Iowa Family Farms Named John Deere Smart Farm of the Year for Corn & Soybeans

How one Midwest farm is improving profits, productivity, and efficiency with John Deere technology

P&K Midwest is proud to recognize Iowa Family Farms as the John Deere Smart Farm of the Year for Corn & Soybeans in the United States. This award honors farms that use technology to improve profits, increase productivity, and reduce risk.

Led by Patrick Hammes, Iowa Family Farms shows how modern farming can succeed by using the right tools and staying open to new ideas.

A Commitment to Innovation

Based in Southeastern Iowa, Iowa Family Farms is a second-generation operation focused on doing things better every year. Patrick and his two sons have built their farm around one goal—using technology to make smarter decisions and get better results.

Over the years, they have worked closely with P&K Midwest to bring John Deere technology into every part of their operation. From planting to harvest, their systems are connected and built to work together.

Improving Profitability

For Iowa Family Farms, success starts with making the most of every input.

With ExactEmerge™ planters, they achieve accurate seed placement and consistent depth. This helps reduce waste and gives every plant the best chance to grow. The ability to plant quickly also helps them stay on schedule during tight planting windows.

They have also made big improvements in how they apply chemicals. Using ExactApply™, they get better coverage while reducing overlap. This saves time and helps them cover more acres each day.

With See & Spray™ technology, they take it a step further by spraying only where weeds are present. This greatly reduces chemical use and helps improve crop health, leading to stronger overall performance.

Boosting Productivity

Running an efficient farm takes more than good equipment—it takes good information.

Iowa Family Farms uses John Deere Operations Center™ to track equipment, monitor progress, and manage field data. This allows their team to stay organized and make quick decisions without constant phone calls.

New combine technology has also helped them improve harvest efficiency. With built-in automation, they were able to increase productivity by 21%, while also reducing grain loss and fuel use.

They are also using autonomous tillage, which allows certain fieldwork to be done with less hands-on labor. This helps them stay productive, even during busy seasons.

Managing Risk with Better Data

Farming comes with many unknowns, but better data helps reduce risk.

Using tools like Work Planner and Prescription Creator, the Hammes family can plan ahead and quickly adjust as conditions change. They can send updated plans directly to their equipment, saving time and improving accuracy.

They also use Remote Display Access (RDA) to troubleshoot equipment and help operators in real time. This reduces downtime and keeps the operation moving.

During harvest, they use digital tools to track grain and manage logistics more clearly. This helps avoid confusion and keeps everything running smoothly.

Leading the Way in Agriculture

What sets Iowa Family Farms apart is their willingness to try new technology and keep improving. They have worked closely with P&K Midwest and John Deere to test and refine new tools, helping move the industry forward.

Their success shows what’s possible when technology and strong management come together.

A Well-Deserved Award

The John Deere Smart Farm of the Year Award recognizes farms that are leading the way. Iowa Family Farms has proven that using the right technology can increase profits, improve efficiency, and reduce risk.

P&K Midwest is proud to support customers like the Hammes family who are helping shape the future of farming.

Ready to Build Your Smart Farm?

Whether you’re just getting started or ready to take the next step, P&K Midwest can help you find the right technology for your operation.

Contact your local P&K Midwest dealership today to learn more.