Investing in on-farm storage
has helped the Rosiers plan their
marketing strategy for white corn.
“That’s given us the flexibility
to market the way we want to
market, especially with the white
corn,” Dylan says. “We can’t grow
white corn without storage. We
don’t have to take a hit during
harvest, and we can manage our
basis.”
Unlike yellow corn, the white
variety is more finicky, the Rosiers
say.
“It’s not as hardy,” Dylan
notes. “You just have to watch it
and scout it all better. It takes a
few more inputs here and there.”
INVESTING IN THE FUTURE
Working with family day in and
day out often requires a special
dynamic. But, good, honest
conversation brings true success to
the Rosier operation.
“You’re working with your
dad and your brother, I mean, sure
you’re going to fight some days. It’s
going to happen,” Dylan admits.
But, true uniqueness fills the
Rosier operation. “I think what
we’re good at, when the work is
over, we don’t talk about work,
I mean it’s over with,” he says.
“We’re good at separating that in
my opinion.”
And if a problem does exist,
the trio works through it. “We’re
pretty good at communicating if
we’ve got a problem, we’re upfront
about it,” Dylan adds. “We take
care of it and move on.”
No set agenda, but weekly
meetings help the Rosiers stay on
task. Kirby, Dylan and Cole use
the time to structure workflow
between both themselves and their
employees.
“You’ve got to be on top of
your game,” Dylan says. “$5,
$7 corn covers up a whole lot of
mistakes. In this environment, you
can’t do that. One mistake and you
lose a year doing that.”
Gathered alongside a combine
in the middle of a cornfield, it’s
easy to see the passion Kirby Rosier
has not only for the land, but also
for his family. It’s a kindred spirit
the northwest Missouri farmer
nearly took for granted. It’s one
that brings a sentimental gleam
to his eyes as he beams with shear
pride.
Bringing the next
generation into the
family farm business
wasn’t always top of
mind for Kirby. He
was more focused on
the daily grind until
a health scare a few
years ago opened his
eyes and mind to a
new way of thinking.
Communication
is where it all begins,
and Kirby has taken a
proactive approach to establishing
a transition plan for the farm
business. At only 53 years old, he
and Kim have already started the
transition process.
“My best advice is to be open
with your kids and tell them
what’s going on,” Kirby says. “It’s a
constant every year with updating
and getting with your lawyer and
accountant. It’s not an easy job,
and I don’t like doing it. But, it’s
critical.”
And, Kirby is adamant about
getting his sons involved as much
in the day-to-day decision-making
as he is the labor of the operation.
Agriculture is a business filled
with challenges, often different
than the ones seen yesterday. Yet,
the Rosiers continue investing in
the land, knowing its real bounty
comes not by way of filled bins at
the close of harvest but by way of
tradition cultivated generations
before.
“The dirt is our retirement
plan,” he says.
And as the patriarch in the
operation, Kirby realizes the value
of investing in the future.
“I don’t make decisions on my
own,” he says. “I make sure that
they have input, because it’s going
to be their show here one of these
days.”
HEARTBEAT | WINTER 2018 9