For Dalissa Moser, being a custom applicator is about more than covering acres—it’s about treating every field as if it were her own.

Dalissa is an applicator with Helena in Steward, Illinois, and one of this year’s finalists for Custom Applicator of the Year. In her four years as an applicator, she has developed a strong appreciation for both the farmers she serves and the challenges that come with the job. Each year, she covers an average of approximately 27,500 acres, primarily operating a RoGator 1300.

“What motivates me to do my best work is my love for the job and the farmers we service,” Dalissa said. “I go into every field and treat it as though it is my own field.”

During the busy season, there is rarely such a thing as a typical day. Dalissa arrives early to inspect her machine, check the oil and prepare for the day ahead. Once she is in the field, efficiency is always top of mind—from calculating rates to coordinating with tender trucks so everyone can keep moving. At the end of the day, she fuels, inspects and services her machine so it is ready to do it all again the next morning.

That attention to detail is paired with a willingness to adapt. When needed, Dalissa may trade the applicator cab for a semi and haul product to another applicator—or do both jobs in the same day.

“That is part of what makes the job so fun,” she said. “No two days are the same.”

Dalissa is especially proud of the versatility she has developed. She has made it a priority to learn how to work on a wide variety of equipment, knowing that the ability to troubleshoot a sprayer, semi, toolbar or another machine can make a difference when time matters most. She continues to build that knowledge each season so she can help her coworkers and keep operations running efficiently.

Her first machine was a TerraGator 7300 B, while today her favorite is the RoGator 1300 C.

Dalissa’s connection to agriculture doesn’t end when she leaves work. She spends much of her free time on the sheep farm she started in 2020, raising registered Corriedale sheep for show and traveling to state fairs throughout the Midwest. She also enjoys helping her boyfriend bale hay and assisting her dad with professional fireworks displays during the summer.

Whether she is caring for her own livestock or applying products to a customer’s field, Dalissa brings the same mindset to the job: keep learning, take pride in the work and do everything possible to help others succeed.