Syngenta Thrive

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“We have access to top Syngenta Seedcare™ specialists and scientists who explain how the products benefit growers,” says Kyle McClelland, seed and technical agronomy manager for Brandt. “It’s invaluable for us to have that level of dialogue because we can bring that information to our customers, separating insight and knowledge from the noise in the marketplace, and help them make the right decisions.”

For over a decade, Illinois-based retailer Brandt provided quality Syngenta products to their customers, worked with Syngenta to resolve agronomic issues and built a level of trust that set the stage for an expanded partnership. Now Syngenta supports most of the Brandt seed treatment business. This didn’t happen overnight. The two companies built the decision on a longstanding relationship and their common goal ‒ helping growers succeed.

Fostering Growth

Wade Meteer, sales representative for Syngenta, first performed a needs assessment for Brandt and determined a path forward. The path included a direct line to The Seedcare Institute™, a Syngenta network of facilities that test seed treatment performance in controlled environments to match the needs and requests of customers. The Institute’s U.S. facility, located in Stanton, Minnesota, worked directly with Brandt employees and performed a live demonstration of Syngenta Seedcare formulation technology to answer questions and highlight benefits.

Meteer praises Brandy for its customer focus. “Brandt works in the interest of growers to maximize their potential return on investment. Syngenta resonates with that mindset, and our seed treatment products fit this shared goal,” Meteer says.

McClelland knew he could depend on Meteer and the Syngenta team’s product knowledge and support to help deliver top-notch customer service to growers. Before McClelland moved up to his current role with Brandt, Meteer sometimes accompanied him on calls.

“Our customers trust us to make the right decisions for their farms,” McClelland says. “I think when they rely on us that heavily, it’s helpful that we can rely on the people at Syngenta. It makes for a great partnership from top to bottom.”

Dave Byrum, Syngenta Seedcare specialist and technical resource for Brandt, emphasizes the value of collaboration.

“Wade and those at Brandt have built a rapport and trust with each other, so broadening the Syngenta seed treatment portfolio was a true team effort,” Byrum says.

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Our customers trust us to make the right decisions for their farms. I think when they rely on us that heavily, it’s helpful that we can rely on the people at Syngenta.

Kyle McClelland Seed and Technical Agronomy Manager at Brandt

Brandt and Syngenta worked together for years bringing crop protection products to farmers, however, developing the seed treatment business was new territory. The longstanding partnership gave McClelland confidence that whatever challenges arose, Syngenta would provide the solutions needed to help keep his customers and their operations profitable.

Meteer says expanding the seed treatment business with Brandt requires frequent conversations re-evaluating the partnership’s objectives. Working together successfully means learning what each company needs and how to achieve their goals.

Building Trust

While mutual company objectives are important, a successful partnership goes beyond aligning business goals. The participants must also build trust among one another. McClelland takes pride in the fact that Brandt is a family-owned business that works with people who also care about their customers.

“When someone has the character, professionalism, knowledge and integrity of Wade Meteer, you do business with that person,” McClelland says.

Meteer emphasizes the role communication plays in his work with Brandt. When a Brandt employee calls him with questions, he’ll either have answers or find someone who does and report back quickly. Syngenta agronomic support teams constantly test and refine product recommendations in local geographies. Meteer says the information those teams provide is crucial in helping him give quick and accurate answers to the questions he receives.

For the past three years, nearly all seed treatment products Brandt has been carrying are from Syngenta. While Syngenta is proud of that achievement, there’s always room for improvement and better understanding.

“Maintaining the partnership requires not losing sight of what got us there. We still do yearly technical update meetings with Brandt from an agronomy and application service standpoint,” Byrum says. “We treat them like the top-shelf customer they are.”

Discovering Superior Performance

The personal bonds between the companies are strong, but Brandt wouldn’t partner with Syngenta if they didn’t provide top-tier products. McClelland is impressed with Syngenta seed treatments’ field performance as well as the convenience from a treatability, stability and packaging standpoint.

