Tuesday February 18 Ag News

5th Annual 'Tode Awards for SCN Sampling
John Wilson, Extension Educator, Burt County
Loren Giesler, Extension Plant Pathologist

The 'Tode Awards are given annually to counties for their work in sampling for soybean cyst nematodes (SCN), the most devastating pest to soybeans in Nebraska and the U.S. Last year SCN cost Nebraska farmers more than $45 million in lost yields. Nationally, it cost producers over $1 billion.

Losses caused by SCN can be reduced once a farmer knows SCN is present in the field, but there's the catch! Farmers can have yield losses of 20%-30% from plants that appear to be green, healthy and with no visible symptoms. Often the first indication of an SCN problem is soybean yields that hit a plateau, or even start to drop off, while corn yields continue to increase in that field.

The best way to determine if SCN is present is to take a soil test. To advance SCN sampling in Nebraska the Nebraska Soybean Board has funded a project with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to encourage farmers to sample their fields. Their support covers the cost of analyzing soil samples for SCN, normally $25. The Nebraska Soybean Board recognizes what a serious problem SCN is and we are pleased to have them as our partner in this effort.

We just completed the ninth year of this project with some staggering results. Since 2005, almost 5,500 samples have been submitted and SCN has been identified in 29 Nebraska counties for the first time as a result of these tests. This more than doubles the number of counties where SCN had been confirmed over the previous 19 years. Since it was first discovered in Nebraska in 1986, SCN has now been identified in 56 counties that produce over 93% of Nebraska's soybeans.

Without the Nebraska Soybean Board's support, we would not have been able to reach this many Nebraska farmers. In 2013, 1,079 samples were submitted and 392 (36.3%) were positive for SCN. From these results, our panel of judges has identified the following 5th Annual 'Tode Awards winners:

In the category of Most (#) Samples Submitted: Winner: Buffalo County (199) 
Honorable Mention: Kearney County (88), Lancaster County (58), Platte County (52)

In the category of Most (#) Samples Positive for SCN: Winner: Buffalo County (54) 
Honorable Mention: Platte County (52), Saunders County (24), Dodge County (21)

In the category of Most (%) Samples Positive for SCN: (must have submitted at least five samples)
Winner: Seward County (86%) and Knox County (86%)
Honorable Mention: Burt County (84%), Platte County (81%), and Saunders County (67%)

In the category of Sample with Highest Egg Count (# eggs/100 ccs of soil):  Winner: Knox County (66,080) 
Honorable Mention: Antelope County (53,120), Rock County (46,080), Cuming County (26,680)

And finally, in the category of Counties with First SCN Detection:  Winners: Custer, Rock

Some might argue that the counties in the last category are losers, not winners. However, now farmers in those counties know SCN is present in area fields and they can sample for it and start managing it if found in their fields. They will be winners by increasing their soybean yields if they know what the problem is.

Although it often goes undetected, SCN is here and it is reducing the profitability for Nebraska soybean producers. To learn more about SCN or to pick up bags to submit soil samples from your fields, contact your local UNL Extension office.



Nebraska Farmer Wins Coveted Combine Prize

Bob Bartek of Ithaca, Nebraska, has been selected as the grand prize winner of the “LEXION Driven to Win Giveaway” contest offered by CLAAS of America. The prize, valued at more than $50,000, is the use of a new LEXION combine from CLAAS, which Bartek will receive for the 2014 harvest season.

“I’ve toured the CLAAS facilities in Omaha before, and I’ve seen their combines at work during their Adventures in the Field demonstrations. Of course, I entered my name in the contest for use of a LEXION,” said Bartek. “I know CLAAS has produced a long line of quality combines with a high level of craftsmanship, and I’m really looking forward to using one on my operation.”

Bartek grows corn and soybeans along with his brothers, Richard and Tim Bartek. They started farming with their father, Milo “Mike” Bartek, on the farm their grandfather purchased in the early 1920s. They currently farm 4,700 acres, a combination of owned and rented ground. Bartek serves on the Saunders County Corn Growers Board of Directors and is a past board member of the Nebraska Soybean Board.

