The 2016 harvest season has been one for the books with the USDA expecting farmers to harvest record amounts of corn and soybeans. These record yields highlight the fact that modern farming operations are bigger than ever – both in acreage and bushels.

During the busiest times of harvest, the number one question farmers ask themselves is how much crop they can take off each day – and if they have the appropriate resources to dry and store it. A cool, wet and windy fall has resulted in farmers harvesting corn at higher, moister levels than originally anticipated. This has increased pressure on grain dryers and localized propane supplies.

Although the last few weeks of harvest can be hectic, it is also the best time to evaluate how efficiently grain is moving through your operation and identify any areas that might need improvements in 2017.

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With continuing economic pressures on commodity prices and the ongoing need to increase yield, maximizing nutrient efficiency is becoming an even more critical component. This is also an ongoing challenge for growers as they are typically looking at their current crop while already planning for the next season.

The key to healthy plant nutrition and optimum crop production is a balance of all the essential nutrients, which is obtained by managing fertility and nutrient availability factors like proper placement, targeted timings and appropriate use rates to ensure nutrient availability throughout the season. In order to maximize crop production, growers need to provide all key macro and micronutrients for their plants at the appropriate time they are needed. (more…)

The CHS Board has delayed implementation of the company’s new individual equity redemption program, a decision made following its regular review of the CHS equity management program.

“This decision was made as we considered a number of factors, including our commitment to balance sheet management and the current economic cycle,” says CHS Board Chairman Dave Bielenberg. “CHS remains financially sound and profitable, but as we navigate this economic cycle, the board believes this delay was appropriate as we continue to take a long-term view in managing equity redemptions.”

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1. What Are Spray Adjuvants?

Adjuvants aren’t new — in fact, they’ve been around as long as herbicides. However, with the recent conversations about the new trait and herbicide technologies, adjuvants are getting a lot more discussion, as they rightfully should.

With the upcoming changes, it is now even more important to make sure you are using the proper adjuvants to ensure your herbicide application is as effective as possible and to help minimize the development of herbicide resistant weeds. (more…)

The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) and its members (including CHS) will celebrate the first annual Global Fertilizer Day this coming Thursday, October 13. Organized by TFI and a network of international organizations, the day is dedicated to spreading the word about the vital role our industry plays in improving peoples’ lives. As Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates has said on numerous occasions, two out of every five people in the world owe their lives to fertilizer. (more…)

When commodity markets turn volatile, pulling the trigger gets tougher. Grain producers looking for a seamless way to diversify – and simplify – their marketing have one more choice with CHS Pro Advantage.

This contract allows a grower to pledge a specific quantity of bushels to be professionally priced over a specific period of time, essentially taking the emotion out of selling. Bushels are priced by the trading professionals at CHS Hedging-owned Russell Consulting Group. (more…)