Roots | Summer 2025 by Stutsmans

WHAT’S INSIDE

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR BECKNOLOGY DAYS!

Explore the latest technology advancements, innovative practices and sustainable solutions in a hands-on ﬁeld day hosted by Beck’s.

» August 14 | Colfax, Iowa

» P.S. We promise Becknology Days is about more than just seed!

ROB BRENNEMAN NAMED NPPC PRESIDENT-ELECT

Congratulations to Rob Brenneman, owner and operator of Brenneman Pork in Washington, Iowa, on being named the President-elect of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC)!

SUMMER SAVINGS FROM AG LEADER

Contact our precision ag team to learn about SeedCommand (SureSpeed®, SureDrive® and SureForce®), display trade-in and assisted steering trade-in promotions!

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DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE ON THE JOB HUNT?

» Agronomy Sales Representative

» Custom Applicator

» Dedicated Delivery Driver

» Fleet Service Technician

Apply at stutsmans.com/careers or call HR at 319.679.5268

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

dri t and surface water runo , lessening the risk of pesticide exposure to listed species (Jenkins, 2023).

HOW DOES THE ESA WORKPLAN AFFECT GROWERS?

A ter a period of public feedback, the EPA announced the ﬁnal version of its Herbicide Strategy in August. Under this guidance, new herbicide products and those up for registration renewal will include the new mitigation requirements on their label. Depending on the herbicide, the required mitigations might be application location-speciﬁc or blanket requirements for all areas (Heath, 2025).

Using a point system, growers must reach a certain value (determined by mitigation factors) to use products as indicated on their label. Under this system, growers automatically receive mitigation points based on factors like field location, low slope or flat fields, sandy soil type, conservation tillage, contour farming, cover crops or continuous ground cover, terrace farming, irrigation water management, grassed waterway, and more (EPA, 2024a). Most counties in Iowa will automatically start with zero to two mitigation relief points for geographical location as it pertains to runo susceptibility (EPA, n.d.).

You might be thinking, “This is just one more thing I have to keep straight.” You’re not wrong, and it will add a layer of complexity. Fortunately, the EPA has developed a runo /erosion mitigation calculator tool to help pesticide applicators determine how many base mitigation points they are already receiving for a field and, therefore, if any additional application-specific mitigation points are needed to use the product. Examples of application-specific

mitigation measures include reducing the annual application rate to 10% less than the maximum annual labeled rate, watering-in or mechanical incorporation before a runo -producing event, and reduction in the portion of the ﬁeld treated (EPA, 2024a).

In addition to label-speciﬁc mitigation measures, applicators must check the EPA’s Bulletins Live! Two interactive webpage to see if there are any active bulletins or Pesticide Use Limitation Areas (PULA) restrictions. An applicator should follow the most restrictive bulletins/PULAs restrictions and label mitigation measures to ensure proper compliance (CropLife America, n.d.).

WHAT’S STILL COMING DOWN THE PIPE?

In April, the EPA released the Insecticide Strategy, but there are not any insecticides labeled under this guidance yet (Eckelkamp, 2025). The Fungicide Strategy is expected by spring 2026 (Kampa, 2025). While there are still unknowns, here are a few of my thoughts based on the di erent hats I wear as a grower, retailer and Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Environmental Protection Commissioner.

As an end user of these crop protection products, I absolutely feel compelled to use these products in the most environmentally responsible way possible without giving up performance — as I am sure you all do as well. We can all be thankful that Iowa does not have many endangered species that we need to protect.

To add complexity to this situation, it is not only new products coming into the market that are being reviewed, but over time, all products will have their labels up for renewal. This means there will be changes in various product labels every year for the next decade or even longer … and that assumes there are no more additions to the endangered species list!

We will have sta dedicated to monitoring the changes in product labels, and of course, communicating with you about how those changes will a ect us both. As a retailer and applicator of these products, I am not looking forward to determining dri t mitigation strategies and setbacks from tile inlets or streambanks on a ﬁeld-by-ﬁeld basis. Nor am I looking forward to coming up with a strategy on how to treat uncovered acres.

And ﬁnally … as the Chairman of the Iowa Environmental Protection Commission, I have made the following observations:

» The “green scrutiny” we in production agriculture are facing is increasing at a rapid pace.

» If we as users of these products are not excellent stewards, eventually we will have changes legislated upon us. There is a very real likelihood of those changes being made on emotion, not good science.

» Lastly, we all need to work fervently together to share all the good news that is Iowa agriculture to our non-farming neighbors! Disinformation is our greatest enemy …

These are my thoughts, I look forward to hearing yours!

