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If planting is the most important trip you make across the field, then your planter may arguably be your most important piece of equipment.  Here are five things you should be doing to ready your planter for fieldwork: 1. Determine the Correct Seed Population to Plant Depending on the variety you choose, determine the correct seeding rate to establish corn and soybean plant stands that should achieve the yield goals you’ve set. 2. Use Restraint When Selecting Planting Speed Refer to your planter’s owners manual for their recommended planting speed. Most equipment manufacturers will suggest that you do not plant faster than 5.5 mph. Faster speeds can cause planters to bounce, skip, double drop or potentially vary seed depth. 3. Monitor S eed Spacing After Planting Skips and doubles at planting can have a negative impact on yield. Remember that it is possible to plant the desired amount of seed but result in a poor plant stand due to poor seed spacing. Today’s planting monitors are generally quite accurate, but you should be checking to see if they are working and calibrated properly. Digging in several locations can determine if the planter is operating correctly. Here’s an example of how you can double check seed spacing : Dig up 11 consecutive seeds in a row. Be careful not to move the seeds from the original spacing in the seed furrow. Measure the length in inches between the 11 seeds. Let’s say the total length of 11 seeds was 66 inches. Divide the 66 inches by 10 (10 spaces between 11 seeds) = a 6.6 inch average spacing between seeds. Assume the planter has 30 inch row spacing. 43,560 square feet in an acre divided by 2.5 feet (30 inches) = 17,424 feet of row = 1 acre. 17,424 feet x 12 inches = 209,088 inches of row in 1 acre. And 209,088 inches of row in 1 acre divided by 6.6 inches (average seed spacing you found earlier) = 31,680 seeds planted per acre. 4 . Use Correct Seed Planting Depth Corn should be planted at a minimum of 1.75 inches and a maximum of 3 inches to ensure that the first set of nodal roots will be at least 3/4 of an inch below the soil surface. Nodal roots are important to anchor the plant in the ground and to feed the plant. The nodal roots grow from the top of the corn seedlings mesocotyl, and for most corn is 3 /4 of an inch long.  Soybeans should be planted at a minimum of 1 inch and maximum of 2 inches. This will aid in the soybean cotyledon emergence and acquire adequate moisture for growth. 5. Consider Seed-to- soil Contact Seed to soil contact is important for germination and getting plants off to a strong start. Closing wheels and press wheels of your planter can be adjusted to provide varying amounts of firmness and seed-to-soil contact. When planting in wet soil, furrow openers can cause sidewall compaction that restricts root growth and often leaves the seed furrow open, exposing the seed. If the soil is too dry at planting, the seed will not germinate properly. Alternatively, if soil is too loose, air can dry out the soil and make it difficult for roots to grow properly. If your seed to soil contact is too firm, it can cause seedlings to have difficulty in emergence and growth. Always Fine-tune Prioritizing equipment maintenance and making adjustments to get the best planting results — before you plant every field — pays off in the long run. Copyright © 2014 - 2023 Farmer's Business Network, Inc. All rights Reserved. The sprout logo, “Farmers Business Network”, “FBN” are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of Farmer's Business Network, Inc. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS. It is a violation of federal and state/provincial law to use any crop protection product other than in accordance with its label. The distribution, sale and use of an unregistered pesticide is a violation of federal and/or state law and is strictly prohibited. It is your responsibility to confirm prior to purchase and use that a product is labeled for your specific purposes, including, but not limited to, your target crop or pest and its compatibility with other products in a tank mix.

While ag chemical markets have seen disruptions over the past two years due to manufacturing shutdowns, logistics constraints and global trade disruptions, the 2023 growing season is showing potential signs of a stabilized market.  Ag chemical markets have started to normalize in recent months making products more readily available to farmers at better prices.  Our latest report, the Ag Chemical Price Transparency Report, was published by the FBN® Research Lab in order to help bring visibility into industry chemical prices on a national and local level. Farmers who buy chemicals know all too well that the lack of price transparency creates confusion.  [FBN Members: Click here to access the FBN Ag Chemical Price Transparency Report 2023] FBN Member Submitted Data The report was compiled by collecting the valuable contributions of FBN farmers that submitted invoices detailing the specific ag chemicals they bought and the prices they paid. By crowdsourcing this data, our report showcases the true market pricing faced by farmers.  To provide clarity on national pricing information to our members, we aggregated chemical invoices and price quotes submitted by FBN members based on transactions made between October 2021 and February 2023, a 17-month time period of extreme variability in market conditions.  FBN received over 3,000 unique pricing data points, representing 37 states and over 800 insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides. This report outlines the pricing variations observed on some common ag chemicals. These prices do not include rebates. By collecting, anonymizing, aggregating, and reporting back to our FBN members, we believe this helps change the power paradigm and provide key leverage for farmers’ to negotiate with their ag retailers and get a fair price. Indeed, economic competition is built on price transparency and it is this view which serves as a pillar of our work. [Not an FBN member yet? Access the report here] What It Means For the Farmer While prices for most active ingredients have trended lower and are near or even below where they were two years ago, we found that other prices have continued to remain elevated. Despite the easing of some supply chain issues, it will still take time for some prices to be worked out.  Unlock the Report Get insights and learn more from FBN experts in the latest FBN Research publication. Unlock the FBN Ag Chemical Price Transparency Report for free by clicking here . FBN members can access this report and more in the Reports section of the FBN app. By becoming an FBN member, you'll join a global network of farmers — 55,000+ strong and growing — who are already taking advantage of the opportunity to reduce their production costs and maximize the value of their crops. Copyright © 2014 - 2023 Farmer's Business Network, Inc. All rights Reserved. The sprout logo, “Farmers Business Network”, “FBN”, “FBN Direct” are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of Farmer's Business Network, Inc. Fees may apply for certain product and service offerings other than FBN membership. FBN Direct products and services and other products distributed by FBN Direct are offered by FBN Inputs, LLC and are available only in states where FBN Inputs, LLC is licensed and where those products are registered for sale or use, if applicable. If applicable, please check with your local extension service to ensure registration status. Nothing contained on this page, including the prices listed should be construed as an offer for sale, or a sale of products. All products and prices are subject to change at any time and without notice. Terms and conditions apply. