Agronomist Notes

We finally had a decent stretch of weather last week to bring seeding progress up to 75% complete in our area. There are a few areas around Calgary that are 40 to 60% complete due to untimely showers. As I write this on Monday morning, the temperature outside is -1 degree C and it’s snowing!

The weather does not look promising this week and will be a challenge to those who aim to finish with seeding. Soil temperatures as of yesterday afternoon (after two warm days) were around 13.5 degrees C. I suspect we’lll see soil temperatures fall below 10 degrees to cause more unneeded stress. Early seeded crops have emerged but from what I’ve seen so far, emergence is inconsistant.

In this week’s Beyond Agronomy News we’ll look at fine tuning our fertility programs and the overlooked role of potassium in tiller production. Next, we’ll look at assessing frost damage in canola. Bruce Love will give us an update on the carbon market and finally, we’ll look at fundamental and technical grain market news along with international crop weather news. Have a great week.

Pictured above is Jeff Skytt of Drumheller, AB, in his CAT MT 875C pulling a 70-foot Flexicoil, May 12, 2009.

Agronomy

Crop Staging Area (Calgary to Drumheller to Three Hills)

Seeded	April 23-31	May 1-7	May 8-15
Wheat	early 2 leaf	1 leaf	germinating
Canola	cotyledon	cotyledon	germinating
Barley	early 2 leaf	1 leaf	germinating
Peas	2 node	1 node	germinating

This Week in Scouting

• Scout emerging wheat and barley for signs of cold induced phosphorus and potassium nutrient deficiencies.
• Scout emerged canola fields for frost damage.
• Look for levels of emergence. Do you see even or uneven crop emergence? Why? Is this something you can change next year?

Fine tuning our spring fertility programs

With some of the first leaves emerging from the ground, we need to be aware of what nutrient and hormonal co-factors help our crops to express maximum yield. I believe it’s important to understand the key nutrients that trigger specific hormones in our crops at specific growth stages in order to tailor our fertility programs. An imbalance in any hormone cycle can reduce genetic expression and lead to reduced yields.

We are now half way through Stage I (Chart 1) where the hormone cytokinin begins to drop off after germination and auxin begins to form, a key hormone in root development. In order to develop strong, healthy, new roots a plant must have a steady supply of auxin. Auxin is a key component in cell division and can only be produced in new leaves.
Chart 1: Plant hormone and nutrient cycles.

The nutrients required to maximize auxin levels are calcium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc and manganese. For example, calcium acts like a tour guide for many nutrients and hormones. Calcium helps transfer auxin from the growing leaves to the root tips. Manganese, like calcium is another nutrient that helps transfer nutrients and regulates auxin levels. Deficiencies of any one of these nutrients can reduce cell division and ultimately, yield.

Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as applying granular or foliar nutrients and presto, you see a response. Certain crops respond differently to nutrients than others. The art of understanding the probability of a response will help you to begin estimating an economical response, which is our number one goal. To help you with this, I’ve put together the chart below that shows the levels of responsiveness to each micronutrient across nine major crops.

Chart 2: Crop response to nutrients

Now that we understand the nutrient and hormone requirements of our crops at specific stages and the responsiveness of each crop to specific nutrients, we can start look for situations where we may see a nutrient deficiency. Even under adequate soil test levels of certain nutrients, certain physical and environmental conditions can induce nutrient deficiencies, if only for a short but significant time. Chart 3 below shows the conditions where you may find nutrient deficiencies in a crop. 

Chart 3: Physically and environmentally induced nutrient deficiencies

Bringing it all together

Let’s work through the following example to help put the theory to the field.

Barley example: It’s May 19th and soils are cold and wet. Soil pH is high at 7.8 and the barley is to be seeded today with a 50-foot drill with 30-inch dual tires. Some wheel track compaction is expected but seeding must be finished. Soil tests reveal a marginal amount of zinc, copper and phosphorus. Looking at the information on the charts above we know that: 

• We are now at the beginning of Stage I where nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, manganese and molybdenum are required the most to maximize cytokinin and auxin production.
• Barley is highly responsive to copper, manganese, zinc and iron.
• High pH’s can induce phosphorus, manganese and zinc deficiencies.
• Cool and wet soils can induce zinc and phosphorus deficiencies.
• Compaction can induce potassium deficiencies in the wheel tracks that cover 20% of the field.