Mark S tsman

Sources

CropLife America. (n.d.) ESA pesticide user guide. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5faeee45a363746603d1c6e1/t/67e172ede000926e3 f2c24/1742828269598/ESA+Flowchart_03.20.2025.pdf

Pace University Elisabeth Haub School of Law. (2025, January 29). Federal insecticide, fungicide and rodenticide act (FIFRA): Overview. https://libraryguides.law.pace.edu/fifra Eckelkamp, M. (2025, April 30). Breaking down EPA’s new action plan for insecticides. Farm Journal AgWeb. https://www.agweb.com/news/breaking-down-epas-new-action-plan-insecticides EPA. (2025, March 18). Endangered species litigation and associated pesticide limitations. https://www.epa.gov/endangered-species/endangered-species-litigation-and-associated-pesticide-limitations EPA. (2024, October 16). Mitigation menu. https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/mitigation-menu EPA. (n.d.). Pesticide runo vulnerability mitigation relief points. https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-10/county-mitigation-relief-points-runo -vulnerability.pdf EPA. (2024, November 6). Summary of federal insecticide, fungicide and rodenticide act. https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-federal-insecticide-fungicide-and-rodenticide-act Heath, T. (2025, March 17). Understanding the EPA’s final herbicide strategy: Key components. Illinois Extension. https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/farm-coach/2025-03-17-understanding-epas-final-herbicide-strategy-key-components Jenkins, J. (2023,

KRONE’S SWADRO ROTARY RAKES

BY: DEREK BONTRAGER | PRECISION & EQUIPMENT SALES

If your operation needs a high-quality, durable hay rake that leaves well-formed, consistent windrows, look no further than the Swadro rotary rake lineup from Krone. The Swadro lineup o ers rakes sized from a single rotor, 12’6” working width to a massive six rotor, 62’4” working width and many models to choose from in between with side or center delivery.

All Swadro rotary rakes beneﬁt from similar features:

Maintenance-free rotors and tine arms that have no grease zerks.

Maintenance-free main gearbox ﬁlled with liquid grease.

DuraMax cam track made from a hard-wearing alloy that comes with a three-year warranty and is steeply angled to help create well-shaped windrows.

Exclusive li t tines with an extra bend approximately ﬁve inches from the bottom that creates a better li ting e ect, whether the crop is wet or dry.

Krone li t tines allow the rake to be set in a higher position, which leads to cleaner windrows, less tine wear, gentle forage care and higher forage quality.

Removable tine arms that can be easily replaced if repair is needed.

Foldable tine arms (on certain models), allowing for narrower or lower transport and taking up less space in the shed.

Exceptional li t out on headlands for greater clearance over windrows.

Jet-E ect rotors ensure tines will not dig into the ground on headlands by raising the front rotor ﬁrst when li ting and lowering the rear of the rotor ﬁrst when dropping down.

Krone’s single-rotor rakes are o ered with tandem axles for a great ride across the ﬁeld and the ability to follow the ground’s contours. Multi-rotor rakes are o ered with swiveling front axles and walking tandem rear axles for even greater ground-hugging capability.

All of the Krone rake models we have sold have been well received by customers. We are especially impressed by the capacity and quality of the twin rotor models Swadro TC 760 and TS 740 Twin.

SETTING THE BAR HIGHER CEDAR RAPIDS PRAIRIE FFA

In2024-2025 OFFICERTEAM

ﬁve short years, Cedar Rapids Prairie FFA has risen from non-existent to the fourth largest chapter in the state. Not only that, but the program and school district have leaned into providing meaningful and experiential opportunities for its students. From a land lab with eight acres of test plot to a barn for raising broiler chickens, from Ag Ed Day for middle schoolers to connection days for ag students to collaborate across classes, from a spring plant sale to a mum, pumpkin and Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project market, and so much more, the Cedar Rapids Prairie FFA program is truly setting the bar higher by pouring into future agriculturalists.

With a diverse student population of 35.68% town students, 28.63% suburb students, 15.77% city students and 19.9% rural students, members of the program get to show up to the ag building as they are to develop an interest and hopefully passion for the agricultural industry.

“I think students have found their second home here at the ag building,” Cedar Rapids Prairie ag teacher and FFA advisor, Laura Brecht, said.

REDEFINING EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

Prairie’s agriculture and sciences program o ers two pathways for students. The animal science pathway consists of intro to ag, animal science, advanced animal science, ag business, and ag in the industry internship classes. The plant science pathway includes intro to ag, plant science, principles of agronomy (a new dual credit course for fall 2025), ag business, and ag in the industry internship classes.

As students progress through their pathway, numerous hands-on learning opportunities are integrated into the coursework, such as raising broiler chickens and growing plants in the greenhouse. Beyond production, students also learn about the marketing side of agriculture.

“Our students in plant science raise, produce and design all of the plants in the greenhouse,” Laura said. “So, they’re responsible for the spring plant sales, and that is really to help fund the next year’s course.”

Laura says she hopes being in the ag program encourages students to see agriculture’s value and potential career opportunities, even if that doesn’t look like a traditional role in production agriculture, but rather one that supports those in it.

Students round out their high school ag experience by completing a 90-hour internship customized to their future aspirations.

“Once they’re in ag business class, I learn what they’re hoping to accomplish in their internship, and then, we start connecting with businesses to ﬁgure out what the best placement is going to be,” Laura said.

Examples of past student placements include Stutsman Fairfax location, Amana Farms, Altorfer Cat, City of Cedar Rapids Water Division and Johnson County Extension. When reﬂecting on their high school experience, Laura says many students consider the ag in the industry internship class their favorite.

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

Experiential learning does not stop in the classroom. Students are given a multitude of other hands-on experiences through FFA activities. One such opportunity is their test plot. Originally started as four acres of pumpkins, the plot has evolved (for increased learning and plant health necessities) to eight acres of corn and a small batch of pumpkins.

