Agronomist Notes

Your combine seat may still be warm but I must ask, have you decided which canola variety to seed next year?  If you were thinking of InVigor varieties, take a look at the 2008 variety line-up and price list in this week’s issue. Be sure to book your seed early if you haven’t already. Also in this issue, we’ll continue discussing soil related topics, looking at pH and its influence on nutrient availability as well as the importance of organic matter.

The majority of producers in my area are over 90% complete. The western country near Olds and south to Calgary are quite a bit behind with late seeding and poor September weather slowing progress. The news on the crop inputs front is quiet with canola seed bookings coming to the forefront. Fertilizer prices have remained stable since urea hit the $485 a tonne level. My wish is that the world would seed more soybeans and relieve some of the nitrogen supply issues in North America. Time will tell.

Agronomy

Ducks Unlimited Core Grower Program

Who is DUC looking for?

• Direct seeders who maintain winter wheat in their rotation.
• Producers with progressive production practices, located in target area.
• Progressive and involved producers who will advocate winter wheat production.

What will the Core Grower Program do for the producer?

Core Growers have access to $5,000 over three years through DUC, to finance on-farm demonstrations and experimentation, as well as training opportunities in the form of local meetings or workshops, tours and conferences.  DUC can provide agronomic support and will assist producers in accessing winter wheat technology, which has the potential to achieve higher yields or greater net returns for the Core Grower.

Interested in knowing more?

Contact: Melissa Stanford, Winter Cereals Specialist
Ph: 403-327-1363
Email: m_stanford@ducks.ca

Aussies Fine-Tune Precision Farming

Using online software, researchers from Australia's Centre for Precision Agriculture have developed a simplified protocol to teach growers how to convert complex yield and soil data into pertinent information. The resulting data and maps, when interpreted with local agronomic knowledge, can be used to make very specific management decisions, according to an ACPA press release. The work, published in the most recent issue of Agronomy Journal details their work in advancing field management, in particular their efforts to move away from treating all zones uniformly to more site-specific management. You can check out the online software tools they used by visiting www.usyd.edu.au/su/agric/acpa/pag.htm

New Line-up of InVigor Varieties

I typically manage around 7,000 acres of canola each year, and of that, over 90% is InVigor canola. I know there are RoundUp Ready and Clearfield varieties that may yield comparatively in some years; however, I have yet to find a variety that consistently delivers year after year like the InVigors do. When I say ‘deliver’, I mean through dry, wet, cold and hot weather and even July hail storms. Top yields start with top genetics. While some may favour the advantages of glyphosate in RoundUp Ready varieties, I believe Liberty does the job with the right management.

2008 Pricing

InVigor 5440: $6.99/lb
InVigor 8440: $6.79/lb
InVigor 9590: To be announced by Viterra
InVigor 1140: To be announced by Cargill
InVigor 5108, 5020, 5030, 5070: $6.79/lb

InVigor 5440:

• Offers the highest yield potential of all Hybrids; yielded 135% of new checks (46A65 and Q2) in official trials
• Similar in plant height and maturity to 5030 and 5070 but yield about 5% higher
• Superior lodging resistance for ease of harvesting
• R rating for Blackleg and Fusarium
• Distribution: open to all distribution
• Price: $6.99/lb

InVigor 8440:

• Yielded 132% of the new checks in official WCC/RRC trials
• Similar in plant height and maturity to 5020 but yields about 5% to 6% higher
• Superior lodging resistance for ease of harvesting
• R rating for Blackleg and Fusarium
• Distribution: sold by independents only
• Price: $6.79/lb

InVigor 9590:

• Yielded 130% of the new checks in official WCC/RRC trials
• Similar in plant height and maturity to 5020 but yields about 4% to 5% higher
• Superior lodging resistance for ease of harvesting
• R rating for Blackleg and Fusarium
• Distribution: sold by Viterra retailers only
• Price: To be determined by Viterra

InVigor 1140:

