As farmers prepare for the 2026 growing season, managing input costs remains a top priority. With tighter margins across much of agriculture, many producers are looking for ways to improve efficiency while still protecting yield potential.
Shane Brockhoff, who works with Meristem Crop Performance in southwest Iowa, says the company’s mission centers on helping farmers remove unnecessary costs from crop production while maintaining strong crop performance.
One way the company works toward that goal is by offering more concentrated crop input products. Brockhoff says shipping concentrated products instead of diluted liquids helps eliminate the cost of transporting water while also simplifying delivery systems for farmers.
According to Brockhoff, many farmers spend between 25 and 50 dollars per acre on in-furrow starter fertilizer programs. Using concentrated products that can be mixed on the farm may offer significant savings compared to traditional liquid systems.
While cutting costs is important, Brockhoff says maintaining strong plant health is still the foundation of a successful crop. Each growing season brings different challenges, whether that is insect pressure or disease outbreaks.
He says diseases like southern rust were a major concern in the previous season, while other threats, such as tar spot or gray leaf spot, can emerge in future years. Because those challenges can change from season to season, establishing healthy plants early is critical.
Brockhoff says maintaining good stand establishment and overall plant health early in the season can help crops better withstand pests, diseases, and environmental stresses that may appear later in the year.
Farmers interested in learning more about Meristem products or connecting with a local representative can find more information at the company’s website.
