How to Manage Abiotic Stresses During Pollination

Jul 29, 2022

Corn, soybeans and canola have entered the critical reproductive phase where the production of corn grain, soybean pods and canola kernels will be determined. If it’s really hot or the crop is under other stress, it can negatively affect reproduction. With rising temperatures and crushing heat waves, it is essential for farmers to understand how to approach these stressors to save their crop and yield.

On August 3 at 12:00 CDT, Seed Speaks is addressing how to manage abiotic stresses during pollination. Joining us are:

Tom Koch, research manager at Beck’s Hybrids. Koch joined Beck’s in 2017 with over 15 years of working in the seed and biotechnology industries. Receiving his MBA from University of Notre Dame and PhD in plant breeding from University of Wisconsin-Madison, Koch brings expertise in life sciences, data analysis, strategic planning, crop protection and genetics. He lives in Sheridan, Indiana, with his wife Katie, and his children Helen, Adam and Lucy.

Wayne Fithian, agronomy manager at Rob-See-Co. Fithian has been in the seed business for 38 years, all of them in a technical support role. His experiences include roles in field agronomy, research agronomy and biotechnology trait development. Fithian’s responsibilities at Rob-See-Co include development of agronomic materials, support of product characterization efforts, development of educational product materials and management of strip trials and the database used to analyze strip trials. He is originally from Fort Morgan, Colorado and earned his BS and MS in Crop Protection/Plant Pathology at Colorado State University.

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Video: A chain harrow is a game changer

Utilizing a rotational grazing method on our farmstead with our sheep helps to let the pasture/paddocks rest. We also just invested in a chain harrow to allow us to drag the paddocks our sheep just left to break up and spread their manure around, dethatch thicker grass areas, and to rough up bare dirt areas to all for a better seed to soil contact if we overseed that paddock. This was our first time really using the chain harrow besides initially testing it out. We are very impressed with the work it did and how and area that was majority dirt, could be roughed up before reseeding.

Did you know we also operate a small business on the homestead. We make homemade, handcrafted soaps, shampoo bars, hair and beard products in addition to offering our pasture raised pork, lamb, and 100% raw honey. You can find out more about our products and ingredients by visiting our website at www.mimiandpoppysplace.com. There you can shop our products and sign up for our monthly newsletter that highlights a soap or ingredient, gives monthly updates about the homestead, and also lists the markets, festivals, and events we’ll be attending that month.