Monday November 6 Ag News + Crop Progress Report

NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending November 5, 2017, temperatures averaged two to eight degrees below normal, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Precipitation was limited across the State. Dry weather allowed farmers to complete most of the soybean harvest and corn harvest advanced rapidly. There were 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 2 percent very short, 18 short, 79 adequate, and 1 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 4 percent very short, 19 short, 76 adequate, and 1 surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Corn condition rated 3 percent very poor, 10 poor, 23 fair, 45 good, and 19 excellent. Corn harvested was 68 percent, behind 82 last year and 81 for the five-year average.

Soybeans harvested was 95 percent, equal to last year, and near 98 average.

Winter wheat condition rated 3 percent very poor, 8 poor, 27 fair, 51 good, and 11 excellent. Winter wheat emerged was 93 percent, near 97 last year and 95 average.

Sorghum condition rated 3 percent very poor, 3 poor, 15 fair, 48 good, and 31 excellent. Sorghum harvested was 66 percent, well behind 90 last year, and behind 84 average.

Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 3 percent very poor, 11 poor, 43 fair, 38 good, and 5 excellent. Stock water supplies rated 1 percent very short, 3 short, 96 adequate, and 0 surplus.



IOWA CROP PROGRESS & CONDITION

Dry weather for most of the week allowed many Iowa farmers to make good progress with harvest during the week ending November 5, 2017, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Statewide there were 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork. A wide variety of activities were performed during the week, including drying and hauling grain, baling corn stalks, tillage, and applying manure and fertilizers.

Topsoil moisture levels rated 3 percent very short, 8 percent short, 83 percent adequate and 6 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 6 percent very short, 17 percent short, 72 percent adequate and 5 percent surplus.

Sixty-seven percent of the corn for grain crop has been harvested, nine days behind the 5-year average. Moisture content of corn being harvested for grain averaged 17 percent. Farmers in all nine Iowa districts have completed harvest of over half of their corn for grain crop with southeast Iowa farmers leading the way with 77 percent harvested. Ninety-two percent of the soybean crop has been harvested, three days behind last year and six days behind average.

Cattle and calves continue to feed on stover with limited amounts of hay being fed. Feedlots have started to dry out.



USDA Weekly Crop Progress

The U.S. corn harvest made up more ground last week, jumping ahead 16 percentage points from the previous week, according to USDA's latest Crop Progress report released on Monday.

USDA estimated that 70% of corn was harvested as of Sunday, Nov. 5, down from 84% a year ago and also 13 percentage points behind the five-year average of 83% harvested. That represented a continued improvement from last Monday's report when the corn harvest trailed the average pace by 18 percentage points.

USDA said the soybean crop was 90% harvested, down from 92% a year ago and down from a five-year average of 91% harvested.

Meanwhile, USDA said 91% of winter wheat was planted, up from 90% a year ago and even with the five-year average of 91% planted. Seventy-five percent of winter wheat was emerged, down from 78% a year ago and down from a five-year average of 77%.  USDA also said 55% of the winter wheat crop was rated good to excellent.

Sorghum was 72% harvested, behind the five-year average of 78%.

Cotton was 96% in the bolls opening stage and the crop was 54% harvested nationwide, near the average pace of 55% harvested.



So You’ve Inherited a Farm, Now What? Seminar in Scribner – November 20

It has been predicted that in the next 10 years, over half of the agricultural land in Nebraska will change ownership. Consider that according to the 2012 Census of Agriculture, 57% of farmers that identified farming as their primary occupation were over 55 years old and 29% were over 65 years old. This shows why experts anticipate a large change in ownership of agricultural land in the next decade.

In some cases a family farm will pass to the next generation. But frequently, the kids or grandkids are not interested in returning to take over the family farming operation when they inherit the farm. It is becoming more common for a person to be faced with managing a farm for the first time in their life after their parents pass away. They may have grown up on the farm, but then moved away and haven’t been involved in a farming operation for 30 or 40 years. They need to understand that farming practices and management concepts have changed dramatically since they were on the farm.

To help address these challenges, Nebraska Extension is hosting a seminar, “So You’ve Inherited A Farm, Now What?” across the state. One of these seminars will be held on Monday, November 20, 1:30 - 4:00 p.m., at Scribner in the new Furstenau Community Center on 530 Main Street. This seminar is free and open to the public, however preregistration is requested to insure enough materials for everyone attending. You can preregister by calling the Nebraska Extension office in Dodge County at 402.727.2775 or registered online at croptechcafe.org.  Preregistration is requested by Friday, November 17.

