If you have interest in, or regularly use the Agri-Gro Marketing’s line of products, you will be pleased to learn we have recently added a test results archive. In this archive we will post our latest grower and/or university testing on products such as FoliarBlend, IgniteS2, Agri-Cal, Agri-Gro and others.

You may find a link to this area under our “Resources” section, or simply click here.

 Print This Article | Author: admin.

Carrie L. Monlux, PhD., Editor

Welcome to the first issue of Agri-Gro Inside Access!  Through the introduction of Agri-Gro Inside Access, we at Agri-Gro Marketing would like to wish you and your family a warm and happy holiday season.

Agri-Gro Inside Access is a quarterly newsletter intended to provide timely information, personal testimonials, and research data on Agri-Gro products to our dedicated dealers and customers of Agri-Gro Marketing. We believe your success depends on support from within and it is our intention to provide that support by sharing experiences and learning from one another. Our hope is that Agri-Gro Access will bring dealers and customers together to build the Agri-Gro family and provide valuable resources that ultimately increase the bottom line for both you and your customers.

One of the main goals of the newsletter is to provide an outlet for dealers and customers to review field trial data and information to improve your yield goals. Articles from research professionals are welcomed at Agri-Gro as a means of providing new insight and ideas for the use of Agri-Gro products. Information on a diverse number of subjects such as field crop production, livestock health, greenhouse crops, and facility sanitation management are just a few of the subjects that are of interest and certainly welcomed for discussion.

Serving as the editor of Agri-Gro Inside Access, I am happy to be a part of the Agri-Gro team. I have invested 22 years in agricultural education and research. I have taught courses in crop science and horticulture at all levels of education and trust my experiences in the classroom, greenhouse, and field will provide both the experience and information needed to improve yields, and more importantly, the bottom line for our customers. My goal is to make this newsletter both informative and interesting. Feel free to share your personal success stories as we value your input!

In addition, I would also be more than willing to review crop data and assist with field trial development to further assist our customers. For more on this, be sure to read the article “Monitoring Crop Performance when using Agri-Gro Products“.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Carrie L. Monlux, PhD.
carrie@agrigro.com

 Print This Article | Author: Carrie L. Monlux.

Some exciting news on dryland milo production comes from Jay McKee, farm manager, Strickland Farms in Nevada, Texas. Jay is eager for next years’s crop in both milo and winter wheat after a successful run with FoliarBlend in 2012.

In one trial, Jay reported that where three pints were used (16 oz. in furrow w/starter, 16 oz. at 3 leaf stage w/sidedress, and 16 oz. at initial heading with pesticide) the yield increase was 2,250 lbs better than the control for a final harvest of 7,250 lbs/acre, a 45% yield increase over the control plot, which yielded 5,000 lbs/acre. Strickland Farms produce 3,000 acres of milo each year, averaging 5,000 lbs/acre in a good year. This year Jay incorporated FoliarBlend into his fertility program on 600 acres (all planted at the same time using Golden Acres 3552 seed, and 10-34-0 starter fertilizer).

Photo not from Strickland Farms

Clearly the 45% yield increase speaks for itself. Jay describes the results as “fantastic” and says they plan to apply FoliarBlend to every acre on the farm next season. With results like these, Jay is doing what’s best for his crop, his ground, and ultimately his bottom line. Jay also reports that crop quality was vastly improved, seed germination was faster and much more uniform, and the milo matured faster as well. While all crops in the area seemed to mature quicker this year, harvesting two weeks early did not reduce or compromise quality. Finally, Jay reports that the acres treated with FoliarBlend showed a consistent test weight of 63-64 lbs, compared to a 58-59 lbs test weight on the control.

Jay conducted an additional study using FoliarBlend on winter wheat last season as well, and wanted to see if he could improve on the 60 bushel average that is typically harvested in the area. Part of his trial was using FoliarBlend on wheat following milo and corn, hoping to utilize some of the leftover nitrogen from the previous crop. The results were as follows:

One final rain shower for the crop was needed toward the end of the season to give it that extra boost, but it never came. However, the quart/acre application was very impressive, a 32% increase over the control check plot!

Jay was very happy with the results of this trial and is modifying this year’s fertility program by incorporating 1 pt./acre IgniteS2 at planting, followed by 1 pt./acre of FoliarBlend in late January with his traditional fertilizer program. A third pt./acre will be applied at the beginning of March.  Jay is considering reducing his nitrogen rates on part of his acres to determine if there can be a reduction in inputs without compromising yield. We’ll keep you posted on Jay’s trial!

 Print This Article | Author: Carrie L. Monlux.

Can you imagine getting a 75% yield increase in your broccoli crop next season? California broccoli experienced just that in 2012! Jim Poulton, Agri-Gro Dealer, in Salinas, California has a fantastic broccoli report from Church Brothers growers in San Juan Bautista.  In the photo below the top half shows broccoli from the FoliarBlend test plot and the bottom half are broccoli from the check plot.

Broccoli treated with FoliarBlend

The test plot (top half) was treated with FoliarBlend in three applications: 32 oz. at planting, a side dress application of 16 oz. at 30 days, and a final application of 16 oz. through sprinkler irrigation at 60 days.

