Harvest season is winding down across the Midwest, with crop consultant Tyler Richardson reporting that 80% of the harvest is complete in his 18-county territory in north-central Missouri. Richardson noted that corn yields are "pretty exceptional" while soybeans are "well above average." He advised growers to carefully evaluate multi-year data before switching seed products, cautioning that impulsive changes could lead to financial losses.
Mark Baster, regional sales manager with SprayTech, highlighted the benefits of products like Full-Tech Cube and Ultra Zinc, which helped growers boost performance while reducing input costs. Baster emphasized the strength of his team, stating, "I think a lot of it is actually our team. Not necessarily just our products." These products allowed farmers to cut costs through lower use rates and reduced fuel and mixing time.
Josh Baethge, policy editor at Farm Progress, discussed potential changes in farm bill progress due to post-election shifts in House and Senate Agriculture Committee leadership. He suggested that an extension of the current farm bill is more likely than new legislation in the coming year.
Other key takeaways included the importance of reviewing multiple years of yield data before abandoning a seed hybrid due to a single off year. Additionally, farmers were encouraged to consider tank-mix nutritional products like zinc and fungicide boosters to improve late-season crop health and reduce costs. For livestock and dairy operations, combined heat and power units using propane may offer cost savings, with grants available through PERC.