There are varying types of soil tests available:

• Physical: Assess soil structure, texture, density, porosity, aggregation, etc.
• Chemical: Assess chemical soil properties such as pH, organic matter, and nutrient levels such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, etc.
• Total nutrient digestion (TDN): Provides a comprehensive evaluation of soil’s nutrient potential, unlike most tests which provide only what is available. TDN tests allow for a complete analysis of nutrient potential which can be unlocked through microbial activity.
• Phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA): Uses PLFA’s found in cell membranes of living organisms to assess the soil microbial community. This is important when it comes to soil health because varying microbes and their communities aid in processes such as nutrient cycling and organic matter decomposition.
• Haney test: Provides a comprehensive soil health assessment by combining chemical and biological soil properties. This test allows for soil health evaluation for both plant and microbial life, providing information on many categories including soil respiration, nutrient availability, organic matter, etc.

The bottom line is do your research, reach out, talk to your farm consultant or agronomist, and determine which test type will work best to continue to propel you and your operation forward. Learn more here!

Methods of soil sampling

To take a soil sample on a given field for lab testing, there are several methods that you can use depending on your farm’s geography. Some methods may work better than others because of land formations or equipment limitations. For a field that shows more variability, selecting a sampling method that takes landscape differences into consideration is recommended. This allows for benchmarks in different areas to create more meaningful, farm-wide test results.

• Random Composite: This sampling method is useful for small fields with naturally flat topography. Soil cores are taken from 15-20 sampling points at random intervals and locations in the field. This method largely ignores marginal locations and therefore is generally poor at capturing landscape soil variability.
• Directed Random: This method is like the Random Composite Sampling Pattern, except that the field is broken up into sections based on production. Areas of the field that are producing less yield, such as saline areas, and high-producing areas with high organic matter, are separated into management zones that are sampled individually. Additionally, the area that represents the most average yielding section of the field also becomes a management zone. Multiple random samples are then taken in all three zones.
• Benchmark: This method uses a singular, small zone in the most historically average-producing area of the field. Multiple soil samples are taken in a grid pattern within the marked zone which gives an average for the field, and in subsequent years, pulling samples from the same spot will indicate soil fertility changes year over year.
• Landscape-Directed Benchmark: This method utilizes a small sampling area like the Benchmark method but bases the different subzones of the field on topography. Instead of taking samples from areas of high-, low-, and average-production amounts, the management zones are broken into high knolls, level/average areas of the field, and low-lying areas. These areas can then be managed separately based on the soil test results.
• Grid: In this method, the field is divided into a grid and samples are pulled from each square in the grid pattern. The grid method is the most common soil sampling method for creating variable rate fertility maps, as it gives the most accurate picture of the nutrient requirements of any given area within the field. It is also the most labor- and cost-intensive sampling method described in this list.

Learn more about soil sampling guidelines here.

Soil health labs

Listed here are some examples of potential laboratories which you can interact with to complete testing on your farm. It is important to choose a lab that is within your means and meets your testing needs based on your soil health goals.  Once you understand their capabilities, it will be important to understand how to submit your samples to different labs. Labs may have specific guidelines on how they want samples to be taken, labeled, and submitted for testing. Look at some of the following labs, research others, and begin thinking about how testing facilities like these can help you better understand and manage your farm.

United States and Canada:

• Regen Ag Lab (Haney Test)
  • Regenerative Agriculture Laboratory – Regen Ag Lab, LLC
  • 31740 Highway 10, Pleasanton, NE 68866
• Ward Laboratories
  • 4007 Cherry Ave, Kearney, NE 68847
  • Home – Ward Laboratories, Inc.
• AgSource
  • 403 Cedar Ave W, Menomonie, WI 54751
  • Agronomic Soil Testing | AgSource Laboratories
• AGAT Laboratories
  • 1046 Gorham St, Thunder Bay ON P7B 5X5
  • Home – AGAT Laboratories (agatlabs.com)
• Western Laboratories
  • 211 W Highway 95, Parma, ID 83660
  • HOME (westernlaboratories.com)
• Earthfort LLC
  • 635 SW Western Blvd, Corvallis, OR 97333
  • Earthfort | Soil Testing, Soil Amendments, Soil Education
• CARA Soil Health Lab (Canada) 
  • 141 5 Street E, Oyen AB, T0J 2J0
  • https://www.carasoilhealthlab.ca/services
• A&L Laboratories Inc (Canada)
  • 2136 Jetstream Road, London, Ontario N5V 3P5
  • https://www.alcanada.com/content/solutions/soil-health
• North American Soil Testing Laboratories Directory

How to read a soil test?

Check out these two articles on how to read a soil test if you have questions on what a test will tell you, what it means, and how to begin to decipher results.
https://www.fbn.com/community/blog/how-to-read-a-soil-analysis-report
https://www.cropscience.bayer.us/articles/bayer/reading-interpreting-soil-test

Nutrient Management Planning Guide. Nutrient management planning guide – Open Government. (2015, August 17). https://open.alberta.ca/publications/7086752

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Cover crop management requires planning termination methods and timing, you can maximize the benefits of cover crops while ensuring optimal conditions for the following crop. Various termination methods offer different advantages depending on your specific needs and environmental conditions.

