With each input decision on the farm, one of the most important parts of the equation includes calculating Return on Investment (ROI). Corn and soybeans as annual crops are calculated over one year’s return. As a perennial crop, alfalfa seed cost should be amortized over three to four years.
One other factor that often gets overlooked when calculating return on alfalfa investment is the nitrogen credit at the end of the alfalfa stand life cycle. This credit can be in excess of 100 lbs/acre for a good stand.
Our Forage Products Team has put together a rock-solid lineup of alfalfa options to address challenges across the Upper Midwest. It comes down to field-limiting factors, end use, and ROI. Last month I introduced Hi-Gest as a solution for producers looking to increase return at the feed bunk. I would be remiss if I didn’t also highlight HarvXtra, our Cadillac of high-quality alfalfas. HarvXtra has some distinct genetic advantages that have been shown to contribute favorably to return on investment. Since this is such a revolutionary new technology, we have to approach it with a new perspective.
I submit for your consideration the ROI on each unit of corn and soybean seed. This might include:
All of these variables are considered per acre each year. Compare this with the potential of HarvXtra alfalfa:
Note: The included charts only display the quality and delayed harvest advantage. Don’t forget the nitrogen credit!
If you feed cows or raise alfalfa commercially, HarvXtra offers the best potential for return on your seed investment than any other hybrid or variety you could buy. Here’s why:
Lignin is part of the alfalfa structure that helps keep the plant standing. As the alfalfa plant matures from vegetative to bloom stage, typically the digestibility of Neutral Detergent Fiber Digestibility (NDFD) decreases. Plants with the HarvXtra trait, however, demonstrated a 10 to 15% increase in NDFD and Relative Forage Quality when compared to related lines without the HarvXtra trait. Plus, this new low lignin alfalfa maintained standability similar to conventional alfalfa.
Contact your local Latham® representative or call 1-877-GO-LATHAM (1.877.465.2842) today to discuss which varieties would provide the best ROI for your operation
In our Stress Wheel Plot, we study plant response and ear flex in 38 hybrids different hybrids. Resembling a pinwheel, corn is planted from the outside to the center with varying populations starting with 15,000 plants per acre (PPA) and increasing to 60,000 PPA.
We have featured 24 hybrids and identified the following for each:
0:25 — Topic Introduction
0:45 — What is the stress wheel?
2:55 — When do corn ears determine girth?
3:00 — When do corn ears determine length?
3:35 — When do corn ears determine kernel depth?
4:05 — LH 5025 VT2 PRO RIB DG Case Study
5:20 — Does girth or length add more yield?
Soil erosion resulting from heavy rainfall events and wind leads to the loss of essential soil nutrients and soil carbon. Eroded soil and the loss of organic matter essential for supporting crop growth can damper corn and soybean production and reduce yield. Across the Corn Belt, an observed 20% increase in rainfall has led to a 40% increase in soil erosion. Record breaking flooding across the Midwest has further exacerbated erosion.
Gully erosion is one of the most pronounced forms of erosion and its large grooves that form in the soil following heavy rainfall make it easy to identify. Less evident to the naked eye are signs of erosion that can be identified by looking for standing water in the field. Puddles of water seen after a rainstorm that are clouded with sediment suggest erosion is occurring whereas puddles of clear water are a sign of minimal erosion. Lighter colored soil seen overtime is also a sign of erosion but can be more difficult to identify.
In Iowa, the average rate of erosion has been five tons of soil per acre every year with intense weather events worsening rates, in some cases reaching 100 tons of soil per acre per year. The loss of natural vegetation can lead to greater rates of erosion from both wind and water. Using cover crops and no-till are the most effective methods for reducing and preventing erosion, increasing soil water holding capacity and boosting moisture content.
Annual cover crops such as winter rye can be planted in the fall to preserve the soil over the winter and reduce erosion. PROTECTioN™ Cereal Rye, DRILLER™ Daikon Radish and FIXatioN Balansa Clover can be planted in the late summer and early fall to enrich organic matter and reduce soil loss. Perennial cover crops including legumes and fescue have established root systems that can prevent the loss of soil nutrients to rain or weather erosion. Legumes are also nitrogen fixing and can support crop growth.
In addition to integrating cover crops and no-till, terracing or planting grasses near waterways can prevent the formation of gullies. Buffer and filter strips can reduce the loss of soil nutrients and runoff of fertilizer and pesticides. Prairie strips can be implemented by planting perennial grasses to protect topsoil and prevent the loss of organic matter. Integrating a combination of these methods with cover cropping can combat soil erosion and offer great protection for your corn and soybean crops.