CruiserMaxx® Vibrance® insecticide/fungicide seed treatment and Saltro® fungicide seed treatment are two flagship products that drive a high crop response for growers. McClelland says CruiserMaxx Vibrance offers broad-spectrum protection from the major seedling diseases challenging growers in central Illinois. “The ease of use and the treatability of CruiserMaxx Vibrance in my opinion is second to none in the industry,” McClelland says. “And with Saltro, there are fewer agronomic issues, and it’s a no-brainer to use it on the majority of our acres here at Brandt.”

With room to grow, excellent company relationships, and proven product performance, this partnership is poised to provide solutions to farmers’ challenges for many years.

“We follow through on what we promise,” Meteer says, “and that’s what drives this long-term relationship.”

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Cover image: Wade Meteer, sales representative for Syngenta, (left) and Kyle McClelland, seed and technical agronomy manager for Brandt, (right) inspect a flourishing soybean field in Pleasant Plains, Illinois. The crop got an early boost from Saltro fungicide seed treatment and CruiserMaxx Vibrance insecticide/fungicide seed treatment. Photography by Seth Lowe. 

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Instead of spending hours trudging through wheat, barley and potato fields hoping he gets a good idea of what overall field health looks like, Brad Nielson takes a bird’s eye view, saving him time and boot tread. Aerial imagery aids diagnosis for Nielson, an agronomist for Walters Produce in Newdale, Idaho, making his scouting more efficient. “In a year like this, imagery pays for itself in crop quality and crop health,” he says. Nielsen relies on FarmShots™, a satellite imagery platform that integrates scouting and variable rate prescriptions for farmers, agronomists and retailers.

“We have center-pivot irrigation on almost every acre, but we must be good stewards because the Northwest is in a major drought,” he says. “We’re trying not to over irrigate, but we can’t afford to under-irrigate either. We’ve used FarmShots to try to find inconsistencies in our watering patterns.”

With center-pivot irrigation, a partially plugged or incorrectly sized nozzle is detrimental, but those issues are hard to recognize from the ground before crop damage occurs. Using satellite imagery, in this case FarmShots, Nielson takes a daily look at how fields respond to irrigation and the toll taken by abiotic stressors. If the imagery starts showing stress in a circular pattern, for example, he knows to look closely at the irrigation system to find the source of the stress.

Management with a Bird’s-Eye View

Drones and satellite imagery are increasingly popular as farmers strive to be more sustainable and cost-efficient. Because these tools provide a whole-field perspective, they help guide management decisions that must be made at harvest.

“When you think about the size and scale of some of the farms we see today and how much physical scouting one person can do, drones and satellite imagery make it possible to manage the crop despite those limitations,” says Rob Austin, North Carolina State University precision agriculture specialist. “They can cover a lot more acres.”

As farms consolidate, Austin anticipates that the use of drones or satellites — and possibly the two synergistically — will only increase. (If you’re wondering if one or the other would be a better fit for your farm, see the side-by-side comparison at the bottom of this page.)

Drones require more of a do-it-yourself approach than satellite imagery. Drones also have more restrictions and a greater learning curve. Austin warns potential operators to be sure to understand state and Federal Aviation Administration requirements before investing in drone technology.

Know What to Expect with Satellites

Because satellite imagery isn’t a do-it-yourself tool, it’s important for users to understand their options. For FarmShots specifically, several different types of images are available.

“The satellites provide an aerial view of what’s happening on the ground,” says Gina Sanson, FarmShots product marketing manager. “One of the most beneficial images is NDVI [normalized difference vegetation index]. It measures plant health by determining how much light a plant is absorbing versus how much it’s reflecting.

NDVI and other algorithms being applied to images mean you’re not simply relying on the naked eye to recognize color difference in fields, Nielson explains. This simplifies input decisions, harvest decisions and other plant health choices that may impact your bottom line each season.

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In a year like this, imagery pays for itself in crop quality and crop health.

Brad Nielson Agronomist at Walters Produce

“You can look at an image with some of these algorithms and filter out the noise that comes from having bare dirt in the field like in the early season,” Nielson explains. “This gives us a better idea of the actual plant health.