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS. It is a violation of federal and state law to use any pesticide product other than in accordance with its label. The distribution, sale and use of an unregistered pesticide is a violation of federal and/or state law and is strictly prohibited. We do not guarantee the accuracy of any information provided on this page or which is provided by us in any form. It is your responsibility to confirm prior to purchase and use that a product is labeled for your specific purposes, including, but not limited to, your target crop or pest and its compatibility with other products in a tank mix and that the usage of a product is otherwise consistent with federal, state and local laws. We reserve the right to restrict sales on a geographic basis in our sole discretion. You must have a valid applicator license to use restricted use pesticides. Please consult your state department of agriculture for complete rules and regulations on the use of restricted use pesticides, as some products require specific record-keeping requirements. All product recommendations and other information provided is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for consulting the product label or for specific agronomic, business, or professional advice. Where specific advice is necessary or appropriate, consult with a qualified advisor. Neither Farmer's Business Network Inc. nor any of its affiliates makes any representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the statements or any information contained in the material and any liability therefore is expressly disclaimed.

Planting is the most important trip you’ll make across your fields each year. Some of the biggest and most impactful steps you can take toward reaching your yield potential are completed as soon as your planter leaves the field. Here are 10 things you’ll want to consider before your planter hits the field. 1. Soil temperature Corn can germinate at 50° Fahrenheit, which is one reason that soil temperature is important. Don’t get underway with planting until the average daily temperature reaches 50° and future temperatures are predicted to be adequate for maintaining or increasing that soil temperature. 2. Soil moisture Soil moisture is also critical for proper germination and uniform crop emergence. By placing corn seed into adequate moisture, you have a greater chance of achieving even germination and emergence. During drought years, pre-irrigating soils can eliminate moisture deficit problems. In wet years, be careful driving equipment across the field so you don’t create added soil compaction. 3. Weather forecast Keep a close watch on upcoming weather and how it could affect planted seed. For example, if heavy rains are in the forecast, it may be a good idea to delay planting for a slightly later date. Wait to begin planting until future frost chances are low.  4. Soil type Soil type should also be a consideration when planting. Sandy soils tend to warm up faster than clay soils and have less nutrient and water holding capacity. In some cases, it may be better to plant the sandy soil fields first, as those soils may be drier and warmer. 5. Crusting probability Some fields are prone to crusting issues. If that sounds like some of your fields, consider planting when less rainfall is in the forecast. Keep in mind that scouting emergence issues and taking appropriate action can usually help to alleviate crusting. 6. Emergence vigor Choose corn hybrids rated high in seedling vigor in order to establish the uniform final population desired. This is especially important on farms with a history of soil crusting or when hard rains and high temperatures are in the forecast. 7. Planting depth Because corn seed imbibes 30% of its weight in water to achieve germination, corn should be a half-inch below the soil moisture line to ensure adequate moisture is available. Most seed companies and agronomists agree that corn seed should be planted at a depth between 1.5 inches and 2.5 inches. This depth will ensure that the nodal roots will develop at least 3/4 of an inch below the soil surface. The nodal roots are critical to the healthy establishment of the corn plant’s root system, as they supply the plant with nearly all nutrients during the first two weeks of seedling emergence. When the nodal roots are exposed to heat and air the root system can become compromised, reducing nutrient availability and resulting in yield reduction. 8. Seed-to-soil contact Firm seed-to-soil contact is essential. This will protect against inhibited root growth due to air pockets in the soil and will assist in water availability to begin germination. 9. Planting date When planting dates are later than in previous years, some farmers are prone to rush, often planting into soil conditions that are less than ideal. Any yield loss seen from later planting is often less costly than the soil issues that can result from early planting into poor conditions. 10. Crop residue Crop residue can impact seed depth, seed-to-soil contact and soil temperature. “Hairpinning” corn seed into previous crop residue is a common problem when planting into both no-till cropping systems and conventional tillage. This can result in skips of the final stand and cause delayed seedling emergence. And, finally, stay calm. Keep all these factors in mind, but remember that common sense plays an important role in determining what is best for every scenario. Always have your planting equipment in the best condition possible. Take time to check behind the planter and make any adjustments necessary to accomplish your final stand population. Monitors do not find all planter issues. And when in doubt, remember that making the right planting decisions is what helps you reach your maximum yield potential. Copyright © 2014 - 2023 Farmer's Business Network, Inc. All rights Reserved. The sprout logo, “Farmers Business Network”, “FBN” are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of Farmer's Business Network, Inc. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS. It is a violation of federal and state/provincial law to use any crop protection product other than in accordance with its label. The distribution, sale and use of an unregistered pesticide is a violation of federal and/or state law and is strictly prohibited. It is your responsibility to confirm prior to purchase and use that a product is labeled for your specific purposes, including, but not limited to, your target crop or pest and its compatibility with other products in a tank mix.

