Syngenta Thrive

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To keep tree crops healthy from root to fruit, it’s crucial to monitor and maintain soil conditions that provide easy access to water and nutrients. This is especially important for almonds, which require roughly a gallon of water per nut.

Loose, loamy soil is ideal, and taking care to avoid working wet soil will help prevent compaction that could compromise roots. Trees stressed from an inconsistent delivery of water and nourishment will default to supporting their own survival at the expense of the crop.

For example, stress from nutrient-deficient soil can undermine a tree’s microbiome by killing beneficial organisms that would otherwise support nutrient uptake and feeder root growth while fending-off soilborne pathogens. More than 24 hours of standing water can result in a steep increase in disease pathogens including Phytophthora — Greek for “plant destroyer” — a water mold that produces swimming spores to quickly spread its infection from one tree to another.

Adding organic matter to the soil and planting cover crops with strong, vigorous root systems are effective ways to help trees access the resources they need and fend off orchard-destroying stressors.

A close up image of a young almond tree infected with Phytopthora.
Phytophthora infected almond tree. Source: Syngenta. California, 2017

Study Shows Healthy Soil Enhances Yield Potential and Profitability

In a 2022 study of almond growers, the American Farmland Trust (AFT) found that growers who implemented soil health maintenance practices saw a yield increase valued at $46 to $968 per acre based on California average almond prices, and an increase in annual net income ranging from $99 to $1,502 per acre per year.

Not only does healthy soil improve yields and annual income, it can also boost return on investment by reducing input costs like fertilizers, machinery and fuel. Unhealthy soil can have the opposite effect. For example, if the soil is too compact, it may struggle to drain, negatively affecting the return on investment by requiring more inputs for the trees to receive the same fertilization.

Best Practices for Tree Nut Orchard Soil Health

The first step to improving soil health is determining what your soil needs — but it doesn’t stop there. Follow these practices to help maximize your tree nut production through proper soil health management:

  • Assess your soil profile: Gauge tree root health by probing soil near the root line to determine what nutrients are needed. With a clear understanding of the soil profile and health of the root system, you’ll be better prepared to determine which specific amendments will best break up the soil for proper water retention and supplement missing nutrients as needed.
  • Implement cover cropping: Planting cover crops between tree rows in the off-season can pay off in orchard water retention and biodiversity. These crops’ roots help improve soil structure, resulting in greater porosity, water infiltration and drainage, while also supporting beneficial organisms in the soil that help break it down and boost nutrient cycling.
  • Add mulch: Mulching is an effective practice for enhancing water retention and regulating soil temperature. Mulch helps maintain consistent moisture levels in the soil, reducing the need for frequent irrigation. It also provides an insulating layer, keeping soil cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, while benefiting root health and reducing stress on the trees.
  • Apply a proper fungicide: A robust fungicide that protects against pathogens and supports overall plant health is a must to maximize tree nut production. Orondis® fungicide significantly reduces Phytophthora propagule counts while also improving root health and encouraging water and nutrient uptake. This is especially important for young trees with developing root systems that are more susceptible to disease.

Maintaining healthy soil is crucial to unlocking consistent profitability and orchard longevity.

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You already understand the land, history, and nostalgia of your farm — the smell of the dirt, the thrill of firing up the combine, the memories of Granddad’s grease-blackened hands coaxing the old Massey into running semi-smoothly through one more harvest. But could someone else offer insight that would add to the profitability and longevity of your outfit?

Maybe you’ve heard of farm advisory boards from a meeting put on at the county extension office, or in some trade magazine, or from your neighbor down the road who really seems to have things together on their farm. And maybe you’ve thought, “Huh, that sounds like a pretty good idea.” But maybe your next thought was, “How do I even start putting one of these advisory boards together?”

Well, we may not have all the answers about how to construct your farm’s dream team but following is a general outline of what a farm advisory board is and some tips to help you create a board that is tailor-made for your farm.

Step 1: Define your goals by asking the right questions.