Nielson participated in a pilot project this past year that evaluated the value of daily high-resolution imagery. “This year we’re getting an image every day. Because FarmShots is getting photos processed and back to us quicker, it’s been very meaningful as we make decisions. That’s why we used FarmShots this year — they had faster turnaround time on images,” he continues.

FarmShots promises to offer satellite imagery in a simple and straight-forward interface that’s easy to understand. In addition, it’s mobile, desktop and tablet friendly. Users can take scouting notes, find problem locations with GPS tracking, and allow agronomists and input suppliers limited access.

Like the images created by drones and satellites, the future for this technology is clear — and only getting better. Whether in response to growing farm sizes, tight farm economics or the desire to be more sustainable, the use of an eye in the sky may help put money in your hand.

Satellite Imagery Drones (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles)
Coverage area Global Field-specific
Resolution Meters (from 1 to 30) Centimeters (1 to 10)
Timeliness Daily to weeks Instant
Payload 1000+ pounds 0.5 to 55 pounds (drone + payload maximum)
Airspace restrictions None Yes, uncontrolled airspace (class G) less than 400’ above ground level
Technology reliability Proven New, evolving quickly
Cloud-cover limitations Can obscure images Operates below clouds
Ease-of-use Most require subscriptions Additional skills, registration and time to learn required to collect data
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The location of farmland plays a large role in key agricultural assistance programs that many growers take for granted. If your ability to use farm programs, obtain ag financing and access land were hindered, what would you do? Welcome to the unique challenges that face minority farmers like Ryan Lankford and Christi Bland.

Historical Challenges

Lankford grew up on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation in north-central Montana, home of the Assiniboine and Gros Ventre people. Today, he and his family farm 20,000 acres where they grow spring and winter wheat, barley, chickpeas, canola and other crops near the Bears Paw Mountains. The climate there can make farming very challenging.

“We live on 12 to 14 inches of rain a year,” says Lankford, who noted that the region received only half an inch of rain in 2017. “You try to do everything right, but there’s so much risk when you farm in an arid climate. That’s on top of the land ownership issues we face with the federal government.”

Those land issues are the result of long-standing government policies. Today, Lankford and his family lease the majority of their land from their tribe. Lankford also owns some of his own land. But all of this property is also held in trust by the U.S. government, which in practical terms means that the government must approve all land-use decisions, including leasing and selling.

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As we engage farmers and ag industry partners, it’s essential to truly listen to what people are saying.

Brandon Bell Diversity and Inclusion Lead
at Syngenta

“Lenders are reluctant to loan money for our farming operation, since land ownership with the government muddies the waters,” Lankford says. “We’ve also missed out on government payments like the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program due to restrictions imposed by our land-ownership situation. It’s a constant battle with government bureaucracy.”

Despite the challenges, Lankford still loves farming. After a stint in the military following 9/11 and earning a civil engineering degree from Montana State University in 2008, he had a realization. “I discovered how much I missed the farm,” Lankford says. “I also realized how serving in the military and farming are a call to service.”

A Family Farming Tradition in Mississippi

Christi Bland is a fourth-generation farmer from Tunica County, Mississippi, where she raises rice, soybeans, grain sorghum and wheat and is one of only 49,000 Black farmers in America, down from more than 925,000 in 1920. Like Native American farmers, Black farmers have faced historical challenges in agriculture.

“One of the challenges that Black farmers have faced historically is discrimination from the USDA [U.S. Department of Agriculture] when it came to lending practices, and having to worry about if their land was going to be taken,” Bland says. In the past, many Black farmers handed down land informally without a will and testament. Instead, the land was shared between the heirs rather than being split up. Without the traditional legal documents, it often proved very difficult for Black farmers to gain access to capital because they weren’t able to prove to the bank that they had adequate collateral for a loan, which in turn meant that they weren’t able to purchase land and expand their operations.

The USDA has admitted to this long history of discrimination and has been taking steps since the late 1990s to address systemic racism and discrimination.1

But Bland says that for many Black farmers access to capital continues to be a problem to this day. “One of the unique challenges that I think Black farmers face,” she says, “is the generational wealth gap that we see. They’re not making any more land. Therefore, all the land that’s available is usually already taken up by larger farmers that have inherited land and generational wealth.”

