How An Iowa Farmer Found Success With Truterra Programs

Nestled just within the Iowa-Nebraska border lies the town of Modale, Iowa. Cole Utman, a third-generation farmer, has been farming in Modale since 2005. Working alongside his wife, mom and dad, Cole oversees a 3,000-acre farm rotating crops of corn, soybeans and alfalfa, and raising livestock.
 
Having lived in Modale all his life, Cole is driven by a desire to pass on a thriving farm to his children. Every farmer has a different view on sustainability but, for Cole, he views sustainability as an important way to invest in the soil and to hopefully leave the land better for the next generation.
 
Starting on a Conservation Journey
 
Cole's introduction to Truterra came through a recommendation from his trusted network provider, sparking the beginning of his conservation journey. He was initially intrigued by the idea of investing in his soil’s health and the potential cost-saving benefits with the ultimate goal of leaving the land better than he found it.
 
Starting with a soil health assessment, Cole was able to get insights into his soil's current state and identify areas for improvement.
 
Reflecting on this key step, Cole notes, "The Truterra team came out and did all the soil sampling for me, which was great. They are very transparent and always willing to help and provide any information you need. Without a soil assessment, I'd have no clue where my farm stands."
 
Cole's commitment to conservation agronomy is evident in his goals as he eventually wants to achieve 100% no-till farming, implement cover crops and continue to adopt new conservation practices. These goals help guide his conservation journey toward cultivating healthier soils and potentially improving his bottom line.
 
Benefits of Truterra Programs: A Farmer's Perspective
 
Working with Truterra has already resulted in tangible benefits for Cole. Because he identified the areas where his soil could be improved, he was able to make changes and as a result has seen changes in the moisture retention, weed control, fuel savings and soil compaction. These have been key in optimizing his farm's productivity. Notably, the increased moisture has given his crops a more promising start, leading to improved soybean yields.
 
Participating in the Truterra^® carbon program has not only provided on-farm benefits but has also proven financially beneficial.
 
Cole emphasizes, "The financial benefit of enrolling in the Truterra carbon program has helped us balance out some of the other costs on our operation for a better ROI. It really just adds to our bottom line."
 
Continuing to Invest in Conservation Agronomy
 
As Cole reflects on the success of the first year, he looks forward to enrolling more acres in Truterra programs and seeing the positive impact they may bring to his farm.
 
“The next step is to start incorporating cover crops. We’re very excited to see what that can do for us,” Cole explained.
 
Cole offered some advice to farmers who may be interested in starting their own conservation journey. “They have a lot of programs so it’s good to look into them before you decide and talk to someone you trust, like an advisor or network provider. Do some small-scale trials to see what works for you. What the neighbor does doesn’t always work for your operation.”
 
Looking to start a conservation journey like Cole's? Contact your Truterra network provider and fill out the pre-enrollment form at truterraag.com/enroll to get started today.