So what practices worked and what's a waste of money!

[SASKFARMER3]

Ok the ones who went balls to the wall in soy in
our area, because of last years yields got a lesson
from Mother Nature. Soy close to 40 in 2012 , soy
25 or less in 2013. Maybe it's a lesson for all
those farmers who think this years yields are
normal, for some yes but others if your long term
average is 28, sixty plus was a bumper.
Seed treatment, after years of studying these one
thing always shows up. If it's early and the
grounds cold put it on, if it's warm and the
grounds warm don't waste your money on cereal
treatment.
Seed varieties probably did more this year than
any thing out their, just because a company says
theirs is awesome and the seed guide has it as
average look for a top yielder. Bs is all around the
seed business.
Soil tests show what you need but make sure
your using year over year data. GPS same fields
yearly. Same soil class etc.
Dropped anhydrous by 20 lbs and yes it was a
wise decision. This year waiting for soil results.
Double spraying two 1/2 sections of wheat
worked. Not doing two more not as good .
Spraying for disease worked at half rate with
herbicide worked, coming back before heading
with a aceppalla worked, spraying Prosario and
pro line aceppalla big waste of time and money.
Every one in area who sprayed vs the one who
didn't had same yield. More time on a fertility
program and less on listening to the chem reps.
Biggest cash grab of 2013 was great marketing
buy big companies for no gain. Study your
weather if it's hot and dry keep the stuff in the
shed if it's raining every day then evaluate.
Seeding early worked but snow on ground till 10
th of May hard to get all seeded early. Late hailed
shit not good.
Hail insurance on soy over insure because the
plants won't recover to produce a decent crop.
300 acre.
Soy will replace peas in some of rotations and
corn will be next crop to try again.
Canola, liberty still ricks but RR is getting better.
Specialty oil has a long way to go still.
One note the Chinese picked a guy 50 miles away
he averaged 22 for canola vs our area. This
experiment should last one more year then they
will try to farm it or the land experiment will end.
Cleaning up land for 2014, sc****r, cat, trac hoe
and kelly harrow.
4 inches of moisture in 2013 probably the best
thing that could of ever happened this year. We're
back to 160 acre fields on most farms and those
that spend a little time this fall will probably be
rewarded in 2014! But then again Mother Nature
could F$&k it up in one swipe. Best of luck in
2014!

[JoeyPotato]

I agree with everything you just said
sf3. Here caramba was a waste of $ as
well. Spraying for midge would have pd
for itself but not made $. Will have to
watch pop numbers next year.

[Hopperbin]

Sask3 been doing some ditching here. Also have a trackhoe and cat burring some stone piles. Consensus is never seen it so dry. Hard to believe we here are going into winter so dry since the last few years was so wet. Anyways did not do much harrowing this fall, will have to do some in spring but not much if she stays this dry. Most fields straw managed at combine so will see how that works out next year.

[bgmb]

Hell yes, dirt moving = big $$$$$, variable rate
and grain corn are are a waste of time and energy

[HappyFarmer]

Tried some bio boost on canola for the first time.
Did not make any difference at all. We did 300
acres of headline on the second pass of roundup.
Saw mixed results. Did make some money by
doing it. Will do some of both next year as I will
never rule new things out on a one year trial.
Fungicide was a big big money maker in both
wheat and canola again this year. People may
think im crazy but this is the 3rd year in a row that
lance at 50% bloom gave the best results. 20 and
30% bloom yielded 1 to 2 bushels less.

[rhoff]

Happyfarmer have you used proline? I'm just
curiouse because we used proline,Lance,and
astound and I didn't see any difference other than
lance was cheaper. Any other people out there
notice any difference?

[ado089]

My vr program worked well this year but
its my own mapping using water flow and
my own experience with nutrient
response. Impregnating phosphate with
copper worked well for not only
eliminating copper deficiency but also
keeping the dust down, will try adding
some zinc next year. 5440 was still the
most reliable canola. Releaf helped
rescue some June flooded canola. Utmost
wheat did better on brown soil, goodeve
on the black on account of standing
better. Most importantly yield loss was
2bu per say on anything seeded after may
long and swathing with a little shelling
was way better than a little green ~5bu.

[HappyFarmer]

Ya I have and still find lance to show the most
consistent results. Truth be told proline has
always been one of the worst. Astound is a very
good product. Tried some Vertisan last year and
wasn't real happy. Didnt do any sclorentina trials
this year just because we had some many other
ones. Plan and doing sclorentina ones next year
again.

[Klause]

ado, what product did you use for the Cu?


I've been spraying copper sulfate on at 2nd herby
timing and that works really well... but if we can do it
at seeding, it's one less product to mix, and one less
bag t worry about.

[ado089]

It's the yara 33% I think it's called
coptrel. The Viterra here will throw it
in the blender for us. 1/4 lb per acre
is what I aim for. It's not likely as
cheap as copper sulfate but its way
cheaper than wolf tracks but you get
really good distribution.