The contest will be repeated in 2014, and entries will be accepted beginning in May at CLAAS dealerships. “It’s a fun and exciting promotion for farmers in our area,” said Craig Gile, Sales Manager for Nebraska Harvest Center in Seward, Nebraska. “The LEXION is a world-class combine that provides a tremendous benefit at harvest for efficiency and its superior grain capturing ability.”

Bartek was notified at his farm by representatives from CLAAS of America and Nebraska Harvest Center, his local CLAAS dealer.

“I’m really looking forward to using the LEXION combine.” Bartek said. “This is great! We are really very appreciative!”



What Would you Like in a New CornSoyWater Irrigation App?

Agronomists and app developers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln want to know what features you would like in a new web app being developed for corn and soybean irrigation management.

The new app, CornSoyWater, would be based on UNL's SoyWater irrigation management app, which has more than 800 registered users. SoyWater is a decision aid for scheduling irrigations and agronomic practices. (For more information about SoyWater, see articles online at cropwatch.unl.edu.)

Please take a few moments to share your thoughts and help developers in a short survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LL2MHLJ.



Basic First Responder Training Focused on Grain Facilities

Kansas State University, in partnership with Purdue University, will offer a workshop featuring an overview of basic first responder training for incidents at grain facilities on Feb. 26 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. in Omaha, Neb. following the 2014 GEAPS Exchange.

The training is designed at the basic awareness level and is designed to reduce the risks of secondary injuries to first responders. The training will be held in CenturyLink Center, 455 North 10th Street in Omaha.

As a result of the workshop, participants will possess the knowledge to safely respond to crises that may arise in a grain handling facility and have the resources to improve the safety culture of their grain facility.

This initiative is funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor-Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

There is no pre-registration required to attend the workshop. More information is available by contacting Brandi Miller at bmmiller@kse.edu or 785-532-4053785-532-4053.



Obama Administration Announces Drought Assistance for Livestock Producers

“Announcements by President Obama and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack is the first step in implementing the Farm Bill that will provide critical emergency assistance to California ranchers and it will assist drought impacted Nebraska livestock producers,” noted FSA State Executive Director Dan Steinkruger. At President Obama’s direction, USDA has made implementation of the Farm Bill livestock disaster assistance programs a top priority and plans to have the programs available for sign up by April 15, 2014.

Secretary Vilsack stated “President Obama and I will continue to do everything within our power to support California farmers, ranchers and families living in drought-stricken areas. This assistance, coupled with other aid being made available across government, should provide some relief during this difficult time.” Secretary Vilsack also said “Thanks to the newly-signed Farm Bill, we are now able to offer long-awaited livestock disaster assistance.”

The 2014 Farm Bill contains permanent livestock disaster programs including the Livestock Forage Disaster Program, which will help producers in California and Nebraska recover from the drought. At President Obama’s direction, USDA is making implementation of the disaster programs a top priority and plans to have the programs available for sign-up in 60 days. Producers will be able to sign up for the livestock disaster programs for losses they experienced in 2012 and 2013. While these livestock programs took over a year to get assistance out the door under the last Farm Bill; USDA has committed to cut that time by more than 80 percent and begin sign-up in April. 

As USDA begins implementing disaster assistance programs, producers should record all pertinent information of natural disaster consequences, including:
·  Documentation of the number and kind of livestock that have died, supplemented if possible by photographs or video records of ownership and losses;
·  Dates of death supported by birth recordings or purchase receipts;
·  Costs of transporting livestock to safer grounds or to move animals to new pastures;
·  Feed purchases if supplies or grazing pastures are destroyed.

For more information about today’s announcements, visit the USDA drought resource page at www.usda.gov/drought.



Quality of U.S. Soybean Crop Even Higher

The average protein and oil levels in the 2013 U.S. soybean crop ticked upward, according to the soy-checkoff-funded Crop Quality Survey. Average oil levels jumped to 19 percent, a 0.5- point increase from 2012 levels, while average protein levels grew by 0.4 percentage points to 34.7 percent.

