Boots In The Field Report

In this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken gives an update on the planting front, explains how cold soils are working in a lot of growers’ favor right now, and where to look for weak spots in your N program following heavy spring rains.

In this week’s #BIFR Ken Ferrie starts with an update on the corn and bean planting progress across central IL. Ken alerts scouts to be on the lookout for seed chilling issues, cutworms, and armyworms. He also warns them to be on the lookout for soil crusting, “Hoe Before You Know”. He ends with a warning about knowing your inhibitor!

Ken recaps the results that have been coming back on the seed test and why some are concerning. He also talks about the increased Army Worm pressure, how the wheat is surviving the cold snap, and what conditions you are looking for if you plan to plant corn next week.

This podcast is a product of all the calls asking the same question: “Can I plant corn or beans right now?” Ken gives his recommendations and outlines things to consider about planting right now.

Ken clears up some confusion on how much efficiency credit to give banded N and making sure you are thinking through your carbon load to make sure your corn doesn't have a bad day.

With wheels starting to roll on the spring 2020 season, Ken reminds growers that 80% of the compaction that causes issues comes from the 1st tillage pass in the spring. He also covers a real-life example of how the 4Rs playout when weather and conditions turn against you.

In this week's Boots in The Field Report Ken runs the number on Starter. While he shares the advantage he has seen to starter, he also cautions that you can spend yourself into a negative ROI if you aren't careful.

In this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken advises to think the opposite when planting early season beans. Unlike normal planting, when going for early beans the key is planting longer season beans first to give them the best chance of flowering before the solstice. He also shares his concerns about spring stripping anhydrous and planting corn on top of the strip.

In this week's Boots In The Field Report Ken tackles the topic of starter, ranging from product, placement, rate, and desired outcome.

In the first Boots In The Field Report podcast of 2020, Ken tackles the question of hybrid selection. He lays out a process for selecting the right hybrid for each specific field and advises that even though it takes time and effort, the results show up in ROI. He commends growers that are willing to change their management style to fit the selected hybrid and warns producers using only a hybrid that fits their management style will have a smaller pool of hybrids to select from. No matter the management style, Ken recommends focusing on finding the best performing hybrids first to start your selection pool and then evaluating the hybrid and farms strengths and weaknesses to ensure correct placement.