Between the 24/7 demands of running an agricultural operation and the blinding pace of our world today, there is little time to sift through all the headlines. The good news is that you no longer have to! Our goal is to point you to some of the most important headlines in agriculture, so you can stay informed on the forces shaping your livelihoods. To save you time, here are the week's top links and news items: Top news 1. From FBN: 4 Financial Priorities for Farmers in March This link highlights the financial priorities to consider keeping top of mind this month. Watch for Interest Rate Changes Following the March Fed Meeting Conduct Equipment Maintenance Before Planting Begins Finalize Your Insurance Coverage Assess the Future Value of Your Farmland 2. What Does the Failure of Silicon Valley Bank Mean to Ag Markets? FDIC records show SVB's failure is the second largest in US history. Companies at risk of losing money in a scenario of higher interest rates and lower returns typically carry high debt loads and earn a low return on assets. The primary concern for the ag markets is that this is the type of event that causes traders to trim their long positions. Corn, soybeans and cattle have large net-long positions held by specs and look vulnerable. Corn prices look the most vulnerable as specs were already stressed by May prices that have fallen 60 cents in the past three weeks. 3. Growth in Farmland Values Slows Amid Higher Interest Rates Farm real estate values increased in 2022 but showed signs of softening during the final months of 2022 as interest rates rose sharply. The average rate charged on agricultural loans increased nearly 150 basis points from the previous quarter and were about 300 basis points higher than a year ago. Rates rose to the highest level since 2008 and pushed up financing costs considerably. Benchmark interest rates surpassed returns to farmland owners in recent months, which could put some downward pressure on growth in farmland values going forward. Capitalization rates, calculated as the ratio of cash rents to farmland values, have decreased continuously over the past 15 years. 4. Texas Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Ag Retailer in Drift Case This recent court case highlights the requirements of farmers attempting to prove financial damage from exposure to pesticides. Demonstrating visual damage is not sufficient in these cases.  Farmers must show what amount of the pesticide reached the crop and whether that amount would reduce crop yields. Expert testimony is required for corroboration, as the farmer's experience is not sufficient. Farmers must show reduced crop yields for the entire area for which he seeks damages. 5. For beef-on-dairy, Angus performs best Penn State is conducting a feedlot trial to determine optimal beef genetics of steers born to Holstein cows. Because the cattle that consumed less feed grew slower, no breed differences existed in feed conversion to gain. Angus-sired steers were heaviest at feedlot entry and were fed at the center for the fewest days. The Angus-Holstein steers reported the best profit/hd. Wagyu-Holstein steers had the worst profit/hd due to inferior average daily gain and dry matter intake, greater days on feed, and reduced carcass weights. Get in touch If you have any links you'd like to share or have any questions, please contact Travis Carlstrom, Sr. Ag Credit Analyst at FBN. © 2015-2023 Farmer’s Business Network, Inc. All rights reserved. The sprout logo, “Farmers Business Network,” and “FBN” are registered service marks of Farmer’s Business Network, Inc. or its affiliates and are used with permission. The material provided is for information purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for specific professional advice. Neither Farmer’s Business Network nor any of its affiliates makes any representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the statements or any information contained in the material and any liability therefore is expressly disclaimed. The information and opinions expressed by others in this material are their own and are not endorsed or approved by FBN or its affiliates. 

