Cleaner air complicates cleaner water
Most farmers in the East are applying more sulfur to meet crop needs, thanks to less acid rain deposits courtesy of the Clean Air Act. But did you know that less acid rain has significantly raised soil pH, which impacts phosphorus solubility — vulnerability to rainwater runoff and P degradation of streams and lakes? Ohio State University research uncovered the fact that at pH 6.5, P becomes more soluble and likely to move. The higher the pH, the higher the available P. University of Maryland research has also confirmed that top soils contain more soluble P levels. That means less P may be required to maintain crop yield, if you can keep it in the field, suggests Joe Nestor, Ohio-based independent consultant and cooperator in the Ohio study. He believes the industry’s 4Rs of nutrient conservation needs to be amended to 5Rs — right source, right rate, right time, right place and rain risk. You’re already getting more mileage out of soil. He suggests not applying P when rain risk is high. And you can sequester it using cover crops, filter strips, no-till and maybe gypsum on those higher pH soils. Why’s that? Calcium in gypsum creates a light bond with P to retain it for crop use, he explains. Just to be sure you know, gypsum is not the same thing as limestone. This issue is well worth discussing with your crop consultant.

Next-gen rootworm control discovered
DuPont Pioneer has discovered a non-Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) protein that appears promising as a new western corn rootworm control. It’s a new and different mode of action than Bt proteins currently used in transgenic products, according to Neal Gutterson, DuPont Pioneer vice president for research and development. This tech trait arrives at a good time. Extension entomologists at a number of land-grant colleges, including Penn State University, have been sounding the warning. Ohio State University researchers note that only one trait, eCry3.1Ab (Duracade traits), has no published reports of resistance. Iowa State University researchers have discovered resistance to Cry3Bb1 (Yieldgard or Genuity traits) and resistance to mCry3A (Agrisure traits). This year in, they found resistance to Cry34/35Ab1 (Herculex or Optimum traits). These products are still effective and work, point out the researchers. But early signs of resistance are starting to pop up.

Engenia is newest dicamba
BASF recently announced EPA clearance for Engenia, a postemergence dicamba herbicide for dicamba-tolerant soybeans. It comes just in time for use in 2017. The product is touted as more effective than 2,4-D for residual control of glyphosate-resistant waterhemp, common lambsquarters and Palmer amaranth, plus kochia and cocklebur, and superior control of Canada thistle. Other benefits include delivering more than 95% control of grasses, says Neil Bentley, BASF crop marketing lead. The formulation has a 70% reduction in volatility (drift potential) compared to DGA dicamba (Banvel). And it’s compatible with direct injection technology, simplifying sprayer cleanout.

Bash bugs with PowerCore’d corn
Dow AgroSciences’ newest corn stack trait, PowerCore, is available for 2017 as a 5% refuge-in-bag option for Mycogen and regional brands such as Dairyland Seed. In brief, it’ll control six aboveground insect threats: European corn borer, southwestern corn borer, corn earworm, fall armyworm, western bean cutworm and black cutworm. With three modes of action, it provides better odds against developing resistance, notes Brian Barker, U.S. seeds general manager. Other major competitive technologies don’t control the last two or have only one mode of action.

Ready to enlist Enlist?
You’ve probably read about Dow AgroSciences’ Enlist soybean weed control system. It teams up Enlist Duo herbicide, a 2,4-D choline/glyphosate postemergence combo, with Enlist E3 and Enlist Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans. The system, combined with glufosinate herbicide, gives three modes of action against Palmer amaranth, marestail and giant ragweed and developing herbicide resistance. Jonathan Siebert, Enlist field sales leader, says the wide application window is another system advantage. Glufosinate can be applied up to R1 or beginning bloom; Enlist Duo can be applied up to the R2 stage — only on Enlist soybeans, though.

Accelerating soybean yields
DuPont Pioneer recently rolled out more of its Accelerated Yield Technology 4.0 soybeans. Paul Stephens, the company’s senior soybean research director, contends this breeding program will more than double the annual rate of genetic gain of soybeans in its research pipeline — and boost growers’ yield potential. The average year-to-year yield improvement for U.S. soybeans has been about 0.5 bushel per acre. That suggests you may soon start seeing soybean yield potential rising closer to 1 bushel per acre per year due to AYT4.0. Most new Pioneer “A” varieties introduced for 2017 will be products of the technology with close to a 2.5-bushel yield advantage, claim Pioneer sources. Learn more about them at upcoming winter farm shows.