Nutrient Tips for Top Yields

Mar 16, 2021


Nutrient Tips for Top Yields

Setting yield goals and maximizing profitability is top of mind for every producer this time of year. Agronomy customers often want to know what other growers are doing, how they can grow more bushels and ways they incorporate new practices to raise the bar on their own farm.

    First, I think it is important to quickly review the basics of what it takes nutritionally to grow a great crop. The chart to the right shows what is generally required to grow 230 bushels an acre of corn and 62 bushels an acre of soybeans. Having enough of the macro nutrients nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium is an essential foundation to growing a great crop, we all know that. But do you know if your crop will get enough of the other nutrients listed on the chart?

    Let’s focus on zinc. Zinc is essential for root development, growth hormone production, and also influences ear size and kernel depth in corn. There are different types of zinc that can be used to meet the needs of the crop. Which type or formulation is the best?

    Citri-Che Zinc 10% is chelated with EDTA and citric acid to increase nutrient availability and nutrient efficiency to plants. This product can be applied with starter mixes at planting, pre-emerge, or side-dressed with UAN at a minimum of one quart per acre. Application with your planter starter system or pre-emerge with herbicide is recommended. As a chelated product, you can be assured that you are using a stable product. Chelation prevents the product from getting tied up, which ultimately makes this product more available when and where it should be. Chelation also increases tank mix compatibility with other starter fertilizers, ATS, and UAN. At one quart per acre, Citri-Che Zinc 10% supplies a little over four ounces of zinc per acre, replacing what the prior year’s crop removed.

    Citri-Che Zinc 10% is available at all our agronomy locations this spring, including our 24/7 locations. If it is not already part of your nutrient plan for this spring, talk to your agronomy account manager to make sure it is included in your nutrient strategy.

    Ascend SL, a plant growth regulator (PGR) is another beneficial addition to your spring nutrient plan. This is not a new product to your cooperative, in fact, some of you have probably already used it for many years now with your starter mix. There are many PGRs out there to use in the market, but we believe Ascend SL is the best. Data proves that corn yield alone can improve by over five bushels!

    Ascend SL contains three different PGRs that aid in providing vigorous early germination and emergence, larger roots, larger leaves, and wider stems.

    •Cytokinin promotes cell division and leaf expansion

    •Gibberellic acid stimulates cell division and elongation of leaves and stems

    •Indolebutyric acid stimulates root formation and development and increases cell elongation.

    As mentioned earlier, Ascend SL has been used with starters for a few years now, but what if you don’t have a starter system on your planter? Ascend SL can be applied foliar during your post emerge herbicide application to corn and soybeans to give your crop a big boost.

    There are several yield-enhancing products that your agronomy account manager can help you incorporate into your tried and true practices to help maximize profit on your farm while taking full advantage of these seven-year highs that have recently been seen in the grain markets. 

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Oct 13, 2021
With cold weather fast approaching, it’s time to start thinking about your winter diesel fuel needs. At River Valley Cooperative, we believe incorporating cold flow improvers and #1 diesel into your fuel when ambient air temperatures approach 40° F is appropriate to ensure cold weather protection.    

If you plan on operating in temperatures below 15° F, #1 diesel should be blended into your tank. If your tank was blended with #1 last year, we will automatically blend down your tank to the same ratio as last year. If you are a new customer or would like to start having your tank blended, please call our Energy Office or your energy account manager. 
 
If you do not want CFI blended into your diesel fuel or if you need to request/change winter blending options, please contact the Energy Office or your River Valley energy account manager by October 22, 2021.
Jul 07, 2021
   Can you believe we have been discussing fungicide applications for over 10 years? Products have advanced greatly since BASF introduced us to Headline. I still remember one of the first fungicide trials I conducted on DKC61-69, and how amazed we were when we saw the yield gain. 
Apr 22, 2021
“River Valley Cooperative is a proud partner in this endeavor to bring new conservation resources to the farm. Our agronomists have continuously delivered positive results to our farmers, and we look forward to adding additional value with the TruCarbon offerings," said Craig Patty, Vice President of Sales and Marketing.