Agronomist Notes
Many a producer was itching to go seeding last week, including myself. The only thing preventing most was the date on the calendar. The acres that did get seeded were planted to spring wheat and peas. Last week’s warm temperatures have triggered significant growth in winter annuals and grasses like foxtail barley are starting to green up. If you received snow over the weekend, fields should be ripe for pre-burn applications when things dry up.
I was out on Monday to take another soil temperature reading in the same location as last week. We’ve cooled down from 4oC to 2oC in the top three inches, so for those with seeds in the ground you can rest easy. I suspect the seeds are content where they are for the time being.
In this week’s newsletter we’ll look at germination research on the impact of water vapour and seed to soil contact. The results show it’s not what we’ve been led to believe. We’ll also take a brief look at improving wheat yields in saline soils, rules of thumb when spraying glyphosate after frost, and examining glyphosate products to compare apples to apples. To follow up on last week’s issue, I’ve included an updated glyphosate salt formulation sheet.
Agronomy
How Important Is Seed To Soil Contact?
Seed to soil contact has been touted as an important method of improving seed germination. Drill designs have emphasized seed to soil contact and soil moisture as a critical part of rapid germination. A study published in the Agronomy Journal compared germination with and without seed to soil contact over a temperature range from 3 to 28°C. The wheat seed was either provided with good seed to soil contact or separated from soil by fiberglass cloth. The results showed that vapor transport may be the most important mechanism for germination and that water transport via seed to soil contact provides little contribution.
This doesn’t mean that seed to soil contact isn’t important; it means that seed to soil contact provides a separate benefit aside from germination. Proper seed to soil contact is reflective of openers and packers placing the seed at even depths in row and across the drill and through proper separation away from fertilizer. This allows seeds to emerge evenly and safely away from harmful fertilizer bands. The end result is improved seedling emergence, which is why seed to soil contact was first thought to improve seed germination.
Source: Agronomy Journal http://agron.scijournals.org/cgi/content/full/91/5/783
PAMI Report http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/eng9901/$file/749.pdf?OpenElement
Large Seed Size Improves Wheat Yields in Saline Areas
If you’re looking to seed a saline area to wheat this year, perhaps you should look at seeding the largest seed size possible. Studies have shown that plants grown from large seeds out-yielded those from small seeds in saline environments. The benefits derived from large initial seed size may be a cost-effective management strategy for improving wheat productivity in salt-affected areas.
Report Abstract: http://www.springerlink.com/content/ut05p1404073108v/
Picking Apart the Differences in Glyphosate Products
Each year the marketplace sees its share of new and improved glyphosate products. Manufactures and retailers continue to develop new formulations and/or marketing strategies. Regardless of the marketing claims, there are three things you should know about glyphosate products. The three primary components of glyphosate formulations are: 1) the salt included in the formulation; 2) surfactants and other 'inert' ingredients; and 3) the concentration of the parent acid placed in the product.
Salt formulations: In order for glyphosate to be effective, it is commonly formulated with a salt ion. So, the question arises: Does the salt used in the formulation significantly impact herbicide performance? The answer: Probably not. The salts used are selected to make sure the formulated product handles well, has reduced viscosity, is compatible with other products that might be included in the spray tank, has a high concentration of active ingredients, and will not cause adverse crop responses.
Formulation adjuvants: While there occasionally may be performance differences between glyphosate products, these differences are more likely to be caused by the differences in surfactants formulated with the product, rather than the salt used in the formulation. University trials have consistently demonstrated similar performance among glyphosate products when equivalent rates are applied.
Effective use rates: Selecting the proper rate for the situation and using the appropriate additives are the key considerations in obtaining consistent control with glyphosate products. Several different concentrations of glyphosate are now being marketed, so it is important to adjust rates according to the product used. Glyphosate labels usually state the concentration in two ways: a) lbs per gal of formulated glyphosate and b) lbs per gal of acid equivalent of glyphosate. For example, Roundup Original contains 4 lbs per gal of the potassium salt of glyphosate, but only 3 lbs per gal acid equivalent of glyphosate. The first value includes the weight of the salt formulated with glyphosate, whereas the second only measures how much glyphosate is present. Since the salt does not contribute to weed control, the acid equivalent is a more accurate method of expressing concentrations and weed killing ability.
