Research Update (October 28, 2015)

Diligence Technologies, Inc., West Tennessee

Greenhouse

As we bring much of the field work for the year to a close, we are again setting up to do greenhouse research trials this winter.  Please let us know if we can help you keep your research program going through the colder months.

Crop Reports

Harvest season is bring much of our field work to an end at this time.  We still have a few scattered late trials to harvest and several of the post-harvest jobs to complete (cotton ginning, grain moistures and test weights, etc.).  That said, those still looking for yield data should be seeing it soon.  A very dry October (until the past weekend) has harvest progressing well and we hope to finish on the early side this year (closer to Halloween than Thanksgiving).

The rain this past weekend did have the benefit of helping get our wheat trials out of the ground.  However, we still have some time left in our wheat planting window if there are any trials that still do not have a home.  We have also planted some wheat designated for fungicide trials next spring.  Keep us in mind as you plan for those over the winter.

We are also working on fall burndown trials.  The recent rain should help promote the emergence of henbit and other winter annuals.  We have at least another month to establish fall burndown trials if you have the need.

Pest Information

In our soybean fungicide trials this year, we noted a substantial increase in frogeye leaf spot infestations resistant to the strobilurin fungicides.  Partial resistance was confirmed last season, however, the strobilurin fungicides were still providing a significant level of disease control.  This season appears to be the first year where the resistant strain of frogeye leaf spot was our primary foliar disease.  Resistance has been confirmed in Tennessee for quite a while, but it is just now becoming dominant in our part of the state.

In our insecticide trials this season, we noted a marked increase in the kudzu bug populations.  Kudzu bugs were first seen in our plots about two years ago, but this is the first season where we have observed them at significantly damaging population levels.

As always, thanks to those who have dropped by to visit over the past summer.  We look forward to having you back next season.

Proverbs 10:4
He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand, but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

Research Update (March 19, 2015)

Diligence Technologies, Inc., West Tennessee

Greenhouse

While we have had more than enough cold weather outside, it is always warm and sunny in the greenhouse.  We continue to run various row crop, vegetable, and turf projects.  The greenhouse has turned out to be everyone's favorite place to "hide" this winter as we wait for spring.

We still have room if anyone has some late-winter trials that they are looking to get in before field season.

Cropping Information

Wheat progress has been slow until the past week.  With the arrival of some warmer temperatures and a little sunshine, wheat is finally showing signs of life.  It also gave us the chance to spread some spring nitrogen and do some overdue maintenance sprays.  Wheat is just greening up now, so let us know if you have any remaining wheat work for the spring.

We still have several areas that should be good for burndown trials.  If you have not sent those protocols already, I would do so pretty soon. I anticipate that weed growth in these burndown areas will be pretty rapid from this point on. 

One good note for those running behind finishing up burndown protocols is that horseweed is a bit behind where we have seen it in some previous years.  It appears that most of our horseweed germination is occurring in the spring, so it did not get the early start it has in years with heavy fall germination.

Corn is mostly in the "planning" phase right now.  While we can plant in west Tennessee in late May if the weather permits, it tends to be at risk from a late freeze.  We generally try to target April as our main time for corn planting (particularly for any trial that is going to yield).

Corn protocols, as well as cotton, soybean, and wheat protocols, continue to arrive (and we are thankful for them).  We still have space available and several eager young folks looking for something to work on this summer.

As always, we consider ourselves very blessed that you allow us to be part of your research program.  Please let us know if we can be of service.

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 (February 13, 2015)

Diligence Technologies, Inc., West Tennessee

We would like to welcome Heath Scott to the Diligence Technologies family (shown above).  Look for Heath around the trials and plot tours this summer.

We would also like to thank Paul Kennedy and Ben Wiggins (Helena) for dropping by to tour the greenhouse facilities last week.

Upcoming Events

Gin Show (Feb. 27-28) - Look for us at the Gin Show in Memphis on Friday, Feb. 27.

West TN Sportsmen's Night (March 12, 5:00 p.m.) - For those of you who live around west Tennessee, let me invite you to the West TN Sportsmen's Night at Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson.  The event will include a wide variety of interactive events, seminars, and food for the outdoors enthusiast.  The featured speaker will be Jimmy Sites.

Cropping News

Greenhouse work continues through the winter months.  Right now we have trials running with such varied crops as tomato, soybean, and turf.  Our heating, lighting, and irrigation systems seem to performing well now that most of the "bugs" are out of the system.

