ST. PAUL, Minn., April 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- From wet, cold
conditions in the eastern Corn Belt to excessively dry, cool soils
in the Plains states, spring field conditions could pose early
growth challenges for this season's crops. They may also provide
growers with the opportunity to witness the benefits of using a
starter fertilizer, says an agronomic expert from CHS Inc. (NASDAQ:
CHSCP), the nation's leading farmer-owned cooperative.
"We tend to see the biggest benefits from starter fertilizers in
cold, wet springs, during early or late planting, when soil
phosphorus levels are low, and when plants suffer from significant
stress such as heat or drought stress," says Maria Abbott, product development specialist and
agronomist for CHS Crop Nutrients. "Healthier young plants are
better able to handle adverse conditions."
Over the past two growing seasons, Abbott has worked with
cooperative agronomists in locations around the country to
incorporate starter fertilizers, including new CHS
XLR-rate® and CHS Aventine™ Complete liquid
starter fertilizers, into their test plots. "Results from those
plots, as well as grower fields, have delivered visual proof of the
advantages to using a liquid starter – taller, thicker plant stalks
and more developed root systems at the V5-V6 stage."
But the payoff comes at harvest, she adds. Yield results from
South Dakota cooperative test
plots in 2014 produced 11- to 14-bushel-per-acre advantages where a
starter was applied at corn planting versus no starter.
University of Minnesota field trials
showed XLR-rate®-treated corn yielded an average of 8 to
12 bushels per acre more than the control, with an 18-bushel
advantage at one Minnesota
location from XLR-rate® 7-23-5 with MNP.
"Yield response from starter use can vary and we tend to see the
greatest response in years when the crop is planted into cold, wet
soils and especially in no-till and minimum tillage systems or
whenever the crop experiences severe stress," Abbott says.
Trial data has also shown that grain moisture levels were
reduced by starter fertilizer use. "XLR-rate®-treated
plants produced some of the driest grain, which significantly
lowered drying costs," she says.
Environmental benefits to using a liquid starter fertilizer are
also helping to drive the increasing demand for these product in
recent years, notes Abbott. "They are a great nutrient option to
ensure growers follow the 4Rs of
nutrient stewardship – putting the right rate of the right
fertilizer in the right place at the right time."
Along with last season's very positive results,
XLR-rate® and CHS Aventine™ Complete liquid
starter fertilizers offer the added benefits of seed safety and
flexible, low-salt formulations, she adds.
To learn more about these products contact your local CHS member
cooperative agronomist.
CHS Inc. (www.chsinc.com) is a leading global agribusiness owned
by farmers, ranchers and cooperatives across the United States. Diversified in energy,
grains and foods, CHS is committed to helping its customers,
farmer-owners and other stakeholders grow their businesses through
its domestic and global operations. CHS, a Fortune 100 company,
supplies energy, crop nutrients, grain marketing services, animal
feed, food and food ingredients, along with business solutions
including insurance, financial and risk management services. The
company operates petroleum refineries/pipelines and manufactures,
markets and distributes Cenex® brand refined fuels,
lubricants, propane and renewable energy products.
This document contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
that are based on management's current expectations and
assumptions. These forward-looking statements are subject to
certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to
differ materially from the potential results discussed in the
forward-looking statements. The company undertakes no obligations
to publicly revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future
events or circumstances. For a discussion of additional factors
that may materially affect management's estimates and predictions,
please view the CHS Inc. annual report filed on Form 10-K for the
year ended Aug. 31, 2014, which can
be found on the Securities and Exchange Commission web site
(www.sec.gov) or on the CHS web site www.chsinc.com.
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SOURCE CHS Inc.