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While cold and rain have plagued this plot, the weather has been far better than last year's deluge. However, most of the rain did not fall even last year until May. Anyway, here is the ratings done by Wendell Koehn on uniformity of plants once emerged. Plant Date April 7, 2020 Approx Emergence Date: April 27, 2020 Uniformity (scale 1-5 / 1 most uneven 5 most even) 5866AM 3.5-4.0 extra stalks still punched through well evenly 5994V2P 2.5 5909AM 3 6038VR 3 6049V2P 3 6112V2P 3.5 6274V2P 3 6256Q 3.5 6282AM 3 6374V2P 4 6368V2P 3.5 6414V2P 3 6481AM 3 6557V2P 2.5 6589V2P 3.5 6506VR 3 6743AML 3 6774V2P 2.5

“Do what is right, not what is easy nor what is popular.” -Roy T Bennet As we are sitting in similar shoes as last year far as a wet winter and much spring work to do, I decided to forward this article written last March where we sat then much as we are now. A couple points worth noting is that David Hughes no longer works as a Beck's agronomist. Scott Dickey came on board from his 18 year tenure with another seed company to join us last summer. However, David's great commentary still stands. Secondly; we found that NH3 apps in a wet year "might have been" better than dry fertilizer. The key word here is "might have been". Though yield advantages were present in NH3 fields, other factors like calibration of the spreader truck may have contributed to some loss. Thus, a systems error more than a product issue may have contributed to this. So, like the game of rock, paper, scissors; planting on time trumps anhydrous, and NH3 takes Urea. If it is not time to plant, and it is dry; then NH3 has awesome ROI. If it is time to plant, then nitrogen becomes whatever is logistically feasible. Also, for our growers who are new to this agronomy update we offer, Welcome! Please look for these messages through out the year and feel free to reach out anytime with any questions or a request for a field walk to look at your crops. Quoted from March 1, 2019: To cut right to the point: we are facing a narrow work window this spring as we look at preparing to plant and the planting operation itself. David Hughes, field agronomist for Beck’s Hybrids sent some thoughts that I want to share with you. Dwight Eisenhower famously said: "planning is everything, the plan is nothing."  Keeping top priorities in our minds will be important when the planning is derailed by adverse weather. We may need to scrap that bullet proof plan that looked so good early on when at the kitchen table and pivot quickly in the field to handle the curve ball that the weather or some other outside influence throws our way. David's input found below: Understand which things are priorities and which are not even if it means adjusting your own conventional thinking. **For example, nitrogen (N ) application for corn is not an operational priority ahead of planting or weed control (see priority list below)** Also think outside of the box if you have to. **  For example, If it is time to burndown winter annual weeds and soil conditions do not allow ground-sprayer application, consider calling in the birds (aerial applicators) to apply burndown** The following is how I would prioritize pre-plant operations at this time (if not already completed): P, K, S, and Zn application where soil tests have shown these nutrients to be in the low to very low category. a.       If lime piles aren’t already on the ground, I tend to refrain from heavy lime application until after harvest once we hit this time of the year.  This is especially true in no-till fields. The soil compaction that can occur from lime truck running on ground at high moisture content is significant.  Additionally, non-incorporated, high rates of lime on the soil surface with little to no time to breakdown can increase seedling injury with some of our residual chemistries.   It is better to wait until harvest and be ready to roll with the lime trucks then when the ground is dry. Planter maintenance, repair,  updating, and planter and meter evaluation to know how to optimize settings for your seed sizes. Seed size has little to no impact on achieving genetic yield.    Accurate product placement is more important to yield than seed size. Seed size can impact singulation if planter components are not set correctly.  Learn your planter manufacturer’s settings and recommendations for various seed sizes. Seed size can impact germination/emergence in some situations.  Very large seed tends to struggle a little more in drier soil because they require more water to swell and germinate.  