As an agronomist and crop consultant with Nutrien Ag Solutions, Jeff Kloucek says working out in the field is where he enjoys his job the most. While the weather was the biggest challenge last year, Kloucek doesn’t expect too much of a reprieve from that unknown this year.
However, he and the team in Nebraska and South Dakota are focusing on what they can control. And shares more in The Scoop Podcast:
“When we can figure something out, come up with a solution, and then see it works with real yield data to show our decision made us money and we fixed an issue—that’s when it’s fun,” he says.
In soil fertility, they are taking a new look at the whole system and how nutrients interact with each other.
“With some of our theories on fertility we’re really switching gears and going a different direction,” he says. “And we’re looking the whole balance of the soil and how different nutrients work together or work against each other.”
And for weed control, Kloucek has two pieces of advice: “Don’t cut the rates. And adjuvants are just as important as the herbicides you put in the tank.”
Even though they can’t control the weather, Kloucek and his team tested a new irrigation sensor last year to refine their water management, and they are fully deploying those this year.
As an agronomy leader eager to try new things and improve each year, Kloucek encourages others in the industry to develop in their careers.
“Don’t be afraid to ask questions and find a good mentor,” he says. “One of the greatest mentors I had was another applicator when I first started. He took me under his wing, and I learned a lot from him. He told me what I needed to know and where I should go look to learn more and was very instrumental in my career.”