Anyone that owns farmland will want to attend the seminar to get valuable information about selling versus leasing, short and long-term management, lease agreements, legal considerations, and family communication. Growers are also encouraged to share this opportunity with their new landlords to increase their farmland ownership literacy.



NEXT YEAR’S SUCCESS BEGINS TODAY
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist

               Thanks finally to some favorable weather, fall field work is nearing completion – or is it?  Maybe you can get a jump on next year’s challenges and opportunities.

               I’m great at procrastinating.  But when it comes to pasture and hay fields, I’ve learned that problem prevention and advanced preparation are the only ways to make significant progress.  So today, I’m giving you a laundry list of actions you can still take this fall to make your forage production better next year.

               Let’s begin with weeds.  Many alfalfa fields are contaminated with mustards, pennycress, cheatgrass, and downy brome every spring.  This doesn’t have to happen.  Before the ground freezes, spray Sencor, Velpar, Sinbar, or Karmex and these weeds won’t be there next spring.

               Similarly, you can avoid letting warm-season grass pastures get overrun by cool-season grasses and weeds.  Spray glyphosate or Plateau now while these invaders are still green for cleaner pastures next summer.

               Speaking of pasture, is nitrogen fertilizer getting too expensive?  Adding clovers or alfalfa to your grass can eliminate your need for any nitrogen fertilizer.  Prepare for making this addition by grazing one of your pastures as short as possible this fall to open it up for adding legume seeds early next spring and to slow down its spring growth rate.

               Finally, pull soil samples, especially from hay fields but also from some of your pastures, and get them tested this fall.  Then use the test results to order fertilizer and maybe even apply it yet this fall if weather conditions still permit.

               Don’t be a procrastinator.  Act now to reduce hay and pasture problems next year and improve your forage production.



Iowa Learning Farms Webinar to Explore Past, Present, Future of Bioreactors

As substantial investments in drainage systems continue to be made across the Midwest, the use of edge-of-field practices like woodchip bioreactors can help treat tile-drained water and meet water quality goals. Laura Christianson, professional engineer and assistant Pprofessor in the Department of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois, will present on bioreactor basics, what is known about how bioreactors work and novel ideas to make bioreactors work better during the Iowa Learning Farms webinar on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at noon. 

“Woodchip bioreactors are a scientifically proven method to clean nitrate from tile drainage, and there are lots of good ideas being explored through research to make them work even better,” Christianson commented. Christianson has nine years of experience focused on agricultural drainage water quality and denitrification bioreactors for point and nonpoint nitrogen treatment.

The Iowa Learning Farms monthly webinar series will take place on the third Wednesday of each month at noon. To log in, go to https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/ilf/ at noon and log in through the “guest” option. The webinar will be recorded and archived on the ILF website for viewing at any time at https://www.iowalearningfarms.org/page/webinars.



USDA to Re-engage Stakeholders on Revisions to Biotechnology Regulations
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today announced it is withdrawing a proposed rule to revise the Agency’s biotechnology regulations and will re-engage with stakeholders to determine the most effective, science-based approach for regulating the products of modern biotechnology while protecting plant health.

“It’s critical that our regulatory requirements foster public confidence and empower American agriculture while also providing industry with an efficient and transparent review process that doesn’t restrict innovation,” said Secretary Sonny Perdue. “To ensure we effectively balance the two, we need to take a fresh look, explore policy alternatives, and continue the dialogue with all interested stakeholders, both domestic and international.”

APHIS oversees the importation, interstate movement and environmental release of genetically engineered organisms to ensure they do not pose a plant pest risk. This important work will continue as APHIS re-engages with stakeholders.

“Today, we need to feed some 7 billion people. By the year 2050, that population will swell to 9.5 billion, over half of which will be living in under-developed conditions. To put the demand for food into perspective, we are going to have to double our production between now and 2050. We will have to produce more food in the next 30 years than has been produced in the last 8,000 years. Innovations in biotechnology have been helping American farmers produce food more efficiently for more than 20 years, and that framework has been essential to that productivity,” Perdue said. “We know that this technology is evolving every day, and we need regulations and policies that are flexible and adaptable to these innovations to ensure food security for the growing population.”

