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00:00:00 – 00:24:03
"Top Crop" is a series hosted by Cory Atley, focusing on educational, sustainable, and profitable farming practices across various crops, mainly corn. The show is filmed at Hughes Farm in Jeffersonville, Ohio, where strategies for optimal planting are highlighted amidst challenges like cold, wet weather.
Key technologies include the use of Pivot Bio Proven 40 for better nitrogen management and BSF fungicides for enhanced plant health. The farm employs advanced tools such as a high-speed, 24-row planter with a sophisticated liquid fertilizer application system by SureFire, ensuring efficient nutrient delivery and precise planting.
The series showcases detailed soil management techniques, exemplified by high organic matter content discussion at Clyde's Farm and a thorough analysis of conventional versus innovative soil testing methods by Russell Hedrick. Among the products tested are fulvic and humic acids, StartRight 2.0, Vertex from Teramax, insole algae, and henics.
Consistent emphasis is placed on the importance of accurate soil testing, nutrient management, and adopting new technologies to improve yield and sustainability. The proactive approach to solving machinery issues and the commitment to optimizing crop health are central to achieving high productivity and profitability in farming.
00:00:00
In this part of the video, the presenter, Cory Atley, introduces the first season of “Top Crop.” The show will cover a variety of crops, including corn, soybeans, wheat, and specialty crops, with a focus on education, sustainability, profitability, and diversity. They are filming in Jeffersonville, Ohio, on Hughes Farm, where they are planting corn on May 22nd after a period of cold and wet weather that caused delays. Cory highlights the importance of patience in waiting for optimal soil temperatures. They are nearly finished with the 2023 planting season, having about 300-400 acres left. The farm features good quality dirt, and they are using a specific Pioneer hybrid corn with high hopes for yield. They are employing a precise planting strategy with varied seeding rates and liquid fertilizers to achieve high productivity.
00:03:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the high organic matter in the soil, highlighting how beneficial it is for the corn crop, especially with the use of Pivot Bio Proven 40 to provide nitrogen. They express excitement for the upcoming season. The video then shifts to Clyde’s Farm, a 60-acre area noted for its excellent soil, where they previously had impressive corn yields. This season, they’ve observed early emergence of the corn after six days and 75 GDUs. The planting process uses water as a carrier mixed with fulvic and humic acids, StartRight 2.0, Pivot Bio Proven 40, and Vertex from Teramax to enhance soil nutrients. The speaker emphasizes the importance of patience in planting and expresses optimism about the growing season.
00:06:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses the benefits of their farming practices, highlighting the effectiveness of Pivot Bio for plant health, which has passed initial tests and is expected to be applied again at the V10 stage. They commend BSF fungicides for offering more than just disease control, serving as stress mitigators and enhancing plant health.
Additionally, the speaker mentions upgrading to a larger, 24-row high-speed planter to simplify and expedite planting. They explain the new planter’s liquid fertilizer system, designed with Martin tills closing systems to lay fertilizer in a band on top of the ground, acknowledging the benefits despite some wear issues. The fertilization process is facilitated by SureFire’s hydraulically driven liquid shift system, which efficiently combines with the planter’s existing systems.
00:09:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the mechanics and benefits of using a high-speed planter equipped with a liquid shift system by SureFire. This system adjusts pressure by switching between larger and smaller lines to maintain an optimal range, even at varying speeds and pressures. The setup includes outboard and yield 360 tanks that can be controlled remotely from the cab, allowing precise management of which tanks are in use. This functionality is crucial for avoiding overflows, especially on uneven terrain. The speaker also emphasizes the practicality and patriotism of their marker and explains that while liquid systems may slow down operations due to the time spent filling, the efficiency and design of their current setup are well worth it.
00:12:00
In this segment, the video discusses the use of Pivot Bio Proven 40 product in farming. The speaker highlights the benefits of Pivot Bio Proven 40, such as preventing leaching into groundwater and runoff after heavy rains. They also mention that the product helps maintain plant health by providing necessary nitrogen. The scene transitions to the speaker preparing to plant one of the last fields of corn for the year, mixing Pivot Bio and other fertilizers into the planter. Important details include the ease of mixing the product, the shelf life of active microbes (24 hours once opened), and the positive results seen over three years of using Pivot Bio Proven 40 in terms of additional nitrogen supply for corn.
00:15:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the application and refinement of their product, which provides essential nutrients to microbes supporting crop growth. They aim to optimize carbon and sugar sources for maximum benefits, hoping to increase their corn yield by an additional 40 pounds. The segment then transitions to troubleshooting an issue with an agitator and seed tank on a DB90 planter. The electric motor seemed faulty, leading to inconsistent operation of seed blowing to the units. They identified amperage loss in a power wire, resolved it by installing a new wire, and successfully restored the system. The speaker expresses optimism as they near the end of their planting season.
00:18:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the current state of their farm and future plans. They express hope for favorable weather conditions to ensure good yields at harvest. The segment introduces Russell Hedrick, part of the “Top Crop” series, focusing on soil testing, fertility management, and trials conducted on a newly leased farm. Key actions include comparing conventional and innovative soil testing methods, specifically the Milik 3 and Haney tests, while highlighting the shortcomings of outdated testing techniques that haven’t evolved significantly over decades. The importance of understanding soil fertility for better crop management and yield is emphasized.
00:21:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the importance of choosing the right extractant for soil testing to get an accurate reading of nutrient availability for plants. On the specific farm, HL1, test results show high phosphorus, medium potassium, and slightly low calcium. Recommendations for 65 bushel beans suggest 65 lb of phosphorus and 60 lb of potassium. The Haney test suggests more phosphorus and less potassium. This test, mimicking plant-produced acids, provides a better fertility assessment. The speaker mentions experimenting with products like insole algae, henics, and pivot bio, despite the added time commitment, to optimize return on investment. They use custom-built tank systems for precise nutrient application. The farm applies a blend of potassium thiosulfate, 11-37-0, and 32% fertilizers, plus humic substances and micronutrients. The season’s end approaches, and viewers are encouraged to ask questions in the comments.