  • What do you want to achieve on your operation?
  • What are the weak points?
  • What kind of expertise — finance, legal counsel, succession planning, agronomy, equipment, government regulations — does your farm lack?
  • What kind of commitment and responsibilities do you need from members of your board, and what decision-making authority will they have?

Step 2: Recruit your team.

  • Draw from your pool of resources but also ask fellow producers, industry associations, or extension services for recommendations. While the team should be made up of people you trust, an advisory board could benefit from having members who don’t have a prior relationship with you. Building that relationship and foundation of trust can help motivate both parties to work effectively together.
  • On a related note, consider carefully whether to recruit old pals or family members to serve on your board. While most of the members should be well-acquainted with the industry, some advisers suggest including individuals who can provide objective business perspectives alongside industry expertise.
  • Look for people not only with diverse skills and perspectives, but also who listen well, provide candid feedback, and admit when they don’t have an answer.
  • Consider including professionals with relevant expertise, such as an accountant, an attorney, a financial adviser and/or banker, based on your business’ needs.

Step 3: Set clear expectations and maintain momentum.

  • Early on, establish protocols such as how often you will meet, who will lead each meeting, what the process will be for setting agendas and how to follow through on discussion points.
  • Before meetings, gather your financial information and have a clear agenda so your board can provide the most relevant input. Agenda items should be thoughtful and well-planned. However, it is vitally important to set a time limit for meetings so that agreed actions get taken and team members do not experience burnout.
  • Cultivate an environment where open, unbiased and independent communication is encouraged. Some farm businesses even bring in a third-party facilitator or assign a non-owner advisory team member to conduct meetings to help foster such an atmosphere.
  • After your first meeting, have the next one scheduled before you leave. Many producers find that quarterly meetings work well for them. But figure out what works best for your business and your board and start with that.

A foundation of honest, trusted voices strengthens any business, especially one as multifaceted as farming. When executed properly, an advisory board can serve as a powerful springboard that can help you and your farm take your next, confident steps into a more sustainable, more profitable, and ultimately brighter future.

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Corn rootworm can devastate a corn crop. The larvae can damage corn root tissue and hairs, affecting corn crops early in the season, and the damage can continue when the larvae mature and emerge from the ground, clipping silks. Root damage from larvae can lead to weak plants, causing corn to lodge following wet or windy conditions, making harvest more difficult.

The potential for crop injury is high long before symptoms are observed above ground. Growers can expect 15% yield loss on average for every root node pruned by corn rootworm. Additionally, corn rootworm control is diminished as resistance to older chemistries increases.

Scout Corn Rootworm

Scout for corn rootworm all season long to inform next season’s control decisions. In the Midwest, corn rootworm is active in the field from mid-May to early September. If you see large populations of larvae or adult beetles, it is a sign that your control measures were inadequate this year and that you can likely expect high pressure again next season as the pest overwinters in the soil.

When scouting for corn rootworm, remember these helpful tips from the Iowa State University Extension:

  • Gather the proper supplies, including a shovel or spade and black garbage bag or bucket of water. Consider using a hand lens as well. Later in the season, sticky traps are useful scouting tools.
  • Expect to see larvae in the first instar stage in late May. This is where a hand lens will come in handy to see the tiny insects.
  • Select a random plant. Dig out the plant and surrounding soil. Hand-sort or use the float test, giving the insect ample time to become apparent. Record the average number of larvae on each plant.
  • When scouting for adults, use either the sticky trap or in-field plant count method. If using the sticky trap method, place traps along the same row at least 165 feet apart. Leave the traps in the field for a week and record the number of adult corn rootworms. If using the in-field plant method, select two plants within 10 feet of each other in 20 random sites and inspect for adult corn rootworm.

Get Control of Corn Rootworm From the Start

Start the season on the right leaf with a robust soil-applied at-planting insecticide to effectively minimize the risk of corn rootworm damage from season to season, especially if you found corn rootworm last season.

Opello™ insecticide, powered by PLINAZOLIN® technology, provides excellent control of corn rootworm and other soil-dwelling insect pests. By defending roots against below-ground insect feeding, Opello protects overall plant health, reduces the incidence of lodged corn and preserves yield potential.

