Here’s some information to start your week:

• How USDA report zapped Southern corn growers: Southern corn growers will be at a disadvantage as long as USDA continues to release its first survey-based projections of crop planting intentions at the end of March.

• 20 seconds to death – trapped in a grain bin: Grain bin engulfments continue to cause deaths and injuries on farms, highlighting the need to emphasize safety measures.

• Don’t rush to plant rice: A late round of winter weather and rain has affected Arkansas. Recommended soil temp at planting is 60°F at 4 inches. While some areas might be lucky enough to have ground dry enough to plant for a day or two before it rains again, a mixed bag of weather forecasts should give you reason to hold off. Jarrod Hardke, Bob Scott and Gus Lorenz also discuss options and benefits of insecticide and fungicide seed treatments for rice.

• 7 keys for using a wheat fungicide: Stripe rust continues to be observed in wheat in Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas. Extension plant pathologist Tom Allen gives key considerations for deciding whether or not to apply a fungicide.

• Are soybean seed treatments worth the price? In this three-minute video, Arkansas Extension entomologist Gus Lorenz discusses the positive value of seed treatments for soybeans… a net positive return about 80 percent of the time (3 to 3.5 bushels per acre).

• 12 federal tax scams: To remind taxpayers to be on the lookout for scams ranging from identity theft to return-preparer fraud, the Internal Revenue Service has posted its Dirty Dozen list of tax scams for 2013.

• How to get the most out of your Tier 4 engines during planting: Stuart Birrell says preventive maintenance of Tier 4i engines has not changed significantly from other high-tech diesel engines, but it is more important to follow the recommended maintenance schedule, particularly in keeping all filters and cooling systems clean and free of dust and dirt. If not, it could cause automatic power reduction.

• Cold start for 2013 corn crop: Much of the corn planted in southeast and southwest Arkansas had not emerged by the start of last week, even though some had been planted more than three weeks. The cold weather last week slowed emergence and growth even more. Extension agronomist Jason Kelley says no decisions about replanting or destroying an existing stand should be made until you have given the crop ample time to emerge and fully evaluate stands.

• 13 tips for safe handling of anhydrous ammonia: While anhydrous ammonia can be very useful on the farm, mishandling or poor preparation can be disastrous. Agrability’s Michael Freyaldenhoven offers tips for safe handling of anhydrous ammonia and on holding tank safety.

• Lessons learned from irrigation pump monitoring: Monitoring irrigation pumps has provided some intriguing lessons. Christopher Henry reveals his findings.