If you haven’t already implemented a cover crop, consider the benefits of adding one to your rotation. Cover crops enhance soil health, improve water management, and address issues like compaction. By understanding and effectively managing termination methods, you can unlock the full potential of cover crops, profitable, and productive farming practices.

Let’s explore the various options for post-harvest cover crops to promote resilience in your system.

TERMINATION
Termination is integral to planning for a successful cover crop within your rotation. You want to maximize the benefits of the cover crop, while also setting up the following crop for success. When considering termination methods, it is important to determine the right method and timing to achieve your desired goals.

Natural: If you are using an annual cover crop blend, you can take a hands-off approach and let the crop naturally die through the winter months. The success of this sustainable method depends heavily on the snow cover and temperature conditions. Selecting annual species for your cover crop blend instead of perennials will also allow you to manage them this way.

Herbicide: An herbicide application completed at the right volume/stage of the cover crop is an effective method of termination. Make sure to put time into selecting the correct herbicide that will target not only the desiccation of the cover crop but also the weed species that are present.

Mechanical: To incorporate the cover crop residue back into the soil, you can complete a vertical tillage pass. This method speeds up the breakdown of plant residue, but can also require more than one pass to get control of the biomass.

If you are looking for a method with less soil disturbance, a roller-crimper implement is an effective option. This creates a protective residue layer that shields the soil through the winter months. This method has the greatest impact on soil health once the cover crop species has flowered.

Livestock: Livestock can terminate the cover crop with fall and/or early winter grazing. Not only do you benefit from terminating your cover crop stand, but the added nutrients from livestock manure while grazing help to improve the soil.

SCOUTING
Crop scouting is one of the most important activities you can invest time in to mitigate pests and protect yields. Frequent scouting ensures timely and effective decisions are made. It also allows you to learn about the productivity of your soil. Here are some scouting tips to help you monitor the health and success of your cover crop.

Tools needed for scouting and/or biomass testing:
• Shovel
• Scissors/pocketknife
• Collection bags
• Square foot frame

What to look for when crop scouting:
Nodules: Dig up some plants in your field deep enough to expose the root system. On the roots of leguminous/N-fixing plant species, knobs form on the roots. Nodules serve the purpose of nitrogen fixation.

If a nodule is pink when sliced open, it indicates active nitrogen fixation. Conversely, if there is no color it indicates dormant or inactive nodules. Terminating a legume cover crop once the nodules are pink (N-fixation can be high approximately 30 days after establishment up to the end of flowering) will release fixed nitrogen into the soil for the next growing season.

• Present species and weed pressure: Use a square foot frame to count cover crop species and weeds present. Successful cover crop establishment should show minimal weed presence due to competition created. These findings can help determine seeding rates for the following crop year if ground coverage needs to be adjusted.
  • You can also take this one step further and cut the plants within the frame to send them away for biomass testing. Choose the lab in advance so you have the correct protocol for gathering and sending the plant tissue sample.

• Quantity and depth of roots: The crop sown next growing season will follow the root paths the previous cover crop left behind. If the roots have bends or curves, that could indicate a compaction layer. Note if the cover crop roots are growing though heavy layers or not. This information can help determine what types of cover crop species to grow in the future to deal with different goals such as compaction.

IF YOU DIDN‘T GROW A COVER CROP, consider planting one
In all climates, but certainly in milder climates, after small grains is a great time to utilize a cover crop in your cropping system. To maximize this window, it is essential to have your plan in place. This is because the best time to seed your cover crop is right after harvest, ideally before a timely rain. The earlier your cover crop is established the greater the opportunity for soil health benefits and biomass generation. Three considerations you should make to maximize benefits are selecting a cover crop seed mixture that reflects your soil needs, assessing weather impacts, and determining which crop you are planting next.

One effective way to decide what cover crop species or mixes to go with is as easy as going out in your field with a spade, digging, and examining your soil. It is important to listen to your soil. Your soils will tell you information about your operation. If you notice salts which look like white specs or have areas that are problematic water areas, you may want to work on water management within your soil profile. In this case you most likely want to look at a grass crop, small grain, or cereal rye which can over winter and continue to utilize water. If you are noticing compaction layers out in your field, you may want to focus on compaction. Perhaps in this situation you may want to seed a cover crop mix which may include a diverse group of grasses, oats, etc. While also incorporating a radish or turnip which would allow for the natural force of these plants to bust up compaction. If you notice a lack of aggregation in your soil perhaps you want to focus on building aggregation. To help build aggregation you may want to plant a cover crop mix including a variety of species including ones with deep fibrous root systems to promote a healthy environment for soil biology.

Weather is another important consideration when selecting to plant a cover crop post-harvest. In a wet year you may want to plant a diverse cover crop mix that will utilize moisture from throughout the soil profile. As well as utilizing excess moisture promoting the resilience of your farm. If the opposite is true in a dry season and moisture is at a premium. It is important to consider if you have the moisture available to establish your cover crop.

Finally, remember the crop you plan to follow the cover crop with. It is important to keep this in mind as you do not want to plant something that will cause issues down the line. A couple of items to note are potential diseases that could be detrimental to your next crop that your cover crop could be a host for. Also consider grain contamination that could occur from growing something like rye on a field intended to go into small grain production.

