As the New Year approaches we reflect on the past and plan for the future for many aspects of our life. Many of us will set personal resolutions such as losing that last 10 pounds (or first) but how many of us set resolutions for improved crop production? In agriculture we have finely tuned our yields over the past number of years; better genetics, improved pest control and improved crop management have been contributing factors in our yield increase. Now, Mother Nature still plays a very large factor in yield determination but if we look at the highs and lows over the past few years we can appreciate the overall increase in yield that can be contributed to other factors other than the weather. We are producing higher yielding, higher quality crops than ever before. Plus, we can’t stop we need to produce more if we as farmers are to feed 9 billion people by the year 2050.
What resolutions should I plan for my 2013 crops? Bigger roots – Why roots and not genetics or using a specific fungicide or inoculant (don’t worry I am still going to talk about inoculants). When is the last time you actually thought about your crops roots? Yet it is one of the most important part of the plant and a big contributor to yield. What should I think about? Here is my short list of things to ponder when thinking about roots:
- Soil compaction
- Drainage
- Crop rotation
- Inoculation (you were forewarned)
- Fertility
- Tillage
- Equipment – planting, tillage, application, etc.
- Soil structure and soil capacities for yield and root growth
You have more that you may have thought of. If so, please add them to the comment section for others to read.
What we need to do now is go through the list and ask ourselves, field by field and operation by operation – What am I doing to increase my root growth and root volume? How am I planning to reduce soil compaction in this field this year? Am I applying the right amount of inoculant? Am I applying a biological with my inoculant that is promoting root growth? What about my fertility program, my seed treatment plan and my crop rotation?
By asking all these questions and more you start to plan to grow the biggest roots possible and attaining the highest yields. Taking time to make your New Year’s resolution of growing bigger roots will pay dividends in 2013.
Have a great holiday season and a happy New Year.
