In an era where agricultural margins are increasingly constrained, the ability to innovate and diversify operations has become paramount for farmers seeking sustained profitability. This holds true for young visionary Bryce Brockelsby, whose strategic foray into custom farming and excavation services has not only bolstered his cash flow but also offers a compelling blueprint for agricultural entrepreneurs navigating an unpredictable economic landscape.
Expanding Horizons: Bryce Brockelsby's Diversified Agricultural Endeavor
In the vibrant heart of Edinburg, Illinois, a resourceful young farmer named Bryce Brockelsby has been actively reshaping his agricultural enterprise since 2022. Recognizing the inherent challenges and fluctuating profitability within conventional farming, Brockelsby embarked on a journey of diversification, integrating custom farming and excavation services into his core business. This proactive approach has proven to be a shrewd financial maneuver, especially beneficial during the more fiscally challenging years in agriculture, significantly easing the burden of equipment payments.
Brockelsby's dedication to farming runs deep, having previously contributed part-time to his family's farm, owned by his father and uncle, while concurrently working for a tiling company. In 2020, he transitioned to full-time farming, joining forces with his cousin, Scott. Their collaborative spirit blossomed even earlier, with the joint acquisition of a sprayer in 2018, initiating their custom Y-drop and high-clearance spraying applications.
Together, Bryce and Scott cultivate an extensive 3,000 acres, dedicated to corn, soybeans, and seed soybeans. Their commitment to diversification is further exemplified by an additional 600 acres devoted to seed soybeans for Remington Seeds. To manage these expansive operations and custom services, they employ two full-time farm personnel, who contribute year-round to various tasks.
The Brockelsbys' operational fleet is impressive, designed for both their personal farming needs and custom work, featuring:
- two cutting-edge high-clearance sprayers
- two efficient strip-till bars
- two powerful combines
- two advanced planters
With this sophisticated array of machinery, Brockelsby expertly caters to approximately 10 clients annually. His services include side-dressing between 500 to 1,000 acres with anhydrous ammonia and strip-tilling around 3,000 acres. Combining his own farmland's spraying and Y-drop applications with his custom farming contracts, he anticipates covering an astonishing 25,000 acres this year.
The recent past, specifically the current year and the previous one, mark some of Brockelsby's most extensive spraying periods, aligning with the acquisition of his second sprayer. Beyond his primary crops, he dedicates 1,500 acres of his own farm to custom cover crops and offers wheat seeding and custom cover crop planting services to other farmers, totaling an additional 500 acres.
When it comes to pricing his custom services, Brockelsby primarily references university-conducted studies, though he acknowledges the need for flexibility, especially concerning unique field conditions. He actively participates in field days, utilizing these platforms for equipment demonstrations, and largely relies on positive testimonials and familial connections for client acquisition. He strives for fairness, balancing his operational costs with equitable pricing for his clients, often extending price breaks for larger contracts within the same geographical area, typically within a 30 to 40-mile radius. His custom spraying services predominantly focus on fungicides, reserving herbicide applications for his own farm's needs during sidedressing periods.
Brockelsby champions strip tillage, noting its efficiency. This method significantly reduces the need for dry fertilizer, and dramatically cuts diesel consumption compared to conventional tillage. His 40-foot strip-till bar can cover nearly double the area of a 22-foot chisel plow in a single pass.
Recently, Brockelsby has observed a growing interest in strip tillage, particularly with fluctuating grain prices. He notes that as profit margins tighten, more farmers are exploring cost-effective practices like strip tillage. Many seasoned farmers in central Illinois, accustomed to conventional tillage, are hesitant to invest in new strip-till equipment. This is where Brockelsby steps in, providing access to innovative farming methods without the upfront capital investment for his clients.
Beyond the financial gains, Brockelsby finds immense satisfaction in collaborating with and assisting fellow farmers. The dynamic nature of custom work ensures that no two days are alike, a constant source of inspiration for him.
Adding to his diverse portfolio, Brockelsby also manages an excavating business. Equipped with both small and large excavators, he undertakes a variety of projects, including tree line removal, constructing building pads for sheds, drainage tiling, and the demolition of structures and farmsteads. As he aptly puts it, "We’re open to anything. It’s just got to make sense."
Bryce and his wife, Amanda, are esteemed members of the Cultivating Master Farmers Class of 2025. Amanda, who serves as a preschool director in the Taylorville School District, and Bryce are proud parents to their 22-month-old daughter, Allison, whose cheerful greetings welcome visitors to their farm. The 'Cultivating Master Farmers' initiative, supported by Farm Credit Illinois, Compeer Financial, Bayer, and Prairie Farmer, is a mentorship program connecting burgeoning farmers with experienced Master Farmer recipients, fostering a new generation of agricultural leaders.
Bryce Brockelsby's proactive and diverse farming strategy offers a powerful lesson in adaptability and entrepreneurship within the agricultural sector. His willingness to embrace new business models, invest in advanced technology, and foster collaborative relationships not only secures his own operational future but also provides valuable services and knowledge to his community. This approach is a testament to how modern farmers can thrive amidst economic shifts by thinking beyond traditional boundaries and actively seeking opportunities for growth and mutual benefit.
