KEEPING THE KIDS ON THE FARM

Ben Puck grew up on a farm near Manning, IA as the youngest of six siblings.  Puck said he wanted to farm, but it was difficult to get enough equity together to support his family of four raising a few hogs and cropping a couple hundred acres.  He looked around for other agricultural needs and found a demand for hauling manure from confinement facilities.  Since 1979 when he began as a partner with his brother Puck has expanded his service until today it is a business with eleven employees who operate in a sixty mile radius from Puck Custom Enterprises facilities near Manning.  Puck explained how liquid manure distribution has become more technical due to environmental regulations.  Field applications are based on measured nutrient content of the effluent material and soil and cropping practices.

Puck Custom Enterprises has developed several patents for specialized equipment to apply liquid manure on field areas.  Using GPS technology they can provide a land owner with maps of the application rate across his fields.   Manure application is done in spring or fall before or after the cropping season.  During the winter, Puck explained, they work to improve their equipment and promote its use at trade shows and on farms in North America.  During the summer they have a custom bailing business to fill in between manure application seasons.  This expansion of his farming enterprises has provided opportunities for his children to remain on the farm and work in a family business that is different than the common meat and grain production farm.