Tom J. Bechman
TRACK POPULATIONS: Pete Illingworth, part of the Throckmorton farm crew, helps measure plant populations in a field trial. Corn Illustrated: This year’s Throckmorton study will evaluate economic optimum seeding rates.
Suggested Event
Jun 15, 2021 to Jun 17, 2021
Maybe you have an on-farm trial this year. Perhaps you’re testing nitrogen rates for corn, or maybe you’re seeing if applying sulfur boosts yields. How do you know if you can trust your data?
Bob Nielsen, Purdue University Extension corn specialist, says the more care that went into planning the trial, the more likely you’ll get results that will indicate whether the new product, practice or hybrid actually produced more yield and paid for itself. Even then, though, remember, it’s only one test at one location in one year, Nielsen cautions.
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DEADLY THREAT: Black vultures are particularly dangerous for livestock operations because they will attack and kill live animals. Studies of their habits and control options are underway. Livestock producers report black vultures are attacking and killing animals in Indiana.
Suggested Event
Jun 15, 2021 to Jun 17, 2021
For the past couple of years, primarily in southern Indiana, farmers with livestock have complained that a certain type of vulture known as the black vulture has caused economic losses by attacking and killing live animals, especially young livestock. Young calves are a prime target.
Some of these producers contacted Indiana Prairie Farmer, frustrated that no one seemed to be taking the problem seriously. Now, Patrick Zollner, a Purdue University professor of wildlife science, and Marian Wahl, a doctoral student, are taking it very seriously. They are partnering with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to
Tom J Bechman
NO YIELD DIFFERENCE: These replicated plots were harvested at three different dates in 2020. There was no yield difference based on date of harvest for any of the three hybrids in the trial. Corn Illustrated: Second-year trial confirmed 2019 results.
The decision on when to begin harvesting corn this fall may seem a long way off. Yet when the time arrives, findings from a 2020 study that compared harvest dates may guide your decision.
For the second straight year, Indiana Prairie Farmer
, Purdue University and the Purdue Throckmorton Ag Center compared three harvest dates on corn. In 2019, a late season, harvest dates were late October, late November and early December, with a windstorm causing major lodging before the final harvest. In 2020, corn was harvested on Sept. 30, Oct. 30 and Nov. 20, with virtually no lodging issues.
When it came time for the Nugents in Elnora, Ind., to update their planter after last season, this father-son team decided to go custom. Really custom. They re building their own planter for the 2021 season and Tom Bechman with Indiana Prairie Farmer shares their story.
It s an interesting look at the project, it s cost and even the relationship the Nugents have with a neighbor sharing a heated shop for the project. Tom offers more details about this machine, including some of the tech the farm is using.
And there are some more details about the Rivian electric pickup mentioned in last week s podcast. The specifications for this zero-emission vehicle will surprise most gearhead listeners. Could the truck be a game-changer? Possibly. Does the podcast host still want that test-drive? Definitely.