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KEVIN: Absolutely. The best time to start regenerative ag practices is last year, and the next best time is today. The easiest thing to start with is creating a plan to have continuously growing roots throughout the growing season. Including something like Italian ryegrass in with your oats, in this case, is an easy thing to do. If you are concerned about nutrient tie up from growing a low-density biennial grass that is going to winter kill, throw in some subterranean clover with it. Now you have a nitrogen fixer that’s going to be feeding the Italian ryegrass and the oats, build your mycorrhizae, tie up the excess nitrates in the soil, and get that soil health process started.

OLIVIA: Are there recommendations for cover crop seed mixtures that work particularly well?

KEVIN: I’m always looking to pick species that are going to be growing below the cutting bar of the crop we’re dealing with. If we’re leaving 12 inches of stubble, I want to pick the species that are going to grow less than 12 inches tall. Subterranean clover is a no brainer because it only grows one or two inches high. Italian rye grass takes about 40 days for it to get up and going, so it will remain underneath the main crop canopy. Unless you get a year where it doesn’t stop raining all summer, it’s going to be in the range of 2 to 4 inches tall underneath the canopy. Species like hairy vetch will vine up and grow into the top part of the canopy; that’s not going to be fun to manage. Putting in sunflowers, once again, they’re tall and going to pop up above the canopy. Stay away from the brassicas (and collards) in your crop until after harvest because they are scavengers and will take nutrients away from your oats. Post-harvest you can put turnips and radishes in, assuming you’re not going to canola after that. Go through and identify which species are going to be nice and low growing.

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But what exactly is Regenerative Agriculture, what does the philosophy entail, and how does our company and its growers support it? In the last several years, customers, farmers, and other stakeholders have shown increasing interest in making tangible steps toward reducing their carbon footprint. Regen Ag takes sustainable agriculture practices a step further by instituting and tracking the results of carbon-reducing farming methods.

In addition to reducing or negating carbon output and contributing to growers’ bottom lines, farmers have been using regenerative agriculture practices for years to build and maintain soil health and reduce soil erosion.

Regenerative agriculture practices also sequester carbon from the atmosphere, which can result in a negative carbon footprint by retaining more carbon than is emitted. How do we do this?

Through crop rotations, the use of cover crops, and reduced tillage. Some farmers have been instituting these practices for years; however others have not adopted them for various reasons. As part of our program, Busch Grains supports farmer-led organizations that provide resources to farmers–from cost shares to mentorship programs and field days. In partnership with Practical Farmers of Iowa, farmers in our program have access to resources, mentorships, and cost share programs that make sustainable farming even more accessible.

One of our growers, Ben Dwire, has been a member of our Sustainability Program for three years. Ben and Kristi, his wife, are both fourth generation farmers. They started their own farm together in 2005. Their farm is currently on a three-year rotation of corn, soybeans, and small grains–predominantly oats. In addition to supplying oats, Ben also raises soybeans for Busch Grains. He says that sustainable agriculture practices that include a small grain, such as oats, reduces crop disease and pests by breaking the pest cycle. Growing oats also allows them to get a full season of a cover crop, which vastly improves soil health. “Oats just make all the other crops look good,” Ben says.

Especially in times of drought, no-till and cover crop practices allow the soil to absorb the small amount of water that collects during brief bursts of rain. The residue that builds up on the soil’s top layer gives the water sufficient time to sink in.

As for growers who would like to get started with Regenerative Ag practices but may not know where to begin, Ben says that a program like Busch Grains + Practical Farmers of Iowa is a great place to start. The program takes some of the risk out of sustainable agriculture practices through cost share for cover crops and through educational programs that provide information to those starting out. “It’s nothing that anyone couldn’t do. There’s no special secret,” Ben states.

So why do environmentally friendly farming techniques matter for Busch Grains customers? Our consumers everywhere increasingly want to know that the brands they’re buying from are taking steps to reduce their emissions. The supply chain starts with our growers–and when they’re farming with Regen Ag practices, the products your customers eat are contributing to a more sustainable future.

We are excited to share more information with you about our growers and the Regen Ag program. Contact Beth Stebbins with any questions at 952.983.1279 or bethany.stebbins@grainmillers.com.

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In recent years there has been a renewed interest by some major and regional seed companies in research and breeding efforts to develop Non-GMO soybean varieties for food and feed use, however, it still pales in comparison to GMO breeding and research efforts. Because of this, Non-GMO food-grade soybean research plots, no matter what their size, are not very numerous.

In-House Soybean Research

Busch Grains has always felt it is important to conduct our own in-house research so that we can compare and evaluate different Non-GMO food-grade soybeans. Initially, we produced plots of available desired non-GMO soybean varieties for introduction to both farmers and customers. Little effort was put into the development of new varieties.

However, in 2011 we began a comprehensive Non-GMO food-grade soybean research plot led by our Identity Preserved Crop Specialist, Craig Tomera, CCA, SSp and Roger Mortenson, Vice President of the Busch Grains Specialty Products Division.

