Sit Back, Relax and Watch it Live!

On June 23rd, Pete Clark and his ‘egg-cellent’ crew showed up at the site to infest the Genuity Smartstax demonstration area with corn rootworm eggs. Once the little critters hatch, they will begin to create a good visual display of the benefits that the multiple modes of action in Smartstax will offer to the grower.






It was a busy day at the site, as that same day, the new web cam was installed on the Southeast corner of the site. This means now you too can join in the excitement and see the plot progress over the summer by watching it on your computer . It’s just like being there – only without the heat and humidity (be thankful you don't have to endure it)!

Thanks to everyone who helped out on Tuesday!

Hot and Steamy - Just the Way the Plants Like It

Off and growing! The corn and soybean demonstrations at the site are looking excellent! They certainly have all the moisture and heat units they need for now, at any rate.

Yesterday, June 22nd, Larry Weller and I planted the cotton and sugarbeet demos and did some site maintenance. The temperature in Decatur was 95 degrees yesterday, so when combined with the humidity, the heat index was just over 147 degrees (or at least it felt like it).

Most of the corn is in the V2 or V3 stage, and the soybeans are opening up the first trifoliate. The only germination problems we had were two very old lines in the history of corn and soybean area, and we hopefully have those filled in now (I guess that’s why those lines are history).

The Seminis vegetable plot is coming along nicely, and we will be adding peppers to the mix soon. We had no damage to the plants from last week’s storm, but the fence is leaning a little more, and will be straightened up next week. As long as Mother Nature remains in a good mood, we should be in good shape for now.

Better Late than Never, Right?

At long last, Mother Nature relented and the first seeds were finally planted in the ground at the Farm Progress Show site earlier this month! Soil conditions were very good in Decatur on Saturday the 6th, and although we were threatened with one passing sprinkle of rain, everything went as planned (for once).


All corn and soybeans are in the ground with the exception of a seed treatment demo and a twin row plot. Next to plant will be the Seminis vegetable display and the specialty crops such as cotton and sugarbeet.

I am excited about the new design for this year’s display, and once the crop begins to emerge things should really start looking sharp!

Special thanks to Chris Noble for bringing down the GenV planter, and also to Larry Weller and intern Genessa Cox for their help in making things run like clockwork. All we need now is cooperation from the weather. And that’s not too much to ask after the spring we had, is it?

What Do a Planter, a Snorkel and Flippers all Have in Common?

What do those three things have in common? They are all items to describe this spring, except the planters were at a standstill.

Now that you know what our weather has been, we can dig right in. It has begun at last! The rain finally stopped and on Thursday, May 21st, we were able to put away the snorkel masks and flippers and actually begin the site preparation for this year's Farm Progress Show.

With the help of Research Assistant Chase Heap, we flagged out the new triangle design and applied nitrogen where the corn will be located. As long as Mother Nature continues to be kind, look for some planting photos!

Special thanks to area farmer David Brix for helping us with tillage at the site, and to Larry Weller for keeping an eye on things and doing site maintenance.