You Can Do It! We Can Help!

We’ve all heard the old adage “a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.” And while this may be a tired metaphor, it most certainly holds true for crop production.

In the past few months, we have really shifted our focus from products to growers. We still do more plot work in this region than anyone. We still have leading edge traits and genetics. But we are refocusing on the wider range of needs and problems that you face.

There are hundreds of factors that affect final yields in any given field. Here are my top 10 in rough order of importance:

1. Weather. Everyone talks about it; nobody does anything about it. There are many things growers can do to mitigate weather variations. PFS can help by bringing you the information and expertise to create a package of products for whatever the season brings.
2. Water Management. After several late wet falls, the drainage on our farm needs a lot of work – maybe yours does too. PFS can help with products that stand up better in waterlogged soils or hold together on those gravel ridges. And coming soon: specific drought management traits from at least two research programs.
3. Planting Accuracy. Nothing will have a greater impact on corn yields than maximizing the performance of your planter. Our agronomists have evaluated stand quality in hundreds of fields in this region, and we have found huge differences – even with nearly new planters. We can help you evaluate this year’s stand to increase your performance next year. And our careful seed sizing and uniformity helps too!
4. Seed Quality. We know, from years of experience, an average variety with great seed quality will outperform a great variety with average seed quality. PFS is the only company with 94% germination soybean seed and the highest quality standards for corn seed.
5. Hybrid/Variety Placement. IDC, white mold, gravel ridges and heavy clays – every field is different and every variety handles these issues differently. Working with your PFS dealer and agronomists can help you get the right product on the right field. Every time.
6. Genetics. Every seed company talks about great genetics. As an independent company, PFS has access to a wider spectrum of corn and soybean genetics than any of the national brands. And we have the region’s leading testing program to identify which products perform in this region…and where.
7. Weed control. The golden age of easy weed control is ending. When we tell our grandchildren that all we had to do for perfect weed control was go spray Roundup, they may not believe us! As more resistant weeds show up, PFS is here with the broadest spectrum of traits to help you manage the weeds you have on your farm. (Ask you Pioneer, Asgrow, or NK dealer about LibertyLink soybeans – they don’t have them!)
8. Fertility. Part of our Plus20 Agronomy Club involves in-season tissue testing to evaluate nutrient levels with tips for adjusting your program. Coming soon, nitrogen utilization traits.
9. Insect Control. Rootworms, Earworms, Corn borers, cutworms and more. We have traits for the bugs you have, and we won’t try and force you to buy traits for bugs you don’t have (or a soybean insecticide seed treatment you don’t need.)
10. Tillage/Residue Management. Different tillage programs put different demands on varieties and hybrids. Working with your PFS dealer and agronomists, you can get the characteristics you need.

Each of these is important enough to deal with separately and in depth. You can do it, we can help!