1 Corn 2006 Ouachita Fertilizer

2 Ouachita Commitment to you Increase yields Lower costs Help solve those production problems that limit profitability (unique to each operation and farms within those operations)

3 Delta Smart Systems What is DSS? A precise data-gathering system collected to improve grower profitability Records production practices used on the farm Uses on-board combine computers to capture yield and moisture data Uses USDA grading standards to measure impact on quality Utilizes a large data base to analyze

4 Delta Smart Systems What is DSS ? More than just a database Ties together all production data with local weather station data Ties together all production data with field observations and samples Ouachita Fertilizer’s method of introducing the new science of crop phenology

5 Crop Phenology The scientific study of periodic biological phenomena, such as flowering and harvesting, in relation to climatic conditions. Translation: Understanding how weather impacts crop production practices

6 Delta Smart Systems Utilizes technology to reach higher yields and lower grower’s cost Increases crop uniformity, the key to higher yields Helps predict production grades for targeted markets Helps avoid repeated mistakes: continuous improvement

7 Corn Acres in LA

8 Why Rotate Cotton with Corn? 200 pounds of additional lint and 10% to 15% more bushels per acre. Better utilization of equipment over a long period of time. Better utilization of applied fertilizer.

9 Why Rotate Cotton with Corn? Increased organic matter increases water infiltration and enhances nutrient activity. Corn lowers populations of reniform nematode

10 Monroe Corn Weather: GDUs

11 Monroe Corn Weather: Rain Monroe Rain/Month March April May June July Total inches

12 DSS for Corn 2004 & ,742 acres enrolled 255 different fields 29 hybrids evaluated

13 How do We Increase Profits? Based on DSS: Planting Date Variety Selection Upgrade Fertility Program Control Bugs Planting Operations

14 Planting Date Planting Date IrrigatedNon-Irrigated 03/11 to 03/ /28 to 04/ Yield Bu./Acre

15 Variety Selection = Real $$$ Variety Selection is the single most important decision a grower makes when producing corn. DSS yields in 2004 show a difference of $118 per acre in profit by placing a good variety in the wrong place.

16 Hybrid Selection Irrigated BrandTop YieldAvg. Yield DKC P32 D DKC DG 58K Average Whole Community - 162

17 Hybrid Selection Non -Irrigated BrandTop YieldAvg. Yield DKC P31 R DKC DKC Average Whole Community - 120

18 Variety Selection to Reduce Aflatoxin Use Bt where possible Select varieties for hard kernels complete shuck coverage good drought tolerance full-season (>115 days) maturity

19 Fertility to Reduce Aflatoxin Fertility stress is a major factor Aflatoxin is helped by hot weather. Potash “cools” the plant Aflatoxin is helped by dry weather. Phosphates help “water” the plant

20 Fertility to Reduce Aflatoxin Fertility stress is a major factor During the past five years, the LSU has tested more than 2,000 samples of soils with the following results: 25% had a pH of less than % tested low in phosphorus 42% tested low in potassium

21 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

22 Potash Increases Corn Yields In the DSS Program in 2004, adding just 40 lbs per acre of banded potash (equal to 80 lbs. broadcast) added 20 bushels of corn per acre.

23 High-Yield Corn Needs Potash Photo shows K deficiency even with very high soil levels when adding 200 lbs. N Need to balance potash with nitrogen Add 40 lbs. per acre as a sidedress or 80 lbs. per acre with burndown on very high-testing soils. Apply both with medium or low soil levels.

24 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

26 Phosphorous’ Role in Corn Production Increases water use efficiency Critical in energy conversion Root formation and growth Seed formation (kernel numbers and rows) and quality Hastens maturity

27 P Increases Corn Yields In the DSS Program in 2004, adding just 35 lbs per acre of phosphate in a band or 65 lbs. broadcast added more bushels of corn per acre.

