November 22, 2012

Agronomists Notes

Hello Reader,

It was another successful Advanced Agronomy Conference in Edmonton this year. Clay Mitchell blew our minds with his on farm trials and the way he approaches his crop production. Really, does anyone know how many ppm of carbon dioxide exists between the soil surface and the top of your crop? Clay does and it was very fascinating to see how he inter-crops corn and soybeans among other things. The other concurrent session speakers discussed everything from vacuum planters to soil compaction. I will provide you a summary next week when I catch my breath.

This week we’ll look at why we should be seeding beside the rows instead of between the rows. Next, we’ll look at some interesting results from a controlled traffic farming study near Trochu, Alberta. Last, we’ll review the results of a high yield barley trial looking at plant growth regulators and variable rate top dress liquid nitrogen. We’ll finish with technical grain market news.

Have a great week,

Improving emergence through inter-row seeding

Seeding near last year’s stubble row

Mitch and I have been inter-row seeding for three years now and have made a few tweaks to our offset hitch to make it work the way we want it. Many producers who build offset hitches for inter-row seeding choose to seed directly in between last year’s stubble rows. That works well for many but Mitch and I have found better germination and emergence by staying as close as possible to last year’s stubble row instead of between.

The bottom photo shows the position of our hitch in year 1, 2 and 3, indicated by the red lines. We shift the hitch three inches side to side each year. To illustrate, the top photo shows canola emerged right beside last year’s stubble row. In the middle photo, peas emerged three inches away from barley stubble.
This type of offset has proven to be more robust than a typical offset for a number of reasons. In drier springs when moisture is limiting, the first place to dry out is typically right between the stubble rows. Sunlight and wind evaporate those areas quickly, drying out the seedbed. On the flip side, in a dry year the area with the greatest amount of soil moisture is underneath or beside the stubble rows. Placing seed just a few inches away from last year’s stubble gives seedlings access to moisture they may not have if seeded in the middle of the rows.

An advantage of inter-row seeding is consistent seed depth. When seeding on a diagonal or across the rows you’re ripping through stubble with root balls attached, then soft soil in between the row then back through stubble rows. This results in highly variable seeding depth as clumps of soil are lifted and seeds placed underneath. I’ve seen seeds planted four inches below an old stubble row then just half an inch deep between the row where it’s dry and hard. The second reason for seed depth variability is due to soil resistance levels between dry and moist soil. As the shank moves through moist soil it drops in depth. When a shank hits dry soil, there is more resistance and the opener lifts up with seeds then placed more shallow than beside the stubble.

Seeding along last year’s stubble row gives you access to seed placed fertilizer applied the year before. When we place fertilizer with the seed like phosphorus and potassium it remains immobile. By offsetting the hitch and planting close to last year’s stubble row the plant gains access to fertilizer placed in previous years. Over time as you plant on top of old stubble rows, you will be planting into a nutrient rich zone every year. The result is a crop with better germination, emergence and vigour, a winning combination.

To really maximize the benefit of inter-row seeding stubble height should be at least 10 inches tall or higher. It reduces wind speed and stops warm air from disappearing between the rows. With high frost risks in the spring, tall stubble means less residue on the ground to reflect light and taller stubble to slow wind speed, reduce evaporation and keep the area between the rows warm. Warm soils, low evaporation, reduction in surface residue, access to nutrient rich zones and consistent seeding depth all add up to some seriously good germination and emergence. In my mind it’s a system that everyone in Western Canada should be moving to. SL

Photo: Canola and peas placed beside the row and our 3 inch offset hitch.

Controlled Traffic Farming Alberta Project

Year two results: CTF produces a more consistent yield

As part of our CTFA study we have four cooperators doing side by side trials comparing random traffic to controlled traffic farming. With fields split in half we are looking at changes in soil bulk density, compaction, water-holding capacity, yield, advantages, disadvantages and economics over three years. Two of the cooperators who submitted yield results from 2012 experienced a 6 to 13% yield bump in barley after just two years of CTF. Today, we’ll look at some interesting results submitted by cooperator Jamie Christie and his agronomist Curt Walker.

The yield map shown here is of a 291 acre field of malt barley that produced 74 bu/ac in the random traffic check on the right side and 85 bu/ac inside the CTF plot. What’s really interesting to see is the yield consistency. The random traffic areas outside the CTF plot show a tremendous amount of yield variability but the CTF plot has produced a more consistent yield, which you see in darker green areas.

Jamie’s second year in CTF is proving just how robust a system CTF is. The area received significant rains throughout the season and barley is very sensitive to waterlogged soils. Under the CTF system water infiltrates the soil quickly and stores it at depth allowing plant roots to breath. I feel this translated to a 13% yield increase in Jamie's field with a similar result occuring in barley at cooperator Craig Shaw's who saw a 5% yield increase in 2012 after excessive rains.

