08/19/2026
Doing More with Less: A Message to Our Customers
Fertility Prices are up again from 2026 to 2027. There is more volatility in markets, more uncertainty in profitability, and a revolving door of government programs that may not make us whole, and certainly not what we want as farmers. We would prefer stable markets, excellent demand domestically and foreign, and the ability to grow and sell our products profitably without jumping through hoops. But, we can’t control all of those things.
What can we control? We can control when we plant (weather allowing), what we apply for fertilizer and how we apply it, who we do business with, how we manage our crops throughout the growing season, and when we harvest and market.
If I were to make it super simple for changes in 2027:
1. Plant a lower population. Aim for a final stand of 105-120k seeds/acre. How many seed guys are telling you to buy less from them? Also, every week past April 14th is roughly 3 bushels/week of reduced yield potential. Plant early.
2. Use prior year Spring soil tests to determine Fall or early Spring fertility spread, and run ALL acres on variable rate spread. Squeeze everything you can out of that budget strategically.
3. Do business with someone who truly cares about your success and understands the real challenges the farm and current conditions offer. At Monier Seed, we farm, live and breathe these decisions every day, and we own AND operate the business. We are not a mega corporation focused only on shareholder returns. We care about you and our community.
4. Kill weeds early and often, use residuals, and apply fungicide. Don’t overthink it.
5. Harvest soybeans wet, even if it’s tough cutting. Every 1% of moisture is .9 bushels given up on marketable yield. 9.5-10.5% soybeans are no fun to bounce off the windshield.
6. Market when it’s profitable. Set target margins, remove emotion, and pull the trigger on significant sales when you are above your cost of production with a return built in. The world will get more volatile, not less.
We look forward to the opportunity to work with you in 2027 and beyond for all of your seed needs. Our products continue to get better with genetic advances, and we are managing every aspect of seed quality from start to finish for the best product on your acre. Thank you for your business, and control what you can in the year ahead!
Shay Foulk
Monier Seed 2027
