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Farmers weighing tough decisions for 2025 crop

A pair of agronomists say farmers are facing several tough decisions as they plan for the 2025 crop.

Matt Montgomery, who covers western Illinois for Pioneer, says evaluating disease resistance should be a priority.

“Now we’re starting to have to ask these really difficult questions about what’s my major player and orienting our management toward that,” he says.

Robby Meeker, who covers eastern Illinois for LG Seeds, tells Brownfield nutrient management decisions should be focused on increasing efficiencies.

“You know, how can we maximize what we’re putting out there and make sure that we’re getting it into the crop rather than broad spreading it and hoping that the plant finds it,” he says.

Montgomery agrees and says cutting nutrients can have long-term consequences.

“There are some must do inputs, and let’s not scratch those back.”  He says, “Because even though that might make the margin look better, at the end of the day, it’s going to hurt yield, which is not going to help.”

Both agronomists also say farmers should closely evaluate overall crop genetics to ensure the hybrids they’re using are offering top performance.

AUDIO: Matt Montgomery – Pioneer agronomist