Our corn and soybean products performed exceptionally well in 2019, and as a result it’s been an exciting few weeks building customer crop plans for 2020. The Enlist E3™ platform is leading in early sales with many opting to try them for the first time next spring.
While supplies are getting tight for several products, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds has a deep lineup. The following 10 soybean lines, in order of maturity, have performed very well plus strong supplies remain:
L 0124 R2X – This RR2 Xtend® soybean carries the K-gene for Phytophthora, has excellent tolerance to BSR and IDC, and is very good against White Mold. This soybean was the earliest entry in our 2019 research trails, and it still garnered 13th place in the overall summary.
L 0225 E3 – This E3 soybean features the 3a gene for Phytophthora. It also has excellent scores for Iron Chlorosis and Stress Tolerance. It was an early entry in SuperStrip TM plots at Maddock and Ardoch, ND, where it took 8th and 9th places respectively.
L 0282 R2X – In those same plots near Maddock and Ardock, this soybean took 1st and 3rd places! It also performed well in the F.I.R.S.T. trials (RRNO) and in Latham Research trials. Emergence and standability are outstanding, plus it has the C-gene and excellent IDC tolerance.
L 0995 E3 – One of the earlier entries in our research test, this soybean captured 10th place in the overall summary. It also did well in SuperStrips and F.I.R.S.T. trials. It has strong SCN protection, plus the 3a gene with very good tolerance to IDC, SDS and stress.
L 1769 R2X – This Ironclad™ Xtend soybean has excellent scores for both White Mold and Sudden Death Syndrome. It topped SuperStrip plots in Webb, Iowa, and Milbank, SD. It also had seven other Top 10 finishes in South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
L 2084 R2 – A long-time, top-selling variety, this soybean topped a SuperStrip near Watertown, WI. It also had several Top 10 places in other plots, including our own research and F.I.R.S.T. trials.
L 2186 L – This has been Latham’s top-selling LibertyLink® soybean for several years. It performed very well again in our 2019 research trials. It served as the check variety in a number of SuperSrtrip plots – sometimes winning the plot as the check!
L 2228 R2 – Our #1 selling soybean for several years, this Latham Ironclad bean performed very well in 2019 trials. It won five Top 10 F.I.R.S.T. trials, grabbed four Top 10 finishes in other plots and was the check in a number of SuperStrip plots.
L 2295 R2X – A personal favorite, this Xtend soybean is consistent. It has been a standout in the F.I.R.S.T. trials, as well as in Latham SuperStrips and research trials for years. In 2019, it topped four SuperStrip plots and had a host of Top Five finishes in other trials. It works best on better soils and high fertility fields.
L 2887 R2X – This popular Xtend line performed very well in 2019, taking 1st place at the SuperStrip plot in Center Point, Iowa. It also had three 2nd place finishes across Iowa and was 3rd at in our plot at Monroe, WI! It is widely adapted east to west and works well in all soil types.
These are just 10 of the products that we have excellent supply of for 2020 planting. Talk with our Dealer, RSM or Seed Account Manager on what other soybeans are available for your area.
This morning we are bringing you some NEW and some TRIED & TRUE products for Christmas! What’s on our top 10 list? Tune in for soybean product highlights on our top 10 list! #AskTheAgronomist
1:09 – L 0124 R2X
1:52 – L 0225 E3
2:39 – L 0282 R2X
3:26 – L 0995 E3
4:39 – L 1769 R2X
5:50 – L 2084 R2
6:31 – L 2186 L
7:24 – L 2228 R2
8:13 – L 2295 R2X
8:54 – L 2887 R2X
While Enlist E3™ soybeans have been grabbing all the attention, LLGT27 soybeans have been quietly performing very well for both weed control and yield. This new technology has a real opportunity to capture market share due to its outstanding performance plus the flexibility of using Liberty®, glyphosate herbicides or BOTH.
Another reason LLGT27 appeals to farmers is because they’re seeing much less stunting and better yields when LLGT27 soybeans are planted in fields with carryover of HPPD (group 27) herbicides. Remember, NO group 27 herbicide is approved for post-emergent application on LibertyLink GT27 soybeans.
Need more reasons to take a second look at LLGT27? Below is a brief summary of some 2019 yield reports from new Latham soybean lines: