastern Canada for the coming summer and fall.

Why Do We Now Need Greater Amounts of Sulfur Fertilizer?

A few decades ago there was very little mention of adding sulfur (S) as a fertilizer. I can remember in the late 1970s my soil fertility professor at the University of Alberta was credited with documenting a S deficient field soil in Southern Alberta, an area where S deficiencies were not thought to be possible. It wasn’t that crops back then didn’t need or use S, but there are a number of reasons why S wasn’t as deficient in many field soils.

Because of less additions of S along with P fertilizers, greater removals of S from fields due to crops with higher S demand, higher yielding crops, and less SO2 emissions into the air, there is a greater need to apply S containing fertilizers to agricultural fields to meet crop S needs.

The majority of the SCGP region is suffering from very dry conditions. The latest Palmer Drought Index (June 21) shows all of Texas, most of New Mexico and Oklahoma, and the southern and western parts of Kansas in drought conditions. The majority of Texas is in extreme drought, the highest level. There is speculation that there will be near 100% abandonment of the dryland cotton crop in the South Plains of Texas. This is significant since it represents about 2 million acres of production, and is especially disappointing given the high cotton prices and early season optimism. Nebraska, on a more positive note, is for the most part faring better than the rest of the region. For example, the corn crop in Nebraska as of last report (June 20, 2011) was rated 76% good to excellent condition.

Sulfur deficiency symptoms and fertilizer needs in crop production have been on the rise in many areas. This may be partly attributed to a reduction in industrial S emissions and lower S content of P fertilizers and pesticides. Sulfur deficiency symptoms in most crops appear as a general yellowing or chlorosis. Sulfur is a component of some amino acids which are necessary for chlorophyll formation. That’s why a deficiency will result in pale green to yellow tissue. Sulfur deficiency may be easily confused with N deficiency. Most soil S comes from mineralization of organic matter. Once S is mineralized (becomes inorganic) it is mostly in the sulfate form. Sulfate is mobile in soils and is subject to leaching. So, considering these facts, S issues are most likely in sandy, low organic matter soils, but may occur in other conditions as well.

When additional S is needed to meet crop needs, there are many excellent sources of this nutrient. Elemental S was once mined directly from the earth, but it is now more typically obtained from coal, crude oil, and natural gas during refining or during scrubbing of combustion gases. Elemental S is not water soluble and must be oxidized by soil bacteria to sulfate before it can be taken up by plant roots. The speed of this microbial process is governed by environmental factors such as soil temperature and moisture, as well as the physical properties (e.g., particle size) of the S. A number of soluble sulfate fertilizers are available to provide a rapid supply of nutrients. The selection of a particular soluble material depends on price, availability, form, and the other factors. A few examples of commonly used S fertilizers include:

Non-Soluble – Elemental S
Semi-Soluble – Gypsum (15 to 17% S)
Soluble – Ammonium sulfate (24% S); Epsom salt (13%); Kieserite (23% S);
Langbeinite (22% S); Potassium sulfate (18% S); Thiosulfate (10 to 26% S)

Coming off possibly one of the best wheat seasons in recent memory, the Southeast is now facing drought conditions that are threatening corn yields throughout the region. Despite a very cold winter, typical moisture problems (too wet at times, too dry at others), and a record outbreak of tornadoes, wheat growers in the upper Southeast and Mid-Atlantic were anticipating 100 bu yields in several fields. Early yield reports indicate that 60 to 80 bu yields are common with a few reports of 100-bu wheat coming in as well. Most states in the region are concluding harvest and crop condition is being reported as good to excellent in all states with wheat still in the field.

Corn on the other hand, is heading downhill in a hurry throughout much of the southern portion of the region. In AL, GA, and SC, 30 to 60% of the crop is rated poor to very poor due largely to drought. Much of the crop is silking now and yield losses in dryland fields are likely. Estimates in some parts of the Southeast are that if rains do not come soon, dryland corn yields might not reach 100 bu/A. Corn in the Mid-South states is not as bad; however, most estimates suggest an average year at best.