Very small seed tends to struggle in cold, wet soils because they have lower energy reserves in the seed itself. i. Recommendation with extremely large seed:  Make sure planting depth reaches the uniform soil moisture zone even if it is a little more than 2 inches deep. ii.   Recommendation with extremely small seed:  Consider use of Amplify-D (a PFR Proven product) as it adds chemistry, AMP (adenosine monophosphate), to the seed that can assist with meeting seedling energy requirements and help jump-start the seedling’s own production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). iii.   If equipped, apply phosphorus (P) starter Review product placement plans with Wendell and anyone who will be planting corn on your operation to make sure everyone is on same page for what products should go on what fields. Evaluate fields for weed pressure and apply burndown as soon as conditions are right.    We did not get a high percentage of fall application done,  so this is critical. Starting clean is critical for elevating soil temperature sooner, allowing wet soil to evaporate and dry out some,  improving the efficacy of pre-emerge residual herbicides, and removing egg laying sites for black cutworm moths and flea beetles. . Early burndown application is also critical to achieving less expensive, resistant-marestail control. If tillage operations are needed, perform only when conditions are right.  Do not perform tillage when soils are too wet as soil compaction and degradation of soil structure will occur.  These mistakes can cost you much needed water later as water infiltration rates become significantly reduced on soils with compaction and poor soil structure. When conditions are right, PLANT.   This is even if you have not been able to apply N yet.   Average field soil temperature should be 50F or greater and soil moisture conditions should be that you cannot make a ball or ribbon that stays together when thrown up against your other hand or the ground. Apply N to meet corn needs. I have intentionally placed this as the least of your worries.  Absolutely, if the weather allows you to get some of your N on ahead of corn planting do so.  That is fantastic. But do not stress if you are unable to apply N before planting. Also, do not fear other sources of N if it does not work to apply anhydrous (NH3)-ammonia.   You will simply need to understand the best management practices associated with uses of other N sources. In fact, in some cases anhydrous application may do more harm to our soil condition than good if we push application when it is too wet. a.       Beck’s PFR research has shown in comparing various pre-plant, at planting, and side-dress N applications, that optimum yield can be obtained with some N on at planting and the balance of the N applied by the V3 growth stage. b.      Many site-years of university research in Missouri demonstrates that there is zero yield penalty when 0 N has been applied by planting as long as it can be put on as late as the V7-V10 growth stage.  This goes against some of our conventional thinking (mine included) that we impact kernel rounds with insufficient N by V6. However, in personal discussion with Dr. Peter Scharf, State Soil Fertility Specialist and one of the best N researchers in the country, he showed me where they had actually taken ear “round” counts under different N treatments and there is no significant difference among “0” preplant-N and pre-plant N on kernel count where the balance of the N was not applied until approximately V7 growth stage.  The following is an excellent graph showing research from almost 10 years of University of Missouri work on Corn N timing impact on yield. Dr. Scharf also included data from other states to show that there is general agreement in the data. c.        After review of Peter’s data and consideration of my personal observations and experiences, I am comfortable if N cannot be applied until the V7  growth stage. So we have time! Like I said, if you can get some on before that is great but is probably one of your lower priorities. There are two unique cases where I recommend prioritizing some pre-plant N application. i.   Corn following a rye cover crop ii.   On fields being planted to early maturing hybrids where our expectation is for these hybrids to achieve yield potential with fewer growing degree days to play with. End of David’s thoughts If you need anything or have questions for your particular situation call me anytime. We can work out a priority plan. 417-684-5301 wendell@topagservices.com

Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light. -Albert Schweitzer We know 2019 growing season was a challenging year, to say the least! Yet, when we step back and take another look, actually, what do we see? Unrelenting difficulties? Overwhelming problems? Or, do we see that the times when we were in over our head, this was actually the yardstick upon which our limits were measured? A recognition of our interdependence with our partners. Primarily God, but also your spouse, brother, dad, grandpa, your advisor of your operation was a boost to continue in spite of rain, wind and flood! For me, it took all I had, plus others around me to finish the fight. Some of you did not know it, but your quiet perseverance was an inspiration to keep going until the war was won. True, looking back not every battle was won in a year like this, but the season was for the win. Looking forward, we believe that there will be more challenges amid mistakes. But there will be no stopping with your commitments for yourself, your family and your partners! As we go into the end of this year with the season of Thanksgiving let this time be a reminder of our need of each other! It is the inseparable things that bring a deep thankfulness for the many blessings that weather, markets, or time cannot erase. The giggle of your newborn baby, the tired smile of your wife who brought meals, and the knowledge that next year we start anew! Thank You to all American farmers for your perseverance. Happy Thanksgiving!

“Being crazy isn't enough.” -Dr. Seuss Have you noticed variable maturing soybeans as they ripen? Different colors and shading across nearly ripened fields? I have noticed colors ranging from tawny brown to light grey that is not respective of variety or plant date. I have seen two different plant dates (week apart) in the same field with the same variety result in two different color shadings. A 4.9 RM bean runs drier than a 4.6 and so on. This past week or so Scott Dickey; Beck's Hybrids agronomist & I have walked fields and talked by phone specifically about these points. It is quite possible knowing the wet year we have had and the amount of disease activity noted in the growing season that this might be the cause for the variable soybean fields. No labs have been used to confirm this, however; the symptomology in the crop is there. There can be moisture differences. Will this translate to yield differences? Possibly, some. You might have noticed walking a ripened field that there will be once in a while a green soybean plant with little or no filled out pods. This is a symptom of a virus infection. Other plants might have a mottled look or burnt appearance to the dying leaves. Plants that Scott pulled seemed to have different diseases on one plant. More information on foliar diseases can be found here: https://www.topagservices.com/post/identifying-herbicide-injury-on-soybean-leaves Obviously, there is not much to do at this point. Yet, understanding the factors causing the changes in harvest conditions may help you set the combine for these areas. Have a safe and bountiful soybean harvest! If you need anything, like a drone flight to identify tough to harvest areas I can come by and do that!

“It’s supposed to be hard. If it were easy, everyone would do it.” – Jimmy Dugan The stand out hybrids that are worth mention are: 6774V2P heavy, orange colored grain with the ability to go in wide ranges of enviroments EX2902 this experimental has not wowed me in any respect except quietly being average. It seems its ear has been the same, surprisingly consistent from ear to ear 6589V2P this rockstar is still being rockstar, great grain quality and ear size on energy drinks 6948BR steadily pulling the hills, swinging for the curve balls it gets it done no matter the weather 6414V2P How will it rate in our area to 6589V2P, this double pro looks good 6282AM Really like this product, consistent through LP-HP placement, grain quality, and stress manager 6112V2P new product that really seems to be OK with stress and still produce a fine looking ear. 5866AM In 2018, it came in second up the road in a harsh drought and high night time temps. Doesn't look like its holding back with ample rain either. Kernel Color Ratings (1 = Orange 5 = Pastel Yellow) 5699V2P 3.5 5866AM 2.5 6082AM 3.5 6049V2P 3 6112V2P 2.5 6274V2P 3 6282AM 2.5 6368V2P 3.5 6414V2P 2.5 6948BR 3.5 6589V2P 2 6622AM 3 EX2902 3.5 6774V2P 1.5 [Note: these ratings are only indicators of grain quality and test weight.]

"Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value." - Albert Einstein This plot documents the timeframe for soybeans just before going to the final stages of pod fill and senescence. The ratings today are on Height and Color. While color has shown to be irrevelant as it relates from one variety to the next I like to document this characteristic to compare later. Sometimes, the most showy soybean does not yield any different than the less appealing product. Height is important only as it relates to stand ability. I did not rate stand-ability this time as every bean in the plot was standing perfectly on 15" rows in spite of the heavy rains we have received. If that changes there will most likely be rating. Color 1 darkest 5 lightest 5337X2: 2 5110E3: 3 5119X2: 3 4991X2: 2 4810E3: 3 4887X2: 2.5 4772FP: 3 4610E3: 3 4667X2: 2.5 4628FP: 2.5 4447X2: 2.5 4442FP: 2.5 4310E3: 2.5 Height 1 shortest 5 tallest 5337X2: 3 5110E3: 3 5119X2: 4 4991X2: 2.5 4810E3: 3 4887X2: 3.5 4772FP: 3 4610E3: 2.5 4667X2: 3 4628FP: 3.5 4447X2: 3.5 4442FP: 4.5 4310E3: 2.5