U.S. soy’s biggest customer, the global animal agriculture sector, takes note of the protein content in the soybeans it uses, says Laura Foell, chair of the United Soybean Board’s Meal Action Team.

“Our customers buy our soybeans for the components: protein and oil,” says Foell, who farms in Schaller, Iowa. “The animal agriculture sector uses protein to feed animals, and the food industry uses the majority of soybean oil for human consumption and the rest for industrial-like biodiesel. The more protein and oil we have in our soybeans, the more product we have for our end-customers. And more demand could lead to a better price for our crop.”

The study found less regional variation in protein and oil levels in 2013 than in previous years. These typical regional differences result from climate events and other factors outside of farmers’ control.

Foell says farmers should talk with their seed representatives about soybean varieties that will produce higher levels of protein and oil without sacrificing yield.

The U.S. soy industry provides its customers with a total quality experience: high-performing products delivered by a reliable, consistent and sustainable soy supply chain. And the checkoff’s international arm, the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), will use the results of this year’s crop quality survey to help build and maintain a preference for U.S. soy products in the international market.



Rate of PEDv Infections Accelerating

Over the past several weeks there has been considerable anecdotal evidence to suggest that the rate of PEDv outbreaks in the United States has accelerated.

During the past week, 265 new cases were added, bringing the total of cases reported since April 2013 to 2,957. The data indicates that reported PEDv cases jumped in January. While the average weekly number of new cases in December was 141.2, the average number in January was 220.5.

In all likelihood, however, this number understates the number of cases because not every outbreak site is sampled and tested for the disease. Moreover, the AASV sample reports operations with no information provided on the number of swine affected.

A USDA/APHIS technical note states, "PED is not a listed disease for either the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) or the USDA, so no quarantines or movement restrictions are in place either internationally or interstate."

The absence of reporting requirements obviously makes it difficult to quantify the national incidence of the disease and to estimate its economic effects.



Most Fertilizers Continue to Move Higher

Average retail fertilizer prices continued to climb higher the second week of February 2014, according to fertilizer retailers surveyed by DTN. All but one of the major fertilizers had higher prices compared to a month earlier.

Leading the way higher once again is urea. The nitrogen fertilizer was 9% higher compared to the previous month and now has an average price of $509 per ton.  The other fertilizers with noteworthy price changes to the high side were DAP, MAP, UAN28 and UAN32. DAP and MAP were both up 7% from last month while UAN28 and UAN32 were up 5%. DAP had an average price of $528 per ton, MAP $554/ton, UAN28 $338/ton and UAN32 $383/ton.

Anhydrous and 10-34-0 both had higher prices as well, but the move higher was fairly small. Anhydrous had an average price of $620/ton and 10-34-0 $505/ton.

The remaining fertilizer, potash, was lower compared to last month, but this move was again fairly minor. Potash had an average price of $470 per ton, which is a few dollars away from the dataset's all-time low of $467, set in the last week of August 2010.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.55/lb.N, anhydrous $0.38/lb.N, UAN28 $0.60/lb.N and UAN32 $0.60/lb.N.

All eight of the major fertilizers are now double-digits lower in price compared to February 2013.  UAN28, UAN32 and urea are all now down 12% while DAP is 15% less expensive. Both MAP and 10-34-0 are 17% lower, potash is 21% less expensive this week, and anhydrous is 28% lower than a year earlier.



Major opportunity: University now offering online minors in grain science
Kansas State University is now offering bakery science and management, feed science and management and grain handling operations as stand-alone minors through distance education.

The stand-alone minors are not only available to current Kansas State University undergraduate and postbaccalaureate students, but also to graduates of other accredited four-year universities who need educational instruction in grain science disciplines.

"We have been approached by industry companies, associations and trade groups about making these minors available to non-K-State graduates so that hires without a grain-based background may learn basic information to help them better understand the industry in which they are working while also allowing employees to get college credit for a minor," said Huseyin Dogan, instructor of grain science at Kansas State University.

Helping individuals earn these stand-alone minors will help increase the number of educated professionals in the grain science industry, Dogan said.

