Latest News From Crops

Is a Bottom in the Grain Markets Finally In?
Is a Bottom in the Grain Markets Finally In?

China canceled more wheat, but the grain markets seemed to shake off the negative news. DuWayne Bosse and Darren Frye make the case for why the lows in the grain markets may behind us.

The 4 Rs of Fertility
Farmer Asks How To Improve P and K On Rental Ground

A Minnesota grower asks Ken Ferrie, Farm Journal Field Agronomist, how to improve upon the soil fertility on 90 acres he is renting for the first time this year.

There's a New Way to Cash in on Your CI Score on the Farm, Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act
There's a New Way to Cash in on Your CI Score on the Farm, Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act

The new 45Z tax credit passed in the Inflation Reduction Act, slated to take effect Jan. 1, 2025, means a farmer's carbon intensity score will soon be worth more, especially if your corn goes to an ethanol plant.

7 Ways to Make Data Pay
7 Ways to Make Data Pay

Here’s how to get the biggest ROI from your layers of data — and use the information to spot issues in time to improve this year's crop.

Data Opens Up New Solutions At The Farm Gate
Data Opens Up New Solutions At The Farm Gate

Whether it's planting, spraying, soil sampling or harvesting, new tools are turning the information you collect into actionable insights.

You Can't Afford to Be Complacent About Tar Spot
You Can't Afford to Be Complacent About Tar Spot

Just because tar spot was mostly a no-show in 2022 and 2023 doesn't mean that will be the case in 2024. Charting humidity levels can help predict if the disease will strike.

10 Easy Ways to Take Your Crop-Scouting Practices to the Next Level
10 Easy Ways to Take Your Crop-Scouting Practices to the Next Level

In a year with razor-thin margins, at best, corn and soybean growers can use a variety of new technology and tried-and-true agronomic tools to score higher yields this season.

Break Down The Barriers In The Biological Space
Break Down The Barriers In The Biological Space

The NewLeaf Symbiotics team says reluctance to try biologicals is often a result of feeling overwhelmed by the options available, making education key as the space continues to grow.

A Kick-Start For Corn: When to Use Plant Growth Regulators
A Kick-Start For Corn: When to Use Plant Growth Regulators

If weather stresses have you looking for ways to give your crop a stronger start this spring, consider whether a plant growth regulator could be part of the solution, especially in high-yield environments.

Use Technology to Build the Perfect Furrow
Use Technology to Build the Perfect Furrow

Your technology investment will maximize corn yield on every soil type.

Spring Weather, Drought Concerns and Price Impact Northern Plains Planting Decisions
Spring Weather, Drought Concerns and Price Impact Northern Plains Planting Decisions

Weather and prices are dictating acreage decisions in the Northern Plains this spring. So what are producers planning to plant?

2023 Crop Production Déjà Vu? USDA's Latest Report Shows Brazil's Crop Isn't A Disaster, Despite Crippling Drought Early On
2023 Crop Production Déjà Vu? USDA's Latest Report Shows Brazil's Crop Isn't A Disaster, Despite Crippling Drought Early On

USDA cut its estimate for Brazil’s soybean production by 1 MMT in the March WASDE report, which was less than what the trade expected. USDA didn’t make any cuts to Brazil’s corn.

Data From New Trials Boasts Yield Boosts With Biologicals
Data From New Trials Boasts Yield Boosts With Biologicals

Two new studies from Locus Ag and Pivot Bio found the use of biological products consistently increased yields in a variety of crops across a range of growing conditions.

Ferrie: Four Ways to Scratch the Planting Itch Without Regret
Ferrie: Four Ways to Scratch the Planting Itch Without Regret

Don't take equipment to fields too soon and create headaches that will linger all season. While you wait for the right timing, consider doing prep work and projects that can help set you up for yield success.

Farmers Share Biological Experiences Through New Mosaic Initiative
Farmers Share Biological Experiences Through New Mosaic Initiative

Through the Frontier Fields program, a select group of farmers will document their experiences with a biological product over the course of a year.

10 Tips to Shorten Your Cover Crop  Learning Curve
10 Tips to Shorten Your Cover Crop Learning Curve

Farm Journal Test Plot research proves practices that reduce soil disturbance and sequester carbon perform best in a vertical farming system, as opposed to horizontal tillage, which creates yield-limiting soil layers.

Bayer Says “Not Now” For Division Split Or Sell Off
Bayer Says “Not Now” For Division Split Or Sell Off

“We are a high-impact, mission-driven, life-science company with three strong businesses, but we have four challenges that urgently must be addressed,” said Bill Anderson.

