By Lyndi Allen
Mark Bunselmeyer has been rooted in central Illinois for his entire life. Based in Decatur, Mark farms in Macon County, where he grows corn and soybeans on ground that has been part of his family’s story for generations.
Farming is not something Mark chose later in life it is what he has always known. Growing up in agriculture shaped both his work ethic and his perspective on farming. That foundation led him to the University of Illinois, where he earned a degree in Agricultural Economics through the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences. His education provided him with an understanding of both the production and business side of farming an important combination in today’s agricultural economy.
On the farm, Mark uses no-till practices, a conservation method that helps protect soil health, reduce erosion, and improve long-term sustainability. By minimizing soil disturbance, no-till farming helps keep valuable nutrients in place while improving water infiltration and organic matter. Mark has been enrolled with Precision Conservation Management (PCM) for the past five years, using their data to fine-tune his conservation and nutrient management strategies. His favorite data in the RAAP report is looking at his nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), which helps him understand how effectively he is turning fertilizer into yield.
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