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Beck’s agronomist shares where farmers should—and shouldn’t—cut costs

The agronomy education lead with Beck’s Hybrids says farmers are asking a common question this winter meeting season.

“Where do I trim back and where do I do that wisely?”

Matt Montgomery says investments in soil fertility are usually one of the first places farmers look to cut.  

“Let’s just maintain the discipline of doing something when it comes to soil fertility.”  He says, “Don’t get in the habit of not doing something.  That’s a real easy habit to get into and a very difficult habit to get out of.”

He tells Brownfield the goal should be to increase nutrient efficiency through practices such as spring-applied nitrogen.

“Some of these nitrogen rates are lower than what many of us would kind of use as a rule of thumb.”  He says, “Probably more operations need to start dropping out some strips where they cut it back 10 to 15 pounds and record what happens so they can decide whether they expand that into more acres.”

Montgomery says using a nitrogen inhibitor is also key to ensuring product availability for the plant.

Brownfield spoke with Montgomery at the Beck’s Hybrids PFR Insights meeting in Springfield, Illinois.

AUDIO: Matt Montgomery – Beck’s Hybrids