Another Quiet Month That Can Help Decide Your Margin

Finish Line Farming - February

Kale Meendering, Agronomy Division | Pacer Technology, Inc.

January and February are often lumped together as the quiet months. Nothing could be further from the truth. These are the two months that can help us protect our margin- or give it away. By the time March shows up, the damage is done. This edition brings together what should be thought about and what must happen in February so growers and agronomists can still move reactive to intentional before the start of a new season.

Seed Decisions Are Made

By now, seed choices are largely locked in. Hybrids, traits, populations and rotations are pretty much set. What’s not always decided is how those genetics will be supported once they hit the cold, variable soils.

Strong genetics don’t overcome poor early-season conditions on their own. They need:

·         Uniform emergence

·         Early root development

·         Access to nutrients when soils are cold and biological activity is low

Ignore early-season stress planning, and you’ll find yourself scrambling.

Spend With Intention

The most successful growers don’t just budget inputs - they prioritize return.

Recent planning should have included:

·         What inputs protect yield vs chase yield

·         Where dollars historically return the most

·         Which products are habits rather than investments

Soil Tests Are Not Wall Art

Let’s be honest.

A lot of money gets spent pulling soil samples. A lot of data gets generated. And then…it sits. Soil tests are treated like a compliance item instead of a decision-making tool. Here’s the problem: soil tests don’t fail growers- unused soil tests do. They are supposed to be a roadmap for:

·         Where nutrients may be tied up

·         Where starter fertilizer actually matters

·         Where biological activity needs support

Yet too often, fertility programs are built off last year’s spreadsheet instead of this year’s data. If you pay for soil sampling and don’t adjust your fertility accordingly, did you really get the return you were hoping for?

Timing, Not Just Rate

Finalize starter fertilizer strategies. Cold soils restrict nutrient availability - even when soil test levels are adequate. Starter programs should focus on:

·         Early P availability

·         Micronutrient access during slow root growth

·         Supporting seedlings before biology wakes up

The goal isn’t only to feed the soil- it’s feeding the plant when it needs it most.

Bio Prep

Biostimulants are not emergency tools. Their value shows up when they’re planned into:

·         Seed treatments

·         Starter fertilizer

·         Foliar passes

Fermentation-based biostimulants, when used correctly, help:

·         Drive early root growth

·         Improve nutrient efficiency

·         Reduce variability under stress

At Pacer Technology, our agronomy products are built around this exact window- supporting early-season plant establishment when conditions are rarely ideal. Reach out and ask about Ample C and see where it fits into your system.

Mechanical Problems Look Like Agronomy Failures

Uneven emergence is often blamed on weather, fertility, or products. Chances are it could be more than that, it might be mechanical. We’re closing in on our last chances to:

·         Check meters, depth control, and closing systems

·         Match equipment capability to agronomy goals

·         Prevent small mechanical issues from becoming yield-limiting mistakes

No input fixes poor seed placement.

Notes To Watch

·         Availability: some biologicals, micronutrients, and specialty fertilizers are already tightened up.

·         Price Volatility: locking in programs early reduces emotional buying later; always know your BREAKEVEN!

·         Regulatory: increasing scrutiny on fertilizer use continues to favor smarter, more targeted approaches to agronomy decisions.

Kale Meendering, Agronomy Division | Pacer Technology, Inc.