Getting ready for planting with MFA's seed experts

Just click on your area of the map on MFAseed.com Area Map  and you can read what your experts are up to. You may also pick between regions by clicking on the area number in the upper left and the list pops up on the seed web page. Here are a few of the latest comments from MFA's top seed sales folks. . .

Kenny Weaver of MFA Seed Area  2

"What do soil temperatures have to do with corn emergence? At what soil temperature do I plant my corn? My usual answer is 56ºF. Corn germinates at 50º, but my answer takes in to consideration that some farmers just look at the maximum day’s temperature and not the low temperature for the day.

Consider how seed reacts in the soil when it is planted. The seed absorbs about 30 percent of its weight in water; temperature does not affect that process.  Temperature does affect the growth of both the radicle (first root) and coleoptile (shoot). With soil temperatures below 50º, seeds readily absorb water but do not initiate root or shoot growth. ........" CLICK TO READ MORE

Brad Bell of MFA Seed Area  3 

The old saying “April showers bring May flowers” is working right now! There has been a limited amount of corn planted before these showers, and those fields need to be assessed as they emerge. Wheat has been getting applications of nitrogen and crop protectants. A lot of the fertilizer has been applied to fields, and groundwork has been done.

Now, when the ground conditions get right, everyone will be in a hurry to get it all planted in a day. Just remember we have a several days to get this crop in. You are planting the seeds for your success this year. Do you realize that 75% of your yield is determined . . . " READ MORE HERE

Spring brings every livestock producer a long-awaited welcome sight: fresh new forage. As forages begin to grow, undesirable weeds and brush species may also take over our pastures and hayfields, causing less-than-desirable stands needed for maximum production. This brings up the topic of pasture renovation:

Why renovate pastures and hayfields?

Several factors influence the decision to renovate forage fields. Weeds and brush may have taken over our fields to the point renovation is a better option than traditional herbicide control. Forage stands may have thinned out due to extensive droughts or winterkill. Or potentially we want to eradicate a field of endophyte-infected tall fescue in order to establish a new stand of an improved grass or legume forage.

Once the decision has been made to renovate a forage stand, the first step is . . . ." CLICK HERE TO READ MORE