More information will be posted at our webpage below as it becomes available: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/biotechnology/news.



NAWG Pleased with USDA’s Withdrawal of Proposed Part 340 Biotech Rules

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today announced its intention to withdraw its proposed revisions to regulations (7 CFR part 340) governing agricultural biotechnology. 

The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) CEO Chandler Goule issued the following statement in response:

“We applaud USDA for its efforts to update its regulatory system and support its move to withdraw the proposed rule to revise the Agency’s biotechnology regulations.

“The USDA’s regulatory requirements must be clear, transparent, and open to stakeholder engagement. Today’s actions by the Agency are a step in the right direction and we are pleased to see the Agency working to improve its communication with the public.

It is encouraging to see that the Agency is listening to ag industry stakeholders to provide an efficient and transparent review process that doesn’t restrict innovation. NAWG will be sure to continue the dialogue with the USDA to represent the innovation researchers expect to bring to wheat and the US wheat grower.

“NAWG looks forward to working with USDA regulators to create policies that will foster innovation and encourage the adoption of modern technologies that will enable wheat farmers to address climate, disease, and pest problems.”



NCGA Encouraged by USDA Biotech Regulatory Process Announcement

The National Corn Growers Association issued this statement today, in response to the Administration's announcement that it will withdraw the Part 340 proposed rule in favor of taking a closer look at reforming biotechnology regulatory processes.

"The National Corn Growers Association is encouraged by today's announcement and applauds USDA's reconsideration of the proposed rule," said NCGA President and North Dakota Farmer Kevin Skunes. "The proposed rule had desirable elements, but the deficiencies found in key areas would have rendered the overall product unworkable for innovation and America's farm families."

"On behalf of America's corn farmers, I commend Secretary Perdue for the serious nature with which he has approached this important and sizable task. The intent he has expressed in regard to working with stakeholders is heartening. We look forward to collaborating with him to ensure that our nation's system for regulating agricultural biotechnology facilitates both the current and future needs of innovations important to families on and off the farm."



U.S. Pork Exports Steady in September; Beef Continues to Trend Higher

September pork export volume was steady with both the August and year-ago levels, while beef exports edged higher in volume and jumped substantially in value, according to statistics released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Pork exports totaled 183,481 metric tons (mt) in September, nearly identical to both the September 2016 and August 2017 volumes. September export value was $503.8 million, up 3 percent year-over-year. Through the first three quarters of the year, pork exports were 8 percent ahead of last year’s record pace at 1.79 million mt, while export value climbed 10 percent to $4.71 billion.

September exports accounted for 23.6 percent of total pork production and 19.8 percent for muscle cuts only – both down slightly from a year ago. For January through September, these ratios improved about one percentage point from a year ago to 26.5 percent of total production and 22.1 percent for muscle cuts. September export value averaged $48.98 per head slaughtered, up 1 percent from a year ago. Through the first three quarters of the year, per-head export value was $52.79, up 7 percent.

Although lower than the previous month, September beef export volume improved 2 percent from a year ago to 103,552 mt. Export value topped $600 million for the fourth consecutive month at $616.9 million, up 16 percent from a year ago. January-September volume was 926,985 mt, up 9 percent from the first three quarters of 2016, while export value was $5.27 billion – up 16 percent year-over-year and 2 percent above of the record pace established in 2014.

Beef exports accounted for 12.5 percent of total production in September, down one percentage point from a year ago, but the percentage of muscle cuts exported increased from 10.2 percent last year to 10.4 percent. For January through September, beef exports accounted 12.8 percent of total production (down from 13.2 percent) and 10.1 percent for muscle cuts (steady with last year).

September beef export value averaged $289.14 per head of fed slaughter, up 13 percent from a year ago. January-September export value averaged $277.31 per head, up 10 percent.

Pork exports to Mexico soften in September, but remain on record pace
Pork exports to leading volume market Mexico edged modestly lower in September at 63,771 mt – down 4 percent from a year ago – while export value slipped 7 percent to $122.1 million. But through the first three quarters of the year, exports to Mexico remained well ahead of last year’s record volume pace at 585,998 mt (up 15 percent), while export value was up 18 percent to $1.1 billion.