Bland adds that today Black farmers constitute less than 1% of all the farmers in the U.S. However, the situation is improving for those farmers. The USDA has approved some initiatives that provide support to Black farmers.

Bland’s father, James Bland, Jr., will eventually pass down the family’s 1,500-acre operation to her. “The more I worked on the farm, the more I loved it,” she says.

Stories Turned Into Insights

Opening the lines of communication to address these issues is invaluable in a diverse industry like agriculture. “Agriculture serves everyone,” says Brandon Bell, diversity and inclusion lead at Syngenta. “As we engage farmers and ag industry partners, it’s essential to truly listen to what people are saying.”

Bell helps turn their stories into insights. He focuses on sharing knowledge, not changing people’s minds. Syngenta values the opportunity to encourage diverse viewpoints. “I want to help people be open to a new way of thinking,” Bell says. “Diversity feeds the spirit of community. Inclusion feeds the spirit of creativity. Equity feeds the spirit of innovation.”

For Lankford, this spirit reflects the joy of farming with his family. For Bland, a deputy commissioner with the Tunica County Soil and Water Conservation District, it means honoring her rural roots. “I don’t want to be the biggest farmer,” Bland says. “I want to be the best farm manager so I can carry on my family’s legacy.”

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1Vilsack, Thomas J., “Opening Statement of Thomas J. Vilsack Before the House Committee on Agriculture – Remarks as Prepared,” March 25, 2021, usda.gov/media/press-releases/2021/03/25/opening-statement-thomas-j-vilsack-house-committee-agriculture

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As a parent, I teach my son that every story has two sides. As a leader in sustainable agriculture, I also find myself having to remember that every day. Too often, we miss our opportunity to tell our side of the story — the story of the American farmer, the progress that has been made in sustainability and the groundswell of new efforts underway to further success in sustainable agriculture. Though most consumers are at least three generations removed from the American farm, they are showing increased interest in learning where their food comes from and knowing more about the farmers who produce it.

So how do we start the conversation?

Authenticity, coupled with facts, is a great place to start. Put a few statistics, such as the percentage of family-owned farms in the U.S. (98%) coupled with your own family farm story, into the conversation. I have been amazed to learn how many of our customers are operating farms passed through generations all the way back to the Homestead Act of 1862!

Knowing the facts about your farm exponentially increases public interest. That story is better told with robust on-farm record keeping, which also helps tell your environmental sustainability story. Tell people about the practices you use to improve soil health or optimizing production through technologies like genetically modified seeds.

For the big picture, in this issue you can grab a few data points on the differences between organic and conventional crop production. And, as in every issue, we share information regarding American agriculture’s commitment to strong, economically sustainable production.

Every one of us has opportunities to tell our story in a genuine way, inviting conversation and further developing relationships between farmers and consumers. By taking time to listen and understand other perspectives, then sharing our own stories, we can build farmer-consumer relationships one conversation at a time.

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Marvin Frink served in the U.S. Army for 15 years, with deployments in South Korea, Germany, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. When he returned home, his father, the late Rev. Kirby Frink, saw that his son was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Rev. Frink remembered that as a child, his son enjoyed their frequent visits to cattle farms and rodeos. Rev. Frink thought reconnecting with cattle might be good for his son.

Turns out, dad was right.

His son now considers cattle farming his “agri-therapy.” “It gives me purpose and accountability,” he says. “I meet the Lord at the fence line every day.”

At the urging of his father and with help from the Farmer Veteran Coalition, a national nonprofit nongovernmental organization that helps veterans transition from military service to agricultural careers, Marvin Frink started cattle farming. He began with two beef cattle and today raises 103 head at his Briarwood Cattle Farm near Red Springs, North Carolina.

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It gives me purpose and accountability.

Marvin Frink Grower at Briarwood Cattle Farm

“I’ve been with the Farmer Veteran Coalition since 2013,” Frink says. “I remember Michael O’Gorman [the organization’s founder] taking me to visit with then-Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. They told me about the grants and resources available to veterans.”

The number of military veterans moving toward agriculture increased after 9/11, says Natalie Monroe, communications & marketing manager for the Farmer Veteran Coalition.