Controlled traffic farming is designed to handle a variable climate. Too much rain or not enough are extremes but typical in our area. Jamie’s trial clearly shows the advantages in a wet year. SL

To know more about the workings of CTF, view my Nuffield Report online at:

Photo: Yield map of CTF plot field at Jamie Christie's supplied by Curt Walker of AgVisor Crop Management.

High yield barley trial shows great results

PGR’s with top dressed nitrogen beneficial

The results of another high yield barley trial have come in from agronomist Craig Shand and his cooperator Grant Budgeon. This site near Crossfield, AB in the black soil zone aimed at comparing plant growth regulators and top dress variable rate UAN nitrogen to a standard agronomy program. The results were very promising and show the value of PGR’s in barley and VR top dress UAN. Here are the details:

Seeding
• Xena barley
• Seeding rate: 159 lbs/ac
• Target plant density: 28 plants ft2
• Seed treatment: Raxil WW
• Fertility: 55 lbs N as NH3 fall applied
• Seedplaced: 20-35-0-0 at 94 lb/ac + VR topdress UAN S

praying
• Axial iPak + Actagro 5% copper
• Quilt applied 303 ml/ac at flag leaf stage
• Ethrel PGR applied at awn emergence at 300 ml/ac

Notes: 7.18 inches rainfall in-season

Trial 1: PGR vs. No PGR
Check: 102 bu/ac, 55 lb/bu, 11.8% pro
PGR: 107 bu/ac, 54.7 lb/bu, 11% pro

The PGR increased yield by 5 bu/ac after just seven inches of rain. There was a reasonable amount of lodging but it was not severe. Also, it was interesting to see the protein drop while the yield increased which is consistent with what we’ve been finding in our trials. We were told that PGR’s can increase protein which hasn’t been the case in the last two years. Last, the Ethrel cost $5.50/ac and netted a $25.00/ac response, which is an excellent ROI.

Trial 2: Check vs. VR top dress UAN (0-34 gal/ac)
Check: 102 bu/ac, 55 lb/bu, 11.8% pro
VR UAN: 115 bu/ac, 53 lb/bu, 13% pro

The second trial compared top-dress VR UAN with no PGR added. UAN was applied through streamer nozzles in the sprayer at tillering. As you can see the UAN generated a 12.7% increase in yield. The VR UAN map is shown above with rates between 27 and 34 gal/ac. That’s a nitrogen rate between 75 and 95 lbs/N/ac put through the streamer bars. It cost roughly $60.00/ac and generated a $65.00/ac return-- barely break even. Protein increased by 1.2% so perhaps the UAN did not get into the plant soon enough to drive yield.

Trial 3: Check vs. VR top dress UAN + PGR
Check: 102 bu/ac, 55 lb/bu, 11.8% pro
VR UAN: 115 bu/ac, 53 lb/bu, 13% pro
VR UAN + PGR: 121 bu/ac, 54.7 lb/bu, 13.3% pro

The combination of a plant growth regulator with top dress nitrogen generated an 18.6% yield increase over the check. The $70.00/ac investment in PGR and UAN returned $95.00/ ac, which is marginal but easily fine-tuned. The additional 19 bu/ac would require just 30 lbs/N/ac and not the 85 lbs/N/ac that was applied to shoot for a target of 180 bu/ac. Top dress UAN requires rainfall to work efficiently so perhaps in the future, an injection coulter or high pressure nozzle may be the answer to get nitrogen into the soil where it is available. Figure that system out and you’ve got a winning combination between top dress UAN and PGR’s.

The net returns in these trials are seemingly low but we must remember that we are swinging for the fence in these trials. Aiming for 180 bu/ac barley requires a huge amount of inputs. At the end of the day we may bump yields by 20 to 30% and curtail our inputs back to match a more reasonable yield target. I suspect top dress UAN and the use of PGR’s are the future in an intensive barley management program. The gains are real and these trials are proving it. SL

Pictured above: Top dress VR UAN prescription map from Craig Shand of Farmers Edge.

Beyond Agronomy Smartphone Apps

The seeding rate calculator app allows you to enter your desired plant density, thousand kernel weight, germination, seedling mortality and instantly provides the correct seeding rate in lbs/ac.

The herbicide tank mix and rainfast guide app tells you what order to mix each herbicide and how long you have until it rains. This quick and easy to use app is tailored to Western Canadian farmers.

These apps will make your life easier and who doesn’t need a little ease? Hop on over to www.beyondagronomy.com to get yours today. Then tell your friends!