Staying Ahead of the Curve

The 2018 research plot contained 32 varieties – some varieties have been around for 8-10 years, some for 3-5 years, and some varieties are still experimental and not available for purchase. The 2019 plot has a similar amount of Non-GMO food-grade soybean varieties, but over half of them will be experimental or first-year releases, which will help keep Busch Grains ahead of the curve when it comes to knowledge of current and new Non-GMO food-grade soybean varieties.

Soybean Variety Research for Successful Harvest & Food Products

The data from our Non-GMO food-grade soybean production acres, in addition to relevant data from our Non-GMO food-grade soybean variety research, gives us good information that we can use to help contract varieties with our grower base to give farmers the best chances for a successful harvest. We also use this information to keep our customers updated on Non-GMO food-grade soybean varieties that will work best for their product line needs and are available for purchase from Busch Grains.  

Non-GMO soybean seed varieties are used by growers in conventional non-GMO production and can be used by organic growers in organic production if their contract calls for a specific non-GMO variety to be used, or if they cannot find a suitable organically grown soybean seed variety.

Soybean Seed Breeders Work with Busch Grains

Soybean seed breeders work with Busch Grains to field-test their experimental varieties to learn the following:

• Strength or lack of seedling emergence
• Vigor/rate of growth
• Disease tolerance or resistance
• Insect tolerance or resistance
• Effect of the environment of where they are grown
• Crop Yield
• Protein, Oil, and Sugar content, plus other intrinsic qualities required by soybean food manufacturers.

Soybean seed breeders plant many plots like this on their own, but they are usually small plots – 4 rows x 20 feet long. While this gives them a lot of information, planting in a larger plot as we do at Busch Grains can give everyone, including soybean seed breeders, a better look at how a soybean variety will grow and adapt in a field plot situation that mimics full-scale production.  Our plot is normally 6 rows wide by at least ¼ mile long. Having an independent plot like this helps us to collect more data and get a look at potential new soybean varieties a couple of years before others do.

Large-Scale Soybean Research Plot Provides More Data

This larger-scale plot helps us to gather the following information:

• Strength of emergence
• Plant type/structure – is it a “thin line plant,” a “medium bushy plant,” or a ‘bushy” plant type/structure.
• Does the plant type/structure pose any potential problems for the variety?
• Does the plant type/structure require it to be planted in a specific row width, planted at a certain plant population, or grown in a specific environment/soil type?
• How high up on the plant do the flowers and pods begin to develop – 3, 4, 5 inches up from the soil line?
• Disease resistance or issues
• Insect resistance or issues
• Lodging or standability issues – do the plants stay upright or do they have the tendency to lodge/fall over late in the year?
• Seed size and seed coat integrity – are they uniform size and do the seed coats have the tendency to crack or do they remain whole throughout the harvesting and cleaning process?
• YIELD for the farmer!!!
• Intrinsic values such as protein, oil, and total sugar content.
• General appearance and seed coat appearance for food-grade usage.

Why Is This Data Important?

This data is important to help Busch Grains decide if we want to promote a specific soybean variety to our customers or growers for production.

1. From the harvested production of Non-GMO food-grade soybeans and from our Non-GMO food-grade soybean research plot, we send samples to our customers for their evaluation of the intrinsic qualities of the soybean for cooking/processing quality, and for final product approval.
2. Customers not only look at intrinsic properties such as protein, oil, and sugar content of the soybean sample, they also do test runs of actual food production to evaluate the performance of the variety for use in their final product
3. Customers also look at seed size and uniformity of the soybean variety. Seed uniformity improves the stability of the final product, the process flow, and can help determine processing time.
4. Seed coat issues such as cracks, chips, or tears in the seed coat will affect absorption rates and final product yield, resulting in a poor-quality finished product.
5. Final product evaluation – texture, form, smoothness, taste – all can vary from variety to variety.
6. General appearance of the soybean – size, uniform shape, and cleanliness of the soybean seed are aesthetic properties that are extremely important to our food soybean customers.

Research Helps Develop Relationships

Doing this type of research plot helps us develop closer relationships with the soybean seed companies and soybean breeders that are developing new Non-GMO Food Grade soybean varieties. We can give them our observations on what is working and what is not, plus let them know what our customers are looking for in a food-grade soybean variety. Also, growers want as much hard data as they can get to make buying and contracting decisions.

Busch Grains becomes another unbiased source for the information they need to make their decisions – mainly based on agronomic data. By having a research plot like ours, it shows growers that we are committed to growing only varieties that yield and perform well in the field for them and that we are not just giving them average genetics to grow. It also helps develop a sense of trust and professionalism with our growers AND customers, by showing them we are knowledgeable in what we are asking them to grow and knowledgeable in what we are selling to them. 

If you are interested in growing or purchasing food-grade soybeans, you can contact Craig Tomera at 952.983.1289 or by email, or Roger Mortenson at 952.983.1331 or by email.

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We met with Food Navigator at the IFT 2019 show where our VP of Product Development, Roberto Serrano, spoke about the past, present, and future of oats.

Be sure to check out Food Navigator’s original article and watch the video.

Learn more about Busch Grains’ oat products >

If you have questions or would like to request samples, we invite you to contact the sales representative for your area.

The post How Busch Grains Keeps Up With Year-Round Oats: Food Navigator Interview appeared first on Busch Grains.

