We'd Like To Mention

The DTN/Progressive Farmer team takes a lot of pride providing farmers with the industry's best content no matter what the platform. Our peers agree based on the awards we received from the AAEA: Ag Communicators Network, the professional organization that represents the nation's ag journalists.

Senior Editor Joel Reichenberger continues the magazine's legacy of award-winning images by being named Photographer of the Year. He also won Photo of the Year for "Storm Coming." Joel's impressive showing included three 1st Place, three 2nd Place, one 3rd Place and one Honorable Mention in various photography categories.

In addition, the judges awarded one 3rd Place and one Honorable Mention for photos from other staff members.

Our list of writing winners is no less impressive. DTN Staff Reporter Emily Unglesbee received 1st Place in the Issues category; Joel Reichenberger, 1st Place in On-Farm Production; and Pamela Smith, Emily Unglesbee, Matthew Wilde, Des Keller and Gregg Hillyer, 1st Place in Team Story. The content team also collected two 2nd Place and three 3rd Place awards.

In the Digital and Social Media Contest, we were recognized with one 2nd Place and one 3rd Place, while in the Design Awards, Brent Warren, Barry Falkner and Dan Miller topped all entries in the Single-Page Commercial category. The magazine also received one 2nd Place and one 3rd Place in other categories.

The Livestock Publications Council (publications serving the livestock industry) also announced the winners in its contests. Senior Editor Victoria G. Myers won 1st Place for In-Depth Reporting; Crops Technology Editor Pamela Smith took top honors for Best Overall Blog; and Progressive Farmer received 1st Place in Cover Photography for an image by Contributing Editor Sam Wirzba. In addition, our talented writers won three 2nd Place and six Honorable Mentions across multiple categories.

It's great to receive awards, but the real winners are you, the readers. Whether you are consuming our content in the magazine, at DTNPF.com, on your smartphone or social media, you are receiving the industry's best information every time. That's a win in my book.

SEED SENSE

No matter your crop of choice, success for any given year begins with the seed. Each kernel placed in the ground holds the potential to yield profitability for your farming operation, assuming Mother Nature cooperates and commodity markets offer prices above your breakeven costs.

It's almost magical observing a crop develop throughout the growing season -- waiting for the seed to germinate and seeing the new seedling poke through the soil surface. Watching the young plant progress through various vegetative and reproductive stages, finally maturing and ready for harvest. It doesn't matter if it's your first crop or your fortieth, the excitement and anticipation never fades.

Of course, there are many decisions you need to make to select the genetic and trait packages that perform best on your farm. Seed companies will soon be promoting their latest products and taking your orders for the 2022 season. It can be overwhelming sorting through so many choices.

Our crops team of Pamela Smith, Emily Unglesbee and Matthew Wilde have put together this special seed issue to help you start thinking about your seed purchases and preparing for next year. Their stories provide insights and information on a wide range of topics including plant breeders' efforts to make crops more resilient to weather extremes, a comprehensive table listing every commercially available Bt corn product, interpreting information printed on a seed tag, interviews with senior managers of the four major seed companies, opportunities some farmers are finding growing seed for various firms and more.

Take time to go through the entire issue. It will give you some additional seed sense to jump-start your planning process, helping you to make smarter decisions that can lead to higher productivity and profits.

Remember, it starts with seed.

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-- Write Gregg Hillyer, 2204 Lakeshore Dr., Suite 415, Birmingham, AL 35209, or email gregg.hillyer@dtn.com

-- Follow Gregg on Twitter @GreggHillyer

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