Crops

Non-GMO Corn

In 2019, we switched to non-GMO commercial corn. This was mostly a financial decision to manage the cost of production. Trait packages in corn are like an insurance package, and those traits come with a premium cost. We increase scouting and field management to produce the same quality of grain but at a lower cost. We also work with local end users to establish long term relationships for non-GMO premium markets. Currently the grain’s primary use is for ethanol production, feed, and food grade products.

Yellow Popcorn

About 15-20% of are corn acres are dedicated to yellow popcorn. All popcorn is non-GMO so additional management is required. It also doesn’t have the stalk quality or stand-ability that commercial corn possess, but has to stand in the field longer so the grain can naturally dry down before harvest. We cater to the nutrient needs and plant’s health for higher stalk and grain quality. Special steps for handling are required so we don’t damage the kernels which sacrifices quality. We are contracted by Pop Weaver and recommend eating their delicious popcorn!

Transitional and Certified Organic

We started transitioning acres in 2018 to USDA organic production standards. The USDA has a strict guideline of allowed products, documentation and processes to maintain integrity in organic production. It takes 3 years to transition land for certified production which means no herbicides, pesticides, commercial fertilizers or GMO crops. We plan on adding acres into the program each year for the foreseeable future. Our primary crops are soybeans, wheat, corn, and organic popcorn, and we plan on expanding our crop rotations in future.

Wheat

Wheat used to be common rotational crop in the Midwest but improved genetics in corn and soybeans made those crops more profitable. We see multiple benefits to bringing wheat back into the rotation though, including bio-diversity in the soil, building of organic matter, better soil tilth, and a more balanced workload. We are improving an innovative process known as inter-seeding, where we plant double crop soybeans into standing wheat before it’s harvested. We are continuously learning how to improve that program and continue to expand acres each year.

Sorghum

Less common in the Midwest is sorghum (also known as milo). The primary market in our geography is bird seed, but in the western plains, sorghum is commonly grown for feed use, ethanol or export markets. Sorghum grain qualities are nearly identical to that of corn. Sorghum too is non-GMO, so there are some additional steps to managing it. It is a very hardy and adaptive plant, so we like placing it on our drier, marginal soils that are more prone to drought. We also receive a premium for the sorghum and are working on expanding production acres.

Seed Soybeans

Seed beans are grown on contract and we work with suppliers to identify varieties they want grown and we carefully isolate fields they will be planted in. Seed production requires thorough clean-out procedures of planting and harvest equipment, along with storage, so those varieties remain uncontaminated. The supplier will then take those beans and check their traits, quality, purity, and germination. Once a variety passes inspection, it is hauled to a central cleaning facility where they clean, sort and bag the soybeans that farmers will use the following year to plant as commercial soybeans.

Commercial and Non-GMO soyBeans

The remaining acres of soybeans we grow are referred to as commercial or commodity soybeans. These soybeans don’t require any separation or isolation. The primary market in our area for our soybeans are soy bio-diesel and soybean meal. The soybeans are hauled to local processors that convert the soybeans to higher valued commodities.

Other soybean production includes non-GMO soybeans that are primarily used for feed for poultry and swine operations.