Research Update (November 9, 2013)

Diligence Technologies, Inc., West Tennessee

Frequent, small showers have made harvest season operate in spurts.  However, we have made a little progress between the rains.  Our latest corn trials are finally out and with a bit more paperwork, we can put those to rest.  We also have the cotton trials out of the field, but we are really just getting started good on the ginning.  Cotton yields have been quite variable ranging from one bale cotton on some very late planted trials up to almost 3 bales in some of the more highly managed trials.  For the most part, we were just happy to get the bolls open and the leaves off before we were hit with a hard frost.

Soybean harvest is underway at present.  We made some good progress this past week, but we are still a bit short of half way on the beans.  Yields appear to be above average based on the raw weights, but we need to do the serious math to know where we really stand.

We have established a few winter wheat trials and are in the process of putting them to bed for the winter.  Fertilizer is out and with a few more maintenance sprays, they should be good till February.  We also have some extra wheat planted for those trials that normally show up in the spring.  Let me know anyone needs me save them a spot.

Good to have our friends from Nichino and Winfield Solutions in recently to look over some late trials.  Hope they enjoyed the visit.

As we try to bring another research season to a close, we just want to say thanks to those that have entrusted us with their research projects over the past season.  We have been truly blessed.  For those waiting on final yield numbers, they should be to you pretty soon.

 

Proverbs 27:23-24

Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds; for riches are not forever.

Research Update (October 19, 2013)

Diligence Technologies, Inc., West Tennessee

Compared to the last few seasons, harvest is proceeding slowly in west Tennessee.  Recent cool and damp weather is keeping soybeans from drying down as rapidly as they should.  If fact, we saw soybean moistures rise in some cases this week as the beans absorbed moisture during an extended period of damp weather.  A little sun would go a long way towards getting our soybeans out of the field.

Speaking of sun, we could use a little on our cotton also.  We made our second defoliation applications late this week, and are hoping that will be enough (although I'm not quite sure yet).  Last season we had cotton that required three defoliation applications before harvest and we're hoping that does not become a trend.

We are finishing up our corn research now.  With the exception of a few "specialty" trials still in the field, corn harvest is complete.  We are in the process of crunching the numbers and getting out the reports on corn trials.

We planted our first wheat of the season last week and hope to plant more soon as the fields dry down from the recent showers.  We still have time to start wheat trials if you have any fall work to get done.

We are also preparing for winter weed controls trials.  We normally start spraying those in November.

Like many others in the area have discovered this season, we now have kudzu bugs.  While this is not exactly great news for soybean growers, we should be able to include this pest in our insecticide trials next season.

Thanks to those that have dropped by for a visit recently.  Always good to see our friends from Winfield Solutions, Helena, Adjuvants Unlimited, and Helm Agro.

As always, let us know if there is anything we do to help out.

Proverbs 22:29

Seest thou a man diligent in his business?  He shall stand before kings…