“We work with Stutsmans to provide our fertilizer and chemical for the plot and then Beck’s for our seed,” Laura said.

One improvement they are making to their test plot this year is implementing a true rotation by having three sections.

“I’m really excited for students to see the value of crop rotation and why it can be beneﬁcial,” Laura said.

As they continue to grow their plot, Laura hopes they can dive further into crop data to expose students to making sound agronomic decisions in their new principles of agronomy class.

Having an SAE is a requirement for all FFA members, but the Cedar Rapids Prairie FFA chapter has also found a way to enhance their projects. This past fall, an FFA market was added to their mums and pumpkins sale. Mimicking a farmers market, students had the opportunity to showcase agricultural products created through their SAE projects.

The FFA market was a big hit with students quickly selling out of their products, which included items like apples, alpaca ﬁber products, homemade baked goods, chocolates, honey, salsa and jelly. Beyond the event’s success, Laura takes pride in the fact that the event idea was developed at an o cer retreat and fully executed by FFA members.

“That was one of my proudest moments as an ag teacher,” Laura said.

SOILJUDGING

LAURABRECHT(LEFT) ANDKRISTY THOMANN(RIGHT)

GOLDEN OWLS

PRAIRIESTUDENTS ON THEIR STUTSMAN TOUR

FFA advisors o ten make or break the success of a high school ag program. Referred to as the “Owl”, they are tasked with guiding their students by sharing their knowledge and wisdom. They are also vital to developing experiences in and out of the classroom.

Laura Brecht joined as an FFA advisor and agriculture teacher in 2020 a ter teaching in northwest Iowa for two years. It’s no surprise that Laura’s impact has already been felt — so much so that she was honored with the 2024-2025 Iowa Ag Educator of the Year Golden Owl Award.

In the fall of 2023, Kristy Thomann joined Laura as an FFA advisor and agriculture teacher for the Cedar Rapids Prairie 9th Grade Center. As the intro to ag teacher, Kristy gets to start the freshmen and new to ag students o on their agricultural journey.

“Because I was exposed to agriculture at such a young age, I had ﬁrst-hand experience with seeing the reality (whether it was joys or struggles) of agriculture and what it does to provide for our world,” Kristy said. “I grew up hearing misconceptions surrounding agriculture, and I wanted to be a part of the reason to end false information and educate Iowa students about an industry that fuels their state and nation.”

Being an ag teacher and FFA advisor is a signiﬁcant time commitment. Even so, Laura credits her students, Kristy and the Prairie community for motivating her each day.

“We have so many students that maybe don’t have a background in agriculture, but they have an interest,” Laura said, “and here at Prairie, we are very fortunate to have such great facilities to foster opportunities for them to engage in ag education.”

For Kristy, it’s the moments (both big and small) that reassure her she made the right career choice.

“It is extremely rewarding to see my students grow, whether it is in the classroom or for FFA activities and events,” Kristy said. “I get to see shy and timid students blossom into great public speakers and communicators, and it reminds me how my high school agricultural education experience pushed me to be a better version of myself.”

CREATING CONNECTIONS

In 2020, the program started with 92 students. Today, there are 247 high school students and ﬁve graduated members. Eighteen members commute from the Solon Community School District as part of a partnership to provide ag courses and an FFA chapter for their students. With their quick growth, Laura says she and her co-teacher, Kristy, are challenged to engage all students in the program.

“There are so many more opportunities for students than just showing up during their scheduled class time,” Laura said. “We want to make sure that they’re involved in at least one activity.”

Laura and Kristy’s goal for the past school year was to build more relationships.

“Our focus was really on connections between our students, our students and our instructors and advisors, and then also our students and our community,” Laura said.

Developing positive connections with the community has been foundational to the program’s success. Having an alumni and supporters’ group is one way to foster these partnerships and allow for next-level learning.

“Sometimes we just need access to someone to plant our test plot or supplies; resources, time, and expertise; to help prepare students for contests; or be a guest speaker in a class,” Laura said.

Without this support and industry connections, Laura says they would not be able to grow the program like they have.

“I think we’ve been able to create a lot of really cool partnerships and also just some really innovative projects for our students,” Laura said.

As the graduating young agriculturalists of the Cedar Rapids Prairie FFA program embark on their next adventure, they will carry with them the culmination of their classroom learning, hands-on experiences, and industry connections to set the bar higher for the agricultural industry.

“We’ve done all we can as instructors, and now it’s time for them to take what they’ve learned over their last four years in agriculture and their core classes and apply it in the industry,” Laura said.

WHAT IS IT LIKE BEING A PART OF PRAIRIE’S FFA PROGRAM?

BY: TEAGAN HOSEK | CEDAR RAPIDS PRAIRIE STUDENT

Being a student in the FFA is a great opportunity and experience. With all the activities provided, like Ag Ed Day or Drive Your Tractor to School Day, students gain valuable experiences and learning opportunities. During our Ag Ed Day, we show 6th graders in our district how to operate heavy machinery safely. In addition, we have the Iowa Corn Growers Association bring their educational trailer with fun, hands-on activities for kids to learn about corn and biofuels. They also learn about water quality and ag mechanics. We teach them what it's like to be an FFA student and what jobs or opportunities they could potentially get from being in the FFA.

