Spring Planting: A Season of Growth and Preparations

Planting Soybeans and Strip Till Fertilizer

We kicked off our spring planting season on April 15th with enthusiasm and determination. Our focus was clear: to prepare our fields for a productive season ahead. We wasted no time and planted 650 acres of soybeans and have already completed 650 acres of strip till fertilizer application. This year, we streamlined our process with a dawn strip till unit, saving both time and effort compared to last year’s two-pass method.

Welcome Josh Troutman!

To bolster our team during this crucial period, we welcomed Josh Troutman as a seasonal employee. His background in farming, along with a natural gravitation to hard work and getting his hands dirty are invaluable assets to our operations.

Cover-Crop Rye Fields and Grain Facility Updates

We’ve made significant progress with our cover-crop rye fields, applying a residual herbicide and terminating approximately 1200 acres. Additionally, our excavation work and fill stone hauling for the grain facility are complete, with a bulk fertilizer setup ready with 130 tons of fertilizer in the bin.

Equipment Upgrades and Weather Challenges

Early in the spring, we meticulously checked and fine-tuned our equipment, ensuring everything ran smoothly when we took it to the fields. Our efforts paid off, as we’ve encountered minimal issues during planting thus far. However, despite our preparations, colder temperatures have temporarily slowed down our corn planting schedule. In the meantime, we’ve used this time wisely to upgrade our strip till equipment, including new gauge wheels that enhance the breakdown of root balls from our cover crop.

Looking Ahead: Corn Planting

While soybeans continue to get planted, our next focus is on corn. We eagerly await drier and warmer weather to commence this phase of spring planting. Though corn is a bit more stressful to plant, a majority of our crew enjoys growing corn more than soybeans. Overall, we’re optimistic and excited about the upcoming planting season despite the occasional setbacks of planting season. Our commitment to efficiency, innovation, and hard work ensures that Holtz Farms is primed for another year of growth and success. Stay tuned for more updates as our journey unfolds!

Make sure to go check out our last blog! Equipment Overhauls: Precision Mapping and Preparing for Spring Planting