2024: The Year of Challenges

Dec 17, 2024


As the end of 2024 draws near, most of us can agree that it was a very trying year. The planting window was wide throughout the state, and we can all agree there were very few days when it felt good to be planting. Proper soil conditions were hard to come by with the early season rains. The South got planted in somewhat of a normal timeframe, but the North could not catch a break. There were a bunch of re-plants due to poor soil conditions, and some planters up north were still trying to get planted until the end of June. Most received almost a year’s worth of rain in 60 days from May 15th until July 15th. Then the rain shut off. Harvest was early, and the crop came off at a record pace. Throughout the vast area that our Agronomy team covers in the state, we saw a wide range of yield results, from record yields in areas to disappointing yields that most hope they never see again.
 
The wet weather this year made herbicide and fertilizer applications very difficult for everyone. Our Agronomists battled through very narrow application windows to kill the weeds and feed the crop the nutrients it needed. Our awesome operations team worked some very long days when the fields were fit to operate in. We had numerous locations working 20+ hour days, using every hour of dry field conditions to give the crop what it needed.
 
I can’t thank our entire Agronomy staff enough for their efforts in 2024. They recommended and delivered to you over 320,000 tons of fertilizer, 275,000 units of seed, and another near-record year of crop protection products. We are continuing to update our facilities, application equipment, and truck fleet to be prepared for whatever season Mother Nature might try and throw at us next. I hope this gives you the peace of mind, that you can continue to Rely on Us for many years.
 
Thank you for your continued patronage in 2024. We are looking forward to another prosperous year with you in 2025. May God bless you and your families during this holiday season.
 
Merry Christmas!
 
Shane Johnson
 
VP Agronomy Operations
 

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