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Corn 2005

Ouachita Fertilizer

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Ouachita Commitment to you

• Increase yields• Lower Costs• Help solve specific production

problems that limit profitability Value Offering• Consistency and Reliability• Cost effectiveness• Leveraged Investment

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Delta Smart Systems

What is DSS?• A precise data-gathering system collected to

improve grower profitability

• Records production practices used on the farm

• Uses on-board combine computers to capture yield and moisture data

• Uses USDA grading standards to measure impact on quality

• Utilizes a large data base to analyze

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Delta Smart Systems

• Utilizes technology to reach higher yields and lower grower’s cost

• Increases crop uniformity, the key to higher yields

• Helps predict production grades for targeted markets

• Helps avoid repeated mistakes: continuous improvement

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Corn Acres in LA

430

700

340 380 315

580 520

420

0

200

400

600

800

000 a

cres

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Aflatoxin hits hard

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2003 Corn Acres in LA

District I: 27,000 A

District II: 8,000 A

District III: 335,000 A

District IV: 16,000 A

District V: 103,000 A

District VI: 6,000 A

Total: 495,000 or 95% of all corn acres

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Why Rotate Cotton with Corn?

• 200 pounds of additional lint and 10% to 15% more bushels per acre.

• Better utilization of equipment over a long period of time.

• Better utilization of applied fertilizer.

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Why Rotate Cotton with Corn?

• Increased organic matter increases water infiltration and enhances nutrient activity.

• Corn lowers populations of reniform nematode

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2004: A Wet Review

This graph shows the inches of rain received at different locations during May and June 2004.

Corn only needs about 28 inches to produce 200 bushels of corn

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Corn Yields Varied by Location

153 141

109

160

0

50

100

150

200

Bu/

A

St J oe Bossier City Alexandria Winnsboro

The average yield of LSU corn variety trials at different locations was varied and ranged from 109 bu/A to 160 bu/A.

State Average was 135 bu/A

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DSS for Corn 2004

• Over 7,500 acres enrolled• 100 different fields• 15 hybrids evaluated

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How do We Increase Profits?

Based on DSS:• Variety Selection• Upgrade Fertility Program• Control Bugs• Planting Operations

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Variety Selection = Real $$$

Brand Variety Avg.Yield

$/Acre @

$2.25/bu

Dekalb 69-70BTY 158.7 $397

Dekalb69-71RR/

YG 150.3

Variety selection is the single most important decision a grower makes when producing corn. DSS yields in 2004 show a difference of $118 per acre in profit by placing a good variety in the wrong place.

Pioneer P31R88 155.80 $390$376

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This gives an idea of what we are looking for:

•Hybrids that yield

•Hybrids that consistently yield

•Hybrids that yield over a wide range of conditions

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This is what we are trying to understand:

Hybrids that yield sometimes but at other times it is very ordinary or even disgusting

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Variety Selection to Reduce Aflatoxin

• Use Bt where possible• Select varieties for

• hard kernels• complete shuck coverage • good drought tolerance• full-season (>115 days)

maturity

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2005 Varieties

Brand Varietyinsec

t trait

weed

trait

2004 Yield

Dekalb DKC 69-70BTY

BT 158.7

Pioneer 31R88 150.7Top two varieties in 2004: both have excellent disease package, strong roots and stalks

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Fertility to Reduce Aflatoxin

• Fertility stress is a major factor• Aflatoxin is helped by hot

weather. Potash “cools” the plant• Aflatoxin is helped by dry

weather. Phosphates help “water” the plant

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Fertility to Reduce Aflatoxin

Fertility stress is a major factor •During the past five years, the LSU has tested more than 2,000 samples of soils with the following results:

•25% had a pH of less than 5.5 •19% tested low in phosphorus •42% tested low in potassium

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Potash’s Role in Corn Production

• Critical to cool the plant• Builds plant proteins• #1 defense against disease• Responsible for corn stalk

strength and lodging resistance

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Potash Increases Corn Yields

120

125130

135

140145

150155

Bu/

A

40 lbs K 0 lbs K

Potash Increases Corn YieldsIn the DSS Program in 2004, adding just 40 lbs per acre of banded potash (equal to 80 lbs. broadcast) added 20 bushels of corn per acre.

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High-Yield Corn Needs Potash

• Photo shows K deficiency even with very high soil levels when adding 200 lbs. N

• Need to balance potash with nitrogen

• Add 40 lbs. per acre as a sidedress or 80 lbs. per acre with burndown on very high-testing soils. Apply both with medium or low soil levels.