"The grain industry as a whole is experiencing a shortage of employees with an adequate skill set or experience," Dogan said. "With continued growth, the opportunities for employment in this field continue to rise, creating the need to educate non-K-State graduates through the new minors programs."

The bakery science minor is a 17-credit-hour program that prepares students for careers in grain science such as product development, technical sales, production management and ingredient/equipment sales.

The 17-credit-hour feed science minor is designed to increase students' knowledge of animal feed manufacturing technology and teach them techniques in selection and application of equipment required to develop specific types of feeds.

The grain handling operations minor requires 15 credit hours and includes classes such as materials handling; cereal food plant design and construction; injury prevention; and grain drying, storage, aeration and pest management.

To qualify for enrollment in a stand-alone minor in grain science, students must have completed or be completing all necessary bachelor's degree requirements from an accredited four-year university. Their application for the minor program must be approved by Kansas State University's grain science and industry department, and if accepted, must complete the required courses with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.

Learn more about the grain science minors programs at http://www.dce.k-state.edu/ag/minors.



RFA Chief Calls on Washington, “Keep Your Word”

Bob Dinneen, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, addressed more than 1,000 people at the National Ethanol Conference in Orlando, Fla. In his annual “State of the Industry” speech entitled “Falling Walls, Rising Tides”, the RFA leader touted the strength of the ethanol industry.

2014 will be the year the “blend wall comes crashing down,” “the cellulose wall is cracked,” “the trade wall erected by Europe will be breached,” and “the octane wall crumbles.”

Tying the remarks back to the theme of “Falling Walls, Rising Tides”, Dinneen stated that “a rising tide lifts all boats” and noted “the notion of a rising tide aptly describes the economic reach of the American ethanol industry.”

- The American ethanol industry produced 13.3 billion gallons of fuel in 2013, the second-highest production rate in history.

- Last year alone the American ethanol industry was responsible for some 86,500 direct jobs, and another 300,277 indirect and induced jobs.

- The American ethanol industry contributed more than $44 billion to the Gross Domestic Product last year ... provided $30.7 billion in household income. And ethanol plants paid more than $8.3 billion in federal, state and local taxes.

Dinneen pointed toward the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) which was established to “wean America off our dependence on imported oil,” “stimulate investment in new technologies,” “provide consumers choice at the pump,” and “revive rural economies,” as well as “requiring a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from transportation fuels.”

“Without question, the Renewable Fuels Standard was, and is, visionary legislation that has become a model for progressive energy policy across the globe… And by any measure, the RFS has been a remarkable success.”

He stressed the need to protect the RFS, “All we ask of Washington is one thing – Keep. Your. Word. Keep your word. It’s that simple.”

The ethanol industry and the RFS have been effective in reducing foreign oil dependence and strengthening American energy independence. Dinneen explained, “the RFS and ethanol have helped drive our import dependence down to just 35% in 2013.” Ethanol reduced gasoline imports to near zero today and displaced 462 million barrels of imported oil last year.

Ethanol production and the RFS are reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Dinneen noted a Life Cycle Associates study showing that corn ethanol production has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 32% compared to petroleum and 37-40% compared to tight oil from fracking and tar sands. He stated, “from an environmental perspective, the RFS has been a stone cold winner.”

The Renewable Fuel Standard is under attack by the Environmental Protection Agency, which proposed a rule to reduce the 2014 conventional blending requirements from 14.4 billion gallons to 13.01 billion gallons that Dinneen called “an inexplicable step backwards to what has been an overwhelming successful program.”

But he expressed hope in the outcry against EPA’s proposal, “Thankfully, Americans across the country stood up to express their frustration. At a public hearing EPA convened in December, well more than 2 to 1 of the citizen advocates attending were appalled by EPA’s action and demanded the Agency implement the RFS according to the statute.”

Pointing to the more than 50,000 comments opposing EPA’s proposed blending reductions, Dinneen stated, “now, EPA must listen and lead” while reiterating, “Washington, Keep Your Word!”

He concluded, “The U.S. ethanol industry has solidified its position as the low cost ethanol producer in the world … 2014 will be a banner year of rising tides and falling walls!”



