Production Journal

Farm Journal, Mar 1, 2008

Welding University Winners

Three lucky Farm Journal readers won a trip to Appleton, Wis., to attend Welding University, a VIP event hosted by Miller Electric Manufacturing Company and Farm Journal.

The three grand-prize winners:

Frank Kovacevich, Ottawa, Ill.

Greg Risenmay, Idaho Falls, Idaho

Jason Bockey, Delphos, Ohio

Each grand-prize winner will receive their choice of a Miller Bobcat 250 welder/generator or a Spectrum 625 plasma cutter and a Millermatic 212 MIG welder. They also will receive a Miller auto- darkening welding helmet and Arc Armor protective apparel.

Three first-prize winners will receive an auto-darkening welding helmet. Those winners are Calvin Boyd, Medicine Lodge, Kan.; David Dingmann, Richmond, Minn.; and Walt Krafft, Yellville, Ark.

Ten second-prize winners will receive Miller welding gloves. Those winners are Stan Thessen, Jefferson City, Mo.; Richard Traynor, Ellsworth, Wis.; Rick Lange, Hoskins, Neb.; Roger Martzahn, Greene, Iowa; Jeremy Cobin, Christopher, Ill.; John S. Tosh Jr., Rising Sun, Md.; Bill Clewien, Berlin, Wis.; Jim Finderup, Fresno, Calif.; Derek Zuhlke, Plainview, Neb.; and Brad Vieke, Vincennes, Ind.

Johnsongrass Resists Roundup

Weeds continue to get the upper hand on glyphosate. Resistant johnsongrass has been confirmed in a field in southeast Arkansas and in a location near Clarksdale, Miss.

It's the first time johnsongrass has been found resistant to the popular herbicide in the U.S. In 2005, johnsongrass became the 13th weed in the world to be classified as resistant when it was found in Argentina.

Extension weed specialists with University of Arkansas and Mississippi State University are collaborating with Monsanto Company to screen for additional populations. Impacted growers are receiving help to implement best management practices aimed at reducing the spread of resistant populations.

Practices that minimize the risk of herbicide resistance include:

Start with a clean field by using either a burndown herbicide or tillage to control weeds early. Employ Roundup Ready technology as the foundation of a comprehensive weed management program. Add additional herbicides or cultural practices where appropriate as part of the Roundup Ready cropping system. Apply the correct herbicide rate at the correct time. Control weed infestations throughout the season and reduce the weed seed bank.

Caution: Key USDA Data Ahead

One report can make a powerful difference. USDA's 2008 Prospective Plantings Report looms as one of the most important in years--if not decades. Results of the survey work done during the first two weeks of March will affect grain and soybean prices in the weeks ahead. The report will be released March 31.

USDA's non-survey-based projections released at the Outlook Forum tallied corn acres at 90 million, soybean acres at 71 million and wheat acres at 64 million. Cotton plantings are expected to be 9.5 million.

How the survey-based numbers stack up with the projections and, more importantly, against the trade expectations issued just before the reports will be key. As history has shown, the actual planted acreage for crops can differ significantly from the early season intentions.

From 1997 to 2006, corn acreage intentions in March have been above the final acreage tally six years (1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002 and 2003) and below four years (2000, 2004, 2005 and 2006). With soybeans, the pattern is five years above (2000, 2001, 2004, 2005 and 2006), four years below (1997, 1999, 2002 and 2003) and one year unchanged (1998).

Several potential policy implications can arise from the March 31 report. Those include:

Conservation Reserve Program contracts: It's too late for 2008, but if the corn acreage number is a surprise to the downside, then questions on whether the penalty-free early out policy option should be used in 2009 will start before most of the 2008 crop is in the ground.

Ethanol policy: If corn acres are below to considerably below expectations, calls for altering or suspending the Renewable Fuels Standard will start to build. That's a measure that would be left up to the Environmental Protection Agency to decide, but expectations of a short corn crop will amplify the desire for something to be done.

Trade questions: While those in the agriculture industry hope that the "e" word (OK, we'll print it, embargo) has vanished from the policy tool vocabulary, the potential for a short U.S. corn crop could certainly spur talk of this or some kind of limitation on U.S. corn exports if it appears that market price alone won't moderate shipments.

Corn Genome Map

The first draft of the corn genome sequence is complete, providing a map of corn's genetic makeup for researchers to use to improve future corn hybrids.

It turns out the corn genome is uniquely complex, which presents a challenge--but it also allows breeders to select unique attributes that are of value to farmers. There are some 2.5 billion base pairs that make up the double helix of corn DNA. The corn genome has long lines of repetitive code and 50,000 to 60,000 genes to identify and characterize, which is about twice the number of genes in humans.