Irrigation Face Off

Center pivot or subsurface drip?

Farmers are professional decision makers. In every aspect of their work they are faced with choices and options to consider, even when it comes to irrigation systems.

Subsurface drip irrigation or SDI, a low-pressure, high efficiency irrigation system that uses buried drip tubes or drip tape to meet crop water needs is one option. SDI technologies have been a part of irrigated agriculture since the 1960s; with the technology advancing rapidly in the last two decades.

But how does an SDI system stack up to the more popular center pivots that roll over many of the irrigated acres in the Midwest?

“SDI systems are generally thought to be at least as efficient in terms of irrigation water use as center pivot irrigation systems, primarily because they avoid the evaporative losses that occur from exposing irrigation water on the soil surface and in the open above ground environment,” said K-State Extension Specialist, Daniel O'Brien.  “At K-State we have used conservative estimates of 10-20% water savings efficiency with SDI compared to center pivot irrigation.  In field situations were irrigation water availability is not limited, these efficiency gains may not be that important.  But where irrigation water supplies are more limited, 10-20% efficiency gains in irrigation water use could be extremely important and beneficial to an agricultural producer.”

It’s the system’s efficiency that attracted producers Jim and Jeff Reinert, a father/son farming duo from Ensign, KS. Their farm includes two separate SDI systems both 60 acres each, one with 30 inch tape the other with 60 inch.

“The thing you ultimately look for is the value of water,” Jim said.  “As water becomes more and more important to us, it’s something we need to do a better job of conserving.  We also want to be more efficient with our water allocations in relation to our acres. If we can maximize the productivity with a drip tape system to better use our water—that adds a value that is extremely important. Everything we can do to conserve water can only work in our benefit. I’ve been irrigating for the better part of 50 years and I hope my son has that same capability.

Lean, Mean, No-Tilling Machines

Producers gear up for planting season with proper equipment

You carefully plan your crop rotations, shop for seed varieties, budget wisely for chemicals and analyze the markets. But nothing is more important than getting your no-till crop off to the right start with proper seeding.

Attaining good stands in no-till requires hard working planters and drills that can handle residue without the hassle of plugging, penetrate the soil to the desired seeding depth, establish proper seed-to-soil contact and effectively close the seed-vee.

“Having the right equipment, functioning properly is one of the most important factors in no-till,” says Sterling, KS no-till farmer, Lee Scheufler. “It may seem expensive or tedious—but it’s time and money well invested.”

Scheufler and his wife, Margaret, began no-till farming in 1996 after seeing success with on-farm trials. “We decided to gradually switch from conventional tillage to no-till over several years, but in terms of equipment and mindset it was difficult to do both. By 2002 we were 100% no-till with a capital ‘N’ we do as little to disturb the soil as possible.”

The Scheufler’s do that by keeping it simple, yet being open minded. “As far as equipment—we don’t do anything exotic, it doesn’t have to be fancy to get the job done. We have always been the type to test things for ourselves before completely adopting it.”

Keeping with the idea of “try before you buy” the Scheufler’s also do custom work, making it possible for other producers in the area to try no-till without long term commitment. “It’s really about finding what works best for you,” Scheufler said. “It’s not about what everyone else is doing, or having the biggest or best —but about what fits your farm and operation.”

By evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of any piece of planting equipment and making few (if any) adjustments— many available planters and drills can be no-till worthy,, said University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Engineer, Paul Jasa.

With appropriate weight, down pressure and adjustments, most current planters and drills will perform well in no-till conditions, Jasa said. A little time spent in the early spring will help avoid headaches and delays later during the planting season, so consider your equipment needs now.

2009 Kansas Agriculture Outlook

Let's Play A Game

“You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away and know when to run.” These well known lyrics of Kenny Rogers, The Gambler don’t just apply to a game of cards anymore.

As producers look down the road to 2009 a lot of questions come to mind. Hold out for better prices or take the money and run? The stakes are high and the winnings are uncertain.

But every hand’s a winner and every hand’s a loser – it’s all in how you play your cards. Before laying your chips on the table, consider the inside advice of Kansas agriculture leaders.

Kansas Secretary of Agriculture, Adrian Polansky sees 2009 as a year with challenges that will push for sound decision making. “One area we really need to focus on is risk management,” Polansky said. “For production agriculture the volatility that we’ve seen on the input side whether it’s diesel fuel, fertilizer or other inputs; it appears that we are likely to continue to experience volatility. There will certainly be some market dynamics that we will have to pay attention to in order to be successful.”