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Phosphorous’ Role in Corn Production

• Increases water use efficiency • Critical in energy conversion• Root formation and growth• Seed formation (kernel

numbers and rows) and quality• Hastens maturity

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P Increases Corn Yields

100

120

140

160

180B

u/A

65 lbs. P 35 lbs. P 0 lbs. P

Phosphates Increases Corn

Yields

In the DSS Program in 2004, adding just 35 lbs per acre of phosphate in a band or 65 lbs. broadcast added more bushels of corn per acre.

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Banding Increases Efficiency

• Phosphates (P) and potash (K) get tied-up in the soil:•1 lb. P & K in a band = 2 lbs.

broadcast•Injecting increases availability to

roots

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Zinc Reduces Moisture at Harvest

LSU Variety Trials, 2004

13%

17%

10.0%

12.0%

14.0%

16.0%

18.0%

20.0%

Zinc No Zinc

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The Value of Zinc in Corn Production

4 points Less Moisture* X $.06 per point = $.24 per Bushel

$.24 / Bu. X 100 Bu. = $24/ Acre

$.24 / Bu. X 150 Bu. = $36/ Acre

$.24 / Bu. X 200 Bu. = $48/ Acre

* 1996 LSU study shows moisture reduction averaged 5 points less with zinc

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Nitrogen on Corn

• Requires 1.2 lbs. of nitrogen per bushel of corn

• Subtract soil residuals and amendments

• Must be balanced with potash• Broadcast 30 lbs. with burndown• Sidedress balance

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Total Nitrogen/Acre in 2004

In 2004, According to DSS, 180 lbs. of total nitrogen per acre was most profitable

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Effect of Preplant Broadcast Nitrogen on Corn Yields

159

150 151

141 139

174

120

130

140

150

160

170

180

< 15 25 - 50 51- 75 76 -100 101 -125 126 - 150

Lbs. Nitrogen /Acre

ag.systems, 1989 to 1995Bu. /A

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Corn Seeding Populations

• The highest yield in 2004 came from fields planted at 29,000 seeds per acre

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LSU Variety Trial Results by Population

StationYield

bu/A

Avg. Harvest Pop (000’s)

soil type soil name

St Joe 153 28 silt loam Commerce

St Joe 161 27 clay Sharkey

Bossier City 141 17 silty clay loam Miller

Alexandria 109 30 silt loam Norwood

Winnsboro 160 29 silt loam Gigger

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Optimum Harvest Population

According to Pioneer, corn populations over 26,000 in their full-season maturities (>113 day) actually reduced yields.

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Population Recommendations

• Most 113 day+ maturities do not like seed populations over 29,000

• Several do very well with populations less than 26,000

• Understand the recommended population for the variety selected

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2004 Corn Insecticide Seed Treatments

Irrigated, Conventional

Bu/A %M GI*

Seed Treatment 219 19.5 $448

None 209 19.3 $430

Irrigation, notill

Seed Treatment 206 19.8 $419

None 196 18.9 $406 Seed treatments include Cruiser, Cruiser Extreme and Poncho 250. *: includes cost of treatment

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IST Comparisons

WirewormWhite

Grub

Cutworm

SCMFlea Beetl

e

Chinch

BugCruiser

Extreme ™

2 2 4 2 1 2*

Poncho™250 2 2 4 2 2 2

Force ® 3G

2 2 1 2 NL 5

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Corn Insect Seed Treatments

• Most varieties now come with Poncho 250 or Cruiser Extreme Pak

• Much lower cost than granular insecticides

• Cannot return treated seed

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Corn Seedling Diseases

In 2004, corn seedling diseases from Fusarium (see photo) and Rhizoctonia were fairly common

Cruiser Extreme Pak now contains Dynasty®, an added fungicide

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Planter Calibration

• Researchers claim a 10 to 15% reduction in yields by using poorly calibrated planters.

• Results showed an increase of up to 23 bushels per acre

• Uneven seed depth lowers yields by 5%

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Planting Depth Affects Yields

•Shallow planting lowered yields by 11 bushels in 2001.

•Plant corn between 1 1/2 to 2 inches deep.

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Planting Depth Affects Yields

•Shallow planting caused less roots which caused a N deficiency.

•The plant on the right is still green.

•Shallow planting inhibits root development.

•Less roots means less available plant food.

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Effect of Planting Speed

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Corn 2004 Summary

• Select varieties based on aflatoxin prevention

• Plant Bt corn were possible: remember your refuge!

• Do not overpopulate (no more than 29K)• Use P & K to cool and water the crop• Plant 1.5’ to 2” deep• Control bugs with seed treatments• Slow down when planting

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Thank you!

Ouachita Fertilizer