Sonja Begemann

Sonja Begemann provides information about seeds, chemicals and anything that affects crop production. A recent graduate of the University of Missouri (Science and Agricultural Journalism), Sonja is excited to help provide farmers with information they need to know. She has a strong background in row crop production and learned valuable agronomic skills in corn, soybeans, sorghum and alfalfa. Her roots in agriculture began with both of her grandparents, who were corn and soybean farmers and continued to grow throughout her childhood on a small family farm where she raised chickens and pigs for 4-H and FFA. When Sonja looks to relax she enjoys spending time with friends and family, cooking and doing anything outside.

Latest Stories
Farmers will be able to plant Enlist E3 soybeans in select areas because of a partnership of Dow AgroSciences with ADM. This will allow certain farmers to use not only the herbicide tolerant seed, but the accompanying over-the-top herbicide as well.
Evaluate early season weed control to preserve yield potential
Switching seed brands might not mean genetics change.
With cool conditions and precipitation spreading across the Midwest, farmers are keeping a close eye on corn, and especially, soybean fields.
Every year you’re likely to see differences in corn yield, depending on where you’re at in a field. This is a function of a large number of factors, including soil type and access to water.
There are always variances in yield and moisture across crop fields. This is due to topography, soil type and other management factors. However, this year wide spreads in moisture content will present challenges.
It’s full steam ahead for many farmers to finish 2020 harvest before Thanksgiving. While droughty conditions have enabled a faster harvest, they’ve also created wide swings in yield based on maturity and geography.
In the hustle and bustle of harvest, it might be crazy to think about stopping in between fields to clean your combine. If you don’t, you might set yourself up for bigger challenges next year, and in years to come.
Because corn went down green, and before black layer, there is an incredible amount of biomass in fields that needs managed. Start strategizing what you can do now.
At this point, is it worth the risk of tearing up fields to gather the grain only to spend money to dry the crops? Should you instead take the gamble of in-field loss and just leave the crops until next spring.