George Brand
Grower: George Brand (Brand Dairy Farm)
Retailer: Ty Fichennscher (Cooperative Producers)
Dennis and Gregg Iott
Grower: Dennis and Gregg Iott (Iott Seed Farms)
Retailer: Dale Dosenberry (Wilbur Ellis)
Chris von Holton
Grower: Chris von Holton
Retailer: Malcom Stambaugh (AgViewFS)
John and Dean Werries
Grower: John and Dean Werries (Werries Farm LLC)
Retailer: Verne “Tinker” Bader (Bader Agricultural Service, Inc.)
Clint Wortman
Grower: Clint Wortman (Jackson Wortman, LLC)
Retailer: A.J. Radford (CPS)

Grower: George Brand (Brand Dairy Farm)
Retailer: Ty Fichennscher (Cooperative Producers)
State: Indiana
“Eighty percent of our territory and all of Brands’ farm is in the St. Joseph watershed,” he explains. “It drains into the Maumee River, which drains into Lake Erie. It’s unique in the Great Lakes system in that it’s the shallowest of the five lakes. Being shallow, it’s more susceptible to nutrient runoff – from all sources – and algae bloom. It’s important that growers here are attuned to this and manage accordingly.”
The Brands’ protected soil is tested annually. A third-party agronomist takes into account soil tests, manure application and crop removal and then makes nutrient recommendations by management zones. The Andersons then use that information to apply variable rates of individual fertilizer using GPS-controlled application equipment. This ensures the right type of fertilizer is applied where it’s needed at the right rate and when it’s needed most. This combination of 4R nutrient management practices and conservation approaches ensure that the Brands will farm for generations to come. Plus, they’ll continue to grow their long list of awards from peers and farm organizations.

Grower: Dennis and Gregg Iott (Iott Seed Farms)
Retailer: Dale Dosenberry (Wilbur Ellis)
State: Michigan
These are just a few reasons, combined with a passion for modern agriculture practices, why the Iotts apply the best nutrient stewardship management practices available. They were nominated by Dale Dosenberry, technical sales representative, with Wilbur-Ellis Company in Edmore, Mich. He’s been working with Iotts for more than 32 years.
“This long business relationship allows me the perspective of knowing what the issues on the farm are,” Dosenberry says. “You also know what type of farmer your customer is, what he expects from his crop and what he wants to produce for his customers.”
Results demonstrate the 4R principles are working well. Over the past four years, uniformity of yields has improved every year, consistently reaching the top of yield goals on all acres. Previously, there could be 15 percent to 20 percent variability year to year. In addition, their focus on properly balancing soil nutrients has greatly minimized potato scab, a disease that can harm the crop and profits.

Grower: Chris von Holton
Retailer: Malcom Stambaugh (AgViewFS)
State: Illinois
VonHolten is committed to innovation, while still practicing sound crop production techniques that are environmentally, economically and socially sound Malcolm Stambaugh of Ag View FS, also of Walnut, nominated VonHolten for the award. The retailer helps with the farm’s nutrient management program and provides a wide range of services to help producers grow crops more efficiently and profitably.
“Chris’ outlook about effective stewardship practices and the value associated with them has had a positive influence on our relationship with him,” says Malcom Stambaugh, local crop specialist with Ag View FS. “He’s earned recognition locally as a wise source of production practices that meet many of the criteria within the 4R program.”
Managing details helps ensure that yield keeps rising. VonHolten or an AgView FS staffer scouts fields weekly during growing season to identify weed, insect or disease issues. Pesticides are mixed at the local plant, which helps control possible contamination. VonHolten helps ensure the environment is protected, as well. Waterways and roadsides aren’t mowed until nesting season is over to protect wildlife. Last fall, he tested a cover crop mix on two locations to help absorb excess nutrients and prevent soil erosion.

Grower: John and Dean Werries (Werries Farm LLC)
Retailer: Verne “Tinker” Bader (Bader Agricultural Service, Inc.)
State: Illinois
Werries Farm LLC, managed by John and his son Dean, maintains 3,800 acres of corn and soybeans on owned and rented land consisting of both flat fertile soil and less productive rolling terrain (3,500 acres of corn oncorn). They also sell cover crop seed and offer custom seeding through a new venture, Chapin Cover Crops.
“We started using no-till on soybeans in 1990,” John says. “We were half beans and half corn then. In 1996, we started strip-tilling corn acres to retain organic matter and reduce soil erosion.”
Still focused on keeping soil in place, the Werries worked with their longtime retailer, Verne “Tinker” Bader, owner of Bader Agricultural Service, Inc., in 2011 to develop a new strategy for managing fertility. He nominated the Werries for the 4R Advocate award.
Last year’s harvest proved the effectiveness of this approach. Despite a lack of rain in August 2013, Werries’ average corn yield was 233.8 bushels/acre. The average regional yield was 185 bushels per acre.
“The 4R approach just makes sense,” John says. “If you apply everything in the fall and get a big rain event, you run the risk of losing it to surface runoff and through the tile. By spreading it out, you’re more likely to keep it for the crop. You’re more likely to keep your nutrients in place if you keep your soil where it belongs.”
Always seeking improvements, the Werries sowed cover crops on all 3,800 acres in 2012, starting with ryegrass and cereal rye.

Grower: Clint Wortman (Jackson Wortman, LLC)
Retailer: A.J. Radford (CPS)
State: Georgia
Clint was nominated by A.J. Radford who works with Crop Protection Services in Moultrie, GA. He and CPS have worked with the Wortmans for more than 10 years and provide multiple services to their operation.While yield across the farm is increasing annually, Radford notes that’s not the only goal.
“It’s not just a matter of increased yield. It’s a matter of increasing the bottom line by doing a better job utilizing what’s out there. Picking the right fertilizer gives the grower the opportunity to use what’s needed – at the right rate. Fields in South Georgia aren’t uniform, but the 4R approach helps you achieve a high-yielding, uniform crop,” he says.