Unconventional Wisdom

“Rules of Thumb" are useful. They help us navigate unfamiliar situations (look before you leap), instruct us in how to succeed (the early bird gets the worm), how to act (treat others the way you would be treated), and how people react based on past behavior (a leopard doesn't change its spots).

At the same time, broad generalizations have limits. Relying solely on maxims that are 70% true effectively ensures a 30% failure rate. If your goal is to be in the top 5-10%, prevailing wisdom may be lacking.      

When I started farming, I believed soil CSR ratings were a precise indicator of productivity. Having just graduated from ISU with 32 credits of Agronomy, this correlation was truth, undisputed gospel.

40 years later we do an annual overachievers and underperformers yield analysis. There is a connection between CSR and yield, but other factors frequently outweigh CSR rating. This realization has caused us to be more open minded regarding a field's ability. As a result, we allocate inputs so that all farms have an equal opportunity. We quit "playing favorites." Not surprisingly, perceived lower quality farms have responded the most.   

Having been around as long as the Old Testament, you would expect the "Golden Rule," treating others as you would be treated, a dependable recommendation. Here again, I discovered the hard way that although I want honest, direct, unfiltered, objectivity doesn't mean everyone does. Hell, no one does!  

Consequently, I have replaced it with the "Platinum Rule," treat others the way they want to be treated. It is a bit more difficult to practice but I can guarantee improved results.  

In 2007, GMO corn was being planted by an overwhelming majority of farmers. It was tolerant to glyphosate herbicide and resisted insects. Anyone could have clean fields and high yields. The catch was it cost $200 more per unit of seed, or $80 more per acre than non-GMO corn. We had serious doubts about this value proposition. 

The consensus was large scale commercial farms could not afford the complexity and risk of growing non-GMO corn. Those who resisted were change skeptic, bee hugging, organic farm romantics.  

Pinicon Farm made a decision that year to grow conventional, non-traited seed and within two years that was all we grew. Fifteen years later we still grow conventional seed as do other growers in our area. If you doubt we are better off, I offer "Exhibit A,” the Oakdale storage facility where another bin will be built this summer.

The moral of this story is conventional wisdom probably improves your odds of success over a coin flip, helpful in entry level relationships and one-off activities. On the other hand, if your progress has plateaued or you are not happy running in the middle of the pack, it may be time to take the road less traveled. Don't be afraid to question the underlying assumptions guiding your decisions.

To be exceptional, by definition, requires one to do things differently.

Jim