adapt-n and field forecasting...worked together as a burn-down as well as a soybean pre-application....
TRANSCRIPT
DDo you recall middle school math class where you had to "check your work?" It’s what we do when we predict the nitrogen (N) available to your crop, and it’s a good habit to have. We are very comfortable with our adapt-N model, but we are alwaystrying to make it better. Currently, we tissue and soil sample our adapt-N fields to check nutrients in the plant and nitrates in the soil. This allows us to recalibrate the adapt-N tool, if needed.
In 2019, we began using the WinField® United Field Forecasting Tool (FFT) on some trial fields. The FFT includes a component that shows the impact of a particular N application on yield. Once adapt-N tells us the rate needed, we turn to the FFT to pinpoint the best time to apply. The FFT also helps us determine if the investment in more N is worth it or not.
The FFT helps us create scenarios to justify what was done, or to offer predictions and results if other practices were followed. We can use the tool to see what would have been different if
we had adjusted our pre-season nitrogen rates, or moved an application from fall to spring, or split our nitrogen into four instead of three applications.
This past season, adapt-N and the Field Forecasting Tool complimented each other very well, and we are excited to review the yield checks this fall. Using both models, we can affirm what our knowledge and history tell us —every field does not need nor should be applied with the same rate of nitrogen every year.
Set up a meeting with your NuWay Agronomy Account Manager if you want to learn more about these models.
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adapt-N and Field Forecasting Work Together By Kevin Anderson, Farm RX Site-Specific Ag Director | [email protected]
“The WinField® United Field Forecasting Tool helps us create
scenarios to justify what was done, or to offer predictions and results if
other practices were followed.”
A NuWay Agronomy Hagie sprayer split-applies nitrogen in a maturing cornfield.
YYour cooperative had extra work this spring because not all the nitrogen fertilizer was able to be put on last fall. Due to this spring’s wet conditions, we were unable to apply much NH3. Instead, we shifted to urea or 32%.
We also experienced logistical delays. Much of the urea applied in this area comes up the Mississippi River, but high water levels delayed delivery. Urea that would typically have been received in April was received much later in the season.
Weather affected railroad transportation of fertilizer, too. Flooded tracks made some stretches unpassable, resulting in car shortages. Some car orders took up to three weeks to fill. Consequently, it was difficult for your local cooperative to keep fertilizer in our tanks and bins.
The change in products applied and the logistical challenges also created big spikes in price. Urea increased by as much as $160 per ton and 32% increased by as much as $80 per ton.
We plan – you should, tooThis year, it was more important than ever for you
to tell us in advance what you needed. If you didn’t, we couldn’t have it in the tank or even on an order form for you. Those of you who purchased in-season were at a price and supply disadvantage.
When I started in this business, fertilizer manufacturers put product in our local plants, and we didn’t have to pay for it until we sold it. So, we filled our plants up. Not anymore. We put our money down when we order fertilizer and the manufacturers only make as much as we order. NOTE: I’ve already bought a layer of
32% for next spring, and I paid for it a year in advance. Your cooperative needs to plan ahead.Most of our customers do plan ahead, too. We’re
not in a position to speculate on the market, so large increases in prices this spring. NOTE: We were only able to handle the increased demand for 32% because of our excellent relationship with WinField United.
I know it’s tempting to wait. A handful of times you’ve seen price decreases going into spring, and you were rewarded waiting. But what happened in 2019 underlines that IS NOT the way to operate.
Please plan ahead. Let your Account Manager know ahead of the season what you think you’ll need. If plans change and you need to switch products, let your Account Manager know immediately, so we can have an alternate product in place.
A note about NH3 For safety reasons, and because of the pipelines age,
the ammonia pipeline has shut down to the terminal at Vernon Center. That has created issues for those of us who previously pulled our NH3 out of that terminal. Now they will fill with trucks during the off-season, so there will be a limited supply.
We'll need to pull more NH3 out of Spencer and Garner, Iowa, which are longer pulls. This will increase the cost of freight for both the co-op and its customers.
The Importance of Planning Ahead By Dan Schley, Crop Nutrient Products Director – Account Manager | [email protected]
Due to this spring’s wet conditions, NuWay Agronomy was unable to apply much NH3. Instead, we shifted to urea (like that being spread on corn above) or 32%.
