Agronomy
Articles

Planting corn and soybeans in a drought poses unique challenges. After 250+ days without meaningful rain in some areas of the Midwest (especially Kansas), farmers have had to prepare to plant in soils with little to no moisture. These harsh, dry conditions have and will continue to delay plantin...

Farmers planting into cool, wet soils should prioritize seed with strong emergence and evaluate which fields should be planted first. ...

Planting season is upon us. This means farmers are thinking about how to maximize R.O.I. and increase yields. And starter fertilizer is top-of-mind. But what is it? How can it help? What is optimal application timing? Learn more in this week’s agronomy blog. ...

Uneven emergence sacrifices kernel counts and weights, warns an AgriGold agronomist. Find out what you can do to achieve even stands....

As the weather warms up, farmers across the country are gearing up for planting season. To make 2023 the best crop year yet, it’s best to consider soil temperatures. Knowing the optimal time to plant corn and soybeans can make all the difference in crop quality. ...

As we reach the early days of April, it’s almost time to get in the fields and start #plant23. And as it becomes more common to plant soybeans early, more farmers are attempting to begin planting earlier than usual. But before hitting the fields, be sure to consider these factors:...

If weather stalls planting and the narrower application window for the herbicide becomes problematic, AgriGold agronomists say farmers still have options....

Soil sampling is crucial to create a successful fertility management plan. Knowing soil nutrient levels can help you leverage each field and save money on rising input costs. Find out how to use your soil test results for the upcoming planting season to maximize yields and profitability....

Planter performance is crucial for a successful crop. To maximize yield potential for #grow23, prioritize planter maintenance before starting #plant23. ...

Field GX J gives Northern Corn Belt farmers more options for diversifying seed portfolios. The eight corn hybrids are less management intensive products that farmers can depend on for consistent performance....

To protect and maximize yields, it’s important to identify, monitor, and manage pests. Learn how to correctly approach integrated pest management and create field-specific management plans with AgriGold agronomy. ...

As you prepare for #plant23, make weed management a priority. Learn more about the limitations, benefits, and when/how you should make a spring burndown application. ...

Corn and soybeans can both take advantage of early planting to pump up yields, but farmers seeding corn early need to choose hybrids with strong emergence scores....

Weeds can be a major problem for farmers, as they compete with crops for nutrients, water, and light. Learn how to create a successful weed management plan (and how to implement it) with AgriGold agronomy tips and tricks....

In today’s environment, managing costs and maintaining yield goals can be a balancing act. With input costs continuing to rise, that’s more of a challenge than ever. Find out which strategy you can use to hit your yield goals – without spending extra dollars. ...

Our agronomists can be a resource as farmers ready for spring, helping them to analyze plot data and choose the best mix of seed products for their farm....

Winter is well underway, which means we’re days closer to the 2023 planting season. As you make the finishing touches to your seed order and do necessary tractor and planter maintenance, be sure to check out what’s in store for your planting season, come spring. ...

We’ve added 15 new hybrids and 35 new varieties to our lineup for 2023 – racking up a total of 99 corn products and 74 soybean products. But choosing from our extensive, yield-winning lineup only gets you halfway there. Alongside our products, we offer the highest-performing trait options availa...

Yield Masters: that’s what our 2022 NCGA Corn Yield Contest winners are. They are the early risers, shortcut deniers, detail freaks, and generally obsessive farmers who find themselves on the short list of Yield Masters. ...

An AgriGold agronomist set out to classify varieties’ ability to flex under low and high seeding rates in hopes of improving seed placement and yields....

As cover crop benefits have increased, there has been additional interest in adding them into traditional corn and soybean cropping systems. Find out the benefits of cover crops, how to choose the best one for your fields, and how to best establish if they are the right agronomic decision....

This December, whether you’ve already finished your AgriGold seed order or you’re still crafting your perfect combination of hybrids and varieties, you’re likely adding checklist items to your farm’s management plan. As you make your list, these are the steps we recommend....

A new survey confirms tar spot is a major concern for farmers, eclipsing their worry about diseases like northern corn leaf blight, southern rust or Goss’s Wilt. But while farmers are anxious about the disease, they also signaled uncertainty about managing it...

As you make plans for the 2023 crop year, take into account the dry, drought-like conditions that are expected to follow the 2022 growing season – especially on dryland acres. Although these growing conditions aren’t ideal, don’t fret: AgriGold has you covered with exceptional hybrids that wil...