"I will prepare, and someday my chance will come." -Abraham Lincoln With the amount of moisture in the air and soil this year, there is potential for a challenging harvest, whether this is due to harvestability of the plants or ground conditions. A friend of mine told me that places in KS over the Marais des Cygnes river basin have received a 12 month rainfall of 80". It is a tired refrain by now to speak of the challenges of 2019. However, the end is now in sight. The most wonderful time of the year is approaching: Harvest! The purpose of this report is to remind us of some tips that might fit your operation. Here are a couple things to think about to help calculate that a few discounts from the buyer are received back in other forms of yield or water. Phantom Yield Loss from dry down of grain Call local buyers for cost breakdowns on moisture. Hopefully they don't charge dumping fees. Consider starting harvest earlier with higher moisture. Purdue University studies show a 1% loss potential per point of moisture of dry matter. Thus, starting harvest at 20% over 15.5% would be a 4.5% yield loss. For easy numbers 200 bushel corn would be a 9 bushel loss and at $4.00/bushel equate to a $36.00/acre loss. Per bushel this would be $.18 loss in yield using above numbers. Now consider that we lose our weight in water as well. With 56 lb in a bushel of corn and 20% being water we can conclude that in a bushel of corn there are 11.2 lb of water. Now, by drying it to no dock of 15.5% we reduce the weight by 4.5% and reduce the weight of the corn by a little over a 1/2 lb. Since buyers weigh and price accordingly at 56 lb we have lost .5 of a lb of priced weight. This equals of $.045/bushel loss in weight. If the buyer charges 1% per 1/2 point, then they are docking 9% and at $4.00 this is $.36. Thus the true dock at 20% moisture would be $.18 yield loss + $.045 water loss - $.36 dock = $.135/bushel. This only assumes that the combine will be fast enough to start at 15.5% moisture and not lose any moisture till end of harvest. For, since the grain trade allows the remaining water below 15.6% to be sold as grain weight any drop in moisture below the dry no dock % becomes a bushel loss to the grower. In an ideal world one would calculate the rate of dry down and start in enough time that when you finished harvesting the average moisture of your entire farm was 15.5%, but this year starting earlier rather than later will probably pay off the discount you end up losing. Harvest-ability of the crop In the time before harvest, plan to take the grain in fields where stalks are the weakest or disease is prominent. This can be a good plan before grain dries down to the more optimum levels. This year with the storms of wind and the high humidity promoting disease there is potential for stalk rots weakening stands. A tour of your farms/fields ahead of time to mark a route and game plan can be beneficial. If you need anything, feel free to call. Even if it is only a Coke! Have a safe and happy harvest!

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." -Confucius Final update on the 92-105 day early corn early plot. It was planted on April 10, not so early for what we normally call early, but early for this year. We applied 30-40 lb of Urea with ammonium sulfate for 15 lb of sulfur pre plant and worked it in. Later we top dressed 150 lb of treated Urea at around V5 plant stage. No further N was applied. It seemed with the flat ground and swampy conditions that we lost nitrogen and the corn did not have the full color of green in last part of grain fill. A fungicide app was made around brown silk. Between deer, wind, and nitrogen deficiencies this plot has had a rugged go. This seems like more real world conditions for an ECE plot anyways. This will be interesting to see how it pans out. The following ratings will be on grain quality: kernel set, color, and dent (1 is straight, orange, no dent 5 is crooked, pastel, deep dent) Hybrid Ratings Comments 4292V2P 3.5 big ear 4323VZ 2.5 little dent, great color 4636V2P 2.5 good color, nice kernels 4971AM 3 ave color 5077V2P 2 straight, good color, ave dent, filled out big ear 5113AM 2 straight, good color, less dent, filled out big ear 5313AM 1.5 great color, little dent, filled out big showy ear 5140HR 3 straight, ave color, little dent yet

Here is a outline for the day on August 8, 2019 for all who are going to the field show in Effingham IL. TOP Ag Services and Beck's Seed Advisors are facilitating travel plans to this once a year event. For travel questions call Wendell Koehn 417-684-5301 or email dealer@topagservices.com or for a .pdf to view on your phone or download go to: Southern Illinois Field Show

TOP Ag Services is now taking booking requests to walk plots in our area to see replicated research. This transparent approach puts you behind the wheel on products a year before you grow them. Later when the data comes out of the field the yield results won't just be a number on a page, but real and useful information to help you make the choice that is best for your farm. Give me a call to schedule your plot safari. We have options of seeing the three plots over a wide geography, two plots, or just one of your choice. 417-684-5301 or dealer@topagservices.com

