Inside the Farm Plan: Corey Talks Growing Season Strategies w/ AgXplore
In this episode, Corey gives us an inside look at what goes into planning his farm’s next growing season. Brent and Zach from AgXplore join the conversation, sharing their expert perspectives on optimizing every phase of farming decisions—from crop inputs and soil health to technology adoption and risk management.
The discussion explores the challenges Corey faces as he preps his operation and how AgXplore’s innovative products and strategies can provide solutions. Whether you’re a farmer gearing up for spring or just curious about the behind-the-scenes decisions of a modern operation, this episode offers valuable insights into the planning process that ensures success.
Finding Simplicity in Complexity: Lessons from the Farm
Farming isn’t just about crops and soil; it’s about solving problems, making decisions, and finding balance in a complex world. For many farmers, including myself, the drive for efficiency often comes from the early days of sitting in the cab of a tractor, learning the ropes. My first experience was sitting in the 7800 John Deere tractor, pulling a Hardy sprayer with a 60- or 80-foot boom. Dad trusted me to stay off the rows and get the job done. That meant more than just operating equipment—it was my introduction to managing responsibility.
Simplicity and Strategy in Farm Management
Fast forward to today, and the demands on farmers have only multiplied. We’re not just farmers; we’re marketers, electricians, mechanics, and logistics managers. In all this, simplicity has become my guiding principle. For me, simplicity doesn’t mean cutting corners—it means creating efficient systems that work.
Take our approach to farm inputs, for example. We follow a "cash-and-carry" method for budgeting and purchasing. By December or early January, we aim to finalize all our input decisions. This allows us to:
Lock in costs and minimize surprises.
Base decisions on research and data, not mid-season emotions.
Focus on return on investment (ROI) by planning efficiently.
This year, it’s my brother and me taking on more responsibility as Dad steps back. While I know I won’t be as meticulous as he was, I’m building on his foundation by leaning into tools like Ag X and Ag Explorer. They provide valuable insights into planning without diving straight into product specifics.
Managing Nitrogen and Nutrition: A Field-by-Field Approach
On our farm, nitrogen management has evolved. We’ve shifted from the traditional approach of applying all nitrogen upfront to splitting applications across multiple passes:
Fall Application: We use anhydrous ammonia for its cost-effectiveness.
Planter Application: A mix of 32% UAN and ammonium thiosulfate (ATS) for nitrogen and sulfur.
Late-Season Y-Drops: If conditions demand, we adapt with a flexible, in-season application.
This strategy isn’t just about efficiency; it’s about flexibility. Last year taught us a hard lesson. A mild winter followed by wet spring conditions likely caused us to lose nitrogen. By adapting our plan field-by-field, we can improve outcomes without overcomplicating our operations.
Time Is the Most Valuable Resource
In farming, time is everything. With the responsibilities of running a farm, a podcast, and seed sales—not to mention family life—it’s clear that our time is even more precious than the money in our accounts. Surrounding myself with a great team has become non-negotiable. My goal is to work smarter, not harder, by prioritizing partnerships with suppliers and service providers who align with our farm’s vision.
This doesn’t mean cutting out local co-ops entirely. Co-ops offer valuable services, especially for those who don’t own equipment like sprayers. However, by owning our sprayer and managing applications in-house, we’ve saved thousands. That efficiency allows us to reinvest in other areas, like grain bins and tile systems, which offer some of the best ROI on the farm.
Looking Ahead
For me, simplicity means striking a balance between cost and effectiveness. Whether it’s refining our approach to inputs or building a more adaptable nitrogen program, every decision is aimed at managing risk while maximizing profit.
As farmers, we wear many hats, but we also have to recognize when it’s time to hand off certain tasks or invest in tools that simplify our work. After all, farming isn’t just about what we grow—it’s about how we grow as decision-makers.
In the end, success on the farm comes down to one thing: making informed, intentional choices that serve both the land and the people who work it.
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