New Study Shows Powerful Impact of Ethanol Industry on Jobs & Energy Independence
The Renewable Fuels Association unveiled a new study today by ABF Economics entitled “Contribution of the Ethanol Industry to the Economy of the United States” at the National Ethanol Conference in Orlando, Fla. The study examines the nationwide impact of the ethanol industry in 2013 on job creation, the economy, household income, and foreign oil displacement.

Bob Dinneen, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, commented on the new study, noting, “Last year we fought, and we continue to fight, against naysayers determined to end the Renewable Fuel Standard. These numbers should silence the opposition as the ethanol industry is clearly helping individuals, families, communities, and our country by creating jobs, displacing oil imports, and contributing to America’s economy.”

The new ABF Economics study found that the 13.3 billion gallons of ethanol produced created 86,503 jobs and sustained an additional 300,277 indirect and induced jobs.

At the national level the ethanol industry contributed $44 billion to America’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) while adding $30.7 billion to household incomes.

Additionally, the 13.3 billion gallons of ethanol displaced 476 million barrels of imported oil, saving Americans $48.2 billion in oil imports. That equals roughly 13 percent of last year’s expected crude oil and petroleum imports.

“The ethanol industry continues to make a significant contribution to the economy in terms of job creation, generation of tax revenue, and displacement of imported crude oil. The $40 billion ethanol producers spent on raw materials, other inputs, and goods and services during 2013 contributed more than $44 billion to the nation’s GDP and supported a significant number of jobs in all sectors of the economy. The use of ethanol also continues to enhance the nation’s energy independence. The dollars spent on domestically produced ethanol instead of imported crude oil and petroleum products is money that is spent and reinvested in the American economy,” said John Urbanchuck, managing partner of ABF Economics.

Key findings of the report:
• 86,503 direct jobs
• 300,277 indirect and induced jobs
• $44 billion contribution to GDP
• $30.7 billion in household income
• 476 million barrels of imported oil displaced, valued at $48.2 billion in 2013
• $8.3 billion paid in federal, state and local taxes



RFA Unveils 2014 Industry Outlook and Pocket Guide

The Renewable Fuels Association released its annual 2014 Ethanol Industry Outlook and 2014 Pocket Guide to Ethanol providing an in-depth look at the current state of the ethanol industry at the National Ethanol Conference in Orlando, Fla.

“Last year was a tough year for the industry as misguided attacks on the RFS came from all angles. There is a clear need to educate individuals and policy makers about the goals and successes of the RFS,” explained Bob Dinneen, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association. “The 2014 Ethanol Industry Outlook and 2014 Pocket Guide to Ethanol are easy to understand resources that help explain the unique facets of this vital industry and underline the imminent need to protect the RFS.”

The annual 2014 Ethanol Industry Outlook offers a comprehensive look at the ethanol industry today and is accompanied by the popular Pocket Guide to Ethanol, which presents a succinct industry overview. These publications delve into the Renewable Fuel Standard, investment and innovation in next generation biofuels, expansion of higher level ethanol blends, development of a global marketplace, debunking of the food vs. fuel myth, and an updated map of bio refineries across America.

To download a copy of the Outlook or the Pocket Guide, please visit www.EthanolRFA.org.



New Mobile App Brings Commodity Classic to Your Fingertips

Today, Commodity Classic launched an all-new mobile app allowing attendees to access information, receive messages and engage in social media from their smart phones and tablets. The free Commodity Classic convention and trade show mobile app gives show-goers the ability to make their own schedules, lookup session, event and shuttle times, navigate with maps, fill out surveys, and much more. Visit www.commodityclassic.com/app.

“We’ve seen first-hand how more people are turning to smartphones and tablets for information they need on so many things, and this new app makes sure you’re up-to-date on what’s going on at such a large event,” said Commodity Classic Co-Chair Rob Elliott.  “Each year, the technology gets better and better – not just for farm equipment, but for mobile devices, and our farmers are always very interested in using the best tools available.”

