Looking Spiffy at Farm Progress

The appearance of the site has changed dramatically over the past couple of weeks. The tent structures are up, and most of the fence is now in place.





To give you a sneak peek at other features in our "Yields of Tomorrow" plot this year besides plants, is machinery. The GEN V planter was set in place last week along with a research plot combine to help showcase some of the technology our researchers are utilizing. It really is some exciting stuff and we'll be able to show growers what work is being done behind-the-scenes to improve agronomic practices on their farm to help reach even higher yields.



In addition, the Bt soybeans were infested with velvet bean caterpillar last week by Monmouth Learning Center technician Dudley Ricketts and Technical Development Representative Associate Brian Hogendorp and Stephanie Smith infested the biotech plots with corn earworm. In the photos below, you can see how much they enjoy their job - I think the smile on their faces says it all.


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A lot of work going on and showtime is almost upon us! Stay tuned for more to come and most importantly, we hope to see you there!

I'm Famous on YouTube?

Okay, maybe I'm not famous on YouTube, but I have taken the first step - I've made my YouTube debut. 

In order to generate even more excitement about this year's show, Monsanto's Public Affairs department came out to get an interview about what goes on behind the scenes. 

Sit back, grab some popcorn and enjoy the video!

Progression at Progress City

Monday the 20th saw some major progress at the site! Several new demonstrations were planted, including a seed treatment plot, a row spacing/plant population demo, and a ‘Refuge in the Bag’ concept plot.

In addition, several treatments were infested with fall armyworm (photo below), so we should be seeing some feeding damage soon, along with a good visual demonstration of the protection against this insect that VT3Pro and SmartStax will bring to growers.

We also brought along a big crew to help out with cutting back the rows to make the plots look nice and neat. The new triangle design is really taking shape!

Tyne Morgan also stopped by for a visit, so be on the lookout for some video footage from the show site coming soon.

Special thanks to interns Ben Brown and Genessa Cox along with TDRA’s Stephanie Smith, Brian Hogendorp, and Felipe Zabala for all of the help they provided Monday (photos below).

We’re nowhere near done yet, so stay tuned!

Moisture Measuring Madness

The folks from Aquaspy came last week to install the moisture probes. These probes monitor moisture levels in the soil profile to a 5’ depth and send that information in to our database every 15 minutes. The data will then be mapped to show where water is being removed by the roots within the soil profile and confirm the depth of rooting. This type of technology helps us in our research on Genuity SmartStax and that data will show how those plants are better able to mine for water and nutrients.

Photos of the moisture probes are below, both of it being set up and the finished product.

Next week will be extremely busy as yet more demos will be planted and construction will begin on some of the showcase structures. Keep checking back for updates, and don’t forget you can see it all from the comfort of your own home on our webcam!

The show is getting closer and so much is left to do; stay tuned to the blog for the latest updates!

Veggies Get Some Love in Plot

Who says I don’t know beans? Last Thursday, July 2nd, the next portion of the Seminis demonstration area was planted with two varieties of green beans. Within the next couple of weeks, the demo should be completed with the addition of pepper plants transplanted from the Monmouth Learning Center greenhouses.

In addition to planting veggies, we also applied some nitrogen to the corn inbred demo and sugarbeets, and added a couple other little goodies that you’ll hear more about later! The storm damage to the fence was also repaired last week, so the site is looking sharper every day (as you can see below)!

Thanks again to Larry Weller for his help with site maintenance - he's pictured below working hard, as always.

Keep checking back, as the next couple of weeks should be busy at the site!

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.