ASK THE AGRONOMIST BLOG

STINE^® HAS YIELD, and that goes well beyond the farm. We thrive on being active in and out of the field to yield results and action in the communities where we live and work. That include supporting our youngest, most vulnerable populations in times of need through the Harvesting Wishes^® Program.

A collaboration with Make-A-Wish^® Iowa, Stine announced the formation of Harvesting Wishes in summer 2023 — a unique program to engage farmers and agricultural workers across the country to participate in granting life-changing wishes to kids with critical illnesses in their communities. The program is available to our customers nationwide in 2024, and individuals can direct their donation to children in a community of their choosing. Specifically, Stine corn customers donating to Make-A-Wish can earn a $20/unit discount on all full price increase corn units purchased, shipped and planted in the 2024 season. There’s still time to participate!

“There’s nothing more important than our youth,” says Myron Stine, company president. “Unfortunately, many children throughout the United States are afflicted with critical illnesses. For all their struggles, they need something BIG to brighten their lives, and the Harvesting Wishes Program helps turn their wishes into reality. I couldn’t imagine a more deserving audience.”

The process to participate in Stine’s Harvesting Wishes Program is simple:

1. Purchase Stine corn to be shipped and planted in the 2024 season.
2. Qualify to earn a $20/unit discount on qualifying corn units increased over 2023.*
3. Pledge a donation to Make-A-Wish’s Harvesting Wishes Program in an amount equal to the entire earned discount.*
4. Complete your donation to Make-A-Wish to help cultivate hope for children with critical illnesses.*

There are also other ways individuals can participate, including by providing in-kind, monetary or supply requests, which can be done through the program’s website, HarvestingWishes.org.  Alternatively, farmers can donate Gifts of Grain. To learn more about Harvesting Wishes and how you can get involved, talk to your local Stine sales rep.

*Certain restrictions apply. See official rules and eligibility requirements at StineSeed.com/harvestingwishes. Stine’s Harvesting Wishes Program is open to both new and existing Stine corn customers and can be used in conjunction with other discounts and incentives offered by Stine Seed Company on qualifying purchases. Eligible discounts earned will be in the form of an “adjustment” of the final statement once the donation has been fulfilled with Make-A-Wish. Donations to Make-A-Wish may be tax deductible as a charitable donation.Consult a tax professional regarding options.

On Jan. 2, Stine Seed Farm manager Steve Luther talked through takeaways from 2023 and how growers can plan ahead for the 2024 season on the Stine Seedcast. He discussed why developing a plan for the upcoming planting season is of the utmost importance to ensure crops have what they need to yield success come harvest. Here are Steve’s top four recommendations to incorporate into your plan to secure a smooth planting and growing season.

1. Weed control. While weeds may have not been a problem for some last year, with the drought-like conditions that plagued much of the country during the 2023 season, suppressing weeds that overwintered in the soil will be of top importance this growing season.

“The big thing for us and the Midwest, and I hear it time and time again, is how we’re going to deal with suppressing weeds,” says Luther. “They’re out there; I don’t think it’s any secret. It’s probably because it was hot and dry and a lot of the herbicides that we use in today’s age are very water soluble, so it takes a lot of rain to keep those activated in the soil.”

Many of the best post-emergent and pre-emergent herbicides on the market require rainfall to activate and move the herbicide within the soil profile. Unfortunately, 2023 was a dry year for many, so their in-season or post herbicide program last year may not be viable as a weed control method this season.

Luther suggests being proactive and planning ahead to modify and strengthen both soybean and corn preprograms to ensure your post program works as it should. “You don’t want to have rescue trips with your sprayer,” he adds. Talk to your local Stine agronomist or sales rep or crop protection specialist about an integrated weed management approach for 2024.

2. Nutrient program. Before hitting the field, growers should test their soil for nutrient shortages. The big three — nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium — are critical for plant production, but there are other inputs that should not go overlooked.

“Harry and I have always agreed, you’ve got to feed the crop. You can’t just put something on in the fall with your anhydrous and hope that’s going to be good enough,” says Luther. “This is even more important when you increase corn populations.”

Sulfur should be a foundational component of your nutrient program. The role of sulfur in corn plants is important to chlorophyll production and photosynthesis, which helps convert sunlight into energy and supports the plant’s nutrient uptake. Deficiency of sulfur can greatly impact the growth process and yield outcome of your crop.

To apply sulfur to plants, Luther recommends including it as part of your pre-plant and side-dressing program. “If you put pencil to paper, it’s one that returns.”

3. Fungicides and insecticides. Fungicides and insecticides are not just “insurance” in an unpredictable year; Luther says they should become a yearly practice. “There are affordable options that work really well out there,” he notes. Luther suggests taking a split-shot approach, applying fungicide as part of the post-program and then following it up over the top adding an insecticide to the pass.

4. Hybrid/variety selection. Stine has spent decades improving and expanding our genetic material to ensure growers have options. Luther does just that on the Stine Seed Farm, where he leads efforts to ensure our products perform and even exceed when paired with the right environment and best agronomic practices. Stine agronomists and sales reps are properly trained and well versed in how available products fit in their region. Setting up time to talk to our experts to place the right products on the right fields is a critical step to guaranteeing yield success in 2024.

Listen to Steve’s episode of the Stine Seedcast on your favorite podcast platform for more tips for the 2024 season and to learn about the evolution of the Stine Seed Farm.

Stine^® Seed Company’s 2024 corn lineup stands ready to pack a yield punch this growing season, including our MX Series Corn. One of our brand-new lines — Stine MX445-G — will be a showstopper, having yielded 113.4% of trial average in our Elite Yield Trials.

“Stine MX445-G is a ground-breaking hybrid of the likes the industry has never seen,” says Myron Stine, company president. “Coupled with the industry’s best glyphosate trait for unmatchable performance and its cutting-edge genetics derived from breeding only Stine can do, it’s the 101-103-day hybrid of choice to bring each acre its full potential.”

In addition to outstanding performance, Stine MX445-G’s medium plant height and medium ear placement make it a great option for high population environments. We highly recommend placing Stine MX445-G in narrow rows, but it can also work well in wider rows. The product prefers loam soils but has shown excellent performance across different soil types, including sand and clay.

Stine MX445-G packs powerful agronomics, with very good stalk and root strength, drydown, and test weight. As part of our MX Series Corn line, MX445-G has proven superior genetics for cutting-edge, season-long performance and premium seed protection for fast starts and outstanding early-season growth.

We have a solid supply of Stine MX445-G for the 2024 season. Talk to your local Stine sales representative today to explore this rock star hybrid for the upcoming growing season. Remember, STINE HAS YIELD.