Not all oats are created equal. Busch Grains’ growth and success over the last 30+ years is
largely due to the support of our growers who provide us with the highest quality oats through the production of a food-grade oat crop.

Food-grade oats are grains that are destined to become an ingredient for human consumption. These oats need to be clean with plump, high test-weight kernels. It is important that we buy “an ingredient” and not a commodity.

Over the years we have been approached by numerous growers asking what they can do to produce food-grade oats. Busch Grains’ Crop Sciences team is dedicated to helping
farmers produce a crop of the greatest quality and quantity.

The information in this article contains the best tips from our Crop Sciences team and is designed to be used as a resource to help growers achieve these quality specifications and goals.

1. Variety & Field Selection

Varietal selection is one of the most important considerations when producing oats
destined for human consumption. The oats have several differing characteristics
including yield, lodging resistance, test weight, hull percentage, hull color,
maturity, and disease resistance.

There is not a certain oat variety that will be best for all situations. Environmental
factors including previous crops, disease problems, fertility, season length,
rainfall, temperature, and soil types play a significant role in determining
which oat variety will be best for the growing conditions.

In order to maximize yield and quality, some factors of the potential field selection must
be evaluated:

• Fields should be relatively free of wild oats and have minimal to no herbicide residue
  carryover.
• It is best practice to NOT rotate cereal grains back-to-back with oats.
• More desirable rotational crops include canola, hay fields, soybeans, and/or other legumes.
• Oats can tolerate cooler and wetter soils than many other crops and can germinate at soil temps
  as low as 45°F or 7°C. Early planting will typically help provide a production edge later in the season.

2. Seeding

To ensure purity, germination, and overall quality, it is recommended to use certified seed. To provide defense against weeds and weather, oats should be seeded early. Weather is a significant factor to be aware of when planning the seeding process, considering oats can germinate in soil temps as low as 45°F or 7°C.

The recommended seeding rate for oats usually varies between 80 and 130 pounds per
acre, depending upon the amount of seeds per pound. The goal of this seeding rate is to have a final stand of 18-25 plants per square foot. It is important to calculate seeding rate in the method described below, because individual kernel size can vary greatly among varieties and crop years. Calculating seeding rate in this fashion can ensure you achieve optimal plant populations, which reduces tillering and improves both yield and quality. To accurately calculate seeding rate, use seeds per pound and the following formula:

3. Fertility & Weed Control

Although oats are a hardy crop, they require fewer nutrients than many other crops. Soil
tests are recommended to determine nutrient levels within the soil and accurately determine additional nutrient needs.

Organic and conventional systems share common weed control tactics:

• Early planting allows the crop to canopy and compete better with weeds.
• Oats are known to provide an allelopathic (the chemical inhibition of one plant acting as a germination or growth inhibitor) residue that hinders germination of many weeds.
• The seeding rate plays a factor in overall weed control. An adequate stand will help shade and create stronger competition against weeds.
• Conventional systems also allow for use of herbicides to help promote weed control. Be sure to only use approved herbicides and to always follow label directions for application.

4. Insects & Diseases

Monitoring disease pressure is just as important in oats as any other crop. A handful of
fungal diseases bring about the largest area for concern. Crown and Stem Rust,
Septoria, and Fusarium Head Blight are the most prominent. Within a conventional system, each of these fungal diseases can be treated with timely applications of fungicides. When in an organic system, control comes from genetic resistance increasing the importance of variety selection.

• Crown Rust:  Symptoms of this fungal disease consist of red/orange colored pustules forming on the leaves of the oat plant. Fields should be scouted during the late 4 leaf stage and into flag leaf. Fungicide control for crown rust is most effective when applied during flag leaf.
• Septoria:  A fungal disease that exhibits symptoms first as small spots on the lower leaves of seedlings. Spots grow into larger, lens-shaped lesions which are initially yellow and later turn reddish brown. Lesions are first found on lower leaves within the plant canopy. Wet, warm, and humid conditions promote growth. Fungicide applications have been known to help control spread and damage of the disease.
• Fusarium Head Blight:  Fusarium Head Blight: Common symptoms are pink and tan shading at the base of an infected glume. This fungal disease is known to produce the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON), more commonly known as vomitoxin. It is hard to scout for and detect within an oat crop. Fungicide application during flag leaf has been known to help reduce effects of FHB.
• BYDV:  Also known as Red leaf, it is a virus that turns an infected leaf red or yellow and causes it to curl toward the midrib. The most common vector for BYDV is the Cherry Oat Aphid. BYDV is best controlled with genetic resistance variety selection. The newer varieties typically show resistance.

5. Maturity & Harvesting

Oats, unlike many other grains, mature from the top of the panicle downward. Since
90% of grain is in the bottom two-thirds of the head, it is important to ensure proper maturity before harvest.

• Swathing:  Ideal grain moisture range is between 20-25%.
  The greenest kernels should have just changed to a cream color. Swathing the
  oats too early will have a negative effect on test weight and milling quality.
  The oats should then dry to approximately 14% in the windrow before combining.
• Straight Cutting:  This should be done once the
  oats have reached full maturity and the grain has dried to a moisture of
  approximately 14-15%. Straight cutting may be done providing that adequate air-drying
  is available prior to long term storage.

