Evan Hansen; Regional Sales Agronomist NW Iowa/SW Minnesota
As farmers and agronomists, post-harvest planning is a moving target from year to year. We must consider factors from the previous crop while also looking at opportunities and objectives for next year’s crop. To do this, producers should break planning into four key steps: fall actions, data analysis, goal setting, and crop planning. It’s crucial for producers to ask the right questions throughout this process.
Fall Actions
- Tillage: While tillage practices have evolved over time, it remains a practice that many producers still implement to some extent. Strip-till systems offer significant opportunities to position QLF’s L-CBF line. Speak with your agronomist about how to incorporate L-CBF products into liquid strip-till blends and spring nitrogen programs.
- Biological Residue Management: Utilizing biological and bio-stimulant products to break down crop residues has become more common in recent years. QLF Agronomy offers L-CBF Boost, a concentrated fertilizer designed to stimulate biology by providing energy to soil microbes. It can be used as a standalone product for residue management or combined with a biological to get the soil biology working as quickly as possible.
Data Analysis
- Data Utilization: Advancements in precision agriculture tools have improved farmers’ ability to track yield and performance data. Unfortunately, much of this data is underutilized. Efficient producers should connect with a precision ag professional to process this data and analyze trends. These trends can then be used to make informed management decisions for future seasons. Consult with your QLF Regional Sales Agronomist for guidance on collecting and analyzing trial data.
Goal Setting
- Setting Objectives: Goal setting allows growers to have a clear target when moving into crop planning. Important factors to consider include climate patterns, input prices, labor requirements, equipment needs, and commodity prices. Often, producers limit goals to yield alone, but it’s important to set goals on additional metrics such as return on investment, nutrient use efficiency, soil health, labor efficiency, plant health, forage quality, and more.
Crop Planning
- Comprehensive Planning: The final step is to bring all the pieces together to create a “road map” for the upcoming season. A crop plan should ideally include all inputs and management practices, covering land, seed, fertility, chemistry, and labor. Having a detailed crop plan before spring allows growers to focus on implementing practices and applying trials during the growing season rather than making last-minute decisions. It also provides clear direction for hired labor and custom applicators. QLF Regional Sales Agronomists have various planning tools and a network of retail partners to assist producers in planning and purchasing inputs.
After-harvest planning is a crucial step for growers to be proactive following harvest. Contact your QLF Regional Sales Agronomist today to begin planning for 2025.