Retailer Invests In New 4R Management Services

Retailer Invests In New 4R Management Services

For South Central Cooperative, early 2018 was the time to add a John Deere R4038 for topdressing corn.

“We typically buy a new machine every three to five years,” says Ryan Hall, who has been a professional applicator with South Central for 13 years. “We know we have to keep up with technology. It’s just like a new computer—dollar for dollar, the newer you get, the less breakdowns you’ll have.”

Hall adds this machine’s acquisition was a bit different from its typical trade-in pattern. The cooperative knows it needs to respond to the application demands from its farmers.

“We now have 65 farmers and 7,700 acres in our SUSTAIN program,” explains Amy Smith, program coordinator for the co-op. South Central Cooperative spans nine locations in southeastern Iowa and northern Missouri.

“We first guinea-pigged the platform in 2015,” Smith explains. “And since fully launching SUSTAIN, farmers have increased profitability and yields. The average farmer we work with has been applying ¾ lb. of nitrogen for every bushel of corn. That beats the Iowa average of 1.1 lb. per bushel.”

Smith says farmers in the program are enrolled in Adapt-N to monitor nitrogen needs and are adopting multiple nitrogen applications rather than applying it all upfront.

Purchasing a new machine in these current times of tight profit margins is bullish, but the co-op believes it will pay off for its business and farmers’ profitability.

“Generally, the farmers in our SUSTAIN program are very proactive and eager to adopt new practices,” Smith says. “So at the same time, we have to be ready to invest in providing them new services.”

 

Latest News

From Farm to Fire: First Soybased Fire Suppressant Hits the Market
From Farm to Fire: First Soybased Fire Suppressant Hits the Market

Since the 1950s, fire departments across the country have used products containing dangerous PFAS to put out fires. But the United Soybean Board has announced a greener alternative made from soybean meal.

Smartwyre Launches New Data Insight Tool
Smartwyre Launches New Data Insight Tool

Grower Compass is a web interface that uses past data to help retailers better understand their customers and business opportunities.

Ferrie: In Dry Soils, Is It Better to Use Anhydrous and Strip-Till or a Zone Builder?
Ferrie: In Dry Soils, Is It Better to Use Anhydrous and Strip-Till or a Zone Builder?

Based on fieldwork he's done so far, the farmer asks, “Am I drying out the soil early in what looks to be a dry year? Or, am I making the soil more fit so roots can go down as they should?”

Telus Explains Proagrica Acquisition, The Future of Digital Ag Platforms
Telus Explains Proagrica Acquisition, The Future of Digital Ag Platforms

As Chris Terris, VP and Global Head, Animal Agriculture & M&A Growth at Telus Agriculture & Consumer Goods, explains, this acquisition’s complexity led to how the integration unfolded. 

Skills Survey Reveals U.S. Agriculture & Food Industry Workforce Needs and Gaps
Skills Survey Reveals U.S. Agriculture & Food Industry Workforce Needs and Gaps

U.S. employers report challenges in finding suitable job candidates with work-ready skills to fill open roles in ag. The AgCareers.com U.S. Skills Survey offers insights, data and trends to address skill development.

Port of Baltimore Shuttered: What Does It Mean for Farm Equipment?
Port of Baltimore Shuttered: What Does It Mean for Farm Equipment?

A 95,000 gross ton container ship crashed into a pylon supporting the Francis Scott Key Bridge near the Port of Baltimore early Tuesday morning. The port is a main access point for automobile and farm equipment imports.