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Taking another hard look at crop inputs

An extension crops educator suggests farmers take another hard look at inputs this year.

Dave Nicolai with the University of Minnesota says as margins get squeezed even tighter, expenses that aren’t considered difference makers should be on the chopping block.

“What weed control practices do I need to be following?  What fertility do I already have in place if I own the land versus if I rent the land?  And then in terms of crop variety selection (like) soybean varieties with a higher resistance or tolerance for white mold and other types of things.”

Heading into another year of low commodity prices, Nicolai tells Brownfield choosing the right inputs could make or break an operation.

“I think it’s going to be the area where folks are going to ask what they can get the best mileage for their dollar in 2018 will probably be the theme.”

Brownfield interviewed Nicolai at an Extension research meeting in Rochester earlier this month.