WWe’re 11 months into the merger that created NuWay – K&H Cooperative. From my perspective, the merger has gone more smoothly than I anticipated. We’ve had challenges and met them. Meanwhile, we’ve achieved operational efficiencies like more efficient utilization of employees, elimination of duplicated services and expenses, and the ability to extend the life of equipment by moving it between divisions.
We’ve also had more business opportunities that can only be attributed to combining the operations of two strong and forward-looking companies.
Most importantly, we’ve achieved a certain level of employee satisfaction at the combination of our systems and cultures.
All this has resulted in positive financial returns that will benefit the membership in the short term and in the long term.
Speaking of finances, after 11 months of operation, your cooperative is ahead of budget — which is remarkable considering the depressed ag economy in which we operate. We’ll speak in more detail about our first fiscal year after its close on Aug. 31, 2019.
Your input encouraged Whether it’s our recent transition from two software
systems to one, or any other issue involving merger of these two entities, there will always be some bumps and bruises along the way. Change is hard.
We ask for your patience. If you have something bugging you, please reach out to talk to the person with whom you are most comfortable. I assure you, we will take your comments seriously.
As always, you may email me or call our offices at Trimont (1-800-445-4118) or Wesley (1-800-244-6101) to set up an appointment for us to talk.
A Merger UpdateBy Kevin Jones, President/CEO | [email protected]
NuWay-K&H Cooperative's operations facility in Welcome, MN.
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NNow is a good time in the 2019 growing season to review what worked and what didn’t. Start with the differences between the varieties and hybrids you planted this spring. Which corn hybrids showed early season vigor? Compare the fields applied with starter fertilizer verses fields without. NOTE: We observed that starter fertilizer plus zinc and Ascend® Pro gave our customers the best opportunity to get the corn plant out of the ground and maximize potential yield early.
Seed treatments on both corn and soybeans produced better stands, and preemergent herbicide applications on both corn and soybeans were extremely valuable when early post-emergent applications had to be delayed. It was also important to find chemicals this year that worked together as a burn-down as well as a soybean pre-application.
Nitrogen management Since 2016, the adapt-N nitrogen model has shown
significant losses from fall-applied nitrogen. In 3 out of 4 years we had to make additional applications of N in 2016, 2018 and 2019.
As an agronomy company, we want to manage nitrogen losses to the environment and, at the same time, maximize profitability for our growers. Applying nitrogen that ends up unusable because of loss is detrimental to both.
Evaluate your nitrogen management program. More growers are doing split applications of nitrogen. If you want to as well, you’ll need to decide what you will apply in the fall to set up for a successful side-dress season the following year. Your NuWay Agronomy Account Manager can help with tools like adapt-N and the Field Forecasting Tool, reviewed by Kevin Anderson on page 1.
Review What Worked and What Didn’t By the NuWay Agronomy Sales Team
Multi-product technology NuWay Agronomy's ability to apply multiple-products
in one pass was highly successful this year. Any field entered into the adapt-N nitrogen model got a tissue test in the V5-V8 stages. The purpose of that test was to determine if the plants needed more nutrients. A high percentage showed zinc, sulfur and boron deficiencies.
Our multi-product technology allowed us to apply nitrogen and sulfur through the Y-Drop® component, and zinc and boron through the Undercover™ component, all in one pass of our Hagie Sprayer. We offer this technology so our growers can “adapt” by addressing deficiencies and doing as much in-season management as possible to maximize potential yield.
Centuro™ available A new nitrogen stabilizer from Koch Agronomic
Services (KAS), Centuro will be offered by NuWay Agronomy this fall to growers putting down NH3. While N-Serve is put on by the acre, Centuro is put on by the pound of nitrogen applied. The cost per acre of Centuro, then, is lower for growers who split-apply their nitrogen.
Let us know With a wet spring and summer, we haven’t finished
as much grid sampling as we normally do. So, we’re expecting a higher-than-normal volume of requests for sampling this fall. Since timing is critical, please keep us up to date on your harvest schedule.
Thanks for your cooperation.