Weeds are a threat to every farming operation and the number of herbicide-resistant weeds continues to grow every year. Creating a strategy to delay the development of resistant weeds is important and should be prioritized on every farm.  As of April 2022, the U.S. has 127 unique herbicide resistant weeds and Canada has 52.¹ There are a number of ways a grower can take a proactive approach to ensure a weed resistance management strategy is implemented on every acre. Let’s get into the weeds with the five ways to delay the development of herbicide resistant weeds: 1. Tank Mixing & Multiple Modes of Action Whenever possible, it’s important to prioritize tank mixing multiple herbicide groups to enhance weed control and mitigate the development of herbicide resistant weeds.  A pre-seed application is a great opportunity to include multiple modes of action from different herbicide groups that target the same weeds.² Maxunitech Carfentrazone-Ethyl 240 EC (group 14) and Bromoxinyl-240 EC (group 6) are both excellent herbicide options that tank mix well with Smoke® 540 Glyphosate pre-seed for most crops. 2. Crop Rotation Diversifying your crop rotation will optimize fertility, and mitigate disease and pest infestation. As well, this will provide you with the opportunity to utilize different selective chemistries for your crops. Consider rotating crops with different seeding and harvest windows to target weeds at optimal points throughout the growing season. Implementing both a diverse crop and chemistry rotation helps to prevent weeds from maturing, setting seed, and becoming a challenge the following year. [Powered by FBN members, the 2022 Canada Plantings Report provides one of the first major survey-based estimates of Canadian farmers’ planting intentions for the year. Click here to download the free report. ] 3. Chemistry Rotation Throughout the Season It’s a good strategy to use different herbicide groups at different points in the season that target the same weed spectrum. As part of an integrated weed management program, tank mixing products from multiple herbicide groups with every application and focusing on diversifying the annual chemistry rotation is recommended. [Curious about the shelf life of your ag chemicals? Review our ag chemical shelf life reference list and learn three tips for extending your chemicals' efficacy on FBN's blog .] 4. Effective Herbicide Application Keeping clean fields year over year helps reduce the opportunity for herbicide resistant weeds to develop, set seed, and propagate. When using products, it’s recommended to always use the label rate and directions to help you best achieve clean fields and minimize weed growth. Utilizing best practices regarding boom height, water volume, wind speed, and sprayer speed increase your chances of eliminating herbicide resistant weeds. [Looking to buy herbicide? Learn how to shop online, get it shipped directly to your door, and save money with FBN Direct ® in this video .] 5. Maintaining Clean Fields with Multiple Applications Throughout the Season Preemergence Early weed control is recommended as herbicides are typically most effective on small weeds.³ Most product labels do not target later stages of weed development and, as a result, weeds can mature, set seed, and become a challenge to control. Disha 480 (group 4) is an example of a preemergence product with residual control that can be applied prior to planting cereals that targets kochia (including group 2 resistant biotypes).   In Crop As a grower, you need to scout your fields to tailor your herbicide post emergence program to maximize and diversify weed control programs. Regional differences in weed pressures and crop mix potentially require more selective herbicide tank mix partners to control all types of weeds in the field.   There are multiple tank mix options that can be customized according to crop and target weed spectrum. For example, tank mixing Steel (group 2 and 4) and MCPA (group 4) are options for an in crop application in cereals. Another potential tank mix is  FBN Glufosinate 150  (group 10) with  FBN Clethodim 240(R)  (group 1) and   Clever® Dry Flowable Herbicide   (group 4) for an in crop application in glufosinate tolerant canola. Post-Harvest Burndown Combining a non-selective herbicide and a selective herbicide in a post-harvest application can be a very effective way to incorporate different herbicide groups and modes of action.  Prioritizing weed control in the fall will help to minimize weed seed development and weed pressure the following year. Always add another effective mode of action like a group 2 or 4 when applying glyphosate. For example, tank mixing   Florasulam 50  (group 2), 2,4-D (group 4) or  MCPA Ester 600  (group 4) with   Smoke® 540 Glyphosate  (group 9) for a post-harvest application. Protecting the long-term sustainability of your operation starts with protecting your crops by implementing a robust weed management strategy that incorporates cropping and chemistry diversity.  Shop for Herbicides Through FBN Find the products you need at FBN Direct® . With a diverse product portfolio, we provide the product options growers like you need to develop an integrated weed management strategy.  You can also learn more about our available crop nutrition solutions, seed, animal health products, and more by clicking here . Sources: https://www.weedscience.org/Pages/GeoChart.aspx https://manageresistancenow.ca/weeds/wfs-how-to-manage-herbicide-resistance-in-your-fields/ https://www.canolacouncil.org/canola-watch/2019/04/04/herbicide-resistant-weeds-prevention-and-management/ Copyright © 2015 - 2023 Farmer's Business Network Canada, Inc. All rights reserved. The sprout logo, "Farmers Business Network," "FBN,", "Farmers First", "FBN Direct," "F2F Genetics Network", the Pro Ag logo, "Pro Ag", and "Professional Ag Distributors" are trademarks or registered trademarks of Farmer's Business Network, Inc. or its affiliates.  FBN Direct products and services and other products distributed by FBN Direct are offered by Farmer's Business Network Canada, Inc. and are available only in provinces where Farmer's Business Network Canada, Inc. is licensed and where those products are registered for sale or use, if applicable. Not available in Quebec. Nothing contained on this page, including the prices listed should be construed as an offer for sale, or a sale of products. All products and prices are subject to change at any time and without notice. Terms and conditions apply. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS. It is a violation of federal and provincial law to use any pest control product other than in accordance with its label. The distribution, sale and use of an unregistered pest control product is a violation of federal and/or provincial law and is strictly prohibited. We do not guarantee the accuracy of any information provided on this page or which is provided by us in any form. It is your responsibility to confirm prior to purchase and use that a product is labeled for your specific purposes, including, but not limited to, your target crop or pest and its compatibility with other products in a tank mix and that the usage of a product is otherwise consistent with federal, provincial and local laws.  We reserve the right to restrict sales on a geographic basis in our sole discretion. You must have a valid applicator license and/or be a certified farmer, to use restricted and commercial pest control products (exceptions may apply based on province).  Please consult your applicable provincial authority for complete rules and regulations on licensing, use, and recording keeping requirements of restricted and commercial pest control products. The material provided is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for specific agronomic, business, legal, investment or professional advice. Where specific advice is necessary or appropriate, consult with a qualified agronomist, financial planner, or investment manager. Neither Farmer's Business Network, Inc. nor any of its affiliates makes any representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the statements or any information contained in the material and any liability therefore is expressly disclaimed.