When you join FFA, the possibilities are endless, from competing at state or national convention to meeting people you will learn to lean on when you need it most. Our program helps students work on their leadership and public speaking skills in various ways throughout the year. A way I was able to better my speaking skills was by participating in Team Ag Sales, a competition that includes a ten-minute presentation on why a customer should purchase a product. Before I started FFA, public speaking was a challenge for me, but it has opened many doors when it comes to speaking and building relationships with others. Public speaking may not be easy for everyone, but it is a challenge everyone should take on.

Students get to experience hands-on learning with their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects. My SAE project is helping on my family farm, where we own and operate a cow-calf operation while also managing a row crop operation. My SAE and being in FFA have taught me how to be responsible when it comes to learning about animal and crop health.

From hands-on learning and skill development to leadership and public speaking, FFA helps prepare students for various career paths and personal growth. The program also helps with responsibility and opens doors for people to build relationships inside and outside of the program while contributing to the agricultural community around us.

THE NEW PHANTOM 1XR INJECTOR LONGER-LASTING UNITS

no secret that the Bazooka Farmstar Phantom injection units have been a go-to for many manure applicators due to their minimal soil disturbance and precise manure application. They can also run at higher speeds with less horsepower than the shank and conventional disc alternatives, making them an e ective and e cient option for a range of applicators.

The natural progression of many product lines consists of improvements and upgrades to original concepts to fit di erent situations and needs. The Phantom line is no di erent. When Bazooka Farmstar first released the Phantom 1 units, they quickly became popular for toolbars and tankbars alike. Next came the Phantom Edge upgrade for those looking to accommodate higher gallons per acre application rates. The Phantom 2 unit, released in 2023, was designed for increased durability and longevity. It also has a closure blade downforce adjustment for better field adaptability and coverage consistency. Next, applicators and producers asked for a more durable Phantom 1, and Bazooka Farmstar’s engineering team listened. Insert the Phantom 1XR.

Freshly released at the 2025 World Pork Expo, the Phantom 1XR is an improved version of the Phantom 1 with longevity at the forefront of its design. Each manure season can bring extensive wear and tear to row units, especially for custom applicators. The upgrades Bazooka Farmstar has made to this design will help keep you running for longer while spending less on unit replacements. In addition to the upgrades, the Phantom 1XRs maintain many of the same ﬁeld-tested features as the Phantom 1. They are capable of application rates up to 15,000 gallons per acre (GPA) (over 20,000 GPA with the Phantom Edge upgrade) while placing manure four to six inches below the surface.

THE NITTY GRITTY IMPROVEMENTS

(ACCORDING TO MARK ROHRET, MANURE EQUIPMENT SALES)

Hardened, nickel-plated ﬂoating main pin with an increased diameter for improved wear resistance

Nickel-plated replaceable closure pin with an increased diameter for better durability and ease of replacement

Redesigned optional closure spring kit upgrade for tank bars with a stronger spring and swivel hook design on both ends to reduce misalignment, binding and stress during application

The Phantom 1XRs are built with hardened, corrosion-resistant elements; replaceable wear components to protect expensive weldments; and greaseable points to extend the life of the units. If you’ve wanted to upgrade to the Phantom 2s but weren’t quite ready for the price increase that comes with it, the Phantom 1XRs are a more a ordable solution, giving you the best of both worlds. As a more rugged, longer-lasting unit than the Phantom 1, we think the Phantom 1XRs will quickly become the new go-to for a variety of applicators.

PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT ALERT

ATHENE RATE CONTROLLER

BY: DEREK BONTRAGER

| PRECISION AND EQUIPMENT SALES

Topcon recently introduced an updated version of the Athene rate controller, which has been on the market for several years. The Athene is designed for controlling and monitoring the application of dry materials proportionally to ground speed or prescription plans. The ISOBUS-compliant Athene can be used on self-propelled or trailed spreaders for manure, litter, lime or granular fertilizer.

The updated Athene appears in a new form factor, o ering a more robust enclosure and improved wiring than its predecessor. The so tware has been upgraded for simpler setup and an easier-to-navigate menu structure. The new main working screen can be further manipulated to show additional spreader functionality.

The Athene is o ered in two versions: the SM-1X, designed for single belt manure and litter spreaders, and the SM-3X, used on single or dual belt (with optional unlock) granular fertilizer spreaders. Both versions use similar cabling and need to be tied to an encoder reading ﬂoor or belt speed. The SM-1X controls the belt (ﬂoor) speed and can monitor beaters. The SM-3X can control the belt and spinner speed. It is also capable (with an unlock) of controlling dual belts and up to 16 sections of spinner control. Both Athene versions are capable of Automatic Section Control (ASC) and Variable Rate Control (VRC).

When it comes to scales, both versions of Athene can be tied to Topcon’s Scale Link 2 (SL2) load cell interface. The SL2 allows scale setup to be done through the Athene menu and is displayed on the main work screen on the user's in-cab universal terminal display. The combination of Athene and SL2 is capable of fully automated continuous calibration when spreading variable density products such as manure or litter. This means the operator can spread the correct rate regardless of the product density. The system works by comparing how much the spreader theoretically should have spread versus how much is actually spread (based on the scale reading) and recalculating product density on the go.

