The transition period to organic can be a challenging time for farmers. For 36 months you’re growing crops organically while still selling them at conventional prices, and it’s not unusual to see a yield drag along with higher costs. But there are some situations where you can go directly into organic or significantly reduce the […]
Protect Organic Profits with the Right Crop Insurance
One of the biggest concerns farmers have about transitioning into organics is that they’ll lose their crop insurance. But that’s a myth — there is government-subsidized crop insurance for both organic and transition acres, and the program is better today than it’s ever been. But take note. Guarantees, coverage details, building your actual production history […]
Profits and Soil Health Draw 4th-Generation Farmer to Organics
Chuck Thompson was tired of living hand-to-mouth. Like many farmers, he grew up on a traditional, corn-and-soybean operation in Humboldt, Iowa, and returned to it after college. Today, he and his brother farm with their father, making them the fourth generation of the family farm. But in the last decade, the Thompsons have struggled to […]
5 Critical Factors for Weed Control in Organic Row Crops
If you’re new to organic production, or are considering it, one of the biggest concerns you probably have is weed control. Without the use of herbicides, you may be wondering whether weed control is even possible. While it does take a higher level of management, weed control in organic systems is possible. And you can […]
Clinic and Field Tour Demonstrates Organic Profit Opportunity
Consumer demand for organic food has increased by 300%+ in the last decade, feed grade organic corn is trading at over $9.00 per bushel, however, the U.S. is importing organic corn and soybeans! Join the AgriSecure Organic Clinic and Field Tour on August 6, 2019, to hear and see how we are deploying our organic […]
Demand for Organic Foods Sets Up Long-Term Benefits for Farmers
When Steve Merfeld heard Farmers Business Network (FBN) was investing in AgriSecure, he started to think about whether his 2,200-acre farm in Nashua, Iowa, should get into organic production. He presented the idea to two farmers he works with and they agreed to investigate further. After meeting with AgriSecure and reflecting on their experiences with […]
4 Keys to Early Season Organic Success
Given how often things change in farming, some consider plans to be obsolete. But for large-scale organic producers, developing a plan is key to avoiding pain points that can hurt your bottom line. And when things change, as they often do, a plan can help determine your next best course of action. To develop an […]
AgriSecure Hosting Organic Field Day
AgriSecure is hosting an Organic Field Day near Manning, Iowa, on June 28, 2019. The event will cover how a diverse cropping rotation can deliver both economic and agronomic benefits to transitioning and organic row crop farms in the Midwest. Bryce Irlbeck, AgriSecure Founder and Owner of B&B Irlbeck Farms, will review how crops such […]
More Services for Organic Row Crop Growers
The rapid increase in consumer demand for organic food products is well documented and largely understood. U.S. farmers however, have been slow to respond and are only adding organic acres slowly. As a result, there are attractive price premiums relative to the conventional crop counterparts. Corn & Soybean Digest covers the growth in services aimed at helping […]
VIDEO: To be or not to be (organic)?
The biggest challenge to taking advantage of the organic profit opportunity is often just getting started. AgriSecure clients have consistently valued our team’s experience and perspective in helping evaluate the opportunity, as well as understand what it takes to be successful. If you’d like to hear directly from four farmers, watch the “To be or not […]