All you need is your yield monitor files, your soil samples, and your state's crop nutrient removal figures to carefully manage both your crop yields and your input budgets. Here's how. Yield monitors have dramatically increased our ability to improve nutrient management on each and every field. Historically, nutrient recommendations were based on yield goals chosen by farmers, which often meant that they were based on a farmer’s aspirational yield, rather than the actual needs and reasonable expectations of a field’s yield potential. In some cases, this led to massive over-applications of fertilizers which, beyond costing farmers a lot of money, has also had negative impacts on water systems across the country. Getting the right nutrients , in the right amount, to the right part of the field is the key cost-effective nutrient management, and one powerful tool in identifying those factors is your yield files. Yield monitor data allows farmers to accurately replace the nutrients that have been removed from the soil by the previous crops by showing them exactly where nutrients were removed. Top yielding areas within a field remove more nutrients, so it’s generally safe to assume that in a field with big variations in yields, you’ll need to change your application rate within the field to make sure you get the nutrients to where they’ve been removed. If farmers aren’t careful to replenish these nutrients, field fertility will decline, decreasing the yield potential in the field every year.   Organizing Yield Monitor Data Organizing your yield monitor data into zones can be a valuable way to determine the amount of nutrients that are removed from an area in a cropping year. These zones can be defined in multiple ways; by soil types, grids, aerial imagery, historic yield data, etc. The smaller your chosen zones are, the more accurately you’ll be able to apply replacement nutrients, within the limitations of equipment and time. [READ: 8 Ways to Track Your Farm Data Throughout the Season] Soil Tests If soil test data is available for the field and can be summarized for each zone, the rates can be adjusted so that excess applications will not waste the input and zones with low soil test values can have higher rates applied to increase yield potential and fertilizer efficiency. More antiquated methods of determining applications, like the whole field yield goals previously discussed, tend to average out applications across fields. You'll often end up applying less than what is needed in high-yielding areas, possibly crippling your yield potential for the coming seasons, while over-applying and wasting fertilizer in low-yielding areas.   [READ: How to Read a Soil Analysis Test] Crop Nutrient Removal Numbers Crop nutrient removal numbers vary between states, and more information on crop nutrient removal numbers can be found at state agricultural extension service pages online. The USDA also has compiled a list of removal rates and has created tools to access the information ( https://plants.usda.gov/npk/main ).   Using these defined removal factors, each zone in your field can be treated as an independent field and have its own recommendation calculated so that you can have more confidence that you’re getting nutrients exactly where they’re needed most. The best way to check your nutrient application strategy on any zone in the field is to soil sample on a regular basis (most recommendations suggest a four year soil test rotation for all fields) and keep records of all inputs between sampling cycles. By using precision application methods to apply nutrients, you can use your crop nutrient removal numbers, your application totals, and your soil sample information to determine if your application strategy is really helping you replenish your soil’s nutrients, and ensure your soil reaches and maintains its peak fertility. Looking For Crop Nutrition Products? If you're purchasing  soil prebiotics ,  soil probiotics ,  high uptake nutrients  or other  crop nutrition products  to improve your soil, FBN Direct®  offers a range of solutions available for delivery directly to your farm. Shop online 24/7 with full insight into pricing and discounts upfront — no rebates required.  Copyright © 2014 - 2023 Farmer's Business Network, Inc. All rights Reserved. The sprout logo, “Farmers Business Network”, “FBN”, “FBN Direct” are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of Farmer's Business Network, Inc. FBN Direct products and services and other products distributed by FBN Direct are offered by FBN Inputs, LLC and are available only in states where FBN Inputs, LLC is licensed and where those products are registered for sale or use, if applicable. If applicable, please check with your local extension service to ensure registration status. Nothing contained on this page, including the prices listed should be construed as an offer for sale, or a sale of products. All products and prices are subject to change at any time and without notice. Terms and conditions apply. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS. It is a violation of federal and state law to use any pesticide product other than in accordance with its label. The distribution, sale and use of an unregistered pesticide is a violation of federal and/or state law and is strictly prohibited. We do not guarantee the accuracy of any information provided on this page or which is provided by us in any form. It is your responsibility to confirm prior to purchase and use that a product is labeled for your specific purposes, including, but not limited to, your target crop or pest and its compatibility with other products in a tank mix and that the usage of a product is otherwise consistent with federal, state and local laws. We reserve the right to restrict sales on a geographic basis in our sole discretion. You must have a valid applicator license to use restricted use pesticides. Please consult your state department of agriculture for complete rules and regulations on the use of restricted use pesticides, as some products require specific record-keeping requirements. All product recommendations and other information provided is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for consulting the product label or for specific agronomic, business, or professional advice. Where specific advice is necessary or appropriate, consult with a qualified advisor. Neither Farmer's Business Network Inc. nor any of its affiliates makes any representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the statements or any information contained in the material and any liability therefore is expressly disclaimed.