The desired moisture specification for delivery to Busch Grains’ facilities is
13.5%.  If there is no on-farm capacity for bringing moisture down (aeration storage, grain dryer, etc.) then target harvest moisture should be 13.5% or less.

It is important to avoid de-hulled kernels when harvesting. If conditions are dry, widen concave and slow cylinder speeds to prevent de-hulling and kernel breakage. Perform reverse procedure if threshing quality is poor. Increasing fan speed will provide heavier test weights and higher quality milling oats.

6. Storage

Proper grain storage is imperative to maintain quality milling oats. Storage for oats
should be clean and dry; aeration is best if available. The target moisture should be between 11-13% when entering the bin for long-term storage.

If the oats are harvested above 14%, the proper use of a grain dryer is
recommended to bring down the moisture to an appropriate level. When drying
oats, the dryer should remain at a temperature of less than 160°F (70°C). Grain
temperature should not exceed 120°F (50°C) during the drying process. After
drying, the oats should be aerated in order to reduce the temperature for
greater quality preservation.

When moisture is below 14% at harvest, simple aeration will be able to bring down the moisture to storage levels. Be sure to only run fans on cool and dry days. As with all grain, oats should be closely monitored for hot spots or quality deterioration.

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NEED ASSISTANCE?

If you have questions about producing food-grade oats, or any other grains, our Crop Sciences team is here to help. You are welcome to email us or call 952.983.1269.

Learn about our free Sustainability Program >

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• Part 1 – Field & Seed Selection
• Part 2 – Disease Identification, Management & Prevention
• Part 3 – Corn Harvest

Safe and effective storage of corn on-farm is an important step to preserve grade, prevent damage from molds and insects, and ensure food safety of the quality corn that’s harvested.

Here are Busch Grains’ Crop Specialists’ top 10 tips for drying, storing, and handling of food-grade corn.

1. THOROUGHLY CLEAN BINS

All bins and handling equipment – regardless of size/capacity, frequency of use, and location – MUST be thoroughly cleaned, removing all previous grain residues, molds, and debris. This includes cleaning out of all bin augers and transfer equipment, as well as underneath perforated drying and/or aeration floors. Besides the removal of all grain and foreign materials, we recommend the use of high-pressure air. Molds, insects, grain dust, foreign material, broken grain, and water can collect in these areas and quickly create a “cocktail” of molds and mycotoxins which can spread effectively into the stored grain mass. SAFETY FIRST – always disconnect all power sources to any mechanical devices and/or bins before cleaning.

2. COMPLETELY SEAL BINS

All bins, regardless of size or structure, must be able to completely seal to prevent water from getting to the grain (via rain, snow, wind, etc.) and/or insect infestation. All bins should have tight hatches and covered vent openings. There should be a clean area around the bins with no weeds, piles of debris, or old grain spillage in order to avoid insect and mold growth. Repair any hole, crack, or seam with a food-safe, strong material prior to filling the bin.

3. UNIFORMLY DRY AND COOL BEFORE LONG-TERM STORAGE

All corn must be uniformly dried and cooled to ambient temperatures prior to long-term storage (over 1 month). Although some “equilibration” of moisture can occur in grain masses, you should NEVER blend wet corn (over 15%) with dry grain, and simply hope for moistures to “even out”. Insects will seek out the damper grain pockets, and molds and mycotoxins will grow quickly in ambient air. Immediately after drying grain, attempt to cool it to within 10 degrees F of outside air.

4. DRY AT ACTUAL GRAIN TEMPERATURE

Never dry corn over 110 degrees F (actual grain temperature) and be sure to use high volumes of air. Drying at higher temperatures will increase the number of stress cracks. A high amount of stress cracks reduces the quality of the corn and limits the use in some food markets.

5. MONITOR MOISTURE LEVEL

We recommend moistures of clean corn grain to be less than 15% moisture when stored or delivered in the fall and winter, and not higher than 14.5% moisture if stored and delivered in the following spring. During summer and early fall, it is recommended that moisture is reduced to 14% to help reduce mycotoxin risk. Busch Grains requires 14.5% or less moisture at delivery.

6. MECHANICALLY CLEAN

If the harvested corn contains significant levels of foreign material, cracked, broken, or diseased kernels we highly recommend cleaning the grain with a mechanical grain cleaner/sieve and/or air volume prior to storage. Increased handling of corn will cause higher levels of broken kernels and other foreign material. Foreign material (fines, weed seeds, dirt, etc.) is normally higher in moisture than the actual grain kernels. The corn grain stores much better with air movement throughout the bin, and some relatively easy cleaning prior to long-term binning facilitates air movement through the grain.

7. VENTILATE AND ADJUST TEMPERATURE

Provide for adequate ventilation of the grain via aeration fans, attempting to keep the grain within 10 degrees F of ambient outside temperature.

During the fall and early winter, cool the grain on a regular basis until the grain temperature nears freezing. For extended storage periods, you should warm the grain in the spring, attempting to bring the grain up 5 degrees F (or less) at a time to avoid moisture formation in the grain mass. During summer months, aerate during cool, dry nights to hold grain temperatures down.