The check plot (bottom half) shows the reduced size and number of heads when compared to the FoliarBlend test plot.  The differences in quality and uniformity are huge, as are color and size! In addition, the check plot had a yield of 24 lbs compared to the FoliarBlend plot which produced 42 lbs. Clearly the FoliarBlend plot was able to provide these broccoli plants with the resources to take up additional nutrients and water.

 Print This Article | Author: Carrie L. Monlux.

Peanuts are a very important crop in Argentina, with millions of tons exported worldwide annually. A widespread fungal disease, called carbon, threatens Argentina peanut production. The fungus is a smut that infects the peg and pod, causing a wide range of damage from cosmetic blemishes to the shell to completely destroying the peanut kernels inside (it gets its name carbon from the black powder that results after infection). Currently there is no known treatment to control the carbon disease.

Farmer Holds Argentina Peanut

Bio-Tec Solutions International, distributors of Agri-Gro Marketing, decided to try to help the Argentine growers combat the carbon disease with FoliarBlend applications. Since FoliarBlend treated fields have shown reduced pathogen levels in US crops, Argentine growers were hoping for a miracle. In early studies using multiple applications of FoliarBlend on peanuts in field conditions where the carbon fungus resides, harvest data showed greatly reduced carbon infected pods and kernels. Approximately 81% of the carbon was decreased and treated plots yielded an increase over 310 lbs/acre when compared to the control plot!  This was very exciting news to the Argentine growers who were initially quite skeptical.

Also, when soil analyses were conducted, the number of nitrogen fixing bacteria in the FoliarBlend treated soil were found to have increased 31%, the ammonification microbe numbers increased 200%, and the cellulose decomposer population increased 1790%!  Yes, a 1790% increase in cellulose decomposers in the soil treated with FoliarBlend!  This level of biological activity greatly affects the increase of nutrient uptake from residual organic matter in the soil, and as you can imagine, the Argentine growers were excited beyond belief!  They are currently planning next season’s use of FoliarBlend and Ignites2 on several other crops, in addition to peanuts, and these include soybean, sunflower, and milo. We’re certainly happy for them as they combat an industry-killing disease and increase yields as well.  We look forward to seeing how Agri-Gro products work with all crops in Argentina.

 Print This Article | Author: Carrie L. Monlux.

Cotton Bales

Dr. Bill Weir (University of California – Davis Cooperative Extension, Farm Advisor, Emeritus) recently completed his 2nd year testing with FoliarBlend on cotton. His 2nd study, much like the 1st in 2011, showed great yield gains over the control plot. Dr. Weir tested three 1 pint applications of FoliarBlend per acre versus a control plot. The FoliarBlend applications were made with an initial glyphosate application, again at first square and finally at first flower.

The results were fantastic, with the FoliarBlend test plot yielding 2,165 lbs of lint/acre over the control plot with only 1,887 lbs lint/acre. In other words, the FoliarBlend treatment made 4.33 bales/acre while the control yielded 3.78 bales/acre, amounting to a 15% yield increase! With today’s increased inputs and production costs, a half bale per acre is definitely worth noting and provides a fantastic return on investment to the producer.

 Print This Article | Author: Carrie L. Monlux.

Monitor Your Crop Performance

Information from both distributors and growers are important for research. Please keep track of your experience with FoliarBlend, IgniteS2 and the other fine products of Agri-Gro Marketing and share your success with us. Yield data from year to year is very beneficial as it can be used to conduct a simple trial. In addition, these results can provide hope and encouragement to others and show just how profitable Agri-Gro’s line of products can be.

Starting a trial when you know previous years’ yield data can be easy. Simply choose which of Agri-Gro’s products are the best fit for your crops. Product options and information can be obtained online at www.agrigro.com/products or through a distributor in your area.  Step by step instructions to setting up your trial are listed below.

1. Choose your test plot. Be sure to have two equal size lots that can easily be kept separate. (e.g., two fields, two checks of rice, etc.)  At least a 30’ buffer zone between the two plots is essential, as microbial activity can “move”.
2. Keep one plot for the control treatment.  The control plot will receive your normal production practices including irrigation, fertilizer, cultivation and plant protection practices (i.e., pesticide applications).
3. For the other plot, use the same production practices as the control plot, but add the Agri-Gro products of choice. Again, please consult a dealer or the Agri-Gro website for additional information.
4. Be mindful of climate conditions and precipitation. Are the conditions typical for the area and time of year? Is anything new or different from what is typically experienced growing in the area?
5. Color photos of each plot should be taken on the same day and time for comparisons. Photos are helpful reminders of specific events such as when plants are leafing or heading out, etc.
6. Document any differences. Is there a difference in pest pressure or nutrient deficiencies? Is there a reduction in pathogens, insects or weeds? Any stunting or yellowing of leaves or plants in general? All notes and dates will produce a more accurate comparison of the results.

When planning for harvest I can provide a statistical analysis of crop data if the proper information is provided. Prior to harvest, select at least eight random sites from each treatment plot. Measure and record the yield in each of the eight sites for both plots. By providing 8 samples per plot, a stronger statistical analysis can be generated and statistical differences can be noted. By sending me the sample weights for both plots, the control and Agri-Gro treatment plot, I will have the necessary information to run an analysis and determine the difference in your yield due to the use of Agri-Gro products. Data should be sent to Carrie Monlux via email at carrie@agrigro.com.

 Print This Article | Author: Carrie L. Monlux.