In less than two weeks, a record-breaking number of soybean, corn, wheat and sorghum growers from around the country will gather at the 19th Annual Commodity Classic in San Antonio, Texas for an experience that will educate, enlighten and entertain. From new product rollouts to thoughtful discussion of important agricultural issues–education is a key element of Commodity Classic.

Commodity Classic is the largest farmer-run agricultural convention and trade show in the nation. Each year, acres of displays, equipment and technology fill the trade show floor and 2014 is no exception, with the largest trade show in the event’s history. Exhibitors bring their most knowledgeable people to Commodity Classic, giving attendees access to the best problem solvers in the industry.

The event is presented annually by the National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers and National Sorghum Producers. The event offers a wide range of learning and networking opportunities for growers in the areas of production, policy, marketing, management and stewardship—as well as showcasing the latest in equipment, technology and innovation.



CWT Assists with 5 Million Pounds of Cheese and Butter Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 21 requests for export assistance from Bongards Creameries, Dairy Farmers of America, Land O’Lakes, Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative, Northwest Dairy Association (Darigold) and Tillamook County Creamery Association to sell 4.149 million pounds (1,882 metric tons) of Cheddar, Gouda and Monterey Jack cheese, and 848,780 pounds (385 metric tons) of 82% butter to customers in Asia, Central America, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. The product will be delivered in February through April 2014.

Year-to-date, CWT has assisted member cooperatives in selling 20.538 million pounds of cheese, 6.244 million pounds of butter and 698,865 pounds of whole milk powder to 18 countries on four continents. These sales are the equivalent of 330.3 million pounds of milk on a milkfat basis.

Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program, in the long-term, helps member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products and the U.S. farm milk that produces them. This, in turn, positively impacts U.S. dairy farmers by strengthening and maintaining the value of dairy products that directly impact their milk price.



DuPont Pioneer Expands Corn Hybrid Choices for 2014

DuPont Pioneer is advancing 111 new Pioneer® brand corn  products, featuring  32 new genetic platforms, to better meet growers’ needs now and in the future.

The new group of products includes 20 new Pioneer® brand Optimum® AQUAmax® products, developed to yield in water-limited environments and now available in an expanded range of maturity zones. The Pioneer brand Optimum® AcreMax® Xtra and Optimum® AcreMax® XTreme products featuring proven and trusted above and below ground insect control traits will include 33 new products for growers to choose from in 2014.

“The DuPont Pioneer management concept of ‘right product right acre’ describes how we develop, test and position products with local information from IMPACT™ (Intensively Managed Product Advancement Characterization and Training) trials,” says Bob Heimbaugh, DuPont Pioneer North American director of corn product evaluation. “Product performance is only meaningful at a local level. And to meet that goal, Pioneer leverages global resources to develop local solutions.”

In addition to the integrated refuge products available in the Optimum AcreMax product portfolio, Pioneer advanced three new brown midrib (BMR) silage hybrids and a new technology segment featuring a powerful pyramid of insect protection traits called Optimum® Leptra™ hybrids.

Through the industry-leading Pioneer silage genetics research program, three new BMR silage hybrids are being introduced to growers with a maturity range from 102 to 111 CRM and are unlike any other BMR hybrids available today.  The BMR gene contributes increased fiber digestibility, while the base genetics provide superior yield, starch and agronomics that growers have come to expect from a Pioneer brand silage hybrid. Growers will also benefit from the Herculex® XTRA insect protection for above- and below-ground corn rootworm protection on continuous corn acres used for silage production.

Pioneer is introducing four new Optimum Leptra products for the 2014 planting season. These products provide three traits to deliver multiple modes of action and superior protection from a broad spectrum of above-ground corn pests. The Optimum Leptra product pyramid of protection combines the proven Herculex® I, YieldGard® Corn Borer and Agrisure Viptera® traits with locally developed and tested Pioneer corn genetics. These products are targeted for southern U.S. growing environments that can require control of infestations of corn ear worm and fall armyworm with a maturity range from 113 to 117 CRM.

