Iowa corn and soybean growers harvested an impressive 23 million acres statewide in 2015. While every acre makes a difference in feeding the world, 17 acres were set aside in Carroll, Iowa, this year to educate farmers on further increasing yield to meet the demands of the growing global population.

Syngenta agronomic service representative Randy Kool is very familiar with what farmers have learned at field days at the Grow More Experience site at Carroll. He offers the following agronomic insights so this year’s trials will help lead to a more productive and profitable crop for farmers next year. His advice: begin your 2017 corn and soybean crop planning now.

FINDING ANSWERS: The Grow More Experience site at Carroll, Iowa has been open to corn and soybean growers, Golden Harvest Seed Advisors and retailers for three years now. The 17-acre site gives visitors the chance to discover solutions to local field challenges and see new Syngenta products firsthand.

1) Start strong with seed selection and proper planting depth

Seed selection is undoubtedly one of the most important decisions a grower makes.

“University research shows the top hybrid one year has a less than 30% chance of being in the top 10% of hybrids the following year,” Kool says. “So plant several different hybrids to give yourself a greater chance of success. Don’t just bank on one.”

Planting depth is also a critical factor, considering the powerful winds seen across much of the state each year. But you can get ahead of Mother Nature’s force. “Seed planted 2 inches deep versus 1 inch stands much better odds of overcoming root lodging caused by wind,” says Kool. “Harvesting flattened corn is not fun and slows you down.”

2) Deal with disease before spots and blights strike

With the rainfall, humidity and dew levels many Iowa growers saw in the 2016 growing season, northern corn leaf blight, gray leaf spot and eyespot were often the biggest corn disease concerns. Growers should also be wary of southern rust, which works its way north and can catch some farmers unaware. In soybeans, brown spot and frogeye leaf spot were most prevalent.

 “When it comes to corn and soybean disease control, growers saw excellent control this season with Trivapro fungicide,” Kool says. “When planning for next year, make sure you have a strong plan for foliar protection, particularly on hybrids and varieties with disease susceptibility.”

 3) Plant as early as possible, in favorable soil conditions
Another tip from Kool: When the soil is ready, you need to be ready. Plant as early as possible next spring—soil conditions allowing. That way, there’s less time for disease inoculum to build later in the season while plants are in the reproductive stage.

“Take a look at hybrid and variety disease pressure ratings before selecting seed,” Kool advises. “There are no industry standards when it comes to disease pressure ratings, so talk with your local agronomist about what those numbers mean and what makes most sense for your fields. It may be that you select a seed with lower disease ratings but higher yield potential, and you manage disease with a fungicide like Trivapro.”

4) The fourth agronomic factor Iowa growers should monitor
While conquering seed, weed, disease and insect issues remain at the forefront of focus at the Carroll Grow More Experience site, a fourth environmental factor is just as important: maintaining proper soil pH levels. “Many Iowa growers are cutting back on lime applications to cut costs, but now their soil pH levels are falling so low their yields are suffering,” Kool says.

 The ideal pH level ranges from pH 6 to 7, so if needed, add lime to your field. Nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium may be plentiful in a low pH soil, but the nutrients can’t be absorbed as well and that puts the plant under stress.

 Another factor to keep an eye on: “Sulfur deficiency is becoming more common and adding 10 pounds of sulfur per acre can increase corn yields 10 to 40 bushels in sulfur-deficient fields,” says Kool. “To see if your corn and soybean fields need a pH or sulfur boost, sample the soil this fall and conduct fertility tests.”

To experience additional agronomic insights firsthand at the Carroll Grow More Experience site, contact your Syngenta representative.