Agronomy Articles
Soil Temperatures
By Leo Hoiten, Agronomist, Lyons
Spring is off to a great start for the 2024 planting season. Hopefully everyone caught some rain over the last couple days. With the forecast showing cooler than average temperatures and cold soils keep in mind that soil should be 50 degrees and above to ensure proper germination. Planting in cool wet soils can lead to early season stress and poor stand establishment.
As we move into warmer weather and planting takes full swing, remember there is still time to get any last-minute seed, fertilizer and chemical on the books for this year’s crop. Reach out to your local Central Farmers agronomist and they can get you taken care of this spring. Good luck to all the growers across our trade area and have a safe spring!
4/19/2024
Timing
By Damien Fuerst, Agronomist, Scotland
With planting season right around the corner, I have had a lot of questions about when growers are going to start planting. Talk to your agronomist about soil temperatures. Although this week we have had some nice warm temperatures, late next week, nighttime temps will get down to thirty degrees. Watch the forecast.
As it is getting closer to time to plant, talk with your local agronomist to make your last-minute farm plan changes. Plan ahead and give us a heads up so we can get out there and spread fertilizer, so the planters are not sitting and waiting.
Seed, Seed, Seed. We would like to start delivering seed as soon as you have room for it. If you have any last-minute seed needs let your agronomist know so we can get it here as soon as possible. We also can help if someone would like a test plot on their farm. Test plots are essential not only to us but also to the seed salesman so we know what can benefit the grower the best.
4/12/2024
Biologicals
By Clay Hespe, Agronomist, Tyndall
It was nice to finally get some moisture this last weekend after missing out on a few pretty good chances earlier. It’s good to see water standing in some fields and ditches. With another good chance this weekend, we should be off to a better start this year.
Biologicals is something that all the companies in our industry are researching. There seems to be several for every application with yield results to varying degrees. Here are a few that look promising from Helena that show a consistent return on investment.
Fastand - Planter box seed treatment with a fluency agent. It improves root development and replaces talc. Test results show an average of 8 bushels.
Zypro - Starter applied enzyme that works best in corn. Zypro increases stalk diameter and helps with stand establishment.
Enertia - Enzyme based soybean seed treatment that is applied with the seed treatment. Results show an increased root mass, shoot growth and improved stand establishment.
With so many products on the market, talk to your local agronomist to find out which one might work best with your management for the best yield results.
4/5/2024
Agronomy Staff
 Jeff Schmiesing
Agronomy Dept. Manager
Cell: 605-940-7665
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 Allen Johansen
Seed Lead
Cell: 605-661-4882
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 Jeff Schaefer
Marion Agronomist
Cell: 605-661-3010
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Clay Hespe
Tyndall Agronomist
Cell: 605-421-1636
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 Cody Plamp
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