September pork export results were bolstered by year-over-year increases to South Korea, Canada, Central and South America, the ASEAN region and Taiwan, while export volumes trended lower to leading value market Japan, China/Hong Kong and Australia. Market-specific highlights included:
-    Pork exports to South Korea climbed 33 percent in volume (9,362 mt) and 27 percent in value ($25.9 million) in September, pushing results through the first three quarters of the year up 27 percent (to 120,633 mt) and 31 percent (to $330.9 million), respectively. Korea’s pork consumption is on pace to set another new record this year, and U.S. pork fits Korean consumer demand for a wide array of convenience foods and home meal replacement items.
-    In Canada, September exports climbed 4 percent in volume (20,436 mt) and 9 percent in value ($77.6 million), pushing January-September volume up 3 percent to 155,713 mt, while value was steady with last year at $592.4 million.
-    Colombia fueled another strong month for U.S. pork in South America, where September volume was up 55 percent to 8,629 mt and value jumped 43 percent to $21.6 million. Through September, exports were 90 percent ahead of last year’s pace in volume (72,551 mt) and 91 percent higher in value ($186.4 million). In leading market Colombia, domestic production has not kept pace with consumption growth and U.S. pork has become a preferred ingredient for Colombia’s production of processed pork items.
-    Led by Honduras and Guatemala, September pork exports to Central America increased 16 percent in volume (5,176 mt) and 15 percent in value ($13.1 million). Through September, exports climbed 6 percent in volume (49,093 mt) and 8 percent in value ($118.8 million).
-    A strong increase in exports to the Philippines pushed September results for the ASEAN region up 33 percent in volume (4,910 mt) and 64 percent in value ($17 million). January-September volume increased 24 percent to 35,194 mt while value jumped 38 percent to $95.4 million.
-    Despite trending lower in September, pork exports to leading value market Japan remained steady with 2016 through the first three quarters of the year at 289,947 mt, while export value increased 3 percent to $1.19 billion. Chilled pork exports were down 3 percent from a year ago in volume (158,962 mt) but increased 2 percent in value to $750 million.
-    Exports to China/Hong Kong continue to reflect China’s uptick in domestic pork production, as January-September exports declined 8 percent in volume (373,814 mt) and slipped 1 percent in value ($781.1 million). But pork variety meat exports to the region remained strong in September, pushing the January-September results up 11 percent year-over-year in volume (243,016 mt) and 22 percent in value ($534.8 million).
-    While September exports to Australia declined from a year ago, January-September volume was still up 5 percent to 50,478 mt while value climbed 11 percent to $147.4 million.

“The September export results really illustrate the importance of having a diverse range of pork export markets,” said USMEF CEO Philip Seng. “Even with our three largest markets down year-over-year, volume kept pace with last year and value posted an increase. This is why it is so critical for USMEF to continue identifying and developing new markets for U.S. pork, especially in this time of very large production.”

Beef exports higher to most regions, but hurricanes impact Caribbean demand
Strong momentum for U.S. beef continued in most Asian and Western Hemisphere markets in September, though exports faced some new headwinds. Exports to leading market Japan held up well in September despite Japan’s recent duty rate increase (from 38.5 percent to 50 percent) on imports of frozen U.S. beef. September exports of frozen beef to Japan were up 44 percent from a year ago to 10,512 mt, while chilled exports increased 38 percent to 12,663 mt.

For January through September, exports to Japan increased 22 percent in volume (236,536 mt) and 30 percent in value ($1.45 billion). This included a 42 percent increase in chilled beef exports (113,347 mt) valued at $833 million (up 45 percent). Frozen beef was up 15.5 percent to 85,432 mt, valued at $334 million (up 23 percent).

“USMEF is pleased to see solid demand continuing for U.S. beef in Japan, and this is a testament to the strong, well-established relationships with our loyal customers and the success of U.S. beef promotional campaigns in Japan,” Seng said. “But the 11.5 percent duty rate increase needs to be closely monitored to ascertain where market dislocation will occur. We are watching this situation carefully and remain very concerned about the widening gap in duty rates between U.S. beef and Australian beef.”

