Maximizing the Potential of Biotech Traits

I think I may have mentioned that I get behind on my reading during the growing season and sampling season.  I outdid myself this time.  I ran across my June 2011 issue of CSA News.  As luck would have it, that issue is as relevant today as it was nearly 2 years ago.  The cover title is " The role of Agronomists in Maximizing the Potential of Biotech Traits.  The cover story talks about the need for producers to integrate all that goes into producing a crop


Justus Von Liebig promoted the concept that crops can only respond to the level allowed by the least available nutrient, called the law of minimum.  This idea is a simplification as this article talks about, but the barrel illustration is famous and effective in making the point.  I did not find that idea specifically, but the article brought it to mind, because it talks about the need for producers to integrate all crop production factors in order to maximize the yield potential for our land.

We start with soil health as the basis for our work.   Our concept is that healthy soils produce healthy crops.  You can have the top yielding hybrid available, but are you doing all you can to take advantage of that potential.  We look at the following to see if our customers are at the top of their production potential. 

• Is your soil drainage at its optimum.  Good drainage can improve timeliness of field operation, help warm soils, and help nutrients to be more available.
• Are you losing production or productivity to soil erosion?  
• Are you using the minimum amount of tillage possible?  Reduced tillage helps preserve Soil Organic Matter, a valuable component of your soil that contributes to nutrient availability, tilth, and moisture absorption.  Maybe cover crops are appropriate.
• Are you controlling or managing soil compaction? 
• How are your soil nutrient levels?  Getting levels past the bare minimum to grow a crop may be needed to maximize yields under stress conditions.  There is no magic juice!
• Are you controlling weeds? 
• Are you  managing  pests?  An integrated approach of genetically traited seed, regular scouting, and timely application of pesticides is most effective.
• Are you managing disease pressures?  The approach should be much the same as with managing pests.  Crop rotations can help.  
• Are you planting the ideal plant population for you crop variety?
• Are you selecting varieties that maximize yield potential for your soil types?
• Are you applying nitrogen as needed and timing the application to maximize the benefit of the nitrogen fertilizer.  

The wildcard in the whole thing is the weather in Midwest dryland farming.

It looks like Von Liebig's barrel needs some more staves.  Integrating all the factors I have mentioned are working toward weatherizing your crop production.  Irrigation is an additional tool, but in many parts of Illinois, reliable quantities of irrigation water are not available despite the fact that we are water rich.  Dr. Fred Below's 7 wonders of corn production are another way to look at what I am talking about. 

The good news is that producers do not need to integrate all the factors of crop production on their own.  A good consultant that is intimately familiar with your farm is well worth the money spent.  As much as I would like to say, that producers can rely entirely on their crop and soil consultants I would say you should gather all the information you can.  University specialists, seed company specialists, and chemical reps are all a part of your agronomic team.  Producers are the final decision makers in maximizing the yield potential on their farm.