Reducing the amount of pathogen that’s in a field is critical to limiting your disease risk next season, especially for corn-on-corn fields. Thankfully, there many tools and strategies for getting good soil-to-residue contact....

You’ve seen a sneak peek of what soybean varieties AgriGold is bringing for plant 2023. This means you’re probably asking yourself what varieties will work best on each of your acres. Look no further – we’ve laid out the best varieties from our lineup for every unique situation the 2023 crop...

Now that harvest is ending and your bins are full, it’s time to plan for next year. The first strategic choice you need to make? Whether to apply anhydrous ammonia this fall, in the spring, or both. Find out the advantages of applying anhydrous right now to maximize your yearly nitrogen use. ...

We’re approaching the beginning of November, which means the end of harvest is in sight. If you’re hoping for an early start to plant 2023, look to a fall burndown application to aid in your success. ...

Early snowfall could actually offer unanticipated advantages—even if it seems like a burden. Learn the three crucial benefits that snow can offer to your fields this year. ...

With harvest in full swing, now is the best time to start thinking about plant 2023. Get a jump start on your production plans this fall with our top considerations for placing your seed order....

Mother Nature brought a cold, wet spring, which delayed planting across much of the country. Postponed soybean planting can affect branching and podding later in the growing season, thanks to slow vegetative development. Lack of moisture towards the middle of the growing season coupled with prior en...

“Ear molds are a possibility every year,” says AgriGold Agronomist Leslie Lloyd, and those storing corn on-farm need to know if they have mold before harvest. “You certainly wouldn’t want to contaminate a 60,000-bushel bin with 5,000 bushels of corn from a hot spot,” Lloyd cautions. Iowa ...

Any solid fertility program needs to start with a soil test, showing areas lacking and where improvements can be made. Among the many reasons to test soil, more targeted use of costly inputs is a significant economic benefit. “It’s generally more economical for farmers to use the right rate of ...

The expanded offerings enhance our ability to tailor products to each farmer. Whether you’re looking for something new or a proven hybrid, you’ll want to hear about our 2023 lineup....

These trials are helping us to understand our hybrids even better so our farmer customers can get the combos that maximize their return on investment. ...

AgriGold is conducting trials to enhance our iron deficiency chlorosis scoring system to better equip farmers to fight this yield-draining deficiency. ...

AgriGold Agronomist Steve Heightchew tells us the importance of identifying and treating spider mites on soybeans. ...

Protect your yield. Learn how to identify and control the top three corn diseases in your fields this season....

Dealing with yield loss from pests is the last thing you want. Learn how to identify and scout for one of the newest soybean pests....

Corn rootworm can have a devastating impact on yield. Don’t let the pest catch you off guard. ...

Farmers need to consider their application options and plan ahead to get the most out of their corn crop. ...

After planting, it’s all about protecting the genetic potential of your seed. First up in the battle against mother nature is evaluating emergence. Find out how in the latest article from your AgriGold agronomy experts....

Cool, wet conditions are a recipe for seedling diseases. Know what to scout for and how to prevent losing yield to avoidable diseases. ...

Farmers need to stay on top of weed control in their soybeans to protect yields. See how to maximize every opportunity to reduce soybean weeds....

Although tar spot is a relatively new pathogen in the United States, its effects can be dangerous. Choosing resistant hybrids and instituting strategies like tillage and crop rotation can reduce your risk....

Whether it’s annual climate, soil type, disease pressure, or other management challenges, evaluating your farm’s distinct goals or challenges is the first step to choosing the right corn hybrids for the best chance of success....

When it comes to soybean diseases, early detection and treatment are key. Here are a few early season soybean diseases, advice on how to spot them, and strategies for reducing your susceptibility and maintaining your yields....

When it comes to corn diseases, early detection and treatment are key. But what’s even more important is preventing the disease in the first place. Use these tips to prevent early-season diseases, how to spot them and how to manage the diseases if they do show up. ...

A sneak peek of what’s new from AgriGold for the 2023 planting season, the gaps we’ve filled in our seed portfolio and tips for which new varieties to try....

Phytophthora root and stem rot can be one of the most significant disease risks for soybean growers, but there are steps you can take to recognize symptoms and improve your fields’ resilience against it....

