AGCO Corporation has released the final yield results from its 2020 Fendt Momentum Crop Tour.

During the 2020 growing season, field demonstration plots were planted in five locations in the United States, including Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio, North Dakota, and South Dakota. In addition to evaluating the effect of equipment-induced soil compaction at all locations, the AGCO team continued its comparisons of various planting depths, downforce levels, and seed singulation on corn yield at the South Dakota, Minnesota, and Ohio locations.

“During the past five years, we have conducted more than 50 field comparisons in North America and around the globe demonstrating the importance of proper corn seed placement. What we’ve shown is that there’s no substitute for getting seed planted into adequate soil moisture at a depth sufficient enough to allow for uniform emergence and good nodal root development.”

says Jason Lee, AGCO agronomist, and farm solutions specialist.

The AGCO team compared corn plant performance and yield based on three variables:

1. Depth – Corn was planted at six depths ranging from 1 inch to 3.5 inches.
2. Downforce – Corn was planted with light downforce, heavy downforce, and real-time automatic downforce control provided by DeltaForce automated downforce from Precision Planting.
3. Spacing – Corn was planted at two singulation rates – 93% and 99% seed spacing accuracy.

Corn was planted with a Fendt Momentum planter pulled by a row-crop tractor running dual tires. All comparisons were planted in 30-inch rows, with the exception of the North Dakota location, where the corn was planted in 22-inch rows.

Takeaway No. 1: Plant into moisture and no less than 1.5 inches deep

Crop Tour comparisons verify there can be yield penalties when corn is planted too shallow or too deep. Plant too shallow (1-inch-deep or less), and the corn plant’s nodal roots will develop at or just below the soil surface. Limited nodal root development is detrimental especially when conditions turn hot and dry. Lee says this was especially evident at the Ohio location where the soil was wet at planting, then dry during the growing season. Corn planted 1-inch-deep exhibited more tip-back on the ears than corn in rows planted at 1.5 inches or deeper, due to the combination of poor nodal root development and dry growing conditions.

“When we get tip-back, there is little or no kernel development on the last one or more inches of the ear tip. That’s lost yield potential. Over the past five years, we found that corn planted 1.5-inches-deep yielded 13 more bushels per acre on average than corn planted 1-inch-deep. At current corn prices, we’re talking about $50 or more in lost return per acre due to planting too shallow.”

Lee says.

In certain conditions, planting too deep can reduce the total number of plants that emerge and cause uneven emergence. Reduced emergence lowers the overall plant population; uneven emergence leads to runt plants that can’t compete with their neighbors for resources. Both reduce yield potential. At the Ohio location, corn planted 3 inches deep yielded 6 bushels per acre more in 2020 than corn planted 3.5 inches deep — a difference that closely mirrors the five-year average.

“Typically, a planting depth of 2 inches will provide the maximum yield potential in most planting conditions. This can vary, however, and adjustments should be made based on soil moisture and the extended weather forecast. We know that planting depth is a simple adjustment to set, but it’s such a critical piece to maximizing corn yield.”

Lee says.

Takeaway No. 2: Don’t skimp on downforce

Once proper planting depth is determined, it’s crucial that enough downforce is placed on each row unit to maintain that depth. Inconsistent depth control can also lead to uneven corn emergence, resulting in yield loss.

Since 2016, AGCO Crop Tour plots have compared light, heavy and automatic downforce. Too much downforce (right) can create sidewall compaction in the seed trench, which can lead to root development issues, causing yield loss. Crop Tour comparisons show a yield reduction of about 13 bushels per acre when downforce is too light and a 2- to a 3-bushel-per-acre penalty for heavy downforce as compared to automatic downforce (left).

“Soil type and condition changes across a field, and growers have different options for maintaining corn seed depth, including spring, airbag, and hydraulic downforce systems. As with planting depth, downforce is a balance. Set it too light, and the seed doesn’t get placed to the right depth because there’s simply not enough force to keep it there. However, too much downforce can create sidewall compaction in the seed trench, which can lead to root development issues.”

Lee says.

During the past five years, AGCO Crop Tour trials have compared three downforce protocols: light downforce, heavy downforce, and automatic downforce. The results demonstrate that automatic downforce, which adjusts to field conditions in real-time, provides a yield advantage.

“On average, when downforce is too light, we see a yield reduction of about 13 bushels per acre when compared to automatic downforce. By contrast, we see a 2- to a 3-bushel-per-acre penalty for heavy downforce. So, if you aren’t running a planter with automatic downforce and want to err on the side of caution, set your downforce on the heavy side.”

Lee says.

Takeaway No. 3: Uniform seed spacing increases yield

In addition to uniform emergence, the uniform spacing of corn plants within the row is crucial to maximizing yield potential. Evenly spaced plants result in equal competition for essential resources, allowing for optimal growth. The result is more bushels per acre.