A comparison photo shows healthy corn treated with Opello insecticide compared to an untreated check damaged by below-ground insects.
By reducing below-ground insect threats and root damage, Opello protects plant health, reducing lodged corn incidence and preserving yield potential. Source: Internal Syngenta trial; Location: IA; USNA0I0012023.

With an innovative active ingredient in IRAC group 30, Opello offers growers an opportunity to revitalize their management programs and enhance resistance management. Opello gives growers the flexibility to choose to grow continuous corn acres rather than rotating to a non-host crop.

A comparison photo shows enhanced control of corn rootworm with Opello compared to an untreated check and alternative products.
In a trial testing corn rootworm damage, corn roots in soil treated with Opello had less damage than untreated corn and roots in soil treated with Force® Evo Capture LFR insecticide. Source: USNB0I1152019. Internal Syngenta Trial; NE, 2019. Force Evo and Opello are Restricted Use Pesticides.

Its compatible formulation blends through tank mixing with a wide range of starter fertilizers without specialized equipment to aid in easier application.

Additionally, Opello provides control of soil pests like wireworm and white grub, helping you protect your seed investment from additional underground pests.

To learn more about how Opello can help you manage soil-dwelling insects in your corn fields, reach out to your Syngenta representative.

Force Evo and Opello are Restricted Use Pesticides.

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Input costs are always a concern, especially when planning for the upcoming growing season. While recent tariff exemptions offer some price relief, there’s still plenty of sticker shock, especially relative to crop prices.

Because growers don’t want to see their fertilizer investments go to waste, it’s important to protect the input cost. By removing early-season weed competition, growers can maximize fertilizer inputs — helping their crops, not weeds, take up essential nutrients.  

Feed the Crop, Not the Weeds

Growers may be tempted to reduce spending on inputs, like herbicides, to offset the cost of fertilizer. However, a strong weed management program is essential to reach yield goals.

Consider the amount of fertilizer that weeds steal from your corn and the impact that it has on your crop. A Syngenta study across 20 locations found that weeds as small as 2 to 4 inches consumed 13.4 pounds of nitrogen, 0.85 pounds of phosphorus and 16.8 lbs. of potassium1. In 2025, this equates to roughly $15.15 per acre in lost fertilizer nutrients alone. The current impact is even greater with increased fertilizer prices. 

That’s a costly situation since it takes: 

  • 1.85 pounds of phosphate to replace the .85 pounds of phosphorus  
  • 28 pounds of muriate of potash to replace the 16.8 pounds of potassium  
  • 29.13 pounds of urea to replace the 13.5 pounds of nitrogen  

“If that’s not enough, those weeds can rob 2% of your yield,” says Kevin Gesse, head of herbicide product marketing at Syngenta. “That’s 4.34 bu/A, based on an average Illinois corn yield of 217 bu/A2.”  

Gesse recommends that growers leverage investment in variable expenses — like fertilizer, crop protection and seed — to increase yield potential. “While fertilizer prices have increased 2.4% on average each year for the last seven years, the cost of crop protection products has remained stable,” he says. 

Know Your Soil Before Investing

In addition to using a quality preemergence herbicide, knowing when and where to place fertilizer helps unlock the full potential of the investment. It’s also important to know which nutrients already exist in the soil and in what quantities before making decisions on fertilizer investment. 

A soil test indicates nutrient levels, including those of potassium and phosphorus, which helps growers avoid overspending on fertilizer. That knowledge helps inform growers on how to best spend their hard-earned dollars on a high-performance herbicide program that will help ensure the crops benefit from these valuable nutrients.

How to Discover More Profit Potential

When tackling tough weeds, implementing a full-season approach is important. Starting with a high performance residual preemergence herbicide containing multiple sites of action and following up with a post-emergence herbicide with overlapping residual control helps ensure weeds don’t get established and rob nutrients from the crop. 

