Small Decisions Now Protect Big Yields Later

Apr 30, 2026


Spray

May Focuses

May is one of the most important months of the growing season. As crops emerge and early decisions are made, Premier Cooperative’s Agronomy Division is focused on protecting yield potential and setting crops up for success.Here’s what the team is focused on this month:

Mapping, Precision & Planning Support
  • Updating field maps to improve accuracy and efficiency
  • Supporting variable‑rate and precision decisions
  • Planning upcoming applications and workload timing

In-Field Evaluation & Early Crop Monitoring
  • Checking emergence, stand counts, depth, and uniformity
  • Identifying early stress from soil, moisture, residue, or compaction
  • Evaluating replant risk and guiding timely decisions

Weed Control Execution & Follow‑Up
  • Applying timely post‑emergence herbicides
  • Evaluating pre‑emerge performance and weed escapes
  • Adjusting programs based on weather and weed size
  • Staying ahead of problem weeds before options narrow

Nutrient & Nitrogen Management
  • Monitoring nitrogen availability and loss risk
  • Recommending stabilizers to protect fertilizer investment
  • Identifying early nutrient deficiencies
  • Making timely in‑season nutrient and foliar recommendations

Crop Scouting & Risk Identification
  • Beginning routine scouting for insects, disease, and nutrient issues
  • Identifying pest pressure before thresholds are reached
  • Planning proactive treatments

Alfalfa & Forage Support
  • Assisting with first‑cutting timing
  • Evaluating fertility needs post‑cutting
  • Recommending fungicides and nutrients to protect yield and quality
 
Communication, Logistics & Safety
  • Coordinating supply, timing, and custom application schedules
  • Proactive communication during peak season to prevent delays
  • Prioritizing safety during long days and tight weather windows
High ROI Focuses
Small decisions now can protect big yields later. As crops emerge and enter early growth stages, May is a critical window where timely inputs can deliver some of the highest return on investment of the entire season and help avoid costly issues later. 

Protect first cut alfalfa yield & quality.  Timely fertility and fungicides preserve tonnage, feed value, and regrowth. 

Keep nitrogen where crops can use it. Stabilizers like INSTINCT NXTGEN or ANVOL help prevent spring N loss and protect your fertilizer investment. 

Test before you guess. Tissue testing catches nutrient deficiencies early, when they’re still economical to fix. 

Feed corn at V4–V5. Early foliar nutrition (e.g., MAXIN ULTRA ZMB) supports root growth, plant health, and ear development.

From questions to in‑field support, your Premier Cooperative Agronomist is here to help you protect yield and maximize returns this season. Please reach out anytime with questions or to discuss next steps.
 

Ken Jahnke

Division Sales Manager
 

 

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