Faces of Farming

While the role of a custom applicator continues to evolve with new technology and changing regulations, some things never change: taking pride in a job well done and putting the customer’s best interests first.

Dylan Dick, custom applicator at MFA Agri Services in Centralia, demonstrates this mindset every day. 

“Our growers have come to not only trust but also expect Dylan’s workmanship and judgment,” said Andy Mott, Agri Services manager. 

Dylan began helping producers succeed at a young age. Born and raised in Centralia, he started operating equipment at local row-crop operations in his teens. He took those lessons from the farm to the University of Missouri at Columbia, where he graduated with a degree in ag systems management and ag economics. 

For the past four years, Dylan has worked as a custom applicator for MFA, where his reputation for service and integrity earned him recognition as one of MFA’s two Applicators of the Year for 2026. The selection process considers nominees’ customer service, quality of application, professionalism and community involvement. 

“Dylan continues to prove himself as a key contributor to our location—someone who consistently strives to do what’s best for MFA and our member-owners,” said Andy. “It has been rewarding to watch him grow into an exceptional applicator.”

Outside of work, Dylan enjoys spending time with his wife, Lexus, and staying active in their church. An avid outdoorsman, he also enjoys hunting and fishing whenever he gets the chance.

Today’s Farmer sat down with Dylan to talk about the recognition and how he approaches his role as a custom applicator.

Why do you think you stood out among the other nominations? 

I think it was just taking pride in my work and putting the customer first. I really approach any job by being efficient while doing quality work and trying to give the customer what they want. I also try to focus not only on the task, but also on building and maintaining a relationship with that customer.

How do you make sure you do a good job? 

From the second that I pull into the field, I create a game plan—from what direction I want to border it, to how I can be efficient and the way that producer wants me to do it—and I maintain that plan in my mind. I view it this way: When you’re on a producer’s farm, you’re working for him. So, how would he want me to do it? If you’re not able to take pride in something you’re doing, you probably shouldn’t be doing it.

How do you stay up to date with all the changes in applicating?

I try to work very closely with my manager, Andy, and my dispatcher, Logan (Locke), and stay aware of changing regulations, new chemistry and the challenge of weed resistance. It’s a lot of communicating with those people, along with paying attention on my own to changes in licensing or particular chemicals.

What technology has impacted your work the most?

I would say the adoption of FieldAlytics. Before, we used a hand-drawn map on a Google Earth printout, and the field was highlighted. That, or you’d get a text with a pin dropped on the field. If you didn’t know the field, you had to double-check you were in the right place. Now, with FieldAlytics, directions to the field are on an iPad, with the field highlighted digitally, showing its exact location, the number of acres and the rate on each product. It also communicates back with Logan and figures the total amount of product and acreage, which helps with billing and makes his job more efficient. It’s definitely far less stressful. And, if we go help another location, it removes any question about whether you’re in the right field—you can see it there.

What advice do you have for new applicators? 

Your reputation is everything. Take pride in what you’re doing from the very beginning—the same amount of pride on a 10-acre job as you would on a 100-acre job. Producers talk to each other, and that’s going to carry with you. If you don’t provide quality, efficient work, that’s eventually going to hurt your good reputation, cost you jobs and, in turn, cost the company money.

What do you enjoy about being a custom applicator? 

I enjoy the ability to work face-to-face with the producer from start to finish. From the time in the fall when that P and K are going down, all the way through the spring season as the crops are coming up and then top-dress season on corn, you’re seeing that plant from the time it goes in the ground as a seed till harvest. You’re working with a producer and his livelihood in good times and bad, and that’s a rewarding aspect of the career. 

Top image cutline: Dylan Dick with MFA Agri Services in Centralia, Mo., was one of two MFA Applicators of the Year recognized in 2026, having built a solid reputation for his exceptional customer service, quality of work and focus on efficiency.