Choosing the right hybrids is hard enough, but what about choosing where to plant them? Find out the top questions you should be asking yourself in order to build a yield-optimizing plan for where to plant which hybrids....

Ask 50 farmers about their biggest concerns, and you might hear “rising input costs” 50 times. But if you asked all 50 of those farmers about the timing and rates of their nitrogen application, you might get 50 different answers. ...

Our AgriGold agronomists have been working with farmers across the country to implement a rigorous tissue testing program. After nearly a decade of collecting and analyzing tissue samples, your local AgriGold agronomist has the tools and information to make a tissue testing plan for your farm that w...

Yields that win start with high-performing genetics. AgriGold hybrids are backed by the research engine of AgReliant Genetics, and we’re rigorous in the pursuit of new hybrids that bring winning yields to farmers across the country. ...

Borges and his fellow Yield Masters are an example of obsession at its best: yields that win. With leading genetics and a time-tested agronomic partnership, AgriGold continues to deliver exceptional product performance, and the Yield Masters share our relentless commitment to winning. It’s no surp...

Soybeans planted in the first half of April or earlier have been proven to yield 10% higher than soybeans planted in late April or early May*, but not without risks. Early planting exposes the seed to harsher conditions – cold soil, limited sunlight and new pests. Slugs, in particular, are a pest ...

The 2021 NCGA Corn Yield Contest featured 42 AgriGold Yield Master winners, representing 15 states and 11 elite hybrids. ...

Although we never wish challenging conditions on any farmer, I’d be lying if I said that the agronomy team at AgriGold wasn’t chomping at the bit to evaluate how the crops were performing against the stress and disease pressure of the 2021 growing season. ...

Growers can learn about how their seed genetics performed by looking at clues in their fields at harvest. Getting out ahead of the combine to take notes about what they see is the first step to improving hybrid selection for the coming year. ...

The Tar Spot complex has more questions than answers when trying to plan for the next growing season, but the AgriGold Agronomy Team has put together their insights on some management strategies. Reduce the stress level in the corn crop: Corn fields that were under severe stress from various sourc...

The cause, symptoms, infection & management of brown stem rot...

Critical Stages for Irrigation Timing ...

50°F is the accepted minimum temperature for corn germination but other factors are in play when deciding if planting into low 50’s or colder soil is the right decision. ...

Seed to soil contact, soil temperature & moisture in seed zone are the three keys to uniform emergence. ...

The 2021 weather outlook in a few cities throughout the US. ...

The extremely cold temperatures observed across the states of NE, IA, KS & MO in mid-February have the potential to cause winterkill to the winter wheat crop. However, there are several factors that determine the crop’s ability to survive winterkill. ...

Description, Life Cycle & Economic Injury...

Life Cycle, Injury & Control Options for Rootworm...

Description, Life Cycle & Damage of Japanese Beetles...

The first 28 days of a corn plant’s life (~ 350 GDUs), is a very critical period in its overall success and setting it up to reach maximum yield potential. When scouting a newly planted cornfield, it is important to understand the fundamental growth habits and what the plant should look like above...

Every season presents unique growing conditions and environments. Utilizing genetic diversity with our Field GX™ families will minimize risk and bring greater yields....

February is often a month of planning for most farm operations, but it also needs to be a time to assess the risks your farm may face in the upcoming season. Corn Root Worm (CRW) is often in the back of every growers’ mind but can easily be forgotten when a grower experience’s multiple years of ...

While achieving average corn yields of 300 bushels per acre (BPA) isn’t typical, it is possible for today’s most progressive growers....

In a world full of chaos and uncertainty growers are craving consistent performance. ...

While growers tend to expect the unexpected from each growing season, there are still lessons to be learned from each year that can be applied to future crops. ...

Be sure to prioritize corn fields for harvesting by maturity and standability as harvest continues. Scout fields regularly as the fall progresses, and/or rely on your seed provider to check fields and provide insight on any fields that may need to be harvested first. Hybrids will vary on late season...

Start planning now for potential disease pressure next growing season. ...

Illinois farmer Greg McClure grew up next to the founders of AgriGold and his family has been planting their genetics for more than a half century. After years of being unsatisfied with soybean yields that reached a maximum of 72 bushels per acre (bpa), he decided it was time to push his crops to a ...