It is critical that once a temperature change is initiated, it must be continued until complete. If this is not done, when the aeration is stopped, the warm, moist air will condense on the cool grain, and a crust will develop, usually within the top few feet of the grain mass. Depending upon bin size, the volume of grain stored in that bin, and bin manufacturer, a general rule of thumb for effective grain aeration is at least 1/4th CFM/bu.

8. MONITOR MOISTURE AND TEMPERATURE

Develop a plan and schedule for safe grain moisture and temperature monitoring. During the fall and spring, we recommend checking the bins weekly to avoid rapid moisture and temperature variations. Remember, on warm spring days, the grain just inside the shiny metal bins on the sunny side of bin warms quickly, and far slower on the shaded side. The bin can then form its own “atmosphere,” and grain spoilage can occur.

9. “TURN” BINS IF AERATION IS NOT AN OPTION

If aeration is not an option for a bin, many farmers have successfully “turned” (emptying and refilling) a bin while incorporating a rapid, effective cleaning operation to remove more fines, debris, and light material. Many farmers have reported small increases in test weights when performing this operation in addition to being able to store the grain longer. Effective, licensed fumigations can also be performed along with this practice.

10. APPLY APPROVED FUMIGANTS

Diatomaceous Earth application is approved for organic, but farmers must notify Busch Grains of its use prior to delivery. Licensed grain fumigants can be used for non-organic certified corn stored for several months on-farm but must not leave ANY traces of residues.

NEED ASSISTANCE?

If you have questions about drying, storing, or handling of food-grade corn, or any other topics, our Crop Sciences team is here to help. Please feel welcome to contact your Busch Grains representative.

This wraps up our series on tips for producing food-grade corn. If you missed a previous post, you can view them all here:

• Part 1 – Seed & Field Selection
• Part 2 – Disease Identification, Management & Prevention
• Part 3 – Corn Harvest
• Part 4 – Drying, Storage & Handling (you are here)

Please note: The information in this post is a reference tool for corn growers in the upper Midwest of the United States, including parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Iowa. This information is believed to be accurate and complete, however, it is designed for informational purposes only and Busch Grains, Inc. makes no representation, warranty, or guarantee that desirable results will always be obtained if followed.

Learn about our free Sustainable Grower Program >

The post Tips to Producing Food-Grade Corn, part 4 – Drying, Storage & Handling appeared first on Busch Grains.

Proper harvesting techniques are important for creating initial grain quality, as many attributes are affected by harvest. When starting harvest, grain moisture should be around 20% if possible. Wet corn or corn that becomes too dry prior to harvest will break or crack easier during the threshing process.

PURCHASING SPECIFICATIONS

Busch Grains purchasing specs allow for a maximum of 2% broken corn and foreign material (BCFM). BCFM is measured by shaking a sample over a 12/64th round sieve – anything that falls through is considered part of this content.

REDUCING CRACKED & BROKEN KERNELS

Proper adjustment of the combine can help growers meet these requirements. Start with a wider concave setting and lower rotor speeds than recommended. Once harvest has started, begin to increase speeds and tighten the concave to find the ideal settings. By performing the process in this manner, you will reduce the amount of cracked and broken kernels which become FM in the final grain product. It can also be beneficial to increase fan speed to help reduce the amount of FM in the grain.

REDUCE GMO CONTAMINATION

Reducing GMO presence in Non-GMO and organic corn is critical when striving to participate in the food market. Though you have carefully planned field locations, it can be difficult to completely control pollen drift. To help reduce the risk of GMO contamination, it can be beneficial to harvest border rows, keeping that corn separate from what is being sent to the food market until it can be tested for GMO presence. It is also suggested that you have your seed tested prior to planting for detection of any GMOs.

HARVESTING WHITE CORN

When harvesting white corn, the border rows should also be used to help flush any yellow corn from the combine and other equipment. This is done to reduce the risk of yellow corn contamination in the grain. Flushing equipment is still important in yellow corn harvest, but it is done to help reduce general foreign material.

NEED ASSISTANCE?

If you have questions about producing or harvesting food-grade corn, our Crop Sciences team is here to help. Please feel welcome to contact your Busch Grains representative.

More in this series:

• Part 1 – Field & Seed Selection
• Part 2 – Disease Identification, Management & Prevention
• Part 3 – Harvest (You are here)
• Part 4 – Drying, Storage & Handling

Please note: The information in this post is a reference tool for corn growers in the upper Midwest of the United States, including parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Iowa. This information is believed to be accurate and complete, however, it is designed for informational purposes only and Busch Grains, Inc. makes no representation, warranty, or guarantee that desirable results will always be obtained if followed.

Learn about our free Sustainable Grower Program >

The post Tips to Producing Food-Grade Corn, part 3 – Harvest appeared first on Busch Grains.

It is important to monitor the crop condition of your food-quality corn during the growing season in order to prepare for the timing of your harvest, your grain-drying operations, and your grain-handling & storage procedures.

There are many stresses that can contribute to the development of corn plant diseases and mycotoxins, including weather stress, nutrient deficiencies, and insect damage. Individual or combinations of these stresses can be catastrophic to a crop, affecting crop yield and the acceptability of your food-corn hybrid production.

We’ve listed below four of the most common diseases that can affect corn, including causes, what to look for, and tips for controlling and preventing disease. Familiarize yourself with these diseases and signs so that you can be aware prior to and during harvest.

