After planting, focus on back up, clean up and follow up

May 11, 2023

As the intense hours of planting season start to wind down, farmers look ahead to the next jobs to be done, including spraying. The planter may not be at the top of the to-do list now, but it still needs attention to make life easier next spring.

Dave Rylander, a western Illinois farmer, is often the guy who gets calls before, after or during planting season if people have a problem. Not only does he farm in Knox County south of Galesburg, but he also worked for John Deere for almost 40 years. He grows corn and soybeans with his son Doug, who worked for Case IH, and they have a Precision Planting dealership at Oneida, Illinois.

So, they know a thing or two about planters.

Rylander’s No. 1 piece of advice at the end of planting season is “Write down what’s not working correctly.”

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Video: Independent Seed, National Impact | On The Brink: Episode 9

A survey of 200 independent seed businesses reveals what Canada's seed sector actually contributes — and what it stands to lose.

On the Brink, Justin Funk, a third-generation agri-marketer, shares the findings of a national survey conducted in early 2026. The numbers reframe the conversation: independent seed companies in Canada represent upwards of $1.7 billion in dedicated seed infrastructure, approximately 3,000 full-time equivalent jobs in rural communities, and an estimated $20 million in annual community contributions. And roughly 90% of Canada's cereals, pulses, and other small pollinated crops flow through them.

The survey also asked how dependent these businesses are on public plant breeding to survive. The answer was unambiguous. For policymakers evaluating the future of publicly funded breeding programs, Funk argues the economic case for this sector and the case for public plant breeding are the same argument.

On the Brink is a cross-country video series exploring the future of plant breeding in Canada. Each episode features voices from across the industry in an open, ongoing conversation about innovation and long-term investment in Canadian agriculture.