Gesse reiterates the importance of using multiple active ingredients (AI) in an herbicide program. “Acuron corn herbicide contains four AIs — including bicyclopyrone — for broad-spectrum weed control,” he says. “Growers can protect their fertilizer investment by controlling weeds before they emerge with this herbicide either used pre-emergence at a full rate or in a split-shot application with a portion of the rate applied pre-emergence followed by the remainder of the rate post-emergence.” 

Storen® corn herbicide is another tool that helps maximize residual control and minimize fertilizer loss. It uses four active ingredients – including bicyclopyrone – to provide consistently clean rows up to three weeks longer than other leading corn residual herbicide products.

If growers can’t control weeds before emergence, Gesse suggests eliminating weeds before they reach 1 to 2 inches to minimize damage. However, by that point, the weeds are already cutting into a grower’s fertilizer investments and stealing vital nutrients. It’s also important to check labels for application directions and best practices for herbicide–resistance management.

1Weed Nutrient Uptake Source: Approximately 20 Syngenta Learning Center Research locations between 2006-2008. Nutrients measured from samples taken from weeds 1”-2” and 2”-4” in height. Analysis completed by Midwest Labs, Omaha, NE. Period from weed emergence to removal at 1”-2” in height was 10 days and 2”-4” in height was 20 days. Cost of Weed Uptake Source: https://blogs.worldbank.org/opendata/fertilizer-prices-rise-moderately-2021. Calculations used 28% UAN as the nitrogen source, DAP-(18-46-0) as the phosphorus source and muriate of potash-(0-0-60) as the potash source. 

22 Data Source: USDA NASS 2024 IL yield estimates 

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As insect pest resistance to existing chemistries continues to rise, insect pest management has become increasingly challenging for growers across a variety of crop areas. After 12 years of research and development and more than 3,000 U.S. trials, PLINAZOLIN® technology received federal registration from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, providing a cutting-edge insect management solution in corn, cotton, vegetables, tree fruit, cereals and more.

“Today marks a breakthrough moment for growers in bringing PLINAZOLIN technology to the U.S. market,” says Elijah Meck, Ph.D., Syngenta technical product lead. “This game-changing mode of action offers new levels of crop protection and flexibility that puts growers back in control of their operations.”

1 AI, 5 Powerful Products

Growers can work with their retailer to order a seed treatment, soil-applied insecticide or foliar-applied insecticide containing PLINAZOLIN technology, including:

  • Equento®: This insecticide seed treatment offers a flexible and compatible option to terminate wireworms and suppress other below-ground pests, ultimately improving plant stand and helping growers’ bottom line.
  • Opello™: Delivering revolutionary control of corn rootworm, Opello is a soil-applied insecticide shown to consistently help corn yield up to 9 bu/A more than older technology1. Its highly tank-mix compatible formulation allows growers to leave equipment clogs and slowdowns in the past.
  • Vertento®: One of the toughest insect pest fighters in its class, Vertento is a foliar-applied insecticide for cotton, peanuts and onions. It delivers a fast-acting, knockout punch to insect pests including plant bugs, thrips and mites.
  • Incipio™: With impressive residual strength to take the guesswork out of insect control, Incipio is a foliar-applied insecticide for brassica, leafy, cucurbit and fruiting vegetable crops that delivers a heavy-duty takedown of tough insect pests.
  • Zivalgo™: This foliar-applied insecticide can lead the way for potato and tree fruit insect pest management with unmatched, broad-spectrum control of Colorado potato beetles, codling moth, citrus thrips, spider mites and more.

All PLINAZOLIN technology products belong to IRAC Group 30 and address critical pest challenges across major crop segments with grower-focused benefits at the forefront. Each formulation has been specifically designed to maximize performance based on crop needs, pest pressure and application method.

“I’m most excited for growers to reap the benefits of the excellent pest control that PLINAZOLIN technology offers in addition to enjoying an enhanced application experience,” says Scott Johnson, Syngenta product lead.

For more information contact your local Syngenta representative or visit www.PLINAZOLINtechnology.com.

