December Small Grains News
Greetings,

Hope you're finally getting the opportunity for a well earned break now that the weather has turned colder. It's the perfect time to catch up on your reading and plan for your small grains crops for next year. And don't forget, you should also be thinking about how your management will change for your next crops planted into a rotation that now includes small grains -- you may want to consider changes to your corn and soybean seed, fertilizer and herbicide plan for these fields.

Our PFI Annual Conference is coming up on the 17-19 of January! Be sure to check out the agenda. I've planned three sessions specifically on small grains and there's a robust program on other topics too.

Happy Holidays,

Alisha
Wait List Open for Cost Share Acres for 2019
I can hardly believe it but I've committed all of my 5,000 acres for 2019 already. If you haven't gotten your application in, I'm still accepting request surveys with acres and field descriptions to get on the wait list in case acres open up. For details on the cost share eligibility and program requirements refer to this flyer.

To submit acres to be placed on the wait list for cost share use this link.
Jan 4 Call on Corn and Soy Seed Selection for Extended rotation
Adding a year of small grains changes the entire rotation, offering opportunities to reduce input costs in the corn and soybean years of the rotation. Our next shared learning call from 12-1 pm on Friday, January 4 will focus on seed selection of corn and soybeans for an extended rotation. Depending on your pest and weed pressure you may be able to use lower cost conventional or untreated seed while still maintaining crop performance. Jake Hansen, Sales Agronomist with Albert Lea Seed, will talk through some trade-offs in seed purchasing that are possible with an extended rotation that includes cover crops.

This call will be held from noon to 1 pm on Friday, January 4th. To join dial 641-715-3620 and enter passcode 357330# when prompted.
Recording Available from Winter Wheat Farminar
On November 27 PFI hosted a farminar or farmer led webinar on the topic "Where to Begin with Winter Wheat Production." The presenters were  Kristy and Bob Walker, who are looking to add winter wheat to their diversified farm operation, but have struggled to get started and Paul Ackley (in photo), who has been growing small grains like winter wheat for many years. He discussed why and offered some advice for the Walkers to get started.

If you missed it or wanted to re-watch, a video recording of the webinar is now available on our website.
EVENTS
Shared Learning Call: Corn and Soybean Seed Selection for Extended Rotations
Friday, January 4, 2018 Noon - 1 p.m. | Call 641-715-3620 and enter passcode 357330#

Tuesday, January 15, 2019 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. | Reel Livestock Center, 174 Danvers Rd., Congerville, IL

Conference: PFI Annual Conference
January 17-19, 2019 | Sheman Building, 1805 Center Dr., Ames, IA

January 18-19, 2019 | Olympia, WA

February 13-14, 2019 | I Hotel And Conference Center, 1900 S 1st St., Champaign, IL
IN THE FIELD
Spring Small Grain Variety Selection
Unsure which small grain is right for you? Here are some resources:
Looking for more? Contact us today!
Alisha Bower
Strategic Initiatives Manager
(515) 232-5661
Sarah Carlson
Strategic Initiatives Director
(515) 232-5661