Extension
Connection
Extension
Connection
Planning for Next Year
By Heather Benedict, Agronomist Specialist
This is Heather Benedict, Regional Agronomy Specialist. I am based out of Bethany Mo. I serve Worth, Gentry, Harrison, Mercer, Grundy, Daviess, Caldwell and Livingston Counties. I will be bringing you today’s program.
All we have to do this week is to listen to the news or pick up a paper to get discouraging news about the economy. The fluctuations in the stock market have even the most respected of economists making qualifying statements. The truth is no one really knows what is going to happen. With all of the uncertainty, it is reassuring to know that agriculture is one profession that will always be needed. So as long as the input prices can be kept low, farmers can have the comfort of job security.
The time for harvest is here and soon thoughts of planting next year’s crops will be upon us. As you consider what to plant, keep in mind some useful tips from the university researchers. If you are planting soybeans, remember that there are different genetic lines of nematode resistant soybeans, and planting one line exclusively may result in a buildup of nematodes that are able to infect that particular line. This can result in lower crop yield. You may want to think about switching to another genetic line of soybeans, or having your soil tested for nematodes. While I am on the subject of soil tests, if you think you may need one, contact your local extension office to see about having your soil tested you can test for nematodes or fertility. Although there is a fee for soil tests, it is money well spent. Benjamin Franklin said, “A penny saved is a penny earned” but I know he couldn’t have been talking about soil tests.
If soybeans are not for you, but instead you are considering your pasture or hay crops, think about the amount of legumes in your pastures. Inter-seeding legumes into grass pastures can raise the quality of your pastures and lower the fertilizer cost. Also frost seeding is an effective method for many legumes, so winter is the time to plan for next year’s pastures. Maybe “A penny saved is a penny earned” can more readily be applied to saving money on fertilizer by using legumes than to skipping soil tests.
More information and the research on the practices I have discussed as well as on many more subjects can be found in your local extension office. So if you would like further information on this or any other topic contact your local University of Missouri Extension office. University of Missouri and Extension programs are open to all. Thank you for your tim
(Written October 6, 2008)
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Extension Connection Barb Ubben, Web Manager harrisonco@missouri.edu Last revised: 05/25/04 |