Central Iowa agronomist shares key takeaways from 2020

by | Dec 11, 2020 | 5 Ag Stories, News

The past growing season was “variable from start to finish,” says a central Iowa agronomist. He offers a couple recommendations, as farmers prepare for a new crop season.

Matt Nelson, Channel Seed technical agronomist in central Iowa, reflects upon challenges of year’s past. He finds a couple of key takeaways, including, “You need to be prepared for different weather environments, as we move into 2021.”

“Being dry, I suspect you will have the option to plant earlier than normal across the Corn Belt. That then changes what you do in season, from a timing perspective,” Nelson says. “It might even change your harvest time. That’s one thing we’ve taken away is being able to be versatile and adapt to a variable year and changing weather.”

Midwest farmers received favorable planting conditions, “some of the best they had in years,” Nelson admits. Cool temperatures soon rushed in, followed by warmer, drier conditions, which quickly led to moisture deficiencies. The variability further underscores the importance of product placement.

“Product placement is key. It’s not just about picking product; it’s about getting them in the right environment and picking products that will be able to handle the year that you’re going to get from a weather standpoint. If you can do those things, I think you can still succeed, regardless of some of the challenges you face,” Nelson says.

Channel’s portfolio features products, which can hold up against such challenges. Nelson adds, “A lot of those products I saw succeed had good roots, enough stress tolerance to make it through the year as best as possible.”

“208-38VT DoublePRO and 210-79 DroughtGard DoublePRO, a 108- and 110-day product, respectively. Both have excellent drought tolerance and root systems that do a nice job of searching for nutrients and moisture,” Nelson says. “208-38 we’ve affectionately nicknamed ‘Cactus Corn.’ It has great drought tolerance and seemed to thrive despite the dry conditions we faced here in the state.”