Har-El Acres, JEHM Custom Farming, & Triple Threat Ag Services
www.triplethreatag.com Volume 2, Issue 1
Spring 2013
You Never Stop Learning The guys at Har-El Acres and Triple Threat take the phrase “You Never Stop Learning” to heart. They are always seeking new opportunities to expand their knowledge for personal and professional growth. “Ever since we wrapped up fall harvest last year, we’ve been actively pursuing opportunities to expand our knowledge,” manager Paul Lange said. “We really wanted to get new ideas and gain different perspectives we can implement into our operation. This provides value to us and our business partners.” The first main event of the winter came in December when Paul, Aaron & Lynn attended the 16th annual Aaron, Lynn, & James attended the Mid Kansas Coop Symposium. KARTA Conference in Salina in January. In January, Aaron and Lynn made two separate trips to Salina to attend the Kansas Ag Research & Technology Conference and the No-Till On The Plains annual meeting. Paul attended the No Till Oklahoma conference in Norman in February. In between those multi-day events, different employees have covered multiple educational events put on by local Coops, County Extension Offices, and grower associations. One of the relatively new technologies we’ve learned about and are perfecting is the ability to create specific crop management zones based off of soil and yield maps and then variably apply inputs to maximize the potential of those zones. With this technology, we can ensure that the high yielding areas can receive the inputs they need and the lower yielding areas don’t receive inputs they will never use. Manager Aaron Lange said, “If you’re not changing, adapting, and trying new things, you’re falling behind and our partners can’t afford for us to be behind.” The other advantage we have is we can try new things on owned land and perfect it before making it common practice for a landlord. (Cont)
Page 2
The Dirt
Volume 2, Issue 1
Learning Cont.. We have already seen increased profitability from this technology and the best part is we’re sharing that with others. Paul Lange said, “Our landlords and customers expect us to remain on the leading edge and implement farming practices that add to their bottom line. We’re more than willing to do it because it distinguishes our operation from others and gives us a competitive advantage. ” Everyone at Har-El Acres and Triple Threat agree that it’s fun and exciting to learn and keep up with new technologies. We are always going to learn new things and use our knowledge to get better!
Moisture Is Truly A Blessing What a difference a little moisture makes! Barely two months ago, we were still in the drought weather cycle that’s dominated our area for the past three years. Suddenly, we recorded the second snowiest February in 100 years and followed that up with an early March rain. Manager Paul Lange said, “I don’t know if this is accurate or not, but it feels like the biggest single moisture event we’ve experienced in a couple years.” At the headquarters north of Conway Springs, we recorded 21 inches of snow through two major storms in late February. That snow was good for 2.4 inches of moisture. We even experienced a rare weather phenomenon with some “Thunder Snow.” Any inconvenience that might have been felt from travel difficulties was more than worth the moisture. We were prepared and quickly able to get roads and driveways cleared. Little did we know, but we weren’t done with the Aaron (not pictured) pull Paul & Rosalee on the sled at moisture yet. The weekend of March 9th & 10th The Terrace. provided a slow, soaking rain that provided an additional 1.5” of rain. “There was very little runoff. The moisture from the snow had a chance to settle and the slow rain soaked in very nicely. It’s just what the doctor ordered,” Lange said. None of the ponds in the area gained much water, but hopefully that changes with some spring rains. The subsoil is still very dry and could benefit from receiving some of the rain we’ve missed since 2010. At any rate, we praise the Lord for the moisture we’ve received and humbly ask that He bless us with some more.
Page 3
The Dirt
Volume 2, Issue 1
Machinery Upgrade New John Deere 1790 CCS 16/31 Row Planter
by: Aaron Lange
We have been making new purchases and/or updates to our equipment on the farm based a lot on technology. Our old planter was set up with spring down force, ground driven planting controller, and straight rate starter fertilizer. After some analysis, we found we could increase our profitability by updating planters. The new planter is a John Deere 1790 CCS 16/31 Row with the following options: Air Force row down-pressure – The advances in an air down force system has seen some proven bushel/acre increases due to over and under applying force to put seed in the ground. This new system enables the row to constantly be changing to the correct force to apply excellent seed to soil contact and not over compact the sidewall trenches. Variable Rate Starter Fertilizer – We have seen major impacts from being able to Variable Rate apply our fertilizers on all crops. Not just putting on fewer amounts in some cases, but putting the nutrients exactly where the crop needs it. This allows us to be able to push better soils for more bushels per acre while not pushing less productive soils. Variable Rate Seed Planting Populations – The same way that the VRT fertilizers have been helping in the push for higher yields and higher acre revenue, having the ability to be able to plant Variable Rate is another step to help us achieve our goals. Row shut offs for Fertilizer/ Seed – This planter is equipped to be able to shut each row off to save on fertilizer and seed. This option can save around up to 10% in seed and fertilizer cost. By being able to automatically shut off fertilizer/seed instead of overlapping, it will help landowners and tenants alike, in reducing the amount of expensive inputs applied to each acre. (Cont.)