Athene pricing starts around $3,000 and will vary depending on the spreader it is being installed on and whether scales are being used in the application. We have several units already installed and running in the ﬁeld, and customers have been pleased with the results.

For more information about the Athene rate controller or any other Topcon products, contact our precision ag team.

In 2023, Iowa produced around 545,000 tons of food waste. Approximately 288,000 tons of that food waste made its way into landﬁlls (ReFED, 2025).

One Iowa farmer, with the help of his brothers, Curtis and Brian, is working to combat this issue and reduce food waste entering landﬁlls by converting it into a nutrient-rich compost, which he can use to improve the soil health on his farm in Lynnville, Iowa.

“This is my idea to keep it out of the landﬁll,” Randy Van Kooten, owner and operator of Skunk River Compost, said. “It’s a good source of energy, of nitrogen and organic matter.”

Around 12 years ago, while applying cattle manure to his ﬁelds, Randy developed a keen interest in improving his soil health. He began implementing practices like cover crops and reduced tillage methods. Still, he decided he needed to take a further step beyond manure to increase the organic matter in his soil. His solution … adding compost.

Randy decided to go commercial with his business, Skunk River Compost, in 2022 to help o set the costs of the composting process.

IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME

Since then, the demand for Skunk River Compost’s services has exploded, especially with businesses that have waste materials they are looking to dispose of. From extra laundry detergent to food byproducts, truckloads have not stopped rolling into Randy’s compost site.

“It’s just been overwhelming because a lot of your Fortune 500 companies won’t go to the landﬁlls typically because it’s not the right thing to do,” Randy said.

Due to a shortage of compost facilities, especially those permitted to handle food waste, Skunk River Compost is currently receiving materials from four states.

“Food waste is a separate permit, and you’ve got to be able to handle this stu ,” Randy said. “Not too many in Iowa do right now. There might be one or two, I think.”

When Randy started Skunk River Compost, he was not prepared for just how many companies would want to bring their waste to him from so far away.

“I said, ‘there is no way that people are gonna drive from Des Moines clear out here,’” Randy said. “I was wrong. Build it, and they will come.”

THE COMPOSTING PROCESS

The time from when Randy receives the organic materials to the time a batch is fully cured typically takes six months; however, experience and recently expanded facilities are allowing him to shorten the start-to-ﬁnish process.

“We’re cutting it down to about four months and doing the same thing,” Randy said.

Cra ting the correct ratio of ingredient types is an art – too much or too little of a material can prevent the proper microbial decomposition processes needed to create the ﬁnished compost from occurring.

TREASURE

“We started out doing everything in windrowing, but what happened was

Skunk River Compost’s current air system consists of four composting bays

“Every ﬁve feet has a nozzle that comes into the concrete through a pipe,

Through electronic controls and temperature probes, Randy can monitor the status of each bay on his phone, regardless of whether he is on site or

Once a batch has completed the composting process and cured, it is run through a trommel to remove any pieces that are over 5/16ths in size. Material that doesn’t make the cut, which is o ten larger pieces of wood, will be used again in another batch. This allows the pieces to go through the process until they break down to a small enough size.

When it’s all said and done, the ﬁnished product looks and smells just like soil. It is also packed with nutrient-rich organic matter, o cially turning it from trash to treasure.

The compost is then predominantly spread onto Randy’s ﬁelds using an Artex CB1200 spreader with Cyclone Beaters. Even though he cannot guarantee a speciﬁc nutrient analysis like traditional products, Randy will also occasionally receive interest in his compost from gardeners because it is a cheaper nutrient alternative.

WHAT’S BEST ISN’T ALWAYS THE EASIEST

Since introducing compost to his ﬁelds, Randy has no longer needed to purchase phosphorus and potassium for his ﬁelds. His soil tests also consistently show high nutrient values across the board.

While composting has signiﬁcantly helped Randy meet his goal of putting more organic matter into his soil, he will readily admit that running a compost business isn’t for everyone. Location, time, labor, and the ability to invest in the right system and equipment are all factors that come into play when starting a commercial composting business. Randy puts in 10-hour days, six days a week. Even so, additional help is needed from his two brothers, Curtis and Brian, as well as another

“We work here every day, so there’s a lot of work involved in all this, and there’s deﬁnitely a need,” Randy said.

While starting a commercial composting business like Skunk River Compost might not be in everyone’s future, Randy says an easier way to help decrease food waste entering landﬁlls is to start a compost pile with items like food scraps, leaves and grass clippings in a small area.

“It’s really not di cult,” Randy said. “It just takes a little time.”

Beyond composting, there are plenty of other ways for growers to improve their soil health: cover cropping, reduced tillage, crop rotation, manure application, leaving plant residue and more.

“We’ve come a long way from the plow, of doing a better job of keeping our soil where it belongs,” Randy said.

While progress has been made, Randy believes there is still room for improvement.

“According to Iowa State, we were losing six ton a year per acre, and that’s not acceptable,” Randy said. “We need to do everything we can to hold that soil in place.”

