This is what the corn looked like near Bloomington, Illinois yesterday – and it looks much worse in other areas. The USDA World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate report out this morning did, as expected, lower corn yields as a result of the hot and dry conditions throughout much of the growing region this summer. “Dreadful,” said USDA Outlook Board …
Controlled Release Nitrogen on Corn
The Indian Creek Watershed Project Field Tour stopped at Herb Steffen’s farm again this year. At his farm we received presentations on the use of controlled release nitrogen on corn that according to Herb includes our sponsor’s products – AGROTAIN! Herb says he and his family have farmed in the area since 1863 so you know these people really take …
Corn Shadow
This is why I like to have a camera on me at all times. Just that random, “that looks like it might be a cool photo” shot. This is our plane landing in Bloomington, IL today. You can click on the photo for a larger version. After chilling out in the tropical paradise known as Pensacola, FL, it is time …
Harvesting Corn Stover
Much of the research that is presented during the Corn Utilization Technology Conference, held recently in Indianapolis, is about new uses for corn. During a session all about new uses at this year’s conference, Steve Peterson, Monsanto, gave a presentation on “Advances in Corn Stover Harvest and Treatment for Animal Feed.” He says Monsanto started a project about five years …
Zidua Herbicide Receives Federal Registration
Corn growers battling tough-to-control, small-seeded broadleaf weeds and grasses will have a powerful new tool, as BASF Crop Protection announced the federal registration of Zidua herbicide. Future registrations for use in soybean and wheat are anticipated in early 2013. According to 10 years of research and field trials, the residual weed control provided by Zidua lasts up to two weeks …
Split Vote on Corn Sugar vs. HFCS
Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Do you prefer corn sugar to high fructose corn syrup?” In what is a first for our poll, the response was split evenly! See the chart below. Recently the FDA denied a request from the Corn Refiners Association to allow food labels to use the term corn sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup. …
2012 Corn Tech Conference Underway
The 2012 Corn Utilization Technology Conference is underway, the ribbon has been cut. Cutting the ribbon are (l-r) Garry Niemeyer, President, National Corn Growers Association and Dr. Mike Ladisch, Distinguished Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at Purdue University and our keynote speaker this afternoon. Once again at this every other year conference I’ll be conducting interviews and posting them …
Maximizing Yields in Corn-on-Corn
As the economics of corn drive more farmers to move toward corn-on-corn production, they are often faced with additional challenges not typically encountered in a traditional corn-soybean rotation. In order to maximize the potential for high yields in corn-on-corn, farmers need to focus on several agronomic factors. This summer in heavy corn rootworm pressure areas Monsanto plans to host a …
Back to the Corn Grind
When I hear that it’s time to get “back to the grind,” I think of going back to work. For the corn industry, Back to the Grind is the theme of the 2012 Corn Utilization Technology Conference. With a theme of “Back to the Grind,” CUTC will feature the cutting-edge technologies and new uses that continually improve and dynamically change …
USDA Ponders Future of Crop Report Release Times
USDA is pondering the future of crop report release times in light of movement toward 24-hour trading. USDA is reviewing release times for several major statistical reports due to recent changes in market hours by major commodity exchanges. The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) and the World Agricultural Outlook Board (WAOB), the USDA entities responsible for the reports, will seek …