NUWAY-K&H COOPERATIVEAGRONOMY ACCOUNT MANAGERS
Matt Bezdicek 507-639-7138 [email protected] Chaffee 507-639-7122 [email protected] Crissinger 507-639-7120 [email protected] Knips 507-639-7170 [email protected] Sandmeyer 507-639-7130 [email protected] Schley 507-639-7132 [email protected] Vrieze 507-639-7118 [email protected] Williamson 507-236-7605 [email protected]
Time to Maintain & Fill Diesel Tanks By Jason Floy, VP of Energy [email protected]
YYour fuel storage tank is probably at its lowest level of the year. It’s a good time to inspect hoses and nozzles and to change filters. It’s also a good time to test for moisture in your diesel fuel.
Check with your Energy Account Managers. They have tubes of water-finding paste you can use to test for harmful water in the bottom of your tank.
If you haven’t run your pumps recently, turn them on and make sure they’re working correctly. You’ll want to have your pumps and tanks ready as we approach harvest.
Then, as the Energy Account Managers advise on page 10, look for an opportunity to fill those tanks. Filling your tank before harvest is always a good idea. We seem to run into supply issues at the peak of every season.
Book propane work now We’re in the process of doing leak checks for
our customers who don’t have one on file. Our technicians will call to arrange a time to come to your location, perform the check and make sure everything is up-to-date and working properly.
It’s important that you know leak checks are not profit points to us. We’re genuinely looking out for your safety by requiring these checks.
By the way, if you want us to trench and hook up a new propane line or move existing tanks, please place your orders in August and get on our schedule. September is our busiest service month in the propane business, and getting projects done is more difficult if you wait rather than allowing us to tackle them before fall.
Interns Darrius Johnson (left) and Jordan Winter (right) take tissue samples in a local corn field.
Crop scouting interns Lindsey Bettin and Lance Becker work in-season to help NuWay Agronomy customers produce top yields at harvest.
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WWe are proud to announce that NuWay-K&H Cooperative is offering the Land O’Lakes® Cooperative Farmer Member Health Plan for the third year. This plan provides a more cost friendly approach to healthcare. For 2020, eligible NuWay-K&H Cooperative members will have access to a range of competitively priced plans through Minneapolis-based Gravie Administrative Services LLC.
Besides health insurance, Gravie also offers dental, life, and vision insurance.
To be eligible, you must:• Reside in Minnesota
• Be a member of NuWay-K&H Cooperative and purchase a minimum of $10,000 annually.
• File a form 1065, Schedule F, or actively work in production agriculture.
• Own a farm/business and either work 20 hours a week or generate enough income to cover the cost of the plan.
For coverage starting Jan. 1, 2010, the open enrollment period is Oct. 28, 2019 through Dec. 20, 2019 at 5 p.m. central time.
Initial information on the Member Health Plan has been sent out to eligible members. If you have questions or you think you may be eligible but have not received the initial information, contact Gravie at 844.538.4690 or [email protected] or call me at 507-639-7114.
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Health Insurance for Co-op Members By Emily Boelke, VP of Human Resources [email protected]
Cell phone myth graphics courtesy of the National Safety Council.
WWe’re nearing the end of our first year as a unified company. Our energy team is now at full strength, which will create great customer sales and service.
Thank you for your patience. For the most part, our team members stayed the same, with a few notable additions.
K&H Energy can now offer its customers exceptional energy programs to save money and protect your valuable equipment — in good times and bad. We can also deliver what we sell at the highest level in years. Expect to learn about new opportunities in future communications.
The success of NuWay-K&H Cooperative comes from the loyalty of its customers. As a member-owned company, our priority is to do things well and to exceed your expectations.
Keep your tanks full going into harvest. If you have any questions or concerns, contact one of our Energy Account Managers listed on page 10.
Energy to Aggressively Promote New Programs By Mike Koppen, VP of Energy Sales/[email protected]
Expect more information
via email and direct mail as
Open Enrollment approaches.
Cell Phones: Keep Risks in Mind Eldon Meyers, VP of Risk [email protected]
In our culture, cell phones have become a major part of everyday living. How did we ever manage to meet someone in the field, at the ball game, or in the mall without our phone? Only a few years ago, I recall “waiting and wondering” after planning to meet someone at a certain time, but a delay or mix up left everyone guessing as to whether that meeting would take place.
Along with the great benefits of cell technology come serious risks, especially where motor vehicles are concerned. Society is moving quickly to address such risks. Texting while driving was banned. Many states now require one-touch or voice activated systems only. We appear to be moving from “it’s okay” to talk on the phone while driving, to “It’s not okay."