3 Tips For Better Weed-Control Outcomes This Season
3 Tips For Better Weed-Control Outcomes This Season

Do you want to plant early-season soybeans? Do you grow non-GMO crops? If the answer to either question is yes, Ken Ferrie, Farm Journal field agronomist, says to address weeds in the process.

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Breaking Down the Environmental Benefits of Nitrogen Stabilizers
Breaking Down the Environmental Benefits of Nitrogen Stabilizers

Nitrogen fertilizer is essential to growing high-yielding corn. But with 12 million tons of nitrogen fertilizer applied to crops each year, it’s critical to keep that nitrogen where it’s applied.

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Bolt-On At-Plant Micronutrients
Bolt-On At-Plant Micronutrients

This is a new seed lubricity agent applied at plant as a talc/graphite replacement which also provides a micronutrient package (5% phosphate, 1% iron, 3% mnagenses, 2.5% molybendum, 10.5% zinc.)

China's Buys of Corn and Sorghum Are Surging Right Now, But Why?
China's Buys of Corn and Sorghum Are Surging Right Now, But Why?

Reports say China has purchased more than 20 cargoes of feed grain in the past two weeks. Where is China buying from, and what's behind the sudden surge?

New Water-Use Management Tool For Commercial Crops
New Water-Use Management Tool For Commercial Crops

Helena introduces Resgenix to help farmers manage the water available to crops and optimize its use.

Inside AMVAC's Strategy To Widen Precision Agriculture Adoption
Inside AMVAC's Strategy To Widen Precision Agriculture Adoption

Rick Rice, AMVAC director of application technology, says grant programs aren't meant to forever subsidize a particular practice, but instead act as a catalyst for new participants to see its benefits.

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Get ahead of potential nutrient deficiencies this year
Get ahead of potential nutrient deficiencies this year

As the temperature gets slightly warmer and the daylight a little longer, even if you don’t have seeds in the ground, it’s never too soon to curb crop deficiency.

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2 Ways to Protect Your Fertilizer Investment This Spring
2 Ways to Protect Your Fertilizer Investment This Spring

April showers bring … an increased risk of nitrogen loss in your fields. In fact, research shows that soil can lose more than 20% of its total nitrogen after just one or two spring rainfalls.

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4 Tips for On-target Herbicide Applications With the Enlist® Weed Control System
4 Tips for On-target Herbicide Applications With the Enlist® Weed Control System

Herbicide applications that don’t stay on target can be a huge headache for growers.

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Resistance Management: Choosing the Right Tools
Resistance Management: Choosing the Right Tools

Farmers hear it every year: Use different chemistries throughout the season to help avoid herbicide resistance.

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DPH Biologicals Expands Research to Quantify Potential of Biologicals
DPH Biologicals Expands Research to Quantify Potential of Biologicals

The company’s BioAgonomics project will focus on the connection between agronomic practices in crop production and the value provided by biologicals.

5 Trends To Watch In The Input Market
5 Trends To Watch In The Input Market

Experts are watching global dynamics to understand the input market’s longer-term outlook in the U.S. Among their top concerns are geopolitics, weather and low supply.

Simplot Grower Solutions’ New Biostimulant For Residue Breakdown: Evaness
Simplot Grower Solutions’ New Biostimulant For Residue Breakdown: Evaness

Benefits include reducing crop residue build-up on the soil surface, resulting in improved planting, seed placement, and germination.

Meristem Announces “Gold Standard” Fungicide At-Plant Treatment For Pythium and Phytophthora
Meristem Announces “Gold Standard” Fungicide At-Plant Treatment For Pythium and Phytophthora

The company sees this new formulation as a potential replacement for liquid seed treatment. 

New Purdue Report Says The Number Of Dust Explosions Is Unchanged
New Purdue Report Says The Number Of Dust Explosions Is Unchanged

There was a total of nine reported incidents in the U.S. last year – the same number as 2022. Those nine explosions led to 12 injuries with no fatalities.

Ferrie: It's Only February, but Iowa Farmers are Considering Field Work and Anhydrous Applications
Ferrie: It's Only February, but Iowa Farmers are Considering Field Work and Anhydrous Applications

Before heading to the field to apply anhydrous, firm up what crop you're going to plant. Growers have been kicking around the idea of going beans-on-beans, given the markets. But anhydrous essentially ties you to corn.