• First commercial release of the New InVigor Health line-up
• Yielded 120% of the new checks in official WCC/RRC trials
• R rating for Blackleg and Fusarium
• High oleic oil content designed to maintain stability in high heat food processing applications
• Distribution: Sold by Cargill retailers only
• Price: To be determined by Cargill

InVigor 5108 (limited supply), 5020, 5030, and 5070:

• Distribution: open to all distribution
• Price: $6.79/lb

Phosphorous Availability and Soil pH

When reviewing soil test results, one of the things I make note of is the pH. Soil pH is a significant indicator of potential nutrient availability or nutrient deficiency. The chart below shows the nutrient availability at given pH levels and the optimum pH range for each nutrient. For example, if you look at phosphorus, you will notice its availability decreases in pH’s above 7 and below 5.5. Therefore, its optimum pH range sits between 5.5 and 7 pH. The majority of soils I manage fall into the pH range between 5.5 and 8 with the average soil sitting around a pH of 7. The soils with pH’s above 7 will usually test low in phosphorus if they haven’t been manured in the past. In this case, it’s not uncommon to see soils test results between 8 and 20 lbs/ac.

So why is this significant?

The phosphorus content of seedling plants needs to be high in order to achieve maximum yields. Placing phosphorus where developing roots can access it rapidly is critical in attaining high phosphorus levels in young plants. Additionally, the high pH calcareous soils that predominate in Alberta tend to "fix" or reduce the availability of applied phosphorus and slow the build up of soil test levels. For these reasons, phosphorus use is most efficient when soil contact with fertilizer is limited, such as by banding with or close to the seed.

The Problem with Double-Shoot fertilizer Distribution Systems

In high pH soils, or low soil test phosphorus soils, the seed placement of phosphorus is critical to create a higher concentration band beside the roots. Most double shoot fertilizer systems are used with a blend of nitrogen and phosphorous together where 70% is placed below or to the side of the seed and 30% is placed with the seed. The problem with this system is the poor concentration of phosphorous around the roots. If you apply a 70-25-0-0 blend, where 30% is seedplaced, you’ve effectively placed only 7.5 lbs of phosphorus P205 per acre. The inherent inefficiency of phosphorus fertilizer (11-52-0-0) makes only 10 to 30% of that 7.5 lbs/ac available; giving you a meagre 2.25 lbs of seed placed phosphorus per acre.

So what can be done?

In my experience, the most successful method to improve phosphorus concentration around the seed is to separate phosphorus from the nitrogen and apply it right with the seed. The way we separate these nutrients in a one pass system is through a triple compartment tank. Yes, you will need another truck and face some logistical challenges at seeding time, but if it’s possible, it may be worth the effort. Placing phosphorus in another tank allows you to apply 100% of the immobile nutrients with the seed instead of only 30%, providing you with maximum nutrient concentration where it counts.

Benefits of using triple compartment tanks:

1. Increased availability of seed placed phosphorus & potassium for maximum benefit.
2. Decreased phosphorus tie-up in soil.
3. Improved root growth, maturity, nitrogen use efficiency and yield.
4. Placing nitrogen in one tank allows you to vary application rates from field to field.
5. Eliminates fertilizer blending fees of $5 to $10 a tonne.
6. Purchase urea direct to farm saving you $10 to $20 a tonne in product handling fees.

Reference: Manitoba Soil Fertility Guide, http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/soilwater/soilfert/fbd02s03.html

Measure Organic Matter This Fall

Most agronomists are keenly aware of the need to maintain optimum levels of N, P, K, S, and micronutrients in the soil. Manure and fertilizer applications are determined based on yield potential and soil testing for pH and available nutrients. What we often neglect to monitor is the levels of organic matter (OM) in our soils, despite the fact that we’re aware of its importance to soil health. It’s difficult to put a dollar-value or yield increase on increasing organic matter levels, but we do know that our soils are more productive when they have higher OM contents. This was re-confirmed in a study reviewed in Maryland September 19th, where soils with 3.5% organic matter to 6” depth yielded 107 bu/ac of corn, instead of 92 bu/ac on fields with 2.7% organic matter. A 0.8% increase in OM gave way to a 15 bushel yield increase. We would find the same results in our soils in Western Canada.