1Source: n = 8 trials; Average CRW Injury: 1.51 on IS 0-3 Scale. Internal and University Cooperator Field Trials 2022 – 2024. IA (3), WI, IL, KS, SD, MN.

Opello is a Restricted Use Pesticide.

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Damage from belowground insects can have season-long impacts on cereal and pulse crops. The harm these pests cause can open the door to weed pressure, reduce stands and, ultimately, lower yield and profit potential. In the Pacific Northwest and Northern Plains, wireworms can have a major impact on cereal crops, leading to as much as 100% yield loss when the pests aren’t properly managed1. This challenge led to the development of Equento® insecticide seed treatment, recently registered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Equento, powered by PLINAZOLIN® technology, contains a new IRAC Group 30 active ingredient that is lethal to wireworms in cereal and pulse crops. With no known cross-resistance to other insecticides and compatibility with other Syngenta seed treatments and custom blends, Equento delivers the missing piece in a pest management plan to better protect crops from a wide range of early-season pests.

Equento sets cereal and pulse crops up for a more successful season through:

  • Delivering a mode of action that causes paralysis of pests and stops their feeding
  • Killing pests through contact and ingestion, resulting in a kill rate of up to 97% in spring wheat2
  • Helping ensure full germination potential and plant establishment
  • Complementing neonicotinoid and diamide seed treatments
  • Offering a stable, consistent formulation that resists leaching into the soil and reduces dust-off

Equento is the first wireworm seed treatment that is registered on both cereal and pulse crops, providing fields with continual pest management even when rotating between the two crops. In addition to its lethality on wireworms, Equento offers suppression of seedcorn maggots in pulse crops. There are currently no rescue treatments available when seedcorn maggot damage is detected later in the season, making Equento a valuable preventive solution against this pest.

Equento has been shown to increase wheat yields by an average of 115% in wireworm trials3 and pulse crop yields by an average of 79% in seedcorn maggot trials3, while improving wheat stands by an average of 58% over the base treatment alone4.

To learn more about Equento for your cereal and pulse crops, visit SyngentaUS.com/Equento.

1“Seasonal population dynamics of wireworms in wheat crops in the Pacific Northwestern United States,” 28 September 2015 / Revised: 3 March 2016 / Accepted: 7 March 2016 / Published online: 10 March 2016; Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2016.

2In-house Syngenta trial: OR, 2022.

3Contracted Trials, ID, MT, ND, OR, WA, Canadian provinces of AB and SK, 2015-2023.

4Contracted Trials, DE, ID, NJ, OR, VA, WA, 2018-2023.

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How do you take a shortcut without cutting too many corners? When considering ways to eliminate tasks or save money, it’s important to look at the big picture to be sure it doesn’t actually end up costing you more in the long run.

Take herbicides, for example. Increasingly, many soybean growers choose to skip preemergence herbicides and rely solely on post-emergence applications for soybean weed management. No doubt, choosing the best seed variety with the right trait package is crucial for producing a high-yielding crop. These technologies have been game changers for growers, allowing them to push the limits of their fields’ yield potential by pairing high-performing traits with industry-leading herbicides.

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Growers may need to make as many as three passes with post-emergence herbicides, and that may not even be enough control if weeds have been allowed to take hold.

Here’s the problem, though. Many growers are finding that skimping on preemergence applications creates more problems than it solves. Growers may need to make as many as three passes with post-emergence herbicides, and that may not even be enough control if weeds have been allowed to take hold.

Five Reasons To Not Skip Preemergence Herbicides

While certain seed purchases dictate which post-emergence herbicides to use, it’s important to still take a full-season approach that includes preemergence residual herbicides. Here are five benefits of including preemergence residual herbicides in your program every year:

1. Better Weed Control

If you choose to use a budget preemergence herbicide or skip this crucial application altogether, you’re likely to end up with a lot of weed breaks, including tough-to-control weeds like waterhemp. Once these weeds break through, getting them under control can be difficult. It’s common for growers in these scenarios to make two or three post-emergence applications; and even then, they still may not get full weed control.