Winter wheat progress remains slow but steady.  The cold weather we received right after wheat planting did not allow much wheat growth prior to winter.  Wheat continues to progress with a solid stand, but some warm weather and a little nitrogen will likely do it a world of good.

As usual, we do have extra wheat planted for those wishing to run fungicide trials in the spring.

With winter weeds spread across the fields, we are reminded that burndown trials will be coming up soon.  Please let us know if you have burndown trials that need a home this spring.

Pest News

Target spot (Corynesporna cassiicola) in cotton continues to make some news in west Tennessee.  A relatively new pest for this area (past couple of summers), target spot appears to have the potential for significant cotton damage.  The presence of only a few "spots" will often cause a cotton leaf to drop and substantial defoliation of the crop has been observed.  Some fungicides do appear effective on the disease, but exact rates and timings are still being studied.

Thrip resistance to some of the seed treatment insecticides in cotton has reached the point that only imidacloprid is being recommended for the coming season in Tennessee.  Testing is underway for alternative treatments and methods of cotton thrip control.

As always, we are thankful to all you who have sent us your business in the past and blessed to be able to serve you.  Let us know if there is anything we can do to help out in the coming season.

Proverbs 22:29
Seest thou a man diligent in his business?  He shall stand before kings…

Research Update (December 8, 2014)

Diligence Technologies, Inc., West Tennessee

WINTER MEETINGS

I look forward to catching up with many of you at the regional meetings this winter.  Our January meeting calendar looks like this:

Beltwide Cotton Conf. (San Antonio, TX, Jan. 5-7)
NAICC (Reno, NV, Jan. 21-24)
SWSS (Savannah, GA, Jan. 26-28)

Please let me know if you will be attending any of these meetings and would like to set up a time to discuss whatever is on your mind.

CURRENT RESEARCH

The past season is all but "in the books" with regard to harvest and data reporting.

We do have some winter wheat trials underway from our fall planting, but progress on those has been very slow.  We were hit by cold weather in November that just slowed everything down.  Some of the counts and ratings we would normally take at 7 or 14 days after planting have been delayed to about a month after planting due to very slow germination and emergence.  On the positive side, everything seems to have survived and all our trials are moving forward.

We do have some extra wheat planted for use with wheat fungicide trials and similar trials this spring.  Let me know if have any of those coming and we will save you a spot.

Greenhouse work is also getting underway so we will have a warm place to hide on those cold winter days.  Let me know if you have any screens or testing that you might want done this winter in the greenhouse.

THANK YOU

Thanks so much to each of you that sent trials our way over the past season.  We are very blessed that you allowed us to be part of your research program.  We wish you all a great Christmas and a wonderful 2015.

Proverbs 21:5

The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness.

Research Update (October 30, 2014)

Research Update (October 30, 2014)

As we bring this research season to a close, I just wanted to make everyone aware that Diligence Technologies, Inc. will be conducting greenhouse research trials over the winter.

Please let us know if we can be of service.

Thanks,
Tim

Proverbs 12:27
… the substance of the diligent man is precious.

Research Update (March 11, 2014)

Diligence Technologies, Inc., West Tennessee

This past week was the official end of winter meeting season with the Southeastern Branch ESA meeting in Greenville, SC.  While we always enjoy seeing old friends and catching up on the latest information, I must say I look forward to getting out of the meeting rooms and back out into the sunshine.

Speaking of sunshine, we have had a nice break in the weather the past few days that has allowed us to get out and start working on the coming research season.

Winter wheat is starting to green up nicely from the fertilizer we applied last month.  The cold weather had limited wheat growth through the winter, so between the fertilizer and a few warm, sunny days things are beginning to turn around.  We continued our wheat fertility work this week and would anticipate a good crop this spring (but we still have a long way to go).

Winter weeds are also starting to show signs of life.  While the rest of world is more than happy to see the cold weather knock back the winter annuals, we need them for testing.  While I think the development of our burndown weeds will be delayed this spring, I am seeing good populations of horseweed, henbit, chickweed, annual bluegrass, and cutleaf eveningprimrose.

We have started the process of calibrating sprayers and setting up planters.  Corn planting will be here before long and we want to be ready.

Please continue to pass along your protocols as you finish your plans for the upcoming season and we look forward to seeing you around the farm in 2014.

Proverbs 12:27

… the substance of the diligent man is precious.

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.