This is a picture of the planter shortly after it was delivered to Prairieland Partners in Wichita. The John Deere techs and The Har-El Acres crew has been working hard to make sure it is ready for corn planting.
Page 4
The Dirt
Volume 2, Issue 1
Planter Cont... 16/31 Rows – The addition of being able to plant 15” rows with accuracy, and raise crops on 15” rows is going to add to our bottom line. This is the first year we have done Canola. We planted it with our grain drill, but weren’t completely satisfied with the results.. By being able to plant this crop with this new rig, we will have better emergence and final stand counts which is crucial in the performance of this crop. We have been doing more No-Till soybean applications as well. By adding the inner-rows to the planter, we will get better seed placement and more uniform emergence for that crop. 400Gal Liquid Fert. (on planter) – This option allows us to be able to do small fields or low rates of starter fertilizer. We also pull a 4-wheel steerable trailer that Lynn Koch built in our farm shop. It has the ability to run in two modes: “Field” and “Road”. In Field mode, both axles pivot when making a turn and the rear tires follow the fronts through the turn. In a flip of two levers it is switched into Road mode and is back to a normal 2-wheel steerable trailer. It has the capacity to hold 1800gal of liquid storage for planting or when we side dress anhydrous it holds 2 - 1500gal tanks. In both applications it is nice to fill and go for hours between fills. This planter is another step we have made in lowering costs for our business partners. As technology changes we are too, and will continue to bring value to all of our customers.
KNID Agrifest a Success by: Phillip J. Lange This January 11th & 12th marked the 17th consecutive year of the KNID Agrifest and the 3rd consecutive year as a participant for Triple Threat, LLC. Agrifest is held at the Chisholm Trail Expo center in Enid, OK and is a gathering of agricultural manufacturers and service providers to form a tradeshow for area businesses. Due to knowledge gained at previous shows Triple Threat decided to expand its offerings at this year’s show. (Cont.)
Page 5
The Dirt
Volume 2, Issue 1
Agrifest Cont... In 2011 and 2012 Triple Threat focused on showing header trailers only. This year the crew also displayed an anhydrous-ammonia tank chassis, presented new marketing material, and promoted soil sampling/lime spreading. Overall these new additions were well received, with new customers coming as a direct result of these efforts. In addition to a lime job, two immediate header trailer sales were logged by Allen Lange. Success at this show is correlated to the dedication of the Triple Threat team. On Friday Aaron, Allen, & Paul Lange held down the fort and the addition of Phillip Lange rounded out the group for Saturday. The feeling from this year’s show was that the overall attendance was slightly lower, but that didn’t slow the Triple Threat crew from making this a productive marketing effort. Paul Lange commented, “This year was an example of quality over quantity. While we didn’t talk to as many show attendees, the individuals we did talk to were truly interested in our products and services.” Sparked by the energy from Agrifest, Triple Threat is excited about the potential of 2013. This year marks the addition of new trailer products and precision soil sampling to the existing offerings. Aaron Lange said, “This year’s Agrifest was a lot of fun. We reconnected with some old friends and met some new customers. Combined with the addition of our website, anhydrous trailers, and soil sampling, this show is a great way to kick off the new year.”
Stripping in the Snow: This morning snapshot shows the Strip-Till rig working after a dusting of snow the night before. We didn’t know at the time, but there would be much more snow a couple weeks later.
Right: Triple Threat is now carrying the new BBK NH3/Fertilizer trailers. Trailers come standard with 14L x 16.1 flotation tires and torsion suspension on both axles. An offset hitch is also offered in order for the chassis to fit 30” rows.
Page 6
The Dirt
Volume 2, Issue 1
Right: Chris Koster helps clear snow from in front of the office as Aaron Lange looks on.
Left: Lynn Koch runs the excavator to dismantle a grain bin at Viola as Allen Lange & Joey Dugan Look on.
Lower Left: Allen Lange hauls bin tops to Belle Plaine.
Right: Bins are erect and ready for a catwalk and paint job.
Har-El Acres, JEHM Custom Farming, & Triple Threat Ag Services 1098 North Conway Springs Rd Paul Lange
Conway Springs, KS 67031
Aaron Lange Office Manager
Operations Manager 316-644-4437
www.triplethreatag.com
316-644-0250
[email protected]
www.triplethreatag.shutterfly.com
[email protected]
