Update from the Field: As the Reel Turns
Posted by David Dyson, Agronomist on October 09, 2017
As dry weather is settling in around the Midwest, soybean harvest is progressing rapidly. There are reports that soybean moisture levels are around 10%, with some levels as low as 7%. With moisture levels this low, the time of day you harvest can be a critical factor in reducing shatter. The corn crop is developing at a steady rate as well. A client recently reported that he had hand shelled some corn last week with 29% moisture. When he checked the same field this week, the moisture level was down to 19%. As crops are coming off and bare ground is showing up across the countryside, the conversation should be shifting toward soil sampling.
Soil sampling this fall will be an essential part of any 4R Nutrient Stewardship program. As a reminder, the 4Rs stand for Right source, Right rate, Right time, and Right place. As we harvest our crops this year, we are seeing very high yield in some areas of the field, along with very low or no yield in other areas of the same field. Different soil types are showing yield variability that we have not seen in a few years. When we have a wide range of yields coming off the same field, it does not make sense to apply one single rate across the entire field. Sampling this fall will show better drained soil types, which were equipped to handle the massive amount of rain we received this spring, will have better yields. Higher yields will pull more nutrients out of the soil and will require additional commercial fertilizer to replenish the soil for next year’s crop. All of The Andersons Farm Centers have the ability to soil sample zones according to soil type. Once the results of the soil samples come back from the lab, our Farm Centers will use variable rate technology (VRT) to put the fertilizer in the right place at the right rate.
I have attached a soil sample (Figure 1) from the North Manchester, Indiana, area to show an example of the variability we are seeing this year. Even in this smaller field, the potassium and phosphate levels vary from adequate to deficient. Sampling according to soil type will ensure we are getting the most accurate picture of fertility levels.
Summary:
- Respect the 4Rs
- Pull soil samples according to soil type
- Utilize VRT to put the right amount of fertilizer in the right place
Figure 1: Phosphorus ranges from 32-83ppm; potassium ranges from 78-153ppm.
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Dave Dyson is a regional agronomist for The Andersons’ Farm Centers which are located throughout Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. He is an Indiana native and grew up on a dairy farm in Miami County. A graduate of Purdue University with a degree in Crop & Soil Science, Dave has a deep knowledge of various agronomic topics and is committed to helping growers improve their crops. If you have any questions, Dave can be reached at david_dyson@andersonsinc.com.
