As the 2025 seed-buying process ramps up, the financial investment for conventional corn might look promising but you need to consider weed control, insect pressure and market opportunities.

In 2023, Harrell got skinny-fat — as in less ground but booming yields. Cold turkey, he slashed his row-crop operation in half and went in hot pursuit of high management and yield per acre, searching for the sweet spot with rent, equipment, labor, time and insurance.

“I’m shooting for consistent averages around 75 or 80 bushels without stacking inputs,” says Matt Griggs. “ROI don’t lie.”

Nick Preissler is the first-ever champion of the Nitrogen Management Pilot Class of the National Corn Yield Contest. He was excited to see if his family’s current corn production practices were up to the challenge.