2. Higher Yields

Weeds reduce the crops’ access to sunlight, water, space and nutrients; and this adds up to lower yields at the end of the season. In no-till soybeans, Michigan State Extension has observed yield losses of up to 7 bushels per acre if weeds are not controlled until the unifoliate stage (VC) compared with controlling early-season weeds prior to or at planting. Additionally, waiting to control these weeds until the V1 stage (first trifoliate) can reduce yield by approximately 0.5 bushels per acre per day.

3. Better Budgeting

While you may hope to cut costs by skipping preemergent applications or opting for budget herbicides, this approach often has the inverse effect and ends up costing more. That’s because skipping this crucial foundation application introduces the need for more post applications than were originally planned, which adds an extra expense in herbicide costs as well as gas, labor, and equipment wear and tear. It is often more cost effective to invest in a high performance preemergence residual herbicide as part of a complete herbicide protection program.

4. Less Crop Damage From Post Passes

Post applications should be made sparingly, as they can inadvertently cause crop damage by knocking off valuable pods or running over entire plants. Making a pre-emergent application gets the herbicide in the ground before plants reach this vulnerable stage and reduces the potential for late-season crop damage, helping your fields reach their full yield potential.

5. More Predictability

From weather to commodity prices, there are many things about farming that can’t be controlled. By putting this preemergence application down, you can rest assured knowing you will have fewer weeds to contend with later in the season. That means more time for other priorities instead of making multiple unplanned post-emergence trips.

Solutions for Full-Season Weed Control

It’s a fact: A planned preemergence residual herbicide is a good investment, and skipping this crucial step or compromising on product quality can have big late-season repercussions. For better weed control and maximum yield potential, Tendovo® soybean herbicide used preemergence and adding Dual Magnum® herbicide to your post-emergence plan should be essential pieces of your weed management program.

Tendovo offers excellent weed control as well as the flexibility to farm the way you like. Regardless of which trait it’s paired with, Tendovo provides outstanding residual control of more than 70 weeds. Additionally, it can be used on any soil type with proven crop safety An added benefit of Tendovo is that it helps soybeans close the canopy faster, keeping rows covered and acting like a “fourth mode of action.” Faster canopy means more energy for pods, and that propels higher yields.

Patrick Ligon, an Illinois retailer, has seen the benefits of Tendovo first-hand from both a weed control and crop safety perspective. “I’ve noticed Tendovo herbicide holds a lot longer than other herbicides,” he says. “When I go in for that post pass, those weeds are a lot smaller and easier to kill. Additionally, the crop safety with Tendovo has been miles ahead of other herbicides I’ve used. My stand count has consistently stayed in that range we’ve been shooting for.”

For full season weed control and higher yielding crops, don’t skimp on your preemergence application. Your future self will thank you.

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Sometimes, a gift can change your life in ways you never imagined. In 2018, that’s what happened to Iowan farmer Ben Van Roekel.

“I was watching some farming videos on YouTube and said offhand to my then girlfriend, now wife, that I could make a video like that,” he says. “For my next birthday, she bought me video editing software and a GoPro.”

Seven years and a lot of hard work later, Van Roekel is now known online as @iowANFarmer on YouTube, with more than 75,000 followers joining him on his farming journey.

“I just kind of did it. Becoming a YouTuber wasn’t really a thing then like it is now. It was a trial that worked out — a happy accident,” he says.

This spirit of entrepreneurship and experimentation helped Van Roekel find success in more ways than one.

Grower Turned YouTuber

Van Roekel has farming in his blood. He cherishes his childhood memories of farming with his dad.

“I was helping my dad farm since the time I was able to put the clutch down on a tractor,” he says.

Today, he’s been farming corn and soybeans in southern Iowa for 10 seasons and recently diversified his farm’s production to include oats, grasses and hays. Three years ago, he added in an agritourism business, offering pick-your-own apples, pumpkins and cut flowers.

