2020 SUMMER INTERNS: Blake Grossart

Hi, my name is Blake Grossart. I am currently an agronomy intern at the Doniphan location. I just finished school with a degree in agronomy and a minor in ag-business from Southeast Community College in Beatrice. 

This summer I have done quite a variety of things throughout the agronomy field. As an intern I have had many tasks. The majority of the tasks have been tissue sampling fields for Aurora Cooperative’s yield advantage program, scouting a seed soybean field twice a week, scouting growers’ fields for insects, disease, weed pressure, and plant health, and delivering chemicals to many of the growers. 

With the weeks flying by, there have been many things I have been able to do and assist with. At the start of the internship, I was able to do stand counts and assist with flag tests around the location. From there I was able to track the progress of many fields. I did weekly scouting reports for two intercropping fields, and also scouted Aurora’s own seed soybean field A3118E3. I also was able to be a part of the chemical application process and had the opportunity to ride with one of our applicators. Riding within the sprayer, operators will give you a different aspect of respect for the career path they pursued. Lately, I have spent a majority of my time scouting fields for disease and insect pressure. I also look for plant health and the growth stage of the field for fungicide application timing. 

Aurora Cooperative has provided me with a very knowledgeable internship opportunity. I have learned very much over the past weeks, and I have enjoyed my time spent as an intern. I am also very thankful for the opportunity I have been given to learn and observe many great people throughout Aurora Cooperative as a whole.