Now Offering Farmers an Advanced Lineup of Genuity® RIB Complete™ Blended Corn Proucts for 2012

Licensee RIB Complete press release

Munson Hybrids Offers Farmers Advanced Lineup of 

Genuity^® RIB Complete^™ Blended Corn Products for 2012

 

                Galesburg, Illinois (January, 2012) – Farmers looking for the convenience of a single-bag refuge management solution can now choose from a lineup of Munson Hybrids corn products that feature refuge-in-the-bag produced by Munson Hybrids’ new state-of-the-art, EPA-approved production facility in Galesburg, Illinois.

                Munson Hybrids recently invested in capital to upgrade production facilities and provide training for employees so farmers can experience the newest corn technology available in the best high-yielding genetics and traits. This is another example of how Munson Hybrids offers quality products with proven genetics and the newest advances in seed technology.

Munson Hybrids offers Genuity^® SmartStax^® RIB Complete^™ corn blend,which provides multiple modes of action for protecting against both above and below ground insects.

“With these latest refuge-in-the-bag products, farmers in this area no longer have to deal with the challenges of calculating and planting a separate, structured refuge,” said John Hennenfent, CEO. They can just put their seed in the planter and go, which will mean simpler refuge management, time savings and more convenience.”

Genuity® SmartStax® RIB Complete™ corn blend combines 95 percent insect protected trait seed and 5 percent non-Bt refuge seed in each bag. In this area, it’s available for sale and planting, where the 5 percent blended refuge is the lowest available, helping farmers to maximize their whole farm yield potential.

 Hennenfent said Munson Hybrids offers a choice of 4 Genuity® SmartStax® RIB Complete™corn blend products in the 102-110 day maturity range. “We are pleased to bring farmers higher yield opportunity in 2012 through the combination of industry-leading insect protection and high-performing Munson Hybrids genetics they will find in this Genuity® RIB Complete product,” said Hennenfent.

                We’re standing the test of time by celebrating 78 years in the industry. In all that time, one thing has remained constant…a strong and independent ownership by families with deep roots in Midwest agriculture. Munson Hybrids has a sales team that brings services that are unmatched and a team of researchers that are always growing with the industry to bring you the best technology and the products you want, know, and deserve. Experience the Munson Difference – relationships with your goals in mind. SmartStax® multi-event technology developed by Monsanto Company and Dow AgroSciences.  For more information, farmers can contact their Munson Hybrids representative or visit www.munsonhybrids.com or www.genuity.com.

 

Monsanto Company is a member of Excellence Through Stewardship® (ETS). Monsanto products are commercialized in accordance with ETS Product Launch Stewardship Guidance, and in compliance with Monsanto’s Policy for Commercialization of Biotechnology-Derived Plant Products in Commodity Crops. This product has been approved for import into key export markets with functioning regulatory systems. Any crop or material produced from this product can only be exported to, or used, processed or sold in countries where all necessary regulatory approvals have been granted. It is a violation of national and international law to move material containing biotech traits across boundaries into nations where import is not permitted. Growers should talk to their grain handler or product purchaser to confirm their buying position for this product. Excellence Through Stewardship® is a registered trademark of Biotechnology Industry Organization. B.t. products may not yet be registered in all states. Check with your Monsanto representative for the registration status in your state. IMPORTANT IRM INFORMATION: RIB Complete™ corn does not require the planting of a structured refuge except in the Cotton-Growing Area where corn earworm is a significant pest. Genuity® SmartStax® RIB Complete™ and Genuity® VT Double PRO® RIB Complete™ corn are blended seed corn products. See the IRM/Grower Guide for additional information. Always read and follow IRM requirements. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Roundup Ready® crops contain genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides. Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. Genuity®, RIB Complete™, Roundup Ready 2 Technology and Design®, Roundup Ready®, Roundup®, SmartStax®, and VT Double PRO® are trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. Ignite® and LibertyLink® and the Water Droplet Design® are registered trademarks of Bayer. Herculex® is a registered trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

 

  

 

America’s Farmers Grow Communities

America’s Farmers Grow Communities is an annual event sponsored by the Monsanto Fund. The program started August 1st and runs through November 30th.  Grow Communities allows farmers to register to win $2500 for their favorite community non-profit organization, such as FFA,        4-H, schools, fire departments and other civic groups. One winner will be selected in each of 1,245 eligible counties in 38 states. Through the program $4.2 million is donated to rural communities across the country.

When you apply the Monsanto Fund will donate $1 to your local United Way to help food banks and other charitable oranizations dealing with hunger in your community.

Winners will be annouced January 2012.

VISIT http://www.monsanto.com/americasfarmers/Pages/grow-communities.aspx?WT.mc_id=1_AFGC to apply!

Lesson Learned

Don’t always judge a corn field by its looks

Despite too wet planting conditions and too dry growing conditions, harvest reports in this region of the state have been better than farmers expected.

