Research Update (February 12, 2014)

Diligence Technologies Inc., West Tennessee

Winter meetings continue to take up a good bit of our time as we travel around to learn what is new and catch up with old friends.  Look for us at the following meetings in the coming month:

- Cotton Focus (Feb. 13), Jackson, TN
- Rice Technical Working Group (Feb. 18-21), New Orleans, LA
- Memphis Ag Club (Feb. 24), Memphis, TN
- Midsouth Farm & Gin Show (Feb. 28-Mar. 1), Memphis, TN
- Southeastern Brach ESA Meeting (Mar. 2-4), Greenville, SC

Although it may not seem like it, burndown season is not far away.  A few warm days and we will out in the field kicking off another research season.  We have had good populations of annual bluegrass and henbit so far this winter.  We usually see the most emergence of glyphosate resistant horseweed in late winter and early spring, so I look for this weed to make its annual appearance soon.

Wheat is holding up well considering the cold temperatures.  We certainly have not seen the growth and pretty green color we get under milder conditions, but a few warm days and a shot of nitrogen should have wheat in pretty good shape.  We do have some extra wheat planted for spring fungicide and herbicide trials, so let us know if you have some spring wheat work to go out.

A special acknowledgement to James Whitehead for being our "toughest" cooperator of the season so far.  You don't get many folks who want to tour plots when it is 20 degrees outside.

The cold weather continues to hold on in this part of the world with below normal temperatures becoming a daily occurrence.  On the bright side, maybe we will have a few less fireants to deal with this summer.

Hope you are all having a good winter and look forward to working with you again this season.

Proverbs 12:24

The hand of the diligent shall bear rule, but the slothful shall be put to forced labor.

Research Update (August 10, 2013)

Diligence Technologies Inc., West Tennessee

Overall, the weather continues to be wet and cool for early August.  While that sure makes life easier for those doing research, we could probably use a bit more heat to move our cotton crop along.  Considering that we were late in getting the cotton crop planted and the slow progress we have seen since then, this would not be the year for an early frost.  On the positive side, the corn and soybean plots are in great shape with plenty of moisture since planting.

Grey leaf spot pressure in corn continues to intensify and we should be able to get some excellent ratings in the coming weeks.  While we have had some "low level" frogeye leaf spot pressure for a while, the disease has really taken off over the past week and we appear to be in good shape for soybean fungicide evaluations.

Since the frequent rains this spring and summer have significantly reduced the residual of our soil-applied herbicides, hoeing pigweeds has become a frequent pastime this season.  I can assure you the crew will be happy to get that part of the season behind them.

We have had a lot of visitors over the last couple of weeks including MANA, Valent, Brandt, the University of Tennessee, SePro, FMC, Americot, and Syngenta.  Some days we feel like we are running a guide service, but I will admit that it gives me the chance to catch up with a lot of friends that I don't get see often enough.

This past week was the last one for Zac Carpenter.  Zac is an agronomy student at Mississippi State University and has helped us out over the past three summers.  While we are sad to see him done for the summer, we wish him the best in his studies.  I guess Jeff, Jesse, and Kevin will have to pick up the slack.

Cotton defoliation season is closer than it seems, so let us know if you have defoliation protocols that need a home.

Proverbs 12:27

… the substance of the diligent man is precious.

Research Update (July 20, 2013)

Diligence Technologies, Inc., West Tennessee

There has been plenty going on in our part of the world over the past week or so.  Peter Eure, a graduate student from the University of Georgia, spent the past week with us as part of the SWSS program which provides the opportunity for students to spend time visiting researchers to see how things are done in other places.  Now that Pete knows all our secrets, we are fairly sure that research efficiency in south Georgia will drop by at least 50%.  However, we really enjoyed his visit and welcome him back any time.

This past Thursday (July 18) was the date for the Agricenter International Field Day.  As always, Bruce Kirksey and his crew did an excellent job.  Thanks to FMC, Americot, and Valent for allowing Diligence Technologies to assist in setting up their tour stops.

We also enjoyed visits from MANA and Cotton Incorporated this week.  Always good to catch up with old friends.

With everything going on, it might be surprising that we have actually done a little plot work over the past couple of weeks.  All the VT/R1 corn fungicide applications have been made at the Jackson location.  Grey leaf spot is already present on the lower leaves and working its way up the stalk.  We expect to start getting some decent ear leaf ratings in the next week or two.

Also, the R1/R2 fungicide applications in soybeans have been made.  Frogeye leaf spot is still pretty light at this point, but in most years things start to pick up in late July and early August.

We continue to be blessed with the occasional rain shower.  We got 1.8 inches in Memphis late last Thursday which means we probably will not have to stretch poly-pipe next week.  The Jackson location missed that one, but has had enough showers through the summer that the crops are still in good shape.

Hope your summer is going well and drop by to see us when you get the chance.

Proverbs 10:4

He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand, but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.