Today’s juries have little sympathy for people who cause accidents while on their phones. Seven and eight figure “nuclear judgements” are beginning to be handed down. Such judgements can blow past insurance limits and impact personal assets.
Distracted driving can contribute to everything from a fender bender to a fatality. It is important to consider that our farm or business value could be on the line, in the event of a cell- related accident resulting in a large judgement. It may be legal to use the phone while driving, but we could also be held liable for that use.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Hands-free, one-touch or voice-activated, is the only cell-phone use allowed while driving in Minnesota after August 1, 2019. In Iowa, only texting is banned. NuWay-K&H Cooperative maintains a minimum use policy with its driving employees; however, many of our members with employees do not have a cell phone policy. We encourage you to adopt one.
• Do not become “comfortable” with phone use while driving – always be mindful of the dangers.
• Use one-touch or voice-activated equipment only.
• Let calls go to voicemail – every call does not require immediate attention.
• Keep calls short and to the point.
• Avoid writing or note-taking while driving or operating equipment.
• Avoid phone use in heavy traffic or poor driving conditions.
• Avoid scrolling, surfing, or any other multi-touch wireless use.
• Good judgement and safe habits can help ensure the cell phone continues to be that great everyday device we all benefit from.
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Cell Phone Safety Tips:
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Zach Brandts has been hired as our Seed Brand Support Specialist. Specializing in seed, Zach will work directly with your Agronomy Account Managers to support all brands we sell.
“Our Account Managers wear a lot of different hats,” says Jeff Crissinger, VP of agronomy sales and marketing. “We needed someone on staff with a year-round focus on seed, and that person will be Zach.”
Zach will assist Account Managers and their growers/customers in selecting the right seed for every acre. For growers interested in higher-end management, he’ll assist growers in placing hybrids and identifying those that respond better to nitrogen and fungicides.
In addition, Zach will educate the cooperative’s customers on new seed opportunities for the next cropping season, and he’ll help growers understand data management involving the Climate® and R7® management tools.
Zach grew up on a St. James farm. After high school, he attended college at Bethany Lutheran in Mankato, earning a four-year business management degree.
“I look forward to adding value to our Account Managers and their customers,” says Brandts.
I want to bring you up to date on two projects we’ve been considering.
The first is a safe method of storing and conveying sulfur at the Welcome dry fertilizer plant. As you know, we’ve had to deal with two leg fires involving this product.
There is some danger surrounding transfer of sulfur. At the same time, it is an important soil nutrient for our growers. Our goal is to have some way to load out sulfur this fall, utilizing an open system where we are not trapping dust and risking ignition.
The second project is adding liquid fertilizer storage across the tracks from our Welcome operations center. The storage would be added to NW Agronomy which is co-owned by NuWay-K&H Cooperative and Central Farm Service. Currently, we can only store 50% of the liquid fertilizer we provide annually to area growers. The rest must be brought in during spring planting and is subject to logistical shortages and in-season price increases.
We want to add up to two million gallons (10,000 tons) of storage, primarily for 32%.
Our original goal was to put more storage in place this summer or fall, but that won’t happen. We’re still
researching the purchase of land, dirt work, erection of tanks and plumbing for the project. Our new goal is to have more storage in place in the summer of 2020.
Planning for 2020 As our fiscal year comes
to a close, we’re already busy planning for the next one. We’re getting bids to replace older equipment with new.
We’re looking at purchasing a new TerraGator, a new spinner box, another dry
fertilizer trailer, a liquid tender trailer, some NH3 running gear and another wheel loader. We’re also considering two new liquid fertilizer storage tanks for our Welcome site and increasing our bulk soybean seed storage there.
These are all expenditures that would have the end result of serving our growers-customers in the most quick and reliable manner.
Robbie Hines is a WinField® United Associate, placed with NuWay-K&H Cooperative for one year to learn the sales, technology and marketing side of the business.
Robbie grew up on a central Illinois farm, earned a degree in Crop Sciences from the University of
Illinois, and has been working with WinField United for a couple of years now.
“I have a pretty good understanding of the technology WinField United offers and hope to show the growers how to utilize it,” he states.
“Although Robbie is a WinField United employee, he’s treated like a member of our staff,” says Jeff Crissinger. “Our job is to expose him to the cooperative system and the local ag environment.
Among other things, Robbie is helping to launch NuWay-K&H Cooperative’s e-business website. See page 11.
NuWay-K&H Now Using One Software
Update on Agronomy Operations Adding Experienced Employees
By Tyler Olson, CFO | [email protected]
By Jake Oldenburg, VP of Agronomy Operations | [email protected]
My changing role I began my duties as operations supervisor in
2008 and have been involved in the day-to-day operations ever since. That role is changing. I’m turning over my keys to Ryan Schmidt who will co-manage operations at Welcome with David Anderson.
These trusted, proven individuals will work with your Account Managers and operations employees to make sure the products we offer are delivered and applied correctly.
I’m not leaving. As VP of Agronomy Operations, I’ll be working at other tasks for which I previously didn’t have time. I’ll focus on compliance, safety, project development and giving forethought to improving our agronomy services and our farmers’ business. My goal will be to make sure we’re doing what we need to do in all areas, not just getting work done in the field.
I’m not going anywhere. I’ll still be based at Welcome, but David and Ryan will be your go-to guys from now on.
For customers who don’t have an on-line account, please feel free to call Travis Elg at 507-639-7173 or Sandy Studer at 507-639-7125. Travis or Sandy will be more than happy to assist in getting your user ID and password set up, and in giving you information on how to navigate our system and pay your bill on-line.
NUWAY-K&H COOPERATIVE OFFICE LOCATIONS
Trimont . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-445-4118
Wesley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-244-6101
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NNuWay-K&H Cooperative has now combined their legacy software systems into one. AgVance will be the primary accounting software moving forward.
We intended to make the switch May 1. In reality, we switched to one software system for the whole company on June 1, 2019. As a patron, you should have received your first statement from the combined company around the first of July.
By taking an extra month to make the switch, we were able to provide more accuracy and detail, and less change to our customers. In merging two systems, we tried to bring together the best individual aspects of the statements previously issued by our legacy companies. One of the biggest challenges was building the Retail Operation’s software and interfaces into a centralized
system. We’re not done yet. We’ll continue to customize
and build reporting tools as well as to further refine the monthly statements to fit your needs. We would appreciate any feedback you may give on how to improve customer statements and service. Without feedback, we’ll assume we’re doing what you need.
Feel free to call our offices at Trimont or Wesley with any questions or comments.
Want on-line access? For those who previously had on-line bill pay
privileges with our legacy companies, you should have received a letter on how to log onto MyFarmRecords at www.nuway-kandh.com.
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WWatch for the opportunity to fill your diesel storage tanks before fall. The diesel fuel market has been volatile, and we always seem to run into supply issues during the peak season-of-use. Our best advice: Watch for an opportunity to fill and start the season with tanks full.
Stay in contact with your K&H Energy Account Managers. They’re watching the markets closely and will assist in your buying decisions.
Meanwhile, if you have monitors on your tanks and have put a “hold” on filling them, make sure you remove that “hold” in preparation for a fall fill of diesel fuel.
Inexpensive, no hassle coverage You may or may not recognize the growers being
presented a check in the photo above. Steve and Greg Romsdahl, St. James, Minn., registered their new Case-IH Magnum 315 diesel tractor under the Cenex Total Protection Plan® warranty. After the manufacturer’s warranty ran out, they had PTO troubles; the Romsdahls took their tractor to a local repair shop. Cenex paid $23,273.57 (90%) of the repair bill.
In the current economy, many of you are keeping your equipment beyond the manufacturer’s warranty. You might think getting an extended warranty on farm equipment is expensive and collecting on it is nearly impossible. Wrong on both counts!
It’s only $299 to sign up a new piece of equipment for 10 years or 10,000 hours of coverage. That’s less than 30 cents a month. Once you’ve signed up, use Cenex lubricants. Once a year, collect and send in an engine oil sample for analysis.
If the oil sample shows something’s wrong, take your equipment to an authorized repair shop, and Cenex will issue a check. It’s that easy. There’s no costly downtime and no questions asked.
Why would you NOT sign up for the Cenex TTP?
Ready to dry your crop Besides filling your diesel storage tank, make sure the
propane tank servicing your dryer is full. There is a real possibility we’ll have a heavy dryer season this year, and that can really put pressure on supply and price.
Historically, it’s good for the cooperative and its members to start the season with full tanks. Once it’s empty, it’s tougher all the way down the system to manage demand. Conversely, if the system is full and allocation becomes a reality, it’s easier to handle if it’s full at the beginning.
If you’ve not yet filled your dryer tank, call now.
Over-the-road dieselMany of our customers haul their own grain to
market or into storage. This fall, keep your trucks and semis running at peak performance with Cenex Roadmaster XL® Premium Highway Diesel.
Some retail fueling sites offer only straight No. 2 diesel. Did you know that K&H Energy offers premium diesel at all its c-store and cardtrol
locations? C-Stores: Leroy, Minn.; Algona, Burt, Thorton, and Wesley, Iowa. Cardtrols: Elmore and Frost, Minn.; Buffalo Center, Corwith, Goldfield, Titonka, Sheffield and St. Ansgar, Iowa.
Fill up at these locations, during harvest.
In recent months, NuWay-K&H Cooperative has been working diligently with WinField® United to build a new online marketplace platform that will be offered to our customers through a personalized portal on our new ATLAS website. This omni-channel approach will allow our customers to purchase and contract products and services from a desktop computer, a mobile device or in person. It will also provide customers a seamless and complimentary experience, integrated into an individual’s operation, that utilizes multiple digital data sources to help make meaningful and informed decisions on what inputs to purchase, when to purchase them, and where and how to best utilize them.
What I have described above is termed E-Business, and it will differentiate NuWay-K&H Cooperative in the marketplace. E-Business is much more than just E-Commerce. Simply stated, E-Commerce is just a transactional experience. You purchase and pay for a product or service online, usually with low-to-no service and very little interaction from others. E-Business is a much broader, collaborative experience that includes business partners, continued customer service, personalized data integration and utilization, targeted marketing opportunities, two-way information transfer, market intelligence, access and connectivity to multiple digital systems and platforms, and the provision of business-oriented insights that lead to actionable decisions.
When we launch in September 2019, our E-Business platform will begin as a private site experience. Customers will need a username and password to access their personalized web page. Through this portal, growers will receive individualized information specific to them. Plus, they will be able to access our new shopping site, as well as directly link to their other subscribed-to sites such as Climate Fieldview™, the R7® Tool, adapt-N, FieldAlytics and others. Product purchase offerings on the shopping site will begin with a variety of crop protection and crop
nutrition products, various services we offer, and even some bundled packages where you can buy a complete set of products and services in a single transaction. We will eventually offer our full line of products and services in categories such as bulk fertilizer, seed, and energy to name a few. We plan to start with a small customer group at first. Over time, we’ll expand and integrate additional customers as we gather information and get them enrolled.
As you can see, launching an effective E-Business platform is no small task. It takes a tremendous amount of development and networking on the backside. It doesn’t happen overnight. It evolves over time.
That being said, “The Future is Here,” and NuWay-K&H Cooperative is dedicated to bringing our progressive customers this innovative type of business experience. In partnership with WinField United, we will be one of the first cooperatives in the nation to develop and offer this type of enhanced, value-added opportunity within our marketplace. We look forward to working with you across this new platform. #FutureView
IWatch for Opportunities to Fill Diesel
Is Your Operation Ready for E-Business?
By The K&H Energy Sales Team
By Jeff Crissinger, VP of Agronomy Sales/Marketing | [email protected]
K&H Energy Account Manager Haley Ammann presents a $23,273.57 check to Greg Romsdahl (left) and his brother Steve (right) in payment of a Total Protection Plan warranty claim on their Case IH Magnum 315 tractor behind them.
ENERGY LOCATIONSTrimontWelcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
800-445-4118
Clear LakeWesley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
800-244-6101
ENERGY ACCOUNT MANAGERSHaley Ammann 507-236-9751 [email protected]
Jesse Collins 800-244-6101 [email protected]
Craig Eckels 641-420-4873 [email protected]
Clint Goche 515-320-4222 [email protected]
Brady Koppen 515-538-0558 [email protected]
Riley Schwieger 507-848-0260 [email protected]
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Ten soil probes were placed in grower fields this spring. These probes have 26 sensors that monitor and wirelessly relay information on soil nitrate, potassium and phosphorus levels and movement through the soil. Sensors monitor oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, as well as moisture, salinity, temperature and pH. The data collected from these probes will, in the future, allow NuWay Agronomy account managers to make more informed decisions regarding your agronomic needs.
