Managing residue cover is critical to maintaining soil biology over winter and preparing the soil for timely planting next spring. Farmers' decisions in the fall significantly impact how quickly residues degrade, how much carbon is retained in the soil, and how quickly soils can warm in the spring.

Soil health is most meaningfully assessed based on its ability to produce marketable yield per unit of farmer input under varied growing conditions. Because all inputs and management practices have some trade-offs, growers need to do more than just determine if a product or practice will work in isolation. They need to be sure that all their choices work together as an efficient system to achieve the desired result of producing healthy, abundant, and sustainable harvests year

Water management, and by default, air management in soils and crop production, is often an underappreciated factor in developing a successful agronomic plan. As so often occurs in any industry, the majority of attention is focused on where the bulk of the money is swallowed up. Fertilizer inputs tend to be one of the perennial favorites for spending, and it automatically attracts the attention of consultants and growers alike.

How Prairie Ridge Ag Services in Polk City, IA keeps farmers moving ahead with the Maximum Farming System

Kyle’s soils are the kind most experts consider limiting - very sandy, coarse, low single‑digit CEC, low organic matter. Yet three years after adopting the System, Kyle won the NCGA Michigan No‑Till Irrigated Yield Award with a 296‑bushel corn crop.

In agriculture, it’s easy to believe the next product will be the one that finally changes everything. A new input. A new recommendation. A new “fix.” But after years of on‑farm trials and real‑world testing, Jeff Ellis of PJ Family Farms reached a different conclusion: there is no silver bullet. Jeff and his wife Paula farm approximately 1,700 acres near Donnelson, Iowa. By 2016, they weren’t interested in adding another product.

“ Everybody else will try to sell you that one thing that is going to fix it all. They're not geared toward the soil side of this industry like Ag Spectrum is. So it's pretty refreshing." In the heart of Montana, Jerry and Brandon Philipps have cultivated a legacy of resilience through a decades-long commitment to soil health. Their journey is a testament to the power of patience, consistency, and systems-based farming. By embracing a long-term strategy, the Philipps family h

“ It’s a System, not a bunch of products." Pierce Family Farms in Windfall, Indiana didn’t just adopt the Maximum Farming System; they leaned into innovation. Their interest in biologicals led to a full system transformation, and the results have been nothing short of remarkable. From Curiosity to Commitment What started as an exploration into biological inputs quickly evolved into full System adoption. Pierce Family Farms faced early equipment challenges, but with support fr

"300+ bushel corn. 100 bushel soybeans. The System works." Wiegmann Farms in Breese, Illinois didn’t just adopt the Maximum Farming System, they proved its scalability and profitability. What started with skepticism turned into a disciplined, data-driven approach that delivered exceptional results. From Skeptic to System Champion Like many farmers, Wiegmann Farms questioned whether a system could outperform traditional methods. But after seeing early results, they committed f

"Better forage, healthier cows, and global recognition, all from system thinking." Hilltop Acres Farm in Calmar, Iowa is a fully integrated dairy-crop operation with 1,000 acres and 450 registered cows. Their journey with the Maximum Farming System began with a simple goal: improve forage quality. What they achieved went far beyond expectations. A System That Supports Livestock Forage quality directly impacts herd health and milk components. By adopting the Maximum Farming S

"I was skeptical. But the dealer support made all the difference." Warner Farms in Goshen, Indiana didn’t start their journey with the Maximum Farming System as believers. Like many farmers, they had questions, concerns, and a healthy dose of skepticism. What changed everything? A dealer who listened, guided, and stood by them every step of the way. From Doubt to Data Warner Farms began with small steps, testing planter setups, trying foliar feeding, and experimenting with sp

"It isn’t just a product. It is a System." When GR Farms in Higginsville, Missouri first heard about the Maximum Farming System, they approached it like any smart business would; with skepticism and a sharp eye on the bottom line. What they discovered was more than nutrient management. It was a new way to farm. A Financial-First Evaluation GR Farms didn’t jump in blindly. They ran the numbers. They compared costs. They asked hard questions. What they found was compelling: by

With an average annual rainfall of just ten inches, maintaining air-water balance in the soil is essential for farming success in northwest Montana. Jerry Philipps, a forward-thinking farmer from Conrad, Montana, has long been ahead of the curve. He adopted no-till farming in 1982 and later implemented the Maximum Farming System in 2007. A decade into using the System, Jerry participated in a government EQIP cover crop study that involved frequent soil testing. The study org

In Southern Illinois, the Wiegmann family runs a true generational farm, committed to building healthier soil for the future. For more than 15 years, they’ve utilized the Maximum Farming System to support their land—an investment in the sixth generation now being raised on the farm. “The home farm has been corn-on-corn for 12 years now and we are getting better yields than farmers corn-on-soybeans,” Maurice Wiegmann explains. “Even on a dry year, wet year, it doesn’t matter –