News

Yield audits help Minnesota farmer reclaim bushels missed by elevators

A farmer in southwest Minnesota is focused on attention to detail.

Nick Sandager says he reconciles yield data as soon as harvest ends.

“I’m double-checking all the yields and everything, which is a funny one I always tell people (that) I don’t think I’ve ever had a year where I have not had our scale tickets that we get printed when we go over the scale at the elevator match the assembly sheets from the coop. There’s always been at least one error, and usually not in our favor and they give us bushels back.”

He tells Brownfield those details often add up, especially when margins are tight.

“So without a doubt I’m like ‘oh, there I just saved it’ll be 200 bushels of beans.’ Well, that’s $2,000 right there I just saved that they missed out on because they made a mistake in their shrink or something. Which happens a lot more than you think.”

Sandager says he uses crop performance to determine seed, fertilizer, and chemical purchases for the following growing season.

Sandager was recently recognized as the Compeer Financial Groundbreaker of the Year, which honors young, beginning, or small operation farmers who demonstrate resilience, innovation, and dedication to advancing agriculture and their local communities.