What is the goal of starter fertilizer? Many in the industry will say it is simply to provide extra nutrition and get our crop “off to a good start.” But, can we get more specific in our goal for what…
The precision agriculture industry hasn’t done a great job articulating the value of site-specific soil testing, which has led to frustration from farmers, who aren’t sure how to use what they learn from the tests. “Soil testing methods haven’t changed in…
When Kyle Mehmen made some personnel changes a couple of years ago at MBS Family Farms, based near Plainfield, Iowa, he started shopping around for farm consulting services. A fifth-generation farmer who primarily grows corn and soybeans, he knew he…
Achieving high corn yields begins with a plan that sets you up for success. The better the strategy, the better your odds of maximizing productivity. So, what constitutes a good plan? “Think through all of the factors that need to…
As growers, we can often find ourselves sharing how much — or lamenting about how little — organic matter we have based on our soil testing reports. While the importance of organic matter is generally understood, we continue to struggle…
A series of decisions equate to yield. We talk about it constantly: the weather. We know how impactful it can be when it doesn’t work the way we hope it will. But, in our latest editorial we asked: If our…
In most of the Corn Belt, the growing season has been contentious to say the least. Some areas were able to plant early (prior to April 20), where cooler ambient and soil temperatures slowed emergence and early growth. Following that,…
In a competitive farming landscape, having a sustainable growth strategy is crucial. However, it can be difficult to navigate tight farming community relationships while seeking that growth. Competing with family and friends is unfortunately a reality of the market. By…
Nitrogen Application Opportunities in Water-Limited Environments In our previous article, we discussed the importance of moisture early in the growing season in getting the crop off to a fast start. Across much of the Corn Belt, we know water has…
Finding ways to support the crop through dry conditions Across the Corn Belt today, a measurable rain has been hard to come by and conditions are very dry. While the resulting plant stress is causing a great deal of personal…
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