AgriGold Yield Masters have discovered a once hidden yield limiting factor in corn plants....

At this point in the growing season, many growers’ minds are on the large amount of heat and the lack of adequate rainfall in many parts of the country. ...

Rapid Growth, Rapid Demand...

In the past several years, growers are realizing potential for higher and higher soybean yields. ...

Next to pollination, the largest influence on corn yield is the grain fill timeframe. ...

The last several years have taught us that Mother Nature will always reign supreme. It’s time for us to evaluate what has transpired so far and determine if we need to alter any crop management decisions. Wet patterns will force a lot of growers to question how much nitrogen they possibly could ha...

A wet and prolonged planting season may cause some herbicide applications to happen later in the season than what was planned. Now that we are in early July, we need to start considering plantback restrictions as well as the growth stage and rapid crop development in summertime heat. Glyphosate Late...

Reports of Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) in soybean fields have been pouring in over the past week. Up until this point reports had been rather minor (at least in Missouri). Foliar symptoms of SDS typically start showing in mid-late July and early August during the reproductive cycle of the plants. Th...

The reproductive stages of corn are often over looked and not fully understood, but as discussions of fungicide applications, maximizing yield and monitoring grain development continue, having a basic understanding will help make better production decisions: Corn reproductive stages generally consu...

Defining a corn crop’s success is simple. It comes down to yields, but a whole host of decisions made during the season factor into the final number that appears on the yield monitor. To comprehend the success of an entire crop plan, Shane Brockhoff, Regional Sales Manager for AgriGold, looks at a...

Genetics are the foundation of any hybrid’s performance. Though new seed treatments and traits tend to get the most attention, it’s really the genetics working in the background that determine whether a crop is a success or failure. “Since 1935, the dawn of hybridization, growers have gained ...

Genetics are the foundation of any hybrid’s performance....

In the past several years, we having thought about and fielded questions on corn hybrid maturity and what we should do as we are faced with a slow start to planting. There are worries of longer-season hybrids not maturing on time or still being too wet at harvest. The process of hybrid placement is ...

Stalks play a critical role in the development and maturation of a corn plant. Paying close attention to the health and integrity of this infrastructure system can pay off with more bushels in the bin. Dustin Bowling, AgriGold’s Western Agronomy Manager, knows the first step to stalk health is se...

Fungicides can be an effective tool in fighting against yield losses caused by fungal pathogens. ...

Greensnap, also known as “Brittle Snap” or “Brittle Corn” is the breaking of corn plants during a period of rapid growth & development due to extreme wind events. ...

The fungus, Sclerotinia Sclerotiorum, can overwinter for several years in the soil as sclerotia. ...

Why & When to use a foliar Fungicide ...

Greensnap, also known as “Brittle Snap” or “Brittle Corn” is the breaking of corn plants during a period of rapid growth & development due to extreme wind events. ...

Physiology – At R1 silks begin to emerge with silks from the base of the ear emerging first. ...

Resseliella maxima (Gagné) is a new midge species first confirmed in 2011, much is still unknown. ...

Physoderma maydis, causes both foliar and the stalk rot phase....

Wrapped or twisted whorls in corn can be referred to as Rapid Growth Syndrome. It is also commonly called accelerated growth syndrome, buggy whipping, roping, twisted whorl syndrome, wrapped whorls and onion leafing. This phenomenon occurs when leaves fail to unfurl properly and become tightly wrapp...

Prolonged wet weather, heavy rains, flooded fields and cool temperatures have caused some very poor stands in recently planted corn. Many growers are pondering on whether or not to replant. Replant involves removing the existing poor stand either by tillage or herbicide. For those growers wanting to...

It is that time of year when we hear about green snap occurring in corn. Last year, we came off a very cool April into an unusually warm May/June which caused the corn to grow very rapidly in a short time making it more vulnerable to green snap. This year, a combination of mild temperatures, plentif...

For the past several years, Western Corn Rootworm have been isolated to just a few hot spots across the Corn Belt and in heavy continuous corn acres. ...

Management Practices to Prevent These Issues...

For years, tissue sampling has been a useful tool to diagnose crop issues in fields. But for those growers who want to push their yield or better understand their limiting factors, it can be an insightful tool to help them move the yield needle. “The corn plants we’re looking at when we tissue ...

Lifecycle and Damage ...

Let's Talk Temperature and Moisture...