1 Corn 2007 Ouachita Fertilizer Boyce

2 Ouachita Commitment to you Increase yields Lower costs Help solve those production problems that limit profitability

3 Delta Smart Systems The basis for our Crop Programs Corn Cotton Sorghum Soybeans Sugarcane Wheat

4 Delta Smart Systems A system to improve grower profits High Q™ Weather station data Plant tissue and soil samples Field observations

5 High Q™ A precise data-gathering system Identifies limiting factors Helps avoid repeated mistakes: continuous improvement

6 OFC Weather Stations Mer Rouge Winnsboro Moreauville Natchitoches New Iberia

7 OFC Weather Stations Exclusive to OFC; our stations Use to track degree days, irrigation scheduling and pest outbreaks Understand how weather impacts crop yields; historical reference

8 Plant Tissue And Soil Samples Unique data base; available only through OFC Solve problems & lowers costs OFC extensive inventory can provide plant food needed to correct in-season problems

9 Field Observations in 2006 Six OFC salesmen Field-tested 18 new products to see if there is a fit for our growers (several to increase N efficiency to use less) Pulled 71 corn plant tissue samples to check plant food balance Sent seven samples to check for disease

10 Corn 2006 DSS Summary 8,235 acres 182 fields 29 corn hybrids Avg. yield 152 bu/acre (state yield 140 bu/acre)

11 DSS for Corn 2004 to ,977 acres enrolled 437 different fields 56 commercial corn hybrids evaluated

12 Corn Acres in Louisiana We have been here before: aflatoxin hits hard

13 Opportunity for Corn Profits We have been here before: aflatoxin hits corn hard

14 How do We Capture Profits? Based on DSS: Planting Date Hybrid Selection Fertilizers Planting Operations Avoid Aflatoxin

15 Planting Date: Based on DSS Optimum PD ranged from 3/10 to 3/21 in three years Plant when 5 day forecast shows DD accumulation greater than: 60 for low seedling vigor hybrids 40 for high seedling vigor hybrids

16 Natchitoches Planting Dates Circle shows highest yields

17 Corn Planting Dates Highest yields in 2006 came from corn pollinating during this period Corn should be pollinated prior to daily tempts averaging 75 0 (about May 25); hybrids range from 1300 to 1500 GDU from planting to pollination Too hot for corn; losing

18 Planting Date Summary Plant as quick and as early as we can Get plants off to a fast start Try to be finished pollination by May 25

19 How do We Increase Profits? Based on DSS: Planting Date Hybrid Selection Fertilizers Planting Operations

20 Hybrid Selection in 2006 Brand Non-irrigated Hybrid Avg. Yield Dekalb66-23RR/YGCB171 Pioneer33R81 RR/YGCB164

21 Hybrid Selection in 2005 Brand Non-irrigated Hybrid Avg. Yield Pioneer32D99176 Dekalb69-71RR/YGCB164

22 Hybrid Selection in 2004 Brand Non-irrigated Hybrid Avg. Yield Dekalb69-70BTY158.7 Dekalb69-71RR/YG128.4

23 Hybrid Selection to Reduce Aflatoxin Use Bt where possible Select hybrids for: hard kernels complete shuck coverage good drought tolerance full-season (>115 days) maturity but with early pollination window (1300 to 1350 GDUs)

24 How do We Increase Profits? Based on DSS: Rotation Planting Date Hybrid Selection Fertilizers Planting Operations

25 Fertilizers Reduce Aflatoxin Fertility stress is a major factor Aflatoxin is increased by hot weather. Potash “cools” the plant Aflatoxin is increased by dry weather. Phosphates help “water” the plant

26 Fertilizers Reduce Aflatoxin

27 Potash’s Role in Corn Production Critical to cool the plant Builds plant proteins #1 defense against disease Responsible for corn stalk strength and lodging resistance

28 Potash Increases Corn Yields From DSS in 2006, applying 50 lbs per acre of banded potash added 24 bushels of corn per acre, a net increase of $76 per acre.

29 Potash Rates in 2005 Higher K rates on late planted corn helped overcome yield drag

Plant Tissue Samples Corn needs to have 2.25% K or higher for top yields Banded K had higher K levels in 2005 % potash GS 9 Banded2.2 Broadcast1.9

31 Phosphorous for Corn Increases water use efficiency Root growth Seed formation (kernel numbers and rows) Hastens maturity

32 P Increases Corn Yields In the DSS Program in 2004, adding 35 lbs. per acre of phosphate in a band added more bushels of corn per acre.

33 P Increases Corn Yields In 2006, adding an extra 30 lbs per acre of phosphate added 32 more bushels of corn per acre. This means $100 more per acre.

34 Banding Increases Efficiency Phosphates (P) and potash (K) get tied-up in the soil: 1 lb. P & K in a band = 2 lbs. broadcast Injecting increases availability to roots

35 Zinc in 2006 Corn Zinc increased corn yields by 15 bushels per acre. Banding zinc is the most efficient way to apply Zinc will lower moisture at harvest; less chance for aflatoxin

36 Nitrogen Rates in 2005

37 Optimum N Rates in 2006

Plant Tissue Samples Early N needs to be 5.0 for highest yields Growth Stage 3 is between 350 and 500 GDUs In 2005 = mid- April 2005 Avg. % Nitrogen GS 3Bu./A

Plant Tissue Samples Showed that corn plants were starving for nitrogen before the roots could reach the sidedress fertilizer Plants low in N grow slower, have less grain per ear, has delayed pollination and more diseases

40 Increasing Early N in Corn Background shows 30 lbs. N per acre with planter compared to none

41 Value of Pre-emergence Nitrogen on Corn Yields Bu. /A Highest yields came from 25 to 50 lbs. /acre nitrogen prior to corn emergence

42 Increasing Early N in Corn Apply 30 lbs. to 50 lbs./acre nitrogen prior to corn emergence Add balance of nitrogen at sidedress

43 Sulfur on 2006 Corn Applying 15 lbs. /acre of sulfur increased yields by 19 bu/ acre, a $60 net income increase

44 Low Boron Levels in Corn Boron is responsible for healthy root growth and resistant to diseases. A lack of boron in a corn plant results in: Poor kernel development. The deterioration of root and stem growing points. Stunted roots. Boron deficient corn at left; note twisting of kernels toward tip.

Corn Fertility Program Apply 30 to 50 lbs. N and 4 to 8 lbs. of sulfur at planting; OFC mixes uses clay to keep from losing nitrogen Apply balance of N plus P, K, S, Zn and B at sidedress

46 How do We Increase Profits? Based on DSS: Rotation Planting Date Hybrid Selection Fertility Program Planting Operations

47 Planter Calibration Researchers claim a 10 to 15% reduction in yields by using poorly calibrated planters. Results showed an increase of up to 23 bushels per acre when spacing corn evenly Uneven seed depth lowers yields from 5% to 25%.

48 Planting Depth Affects Yields Shallow planting lowered yields by 11 bushels in field trials. Plant corn between 1 1/2 to 2 inches deep.

49 Planting Depth Affects Yields This photo show the same hybrid from the same field planted the same day with the same amount of fertilizer; one was planted too shallow Shallow planting produced less roots which caused a N deficiency. Shallow planting will cause moisture stress

50 Impact of Planting Speed Planting slower produced more corn

51 How do We Capture Corn Profits? Planting Date; the race is on… Hybrid Selection; offense sells tickets (seed) but defense wins championships (makes profits) Fertilizers: beat the heat Planting Operations: be the ball

52 Thank you! Ouachita Fertilizer