Professor Stilwell asked a local farmer if his class could study his farm operation and make recommendations.
The presentations were all excellent!
Three presentations really stood out but all six were excellent, I would rate them all with a grade of A or B.
It was funny they were considering the same recommendations I am seeking and considering for our farm operation.
Corn versus soybeans
More notill soybeans
GMO vs. Non GMO crops
cover crops
more hired help
a sprayer
replacing tractor and combine
drying and storage facilities
All of the Power Point presentations were excellent but of course a few stood out. I started to notice some of the best family farmer names in Ohio amongst those students.
The one thing they didn't pick up on was more notill soybeans. The farmer is about 2/3 corn and 1/3 soybeans so he tills a lot of corn residue. That has worked for him but costs a lot of money to produce the income. One team recommended notill soybeans but not increasing his acres, I couldn't figure that one out.
The way the teams were spending money on machinery and bins you better have a big bank account! Granted those items are needed for more efficiency but only one team has a plan to phase them in.
I am amazed with the technology of the new generation but they really need our expertise and experience when it comes to management and I think they are receptive to it.
Ed Winkle
I met with Professor Stilwell this morning and it was hard to give each team a grade. They all did so well! My scores ranged from 82 to 98. Good job young people!
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