Uniform spacing of corn plants within the row is crucial to maximizing yield potential. AGCO Crop Tour plots compared 93 percent and 99 percent seed singulation using the vSet metering system. Yield results over five years show that a 6 percent reduction in singulation results in a yield loss of about 5 bushels per acre, a good reason to avoid skips and doubles when planting.

“We want to avoid what is referred to as ‘skips’ and ‘doubles. Skips occur when the planter doesn’t drop a seed, resulting in a missing plant and no ear whatsoever. Doubles occur when the planter drops two seeds close together. The result is two smaller ears that don’t produce the same yield as ears from evenly spaced plants.”

Lee says.

A planter’s ability to drop one seed at a time is referred to as seed singulation. Crop Tour field demonstrations have compared plots planted at two singulation rates – 93% and 99% using the vSet metering system.

“Our five-year data shows that 6% reduction in singulation results in a yield loss of about 5 bushels per acre. So growers really want to avoid skips and doubles.”

Lee says.

Crop Tour 2021: New year, new questions

Lee adds that while the AGCO team will continue many of the field trials from the past five years, some new questions are likely to be posted in 2021.

“We’re still working out the details, but we would like to do some plots comparing plant populations, the impact of starter fertilizer, as well as differences between types of tractor tires and tracks. The whole team is excited to ask new questions, help growers improve their planting practices, and ensure their corn crops reach full yield potential.”

he says.

Source: AGCO

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Data analyzed by Unacea (Italian Construction Machinery Union) and Cer (European Research Centre) were presented today at Veronafiere during the 7^th edition of SaMoTer Day, the event organized for the run-up to the 31st SaMoTer, the international construction machinery exhibition scheduled 3-7 March 2021.

These figures are in line with the setback for world output caused by the pandemic, although there may already be some light at the end of the tunnel. The Unacea-Cer study seems to confirm this: the sector in Italy will probably improve in the second half-year to contain losses and close 2020, in the most optimistic scenario, at -8.7%, equal to 1,414 items of construction equipment in lost sales. Prospects for telehandlers (-9.7) and concrete machines (-10%) are similar, while road vehicles may see a downturn of just 2.7%.

The data summarised by Unacea-Cer also envisages a worsening scenario where new shocks would cause respective setbacks of -27.8% for earth-moving machinery, -23.4% for telehandlers, -22.8% for concrete machinery, and -18.3% for road-building machinery.

Meanwhile, from July onwards, Italy seems already to have resumed expansion thanks to the end of the lockdown period and the stabilizing effects of the economic policies implemented. The situation is expected to settle in 2021. This is good news for a supply chain worth more than 3.5 billion euros in Italy that in 2019 achieved two-figure growth over the previous year (+16.9%), for total sales of over 19,500 units.

SaMoTer Day also saw the presentation of the “Construction machinery: a strategic component of the circular economy” position paper; here, Unacea summarises a series of environmental proposals concerning the role of machinery in tenders and the input that demolition and recycling equipment can provide as regards reducing construction waste.

SaMoTer 2021 will be an opportunity for manufacturers and companies to capitalize on the recovery: the exhibition hosted at Veronafiere will be held together with the 9th edition of Asphaltica, Siteb  (Italian Road Asphalt Bitumen Association), the event for the bitumen and road infrastructure sector, and – for the first time – LETExpo, the show focusing on transport, logistics and sustainable intermodal services organized by Alis (Sustainable Intermodal Logistics Association).

Giovanni Mantovani, CEO of Veronafiere, said:

“Veronafiere and SaMoTer are playing their part in supporting and promoting the construction and earthmoving world. And it will continue to do the same today, together with companies, partners, and stakeholders, in response to the new challenges posed by Covid-19. We are developing an exhibition in 2021 that will combine maximum safety with the business, innovation, and internationality needs of companies through an integrated format where online events will back up the conventional attended trade fair to create even more new opportunities.”

Mirco Risi, President of Unacea, said:

“The construction machinery sector is experiencing unprecedented events. We have demonstrated immense resilience and dynamism. Today, if the Recovery Plan includes a focus promoting cutting-edge technologies capable of ensuring significant improvements in efficiency, safety, and environmental compatibility, then this would be an investment in the future of the country as a whole.”

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About 580 farmers filed for chapter 12 bankruptcy protection in the 12-month period ended June 30, according to federal data. That was 8 percent more than a year earlier, though bankruptcies slowed slightly in the first half of 2020 partly because of an infusion of federal aid and hurdles to filing during the pandemic, according to agricultural economists and attorneys.

The pandemic has pressured prices for many commodities, squeezing farmers who raise crops and livestock, and prolonging a six-year downturn in the Farm Belt.

The Trump administration is expected to dole out a record $33 billion in payments to farmers this year, according to the University of Missouri’s Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute. The funds, including those intended to help farmers hurt by trade conflicts and the coronavirus, would push government payments to 36 percent of farm income, the highest share in nearly two decades, the institute said.