“Veterans are service-minded and accustomed to seeing through what needs to be done,” Monroe says. “Farming becomes their new mission — it provides new life and purpose while also enabling veterans to nourish their communities.”

Enhancing the Quality of Life

Another organization helping veterans, AgrAbility, has the goal of enhancing the quality of life for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers with disabilities. There are currently AgrAbility projects in 20 states.

The AgrAbility website features a video, “The Next Mission: Breaking Down Barriers for Veterans in Agriculture,” in which veterans explain why they wanted — and needed — to farm, says Cindy Chastain, the organization’s veteran outreach coordinator. The veterans in the video speak of farming as hard work but also as a restorative experience that gives their lives purpose.

“It would be great if more agricultural employers offered jobs to veterans as they come out of the military,” Chastain says. Farmers also can help veterans by offering internships or opportunities to build sweat equity to someday own their own farms, she adds.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which offers various programs for veterans, also provides training to military personnel while they’re making the transition from active service to civilian life.

Visit farmvetco.org, agrability.org and usda.gov/our-agency/initiatives/veterans for more information on programs that support veterans in agriculture.

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Lodged corn. A consequence of severe weather, poor crop conditions, or a combination. It’s also another obstacle between growers and a smooth end to the season.

Severe lodging risks yield potential and complicates harvest. One way or another, however, downed corn must be harvested. Keep these five tips in mind to harvest lodged corn safely, carefully and without compromising yield.

Tips to Harvest Lodged Corn

1. Prioritize acres with severe lodging.

That means scouting frequently and knowing your fields come harvest time. Lodged corn should be harvested as soon as it’s ready; Otherwise, another bout of severe weather or stalk disease can worsen lodging.

2. Set up for success by resetting at each field.

It’s important to reset the combine before entering a field, especially when harvest conditions vary across fields and dates. For example, you may need to reposition gathering chains to grip stalks more aggressively, reduce fan speed or adjust other settings on a field-by-field basis.

3. Slow down and harvest against the grain.

If weather allows, avoid speeding through harvest. Rushing quickly through the fields is an inefficient way to harvest lodged corn. Slow your combine speed to reduce the risk of missed ears. Make sure you harvest in the opposite direction of the way corn is leaning to reduce losses.

4. Organize the right equipment before harvest begins.

Make sure your combine is equipped with the proper reel to handle root or stalk lodging. The ideal attachment will lean out ahead of snouts to pick up the plants and guide them into the combine. If you can avoid it, don’t over-rely on rentals. Reels can become scarce in affected regions after widespread weather events like the 2020 derecho. Investing in your own equipment now can help you avoid a headache later.

5. Keep quality in mind.

Quality issues are inevitable when harvesting corn that’s been lying on the ground. Downed corn ears can fall victim to a range of toxins. Be on the lookout for additional mold and grain quality loss. Harvesting early can help make sure stalks are in the best possible condition.

No matter what plan you develop for harvesting lodged corn, don’t get frustrated with the time and effort required. Proper safety practices should always be put in place, as rushing through harvest can be dangerous and counterproductive. Careful preparation can help salvage much of your yield.

Preventing Lodged Corn

If you saw significantly more lodged corn this year, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Did I change my approach to nutrient management this year? Excessive nitrogen applications at the end of the year or nutrient imbalances throughout the growing season can weaken stalks. Consider testing your soil if you suspect a problem.

2. Could my plant population have contributed to lodging? Higher seeding rates can lead to increased competition for nutrients. This may result in thinner, weaker stalks that are prone to stalk and root lodging.

3. Was there a soil moisture issue? Drought conditions can lead to increased crop damage during harvest; soft soil with too much moisture can increase the risk for machine damage.

4. Did my crop protection plan keep up with disease and pests this year? Gaps in your plan can leave corn vulnerable. Common foliar diseases like tar spot and Northern corn leaf blight can weaken stalks. Insect pests, especially corn rootworm, can contribute to root lodging. Weeds can increase competition for the nutrients needed to grow strong stems.

