1

Corn 2006

Ouachita Fertilizer

2

Ouachita Commitment to you

• Increase yields•Lower costs•Help solve those production

problems that limit profitability (unique to each operation and farms within those operations)

3

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

4

Delta Smart Systems

What is DSS?• More than just a database

• Ties together all production data with local weather station data

• Ties together all production data with field observations and samples

• Ouachita Fertilizer’s method of introducing the new science of crop phenology

5

Crop Phenology

The scientific study of periodic biological phenomena, such as flowering and harvesting, in relation to climatic conditions.

Translation: Understanding how weather impacts crop production practices

6

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

7

Corn Acres in LA

380

710

315

870

580

520520

525 410500

330

600

0

200

400

600

800

1000

000 a

cres

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Corn Acres Cotton Acres

8

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.

9

Why Rotate Cotton with Corn?

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

• Corn lowers populations of reniform nematode

10

Monroe Corn Weather: GDUs

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

2003 2004 2005

Tot

al G

DU

s

March April May J une J uly

11

Monroe Corn Weather: Rain

Monroe Rain/Month 2003 2004 2005

March 4.2 8.0 4.5

April 4.92 4.9 5.5

May 6.8 11.2 4.8

June 6.2 13.9 1.6

July 5.6 7.2 3.7

Total inches 27.7 45.2 20.0

12

DSS for Corn 2004 & 2005

•12,742 acres enrolled•255 different fields•29 hybrids evaluated

13

How do We Increase Profits?

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

14

Planting Date

Planting Date Irrigated

Non-Irrigated

03/11 to 03/27 164 127

03/28 to 04/30 158 115

Yield Bu./Acre

15

Variety Selection = Real $$$

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.

16

Hybrid SelectionIrrigated

Brand Top Yield Avg. Yield

DKC 6971 230 191

P32 D99 190 173

DKC 6970 163 153

DG 58K15 210 191Average Whole Community - 162

17

Hybrid SelectionNon -Irrigated

Brand Top Yield Avg. Yield

DKC 6145 235 193

P31 R88 180 157

DKC 6971 180 141

DKC 6352 155 135Average Whole Community - 120

18

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

19

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

20

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

21

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

22

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.

23

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.

24

Potash Rates in 2005

0

50

100

150

200

250

Timely Planted Corn Late Planted Corn

30 lbs./a

60 lbs./a

80 lbs./a

Higher K rates on late planted corn helped overcome yield drag

25

2005 Plant Tissue Samples

• Corn needs to have 2.25% k or higher for top yields

• Banded K had higher K levels in 2005

% potash GS 9

Banded 2.2Broadcast 1.9

26

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

27

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.

28

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 puts fertilizer in root zone

29

Zinc in 2005

• Adequate Zn levels lead to more uniform flowering and uniformity.

The Value of Zinc

162148

100

120

140

160

180

200

0 Zinc 1 lb. /A Zinc

30

2005 Corn Plant Tissue

• The P/Zn ratio is the best indicator of zinc levels

• Levels greater than 1.5 are deficient

• Banding zinc is the most efficient way to apply the nutrient

P/Zn Ratio at GS 3

Banded 1.1Broadcast 1.6

31

Nitrogen on Corn

• Requires 1.5 lbs. of nitrogen per bushel of corn

• Subtract soil residuals and amendments

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

32

Optimum N Rates in 2005

I rrigated

100

140

180

220

Bu./A

Bu.

/A

180 lbs./A 220 lbs. /A

Non- I rrigated

100

140

180

220

Bu./A

180 lbs./A 200 lbs. /A

156 210 166 127

33

2005 Plant Tissue Samples

• Early N needs to be 5.0 for highest yields

• Growth Stage 3 is between 350 and 500 GDUs

• In 2005 = mid-April

2005 Avg. %

Nitrogen GS 3 Bu./A

5.1 2114.6 1974.0 1493.4 127

34

Increasing Early N in Corn

•Broadcast 30 lbs./acre nitrogen with burndown

•Add more N plus K to pop-up

35

Corn Seeding PopulationsIrrigated

• The highest yield in 2005 came from fields planted at 33,000 seeds per acre

36

Corn Seeding PopulationsNon-Irrigated

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

37

Optimum Harvest Population

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

38

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

39

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, Apron XL, Maxim XL and Poncho 250. *: includes cost of treatment

40

IST Comparisons

Wireworm

White Grub

Cutworm

SCMFlea Beet

le

Chinch

Bug

Cruiser Extreme ™

2 2 4 2 1 2*

Poncho™

2502 2 4 2 2 2

Force ® 3G

2 2 1 2 NL 5

41

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

42

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

43

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%

44

Planting Depth Affects Yields

•Shallow planting lowered yields by 11 bushels in 2001.

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

45

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.

46

Effect of Planting Speed

47

Harvest Management to Minimize Aflatoxin

• Minimize trash and broken kernels in combine hopper.

• Begin harvest when grain moisture is about 24% and dry the grain to 15% moisture as soon as possible.

• Thoroughly clean auger wells and pits around dump stations before and after use.

• Remove grain from trucks, trailers, holding bins, drying facilities and storage bins before beginning a new lot of grain.

48

Non IrrigatedCorn 2005

• Plant as early as possible. In 2005 could have planted March 5th. 35 Cumulative Heat Units in 5 days with increasing temperatures.

• Plant BT Corn where possible• Plant no more than 29,000 Seed per Acre• Use Seed Treatment• Apply 180-45-60-15 with 1# Zn• Need to get 30-35# N out at or before

Planting• Pop Up Fertilizer with K in it.

49

IrrigatedCorn 2005

• Plant as early as possible. In 2005 could have planted March 5th. 35 Cumulative Heat Units in 5 days with increasing temperatures.

• Select Varieties that support your yield goals. (Have good disease resistance)

• Plant BT Corn where possible, remember your refuge

• Plant between 29,000 and 33,000 seeds per acre, based on Variety and Planting Date

• Use Seed Treatment

50

IrrigatedCorn 2005 cont…

• Irrigate in a timely manner based on Crop needs and amount supplied by rainfall

• Apply at least 30# N Pre-plant or at Planting• Side dress 170 lbs of N• Apply a total of 200-65-80-20 with 1 lb. Zn.

Possibility of additional 30lb. N prior to tassel based on Tissue Test and Yield Potential.

• Monitor Crop for Disease and Apply Fungicide if necessary

51

Thank you!

Ouachita Fertilizer