On most of our ground we use a three year rotation: corn, corn, soybean. In this rotation we use minimum and no-till practices to conserve soil. Grid samples of the soil are taken in 2.5 acre sections to maximize fertilizer use and minimize the environmental impact. To aid in this process we utilize satellite guidance to apply variable rate fertilizer, lime and seed. Sycamore Creek manages details on every acre planted to provide the optimum growth environment for the plant.
Our crop year starts in the fall after harvest where we will apply fertilizer and lime on
a variable rate prescription basis. On the corn on corn acres we will then follow this fertilizer with a deep till disk combination tool to remove compaction and size residue. We also use a deep tillage minimum till tool on other areas where compaction could be an issue. In the fall or the spring we will follow with an application of nitrogen in either a liquid or anhydrous ammonia form.
In the spring we will use a variety of tillage tools ranging from a field finisher to a field
cultivator to a minimum till coulter cart. We choose a tool that maximizes the soil seed bed and provides appropriate residue cover to minimize soil erosion.
On approximately half of our acreage we will use a method of planting called no-till where we do no tillage after the crop is harvested and plant directly into the crop residue.
We use a corn planter with variable rate drives, air clutches, starter fertilizer, Precision meters, air bag down pressure, air operated row cleaners and insecticide all controlled by RTK satellite guidance. This makes for a complicated planter but allows us to be very precise with placing our seed and providing it with nutrients to get a good start. In addition, we have a 15" row soybean planter. We use a 90 foot self propelled sprayer to apply herbicide, insecticide, and fungicide. These applications are only used when needed with the advice of several agronomists at our disposal.
We will typically start harvesting in September. Harvest is a demanding time where we will use seasonal labor to man our trucks and equipment. We usually run one combine, two grain carts, three semis and a tillage tool simultaneously in the fall. Our crops are stored in several location, we have facilities to dry and store most of our crop on the farm. This allows us to control the quality of the grain and deliver the grain post harvest.
Sycamore Creek Farms makes a conscious effort to control soil erosion and minimize compaction. Our tractors, combine and grain cart all have tracks that minimize the yield decrease from operating heavy equipment on the fields.
Operations Background
Operations Plan