Multiple factors contribute to downed corn. Implementing crop rotation, planting resistant hybrids, and monitoring pests throughout the growing season are all strategies that can pay off at harvest. Beyond these, the right strategies to prevent lodging will depend on the specific factors affecting your fields.

Consider reaching out to your local Syngenta representative to see what might be missing from your plan.

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Diversity and inclusion programs may focus on opening doors to women and people of color, but they also ultimately drive tangible benefits and opportunities for the entire agricultural industry.

“As agriculture becomes more diverse, more companies are realizing diversity is good for the bottom line,” says Ebony Webber, chief operating officer of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS). “They see opportunities to expand into new markets and stay competitive.”

MANRRS, which has 2,050 members in 65 chapters across 38 states, promotes academic and professional advancement by empowering minorities in agricultural and related scientific careers. The organization helps members through networking and leadership-training programs. It also provides role models and networking opportunities for student members as early as the seventh grade. A growing number of companies are offering internships and full-time positions to MANRRS members.

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As agriculture becomes more diverse, more companies are realizing diversity is good for the bottom line.

Ebony Webber Chief Operating Officer
Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS)

“Once our members have the chance for hands-on experiences and realize the opportunities in agriculture, they become more engaged,” says Antomia Farrell, Ed.D., assistant dean and director for diversity, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky. She is also serving as the 2020–2021 national MANRRS president and as the University of Kentucky’s MANRRS adviser.

Women are already playing a sizeable role in agriculture. Female-operated farms accounted for 38% of U.S. agriculture sales and 43% of U.S. farmland, according to the 2017 Census of Agriculture.

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Joy O’Shaughnessy, chief operating officer, agribusiness, at HighQuest Partners, works with Women in Agribusiness. This group encourages its members to learn about the many career opportunities in agriculture, such as law, finance, insurance, research and more. A part of O’Shaughnessy’s role is working with ag retailers looking to transform their workplaces by hiring and retaining more female employees.

In addition to supporting groups like MANRRS and Women in Agribusiness, agricultural companies can develop their own initiatives. For example, Syngenta recently launched a four-year equity, diversity and inclusion plan. The plan focuses on building diversity and inclusion into senior-level and management teams as well as into employee recruitment, advancement and retention, says Brandon Bell, diversity and inclusion lead at Syngenta, North America.

Webber believes that working together is the key to building greater diversity and inclusion in agriculture. “I hope that as an industry we can become more proactive,” she says. “It’s going to take everyone. But this is a marathon, not a sprint.”

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Syngenta researchers fine-tune formulations to meet these challenges. This might mean adding a nonionic surfactant to change the surface tension of a liquid so the droplets don’t bounce off the plant and hit the soil.

For instance, coverage is essential when the goal is weed control. “If you’re spraying small, upright, grass-like weeds, our formulations will stick to the target,” says Mark Ledson, Ph.D., group leader of the lead application technology group in formulation development at Syngenta.

Syngenta works closely with equipment manufacturers to optimize spray nozzles’ effectiveness. “While there haven’t been a lot of new active ingredients coming along, there’s a lot of research going on with nozzles,” Ledson says.

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Our goal is to ensure that Syngenta chemistry is applied in the most effective way to maximize efficacy, which leads to higher yield potential and profit potential for growers.

Mark Ledson, Ph.D. Group Leader, Lead Application Technology Group, Formulation Development at Syngenta

Among the successes over the last 25-plus years of working with equipment manufacturers, Syngenta helped develop the Hypro GuardianAIR with a 10-degree angle for increased spray coverage. The success of the GuardianAIR spurred the creation of the 3D nozzle, whose 40-degree angle outperforms flat-fan nozzles for pre-emergence weed control.

“Our goal is to ensure that Syngenta chemistry is applied in the most effective way to maximize efficacy, which leads to higher yield potential and profit potential for growers,” Ledson says.

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Sticky traps allow growers and consultants to monitor adult insect populations for foliar insecticide thresholds. To better manage corn rootworm (CRW) in their fields, corn growers in northern Illinois, eastern Iowa and southern Wisconsin partner with Syngenta to place sticky traps in expected high-pressure areas.