As an industry, we will continue to be challenged to reduce our environmental impact. Randy and the team at Skunk River Compost exemplify being a part of the solution, not the problem — even when it’s not always the easiest.

“… As a farmer, man himself became closely attached to the landscape, ﬁrmly rooted to the soil that supported him. At times the soil seemed bountiful and kindly and again stubborn and unfriendly, but it was always a challenge to man’s cunning.” – Dr. Charles E Kellogg, Soil Scientist and former Chief of the USDA’s Bureau for Chemistry and Soils

Sources

ReFED. (2025, February 24). Food Waste Monitor. https://insights-engine.refed.org/food-waste monitor?break_by=destination&indicator=tons-waste&state=IA&view=detail&year=2023

United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2025, January 10). Basic Information: Pathogen Equivalency Committee. EPA. https://www.epa.gov/biosolids/basic-informationpathogen-equivalency-committee

NEW KIDS BLOCK

FORT EQUIPMENT’S PIPE BRIDGE

BY: ROB FRANK | MANURE EQUIPMENT SALES

There’s nothing more annoying than having to run hose through a culvert … if there’s even a culvert to run it through. That’s why Fort Equipment designed a solution to avoid the hassle. The Pipe Bridge is an easily transportable and foldable system of connected pipes, allowing you to move manure over roads rather than under. It has a maximum ﬂat height clearance of 20 feet, so you do not have to worry about disrupting tra c.

With fully self-contained hydraulic controls, setting up is as simple as positioning the bridge on a desired section of road, using the wireless remote to expand and raise the bridge, and connecting liquid manure hoses.

The Pipe Bridge comes in 8-inch and 10-inch models and can be easily moved from job to job with a 28-foot transport position wheelbase and side-by-side (UTV) towable capability. A few additional perks include solar battery chargers, a toolbox, a safety tow chain and an attached hitch pin.

THE KEY TO UNLOCKING YIELD POTENTIAL LIES JUST BELOW THE SOIL SURFACE

DIGGING DEEPER TO UNDERSTAND CORN ROOT ARCHITECTURE

BY: NATE FIRLE | PRODUCT CHARACTERIZATION RESEARCH MANAGER, BECK'S

If your seed company categorized hybrids by root types, would it matter to you? We think so. That’s why Beck's has invested heavily in their Root Reveal™ Research — to provide growers with the best recommendations on hybrid management moving forward.

For more than 40 years, the seed industry has described corn products by certain attributes that aid in placement. With Root Reveal, Beck's has taken a uniquely di erent approach to product research, to spark a change in the industry standards of how corn products are characterized. The e orts of Beck’s Root Reveal Research will o er farmers more knowledge of hybrid selection, product placement, and crop management by uncovering how the root architecture and root volume of each hybrid impact performance.

Think of this research as a starting point in an elevated understanding of the full potential of each hybrid through root structure. With the data collected, Beck's experts can then start generating answers to questions on how di ering root structures change population, tolerance to environmental stresses, and response to nutrient rates and placements.

THE PROCESS

Beck's Regional Product Specialists (RPS) collect thousands of observations from our Choice Trial testing program each year, looking at hundreds of hybrids, and selecting only the products that enhance and strengthen the Beck's product portfolio. These decisions are made on regional performance, environmental characteristics, and fulfilling gaps and needs in the portfolio along with confidence that it earned the right to be added to the Beck's hybrid lineup. What happens next in a hybrid's first year is focused on understanding management preferences. It enters a three-part testing process:

Root Reveal

3 Product Characterization Research (PCR)

Test Plots and Choice Trials

For the sake of this article, we are focusing on the ﬁrst part of the testing process — Root Reveal.

Hybrids begin the Root Reveal program by being planted in the Corn Root Box. It is then imaged and evaluated to give us the visuals and starting point for the deeper understanding, all puns intended.

VERTICAL ROOTS

A PREDICTIVE LOOK

Root Reveal provides a predictive look at management. We categorize the root structures in three ways: vertical, balanced and horizontal. These three structures are then associated with management practices. For example, vertical root structures show a higher response to banded nutrients, higher tolerance to drought stress, and greater ability to go deep and “mine” nutrients. This understanding helps Beck’s product team direct this new hybrid with vertical roots to droughty environments and/or management practices incorporating banded nutrients.

BUILDING BECK’S CORN ROOT BOXES

A critical component of this research is understanding how root architecture and root volume impact performance for each Beck’s hybrid. To do this, Beck’s developed a unique protocol for growing single corn plants in their Corn Root Boxes.

HORIZONTAL ROOTS

Horizontal root structures show higher potential at lower planted populations with a nice response to an in-season nitrogen application, where the nutrient is kept in the zone the horizontal roots are exploring.

Balanced root structures show their ability for versatility, but don’t be fooled. You would think that balanced root structures are just a perfect blend of the vertical and horizontal roots, handling any and all populations and nutrient applications … well think again. Balanced root structures make up over 50% of Beck’s product portfolio, and because of this, the broad adaptation requires a broadened sense of understanding. Balanced roots show improved nutrient uptake, particularly in sidedress applications.