Based on this knowledge, we know that phosphorus, manganese, zinc and potassium may be limiting nutrients at this time. Now, what are the chances of seeing an economic response to seed priming with zinc, phosphorus and potassium in this scenario? Probably very good I would say. What if soil conditions were warm and moist? I suspect the chance of seeing a response would be significantly reduced. These are the questions we need to formulate in order to step up our fertility programs in the future. Using a checklist of conditions that leads to applying the right nutrients, at the right time in the right place is what will advance yields. I plan on developing this checklist further to formulate an easy to use chart to help guide our nutrient management decisions. SL        

Chart source: Stoller Canada

Potassium a key role in root development, tillers and nitrogen use efficiency 

When discussing root development and tiller formation, we tend to focus on phosphorus fertility. Unfortunately, potassium is often overlooked in our starter fertilizer program. Did you know that a potassium deficiency at the soil surface can significantly reduce the survival of primary tillers? Potassium plays a critical role in the formation of nodal roots which are located just below the crown and are essential to the survival of tillers.
Cereal plants have two root systems: the seminal roots that emerge from the germinating seed and the nodal roots that develop from the crown to support advanced leaf and tiller formation. High spring cereal yields are dependent on the early establishment and survival of primary tillers. Primary tiller formation can be increased with proper phosphorus and nitrogen fertility but only when adequate supplies of potassium are available.

Plants require a balance of nitrogen and potassium to obtain full yield response to applied nitrogen. If potassium supply is limiting, the uptake and utilization of nitrogen will be restricted. During rapid vegetative growth, around mid-June, the uptake of nitrogen as negatively charged nitrate ions (NO3-) is normally balanced by a similar uptake of positively charged potash ions (K+) which maintains the electrical neutrality of the plant. Careful optimization of nitrogen is a waste of time if potassium supplies are not adequate. This is true in the early stages of growth during tiller formation and during rapid vegetative growth stage.

Those of you with soil test potassium levels hovering around 350 lbs an acre or those pushing high nitrogen rates above 100 lbs an acre should take a second look at potassium fertility and how it could be affecting yield. Chances are you’ve have a few fields that don’t produce as well as they should given the high amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus you’ve been applying for years. Aside from eliminating the usual suspects like copper, taking a closer look at potassium fertility on those select fields could be worth your while. SL 

Picture source: IPNI

Assessing frost damage in canola

The recent frost on Monday will have many producers anxious about its effects on young canola seedlings. Thankfully, the cold start to spring will have triggered early seeded canola to undergo a gradual hardening process. This process allows plants to withstand freezing temperatures without serious damage. In fact, studies from the University of Manitoba, University of Saskatchewan and Ag Canada have shown that early-seeded canola seedlings that had undergone hardening could withstand -8 to -12 degree C temperatures.

Protocol for assessing frost damage:

1. Wait several days after frost to allow plants to recover before you assess damage.
   1. Normal conditions: re-growth within 3 to 5 days. Cold conditions: re-growth may take up to 10 days.
2. Walk a diagonal path across the field and evaluate all plants in a 1/4 m2 (3 ft2) every 20 paces and note each sample.
3. Calculate the percentage of the field that has adequate plant recovery.
   1. For example, 70% of the field has a minimum of 20 to 40 recovering healthy plants per m2 or 2 to 4 plants per ft2. A minimum of 2 plants per ft2 is necessary for adequate yield.
   2. Be sure to keep the areas that have no surviving canola plants in perspective. We tend to remember the really bad areas when we do are percentage calculations. Human nature can cause us to over exaggerate the severity. Get a second and third opinion.  
4. Make note of weed competition. Heavy weed pressure that cannot be controlled will increase the number of plants needed to maintain adequate yield.

To see pictures of frost damaged canola and more go to: https://canola-council.merchantsecure.com/canola_resources/product37.aspx

Source: Canola Council of Canada

Carbon Market News

Who’s looking at your data?

May 18, 2009- A significant amount of data is required in the creation of a greenhouse gas (GHG) offset, or carbon credit. This data not only describes the amount of GHGs avoided, sequestered, or destroyed but it also tells us a lot about the management of the GHG project. Concern arises from the potential use of the data for purposes other than creating a GHG offset.

Agricultural offsets are particularly problematic. The data requirements for these offsets often require the farmer to provide detailed records to prove and calculate the volume of offsets created. The data provides an accurate description of the management and size of the farm operation. In the case of tillage based offsets, the detail required will include an accurate description of the land base, how its farmed, crops produced, and a reasonable approximation of the crop inputs used. Livestock based offsets require similar data that describes the number of livestock raised, the amount of feed consumed, mortalities, and number of days to market. Therefore, it is not hard to imagine how valuable this data would be to anyone trying to sell or price products to the farmer.

