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Farmer says he’s finding ways to be more efficient with crop inputs

An east central Nebraska farmer says adjustments to crop nutrient and weed programs could help improve his bottom line.

Mitch Oswald tells Brownfield he’s switched to variable rate applications for fertilizer and is trying to improve other efficiencies. “So we don’t have to come back in later on in the summer with an extra passive for spring. We’re kind of front loading a little bit. I’m just trying to get us through canopy.”

He says input applications will depend on weather and says he’s concerned this crop year might be similar to 2023. “Our irrigation costs were high, but you had the cash price on corn to kind of help offset it. Whereas this year we don’t have that. If we don’t get moisture soon, irrigation expenses are going to add up pretty quick.”

Oswald says while cutting back on inputs saves some money, he has to be careful not to sacrifice crop yields.