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Wheat growers share successes at Profit Maximizer meetingAs part of the 2008 Profit Maximizer Summit, Aug. 26, at the Broadview Hotel in Wichita, five well-recognized wheat producers will serve on a grower panel to discuss intensive wheat management techniques and how their practices continue to improve their farming efficiencies and profitability. Calvin Boyd from Medicine Lodge, Kan.: Calvin Boyd and his wife, Carla, have been farming for 30 years. Today their operation includes 5,000 acres in Pratt and Barber counties, of which 2,000 is irrigated. Tillable acres consist of a rotation program that hosts corn, soybeans and wheat. Dryland acres have been predominantly wheat with a rotation of corn, milo, cotton and feed. All of their acres are under a no-till farming initiative. According to Boyd, growing wheat has always been an important aspect of their operation whereby they are committed to raising certified KSU variety wheat seed. Focused on the science and technology aspects of wheat production, he selects seed that has genetic strengths to increase disease resistance and increase yield. Their son Christopher graduated from Kansas State University in May 2008 with agricultural business and animal science degrees--and has since joined the family farming operation. Perry Hansen of Garden City, Kan.: Perry Hansen has been involved in building a diversified farming operation known as Southwest AG for the last 12 years. Originally, from western Nebraska, Hansen moved to Garden City to allow for business expansion opportunities in Kearney and Finney counties. Today, he farms 15,000 acres--all under irrigation. The breakout of his crops include 4,700 acres of wheat, 4,500 acres of alfalfa, 4,100 acres of corn, 3,700 acres of double crop corn in addition to 800 acres of potatoes and 750 acres of grass. Hansen's operation also includes a custom forage harvesting division and a cattle-backgrounding operation, which handles 12,000 to 15,000 head per year. According to Hansen, the key to his success has been building an experienced and motivated workforce. He currently has 27 full-time employees that work across all areas of the operation. Hansen's spouse's name is Kammi. They have three daughters, Kristin, Kayla and Kimberly. Ron Jacques of Hutchinson, Kan.: Ron Jacques, his wife Vickie and two sons, Ryan and Eric, farm 3,800 acres in Reno County, Kan. Of those 3,800 acres, the current breakout of his operation is 2,300 acres of wheat, 420 irrigated acres divided between corn, milo and soybeans, 60 acres of alfalfa and 100 acres of annual forages. He also farms 500 acres of double crop soybeans, 412 acres of dryland soybeans and 487 acres of dryland milo. Jacques, who has been farming for 35 years, says his cropping program consists of no-till practices with a primary rotation pattern of wheat, followed by a second crop of wheat, then milo, and then soybeans. An advocate of intensive wheat management strategies and technologies, Jacques says he has been experiencing positive results with the innovations that he is adopting into his operation. In addition to their two sons, the Jacques' have a daughter, Lori, who is a registered nurse.
Mike Jordan of Beloit, Kan.: Mike Jordan and his wife, Joyce, have been farming for 28 years in Mitchell County. Their operation consists of 2,800 total acres with 1,200 in wheat, with the majority of it planted into sunflower, soybean or wheat stubble; another 800 acres of milo; and the balance of acreage is planted to sunflowers and soybeans. According to Jordon, one his business priorities is conserving soil moisture and adopting innovative farming practices--which go back as far as the 1940s when his father started modifying equipment to preserve surface residue. Jordon slowly started the transition process over to no-till farming in 1994. Today, he practices 100 percent no-till. He began using GPS and yield monitoring technology in 2006 and is now utilizing variable rate fertilizer applications on some of his acreage. Jordon enjoys experimenting with new production practices on his acreage. Currently he is experimenting with, and making use of cover crops to enhance soil organic matter and boost crop yields. The Jordan's have two children, Gregory and Emily who are both attending Kansas State University. Bill Steinert of Fairmont, Okla.: Bill Steinert has been involved in farming for 56 years. Today, the farming operation consists of a four-member partnership including his wife Rhonda and their two sons, Matt and Adam. Matt, who holds a degree in bio-systems engineering and agronomy, is the precision farming and technology expert for the operation. Adam, who has the same college degree, serves as operations and logistics manager. Rhonda is responsible for all financial management duties of the farming operation. Steinert farms a variety of crops including wheat (for grain and grazing), full-season and double-crop corn, full-season and double-crop milo, in addition to double-crop soybeans, sunflowers and cotton along with canola. All his acres are located in Garfield, Grant, Noble and Logan counties in Oklahoma. An advocate of efficient and cost saving production practices, Steinert has been operated under 100 percent no-till since 1998. In addition to the farming operation, the family also has a cow-calf herd and commercial stocker operation. They also market Angus-influenced artificial insemination bred heifers. In addition to their sons, the Steinert's have two daughters, Grace and Emily. Their daughter-in-law Autumn, also supports the operation, serving as accountant. 8/11/08 Date: 8/7/08
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