There is understandably some confusion surrounding the new offerings of herbicide traits in soybeans coming up. With the Liberty trait the future for now, our future applications of herbicide will allow this product to be sprayed on every GE soybean. Here are some thoughts and new looks at what we have coming up. If you are not interested in my take on each product, you can scroll down to the bottom for a handy chart by Beck's Hybrids Enlist E3 Full Approval: Now Herbicide Tolerance: 2,4D Choline (Enlist One), Glufosinate (Liberty), & Glyphosate (Roundup) Restrictions: No special training or certification required, No applications above 15 MPH, use caution above 10; No application during a temperature inversion, No spraying during winds towards susceptible crops, 30' buffer downwind for sensitive areas. Talking Points: Tank mixable with broad range of products including Liberty and Roundup including the appropriate AMS or nitrogen based products, non Enlist soybeans, corn, and wheat are not susceptible crops, thus you can spray near non Enlist fields at anytime. 2,4D choline acid is shown to have greater control of weeds than older 2,4D acids, Near zero volatility (transparent field trials that my seed advisor witnessed near Holden MO have shown zero damage to tomatoes planted 8' or less from field sprayed with Enlist One), no restrictions on dates or times of day, no special applicators license or training required. Still restrictions in some areas to downwind My take: on this lineup is much less restrictions on herbicide applications with great weed control and just two restrictions on applying this herbicide for most situations: 30' downwind buffer toward sensitive areas & no spraying when wind is blowing downwind to susceptible crops (like tomatoes, orchards, etc) non tolerant soybeans are exempt. Freedom Plus LLGT27 Full Approval: Now, Alite herbicide pending Herbicide Tolerance: Liberty, Glysophate, and group 27 tolerant (Alite) Restrictions: follow labels Talking Points: Economical platform Can be treated like a Liberty program yet has the addition of glysophate and a group 27 HPPD (Alite), you can spray fence row to fence row at anytime and anywhere. no restrictions! My take: on this lineup is freedom to spray what you want, when you want, where you want. Like it used to be. Xtend Flex Full Approval: No, by 2021 Herbicide Tolerance: Dicamba (like Xtendimax), glysophate, & glufosinate Restrictions: Only applicators who have completed dicamba certification and training can apply, spray records must be filled out within 72 hours of application, no application when wind is blowing toward sensitive crops, 57' buffer near endangered species areas, spray only between 3 and 10 mph. This could all change with EPA temporary label. Talking Points: Will not be able to tank mix with Liberty/glufosinate, Non dicamba tolerant soybeans are sensitive crops reducing the potential days one can spray, Excellent kill on most weeds, Some residual value on weed control, Early season application of the new dicamba chemistry reduces the effects of this product's volatility; Volatility has been more of a problem than manufacturers allowed, Uncertainty surrounds temporary label by EPA on what rules will be when current label expires, This platform becomes basically a Liberty/Roundup bean mid to late season. My Take: on this one is dicamba is another option in our toolbox to keep multiple herbicides against weeds. We need all the tools in our lineup to combat an increasingly challenging problem: resistant weeds. If your operation can work through its concerns, it has a valid place. Below is a handy chart that can help check list what is best for your operation. Note that the comparison is not for the upcoming XtendFlex, but the current one you can use now. In my experience, working with farmers of all sizes, no one answer is right. However; we can find a solution that works for you. Recently, at an agronomic meeting I heard again that the bevy of resistant weeds is growing very quickly. And, the resistance is even in the herbicide modes of action listed above. While Liberty has largely been untouched in this so far, it is not exempt as it becomes the common herbicide of choice in all lineups now and in the future. I believe that we need to keep rotating chemistries and tank mixes. Let me know if you have questions on what is right for you. It does not matter what corn or soybean dealer you are buying seed from, feel free to call me at 417-684-5301 anytime! This about the most profitable and sustainable pathway for your farm. Your Success Matters!

“Weather forecast for tonight: dark. Continued dark overnight, with widely scattered light by morning.” -George Carlin Spring had heavy, almost incessant rains, cloudy, and high humidity. Now humid air with higher temperatures is stressing the corn. Temps in the mid 90s today with heat indexes in the triple digits. The curve balls of weather keep coming and weather is has been a big challenge this growing season. In some ways dry years are less of a challenge agronomically, as there is little us farmers can do to change the issue. However, in wet years we face a more difficult path to navigate in crop agronomy. This plot has definitely had its share of obstacles. Hail, High wind, heavy rain, heat. I guess we are just missing a hurricane and an earthquake yet. But, we are in an exciting part of the season. We have ears of corn to look at. Below are the first pictures of the ears in the R3 stage. Green Silks left Rating: 5699V2P N 5866AM VL 6082AM VH 6049V2P VL 6112V2P N 6274V2P Y 6282AM VL 6368V2P VH 6414V2P N 6948BR VL 6589V2P Y 6622AM Y EX2902 VL 6774V2P Y