Darrell Smith

Latest Stories
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Machinery
How to Dial In Downpressure and Closing Systems for Perfect Stands
Farm Journal Field Agronomist Ken Ferrie explains how to optimize hydraulic downpressure and closing systems to achieve uniform emergence, picket-fence stands and maximum yield across every soil type and condition.
April 22, 2026 03:57 PM
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Darrell Smith
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Weather
Smart Strategies for Planting in Wet or Dry Conditions
Weather is unpredictable, but a solid plan ensures you’re prepared for whatever the planting season brings.
March 10, 2026 03:46 PM
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Darrell Smith
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Corn
3 Corn Disease Lessons You Should Apply in 2026
In many areas of the Corn Belt, farmers experienced 10-to-50-bu.-per-acre yield losses from disease pressure this year, says Ken Ferrie. In a period of tight margins, timely treatment decisions were more crucial than usual.
December 01, 2025 09:39 AM
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Darrell Smith
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Crop Production
7 Tips To Make Your Phosphorus Work For You
As one of the most important early season nutrients, Farm Journal field agronomist Ken Ferrie explains the best way to manage phosphorus is one you’ve probably heard of before.
June 05, 2025 03:00 PM
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Darrell Smith
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Soybeans
Want to Boost Soybean Yields But Not Costs? Sunlight Can Help
“Sunlight drives photosynthesis, which drives starch production, which drives yield,” explains Ken Ferrie. If sunlight hits the ground, it’s wasted, so maximizing sunlight capture requires closing rows as quickly as possible.
April 25, 2025 02:00 PM
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Darrell Smith
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Crop Production
Specialty Grains Might Boost Profits
Surveying his farmer-clients, Ken Ferrie compiled a list of ways to increase profit margin. Specialty crops, such as popcorn; non-GMO corn and soybeans; seed corn and soybeans; food-grade corn and soybeans; and organic crops top the list.
March 21, 2025 04:30 PM
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Darrell Smith
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Crop Production
Get the Most Bang for Your Fertilizer Buck
With these eight tips, you can make smarter decisions when it comes to fertilizer, ensuring your crops get the nutrients they need without overspending.
January 16, 2025 08:30 AM
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Darrell Smith
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Farm Journal Test Plots
Can You Cut Fertilizer Expenses?
“There might be ways for farmers to become more efficient with fertilizer while maintaining yield, but only by carefully analyzing each farm, field and soil management zone,” says Ken Ferrie. He shares 4 tips to cut fertilizer with confidence.
January 09, 2025 11:26 AM
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Darrell Smith
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Crop Production
Why You Should Care About Farming’s Economic Shifts
From start to finish, each seven-to-10-year economic cycle is normal, but opportunity knocks with understanding and planning.
December 19, 2024 11:04 AM
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Darrell Smith
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Crop Production
5 Ways To Maximize Fertilizer ROI For 2025
As you begin to rein in production costs, big ticket items such as fertilizer naturally get a lot of scrutiny. Now’s the time to think through how you’ll best allocate available dollars for nutrients.
September 10, 2024 04:22 PM
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Rhonda Brooks
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