Through the first three quarters of 2017, market-specific highlights for U.S. beef include:
-    Fueled by rapidly growing demand in South Korea’s retail sector, export volume to Korea increased 7 percent from a year ago to 131,774 mt. Export value ($856.9 million, up 20 percent) is on pace to easily break last year’s record of $1.06 billion. These totals include an 85 percent increase in chilled beef exports (31,648 mt), valued at $283 million (up 92 percent), as U.S. beef continues to gain market share in Korea.
-    Taiwan is also an outstanding destination for chilled U.S. beef, with the U.S. holding more than 70 percent of the chilled beef market. Through September, chilled exports to Taiwan were up 19 percent in volume (13,615 mt) and 24 percent in value ($162 million). Total exports to Taiwan increased 9 percent in volume (32,894 mt) and 21 percent in value ($297.5 million).
-    Within North America, September beef exports slowed slightly from a year ago in volume to both Mexico and Canada, but increased in value. Through September, exports to Mexico remained slightly ahead of last year’s pace in volume (175,585 mt, up 1 percent) and slightly lower in value ($726.9 million, down 1 percent). Exports to Canada were up 3 percent in volume (86,697 mt) and 6 percent in value ($603.8 million).
-    Strong growth in the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam pushed beef exports to the ASEAN region 68 percent ahead of last year’s pace in volume (29,974 mt) and 53 percent higher in value ($149.1 million). The region is especially strong for beef variety meat, with exports through September more than doubling from a year ago in both volume (8,535 mt, up 125 percent) and value ($15.6 million, up 135 percent).
-    With hurricanes inflicting severe damage on several Caribbean islands, September beef exports to the region slipped dramatically from a year ago in both volume (1,653 mt, down 22 percent) and value ($9.9 million, down 48 percent). Through September, exports to the Caribbean were still up 4 percent from a year ago in volume (17,759 mt), but value fell 6 percent to $118.2 million.

Lamb export volume slumps, but value moves higher
September exports of U.S. lamb were just 572 mt, down 23 percent from a year ago, but value reached $1.85 million – up 10 percent. For the first three quarters of the year, exports slipped 14 percent in volume (5,579 mt) but were also up 10 percent in value to $14.7 million. The volume decline is due to slow demand for lamb variety meat, as muscle cut exports through September were up substantially in both volume (1,740, up 21 percent) and value ($10.5 million, up 24 percent), including year-over-year increases to Mexico, the Caribbean, Canada, Central America and Taiwan.



Farm Credit Reports 3Q Financial Results

The Farm Credit System reported that combined net income was relatively unchanged at $1.3 billion for the third quarter of 2017 and increased 3.5% to $3.7 billion for the nine months ended September 30, as compared with the same periods of the prior year.

"The System's stable earnings and increased capital levels provide the foundation to execute on our mission through varying agricultural conditions," remarked Tracey McCabe, President and CEO of the Federal Farm Credit Banks Funding Corporation. "System institutions remain focused on serving our customers in challenging times."

Net interest income increased $86 million or 4.6% to $2.0 billion for the third quarter of 2017 and $228 million or 4.1% to $5.8 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared with the same periods of the prior year. The increases in net interest income primarily resulted from higher levels of average earning assets, driven largely by increased loan volume.

Average earning assets increased $7.8 billion or 2.6% to $310.2 billion and $12.3 billion or 4.1% to $310.2 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared with the prior year periods.

The net interest margin was 2.52% and 2.47% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared with 2.47% for both periods of the prior year. The net interest margin during these periods was positively impacted by a nine and five basis point increase in income earned on earning assets funded by noninterest-bearing sources. Net interest spread decreased four and five basis points to 2.26% and 2.24% for the three- and nine-month periods of 2017, as compared with 2.30% and 2.29% for the same periods of the prior year. The decline in the net interest spread for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 was primarily the result of increased debt costs and lower lending spreads due to competitive pressures.



NCGA Now Accepting Applications for the 2019 Corn Board

The National Corn Growers Association Nominating Committee is now accepting applications from members for the 2019 Corn Board.  Through the Corn Board, members can become an integral part of the organization's leadership. 

"I have had the privilege of working with so many talented, dedicated volunteers who step forward to lead this organization during my years on the Corn Board," said NCGA Chairman and Nominating Committee Chair Wesley Spurlock. "Their willingness to step forward as volunteer leaders play a crucial role in building NCGA's future successes. As a true grassroots organization, we rely upon farmers to volunteer to lead, helping to shape policy and drive efforts. Serving on the Corn Board empowers farmers to play a proactive role in determining the collective future of our industry."