Source: http://fcn.agronomy.psu.edu/2007/glyphosate_comparison.pdf
Practical Questions on Glyphosate Use
How long do I have to wait to seed after I spray Glyphosate?
If you are targeting annual weeds like stinkweed, volunteer canola, cleavers, flixweed, kochia and wild buckwheat then seeding the same day is fine. Does that mean seeding 1 hour or 12 hours after you spray? Remember that annual weeds have very small root systems so it doesn't take very long to get the glyphosate into the plant. Spraying early afternoon and seeding early evening is fine.
If you are targeting perennial weeds like dandelion, quackgrass and Canada thistle then, ideally, you should wait 3 days before seeding. If weather conditions are good (no frost) and 15-20°C days then you can push the envelope to 2 days before seeding while understanding the risk and guarantees that are foregone by spraying earlier than recommended. The longer you wait the better.
If a frost occurs, can I still spray Glyphosate?
Frost is always a problem in the early part of spring. Often temperatures will reach a low of -2 to –3°C, & then peak the following day to 13 – 20°C.
Hard Frost (roughly –2 to –3°C for an extended period of time, window scraping in the morning)
Perennials – wait until the warm part of the next day to spray. Wait 24 hours.
Annuals – wait until the warm part of the same day to spray. Wait until daytime temps have reached 10°C for at least 2 hours before spaying. If frost damage is suspected wait 1-2 days to ensure that the weeds recover (they need to be at least 60% green).
Light Frost (temperatures dip briefly below 0°C overnight)
Perennials & Annuals – wait until the warm part of the same day to spray.
Minimum daytime temperatures should be at least 10°C.
Weeds in order of frost tolerance:
- Dandelion
- Winter annuals
- Quackgrass
- Perennial Sow Thistle
- Canada Thistle
- Toadflax
- Annuals
Source: Syngenta and Monsanto
UPDATED LIST Glyphosate Brands – Understanding Salt Formulations is Key
In the world of glyphosate today, there are three types of salt formulations you should remember: isopropylamine salt (Vantage Plus Max), potassium salt (Roundup WeatherMax) and diammonium salt (Touchdown IQ). These three should never meet if you prefer a trouble-free spray application.
Isopropylamine Salt
Glyphos
Vantage Plus Max
PrePass
Factor
Cleanstart
Maverick II
Cheminova
Credit
ClearOut 41 Plus
Sharpshooter
Sharpshooter Plus
Potassium Salt
RoundUp WeatherMax
RoundUp Transorb HC
RoundUp Ultra2
Renegade HC
Factor 540
R/T 540
Diammonium Salt
Touchdown Total
Touchdown IQ
Market News
STATS Canada 2008 Seeding Intentions
Canola- Indications are that Prairie farmers may seed a record 14.7 million acres of canola, up 0.4% or 50,000 acres from the record set in 2007. The five-year average is 13.0 million acres. Farmers in Alberta reported that they may plant a record 5.1 million acres, an increase of 13.3% or 600,000 acres. That would break the previous record of 5.0 million acres set in 1994.
Wheat- Prairie farmers anticipated a 9.4%, or 1.4 million acre increase in intended spring wheat plantings to a potential 16.3 million acres. This would be slightly below the five-year average of 17.0 million acres. Spring wheat acreage should increase in all three Prairie Provinces, but still remain less than the five-year average in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Prairie durum area could rise by 22.5%, or 1.1 million acres, in 2008. In Saskatchewan, where the majority of Canadian durum is grown, the area should rise 28.4% to 5.2 million acres, while in Alberta, the planted area could fall 8.5% to 700,000 acres.