Polansky also mentions the uncertainty that lies ahead with a new administration on the federal level. “There is certainly interest in some of the critical appointments, we also have much of the Farm Bill yet to be worked through and there are still many unanswered questions in regard to how the Farm Bill will be delivered, which is very significant to all producers.”

In terms of crop agriculture decisions, Polansky says that policy in terms of biofuels could have significant impact on potential profitability. “For agriculture and the rural economy it’s important that we work towards policy decisions to enhance biofuels and bio-refineries that have positive impact.”

Harvest Smarter This Fall

9 Ways to Harvest Smarter

A job worth doing is worth doing right — and when it comes to harvesting crops it couldn't be truer.

Before taking to the field this fall, consider these tips from crop consultants, Extension specialists and professional harvesters to make your harvest more efficient and less stressful.

1. ASSESS FIELD HEALTH.

Dwight Koops, Crop Quest western region vice president in Ulysses, KS, recommends that growers evaluate late-season crop health to make sure they harvest fields with potential standability problems first. “Producers will also want to watch for potential stalk rot, corn borer or stem borer problems in soybeans. Be aware of which hybrids dry down more quickly than others,” Koop says.

2.CALIBRATE YIELD MONITORS.

Taking the time and patience to calibrate a yield monitor properly can go a long way when it comes time to make important decisions from your yield data, says Randy Taylor, Extension machinery specialist at Oklahoma State University.

“You want to know how well it's doing at both high and low flow rates, and make sure that the impact plate and moisture sensors are clean before you start,” he says. “The information is extremely valuable, so make sure it's as accurate as possible.”

3. WATCH MOISTURE LEVELS.

“Fishing around for dry corn can cost money, especially at today's fuel prices,” Koops says. “Therefore, taking the time to find out which fields are ready to harvest before all the equipment is brought to the field should help efficiency.” He suggests having a quality moisture tester on hand to avoid hauling excess water to town and taking a dock.

4. EVALUATE FIELD LOSS OFTEN.

Checking behind the combine to determine field loss is important, says Mark Hanna, agricultural and biosystems engineer at Iowa State University. “Many of the losses occur at the head of the machine; making sure that you have things adjusted appropriately is valuable,” he says. “In reasonable operating conditions, loss is approximately 2 kernels/sq. ft., which equals about 1 bu./acre of loss. Combine operators should be striving for that figure — or less.”

Adjustment and clearance on deck plates is important, as well as making sure that the ear savers are present and in good repair to keep ears from bouncing out of the head, Hanna says. Losing entire ears adds up in a hurry.

5. OPTIMIZE MACHINERY WITH ADJUSTMENTS.

“Make the adjustments on your combine one at a time in order to evaluate what's going on,” Hanna says. “Be prepared and allow time to check on settings in the field. Ordinarily, you want to start at the lower speed setting and then adjust up while maintaining grain quality.”


The idea is to get as much crop-on-crop threshing as possible. When the kernels rub against each other to loosen from the cob, it's much more gentle than rubbing against steel.

Crops have the potential of being higher in moisture this year, Hanna says, which puts a premium on machine setup. “Corn cobs are going to be higher in moisture content, as well, and could be spongier,” he adds. “It's going to put a focus on making sure you get the rotor cylinder speed and concave clearance set appropriately.”

6. CAPITALIZE ON TEAMWORK.

Communication between the combine and cart or truck drivers is critical to maximize efficiency, says Lance Johnson, CEO of Johnson Harvesting Inc., Evansville, MN, a business with 48 years of harvesting experience. “The combine driver has to assist the cart driver in their operation. Both operators need to know where they will meet next and the most efficient way to make this happen,” he says.

“The best combine operator is one who knows how to run a grain cart efficiently. Any time you can have a full grain cart at the end of the field where the truck is located makes the cart much more productive and reduces field compaction considerably,” Johnson says.

7. THROTTLE BACK WHEN POSSIBLE.

While your combine has to run wide open, there is opportunity to throttle back your tractor, Taylor says. “If you can, throttle back a bit. You can still get a lot done if you're not overloading the engine and you'll use less fuel. Think about logistics — the location of your grain cart, your truck and how you harvest your fields — so that you spend less idle time with the machines running.”

8. CONSISTENCY TOPS HURRIEDNESS.

One major harvest blunder Johnson notices is that haste often makes waste. “Hastening harvest doesn't make things go faster; in fact that is when problems and accidents occur,” he says. “Any employer who tells an employee to ‘hurry up’ simply made the mistake of not managing his operation efficiently before they got behind schedule. Steady and consistent always wins over fast and furious at the end of the day; it also puts the most bushels in the bin.”

9.TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND RELAX.

