Ask an Agronomist

Ask an Agronomist

Brandon Weber- Valley United Co-op Seed and Sales Manager
 

What is happening today around the Red River Valley and what do you foresee happening in the next week?

We’re still rolling hard with springs work. Working hard to get fertilizer applied, crops seeded, and pre-emerge chemicals sprayed! Within the next week we will hopefully close the book on the wheat, beet and corn planting, and shift the focus to soybean and edible bean planting.
 

What have you been busy with?

Fertilizer planning and application is a big part of our spring! Helping our growers fill seed needs across the company. Our sprayers are busy (when the wind allows) getting pre-emerge applied in front of soy and edible beans. Our seed treaters have been rolling steady, and our delivery guys have been working hard to keep our customers rolling!
 

Any concerns? And if so- what do you recommend?

Big concern currently is stand establishment and keeping it! Recent weather events have been tough, especially on our sugar beets! After some hard rain and extreme wind events, we are seeing some issues with crust and blown out beets. The main recommendation is to get in the field and check stand establishment to make sure we’re at an adequate amount of live plants. Please contact a Valley United Co-op Agronomist, and we’d be happy to look at the crop and get stand counts and soil conditions.
 
Another big concern is weed control in 2025. With 4 days of big wind, sprayers were shut down from pre-emerge applications. With planting power, farmers got a huge head start on sprayers with lots of acres to cover. Beans and corn were put into good soil conditions, and really warm temps, so we will see emergence in short order. This will take away our ability to get any pre-emerge chemical put on. Without that pre-emerge, staying on top of weeds early will be critical. Residuals in 2025 will be crucial.
 

Anything you want growers to know?

As we wind down the planting season, be in touch with a Valley United Co-op Agronomist about field scouting. We have a team of agronomists that will be happy to look at fields and monitor crop conditions.
It is never too early to begin conversations about weed control plans in crop. It is our goal to find the right mix to control weeds on every acre! Weeds are tougher to deal with every year!
For side-dress/top dress applications in corn and wheat, be sure to have a conversation with a Valley United Co-op Agronomist to secure tons.

- Brandon Weber