Look Forward with a Good Look Back

“As we approach the end of the year, it’s time to make our farm plans for the 2026 growing season,” said Craig Loen, Federated ag sales rep at the Osceola location.
 
The results of this past season are the starting point. “What things worked well [and] had a positive return?” said Loen. Consider factors such as:

• Weed control.
  • Which herbicides worked best?
  • Did any weed escapes make harvest challenging?
• Disease issues. 
  • In corn: tar spot, southern rust, anthracnose, and leaf diseases. 
  • In soybeans: sudden death syndrome (SDS), brown stem rot (BSR), soybean white mold (SWM). 
  • If applied, were the fungicides effective? If not, do fungicides need to be a 2026 consideration? 
• Seed treatments.
  • Did you use them? If not, are they merited in 2026?

It’s easy to forget what happened in the past growing season as the new one gets underway. If there was a field this year that didn’t yield as well as it should have, what 2026 plans can address that fact? 
 
Loen noted the list of considerations: choice of seed varieties, crop rotations, soil sampling, ag lime needs, fertilization needs, seed varieties, maturities, insecticides, fungicides. Also among your choices are Federated’s custom application services; we can help you weigh the options.
 
The 2026 crop year will demand the best of your decision-making skills. Early planning – including thorough discussions with your Federated Agronomist – will relieve some of the pressure in the new season. From pricing to budgeting and return on investment, your Federated agronomy team is here to help. Contact us soon.