Why Every Farmer Should Lean on Their Local Field Rep
In this week’s episode of the Farm4Profit Podcast, we sit down with Kylee Nodine, Field Marketing Manager at Corteva Agriscience, to unpack the often-overlooked value of company field reps. Covering Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico, Kylee shares boots-on-the-ground insights from growers and reps across her region and explains why every farmer should see their local rep as an extension of the operation.
From rainfall shifts to crop health updates, nitrogen stabilizers to hybrid performance notes, this conversation highlights why planning for profit starts well before spring.
Boots on the Ground: 2025 Crop Takeaways
Farmers are facing another year of unpredictable rainfall patterns, shifting disease pressures, and an intense harvest pace. Kylee notes that having local reps who can track regional weather and crop performance in real time gives growers a competitive edge.
Field reps bring information not only from their territory but also from larger Extension research and industry trials, helping growers benchmark results against broader trends. This localized perspective can save valuable time when evaluating hybrids, deciding on fungicide passes, or planning fall nitrogen applications.
Beyond Sales: Reps as Profit Partners
Too often, growers see reps solely as product sellers. Kylee stresses that today’s reps bring strategic value far beyond sales. They help:
Plan hybrids and varieties best suited to your fields.
Tailor crop protection strategies for disease, weed, and insect pressures.
Conduct post-harvest evaluations to capture lessons learned for next year.
By leveraging reps as partners, not just suppliers, farmers can approach decisions with deeper agronomic support and data-backed recommendations.
The Smartest Question to Ask at Harvest
According to Kylee, the single most powerful question a farmer can ask their rep is:
“What did we learn from this field that we can apply to next season?”
Asking this at harvest opens the door to conversations about hybrid placement, nitrogen efficiency, weed escapes, and soil health. It transforms harvest from a finish line into a launchpad for planning the next crop year.
Inside Corteva’s Specialist Teams
Corteva offers a range of specialized teams that expand the reach of local reps. For example:
Nitrogen Stabilizer Teams: Ensuring N stays in the soil and out of waterways, protecting both yield and sustainability. (USDA: Nitrogen Management)
Market Development Specialists: Running local field trials to test new products under real-world conditions before widespread release.
Retailer & Extension Partnerships: Supporting trusted advisors who interact daily with growers.
These networks mean farmers don’t just get one person’s opinion—they gain access to a nationwide pool of agronomic knowledge and trial data.
Looking Ahead to 2026: Notes to Capture Now
Kylee emphasizes that next year’s success begins with this year’s notes. Before winter sets in, farmers should document:
Hybrid and variety performance.
Problem weeds that slipped through.
Nitrogen timing and efficiency.
Soil health observations.
Capturing these insights now makes spring decision-making faster, easier, and more profitable.
Final Takeaway
Farmers don’t need to go it alone. With local reps, field specialists, and new ag technologies, planning for profit starts with the right conversations today.
For the full discussion with Kylee Nodine, listen to the complete episode here: Farm4Profit Podcast on Apple Podcasts.
And if you want to rep your Farm4Profit pride, grab custom merch at FarmFocused.com.