Stryke is a three-pass program enhancing the soil’s microbial process for residue composting, mineralization, and nutrient uptake. Soil health has numerous components, one of which is microbial viability and population. The Stryke lineup was applied to five fields last fall and this spring to gather data on the performance of this new product/practice.
Nitrogen-producing microbes for corn have been a theory on the minds of agronomists and agricultural scientists for decades. ProveN is one of the first to make this a reality. This microbe is applied at planting and adheres to the corn plant roots continuously feeding nitrogen throughout the entire growing season.
Ascend® Pro is a new formulation of a trusted product, Ascend SL. It is a plant growth regulator that can help improve root growth and enhance early season vigor in cold, wet, warm or dry planting conditions. Eight trials of Ascend Pro in starter fertilizer were conducted by NuWay Agronomy growers during the 2019 spring. Our interns are monitoring these trails throughout the growing season.
“I’m Lindsey Bettin. I grew up on a farm north of Trimont, Minn. I am currently a sophomore at the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities majoring in Agricultural Education. After college, I want to pursue a career in agricultural education or business.”
“Hi, my name is Darrius Johnson, I am from Jackson, Minn. I earned an A.S. degree in Ag Production from Minnesota West Community and Technical College. This fall, I will transfer to South Dakota State University and major in Agronomy. After college, I hope to find a job at a local coop in southwest Minnesota.”
Meet NuWay Agronomy’s 2019 InternsBy Nathan Vrieze, Account Manager | [email protected]
NuWay Agronomy's 2019 interns include (left to right) Lance Becker (Crop Scouting), Darrius Johnson (Agronomy Sales), Jordan Winter (Crop Scouting) and Lindsey Bettin (Crop Scouting).
TThis growing season, NuWay Agronomy has many trials in area fields. One of the major roles of our interns is to collect data on each individual trial. Without the diligence of Lindsey, Darrius, Lance and Jordan, these data points would be lost, and the trials would be inconclusive. We are conducting multiple trials on roughly 13 products and product combinations. Below are highlights of four trials.
“My name is Jordan Winter. I am from Alpha, Minn. I grew up helping my dad farm. I attend South Dakota State University where I major in Agronomy and minor in Precision Agriculture. I hope to find an agronomy position after college and continue to farm with my dad.”
“My name is Lance Becker. I am from the Fairmont area. I go to Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, majoring in Crop Production. After college, I hope to obtain a job in the agronomy field.”
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1740 HWY 18 WCLEAR LAKE, IA 50428
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Effective Control of Soybean Aphids
By John Sandmeyer, Seed and Crop Protection Products Director – Account Manager | [email protected]
Sefina™ may, in the future, be your go-to insecticide for control of soybean aphids.
Soybean aphids and some other insects are becoming resistant to insecticides currently on the market. Right now, Lorsban® is the only product with an active ingredient able to control most soybean aphids.
Sefina, a new chemistry from BASF, recently received approval from the EPA.
Sefina is a non-restricted-use pesticide with a rapid on-set of action to stop aphid feeding and protect yield. It has no pollinator restrictions, and a unique mode of action that controls aphids, including those resistant to other chemistries.
There has been some talk of banning neonicotinoids like Lorsban. If Lorsban is banned, Sefina will be the only insecticide that will control all aphids.
Sefina has no known cross resistance to other classes of commercial insecticides. It’s a whole new mode of action. Furthermore, Sefina only targets aphids. It will not kill beneficial insects. Plus, it’s more user-friendly. It has a field re-entry level of 12 hours (some other chemistries have 24 hours), and a pre-harvest interval of seven days. NOTE: Sefina offers three weeks of residual. Lorsban offers only one.
The economic threshold for treating aphids is still 250 aphids per plant. So, you’ll still want to scout and do your due diligence to make sure spraying Sefina is the right decision.
Cost-wise, Sefina is comparable to some other insecticides.
If there is any downside, it is that that Sefina kills only aphids. It will not kill mosquitos, which some growers have appreciated.
NuWay-K&H Cooperative has a good supply of Sefina. We took a position on this new product because we thought it was something you needed. Contact your Agronomy Account Manager to try it.
Asian lady beetle larvae feeding on aphids 4 days after a Sefina Insecticide application.
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Sefina® Insecticide Demo Plot, Westport, MN 20184 DAT – Benefical Visual
Asian lady beetle larvae feeding on aphids 4 days after a Sefina Insecticide application.