InfoAg 2011 will be held July 12-14 at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield, IL. The InfoAg Conference is a biennial event in precision agriculture. The 2011 edition figures to be another fine showing as precision technology expands its user base. Springfield will be packed with software and hardware vendors as well as an array of service providers in the CropLife Exhibit Hall. The program includes practitioners throughout the production chain. Experts will share their insights on how to put this technology to work. It is a networking opportunity like no other offering a wide variety of speakers addressing the issues that count.

InfoAg Highlights

There will be a pre-conference tour on Monday, July 11.

The tour will leave from the Crowne Plaza in Springfield at 9:00am and will return by 5:00pm.

The tour will have stops at a Dekalb seed production facility, the farm progress show site, and Jenner Sales. Each stop will feature demonstrations of precision ag technology and equipment. Check out the tour page online for more details.

Reception at the Lincoln Presidential Library

Springfield, Illinois is the "Land of Lincoln" and a visit to the state capitol would not be complete without visiting the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

InfoAg has arranged to host the Wednesday evening reception at this top rated attraction. The Museum has two spectacular special effects theaters. They are open as part of the normal Museum experience during public hours and each seats 250 people. Both are included as part of the reception.

The Exelon Union Theater features Lincoln's Eyes, a multi-screen and - stage special effects show giving an overview of Lincoln's extraordinary life.

The AT&T Holavision Theater presents Ghosts of the Library, a state-of-the-art holographic program bringing visitors behind the scenes of a great presidential library.

If you are attending the conference, plan on staying Wednesday night and attending this reception.

InfoAg Program At-A-Glance

The InfoAg program consists of a mix of speakers including producers, university research and extension, and crop consultants. Five program tracks offer a range of topics for every perspective and experience level.

Nearly every 50-minute session is presented twice during the conference to allow attendees to get to the presentation of interest. The program is bursting with great speakers from Tuesday's opening keynote from Acting Undersecretary of Agriculture Michael Scuse to the Thursday program with a full selection of hot topics including a panel discussion on Social Media and Personal Communication Technology.

Check out the program at-a-glance for a quick overview of the conference. Click on presentations and speakers to learn more about each.

Online Registration is Open

Online registration is open, don't delay, signup today. A pdf version of the registration form is available, too. There is really no reason to put this off. Registration rates go up after July 1. Spend a day, spend the week. With the optional tour on Monday and Tuesday's keynote and Exhibit Hall Reception, Wednesday's full day capped by the Reception at the Presidential Library, and Thursday's top topics morning program it is as full of a week of precision ag as we can pull together.

After you register be sure to book your room at the Crowne Plaza. Our room block and conference room rate is good through July 1.

If you have any questions, please check online at www.infoag.org or call 217 762-7955 or email registration@infoag.org.

The effects of the unusually wet and cool spring are still working their way through the entire western region. Many field operations were delayed and plant growth has been delayed. Many crops, including alfalfa, potatoes, and cotton will need to catch up as the summer progresses. This unusual spring increases the need to keep an eye on plant diseases, such as potato late blight and stripe rust in wheat.

The outlook for many crops appears good this year. Many fruits and nuts, such as apricots, pears, and almonds, are expected to have bumper crops. The reservoirs are filled for the first time in several years and water should not be in short supply for a change.

The California Department of Conservation recently reported that the loss of agricultural land, especially prime agricultural land, continues at a record rate. Irrigated farmland decreased by over 200,000 acres between 2006 and 2008. About one-third of this loss was due to urbanization and much of the remaining land was caused by the unavailability of irrigation water. The state has been tracking the conversion of agricultural land since 1984 and reports that more than 1.3 million acres have been taken out of production since this time – which equals approximately a loss of one square mile every four days. This loss of prime productive land brings up the question of where future food production will occur.

You may want to keep an eye on the strict nutrient management rules under consideration by the California Central Coast Regional Water Control Board. This agency is given the responsibility to protect water resources in this highly productive region. The proposed new regulations that would attempt to eliminate pesticide discharge and limit nutrient runoff have been hotly debated. The deadline for finalizing the rule has been continually delayed as public comment continues to pour in. The final decision is scheduled to be released in September. These rules are expected to become a precedent for nutrient regulation in other parts of California and then the rest of the U.S.