HOW WE STARTED
Progressive Ag Services LLC is a precision agronomy business located in Central Illinois. Our top priority is providing sound agronomic advice and solutions to our customers. Founded in 2014 by Matt Boudeman, the initial focus was on prescription services and soil mapping with a Veris machine. Paul Schell came on in 2015 as a co-owner, and the platform expanded to include soil sampling and Precision Planting.
Since then, we have grown to include other services such as Crop Protection sale, additional precision equipment lines, and new soil mapping systems. To better facilitate the growth, an office and shop were built in 2020 near Minier, Illinois. Our team has also grown with the addition of Tyler Scroggins in 2021.
Even as Progressive Ag Services LLC has grown and changed, our mission has remained the same: work closely with growers to help them achieve the highest possible return on their investment.
WHAT WE DO
Combining years of experience and trusted GIS software gives Progressive Ag Services LLC the ability to work with growers to create customized input prescriptions. By identifying variability in each field, we can better utilize inputs such as seed, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, & Lime. This process helps growers maximize their input investments.
Progressive Ag Services LLC is the leader in field management zone creation in Central Illinois. Our use of the SoilOptix scanner allow us to precisely identify unique productivity zones in each field to help better utilize crop inputs to improve ROI. Identifying different zones is only one part of zone creation; we then works with growers to develop a plan for fertility and variable rate seeding to maximize every acre of an operation. SoilOpitx is a cat scan for soil nutrients and properties – mapping over 20 different soil attributes. Some of these are: OM, pH, CEC, P, K, and micronutrients. Its data provides us with over 300 “soil samples” per acre.
Soil sampling is a foundational principle of a good fertility program, and Progressive Ag Services LLC makes sure those samples are collected in the truest form possible. We use Wintex 1000 hydraulic probes to collect consistent soil cores and eliminate human error. All samples are sent to WayPoint Analytical in Champaign, Illinois for analysis. This is a certified lab whose quality control program is second to none. All of this is done to provide our customers with the most accurate soil sampling information possible.
Crop protection decisions are critical in today’s environment with weeds becoming more difficult to control. Progressive Ag Services LLC is uniquely positioned to help growers navigate the complex options of brands, products, and mixes. We fill a gap in the crop protection supply chain that combines a full retail experience with close to wholesale pricing. Our partnership with TitanProSCI give us access to all the major brands with several program and financing options available.
In-season fungicide applications play a large roll in obtaining top-end yield while protecting overall crop health. Progressive Ag Services LLC works with a team of helicopter aerial applicators to get this important application completed in a timely matter. The applicators work out of our location during the season; therefore, we have much more control over the work-flow process
Today, precision farming technology changes rapidly. Progressive Ag Services LLC has partnered with RA Seeding Solutions to create Integrated Precision to better help growers sort through the noise and find the right solution to meet a grower’s needs. Integrated Precision is a Premier Precision Planting dealer with locations in Minier & Melvin Illinois. Both locations have Precision Planting Certified Technicians on staff. From pre-season meter testing to ensure the perfect stand to post planting planter evaluation, we work with customers to identify and fix planter issues to help make sure the crop is off to its best possible start.
Maximizing growers ROI is a focus of Progressive Ag Services LLC. In an environment of high fertilizer costs, placing those nutrients for be best use has never been more important. Since 2018 we have been providing custom strip-till and nutrient banding services. We operate a 16-row strip-till bar and can precisely place dry fertilizer, NH3, or both at the same time. By banding nutrients below where next year’s crop will be planted allows for maximum use of the fertilizer investment. Additionally, we operate a 16-row strip freshener bar with the ability to apply liquid fertilizer in the spring prior to planting.
Progressive Ag Services LLC is owned and operated by Matt Boudeman & Paul Schell. Both have extensive ag retail experience and are also Certified Crop Advisors. Matt & Paul have over 25 years of combined knowledge working with growers on agronomic, economic, and precision technology solutions.
Meet the Team
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Matt Boudeman
Matt grew up on a corn and soybean farm in Central Illinois and knew agriculture is where he wanted to be. He went on to the University of Illinois and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ag Economics. After school he started a career in ag retail as a Crop Specialist at Ag-Land FS.
Over his 14-year career as a Crop Specialist, Matt’s professional and expert advice helped him establish successful partnerships with growers throughout Central Illinois. He earned his Certified Crop Advisor designation in 2002.
Matt’s experience in ag retail allows him to bring unbiased insights to help make decisions that drive grower profitability.
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Paul Schell
Paul enjoys everything related to agriculture – from working on a local dairy farm through high school and college to figuring out how to implement the latest in ag technology.
After graduating from Southwest Wisconsin Technical College with a degree in Agri-business, Science, and Technology he gained experience in different roles in ag retail eventually finding a true passion in precision agronomy. Over the course of more than 15 years, he has worked with growers from Central Wisconsin to Central Illinois giving him a unique perspective on technology, tools, and insights. He has been a Certified Crop Advisor since 2009.
Additionally, Paul is well acquainted with several GIS platforms including: SST, SMS and MapShots AgStudio, and he is also a Precision Planting Certified Technician.
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Tyler Scroggins
Tyler’s passion for agriculture started from his college days working on local farms in Central Illinois.
Since graduating from Illinois State University, Tyler has worked with growers in several capacities. He owned and operated his own precision soil sampling & seed business before moving into ag retail. During his more than 25 years of experience, Tyler’s worked with growers on fertility, seeding, and precision farming. The long-standing relationships he has created allows him to service growers and provide them with profitable management options.