May 17, 2012

Corn School: Managing Soil Health – Dan Towery

corn soil

We’ve talked before about the importance of soil tilth in contributing to corn yields. The logic behind it is fairly simple. The easier it is for root structure to grow and spread out, the more access to nutrients, water, etc. Not only that, but the effect compounds itself over time as those roots decay and [...]

Corn School – Corn Planting- Does the Early Bird Get the Worm?

Corn planting

There is always some risk involved when it comes to early planting of corn. The risk-reward scenario has to be weighed using a number of factors, some of which, like the weather, are out of the farmer’s hands. This year you can add another factor to that scenario: tight corn seed stocks. If something does [...]

Corn School – Bullish or Bearish Corn Prices in 2012?

Realag Corn School logo.001

The story for corn in 2012 is going to depend on a number of things. Numbers are first and foremost the determining factor in this story. How much demand will there be globally? How many acres are going to be planted? How much good seed is available to be planted? What will the yields look [...]

What Some Ontario Farmers Are Cheering for this Spring

corn planter

RealAgriculture.com was at the London Farm Show this week and had a great time.  One of the great things about a farm show is that you get a feel for the mood of the farming public. Soybean prices were definitely a topic of discussion.  Soybeans definitely look like a true money maker this season in [...]

Corn School – Nitrogen Application is Critical in Unlocking Corn Yields

Darel Walker

In this episode of the Corn School we continue our series with agronomist Darel Walker about the key factors in the pursuit of 300 bushel corn. In the first episode of the series we looked at soil tilth as one of those factors; in this episode we look to proper nitrogen application as another piece [...]

Corn School: Maximizing Yield with Dry or Liquid Starter Fertilizer

Greg Stewart

In this episode of the Corn School we talk with OMAFRA Corn Specialist Greg Stewart talks about the 4 year project undertaken to look at the benefits of starter fertilizer on corn. The study looked at all manner of formulations, applications and combinations. The major conclusion of the study showed the importance of potash levels [...]

USDA WASDE Report is Very Bearish

bear

Moe Agostino, from Farms.com Risk Management reports on yesterday’s USDA report which has really thrown the corn and soybean market into a bearish tailspin.  the market was somewhat surprised by the numbers but the reality is that ending stocks in corn, wheat and soybeans is not good if you are looking for higher prices. As [...]

Under the Microscope – Putting Germination Tests In Perspective

underthemicslide

Germination tests are standard when it comes to any seed lot. A lot of seed for sale has to tested for germination so that the farmer or seed company can decide whether the seed lot will be suitable for sale.  Farmers that are saving seed also need to make sure that their saved seed will [...]

Corn School – Is Soil Tilth the Key to Unlocking 300 Bushel Corn?

corn school logo

New technologies have pushed corn yields into areas previously thought unreachable. The newest milestone being looked at is the 300 bushel mark. Many in the agriculture industry still think it’s a possibility. The issue is finding the missing part of the puzzle to unlock that potential. There have been great advancements in the areas of [...]

Gary Pike is Uber Bullish on Ag Commodities

gary pike

The global economic instability of the last year has no doubt rattled investors and left them looking for any kind of a stable place to invest. One of those places has been agriculture. The growing population and the need to feed them has raised the value of the agricultural industry as a whole. The bottom [...]