Reprinted with permission from AgWeek
By Mikkel Pates / Agweek Staff Writer Today at 8:45 a.m.
SLAYTON, Minn. —— Dave Schwartz has planted oats and about 210 acres of corn before stopping to avoid germination problems.
“Our agronomist said that if you stop planting 48 hours before a cold rain, you’re probably alright,” said Schwartz. It was expected to stay cold with snow the week of April 25.
The Schwartz farm has about 1,000 crop acres that produce corn, soybeans, alfalfa and some oats. Schwartz does most of the fieldwork with some part-time help. He’s worked to add precision agriculture, adopting auto-steer in his tractors and combine about six years ago and now has added prescription planting.
“The planter is designed to put on a rate when you go over the hills so it cuts down (on seed), and when you go into heavier spots it increases population,” he explains.
Schwartz farms with his wife, Kathy. He says he still enjoys farming at age 73 after milking full-time since 1961. “I enjoy what I’m doing, so I stay with it.”
The farm averages 180 bushels an acre for corn and 40 to 50 bushel per acre beans, but in 2016, he managed a crop of over 200-bushel corn and 60-bushel beans.
There were good crop profit years when corn was $6 to $7 a bushel, but now it’s about $3, and instead of $12 per bushel soybeans they’re $8.50, Schwartz says.
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