28 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 puts fertilizer in root zone

29 Zinc in 2005 Adequate Zn levels lead to more uniform flowering and uniformity.

Corn Plant Tissue The P/Zn ratio is the best indicator of zinc levels Levels greater than 1.5 are deficient Banding zinc is the most efficient way to apply the nutrient P/Zn Ratio at GS 3 Banded1.1 Broadcast1.6

31 Nitrogen on Corn Requires 1.5 lbs. of nitrogen per bushel of corn Subtract soil residuals and amendments Must be balanced with potash Broadcast 30 lbs. with burndown Sidedress balance

32 Optimum N Rates in

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

34 Increasing Early N in Corn Broadcast 30 lbs./acre nitrogen with burndown Add more N plus K to pop-up

35 Corn Seeding Populations Irrigated The highest yield in 2005 came from fields planted at 33,000 seeds per acre

36 Corn Seeding Populations Non-Irrigated The highest yield in 2004 came from fields planted at 29,000 seeds per acre

37 Optimum Harvest Population According to Pioneer, corn populations over 26,000 in their full- season maturities (>113 day) actually reduced yields.

38 Population Recommendations Most 113 day+ maturities do not like seed populations over 29,000 Several do very well with populations less than 26,000 Understand the recommended population for the variety selected

Corn Insecticide Seed Treatments Irrigated, Conventional Bu/A%MGI* Seed Treatment $448 None $430 Irrigation, notill Seed Treatment $419 None $406 Seed treatments include Cruiser, Cruiser Extreme, Apron XL, Maxim XL and Poncho 250. *: includes cost of treatment

40 IST Comparisons Wireworm White Gru b Cutwo rm SCM Flea Beetl e Chinch Bug Cruiser Extreme ™ * Poncho™ Force ® 3G 2212NL5

41 Corn Insect Seed Treatments Most varieties now come with Poncho 250 or Cruiser Extreme Pak Much lower cost than granular insecticides Cannot return treated seed

42 Corn Seedling Diseases In 2004, corn seedling diseases from Fusarium (see photo) and Rhizoctonia were fairly common Cruiser Extreme Pak now contains Dynasty®, an added fungicide

43 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 Uneven seed depth lowers yields by 5%

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

45 Planting Depth Affects Yields Shallow planting caused less roots which caused a N deficiency. The plant on the right is still green. Shallow planting inhibits root development. Less roots means less available plant food.

46 Effect of Planting Speed

47 Harvest Management to Minimize Aflatoxin Minimize trash and broken kernels in combine hopper. Begin harvest when grain moisture is about 24% and dry the grain to 15% moisture as soon as possible. Thoroughly clean auger wells and pits around dump stations before and after use. Remove grain from trucks, trailers, holding bins, drying facilities and storage bins before beginning a new lot of grain.

48 Non Irrigated Corn 2005 Plant as early as possible. In 2005 could have planted March 5 th. 35 Cumulative Heat Units in 5 days with increasing temperatures. Plant BT Corn where possible Plant no more than 29,000 Seed per Acre Use Seed Treatment Apply with 1# Zn Need to get 30-35# N out at or before Planting Pop Up Fertilizer with K in it.

49 Irrigated Corn 2005 Plant as early as possible. In 2005 could have planted March 5 th. 35 Cumulative Heat Units in 5 days with increasing temperatures. Select Varieties that support your yield goals. (Have good disease resistance) Plant BT Corn where possible, remember your refuge Plant between 29,000 and 33,000 seeds per acre, based on Variety and Planting Date Use Seed Treatment

50 Irrigated Corn 2005 cont… Irrigate in a timely manner based on Crop needs and amount supplied by rainfall Apply at least 30# N Pre-plant or at Planting Side dress 170 lbs of N Apply a total of with 1 lb. Zn. Possibility of additional 30lb. N prior to tassel based on Tissue Test and Yield Potential. Monitor Crop for Disease and Apply Fungicide if necessary

51 Thank you! Ouachita Fertilizer