Top Advice For Pest Management in 2024: Spray Earlier
Top Advice For Pest Management in 2024: Spray Earlier

“We’re living in a world where it’s just a matter of time,” Harlan Asmus says referencing the development of resistance.

Bayer’s New Business Model: Magnitude of Change
Bayer’s New Business Model: Magnitude of Change

Dynamic Shared Ownership reduces the layers and brings the business management closer to the customer.

Pivot Bio’s Sustainabilty Program Pays Farmers $6 Million Over Two Years
Pivot Bio’s Sustainabilty Program Pays Farmers $6 Million Over Two Years

The program is structured so farmer users of Pivot Bio Proven 40 can participate in annual carbon insetting partnerships as a result of their change in practice.

anhydrous ammonia
Nurse Tank Safety Advisory Issued

The new safety notice pertains to nurse tanks with manufacture dates between Jan. 1, 2007, and Dec. 31, 2011, by AWT at their plant in Fremont, Ohio.

New Herbicide Registered for Use in Soybean, Cotton and Canola
New Herbicide Registered for Use in Soybean, Cotton and Canola

Zalo herbicide is registered for early to mid-post-emergence use to control a broad spectrum of broadleaf and grass weeds.

Handy Bt Trait Table Updated and Available Now
Handy Bt Trait Table Updated and Available Now

Corn growers can use this free tool to understand which hybrids have which traits, as well as evaluate insect problems and herbicide needs in-season.

USDA Painted a Very Bearish Picture for Grain Prices This Week, Here's One Thing That Could Cause Prices to Rally
USDA Painted a Very Bearish Picture for Grain Prices This Week, Here's One Thing That Could Cause Prices to Rally

USDA's Ag Outlook Forum in Washington, D.C., this past week confirmed growing stocks in 2024/2025. Analysts say without a sudden supply disruption, the commodity price outlook remains grim.

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Reviton Herbicide: A Revolutionary Step Change for Preplant Burndown
Reviton Herbicide: A Revolutionary Step Change for Preplant Burndown

Weed management continues to change and evolve. See how Reviton, a powerful PPO, can fit into your weed control program.

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Ferrie: Freezing and Thawing Cycles Can Help Or Hurt Compaction
Ferrie: Freezing and Thawing Cycles Can Help Or Hurt Compaction

A sudden change in soil density that occurs from the freezing-thawing process can cause problems with corn root growth this spring and impede water movement in the soil during the growing season.

sunflower
Pretty Plants In The Garden Become Weeds In The Field

Invasive weed species tied to the ornamental plant trade are taking root in some parts of the United States. Researchers have identified “outbreaks and hot spots” in eight states. 

How To Increase Your Potential SAF Tax Credits Now
How To Increase Your Potential SAF Tax Credits Now

The practices used during the 2024 growing season will have a direct impact on the ability to take advantage of these incentives. Mitchell Hora of Continuum Ag shares what you need to know.

EPA Issues Existing Stocks Order For Dicamba Products
EPA Issues Existing Stocks Order For Dicamba Products

On February 14, the EPA issued an existing stocks order for dicamba products previously registered for over-the-top use.

Feds Issue Warning on Chinese-Manufactured Drones as Farmer Adoption Soars
Feds Issue Warning on Chinese-Manufactured Drones as Farmer Adoption Soars

As drone use in agriculture climbs the FBI and CISA are warning about data theft from Chinese-manufactured drones. The ag industry is on the lookout but U.S.-made drone options are limited.

Complete These 8 Steps To Transition to Vertical Farming
Complete These 8 Steps To Transition to Vertical Farming

You’ve removed dense and compacted soil layers, balanced fertility and pH through the profile and set up your soil for vertical farming. Here are the final boxes to check to move away from horizontal farming.

Top 5 Takeaways From the Latest Census of Agriculture
Top 5 Takeaways From the Latest Census of Agriculture

USDA NASS has released the 2022 Census of Agriculture data, which revealed important information about the current state of agriculture.

Tall Order for Short Corn: The Latest On Short-Stature Hybrids
Tall Order for Short Corn: The Latest On Short-Stature Hybrids

Compact corn hybrids appear to take winds 50 mph in stride with little greensnap or lodging resulting. However, yield performance hasn’t been as consistent, and technology providers are working to change that.

BASF Announces EPA Approval of Surtain Herbicide
BASF Announces EPA Approval of Surtain Herbicide

The product is intended for use on corn acres and is the industry’s first solid-encapsulated herbicide technology.