From the outside of the field, stalk conditions and kernel size may not be too impressive but, don’t be too quick to underestimate the 2011 crop.

A Northern Illinois farmer was pleasantly surprised with his Munson Hybrids 6805VT3P corn. Due to small ear size, the variety was expected to have the lowest yield in the plot however, yields proved just the opposite. The 6805VT3P corn averaged 205 bu./acre. This excellent continuous corn choice will hide yield due to its kernel depth. The same variety averaged 218 bu./ace in Southern Wisconsin.

At the Munson Hybrids plant, we received 14 inches of rain from May 10th to June 30th. According to agronomist Craig Allaman, “those 14 inches hurt the crop as much as the heat and drought”. From July 1st to August 15th a total of 1.4 inches of rain fell during the most crucial period.

Due to unusual weather conditions, growers are recognizing fungicide application on both corn and soybeans as a huge contributor to the tolerance of this year’s crop. Fungicide is credited for aiding with stress and helping to shut down respiration during high night-time temperatures. During respiration more sugar is produced during photosynthesis for maintenance instead of growth, helping the plant to stay alive, resulting in less energy available for developing kernels.

There’s no rhyme or reason why the majority of corn in the Knox County area has risen above the odds. Allaman says that area soybeans have had the least disease occurrences he can ever remember. Despite little precipitation, the soybean reports in the area have been impressive with many fields averaging 70 bu./acre.

No, the 2011 crop isn’t going to break any record highs but, it’s not likely to break banks either. As farmers continue to harvest the 2011 crop, they’re looking to next season and making orders for their 2012 seed.

Talk to your Munson Hybrids Dealer/DSM for the right variety for your needs and acres. www.munsonhybrids.com

Farm Safety Week

Farmers are gearing up to harvest the 2011 crop, which has proved to be nothing short of trying.

During a time that is already demanding for farmers, safety can often be overlooked.  National Farm Safety and Health Week is September 18-24.

Area fields are experiencing extremely dry conditions, the perfect scenario for tractor and combine fires. The key to preventing these fires is to keep your equipment clean and to prevent any heat source that could cause a fire.

Equipment should be kept as clean as possible, paying special attention to the engine and engine compartment. A clean engine will run cooler, operate more efficiently, and help decrease the chance of a fire.

For the duration of harvest, equipment should be cleaned each night and inspected for any worn or malfunctioning parts. Friction caused by worn belts and overheated bearings are major components in farm equipment fires.  Routine maintenance shouldn’t be over looked during the busy seasons. The time it will take to make these daily inspections is minimal compared to the time that will be lost if you did sustain a fire to your machinery.

 

Despite all proper precautions fires can still occur.   It is recommended that two fully charged, ten- pound ABC dry chemical fire extinguishers be stored on each piece of machinery, one in the cab and one where it can be reached from the ground.  Inspect your fire extinguishers monthly for any cracks in the hoses and inspect the gauge on the extinguisher to ensure it is fully charged.  It’s a good idea to have your fire extinguishers inspected by a fire official annually.

Remember to always carry a cellular phone or 2-way radio with you at all times. Call 911 first and then try to extinguish the fire. It may not be possible to put out every fire, equipment can be replaced but your life can’t. Don’t become a statistic.

Due to the demanding hours, farmers can become fatigued. Stay alert and trade tasks once or twice a day to retain a proper level of awareness.

Have a safe harvest!

 

 

Start Seeing Farmers

If you’re traveling throughout Knox County or any surrounding county you’ve likely spotted the big yellow “Start Seeing Farmers” signs. Munson Hybrids started this project after one too many close encounters. 

Everyone is busy and has places to be, even the farmers in the slow moving equipment. We hope that these signs will help raise awareness during the busy harvest season and remind motorists to be cautious when sharing the roads with farmers.

When the project started we provided the signs to a number of local farm bureaus, the response has been overwhelming. Signs can be seen as far South as Logan County and as far East as Livingston County.

If you would like to have a sign please email cassiel@munsonhybrids.com or call 309-343-8410 and we can discuss arrangements.

Farm Safety Week is September 18^th- 24^th—help promote a safe and happy harvest!

 

Early corn harvest is a way of life at Munson Hybrids

Early corn harvest is a way of life at Munson Hybrids.

If you missed it last night be sure to click the link above to watch Munson Hybrids interview with WQAD’s John David.

Harvest 2011

The average temperature for September in this region of the state is 77 degrees. However, tomorrows forecast calls for a high of 99 degrees.

Despite unseasonable warm conditions, harvest isn’t going to wait for cooler weather.
Above normal temperatures along with little rain has caused farmers to start harvest earlier than expected.

Here at Munson Hybrids, we started seed corn harvest on August 24^th.