“Agricultural markets have been horrible, and the pandemic exacerbated it, big time,”

said Paul Swanson, an Oshkosh, Wis.-based attorney. He said he has 40 open farm-bankruptcy cases, about a third more than last year.

Swanson said some clients who received federal coronavirus aid still wound up in bankruptcy.

“The cash came in, the cash came out,”

he said.

Before the pandemic, a global grain glut and foreign competition had pushed down agricultural prices. Trade disputes deepened the pain, drawing retaliatory tariffs from top buyers of U.S. farm commodities, such as China and Mexico.

Then the coronavirus hit, upending the U.S. food-supply chain. As restaurants closed, farmers plowed under thousands of acres of vegetables and dumped milk into manure lagoons. Corn prices plummeted as Americans stopped driving, cutting demand for ethanol. Prices for slaughter-ready cattle and hogs dropped as meatpacking plants that became virus hot spots slowed or halted production.

Hog farmers have lost nearly $5 billion in actual and potential profits for 2020, according to the National Pork Producers Council, a trade group. In California, agricultural businesses stand to lose as much as $8.6 billion, according to a study commissioned by the California Farm Bureau Federation.

Trade aid and coronavirus-relief payments are due to end this year. Agricultural economists say more farms could fold next year without additional support. Slow purchases from China and the pandemic’s persistence continue to weigh on demand for agricultural products.

If more aid isn’t extended, farm income is expected to fall 12 percent to $79.4 billion in 2021, according to the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute. Government payments would drop by half to less than $17 billion.

Congress is debating further financial support for farmers, and USDA could offer more aid from the $14 billion earmarked earlier this year to replenish the Commodity Credit Corp., a funding mechanism for agriculture.

Source: Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association

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The analysis company Strat7 Bonamy Finch measured Väderstad’s brand against nine other companies on the Swedish market. 99 percent of farmers surveyed said that they were familiar or very familiar with Väderstad as a company and an overwhelming majority were positive about Väderstad’s brand.

Source: Väderstad

The post Väderstad stands out in survey: “The strongest brand we have seen” appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

The report delivers the analytical elaboration and other industry-linked information in an aim to supply specific and reliable analysis on the global Small Combine Harvester market. The report focuses on market dynamics, growth-driving factors, restraints, and limitations this market is currently facing and is expected to face in the coming years (2020-2025). The report is further divided by company, by country, and by application/types for the competitive landscape analysis. It estimates production chain, manufacturing capacity, sales volume, and revenue.

The report provides a detailed analysis of global market size, regional and country-level market size, segmentation market growth, market share, competitive landscape, sales analysis, the impact of domestic and global market players. It contains advanced information associated with the global Small Combine Harvester market status, trends analysis, segment, and forecasts from 2020-2025. It explains market scenarios, comparative pricing between major players, cost, and profit of the specified market regions.

NOTE: This report takes into account the current and future impacts of COVID-19 on this industry and offers you an in-dept analysis of Small Combine Harvester market.

Key Players’ Analysis

The report analyzes the top manufacturers, exporters, and retailers (if applicable) around the world concerning their company profile, product portfolio, capacity, price, cost, and revenue. For competitor segment, the report covers the following global Small Combine Harvester market key players and some other small players: AGCO, Same Deutz-Fahr, John Deere, KUHN, Kverneland, Kubota, Cockshutt, CLAAS, Case IH, New Holland, Sampo Rosenlew.

In market segmentation by types, the report covers: Self – propelled Wheel Type Full Feed Combine Harvester, Self – propelled Crawler Type Full Feed Combine Harvester, Self – propelled Crawler Semi – feed Combine Harvesters, Suspended Combine Harvester,

In market segmentation by applications, the report covers the following uses: Wheat Harvesting, Rice Harvesting, Soybeans Harvesting, Others.

Regionally, this report focuses on several key regions: North America (United States, Canada and Mexico), Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia and Australia), South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia), Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)

Moreover, the report exhaustively investigates business opportunities, market scope, threats, and barriers. The report aims to help companies in strategizing their decisions in a better way and finally attains their business goals. The research answers important business questions like how the global Small Combine Harvester market will perform in the existing market scenario. It also presents the potential industry supply, market demand, market value, market competition, key market players, and the industry estimate from 2020-2025.

Important Key Questions Answered In The Market Report

• What will the market growth rate, overview, and analysis by type of Small Combine Harvester in 2025?
• What are the key factors affecting market dynamics? What are the drivers, challenges, and business risks in the market?
• What is dynamics, this overview includes analysis of scope and price analysis of top manufacturers’ profiles?
• Who are the opportunities, risks, and driving forces of the market? Knows upstream raw materials sourcing and downstream buyers.
• Who are the key manufacturers in space? Business overview by type, applications, gross margin, and market share
• What are the opportunities, threats, faced by manufacturers in the global Small Combine Harvester market?

Source: Researchstore.biz

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