The eKonomics Farmer Profile Series provides an inside look at farms across the US, sharing a peer-to-peer perspective for eKonomics readers. These profiles showcase the efforts of farmers nationwide to ensure healthy, plentiful yields in order to feed the world’s growing population.

Name: Ron Moore

Name of farm: Moore Farms

Farm location: Roseville, IL

Key crops on your farm: Soybeans, corn, hay and cattle

A bit about your farm’s history: A family farm since 1913, I am the third generation that has raised corn and beef cattle here. My son, who represents the fourth generation, just started farming this spring.

Years in business: I have been farming for more than 37 years.

What’s the best part of being a farmer, in your experience?

Knowing that the work I do to grow food improves the lives of people all over the world.

Tell us how correct fertilizer usage has positively impacted your business? Have you seen a correlation between fertilizer usage and your bottom line?

Maximizing fertilizer use has increased production since I started farming. Accurate timing and placement of inputs help create a more efficient use of natural resources.

What is your primary source of information for making decisions related to fertilizer use?

I use two different Ag retailers in my area. The agronomists that I use make recommendations based on University research and their companies’ test plot results.

Please share with us your fertilizer applications process.

We have used liquid cattle manure to fertilize about 40 acres of corn per year. We have not added any additional P or K for about three years on that field. We also rotate the fields so we can maximize the fertilizer value. On the rest of the corn acres, we apply anhydrous ammonia in the fall at a rate of 160 to 200 pounds of N, depending on yield goals and soil type. We have also experimented with two and three split applications of N in the spring with pre-plant and with side-dress application of liquid N in the summer.

Do you have plans to expand your business?

As the opportunity arises, we will expand.

What about your farm are you most proud of?

That it has been a family farm for more than 100 years and has nurtured the growth of multiple families.

What is the most important lesson you have learned as a farmer?

Learn from your mistakes and preserve the land that we are blessed with caring for.

What advice would you give to a new farmer?

Observe your neighbors and ask lots of questions.

What will your farm be like in 10 years?

Information will be key in the future. We will be using more information technology to continue to improve yields and preserve our natural resources.