His YouTube channel, @iowANFarmer, shares his day-to-day work on the farm with the goal of showcasing what younger farmers have to offer the industry and giving those outside agriculture a glimpse into what a farmer’s life is like.

“In southern Iowa there’s corn everywhere, and there are still people who think the field corn is all sweet corn,” he says. “I’m touching people on social media and teaching them about farming.”

Van Roekel sees YouTube and other social media channels as resources for all to learn from, including those already in the industry.

“Maybe you’re watching somebody do something and catch a little tidbit about how they might do it differently from you,” he says. “There’s a whole wealth of information you can use to educate yourself. It’s all there for you to learn at your fingertips for free.”

Van Roekel’s Advice: Be Willing to Experiment

In both farming and YouTube, Van Roekel is always willing to try new things. He conducts trials each season on his row crops to find new ways to push higher yields and a better return on investment, and suggests that others do the same.

“As a producer, I believe that one of the things that we get stuck on is, ‘This is the way we’ve always done it.’ How do you know that you’re right unless you’re testing if you’re right?” he says. “If there’s a chance to do a trial where I get to see something on the farm firsthand, I do it.”

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Every time the young guys ask, ‘How do I get into farming?’ I say, ‘Find a niche to try and be profitable.’ And that’s still my advice.

Ben Van Roekel Iowa Grower

Experimentation is how he ended up in agritourism.

“I grow about half an acre of experimental corn/soy crops — I call it my ‘fun plot’, and one year I thought, ‘Why don’t we grow something else there?’ So I grew pumpkins,” he says.

Shortly afterward, he purchased 27 acres to open “Papo’s Pumpkin Patch,” which includes pumpkins, a corn maze, games, cut flowers and more. Trying something outside of row cropping is a piece of advice he’s preached and stands by.

“Every time the young guys ask, ‘How do I get into farming?’ I say, ‘Find a niche to try and be profitable.’ And that’s still my advice,” Van Roekel says.

Van Roekel’s Philosophy: Enjoy the Journey

Van Roekel wouldn’t be where he is without taking risks, and it’s important to him to be in the here and now.

“I try to make the right decisions for the future, but I don’t want to be so focused on the future that I miss the journey,” he says.

He’s grateful for the opportunities that both YouTube and agritourism have given him and looks forward to finding out what the future has in store.

“Being able to go and experience other parts of agriculture has been extremely beneficial for me,” he says. “What makes me excited for the future are the opportunities and the challenges. You’re not excited about the heartaches, but you’re excited for the successes. It’s all just part of the ride.”

You can follow Van Roekel on YouTube or Facebook at @iowANFarmer and on Instagram at @_iowanfarmer_.

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Finding reliable farm labor is a challenge these days. Worker shortages combined with hiring competition means that growers need to stand out. So, what can growers do to attract engaged, productive employees who are in it for the long haul?

Be Specific When Recruiting

Be sure to write a job ad that’s really tailored to the job you’re trying to fill, rather than grabbing something that’s “close enough” from the internet. Anyone who reads your job post will get a sense of your personality and the overall vibe of your operation, so let that shine through when you write it.

To begin, write down a list of the job duties. Be sure to also include:

  • Physical requirements of the job
  • Requirements for prior training or experience
  • Job schedule
  • Hourly pay or salary range (This is especially important in a competitive job market.)

Consider Pay and Benefits Perks

Competitive pay is a given. If you don’t know the going rate or range for the role you’re trying to fill, research salary benchmarking data or consult industry surveys to gauge how competitive you are. This doubles as a good opportunity to review other financial impacts on your operation, including:

  • What your costs and cash flow are
  • When your labor needs are greatest
  • Whether one full-time or two part-time hires would best meet your needs

You might also consider how perks like meals, housing, transportation or flexible scheduling could help stretch the payroll. Extras like these also make employees feel valued, often resulting in a stronger connection to the operation.

Post the Job in Unexpected Places

When you’re ready to post the job, think outside the box. AgCareers.com and AgHires.com are good options for some roles; also share the job description with FFA chapters, college career service offices, Reddit posts, Slack groups and X.com.