With today’s low commodity prices, you may be thinking about planting fewer corn acres and more soybean acres. If so, you might want to consider growing yellow field peas. Growing Yellow Field Peas We chose to grow yellow field peas on our farm for the past three years to diversify our typical corn-soybean rotation and as a “defensive” crop. While yellow field peas are not overly profitable, the agronomic benefits for subsequent crops carry significant value. This is especially true on non-irrigated acres where annual precipitation is 20 inches or less. Water use efficiency for the crop following yellow field peas is much higher. On our non-irrigated acres, we’ve also seen higher corn yields and improved plant health following peas. I’ve heard from other pea producers, anecdotally, that peas can provide benefits for the following two growing seasons.  Plus, yellow field peas can be planted and harvested much earlier than corn or soybeans. This allows us to spread out our planting and harvest windows, minimizing risk and reducing the stress that the planting and harvest season typically bring. Where we are in central Nebraska, planting peas gives us a much larger fall seeding window, which gives it an advantage over wheat, which can be difficult to get established after soybean harvest in the fall. If you practice summer fallow or are open to exploring a multi-species cover crop, field peas are a crop that you should consider. How To Grow Yellow Field Peas We use a John Deere 1990 air seeder with 7.5” spacing to drill peas at a 300-350k population. A thick stand is important for yield and season-long weed control, so I haven’t seeded any wider than 10” spacing.  Field peas can tolerate much colder conditions than corn or soybeans, so on our farm, we target the end of March to the first week in April for our planting window. This allows for bloom/pollination to wrap up before the bulk of the summer heat arrives, and then we harvest in late July to early August. Our fertilizer program is pretty basic. Peas are a legume, so a typical soybean fertilizing program works great. At a minimum, we apply 100-150 pounds of MAP per acre. Being a legume, peas do use a lot of calcium. We use gypsum to get calcium and sulfur into our fertilizer mix. The remainder of our fertilizer mix is dependent on the soil’s needs based on sampling we do every 3-4 years. [READ: Give Your Fields The Nutrients They Need] Pea inoculant, another important factor, is different than soybean inoculant. Particularly when we first started planting peas, we were sure to double inoculate. The peat-based inoculant is cheap, so the more the merrier as long as it doesn’t hurt seed flow during planting. Our seed dealer is able to provide us with this inoculant.  We’ve had good success controlling weeds with a pre-emerge pass of Spartan Charge. This herbicide costs around $20/ac plus application costs. We did attempt a post-emerge application of a Raptor and Basagran mix once when kochia was getting a little thick with limited success considering cost. A high seeding rate and a thick stand is your best bet for season-long weed control. Most dry, edible bean herbicide programs will work for peas (i.e. Dual and Outlook). Of course, consult your herbicide dealer and/or agronomist for the best options for your region.  Harvest is very similar to soybean harvest with a few exceptions. To ensure a consistent harvest without a lot of green peas or green weeds to contend with, we sometimes use a desiccant, such as Gramoxone, to terminate the field.  We typically use a flex head for soybean harvest, and it also works great for field pea harvest. If you invested in a flex draper head, you might want to borrow a neighbor’s standard flex head. Peas tie themselves together using their tendrils and won’t flow into the combine using a flex draper. They can actually roll right over the head and you’ll have a mess in a hurry.  We harvest peas at a slightly higher moisture than soybeans to reduce shattering and splits which could result in dockage at the elevator. If we’re going to handle the grain more than once or twice, we use a conveyor instead of metal augers, which will damage the grain even more. This is also true when handling seed at planting. [READ: 5 Things You Need to Know Before Planting] Do We Make any Money on Field Peas? For a quick profit analysis, our annual costs (above) can run around $200/ac, and if we grow 50 bu/ac and sell them at $6/bu, which nets us about $100/ac.  Of course, this doesn’t account for the agronomic benefits for the next crop or two, which are more difficult to quantify without long term studies. As yellow field peas are non-proprietary, we’ve recently begun holding back and cleaning enough seed for the next year. There is a little risk and more logistical issues, but we estimate we’re saving about $20-$25/ac. Is There a Market for Yellow Field Peas? This is typically the first question that I am asked when discussing yellow field pea production. In central Nebraska, nearly every acre is corn, soybeans, wheat, or alfalfa. There is a more developed market for peas in the Nebraskan panhandle where small grains and pulse crops are more prevalent. Gavilon built a pea processing facility in Hastings, Nebraska, so hopefully this will create a more stable market for field peas. What are Yellow Field Peas Used For? Peas are a great protein source. If I had my own small cattle or hog operation, I think feeding peas would be a good option since they are a balanced protein. When sold to an elevator, yellow field peas likely go to a dog or cat food manufacturer or are ground and used in vegetarian protein powders. If they are higher quality peas and considered food-grade, then you might even find them in a can of split pea soup at your local grocery store! If you’d like to learn more about why you should consider field peas in your operation please feel free to contact me at claygovier@gmail.com . Copyright © 2014 - 2023 Farmer's Business Network, Inc. All rights Reserved. The sprout logo, “Farmers Business Network”, “FBN”, “FBN Direct” are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of Farmer's Business Network, Inc. The views expressed in this article are the author's alone, and not those of Farmer's Business Network, Inc., its affiliates or members. As such, neither Farmer's Business Network, Inc. nor any of its affiliates makes any representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the statements or any information contained in the material and any liability therefore is expressly disclaimed. 