Jim Gleason, Crop Quest eastern region vice president in St. John, KS, encourages producers to slow down a little and be safe. “Taking short breaks throughout the day will aid in staying mentally alert while fighting off fatigue,” Gleason says. “It is a proven fact that more accidents happen when you are worn out or distracted. Also, the driver should always be aware of his surroundings and pay special attention when children are in the area.”

What's Driving Food Prices? (not ethanol)

Ag Economists Analyze High Commodity And Food Prices

In case you haven't heard, food prices are going up. Go ahead... protest, panic, point fingers. It's that evil ethanol industry that's doing this afterall, how dare they use corn to make fuel, taking away from the supply and making the grocery bill go up.

Recent studies of Purdue University ag economists show that in fact the food prices are drven by a combination of factors... not only ethanol. High oil prices, the weak dollar, world production and consumption trends all add a little 'push' to the price. But that's a side of the story less often mentioned.

The following is a excerpt from the press release from Purdue University about the findings:

--- In a Farm Foundation commissioned report, the Purdue economists - Phil Abbott, Chris Hurt and Wally Tyner - highlight key factors gleaned from examining 25 recent studies plus their own analysis. Their conclusion: a complex combination of factors is fueling agricultural commodity price increases and rising food costs.

 Tyner, an expert on energy and policy issues, said the price of oil is an important factor that has increased the demand for biofuels. "About $3 of the corn price increase is due to the higher oil price and $1 to the ethanol subsidy," he said.

 As high oil prices spur demand for biofuels, the increased corn production stimulates demand for fertilizer, diesel, propane and other agricultural inputs. Prices for these inputs have also risen due to the "demand pull" from more corn being produced and subsequently the "cost push" due to the fact that petroleum products are key ingredients in many of these inputs.

More than food & fuel

Getting More From The Kernel 

We often think of corn as a simple commodity, limited to either food or fuel. However, corn can be processed to utilize any or all of its four major components -- starch, protein, oil and fiber -- in thousands of applications, products and alternative uses.

Corn processing continues to find new uses, which benefit consumers around the world and create new markets for producers.

“As corn prices go up, there becomes increased interest in getting more out of it,” says Larry Johnson, director of the Center for Crop Utilization and Research at Iowa State University. Johnson says that while high corn prices have not had an effect on the amount of research being conducted, it has affected the focus.

“We believe you can produce both food and fuel from corn,” Johnson says. “Edible oil, high quality feed, stillage conversion, bran conversion, all of these things, we’re trying to get more out of corn than we used to get.”

Getting more out of corn is something that is the specialty of NatureWorks LLC. Using biopolymer technology, the company manufactures a plastic called polyactide (PLA) and Ingeo fibers, which are licensed to other companies that provide consumer goods. Because these products are corn-made, they use up to 68% less fossil fuel energy than traditional plastics and can break down into compost.

“Consumers are now brutally aware of how oil-based our economy is, not just in terms of what goes into our gas tank, but the products we buy,” says Steve Davies, global marketing director of NatureWorks LLC. “The consumers now get that we need better options. They are driving huge demands for these products today because they are so much more aware of the impact of what they buy and it’s influence on the environment.”

NatureWorks PLA and Ingeo can be found in a variety of products such as packing materials, carpet, hygiene products, fresh food packaging, cleaners, disposable tableware and apparel. Other products becoming more common included plastic gift cards, weed-blocking landscape covering, durable plastic electronic housings and baby diapers.

“Consumer reaction is typically surprised but positive,” Davies says. “Consumers have the idea that doing something good for the environment means giving up something. It’s viewed as something that wouldn’t work as well or look as good, and we’ve taken a lot of trouble to work with downstream manufacturers to make sure the product performs well, looks good and is good for the environment.”

While the acceptance and growth of these corn-based products has been impressive, Davies says the industry has more development to come. “NatureWorks LLC started in 2003 the world’s first and largest bio-plastic facility, and yet it’s still tiny in terms of the global plastic and fiber market,” Davies says. “What we see going forward is PLA, Ingeo and other bio-plastics becoming a fact of life and the norm.”

 

This growing market which offers new uses for corn will also benefit producers, says Nathan Fields, director of research and business development for the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). “If we can diversify the use of corn it will create more marketing opportunities and ultimately help corn growers,” Fields says. “Technology and research in terms of processing is continuously developing, there are a lot of promising applications to be excited about.”

Interested in these new value-added corn products? Check out some of the merchandise on retail shelves that started in a corn field.

-“We milk the cows and grow the bottles” is the motto of Naturally Iowa, Inc. The company packages its certified organic dairy products in PLA containers through a partnership with NatureWorks LLC. For more information visit www.naturallyiowa.com or call 712-542-MILK.

