In this update we will focus on a topic that has captured interest in the local farm press not only in terms of advertising space, but also articles that have highlighted the debate on the differences between traits and the advantage or disadvantages to particular trait platforms.
It is important to note the results from research conducted this year. Trial data from 2008 is once again confirming a yield advantage for PRIDE G3 hybrids featuring YieldGard VT Triple™ on rotated ground. Research coordinated by Monsanto and incorporating results from plots conducted by PRIDE Seeds is showing a yield advantage of 2.8 to 3.6 bushels per acre for YieldGard VT Triple hybrids when compared to products from the same hybrid family without corn rootworm protection. This advantage increased to over 10 bushels per acre in corn on corn situations. [Read more →]
I feel like I have been at the amusement park for over a year now when thinking about commodity price swings – and in particular stuck on the big roller coaster the kids talk about in the back seat of the car before they get to the park. Now I have never been a fan of roller coasters in the true physical sense as they have never been kind to my stomach, but in a metaphorical sense the commodity market roller coaster over the last six months has been enough to have even the most fervent fan reaching for the Gravol. So, where do we go from here? In the summer the news was all positive for commodity prices and they reached new heights - then they crashed hard. [Read more →]
-What do you want to Grow? Review in advance what hybrid maturities you want to grow and what herbicide program you are going to use. Do this on a field by field basis to make planning and buying easier.
-Compare apples to apples. Be sure to compare apples to apples when comparing hybrids. Where maturities are listed as the same, look at harvest moisture and be sure to ask how maturity and heat units are measured by each company.
-What traits are in the hybrid? Be sure to compare apples to apples. Remember that a double stacked hybrid with a high rate seed treatment is different than a triple stacked in terms of agronomic value and yield potential. Studies show that a PRIDE G3 type hybrid will out yield the same genetics in a double stacked by close to 4 bushels on average in first year corn and close to 10 bushels in a corn on corn situation.
-Did I order refuge corn? Be sure to order refuge corn that meets the requirements of the technologies you are buying.
-Read the fine print on programs. There is a difference between programs. For example some companies offer lucrative early pay discounts, but finance charges can start right away. Other companies like Pride offer prime minus financing and interest charges do not start until after planting in June. It is important to fully understand pricing and programs before pulling the trigger on the final sale
-Take Advantage of Early Order Programs. These are put into place to help you secure your preference in hybrid and seed size at an early stage in the decision process – and give you priority over customers who make their decisions at a later stage in the cycle. These programs also help companies plan their logistics in terms of bagging and shipping priorities through the winter. In most cases by placing an early order you not only secure the hybrid and seed size of your choice, but you also have more time and flexibility to change that order through to winter based on your final crop plans but still be able to take advantage of early order discounts on the bulk of your acres.
It has been very interesting to watch the ups and downs in commodity prices this year. With harvest now upon us what is abundantly clear is that going into 2009 Chicago will need to increase the price enough to buy at least an additional 5 million acres of corn. As of the writing of this article it appears that the size of the US crop is shrinking from a crop that started with 8% fewer acres planted than a year ago and will likely finish with 12% or fewer acres harvested. Add to this a late planted crop, excessive rainfall in several key production areas in the spring and the replanting of several million acres and the result is a dramatically reduced harvest. Also, there is a very high probability that South America will not increase their soybean acreage enough to offset a looming soybean shortage, setting up an acreage battle in the U.S. for 2009 that corn users feel they have to win.
Fred Sinclair, CCA-ON Manager of Product Development
This may very well be the year in parts of the US Corn Belt that corn and soybeans don’t reach the monstrous yield levels like we have seen in the past 2 or 3 years.
During the week of August 26th to 29th a group of us had the opportunity to travel by bus through Michigan to Chicago and down to Champaign, Illinois catching the upper edge of Indiana on the return trip to Ontario. After touring the Board of Trade in Chicago, we visited with AgReliant Genetics research and production staff at our Champaign Research Station. Along the way we stopped and viewed an ethanol operation and had an excellent discussion at a large family farm operation located just 40 miles north of Champaign. [Read more →]
2008 Ontario Corn and Soybean Crop - Weather Impacts
Jonathan Klapwyk,CCA-ON Market Development Agronomist
The Ontario corn and soybean crops are in overall good condition at the end of August. The growing season in many areas can be characterized as coming through a cool month of May and more than enough rainfall through the following summer months. Many field operations have been challenging to perform due to wet conditions and areas of fields have certainly been impacted. Hail storms have also hit many locations throughout the summer with yield losses expected to be greater the closer the crop is/was to tasseling. [Read more →]