Barley- The total area seeded to barley on the Prairies is expected to tumble by 15.4%, or 1.6 million acres, to an estimated 8.7 million acres. This would be well below the five-year average of 10.0 million acres. Farmers in all three Prairie provinces reported possible decreases, with levels below the five-year average in each province.
Oats- Prairie farmers reported that they expected to plant 4.1 million acres of oats, a decline of 16.8% or 825,000 acres from the area planted in 2007. The five-year average is 4.4 million acres. Possible declines are expected in each Prairie province.
Field Peas- Field pea acreage could rise again in 2008 by 4.3% to 3.8 million acres. This would be an increase of 155,000 acres from the record set in 2007. The main contributing factor could be expectations for a record planted area in Alberta. Farmers there reported an increase of 14.8% to 700,000 acres, which could easily break the record of 660,000 acres set in 2000.
Full Story: http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/080421/d080421b.htm
Commodity Index Funds Activity
| Contracts | 14-04-08 | 20-04-08 | Position | Change |
| Wheat | 3,528 | 5,730 | Short | 62% |
| Corn | 179,194 | 180,850 | Long | 1% |
| Soybeans | 82,920 | 75,258 | Long | -9% |
| Soy Oil | 12,684 | 2,542 | Long | -80% |
| Soy Meal | 38,315 | 33,804 | Long | -12% |
World Wheat Crop May Be Above Average in 2008, Just Not For Sale
The downward slide in wheat prices over the last month have some people thinking the commodity bubble has burst. Today’s wheat prices are built on the assumption that the world will produce an above average wheat crop in 2008. I don’t believe that it will given the poor soil moisture conditions in Western Canada, Australia and Southern United States. However, the world could very well produce an above average wheat crop, but what if it’s not for sale?
Countries like India, China and Egypt have banned all exports of rice forcing countries like the Phillipinnes to pay exorbitant prices for rice. Kazakhstan has placed an outright ban on wheat exports while Russia, Argentina and the Ukraine have placed huge export tariffs on wheat. Governments are pulling out all the stops to prevent revolts in the countryside from rising food prices. We may see countries like China, Russia and India begin to rebuild private stocks, adding a new demand on the already tight world supply.
Wheat prices look to be tremendously oversold at the moment while Index Funds look to other sexier commodities, but wheat will gain their attention again. In my opinion, it’s only a matter of time! SL
China 2008 Oilseed & Wheat Production Update
China’s Grain and Oilseed Information Center estimated China’s 2008 planted canola area is up 12.38% at 7.28 mil hectares. However, winter weather that has reduced yield potential is expected to bring rapeseed production to 12.0 mmt’s, unchanged from last year. Estimated soybean area is 9.5 million hectares, up 9.2% from last year with production at 16.5 mmt’s vs 13.5 mmt’s last year.
Despite a drought affecting China’s eastern Shandong and northern Hebei provinces, China will have an ample winter wheat harvest in 2008 due to higher yields. Winter wheat output is estimated at 102.6 million tons, up 1.3 percent. Spring wheat output is estimated at 107.6 million tons, up 2.5 percent from 2007. As of March 26, 3.3 million hectares of cropland were affected by drought.
Source: Grain Futures Market Daily Newsletter
Oats May Be the Sleeper Crop of 2008
The United States Department of Agriculture forecast that producers south of the border will plant 9 percent less oats this year. According to USDA estimates published in the March 31 issue of Prospective Plantings, growers intend to plant about 3.42 million acres in 2008 compared to the 3.76 million acres planted in 2007. This would represent the lowest level on record. Drozd, who believes oat prices could go to US$5 per bushel this year on the Chicago Board of Trade, thinks “oats will be a good crop to grow this year.” Even if there is record production in Canada this year, Drozd expects to see oat prices go up as they piggyback on corn.
Full story: http://www.fcc-fac.ca/newsletters/en/express/articles/20080418_e.asp#2