Between the 24/7 demands of running an agricultural operation and the blinding pace of our world today, there is little time to sift through all the headlines. The good news is that you no longer have to! Our goal is to point you to some of the most important headlines in agriculture, so you can stay informed on the forces shaping your livelihoods. To save you time, here are the week's top links and news items: Top news 1. From FBN®: Why Did National Farmland Values Increase in 2022? The FBN Data Science delivers data-driven insights on trends related to farmland values. The real mortgage rate is one of the best predictors of farmland value change. Since interest rates were low and inflation high for a big part of 2022, the real mortgage rate remained negative. On average, the farming sector is in an excellent financial position . The debt-to-asset ratio is low, indicating that farmers have used the high net income period to build equipment and financial reserves. 2. USDA Precision Technology Adoption Report Highlights and Analysis This link provides an excellent overview of the recent USDA report, Precision Agriculture in the Digital Era: Recent Adoption on U.S. Farms. Most forms of digital technology have been slowly adopted in the agricultural sector. However, biotechnology has moved at lightning speed in adoption terms . A Hierarchy of Farmer Technology Adoption is developed to show how successfully a technology will be adopted. Farmers slow to adopt technology are typically correlated with smaller farm sizes, lower crop yields, less use of  technical or consulting services 3. Grain Stocks Remain Tight A number of factors have elevated commodity prices in recent years, and this link looks at the tight grain stocks situation. Corn, soybean, and wheat stocks are all below the long-run average in the US . The situation is similar on a global scale.  Any production concerns in 2023 could trigger a dramatic price response. Accordingly, all crops will be bidding for acres going into 2023. 4. Early herd rebuilding could happen through the bred cow market The USDA Cattle Inventory report shows that feeder cattle supplies will be reduced nationally in 2023 . Expected profit margins in the current year will help determine how quickly the herd can be rebuilt. The quickest way for these producers to increase the feeder cattle supply is through the addition of bred cows or bred heifers. Higher feeder cattle prices create incentives for more calves to be brought to market and bred cows are the quickest way to do so. This link also provides a chart for premiums/discounts for bred cows based on expected feeder cattle and corn prices. 5. The Use of Climate Information in Midwest Agriculture: Results from a Farmer Survey This link examines how farmers utilize weather/climate information in their decision-making processes. Most farmers use the short-term forecast in farming decisions, especially when it comes to planting and spraying time, fertilizer application, and hay management. The use of longer-term forecasts are utilized less frequently. The most common use of long-term forecasts is for marketing strategy. 50% of farmers rely on their own experience when making decisions based on climate/weather forecasts.  The other half uses advice from the public sector (University extension) and/or the private sector (Ag inputs supplies, farm advisors, and neighbors). Get in touch If you have any links you'd like to share or have any questions, please contact Travis Carlstrom, Sr. Ag Credit Analyst at FBN. © 2015-2023 Farmer’s Business Network, Inc. All rights reserved. The sprout logo, “Farmers Business Network,” and “FBN” are registered service marks of Farmer’s Business Network, Inc. or its affiliates and are used with permission. The material provided is for information purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for specific professional advice. Neither Farmer’s Business Network nor any of its affiliates makes any representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the statements or any information contained in the material and any liability therefore is expressly disclaimed. The information and opinions expressed by others in this material are their own and are not endorsed or approved by FBN or its affiliates. 