The NCGA Corn Board represents the organization on all matters while directing both policy and supervising day-to-day operations.  Board members serve the organization in a variety of ways.  They represent the federation of state organizations, supervise the affairs and activities of NCGA in partnership with the chief executive officer and implement NCGA policy established by the Corn Congress. Members also act as spokespeople for the NCGA and enhance the organization's public standing on all organizational and policy issues.

Applications are due Friday, January 5. Nominated candidates will be introduced at the March 2018 Corn Congress meeting, held in conjunction with the Commodity Classic in Anaheim, California. Corn Board members will be elected at the July 2018 Corn Congress in Washington, D.C., and the new terms begin Oct. 1.

For more information, growers may contact Kathy Baker at NCGA's St. Louis office at (636) 733-9004.



Overlap Residual Herbicides to Get Ahead of Palmer Amaranth

Fall is ideal for evaluating what worked and what didn’t work – especially when it comes to weed control. Mark Bernards, associate professor of agronomy at Western Illinois University, and his weed science class conducted research this year to learn about growth of two common weeds. They compared the development of Palmer amaranth with waterhemp plants as they grew in the same pot and had to compete. The result? Palmer amaranth grew more aggressively than waterhemp.

“One of the things we noticed is that Palmer amaranth adds leaves a lot quicker,” Bernards says. “At the end, Palmer amaranth had 17 to 18 leaves per pot whereas waterhemp had somewhere between 13 and 14. Palmer amaranth is a much more aggressive species.”

Whether the concern this year was Palmer amaranth, waterhemp or giant ragweed, corn farmers can implement helpful practices to control herbicide-resistant weeds in the future. Bernards says the two best ways to delay, or prevent, herbicide resistance is to apply herbicide mixtures that have active ingredients effective on the targeted weeds and to overlap residual herbicides with multiple modes of action.

“Our primary focus needs to be eliminating weed seed return, which means we don’t let any new weeds into our fields,” Bernards says. “A preemergence application followed by a post- is critical for herbicide resistance management.”

Using a preemergence herbicide helps farmers protect yield potential early. Following up with a postemergence herbicide will not only provide additional control, but also help farmers navigate unfavorable weather circumstances.

“Farmers need a powerful herbicide program to fend off Palmer amaranth next season,” says Lyndsie Kaehler, U.S. product manager, Dow AgroSciences. “An example of a strong approach is applying SureStart II or FulTime NXT herbicide preemergence followed by Resicore herbicide for four modes of action that will work deep into the season. Many farmers also choose to add glyphosate and atrazine to this program to increase the number of different modes of action.”

Nebraska farmer overlaps residual herbicides to control Palmer amaranth
In Holdrege, Nebraska, farmer Blake Johnson has been no-tilling corn and soybeans for 15 years. Recently, herbicide-resistant weeds have become increasingly hard to control.

“We’ve got a huge resistance problem in this county especially after this year when we had soybean fields full of Palmer amaranth,” Johnson says. “Pigweed is the No. 1 troublesome weed and kochia is No. 2. We saw early stages of resistance a year ago, and it has really escalated in the last year, which scares me.”

Last winter, Johnson started looking for a new mode of action to add to his herbicide program to get ahead of Palmer amaranth. He decided to overlap residual herbicides to keep his fields clean deep into the season. Johnson applied FulTime® NXT herbicide preemergence followed by Resicore® herbicide postemergence.

“We had too many escapes in our soybean fields, but in our cornfields where we used Resicore, we were very happy with the control,” Johnson says. “We had very few escapes and, in general, our cornfields were very clean.”

Like many farmers seeking new tools to combat herbicide-resistant weeds, Johnson tries to select products with multiple modes of action. After a season with heavy Palmer amaranth infestations, Johnson is keeping his foot on the gas in 2018.

“We sprayed corn when it had two leaves on it, and we got enough control out of Resicore to keep the fields clean until crop canopy,” Johnson says. “We had good results with it this year at keeping the fields clean. It’s going to have its work cut out for it next year because there’s going to be a little more pressure in some of the fields because of escapes in soybean fields that went to seed.”

Johnson says he is going to put Resicore to the test next year, and he thinks it will be up for the challenge.