Other high visibility ideas include:

  • Post a “We’re hiring!” line prominently at the bottom of every page on your website (if you have one) and link it to the job description.
  • Call out the job post on your LinkedIn and other socials media accounts.
  • Invite employees to share openings with their networks if they’re comfortable doing so.

Spreading the word the old-fashioned way has its place, too: Word of mouth and flyers on bulletin boards are still solid options to ensure all your bases are covered.

Prep for the Interview Process

Once you’ve identified your candidates and set up interviews, review their resumes and make notes of specific questions you’d like to ask. The interview should be held in a quiet place where both of you can focus on getting to know each other. Do your best to ask questions that prompt a story or example, rather than just yes or no. Active communication will be important on the job, so it needs to start in the interview.

Some sample interview questions are:

  • Can you describe any previous experience you have working on a farm?
  • What interests you about this type of work?
  • Tell me about a time you had to solve a problem on the job. What steps did you take?
  • Are you comfortable working outdoors in all kinds of weather and handling physically demanding tasks?
  • How do you prioritize your work when there are multiple tasks to complete?
  • Can you give an example of how you’ve worked as part of a team?
  • What steps do you take to ensure safety on the job?
  • Have you operated any farm equipment or machinery before? If so, which ones?
  • How would you handle a situation where you noticed something unsafe or out of place?

Make the First Day a Success

You’re almost at the finish line. You’ve made an offer, your choice of candidate has accepted, and you’ve agreed on a start date. Now, prepare them for a good first day by following up with information they may not have thought about asking for.

You can email the information and include workplace basics like where to park, what to wear and where they can leave their lunch and belongings. Provide clear instructions on what documents to bring on the first day, a general outline of orientation and training activities and worksite policies.

On their first day, greet new employees promptly and warmly. Introduce them to other workers and family members. Treat each new employee with respect from the very beginning, and you’ll both be off to a good start.

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Nematodes and Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) consistently rank as some of the top causes of soybean yield loss. Soybean growers asked for improved protection for heavy pressure situations, and Syngenta answered with the development of Victrato® seed treatment.   

Victrato works to safeguard against Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) and multiple nematode species, including Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN), root knot, reniform, lance and lesion. The seed treatment also protects soybeans throughout all nematode life stages: eggs, juveniles, and adults — providing the most robust, all-encompassing protection available. 

The brand’s new active ingredient, TYMIRIUM® technology, is a carboxamide SDHI molecule that combines potency and targeting. Its unique structure-based design enables Victrato to zero in on pests with an exact receptor match so it doesn’t harm beneficial organisms in the soil.   

Victrato is the first federally labeled seed treatment management tool for Red Crown Rot. In addition, it brings early-season suppression of foliar soybean diseases, such as frogeye leaf spot, Septoria brown spot and target spot. 

In more than eight years of nematode trials, Victrato delivered a 3.3 bu/A increase over the base treatment alone, outyielding the base 84% of the time. In comparison, ILEVO® seed treatment only outyielded the base in 70% of trials, with an average increase of only 1.9 bu/A1. In 23 SDS trials, Victrato outyielded ILEVO by 4.8 bu/A and Saltro® fungicide seed treatment by 2.8 bu/A2.

“With Victrato, we’re helping soybean growers stack the deck against even the heaviest nematode and SDS pressure,” says Katie Jaeger, Syngenta Seedcare product lead. “Victrato will offer that step up to tackle the toughest acres and help growers get the most out of their seed investment.”

To learn more, visit SyngentaUS.com/Victrato to see its strong performance in action.

1Base Treatment = CruiserMaxx® APX or CruiserMaxx Vibrance®. Syngenta trials 2015-2022 under moderate-to-high nematode pressure: FL, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MI, MN, NC, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI; Victrato (0.075 mg ai/seed) trials n=101, ILEVO (0.15 mg ai/seed) trials vs Base n=88. 

2Field trials (n=23); IA, IL, KS, KY, MI, MN, TN and WI 2018-2021