The 2025 Spring Planting Season kicked off at full throttle, with tractors humming and seeds hitting the soil in a race against time. But just as quickly as it began, Mother Nature threw a wrench in the works, bringing rain, wind, and cool temperatures that brought everything to a sudden halt. Still, in true farmer fashion, the work pushes forward, one muddy acre at a time.
Darin Proffit, Iowa Corn Promotion Board District 7 Director and a farmer and seed dealer from Essex, Iowa, has been keeping a close eye on the skies this spring. He says the challenges didn’t start with planting, but weeks earlier when tornado activity swept through parts of the region. Some of those storms caused damage that farmers are still working to recover from as they try to move forward with fieldwork.
Proffit says the season got off to a rapid start, with many farmers running ahead of schedule. Now, though, Mother Nature has them pumping the brakes once again. However, he adds that he is not pressing the panic button at all.
With tight margins this year, Proffit says farmers are taking a hard look at their input costs and exploring alternatives to their usual plans. Many are specifically reconsidering their fertilizer and weed control strategies, especially when it comes to products like Dicamba and 2,4-D.
At the end of the day, Proffit is urging farmers to stay calm and stick to their plans as best they can. He says keeping a level head and adapting where needed will be key to making it through another unpredictable season.
Despite the setbacks, there’s still plenty of season left to turn things around. As always, a mix of hard work and patience will be the best tools in the field.