Today’s load is reading at 27 ½ percent moisture, which is dryer than anticipated.  Jeff Hennenfent, Operations Manager at MunsonHybrids, says “if farmers haven’t checked their moisture levels they areprobably dryer than they think”

We would like to see seed corn harvested at 30 percent to prevent shelling at harvest.The seed corn is then dried to 12 percent.  Farmers prefer to pick field corn at a lower moisturelevel then seed corn and then dry the corn to 15 percent versus 12. Less germinationis lost when seed corn is stored at 12 percent.

Check back for more harvest updates!

Handling leftover treated seed a delicate matter for Farmers

Proper handling or disposing of any remaining or leftover treated seed is very important to farmers as many are finishing planting across the United States.

Farmers are encouraged to contact their seed company or dealer to find out about their policies and how to properly dispose of treated seed by the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA)

Seed treatments are increasing in popularity, but it is illegal for treated seeds to be in the grain supply, says Andy LaVigne, ASTA president and chief executive officer.

“Some companies will accept returns of treated seeds or help you store them until next year, while other companies have guidelines on how to properly dispose of them,” LaVigne says. “It’s best to keep the lines of communication open and follow protocol to prevent treated seeds from entering the grain trade.”

Given that seed today can act as the delivery mechanism for pest management products, it’s imperative that treated seed not be mixed with grain, explains LaVigne.

“We are all experiencing a growing concern for food safety,” says Gary Anderson of CHS, Inc., and NAEGA chairman. “It’s critical that farmers and the rest of the supply chain follow industry guidelines to ensure a safe supply of grains and oilseeds, and maintain our reputation as a supplier of high quality agricultural products.”

Since 1888, Alan Kemper and his family have been farming corn and soybeans in the Lafayette, Ind., area.

“I work hard every day to help provide a safe and abundant supply of food, fiber and feed,” says Kemper who is ASA’s president. “It is important to my livelihood and to the U.S. economy that this nation keeps its reputation as a leading supplier of high quality grains.”

Ray Gaesser, also with ASA, says it can be difficult to dispose of treated seed, but he understands that there is no tolerance for it.

“It’s important to maintain supply purity,” says Gaesser who farms in the Corning, Iowa, area. “We plant a variety of genetics and traits and if there is an opened or leftover bag, we put it in the fertilizer spreader and spread it in the fall.”

“It’s hard sometimes to do those things, but it’s the right thing to do to keep our customers satisfied and not jeopardize the export market or our grain elevators.”

For Information on proper handling or disposing of any remaining or leftover treated seed please contact our office. Go to our web site at http://www.munsonhybrids.com/ for our contact information.

Yellowish Alfalfa May Need Nitrogen

Yellowing plants in second-year Nebraska alfalfa fields this spring may be short on nitrogen, says Bruce Anderson, University of Nebraska Extension forage specialist.

“What’s happening is the alfalfa is not forming nodules to make nitrogen because the soil is acid or the seed wasn’t inoculated,” says Anderson.

Several calls he has received have reported about alfalfa not doing well. Anderson says the fields have several things in common. The crop was planted last year, and if it was a spring seeding, didn’t grow vigorously in 2010. In most cases, alfalfa hadn’t been grown there for many years, no soil test was taken and the yellowing is variable across the field.

“If the alfalfa is yellow only in low areas, the problem can be phytophthora root rot,” says Anderson. “But what I see more often is a nitrogen deficiency.”

Alfalfa needs a soil pH above 6.2 and adequate inoculum to form nodules, he explains. Surface soils are becoming more and more acid because tillage and nitrogen fertilizer increase soil acidity, and lime is needed to neutralize it. Even if soil pH is acceptable, the correct types of Rhizobium bacteria also are needed. Fields that have not grown alfalfa for several years often need more bacteria added with the seed.

“Remember, soil testing, lime and inoculants pay when needed,” says Anderson.

Applying Soil-Residual Soybean Herbicides after Soybean Emergence

University of Illinois Extension Weed Specialist Aaron Hager says there’s a great likelihood that fields were planted before soil-residual herbicides could be applied

“If soybeans have not yet emerged, it is possible that the application could proceed as originally planned,” Hager says. “However, if a certain number of days have elapsed since planting or if soybeans have begun to emerge, proceeding with the planned application is dependent upon the respective herbicide.”

After the soybeans have begun to emerge only a few herbicides that are mostly applied before panting or emergence can be applied. Soybeans can be severely injured by herbicide active ingredients if applied directly to the soybean plant, or if applied close to soybean emergence.

“Labels often restrict applications to within a certain number of days after planting and/or before there are any visible signs of soybean emergence,” Hager says. “Keep in mind that, in general, the potential for soybean injury can increase as the interval between application and planting decreases.”

Also influencing potential soybean injury is environmental factors such as timing of precipitation in relation to herbicide application and soybean planting or emergence and crop genetics

Not all soil-residual soybean herbicides that can be applied after soybean emergence will control emerged weeds, so additional management procedures, such as adding a herbicide with post emergence activity, may be needed in situations where weeds also have emerged, Hager say.

“Always consult product labels for additional information, such as the need for tank-mix partners or spray additives to improve control of existing weeds,” he says.