Lots of midwest corn and soybean growers attended the Monsanto Technology Showcase tour stop in Elkhart, IA. Attendees not only came from around Iowa but also Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska and Kansas.
One of the growers I got to speak with was John Benedict, Logan, IA. John is pictured on the right, discussing what he’s learned with other growers who were looking at the demonstration plots with him.
John has a diversified corn, soybean, hay, alfalfa and cow/calf operation. He’s a big fan of Monsanto technology and says he used YieldGard VT Triple (corn) for the first time this season. He says, “I just went out into it the other day and it looked good.” John says his part of the state is a little dry but his corn is performing very well and he thinks the root system must be great.
I also asked him about the new Roundup Ready 2 Yield Soybeans that will be available for the 2009 growing season and he says, “I’m looking forward to planting some of that because I really think that’s the upcoming thing right now.”
John says he’s feeling pretty good about the harvest season even though his fields are a “little short on rain.” Like most corn growers right now, he’d also like to see the market bounce back a little.
You can listen to my interview with John here: monsanto-tech-showcase-benedict.mp3