Humus itself is an important contributor to improved soil physical properties, such as soil structural stability, porosity, tilth, infiltration, and water holding capacity. In addition, organic matter also contains nutrients that are released gradually during the growing season depending on climatic conditions. For example, the nitrogen contained in a soil with 2% organic matter is about 1,667 lbs/ac whereas a soil with 3% OM would contain 2,500 lbs/ac nitrogen. Suppose 2% would be released in a season, this would be 33 lbs/ac N in the first, compared with 50 lbs/ac in the latter case.

As a start, farmers should be encouraged to determine the organic matter contents in their soils. At ALS (Enviro-Test) and Bodycote (Norwest) labs organic matter tests cost $5 and can be requested when sending in a soil sample for fertility analysis. The next question on our mind is of course, what can be done to increase soil organic matter levels, and we’ll look at that in another issue of Beyond Agronomy News. 

Adapted from Sjoerd Duiker, Soil Management Specialist

Market News

Acreage Fight, Still to Come

With corn and soybeans also fighting for acres, new-crop wheat futures need to show more strength to ensure additional wheat acres go in the ground, analysts said. Traders are increasingly talking of the need for new-crop prices to be competitive with corn and soybean prices through the winter.

For sure, some producers have already responded to record prices by seeding extra wheat acres. US wheat futures soared to all-time highs as unfavourable weather in growing areas around the world tightened supplies and sent export business to the US. However, other producers are still undecided about what they will plant on their land, wheat industry members said. Indeed, producers and seed dealers have said new-crop wheat at $6 was not going to add all the acreage the markets wanted. With CBOT December wheat trading above $9 at the end of September, growers were questioning why the new-crop price didn’t keep up with old-crop if the market wants greater wheat production.

Source: CBOT News

Oilseed Prices Look Strong

For those willing to wait, the market outlook remains good. The global supply and demand is tight with little sign of any slowdown in demand. The outlook for next year is also pretty friendly. Higher cereal prices will potentially reduce oilseeds plantings, and this combined with uncomfortably tight ending stocks and steady demand should support prices for the foreseeable future.

Source: http://www.gleadell.co.uk/MarketReport.htm

World Malt Barley Supply

The world’s brewers are short of malt and needing to buy. The maltster is unwilling to sell any more malt until he has bought the barley. This is proving difficult. The last 20% of the Canadian barley crop is now confirmed as feed. In Australia the dry weather continues with some pundits now forecasting a barley crop up to 3MT down on early estimates. This is causing further worries for the world’s buyers. In the EU we continue to have difficulties with high nitrogen on delivery. Prices remain firm especially after the new year.

Source: http://www.gleadell.co.uk/MarketReport.htm

Wheat Volatility to Rise this Week

Given the current emotions, wheat could be quite volatile ahead of USDA’s next world supply/demand revisions on October 12. The USDA announced that it won’t offer early withdrawal CRP program, but producers shouldn’t forget to have 40-45% of 2007/08 crop priced. Current prices are likely to expand US & World wheat planting substantially in next 7-8 months.

Source: NARMS Update

Pricing Spring Wheat: Do we leave it in the Pool Account?

The chart below depicts the December Spring Wheat futures over the last 17 years. You can see why some analysts are screaming to price your wheat before the market crashes. The same analysts have been shouting this message for over a month while the price has increased over a $1.00 bushel. The question now is how long do we wait? Do we sell into the fixed price contract or do we keep it in the CWB Pool account. Why not both? Are we waiting for $8.00 or $9.00 wheat which may or may not occur? The fact is, the price will rise and the price will fall, and at some point we should take profit when we can. Realistically, Canada is sitting on the only real supply of high quality wheat in the world, giving the CWB a strong sales advantage. Considering its critical stance, I would think the CWB has a vested interest in actually providing above average prices for Canadian Spring Wheat. With their existence at stake, I can see them cashing in a few favours to provide a ‘wow’ year for Western Canadian farmers. What’s your guess?