775+ Decisions Behind a Single Corn Crop
A farmer can make more than 775 decisions that affect a single corn crop. From soil fertility and hybrid selection to planting speed, crop insurance, grain marketing, equipment purchases, and succession planning, modern farming requires hundreds of interconnected decisions every year. You see a cornfield. A farmer sees hundreds of decisions. To someone driving past […]
How Has Farming Changed in the Last 25 Years?
Over the past 25 years, farming has shifted from manual, instinct-based practices to precision, technology-driven agriculture. GPS systems, drones, regenerative soil methods, and direct-to-consumer markets have reshaped how food is grown—and how Iowa farmland is valued by investors today. Farming in 1999 looked very different from farming today. Fields that once relied on a farmer’s […]
How Can Small Changes Improve Farm Performance?
How can small changes improve farm performance? Small improvements made over time can have a significant impact on a farm’s productivity, profitability, and long-term value. Whether it’s improving soil health, fine-tuning fertilizer applications, upgrading equipment, or adopting new technology, incremental changes often produce meaningful results without requiring major investments. Many successful farming operations aren’t built […]
Why Are Larger Fields Easier to Farm?
Larger fields reduce equipment turns, lower fuel costs, and make precision agriculture tools more effective. Farmers who consolidate land can complete field operations faster, manage soil more consistently, and integrate technology at a scale that smaller, fragmented parcels simply can’t match. Drive through the Midwest during planting season and you’ll notice something: the biggest, most […]
What Is El Niño Weather Pattern and How Could It Impact Iowa Farmers in 2026?
El Niño is a climate pattern caused by warmer-than-normal water temperatures in the Pacific Ocean. Although it develops thousands of miles from Iowa, it can influence weather across the Midwest. For Iowa farmers, El Niño often means cooler temperatures, increased rainfall, and wetter harvest conditions. Additional moisture can support crop growth. However, too much rain […]