Darrell Smith

Latest Stories
GRACE-Based-Shallow-Groundwater-Drought-Indicator.jpg
Retail Business
Smart Strategies for Planting in Wet or Dry Conditions
Weather is unpredictable, but a solid plan ensures you’re prepared for whatever the planting season brings.
March 10, 2026 03:46 PM
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Darrell Smith
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Retail Management
3 Corn Disease Lessons You Should Apply in 2026
In many areas of the Corn Belt, farmers experienced 10-to-50-bu.-per-acre yield losses from disease pressure this year, says Ken Ferrie. In a period of tight margins, timely treatment decisions were more crucial than usual.
December 01, 2025 09:39 AM
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Darrell Smith
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Retail Industry
7 Tips To Make Your Phosphorus Work For You
As one of the most important early season nutrients, Farm Journal field agronomist Ken Ferrie explains the best way to manage phosphorus is one you’ve probably heard of before.
June 05, 2025 03:00 PM
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Darrell Smith
Boost-Soybean-Yield,-Not-Cost.jpg
Retail Industry
Want to Boost Soybean Yields But Not Costs? Sunlight Can Help
“Sunlight drives photosynthesis, which drives starch production, which drives yield,” explains Ken Ferrie. If sunlight hits the ground, it’s wasted, so maximizing sunlight capture requires closing rows as quickly as possible.
April 25, 2025 02:00 PM
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Darrell Smith
Specialty-Grains-Might-Boost-Profits.jpg
Retail Industry
Specialty Grains Might Boost Profits
Surveying his farmer-clients, Ken Ferrie compiled a list of ways to increase profit margin. Specialty crops, such as popcorn; non-GMO corn and soybeans; seed corn and soybeans; food-grade corn and soybeans; and organic crops top the list.
March 21, 2025 04:30 PM
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Darrell Smith
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8 Tips to Help Farmers Get the Biggest Bang for Their Fertilizer Buck
Use these strategies to help farmers make the most out of their fertilizer purchases.
January 16, 2025 12:49 PM
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Darrell Smith
Can-You-Cut-Fertilizer-Expense.jpg
Retail Business
Can You Cut Fertilizer Expenses?
“There might be ways for farmers to become more efficient with fertilizer while maintaining yield, but only by carefully analyzing each farm, field and soil management zone,” says Ken Ferrie. He shares 4 tips to cut fertilizer with confidence.
January 10, 2025 08:11 AM
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Darrell Smith
Manage-through-the-highs-and-lows-of-Farming’s-waves.jpg
Retail Industry
Why You Should Care About Farming’s Economic Shifts
From start to finish, each seven-to-10-year economic cycle is normal, but opportunity knocks with understanding and planning.
December 19, 2024 11:08 AM
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Darrell Smith
How-Low-Should-You-Go.jpg
Retail Industry
5 Ways To Maximize Fertilizer ROI For 2025
As you begin to rein in production costs, big ticket items such as fertilizer naturally get a lot of scrutiny. Now’s the time to think through how you’ll best allocate available dollars for nutrients.
September 10, 2024 08:38 PM
 · 
Rhonda Brooks
2023-Soybean-Research-Results
2023 Farm Journal Test Plot Soybean Results
Could reducing your soybean seeding rate increase profit per acre by $40? In the right situation, yes. Make it a priority to dial in population, row width and plant characteristics for each soil type and planting date.
July 01, 2024 11:39 AM
 · 
Darrell Smith
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