These pre-season tasks will help you and your operators make the most of your precision equipment. When you back your planter into the shop to do pre-planting checks, you should do the same with your planting monitor. While you’re drawing up your planting schedule and prepping your team, here are a few steps to make it a great season:  1. Determine your farm's optimal planting conditions and timing.   By analyzing past yields, FBN can help you identify your farm’s historically optimal planting temperature. In FBN Seed Finder, you can check daily soil temperatures and see seed response to planting temperature and date.  2. Find your optimal planting speed and seeding rate with the Analyze My Operation tool. FBN analyzes your farm’s data to find multi-year trends across your operation in order to effectively determine your planter’s most yield-efficient speed and highest yielding seeding rate. Planting too quickly can cost you real yield dollars, so make sure all your team members know your farm’s unique speed limit! 3. Determine your prescription accuracy to see how well you’ve executed your planting prescriptions in the past. Factors like excessive planting speed, complex prescriptions, high seeding rates and difficult terrain can affect the accuracy of your prescriptions. FBN analyzes planter data to identify your equipment’s effective performance range, both on the field level and across your whole operation.  4. Know whether your prescriptions have been properly inputted and tested. All manufacturers have their own best practices on how prescriptions need to be written, so meet with your Precision Ag Specialist for specific use information and tips for your software. You should have your prescriptions written and inputted to your monitors as early as possible. Your specialist should have insight on what challenges exist and can even contact your prescription provider to write prescriptions for your operation. 5. Identify and understand software updates for your monitor or GPS. Even when software updates are available (for example, Precision Planting requires yearly updates to access the most current database of varieties) your technician may recommend another, more reliable version for your specific area or needs. Open houses or clinics are a great resource to make sure that your displays are up-to-date and properly calibrated.  Once you’ve nailed down all the pre-planting information you need, check out the 5 Steps to Optimize Planting Data Collection for tips on calibrating your precision equipment for optimal data collection. Copyright © 2014 - 2023 Farmer's Business Network, Inc. All rights Reserved. The sprout logo, “Farmers Business Network”, “FBN” are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of Farmer's Business Network, Inc. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS. It is a violation of federal and state/provincial law to use any crop protection product other than in accordance with its label. The distribution, sale and use of an unregistered pesticide is a violation of federal and/or state law and is strictly prohibited. It is your responsibility to confirm prior to purchase and use that a product is labeled for your specific purposes, including, but not limited to, your target crop or pest and its compatibility with other products in a tank mix.

With so many tasks requiring your constant attention as a farmer running a demanding business, it’s easy to put operational to-dos on the back-burner… but these tasks can often be some of the most important and time-sensitive.  Here are a few financial priorities to consider keeping top of mind this month:  1. Watch for Interest Rate Changes Following the March Fed Meeting The Federal Reserve holds eight scheduled meetings annually to examine and adjust interest rates; the next meeting will be held on March 21 & 22.  Following the public announcement of each meeting’s outcome, FBN publishes a recap of interest rate adjustments, future expectations, and actionable perspectives from FBN Chief Economist Kevin McNew. Stay tuned for that post soon on the FBN Blog ! [Click here to catch up on FBN’s recap of the most recent January Fed meeting.] 2. Conduct Equipment Maintenance Before Planting Begins  Before you begin planning your planting logistics and getting out into the field this season, it’s important to make sure your equipment is ready. Prioritizing equipment maintenance and making adjustments to get the best planting results — before you plant every field — pays off in the long run.  Does your planter need to be serviced — or even replaced? Should you consider leasing instead of buying farm equipment this season? Equipment purchases can be a sizable investment. Take the time to consider your options now to avoid potential challenges later in the season.  [READ: 10 Things to Keep in Mind at Planting] 3. Finalize Your Insurance Coverage  If you haven’t finalized your crop insurance for this season yet, now is the time to lock in your coverage — there are only a few days remaining before the approaching deadline. The insurance sales closing date for spring planted crops (such as corn, soybeans, cotton, grain sorghum, rice, spring wheat and spring barley) is generally March 15.  When selecting coverage, make sure you’re securing a policy that’s the right fit for your operation. Having the wrong level of insurance coverage can have an immense impact on your bottom line long term — you could be overpaying on premiums year after year or under-compensating for risk, leaving your operation exposed in difficult years. [WATCH: The FBN Crop Insurance team explains why 2023 is a unique year for crop insurance, how global grain markets are looking for the coming months, and how to select appropriate supplemental coverage for your operation.] 4. Assess the Future Value of Your Farmland  Many things have changed in the farm economy in recent months. Farmland values across the U.S. increased substantially in many regions last year, and even more recently, interest rates increased, inflation seems to be getting under control and farm income reached a record high in 2022 .  But what will happen to farmland prices in the next few months? Will farmland values decrease or increase?  By developing a series of data-based models to gather investigative insights, the FBN Data Science team has forecast its expectations for price changes in 2023 in its latest blog post. Click here to read more.  Copyright © 2014 - 2023 Farmer's Business Network, Inc. All rights Reserved. The sprout logo, “Farmers Business Network”, “FBN”, “FBN Direct”  are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of Farmer's Business Network, Inc. We are an Equal Opportunity Provider. FBN Insurance services are offered by FBN Insurance LLC (dba FBN Insurance Solutions Services LLC in Texas, and FBN Insurance Solutions LLC in California and Michigan). FBN membership is not required to purchase through FBN Insurance LLC, but certain features may only be available to FBN members. FBN Crop Insurance is currently offered in all U.S. states. Financing offered by FBN Finance, LLC and its lending partners. Terms and conditions apply. To qualify, a borrower must be a member of Farmer’s Business Network, Inc. and meet all underwriting requirements. Interest rates and fees will vary depending on your individual situation. Not all applicants will qualify. The material provided is for information purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for specific professional advice. Neither Farmer’s Business Network nor any of its affiliates makes any representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the statements or any information contained in the material and any liability therefore is expressly disclaimed.