For the farmer looking to participate in the carbon market and is eligible to earn carbon credits, a few common sense steps can help ensure that their data will only be used for its intended purpose. These steps include:

• Work with an aggregation firm you trust. This sounds pretty obvious, but it is surprising how often it’s overlooked. Don’t hesitate to ask for references, or call Government agencies to help determine the reputation and track record of the firm.
• Look for credentials. Is the person representing the aggregation firm a professional with strong credentials? This includes being knowledgeable about the carbon market and providing timely and honest answers to your questions. Most professionals will not jeopardize their credentials or their reputation by misleading the client. Ask what research the representative did before agreeing to act on behalf of the aggregation firm.
• Demand that all conflicts of interest be disclosed. This means that before signing with any aggregation firm, you should have full disclosure of any conflicts of interest. Don’t be shy here, ask specifically how your data will be used and stored. Look for written assurances that your data will be kept safe and will not be used for anything else but the creation of the GHG offset. This is particularly important if the aggregation firm also sells products or is linked to firms that sell products to farmers.

The bottom line is that your data needs to be protected and safeguarded. Not doing a little homework could compromise your confidentiality and provide another source of revenue for the aggregator at your expense.

GHG Policy Watch

Last week showed us just how fast climate change policy is being embraced. In Canada, both Saskatchewan and Quebec introduced legislation to set up their own cap-and-trade systems. They are not compatible, which is consistent with the other provinces that set up their own GHG reduction programs. Clearly the Provincial actions are being taken to position ahead of the pending US climate change policy, since there still is no Federal Canadian policy to speak of.

Late breaking news from the US has the House of Representatives passing the Waxman-Markey Bill on climate change late this week. A number of compromises have been made and the Bill appears to have garnered the support to pass. From there it heads off to the Senate for debate and approval. In parallel to this process, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has positioned itself to become the regulator of the US carbon market. All of this points to the US having climate change policy in place by year end and ahead of the international climate change conference in Copenhagen this December. 

Reference: Bruce Love, Preferred Carbon
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author only and are not intended to represent financial advice.

Market News

Fundamental Analysis

Updated May 12, 2009 USDA 

Technical Indicators

I have set up these weekly updates to include market entry indicators to help you improve the timing of your grain marketing. Also, I added market trend indicators to give you a sense of the short and long term market trends.

Canola – November Futures
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Wheat – December Futures
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Barley – Oct Futures
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Canadian Dollar – June futures
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International Crop Weather News

United States: In the West, dry weather and record-setting heat continues to melt high-elevation snow packs and promote fieldwork and crop development. On the Plains, hot, dry weather is expanding across the majority of the region, but chilly conditions linger along the Canadian border. Winter wheat is rapidly maturing across the southern Plains, while summer crop planting is accelerating throughout the region. In the Corn Belt, warmth is spreading into the middle Missouri Valley, but chilly conditions persist elsewhere. Producers in Lower Michigan’s fruit belt are monitoring the effects of this morning’s near freezing temperatures. A third consecutive day of dry weather favors a gradual acceleration of corn and soybean planting, except in some of the wettest areas of the central and eastern Corn Belt.

Europe: Showers in Germany, Poland, and the Balkans provide much-needed topsoil moisture for wheat and rapeseed, following a month-long dry spell. Dry weather on the Iberian Peninsula increases irrigation demands for reproductive to filling winter wheat and barley.

Former Soviet Union: Light to moderate showers in Ukraine and southern Russia follow several weeks of drier-than-normal conditions, boosting topsoil moisture for jointing winter wheat and newly emerging spring-planted crops.

Southeast Asia: Tropical Cyclone Chan-Hom makes landfall in the northern Philippines, causing localized damage to rice and corn as well as delaying summer corn and rice planting. Summer rice and corn planting gets underway in Thailand amid light, periodic rainfall.

East Asia: Rain benefits filling winter wheat and emerging corn, cotton, and soybeans on the North China Plain. Warm weather and light showers encourage corn and soybean planting in northern Manchuria, and benefit emerging corn and soybeans in southern Manchuria.

South Asia: Showers and thunderstorms across northern portions of Pakistan and India interrupt late winter wheat harvesting but provide early moisture for rice and cotton. Seasonal showers in northeastern India boost soil moisture for rice planting and establishment.

Middle East: Locally heavy rain in Turkey and western Iran favors jointing (north) to filling (south) winter grains. Dry weather from Syria into southern Iran accelerates winter crop maturation.

North Africa:  Mostly sunny skies accelerate winter grain maturation and early harvesting.

Australia: In southern Queensland and northern New South Wales, dry weather aids summer crop harvesting. In the wake of recent rainfall, dry weather encourages winter grain planting to begin across portions of southeastern Australia.

South America: In southern Brazil, locally heavy showers in and around Parana boost moisture levels for immature corn and newly sown winter wheat, but unfavorable dryness persists in Rio Grande do Sul. In Argentina, mostly dry weather promotes rapid harvesting of summer grains, oilseeds, and cotton, but moisture is critically low for winter wheat germination.

Canada: The Western Prairies receive needed moisture. Showers provide needed moisture for spring crop germination, but cold weather limits emergence.

Mexico: Unseasonable dryness continues in rain-fed sorghum areas in and around Tamaulipas.