-Mohawk Industries and DuPont’s SmartStrand carpeting is made of readily available agricultural materials, including corn. Stylish, durable and environmentally smart, you can enjoy your corn crop year round right in your living room. For more information visit www.mohawkcarpet.com/carpeting/smartstrandor call 800-2MOHAWK.

-Looking for a unique company promotional item? Corn-based biodegradable plastic mugs, pens, letter openers, rulers and golf tees are available at www.cornmug.com, or call 425-681-2460.

-Get a good night’s sleep with Ingeo fiber pillows and comforters. Available at home stores, these bedding goods offer superior performance and insulation, luxurious comfort, lasting, springy loft and exceptional durability. Visit www.target.com, www.cozywinters.com, or www.bedbathandbeyond.com for more information.

-Look good and feel good by wearing an Ingeo shirt from EcoWear USA of Eden Prairie, MN.  Available in various styles and colors these wrinkle-free, easy care durable shirts will surely make a fashion statement. Furthermore, at the end of its useful life, your Ingeo clothing is fully recyclable. For more information visit www.ecowearusa.com.

-Sam’s Club and Wal-Mart Super Centers now offer PLA packaging on fresh cut fruit, herbs, strawberries, Brussels sprouts and bakery products. Research indicated that with this change to packaging made from corn will save the equivalent of 800,000 gallons of gasoline and reduce more than 11 million lbs. of greenhouse gas emissions.

For additional listings of corn products made using NatureWorks LLC Ingeo fiber and PLA, visit www.ingeofibers.com and www.natureworksllc.com. There you can find more information about the variety of products and where to buy them.

For a complete listing of all products made with corn, visit the NCGA product search page at http://www.ncga.com/research/comm_dev_center/index_PG.asp.

Biofuel Battle

The hot button issue of biofules continue to make headlines across the nation as power players from all industries begin the finger-pointing, fact throwing game. The following is a fact sheet release by the USDA in a joint effort with the DOE.

 
Fact Sheet Gas Prices and Oil Consumption Would Increase Without Biofuels

June 11, 2008

Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman and Secretary of Agriculture Edward T. Schafer sent a letter on June 11, 2008 to Senator Jeff Bingaman addressing a number of questions related to biofuels, food, and gasoline and diesel prices. The letter is available at http://www.energy.gov Without Biofuels, Gas Prices Would Increase $.20 to $.35 per Gallon.The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that gasoline prices would be between 20 cents to 35 cents per gallon higher without ethanol1, a first-generation biofuel.
For a typical household, that means saving about $150 to $300 per year. For the U.S. overall, this saves gas expenditures of $28 billion to $49 billion based on annual gasoline consumption of roughly 140 billion gallons. Ethanol use has exceeded the requirements of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), established in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, demonstrating that refiners and gasoline marketers have an economic advantage to use more ethanol than is required by law.

Biofuels are Reducing America's Dependence on Oil.
Without biofuels, DOE estimates that the United States would have to use 7.2 billion more gallons of gasoline in 2008 in order to maintain current levels of travel (a 5 percent increase). This increased demand for gasoline would drive up the price Americans pay at the pump due to basic supply and demand.

Biofuels are Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions.DOE scientists found that corn ethanol from the U.S. reduced greenhouse gas emission 19 percent compared with gasoline, when the full "life cycle" of the fuel is considered – from growing it to producing the fuel and burning it. DOE scientists estimate that 13 million tons of greenhouse gases were avoided in 2007 due to biofuels production and use. The next generation of biofuels—cellulosic—made from switchgrass, corn stover, wood chips and other non-food sources promises even more significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions than corn-based ethanol – reductions of more than 86 percent compared with gasoline.

[1] This estimate relies on data on the current price difference between ethanol and gasoline and the elasticity of supply for petroleum. Consequently, a range is presented.

Today's Biofuels Account for Only a Small Percentage of the Increase in Global Food Prices.
Other factors are responsible for the majority of the increase in global food prices:
Higher oil and gas prices leading to increased costs of fertilizer, harvest, and transportation; Increased demand as developing countries grow and people improve their diets; Two years of bad weather and drought leading to poor harvests in parts of the world; Export restrictions imposed by some countries.

Future Biofuels Will Alleviate Much of the Concern about Competition Between Food and Fuel.Cellulosic biofuel feedstocks can be produced on land not suitable for crops or it can be collected from forest residues. The Administration has announced more than $1 billion for the research, development, and demonstration of new biofuels technology, with a special focus on cellulosic biofuels. Funding supports: Bioenergy Research Centers where scientists work together to make the conversion of plant fiber to fuel more cost-effective and efficient.