West Fargo, N.D., USA
March 7, 2023
Nick Shores is ready to talk wheat. The new Limagrain Cereal Seeds (LCS) regional commercial manager for the Northern Plains has a degree in biological and physical sciences, experience researching and developing spring wheat varieties, and a passion for working with growers.
Shores has been logging miles and building relationships since he was a child. His father was in the Air Force, and his family lived all over the world before settling in Minneapolis, Minn. A self-proclaimed city kid, Shores got a taste of farming from spending time on his grandparent’s farm in Detroit Lakes, Minn. But it wasn’t until he landed at North Dakota State University (NDSU) that he fell in love with agriculture.
Thinking he would pursue medicine or pharmaceuticals, Shores got through much of the coursework before realizing that he was preparing for a future spent in an office.
“I’m meant to be outside,” laughs Shores, who enjoys boating, fishing and trail riding in his free time.
Shores shifted his focus and went to work for the NDSU Department of Plant Sciences in spring wheat breeding, part-time as a student then full-time after graduation. He’d found his dream career — using his science education, working in the great outdoors and collaborating with other scientists and farmers for a noble purpose.
“We’re trying to feed the world, right?” says Shores. “People have to eat. That’s never going away.”
In 2010, Shores moved to the private sector, developing wheat varieties for Syngenta. He ran planters and combines, sprayed crops and maintained plots — further expanding his hands-on experience and his understanding of what it takes to run a successful farm.
The experience Shores brings to LCS also includes seven years working with sugar beet growers for the American Crystal Sugar Company and an adolescence spent working sales for his parents’ flooring company. The basic principles are the same, says Shores. Everyone’s needs are unique. The way to help people succeed is to get to know them, to understand what each person wants to accomplish and what they have to work with — then work backward from there. For LCS wheat farmers, that’s field by field.
“You have to be logistical,” says Shores. “Planning during the off season is key. What went well last season, what didn’t. Chemicals, soils, insects, crop rotations — there are so many factors that come into play. Then when growing season comes, you have to roll with the punches. Not one growing season is the same as the year prior.”
Shores is excited to be back with his first passion: working with spring wheat and wheat growers. And he’s happy to make his return with LCS.
“I’ve been admiring LCS and seeing them gain traction in the Northern Plains over the years,” says Shores. “Their products are great.”
One of Shores’ first assignments at LCS is introducing new hard red spring wheat genetics to the region:
- LCS Ascent is a big yielder that looks beautiful in the field and has an excellent disease package and high test weight.
- LCS Boom expands on the performance of LCS Cannon in North Dakota and Minnesota, with early maturity, consistent protein and a great disease package.
- LCS Dual packs a one-two punch of yield and protein, plus a superb disease package and exceptional straw.
- LCS Hammer AX is the first LCS CoAXium spring wheat variety on the market, giving farmers control over cheatgrass, foxtail and other grassy weeds.
“The CoAXium trait and Aggressor AX herbicide are a very good thing for combating problematic areas in specific growing regions,” says Shores. “If you’re trying to tackle grassy weed problems, it’s an amazing tool.”
Shores is dedicated to helping wheat farmers across the Northern Plains find the varieties that work best — conventional and CoAXium, field by field. He’s on the road constantly, meeting with seed dealers and growers. He’s ready to talk.
“I want people to call me if they have a question or a random idea, whether I’ve met them yet or not. We’re all our own individuals, and we all have different ideas. We’re all great in our own ways. Maybe we could be just that much better if we took a collaborative approach.”
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