DIPLODIA EAR ROT

Possible Causes

• Wet weather and moderate temperatures allow an infection to occur if spores are present from early silk until three weeks after silking.
• Wet weather during grain fill and upright ears with tight husks promote the development of Diplodia.

How to Identify & Effects

• Tan spots on husks, bleached husks, or brown husks on green plants are outward symptoms of Diplodia.
• The fungal infection starts at the base of the ear and moves toward the ear tip.
• Reduced grain quality and yield due to smaller kernel size and lower test weight.

Management & Prevention

• Hybrid selection can be important for disease tolerance or resistance. View our 2019 corn hybrid recommendations.
• Rotate corn fields out of corn for at least one year.
• Partial or complete burial of corn residue may provide some disease control. Potential Diplodia infection is highly dependent upon the quantity of unburied infected corn residue.
• Clean grain after drying and before storing to remove lighter, damaged kernels; cobs; and fines.
• Monitor stored grain routinely for moisture content, grain temperature, and the development of storage molds.

GIBBERELLA EAR ROT

Possible Causes

• Often a problem in the Northern and Eastern Corn Belt areas.
• Infection is favored by cool, wet weather during and after pollination.
• The fungus overwinters in the infected crop residue and spreads to the current crop by wind and rain splash.

How to Identify & Effects

• Identified by the red or pink color of the mold starting at the ear tip, moving down toward the base of the ear.
• Early, severely infected ears may rot completely, with husks tightly adhering to the ear and mold growing between the ear and husk.
• Reduced grain yield, quality, and test weight.
• Grain storage life may be greatly reduced.
• Mycotoxins in the form of vomitoxin (DON) may develop, making the grain inferior or unsuitable for food, feed, or ethanol production.

Management & Prevention

• Hybrid selection is important for tolerance to this disease. View our 2019 corn hybrid recommendations.
• Partial or complete burial of corn residue may provide some control.
• Scout fields before harvest – harvest the infected fields early to limit disease development.
• Clean grain after drying and before storage to remove lighter and damaged kernels.
• Monitor stored grain routinely for moisture content, grain temperature, and the development of storage molds.
• Test for the presence of mycotoxins.

ASPERGILLUS EAR ROT

Possible Causes

• More common in hot and dry growing conditions during pollination and grain fill.

How to Identify & Effects

• Gray-green, olive, yellow-green, or yellow-brown powdery mold growth on and in between kernels.
• Symptoms are often found at damaged areas on the ear.
• Fungal spores become airborne and infect damaged kernels or grow down the silk channel when the silks are moist and yellow-brown in color.
• Damage to corn ears and/or kernels from wind, hail, or insects are avenues for infection.
• Mycotoxins (aflatoxin) may occur with the development of the ear mold, although mold growth can occur without the development of mycotoxins.
• Reduces grain yield, quality, and test weight.

Management & Prevention

• Little if any resistance in hybrids at this time.
• Since fungal spores overwinter in plant residues, partial or complete burial of infected plant residue reduces disease inoculum.
• Limit damage from ear-feeding insects by using appropriate field treatments.
• Clean corn after drying and before going into storage to reduce broken, damaged, infected, lightweight kernels; foreign material; and fines.
• High concentrations of aflatoxin may be found in screenings, so dispose of correctly.
• Monitor stored grain routinely for moisture content, grain temperature, and the development of storage molds.

FUSARIUM EAR MOLD

Possible Causes

• Most common fungal disease on corn ears.
• Main point of entry is through insect damage.
• Infection occurs over a wide range of environmental conditions but is most prevalent in warm, dry conditions after silking.
• Airborne spores can germinate and grow down silk channels to infect the corn ear.

How to Identify & Effects

• Infection occurs on scattered or groups of corn kernels.
• Appears as a white, pink, or red cottony mold and has a characteristic “starburst” streaking pattern on the kernels.
• Ear rot severity is usually related to European Corn Borer, Western Corn Cutworm, and corn earworm damage.
• Fungal spores survive on crop residue and can also overwinter on other grass crops.
• Grain yields, quality, and test weights are affected.
• In severe infestations, corn ears may be completely consumed by the fungus. Fusarium infections can produce Fumonisin – one of the most commonly occurring mycotoxins in the corn belt.

Management & Prevention

• Choose hybrids that have tolerance/resistance to Fusarium. View our 2019 corn hybrid recommendations.
• Rotate infected fields out of corn production for at least a year.
• Partial or complete burial of corn residue may provide some disease control.
• Limit damage from ear feeding insects by using appropriate field treatments.
• Clean corn after drying before going into storage to reduce broken, damaged, infected, lightweight kernels, foreign material, and fines. Monitor storage bins for moisture, grain temperatures and for the development of storage molds.

NEED ASSISTANCE?

If you suspect one of these diseases to be present in your food-corn production or have questions concerning the identification or management of these diseases, our Crop Sciences team is here to help. Please feel welcome to contact your Busch Grains Crop Sciences representative.

Learn about our free Sustainable Grower Program >

The post Tips to Producing Food-Grade Corn, part 2 – Disease Identification, Management & Prevention appeared first on Busch Grains.