Nitrogen on Corn Fertigation Has Advantages  Nitrogen is a key factor in maximizing corn yield.  In addition to being the fertilizer ingredient needed in the greatest quantity, timing is also important.  Don’t forget that if available N isn’t the limiting factor, it really won’t matter how much extra is applied.  Work closely with your agronomist and keep monitoring throughout the season.  The farther ahead you apply your nitrogen before it is needed, the greater the probability it may not be available when the plant needs it.  This is a key advantage of fertigat ..read more

Take The Next Step Towards Success … Water Your Crops! Challenging times create opportunities for those who make the best decisions.  If you continue to be an above average manager, others who are not will be left behind, bringing more potential for you.  Research, planning, and building relationships with field experts in several areas of your business can give you the winning edge.  Sometimes a little risk can add value ahead of the curve giving you a jump start.  Look around your neighborhood, county and perhaps a bit further.  What methods and products are the winn ..read more

Does Center Pivot Irrigation Pay $$$?  Without getting into the numbers on thousands of scenarios, I will provide a general overview and break it down to answer your question… Will Center Pivot Irrigation Pay on My Farm? Every farm is different including the strengths and weaknesses of the management, the available resources, and the goals.  I’ve got a few questions that will probably help to decide if you are in a position to invest and improve crop performance on your farm with irrigation. Are your typical yields greater than or equal to your state or county averages? Do you ha ..read more

The Value of Irrigation   Growing More than Crops: Exploring the Economic Benefits of Farm Irrigation to Local Communities   In the intricate world of agriculture, water emerges as a vital thread binding prosperity. Farm irrigation, the controlled application of water to land, isn't merely a means of quenching crops' thirst; it's a cornerstone of economic empowerment for local communities. Have you ever considered the economic benefits that farm irrigation brings to our communities? 1. Increased Agricultural Output At its core, farm irrigation ensures consistent water supply, mitiga ..read more

Pivots or Real Estate      Where should you invest?  Of all the places you can invest your earnings to grow your business, pivots and land are probably quite comparable.  Both options offer: Long term investments with sound value holding capacity. Growth opportunities for your production and cash flow. Control to variables in your business. The ability to be passed on to the next generation. Flexibility to changes in your operation and enterprises. Upgrades in several ways. Very few other assets can come close in comparison to the potential impact on you ..read more

Loyalty Has Value America has been moving backwards for several decades now as the leader of the industrial world.  Values such as hard work, honesty, integrity, quality, and loyalty have taken a back seat to the “me” generation’s values.  They want the newest gadgets that provide endless comfort and entertainment.  Long term commitments mean nothing.  Lasting relationships are nearly non-existent.  This includes family, careers, local businesses, educational institutions, even sports teams.  They want everything now with minimal effort.  Many servi ..read more

Customer Relationships Michigan Valley MVI Vendors MVI Customers Michigan Valley A Two-Sided Endeavor  Most any business that has customers also is a customer.  Very few can provide a product or service without needing some type of input or service to keep their customers happy.  Let’s talk about Michigan Valley Irrigation and make a couple of assumptions first. We are in business to make money. While having fun is great, we all have needs & bills. We need products and services to meet our customer needs. Each interaction can influence a relationship. Relations ..read more

 Be a Better Crop Manager – Utilize Irrigation As the planting season rolls on, do you feel confident you are in the best position to maximize your investment in crop inputs.  There is no doubt that many farmers are struggling to stretch their input dollars and maximize yields. Fertilizer and other inputs  such as seed, chemicals, fuel and equipment are clearly outpacing the market value of many crops in 2024.  Are you utilizing tools like grid sampling and tissue sampling to maximize results and control costs by field or even multiple locations per field?   I ho ..read more

The El Nino Effect on Weather & Crops     First noticed in the 1600’s with warming surface waters in the Pacific Ocean, El Nino is predicted for this winter and probably next.  This phenomenon was recorded as recently as 1997 / 1998 and 2005/ 2006.  Along with the impact on the ocean, we should expect unseasonably warmer and drier weather patterns. Poor Germination of Corn Below normal precipitation may be welcome for early spring field work but can be a disaster for unirrigated crop acres.  Low soil moisture coming out of winter can cause sporadic germination, d ..read more

Watering Crops on Muck Soils Muck soils which are very high in organic matter have been attractive to specialty crop growers for many years. The high organic matter content creates a loose medium allowing root penetration to progress much more quickly than in mineral soils. This loose particle structure is also superior in water holding capacity to mineral soils. When drained and preserved properly it is an excellent growing medium for specialty crops such as carrots, lettuces, mint, onions, potatoes, radishes, and sod. One of the limitations is that the organic matter oxidizes when open and e ..read more