These empty chemical totes were strung with line to help support and maintain the root architecture of the plant, shrink-wrapped, covered with boards, and ﬁlled with Turface Athletics™. Each cage contained an individual corn hybrid and was then watered and fed the same amount of nitrogen. Once the plants reached tassel, they were cut o from water and nutrients and le t to dry. What were they le t with? Incredible visual demonstrations of various root systems’ volume and architecture that will help identify di erences farmers may see in product performance relative to root architecture, fertilizer placement, stress tolerance, nitrogen placement and population management.

BALANCED ROOTS

There is no “right or wrong” root structure to plant. The understanding being gleaned is solely to give you the best experience with the hybrid. Imagine pulling those 10 to 15% yield increases by getting a hybrid in the right place and under the right management. You may be asking, "What can I do today with this information?"

To date, Beck’s has identiﬁed the root structure for every hybrid in our portfolio, so reach out to your Stutsman agronomist and have a uniquely di erent conversation about our hybrids. Dig into the things unseen to inﬂuence what you can see: yield and performance.

Beck’s robust plans for their Root Reveal Research in 2025 and beyond will help uncover more about the causational link between root architecture and speciﬁc management variables. In addition to evaluating their lineup through their Corn Root Box protocol, they will continue their on-farm studies through their Practical Farm Research (PFR)® program and in conjunction with the Crop Physiology Laboratory at the University of Illinois and Purdue University.

SCAN TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ROOT REVEAL!

MEET OUR 2025 AGRONOMY INTERNS

Welcoming the next intern class is always a highly anticipated part of our summer. This year, we are fortunate to have four bright, young agriculturalists joining our agronomy department to bring their fresh insights and put their classroom knowledge into practice by helping scout customers’ ﬁelds, collect data from our test plots, and develop an agronomy-related research project. At the end of the summer, each intern will wrap up their experience by presenting on their hard work.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE A DEGREE IN AGRICULTURE?

Taryn: I was inspired to pursue a degree in agriculture through FFA and being surrounded by agriculture my whole life. Being involved in my high school’s FFA chapter showed me the lack of engagement the agriculture industry gets unless it is speciﬁcally sought out. I want to be able to engage and educate others through it.

Weston: I was inspired to pursue a degree in agriculture because I grew up on a farm and watched how passionate my dad was about farming. I can’t imagine my life without agriculture, and I hope to come back to join the farm alongside my parents, brothers and sister.

Mason: I have always been passionate about learning about agriculture, and I enjoy working with plants and animals. I can also help feed the world with crops and animal products.

Greta: I have always wanted to pursue a degree in agriculture, not only because I ﬁnd it fascinating to learn about, but also because I have a deep passion for the industry. Growing up on a farm gave me a strong agricultural background and a genuine connection to this ﬁeld.

WHICH STUTSMAN CORE VALUE MEANS THE MOST TO YOU?

Taryn: The core value that means the most to me is instill authenticity. I believe being genuine, honest and authentic is very important. Working with others means building connections, and to develop meaningful connections, we should be real and honest.

Hometown: Keota, Iowa University: Western Illinois University Major: Agricultural Business with a Minor in Finance

Weston: The core value that means the most to me is radiating enthusiasm. A good attitude makes all the di erence, and approaching tasks with optimism can change everything. If employees are enthusiastic, it makes a company a great place to work.

Mason: Taking the lead is one of the most important values Stutsmans displays. Taking the lead isn't always easy, but it is extremely crucial. Taking ownership and having the ability to make decisions, being able to take a step back and move forward, and learning and improving every step of the way are valuable skills to have. For me, it is important to always set a good example for my peers and always keep a positive and open mindset. These values are the backbone of success.

Greta: The core value that resonates most with me is exceed expectations. This is something I strive for every day as I constantly push myself to go beyond what is expected. I’ve demonstrated this through various actions, such as attending club meetings a ter long four- to ﬁve-hour practices, taking on more than the recommended credit hours to graduate over a year early, and assuming leadership roles and jobs as a freshman typically reserved for upperclassmen. I am always looking for ways to push the envelope and become the best version of myself, exceeding the expectations others have placed on me.

TARYN HOSEK FAIRFAX

WESTON STEINBRECH HILLS

MASON CLARAHAN HILLS

GRETA SIEREN HILLS

SCAN

STUTSMAN CERTIFIED 2025 SMALL PLOT RESEARCH

BY: ADAM GUY | AGRONOMY SALES

Another growing season means the start of the next round of Stutsman research plots. This year, we are building on the foundation of product validation started in previous years while also looking to the next, new products coming down the pipeline. We hope to continue developing a robust product understanding to make better recommendations for you. With thousands of products on the marketplace, it’s no wonder that sorting through them is a challenge, let alone determining which products might perform well in each geographical area.

Since it can take several years (at least three to ﬁve) to have an in-depth understanding of a product’s performance in varying conditions, we’re continuing to test our favorite products from 2024.

WHAT PRODUCTS ARE IN THIS YEAR’S PLOTS?

Contains zinc, molybdenum, a high rate of plant growth promoters (PGP), amino acids, algae and organic acids for increasing root mass, plant biomass and phosphorus uptake.

Biological seed talc treatment to help increase nutrient uptake, especially iron, as well as root development and length.

Contains boron, molybdenum, humic acid and M-COM tech that helps boost populations of soil microorganisms and is a plant growth promoter to help seedlings be more resilient to abiotic stresses (environmental conditions).

