Who We Are
The Mississippi Agricultural Consultants Association is a professional alliance of independent crop consultants who provide a unique service to the producers of Mississippi.
A Unique Service
So what’s so unique about their service? And what really makes this group of consultants elite?
Their service is unique for many reasons. To summarize, our voting members are consultants who are educated, trained continually, experienced, and ethical. Each MACA member has a college degree or higher in a relevant field of study…many have graduate or doctoral degrees in an agricultural or biological field.
They also have passed a rigorous state test to become licensed in one or several consulting categories. In addition, many have professional certifications.
To remain licensed and certified, each member must attend many hours of continuing education classes between each growing season.
Finally, MACA members are those who have met all of the above requirements, are actively consulting in Mississippi, have agreed to a stringent code of ethics and are recommended for membership by other members and farmers based on their professionalism and experience.
An Elite Group
What makes us ‘elite’ is spelled out in our code of ethics. To summarize, our code states that no member will accept money directly or indirectly from the sale of any crop input (such as chemicals and fertilizers).
This seemingly simple fact means that MACA member’s clients give unbiased recommendations that are ALWAYS—with no reason to question or ever doubt—in the best interest of their grower-client’s bottom line. Were it not for the fees their clients paid, an MACA member would have no source of income.
And, well, we feel that’s reason enough to call ourselves an elite group of professionals.
Greetings. This post begins the first crop reporting by members of the Mississippi Agricultural Consultants Association for the 2013 season. Each Tuesday and Friday throughout the growing season, expect to find up-to-date comments from consultants concerning various crops, insects, weeds, diseases, and more. You will be notified by email whenever new comments or photos are posted to this site by clicking “profile” in the right hand corner of the home page under “Subscribe” and following the directions.
Reporting from the South Delta is Kevin Corban, Rolling Fork
Not much field work going on this week, still wet. About 90+ % corn planted, some will be replanted. The corn that was planted in early March is looking good. A few soybeans were planted last week, but I haven’t seen any up as of Tuesday.
Reporting from South Mississippi is Trey Bullock, Hattiesburg
Wheat crop is 70% headed and looks fair to great. Had to treat several fields in early March for powdery mildew. Rust is present in most fields at low levels.
Corn is 50% planted. Some growers have not planted an acre of corn due to wet conditions and in the last week have received 4+ inches.
Peanut planting will begin as soon as temps and soil conditions allow.
Reporting from East Mississippi is Burt Falkner, West Point
Last week my area received from 1” to 5” of rain and a lot of wind. Tornadoes in the Noxubee County area damaged equipment, farm shops, grain bins and homes.
Still burning down in some places using Roundup plus 2,4-D, Roundup plus Valor and we’ve had good results from Sharpen plus Roundup. Ryegrass resistance to SU herbicides has been confirmed.
Corn is from 0 – 50% planted with the most acres planted in Noxubee County. It’s taking corn 3 – 4 weeks to come up to a stand. Corn planted March 18th, as of yesterday, is @ V1 growth stage. We’ll plant irrigated corn up until May 1st. Planting on dry land acres will end sooner.
Wheat looks really good, especially for the weather conditions it’s had. With most having a fungicide treatment, disease pressure remains light – a little Septoria that is staying low in the plant. Nitrogen issues in some areas because of the wet weather. Growth stage is from flag leaf to boot.
Some acre shifting going on – corn to cotton or milo. At present my cotton acres will be about the same as 2012.