Two years ago, Sonny Beck challenged our Practical Farm Research (PFR)® team to raise 400-bushel corn. Unlike all the other studies done in PFR, economics and profitability have little influence on this particular study. Instead, the focus here is solely on maximizing yield by utilizing non-traditional management practices in combinations that may be unpractical in today’s economy.

In this PFR report, the team at our Southern Illinois facility in Effingham talk about the new starter fertilizer systems study they are conducting this year utilizing Precision Plantings Conceal System.

Join our Central Illinois PFR Team in this PFR Report as they talk about a few new studies being conducted this year.

Breaking ground – literally and figuratively. Hear the most recent updates from the Beck’s PFR Team about our multi-row, multi-hybrid planter that’s the first of its kind.

Can in-furrow applications of sugar increase nutrient availability and yields in corn?

In this latest PFR Report, Jared Chester, PFR Location Lead in Ohio is joined by Field Agronomist Luke Schulte to discuss water quality when it comes to spraying.

As commodity prices leave us looking for new ways to be leaner and leaner with our on-farm practices, one consideration that rises to the top as a cost effect practice is applications of sugar in-furrow. Why sugar in-furrow? You may have noticed that many in-furrow starters already have a small percentage of sugar within their fertilizers. The idea behind applying sugar in-furrow is to stimulate the microbial activity. If we can stimulate microbial activity in the soil, then more nutrients will be readily available to the plant, thus promoting yields.

Each year the Beck’s Practical Farm Research (PFR)® program aims to test 1) products and practices on their way to becoming PFR Proven, 2) new technologies just introduced to the marketplace 3) cost effective management practices and 4) timely topics that farmers are considering on their operations.

While agricultural practices have changed over the last few decades, one factor has remained at the top of farmers minds: cost savings. As farmers, we’re great at finding new ways to save money, while still accomplishing our goals. And if we can increase profit while cutting expense costs, all the better! But what if we could continue to do this, but change our execution slightly to increase profits? Let’s talk about soybean seeding rate and row spacing.

The 2017 season proved to have enough challenges on its own without having to battle the $3.50 corn prices. Those challenges pushed us as farmers to think about more efficient and profitable ways to raise the highest yields possible, and utilizing different techniques and methods when making applications on our farms is a must.