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Ninth-generation farmers meet some stiff challenges head on in 2018
A wet and cool spring was challenge enough. But when Rusty and Hunter Grills had a breakdown in the spray rig at just the wrong time, it really wasn’t looking good. Then, worst of all, pigweed pressure kicked in thanks to the wet conditions, and that had the Grills scrambling to stay ahead of it.
With a team including their dad, Jack, and brother, Cody, the Grills run a 3,000-acre corn and soybean operation in the northwestern corner of Tennessee. And even with the perennial challenges farmers face, the brothers are proud ambassadors for the industry they call “the greatest in the world.”
“It’s very rewarding to go out and put my hands in the dirt, plant a crop, invest in that crop, nurture it, watch it grow, then reap the benefits,” Hunter said. “Our dad taught us early on to have respect for the land, and I really do.”
But when the land throws you curveballs like the Grills experienced in the spring and early summer, especially conditions that favor the weeds, you need something to throw back at it. Describing the pigweed pressure, Hunter said, “We have a lot in every field. Pressure to the full extent of the word.”
The plan from the beginning was to put a residual down, then come back with Engenia® herbicide, which they had used in 2017 with good success. And it worked again.
Hunter described their process, “I talked to all of our neighbors in the area, made sure to know what kind of crops they were planting, where they were, any time that we were going to make an application. We made sure that the wind speed and direction was correct, and then let the neighbors know ahead of time. We didn’t have any issues. We had a very successful year with that.”
Rusty Grills liked what he saw. “You know, those pigweeds that are an inch, two inches tall, [the Engenia herbicide] cleaned their clock. I kind of like that. I like to see those babies wilting.”
“A farmer’s the eternal optimist,” Rusty added. “You know, a farmer’s the only person in the job world that has, what, 35 to 40 chances to get things right. So, you know, we wouldn’t have put that much time and effort in the spring if we weren’t optimists.”
Hunter added, “We were very fortunate. When we do have pigweeds break through, we had the chemistry to go in and help us with that. Having those options really, really helps us a lot in making sure that we can have a successful year.”
Yields are the final proof of a successful program, and the Grills know that keeping weeds out keeps yields up. “We had better than expected yields,” Rusty said, and not just because of the herbicide efficacy. “I’m confident that we are an additional seven to eight bushels an acre better because of our Priaxor® fungicide, too,” he added.
For the Grills family, when Mother Nature and Father Time give you a run for your money, you put your money on what works, season after season.
Engenia Herbicide is a U.S. EPA Restricted Use Pesticide.
Always read and follow label directions.
Engenia and Priaxor are registered trademarks of BASF.
