Row-Crop and Forage Development
Corn degree-days (Base 50).  Degree-day accumulation was below normal last week (83 vs. 113) and (again) is forecasted to be only 67% of normal this week (58 vs. 86).  As mentioned in last week’s newsletter, corn dry-down rates can be estimated by degree-day accumulation.  … It takes about 30 GDDs to lower grain moisture each point from 30% down to 25%. Drying from 25 to 20 percent requires about 45 GDDs per point of moisture.  Dry and windy days will greatly speed up the dry-down process.

Soybean Development has reached full physiological maturity in many fields and harvest maturity has been obtained in some of the early planted, earlier MG soybeans.  Harvest has begun in some of these fields.

Corn and Soybean Quality Affected by Late Season Drought:  Following is a brief summary of an article written by Charles Hurburgh, Jr. Professor Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering.  The full article can be accessed at: http://www.exnet.iastate.edu/Pages/grain/news/03drought/030912crhdrought.pdf

…Soybeans will be small seeded and are likely to be lower than average in protein. Expect one to two percentage points of protein less this year than last.  Oil content is likely to be more normal, around 19 percent (on a 13 percent moisture basis). However, oil yields per bushel may be less because flat and small soybeans are harder to extract completely, leaving more residual oil in the soybean meal.

Corn quality was less affected by late season drought. Protein and other quality traits were determined earlier in the growing season.  Corn protein should be average to above average (8 percent or better).  Test weights will be reduced somewhat by the kernel fill; but unless the drought was persistent through the whole season, corn test weights should still average 54 to 56 pounds per bushel.  Test weight is a good indicator of corn storability. Corn that is below 54 pounds per bushel after drying should not be stored into warm weather and should be dried to less than 14 percent moisture before storage of any duration…

More information on handling drought stressed crops can be obtained at the Iowa Grain Quality Initiative Web site, www.iowagrain.org

Know were to go with your corn grain.  Some GMO corn hybrids are approved for human and livestock consumption in the U.S., but NOT for export into other countries.  Be sure you know what markets your GMO corn hybrids are approved for.   Contact your local seeds-man or go to the “know where to go” website (www.marketchoices.info) for more information.  If you need a location to sell your non-export approved grain, visit this website for grain handling facilities that have indicated a willingness to purchase, receive, and handle genetically enhanced corn products that have full U.S. registration for food and feed use, but are not yet approved for import into the European Union.

I developed an interactive on-line form for you to enter your data.  Depending on how much information you want to provide, the form should take between 1 and 5 minutes to fill out.  The larger the data base of treated and non-treated strips I can gather, the better the information this area will have for future soybean aphid infestations. 

Please find the “Treated vs. Non-Treated” on-line and printable form at these URL’s:

Ag Chemical Dealer Updates. The Ag Chemical Dealer Update meeting in Denison will be December 16 at the Denison Country Club. Watch for the brochures from ISU.

Crop Advantage Conference:  The 3^rd annual Carroll Crop Advantage Conference is set for January 14, 2004.  Be sure to put this date on your calendar as it looks to be a very informative day.

For questions or comments please respond to vagts@iastate.edu

This page last updated on 09/22/03