Optimum AQUAmax corn products, planted on 7 million acres in 2013, continued to perform rain or shine. Based on consistent performance in over 42,000 on farm comparisons in the last three years, demand for Optimum AQUAmax hybrids in 2014 is expected to exceed 10 million acres. With the addition of this new class, the Optimum AcreMax family of products with integrated refuge is estimated to comprise about two-thirds of corn unit sales in 2014.

“Pioneer brand corn products released since 2012 make up more than 80% of our unit volume,” Heimbaugh says. “Pioneer continues to have the broadest corn product lineup in the industry, which shows our commitment to grower choice in both technology and genetics.”



Syngenta soybean portfolio drives grower success despite challenging 2013 growing season

The Syngenta soybean portfolio sustained strong results in 2013 despite adverse conditions. This past growing season was turbulent, unpredictable and far from ideal, yet many growers using Syngenta products exceeded their production goals.

The data below highlights some of the yield advantages growers experienced while using products from the Syngenta soybean portfolio.

NK soybeans in nationwide yield trials:
-    S39-U2 brand won by a margin of 3.5 bushels per acre versus DuPont Pioneer® 79 percent of the time.
-    S38-W4 brand topped DuPont Pioneer by an average of 4.7 bushels per acre 87 percent of the time.
-    S20-T6 brand beat DuPont Pioneer by averaging 4.1 bushels more per acre 83 percent of the time.   

Syngenta soybean seed treatments:
    Soybeans treated with Clariva™ Complete Beans nematicide/insecticide/fungicide, a combination of separately registered products, yielded 4.1 percent over the insecticide/fungicide control whereas soybeans treated with Poncho®/VOTiVO® insecticide/nematicide yielded only 0.3 percent over the insecticide/fungicide control, during pre-commercial, four-year trials in moderate to high cyst nematode environments.
    In five Syngenta field trials, soybeans treated with CruiserMaxx® Beans insecticide/fungicide, an application of one or more separately registered products, and Vibrance® fungicide seed treatment yielded an average of 1.8,1.4 and 2.5 bushels per acre more than soybeans treated with Acceleron®, Pioneer PST, and Innovate® seed treatments, respectively.
    Soybeans treated with Avicta® Complete Beans 500 nematicide/insecticide/fungicide premix out-yielded DuPont Pioneer varieties treated with Poncho/VOTiVO by 2.3 bushels per acre in fields with nematode pressure.

Syngenta soybean fungicide:
·         Soybeans treated with Quadris Top® SB fungicide yielded a 3.6 bushel per acre advantage against untreated fields******.

Portfolio combination:
·         In a Minnesota field trial, NK S22-S1 brand soybeans treated with Clariva Complete Beans and protected by applications of Quilt Xcel® fungicide and Endigo® ZC insecticide, provided 14.7 more bushels per acre than seed treated with an insecticide and fungicide seed treatment only.

·         In Indiana, a Syngenta field trial of NK S39-U2 brand soybeans treated with Clariva Complete Beans and protected by applications of Quilt Xcel fungicide and Endigo ZC insecticide, gained an additional 9.7 bushels per acre versus seed treated with just an insecticide and fungicide seed treatment.

According to Purdue Agriculture News, 2013 marked a transitional year for growers recovering from the drought in 2012 – a year that topped the charts for grain prices and insurance indemnity payouts. Current market trends show that increased demand for soybeans in 2014 could shift more emphasis toward soybean yields and profitability. When planning for the next growing season, Purdue researchers advise growers to weigh their options and keep a close eye on the economic implications of each input.

“Planning has always been priority one for growers, but Syngenta has taken the headache out of planning, thanks to our broad soybean offerings,” said Clayton Becker, Syngenta head, soybean crop portfolio. “We have high-quality seed, seed treatments and crop protection products, all conveniently cataloged according to growers’ needs. From planting to harvest, we’ve got growers covered.”

Syngenta will continue to provide growers with an extensive lineup of soybean products for the 2014 growing season. These products combined with sound agronomic practices enable soybeans to start strong, grow strong and yield strong each season, so farmers can grow more soybeans. Now, planning is simplified with the Syngenta Tools to Grow More Soybeans online resource.