“The project really allows us to showcase what we’re doing to control CRW populations and mitigate insect adaptation,” says Todd McRoberts, agronomy manager for NK Seeds. “When you have growers with no CRW in their fields in high-pressure areas, the results speak for themselves.”

By working with growers who place the traps in their fields, Syngenta learns more about how to use the traps to inform CRW management strategies. The traps also provide population checks in areas expected to have high pressure.

“We work with agronomists and our retailer partners to find growers already engaging in progressive management of their fields,” says Andy Heggenstaller, head of agronomy for Syngenta Seeds, U.Strap. “These growers with multiyear containment approaches are best positioned to benefit from using these traps.”

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When you have growers with no CRW in their fields in high-pressure areas, the results speak for themselves.

Todd McRoberts Agronomy Manager at NK Seeds, Syngenta

In some areas, population numbers have exceeded expectations, sparking local awareness campaigns to teach growers and retailers how to best handle the threat that CRW larvae and beetles pose.

The growers who deploy the traps already use several best practices, including crop rotation, trait packages and insecticide treatments. Combined with diligent scouting, these practices help some growers — even those in high-pressure areas — manage CRW populations in their fields.

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Assembling an on-farm first aid kit is time well spent, say experts at the AgriSafe Network, a national group of health-care workers and educators who advocate for better rural health. To minimize injuries and save lives, they recommend growers consider investing in first aid kits that account for the unique risks of the job.

What to Include in Your Farm First Aid Kit

Everyday Injuries on the Farm

  • Adhesive bandages — Various sizes and types, including knuckle and butterfly bandages.
  • Alcohol wipes — For cleaning small wounds or insect stings.
  • 1- and 2-inch paper tape on a roller — For easier tearing.
  • To dress wounds —
    • 2-, 4- and 6-inch elastic wraps (with clips, Velcro or self-adhering features).
    • 2-, 4- and 6-inch gauze stretch wraps.
  • Absorbent gauze pads (also referred to as combine dressings) — 4 inch by 4 inch (quantity of 12) and 8 inch by 10 inch (quantity of 4).
  • Large clean cloth — To use as a sling.
  • Large safety pins — To pin a sling or clothing.
  • 2 instant cold packs, sized 5-inch x 8-inch — Know how to properly “pop” them.

Eye and Chemical Safety

  • Two 8-ounce containers of sterile saline — To initially cleanse wounds and for immediate irrigation when accidental chemical sprays, grain particles, etc., enter the eye.
  • Jug of water sealed and stored in a large plastic bag — For eye irrigation and hydration.

Weather and Exposure Protection

  • Emergency/survival blanket (same material as Mylar balloons) — To protect people from the elements and ward off shock.
  • Quilted or heavy “picnic” pad — To serve as ground cover to place someone on who is injured.
  • Insect repellant and insect bite wipes.
  • Hand wipes — For when soap and water are not available to wash hands.
  • Sunscreen (30 SPF or higher).

CPR and Personal Protection

  • 2 pairs of examination gloves, properly sized — To put on if there’s no time to wash hands; they also can protect individuals from contaminated body fluids.
  • CPR face shield — For protection from bodily fluids.
  • Sugar or candy packets, small squeeze tubes of instant frosting — For diabetics who experience a sudden dangerous drop in glucose levels. Do not use chocolate or nuts.

Serious Injuries Involving Machinery

  • Heavy-duty bandage scissors/trauma shears — To cut through denim, jackets, etc., when injury occurs.
  • Sealable 2-quart and 1-gallon plastic bags — For digit amputations.
  • 2 garbage bags with ties — For limb amputations.

After You Build Your Farm First Aid Kit: Prioritize Storage, Access and Training

  • Place them in more than one place so they’re always within reach — no matter where you are on the farm.
  • Store first-aid supplies in water- and dust-resistant containers in easily accessible locations, such as a truck, automobile, tractor, combine, ATV or shop area.
  • Routinely check expiration dates of products.
  • Use caution if you place antibiotic ointments and burn cream in a kit. If you have a wound that requires debridement or possible suturing, ointment and lotion products can greatly hinder that process.
  • Check your community for first aid and CPR classes because an important part of first aid is knowing how to perform CPR accurately.