Corn

Corn Corn

RETURNING

PRODUCT BRAND DESCRIPTION CROP

TERRAMAR

Loveland Products

Radiate

NanoPro

Network

Endo-Fight

AF-5Plus

Loveland Products Aqua Yield

ROI Biologicals

Potassium acetate and seaweed extract that serves as a stress mitigator.

Plant growth regulator (PGR) containing indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), a plant hormone in the auxin family. Also contains kinetin, which helps promote cell division, leading to greater plant and root growth and development.

Adjuvant designed to increase nutrient and herbicide uptake.

Biostimulant containing humic and fulvic acid, seaweed, plant growth promoters (PGP), zinc and molybdenum.

Seed talc product containing one fungi strain to help with insect resistance, nutrient uptake and beneﬁcial metabolite production.

Foliar micro-fertilizer containing iron, molybdenum, copper and zinc.

With the interesting results from last year's study, we are once again testing sulfur on soybeans, especially at higher rates. This year, we will be testing 10, 30 and 50 pounds of sulfur applied before planting using ATS as the sulfur source.

While no ﬁeld or operation is the same, we strive to provide sound, localized recommendations on biologicals, biostimulants and foliars if you want to try something new. These trials allow us to be the test plot, so you don’t have to be. Stay in the loop on our ﬁndings by talking with your Stutsman agronomist.

THE GAMBLE OF OBSOLETE EQUIPMENT

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it … but what happens when it does break, and you can’t get parts to fix it? We’re big fans of the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mindset, but there comes a time when this can come back to bite you. In the case of obsolete systems, the greatest risk you could face is when fall hits, you’re in the thick of harvest needing to dry grain, and your drying system goes out. It’s a setback when you have to get parts and fix it while under a time crunch, but it could be disastrous if the parts you need are no longer available and you have to get an entirely new system.

Across the countryside, we have been ﬁnding obsolete G2 Compu-U-Dry control systems for Shivvers units still in use. Aside from the improvements the Shivvers command centers o er over the G2 Comp-U-Dry, operating with G2 controls you can no longer access parts for during harvest is like playing with ﬁre.

We don’t want to see you get burned in this game of chance, but we also know that you are closely watching your spending. If you’re in the camp of needing to make the switch from G2 to command center or have other Shivvers parts and accessories you need, we have a special program going on right now that will put a little cash back in your pocket. Now through July 1, 2025, we have a 6% cash discount on Shivvers parts and systems. To take advantage of this discount, invoices must be paid within 10 days. Some limitations may apply.

WHY SHOULD I UPGRADE TO SHIVVERS COMMAND CENTER?

Referred to as the “brain” of a Shivvers unit, the command center controls every aspect of the grain-drying process. Before Shivvers introduced the command center, they o ered the G2 Comp-U-Dry. Around 15 to 20 years ago, the G2 Comp-U-Dry was replaced by the more updated CompuDry® Command Center. Since then, Shivvers has continued to improve ease of use and now has three command center options: CompuDry Command Center, CompuDry TS Command Center and Premier® Command Center.

COMPUDRY COMMAND CENTER

With the CompuDry’s set-it-and-forget-it technology, you use analog controls to set your drying specifications and let your Shivvers system do the rest of the work. When your grain reaches the drying specifications you set, the CompuDry initiates continuous flow operation, and the grain is moved to the proper storage location. If anything goes wrong, diagnostics can be viewed on printed ticker tape so you can identify necessary changes.

While Shivvers remote operation management system, Link, does not come standard with the CompuDry, it can be retroﬁtted with Link capabilities. Link allows you to oversee your drying operation from your internet-connected smartphone, PC or tablet. As a bonus, our grain handling team can jump into the Link platform for troubleshooting as needed.

COMPUDRY TS COMMAND CENTER

Being the next step up in the command center line, the CompuDry TS has a user-friendly touchscreen rather than the analog controls. Through this touchscreen, users can set drying operations, view current and historical drying diagnostics, and access guided startup and up to nine pre-programmed grain proﬁles. Additional add-ons include static pressure monitoring, Link remote management and on-site weather information.

PREMIER COMMAND CENTER

As suggested by its name, the Premier Command Center is Shivvers’ top-of-the-line o ering. Not only do users get touchscreen control to automate the drying process, but they also get control over cooling fans in storage bins from one central location. You can easily monitor drying and storage conditions like ambient weather and relative humidity. Link remote management is pre-installed and connected to this command center.

COMMAND CENTER UPGRADE OPTIONS

There are also two command center upgrade options: Convert TS Command Center Upgrade and Narrow Command Center Upgrade. If a grower has a CompuDry but would like the capability advantages of the touchscreen that the CompuDry TS has, the Convert TS Command Center Upgrade makes this possible. Dryer control systems released prior to the CompuDry like the G2 Comp-U-Dry are eligible to be upgraded with the Narrow Command Center to match the functionality of the CompuDry management system. To go this route instead of a complete system upgrade, the motor starters need to be in good enough shape to be reused.

Are you going to roll the dice? If you need to replace your control center or even if you just have a big order of parts, contact our grain handling team to take advantage of the 6% discount.