At Continuum Ag, we’ve been sharing our excitement online and at events around Carbon Intensity. While we love sharing our excitement with you, we wanted to share the story of a few farmers who are excited about Carbon Intensity and the impact it has on them.
Fifth-Generation Farmer Takes Advantage of Sustainable Farming Practices
Ryan is a fifth-generation farmer from Southeast Iowa who grows soybeans and corn. Ryan has been at the forefront of embracing sustainable practices by utilizing hog manure, implementing cover crops, and adopting a no-till approach. All of these practices helped Ryan achieve a low CI Score of -15 without any change in his practices!
“Carbon Intensity gives us a real scorecard that empowers farmers to be part of the carbon solution,” said Oberman.
When farmers know and understand their CI Score they can be rewarded for the practices already being used on their farm. Now, farmers can track the actual carbon footprint of each bushel of corn that they sell. The product and the score go hand-in-hand.
“Having your CI Score allows you to speak confidently to grain merchandisers about the value your grain will bring to them,” said Oberman. “With so much focus on carbon and climate change, this score helps farmers be part of the solution.”
For Oberman, it’s all about recognizing the unique position farmers hold in addressing climate change. With CI Scores in hand, farmers can actively contribute to the global effort to combat climate change while earning premiums from their low carbon grain.
Committed No-Till Farmer is Excited to Earn Premiums for Low-CI Grain
Kelly Cheesewright is also a fifth-generation farmer with a remarkable 40 years of commitment to no-till practices and has six years of experience with certified organic farming on half of their acreage, all totaling up to a CI Score below zero on his farm in Illinois. His success is attributed to long-term no-till practices, the extensive use of cover crops, efficient manure management, and low-rate synthetic fertilizers.
“I am excited for the potential to collect at least 50% of the premium with biofuel refineries,” said Cheesewright.” CI Scores is a means to increase premiums based on sustainable farming practices that we are already doing.”
When we asked Cheesewright why farmers should turn to Continuum Ag to understand their CI Score, his message was clear, “Start now to improve your score by January 1, 2025. Start early and find out your CI score so you can earn premiums on your low carbon grain harvested in 2024!”
Third Generation Farmer Excited For Returns on Investment Through Carbon Intensity
Dave Norris is a third-generation farmer from central Indiana with land spanning 1,650 acres of corn, beans, and wheat. Norris employs no-till, cover crop mixes, and has limited fertilizer usage. His dedication to sustainable practices is evident in his CI Score of -2.1!
When asked why he was excited about Carbon Intensity, Norris stated “I am excited to gain more return on investment on practices I am already doing and have been doing for several years.” Most farmers have a lower CI score than the national average of the CI Score for corn, which is 29.1. By having a score lower than that, you can earn premiums on your low carbon grain!
In explaining why he chose to work with Continuum Ag to determine his CI Score, Norris emphasized the efficiency and expertise of the process. According to Norris, “It is a quick and easy process and the people at Continuum know what they are doing and help with the process.”
Discover the opportunities that lie ahead and see the value for yourself by visiting TopSoil.Ag today to unlock your CI Score, or attend our weekly CI Chit Chat Webinars to get all of your questions answered around Carbon Intensity!