Cover Crops Becoming Key Part Of Seed Business
When Bob Fairclough took on a forage seed dealership in corn and soybean country, he had no idea cover crops were going to blossom. Cover crops have gone from being a niche idea to a nationally recommended practice practically overnight. Farmers who had forgotten what oats were and had never heard of tillage radishes are planting them in their corn and soybean fields. The good news for Fairclough was that most retailers weren’t interested, and some still aren’t.
“It started really small with a couple guys doing 100 acres or less,” says Fairclough. “We’re in year 5 now, and last year we hooked up with an aerial applicator to do a couple thousand acres that way. That was in addition to drill and broadcast seeding. We have customers doing entire 1,500-acre farms, and larger customers doing a third of their acres.”
Fairclough’s business has come a long way since the early days. Customers progressed quickly to clover and then cereal rye and triticale, which require spring burndown or rolling (see articles in FARM SHOW’S Vol. 28, No. 3; Vol. 34, No. 5; Vol. 36, No. 3; Vol. 37, No. 2.)
“As guys got more comfortable with the concept, and began to see results, they’ve graduated to more involved mixes,” explains Fairclough.
The success of some and the resulting media coverage brought more business to Fairclough and his son Garrett. It also brought unreal expectations from some customers.
“The thing I battle is that cover crops are some kind of miracle; that if you plant this, you’ll get 6 bu. more per acre or have no weed pressure,” says Fairclough. “Cover crops require their own management. You don’t just throw the seed out there and forget about it.”
The same media excitement has also created opportunities for shady dealers, warns Fairclough. Beware of guys offering 1,000 bushels of bin-run cereal rye.
“Is it contaminated with other seeds?” asks Fairclough. “You may pay $1 less per bushel, but it could cost you more in the long run. In general, it is a matter of working with a dependable supplier to be sure the seed is clean and certified, and that you know where it’s coming from. I know what to look for and who to deal with.”
Fairclough notes that not all triticale, radish, oats or even rye grass are the same. He had to learn the differences and where they fit so he could advise his customers.
“As a dealer, while I can’t be an expert on everything, I know where to get an answer,” says Fairclough. “I try to offer services others don’t.”
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Fairclough Forage Seeds, 156 N. State Rd. 29, Michigantown, Ind. 46057 (ph 765 249-2297; cell ph 765 670-2121; fairclough@geetel.net).
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Cover Crops Becoming Key Part Of Seed Business CROPS New Crops When Bob Fairclough took on a forage seed dealership in corn and soybean country he had no idea cover crops were going to blossom Cover crops have gone from being a niche idea to a nationally recommended practice practically overnight Farmers who had forgotten what oats were and had never heard of tillage radishes are planting them in their corn and soybean fields The good news for Fairclough was that most retailers weren’t interested and some still aren’t “It started really small with a couple guys doing 100 acres or less ” says Fairclough “We’re in year 5 now and last year we hooked up with an aerial applicator to do a couple thousand acres that way That was in addition to drill and broadcast seeding We have customers doing entire 1 500-acre farms and larger customers doing a third of their acres ” Fairclough’s business has come a long way since the early days Customers progressed quickly to clover and then cereal rye and triticale which require spring burndown or rolling see articles in FARM SHOW’S Vol 28 No 3; Vol 34 No 5; Vol 36 No 3; Vol 37 No 2 “As guys got more comfortable with the concept and began to see results they’ve graduated to more involved mixes ” explains Fairclough The success of some and the resulting media coverage brought more business to Fairclough and his son Garrett It also brought unreal expectations from some customers “The thing I battle is that cover crops are some kind of miracle; that if you plant this you’ll get 6 bu more per acre or have no weed pressure ” says Fairclough “Cover crops require their own management You don’t just throw the seed out there and forget about it ” The same media excitement has also created opportunities for shady dealers warns Fairclough Beware of guys offering 1 000 bushels of bin-run cereal rye “Is it contaminated with other seeds?” asks Fairclough “You may pay $1 less per bushel but it could cost you more in the long run In general it is a matter of working with a dependable supplier to be sure the seed is clean and certified and that you know where it’s coming from I know what to look for and who to deal with ” Fairclough notes that not all triticale radish oats or even rye grass are the same He had to learn the differences and where they fit so he could advise his customers “As a dealer while I can’t be an expert on everything I know where to get an answer ” says Fairclough “I try to offer services others don’t ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Fairclough Forage Seeds 156 N State Rd 29 Michigantown Ind 46057 ph 765 249-2297; cell ph 765 670-2121; fairclough@geetel net
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