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THE COST OF FARMING<br />
EASTERN IOWA FARMER PHOTO / JACKIE MILLER<br />
All the decisions a farmer makes when<br />
planning for planting, growing and harvesting<br />
can be positively impacted by getting detailed<br />
information about their soil and crops through<br />
drones, GPS and other technologies.<br />
concept has developed into using some of<br />
the most advanced technology for growers<br />
to improve crop yields, optimize costs<br />
and limit environmental impact.<br />
Many farmers in Eastern Iowa use<br />
such equipment as drones, GPS and other<br />
technologies to help them gather detailed<br />
information about their soil and crops<br />
so they use just the right amounts of<br />
fertilizer, herbicides and insecticides, for<br />
example. Not only does the practice help<br />
them optimize costs, they also increase<br />
productivity and improve the sustainability<br />
of their ground.<br />
“We take our business to sort of a holistic<br />
approach in all aspects of planting,<br />
fertilizing, and soil testing,” Hostetler<br />
said, including evaluating the efficiency<br />
standards of a grower’s planting system,<br />
evaluating the biological needs of the<br />
crops, or educating their customers on<br />
how to be efficient.<br />
For example, a specialized row crop<br />
unit gives growers the opportunity to<br />
adjust seed depth and placement, control<br />
downforce, give the seed direct liquid fertility,<br />
be aware of the moisture availability,<br />
and increase planting speed, he said.<br />
Hostetler also provides service for<br />
the parts his company sells for a grower’s<br />
planter system’s. Within the past<br />
few months, he’s seen the impact of the<br />
increase in product prices and limitations<br />
on product supplies.<br />
“If farmers want to ensure they have a<br />
product, I advise them to get a down payment<br />
on it,” Hostetler said. With the busy<br />
springtime approaching, it is essential<br />
more than ever for a grower to plan for<br />
what their planter system needs.<br />
As many ag industry experts agree,<br />
having solid information about their<br />
business allows farmers the best foundation<br />
to plan strategy and make decisions.<br />
And many of those decisions made each<br />
farming season have an impact on improving<br />
soil health to mineralize nutrients,<br />
combating erosion and runoff, and<br />
having a positive environmental impact,<br />
Hostetler said.<br />
One practice he does to help provide<br />
information for his customers is to make<br />
multiple extensive field walks during the<br />
growing season. They dig into the dirt,<br />
evaluate roots and compaction layers,<br />
find diseases, do ear counts, and identify<br />
any mistakes the grower’s planter may<br />
have made at planting time. They use that<br />
information to make adjustments.<br />
“The big thing we try to teach our<br />
customers is the why, not just the how,<br />
the why we do it so they understand the<br />
reasoning behind it,” Hostetler said. n<br />
Let those country<br />
roads take you home.<br />
Whether you are looking for a place to call home<br />
or planning to sell a farm, estate, or acreage,<br />
Abby Schueller will use her expertise<br />
to guide you through the process.<br />
Abby<br />
Schueller<br />
563.599.3688<br />
abby.schueller@hotmail.com<br />
Licensed Realtor,<br />
ReMax/Advantage<br />
Realty<br />
123 McKinsey Drive<br />
Maquoketa, IA 52060<br />
72 EASTERN IOWA FARMER | FALL 2022 eifarmer.com
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