01.15.10 - 5 Tips To Reap Exceptional Yields
Shane Bray, AgVenture’s Yield Specialist for Northern Louisiana and Southern Arkansas, discusses choosing the right varieties for the right fields and making sure they get planted according to plan with Phillip Tomlinson of Lake Providence, LA.
Starkville, MS - Stephen Lary, High Yield Specialist for AgVenture Mid-South, was one of the speakers at the MSU Row Crop Short Course held in December. Lary identified the steps, mindset, and processes that his company believes are the core principles necessary to enable farmers to achieve high yields.
One, you must be willing to be different from everyone else. The naysayers are everywhere, quick to dole out judgment and sow doubt in the minds of those who truly want to improve their operations. Leaders are eager to step out of the norm, quick to listen and slow to speak. That is what AgVenture is all about, being a leader. We go to market differently than any other company in the seed industry farmer direct. Our business model is unique in that we access the broadest genetics and technology pool in the industry. This unique model allows us to specifically, effectively, and profitably match the right seed on the right soil type for distinct geographic regions. AgVenture works directly with the farmer, not a distribution system. The farmer is receiving recommendations based on his needs – not supplier deals.
Two, Do not blindly rely on product. AgVenture is different because we do not push varieties indiscriminately. You have probably noticed from our advertisements and articles we do not focus on specific varieties. All varieties have the potential for optimal yield. However, knowing what agronomic management environments and soil types each performs best is key. Our Yield Specialists look at each and every one of your fields before they ever suggest products for your farm. Here is an analogy to put it in perspective. Keep in mind I’m an Ole Miss graduate. Anthony Dixon, winner of the 2009 Conerly trophy, was the key player for Mississippi State this past season. In the biggest rivalry game of the year, The Egg Bowl, he was the player who greatly influenced the outcome of the score. Would he have been as successful if he played left tackle instead of running back? Would Mississippi State have won if the team consisted of players with only Anthony Dixon’s exact same talent? Probably not, other skills were necessary for a successful game. Just like in football, you have to have your best hybrids in the right places for them to perform to their full potential, but you cannot plant all of one variety and expect it to fully perform across your farm.
Three, Challenge yourself to improve. One of our jobs as AgVenture Yield Specialists is to challenge you as well. Vincent Van Gogh once said, "Great things are done by a series of small things brought together." High yields are achieved by farmers who do many little things right. Too often my customers ask me for the "silver bullet" to bring them high yields or to identify the one thing they are doing wrong which limits their yields. There isn’t one thing. We develop a plan that will bring them the highest potential yield possible. We protect every thing we possibly we can. It is true we don’t know what environment we will be experiencing in April, May, June, or July. But of this I am sure, the number 1 determining factor for producing a top crop is soil conditions at planting time. It won’t matter how much or how little it rains if you mud it in, compact your sidewalls, and Mohawk your roots.
Four, Join the AgVenture Maximum Profit System. It is a 3 to 5 year program to take your corn yields to 300 bu. Can you imagine? Can you remember what prices were five years ago? They were $2-3 corn and $4-5 beans. Where are they now? Insulate yourselves from price volatility by achieving high yields. It is not easy, but with great sacrifice comes great rewards. So how much does it cost you ask? Nothing, financially. But it takes time, energy, pain, and change to be excellent.
Five, you have to plan ahead. Here is another analogy. Mississippi State planned ahead for a full year for one game vs. Ole Miss. We all heard the story of Dan Mullin putting up the countdown clock in the locker room his first day as coach. They won because they planned ahead and were focused on a specific goal. You have to get your fieldwork, fertility, and herbicide program meticulously planned out and in place early to allow time to react favorably to environmental opportunities and challenges.
Become a leader. Be determined to achieve excellence. I have seen too many farmers who are satisfied with being only "a good farmer." All farmers have the potential to be excellent. If you partner with AgVenture, we will help you develop a plan to increase your yields above what you thought was possible. Contact us at 877-974-7333 or 662627-7060 locally. AgVenture Mid-South is the fastest growing, farmer direct seed company in the Mid-South offering expertise in high yield corn and soybean practices. Our unique business model allows us to specifically, effectively, and profitably match the right seed on the right soil type.
AgVenture has now grown to encompass 40 regional seed companies that leverage their access the broadest pool of genetics and technology as one their main value propositions. Stephen Lary, High Yield Specialist for AgVenture Mid-South from Madison, MS discusses the advantages of AgVenture’s Maximum Profit System with Colby Galey of Schlater, MS. The Maximum Profit System is a 3 to 5 year program designed to dramatically increase corn and soybean yields