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Crop tour helps farmers improve corn yield

A senior marketing specialist with AGCO Corporation says the company is helping farmers in the Midwest maximize their return on investment with crop tour.

Larry Kuster says the on-farm research program shows farmers how different soil conditions, equipment, technology, and seed placement can impact corn yield.

“It’s a competitive business for growers and they need every advantage they can get,” he says. “Knowing what the planter is doing and that you’re giving the seed the best environment that you can adds up and makes a tremendous difference on the bottom line.”

He tells Brownfield the program also found that correct downforce can improve yields up to 8 bushels per acre.

“Downforce can affect them in a couple different ways by putting too much downforce on the seed zone and creating sidewall compaction or not enough downforce and the seed never gets to depth,” he says.

Several states have the AGCO Crop Tour program including Wisconsin, Ohio, Nebraska, Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota.

Audio: Larry Kuster, AGCO Corporation