May 7, 2013

Agronomist Notes

Hello Reader

Seeding is progressing very well in the west towards Calgary at 20% complete while seeding in the east towards Drumheller has just begun. Mitch and I plan to start Wednesday. The fourteen-day forecast remains sunny with daytime temperatures reaching mid to high teens. We can easily plant 30-40% per week so it looks like an end date similar to last year around May 23rd.

I’ll keep this issue short and sweet since most of you are in the field. First, we’ll start with an update on 2013 costs of production and returns in case you’re faced with the decision to switch crops last minute. I’ll also share a list of early maturing wheat, barley and canola varieties if the need to switch varieties arises. Next, I’ve
included a link to this years Alberta insect pest forecast maps and will follow with tips on how long to wait before seeding after a glyphosate applicaton. Last, I’ll show you how Case combine designers have embraced CTF and reveal our updated herbicide tankmix and rainfast guide for smart phones. We’ll finish with technical grain market news.

Have a great week.

Picture above: All hands on deck for seeding preparation. It's hard to say who is more excited. Photo source: V. Larocque

Steve’s Tips of the Week

Keep on top of post-seed herbicide applications. Apply no more than 3 days after seeding with florasulam products like PrePass.
Be sure to seed into moisture even if it means seeding slightly deeper than normal. With little rain in the forecast it can’t be relied on to help with germination.
Canola yields begin to decline on average after May 7th. I’m recommending some clients switch out of wheat and move to canola then back to wheat.

Crop return outlook

With seeding just underway I thought I would provide a quick update on our costs of production and returns for 2013. At first glance it looks like fababeans for human consumption are the clear winner but clearly the highest risk. Next in order are malt barley, canola, CPS wheat and HRS wheat. Here are our costs of production for 2013 with returns based on todays Oct-Nov delivered prices.

If you're having trouble seeing the spreadsheet click here

Our crop mix includes 12.5% faba beans, 67% CPS wheat and 20.5% canola. If the season runs late we may flip into malt barley with yield loss from late seeding less likely than wheat or canola. Profit margins for us remain highest for faba beans, malt barley, CPS wheat, canola then HRS wheat. We decided to swing a few acres to fababeans instead of CPS wheat because the returns are potentially better, understanding the risk of growing a new crop like this.

We’re a long way from harvest and prices seem to be on a steady decline. The one outlier this recap has shown is that malt barley, if you can get a contract, is not a bad option if you run late on seeding. SL

Running into a late start this season?

Source early maturing varieties now

Some producers across the Prairies are looking at a May 15th start to seeding at best after heavy snow and cooler temperatures. If you find yourself late and can change up varieties, here is a list of early maturing wheat, barley and canola varieties to help you.

Canola

Pioneer 43E01
Pioneer 43E02*
Liberty Link L120*
Viterra SP621
Proven 9350*
Proven 43A56
Dekalb 73-35

Wheat

AC Intrepid*
AC Splender
Alvena
Park
CDC Thrive
Park

Feed Barley

CDC Helgason
Conlon*

*a good choice

After a quick review, most varieties are still available if you need to move to shorter season varieties. I can’t believe there is still a seed grower offering Park wheat, which was first sold in 1964! It is the earliest variety of wheat on the market, but I can’t say that from my experience. Not enough gray hair. All of the canola varieties have decent yield potential but nothing like mid to long-season varieties. All the wheat varieties have decent yield potential but do not have great standability, therefore backoff nitrogen rates by 10 or 15% to keep them on their feet. I like Conlon as a feed barley because it stands well, is very early maturing and yield close to the top feed varieties on the market. SL

Alberta Insect forecast maps

Keep up on insect forecasts in Alberta or see if you’re in a hot spot for wireworms, cutworms and other insect pests on Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development's website, click here.

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, and 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 and 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:
1. Dandelion
2. Winter annuals
3. Quack grass
4. Perennial Sow Thistle
5. Canada Thistle
6. Toadflax
7. Annuals

Source: Syngenta and Monsanto

Herbicide Tank-Mix & Rainfast Guide

We’ve just updated the latest Herbicide Tank-Mix and Rainfast guide, which gives Western Canadian producers a list of herbicides, active ingredients, crop stages, tank mix orders and rainfastness to help them with herbicide applications. We’ve had some great feedback. Check it out at:

Apple

Android

Case embrases CTF with a massive unload auger

Auger fits 40ft (12.2M) CTF system

I came a cross a photo via Twitter showing Case’s combine solution to a 12.2M (40ft) CTF system. The massive unload auger pushes out to 40ft to unload on the go. To date, 40ft CTF systems have had to extend augers on combines by 5 ft while adapting auger/conveyor tables on the grain cart. Case has now simplified the process by offering a larger auger. I haven’t got all the details yet but had to share the news. Well done Case! SL