Webinar Explains How to Economize Seed, Fertilizer
Published: Friday, February 18, 2022
The following is from Eric Anderson of Michigan State University Extension.
Using essential inputs such as nitrogen and seed require decisions about what rate to use and what brand or form to use. Input cost plays a part in both decisions: A hybrid with higher priced seed needs to produce enough extra yield to pay the additional cost. Using any input only makes sense if it produces enough additional yield to pay for itself. The rate question can be more difficult to answer.
For example, we know we need to supply nitrogen to the crop but applying more than the crop needs can be both economically and environmentally costly. Planting too much seed can fail to increase yield and can lead to lodging and thus lower net income. With these considerations in mind, farmers and crop consultants should be asking themselves some important questions.
• How have corn production best management practices changed over time?
• Have any recommendations considered sound decades ago that fell out of favor come back around?
• Should any inputs that were not used much previously be considered essential now, and why?
• What inputs will affect profitability the most for the 2022 season?
• Does chasing the last bushel pay?
These questions and more will be answered by a team of two corn production experts—Emerson Nafziger, professor emeritus and Extension agronomist at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and Kyle Kelley, agronomist and owner of Cropwatch LLC, an independent agronomy firm that specializes in crop scouting and consulting in southwest Michigan and northern Indiana. They will be discussing their experiences over time and answering questions during the Michigan State University Extension Field Crops Webinar Series on Feb. 21.
Field crop producers, consultants and agribusiness professionals are invited to participate in the Field Crops Webinar Series 2022, a series of eight online programs addressing field crop production and pest management offered by Michigan State University Extension. The theme for this year's series is Two for the Price of One: Conversations in Row Crop Agriculture. Participants will be able to access the expertise of agriculture specialists and educators from the comfort of their home or office.
Each session will feature two speakers giving short presentations and discussing different aspects of the topic in an informal talk show/podcast format with plenty of opportunity for interaction with the audience. Participants will hear how to enhance their corn, soybean and forage production systems in the coming season and have an opportunity to ask questions of agricultural experts.
The live webinars will run on Monday evenings from 7-8 p.m. through March 28. Participants may choose to register for the entire series at $20 per person or for individual sessions at $5 per person per session. Those attending the live webinars will be eligible to earn one MDARD pesticide recertification credit per session for application to one of the following categories: Private Core, Commercial Core or Field Crops. One continuing education unit for certified crop advisers will also be available for each session.
Each webinar will be recorded and archived, and participants may choose to view the recordings at a later date. Credits are available only for participants in the live sessions.
To register, visit MSU's Field Crops Webinar Series event page. Prior to each webinar, registrants will receive an email containing a link to connect to the webinar.
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