Precision farming techniques are driving growth in soil sampling say Midwest soil labs, according to a report in Midwest Producer. “At the peak of the season we’ll test 20,000 samples each day,” says Kennard Pohlman of Omaha’s Midwest Labs. “We always test the organic matter in the sample and the pH. You want to verify the nitrogen carryover and the … Read More
Farmers Using Social Media Form AgChat Foundation
Precision communications to consumers is every bit as important as your precision farming. Check out how these farmers are joining together to help other farmers like you communicate your story. Twitter. Facebook. YouTube. LinkedIn. More frequently, these are services being accessed from the turnrow, tractor’s seat and barn. Farmers are tapping into social media services more frequently, especially since the … Read More
Calibrate For Variable-rate Precision Farming Success
Last week I talked about the importance of planter calibration when using variable-rate technology. This week, I spoke with Nick Ohrtman, Ag Leader’s Tech Support Supervisor about fertilizer spreader calibration. precision.agwired.com: How important is calibration of precision farming equipment when using it on a fertilizer spreader? Ohrtman: As I mentioned last week, Ag Leader products have a calibration wizard that … Read More
Test Your Corn Planting Populations
If you’re looking to experiment with corn planting populations yet this spring, check out a very good paper on plant population compiled by South Dakota State University researchers Gregg Carlson, Paul Gaspar and David Clay. Many agronomists and producers conduct experiments that test the impact of rates of fertilizer, population, or pesticide on yield. To analyze this data we need … Read More
Precision Farming By The Zone
The Furrow magazine, produced by John Deere, profiled several growers on their use of precision farming management zones in a story called “Farming In The Zone” in their March 2010 issue. Broadwater, Neb., grower Frank Lussetto says zone management helped him accomplish three broad goals of being agronomically sound, economically smart and environmentally safe. He uses zone maps for phosphorous, … Read More
Calibrate For Variable-Rate Precision Farming Success
While every farmer knows the value of preparing and calibrating the planter and sprayer, the same holds true when calibrating the electronics and software that control these implements—especially if you vary rates across the field on the go. Hopefully you pulled out that owner’s manual, or enlisted your local dealer’s help, several weeks ahead of pulling into the first field … Read More
Precision Profits By The Field
Gregg Carlson, South Dakota State University agronomist and precision farming math whiz, has written extensively about numerous precision topics. “A Field is a Profit Center,” is an amazing spreadsheet look at the agronomic-economic building blocks that make fields profitable. Very few farmers conduct profitability analysis of their fields. As producers expand beyond their operator owned acreage, it becomes increasingly necessary … Read More
Young Farmer Forum Talks Precision Agriculture
Agriculture.com, one of the longest running ag websites powered by Successful Farming, has a social network for young and beginning farmers called Farmers For The Future. One of the recent topics centered around precision farming talks about a move into RTK and the CORS network. The challenge is dealing with all ages and different colors of equipment. Sam asks…We have … Read More
Use Precision Software Data For Planting Trials and More
Give farmers a piece of technology and they find inventive ways to use it to benefit their operation. In the case of Newton, Iowa farmer (and Ag Leader SeedComand product specialist) Will Cannon, it all started with the yield monitor and mapping hybrids. “I like knowing exactly to a row when hybrids and varieties start and stop—especially when you have … Read More
Precision Irrigation Control With Smartphones
Irrigators can now control their Lindsay Zimmatic systems with their smartphone and FieldNET Mobile. The new feature allows growers to fully control and monitor their irrigation pivots anywhere through the convenience of smartphones. “FieldNET Mobile provides a labor-saving innovation with the convenience of web-enabled phones,” says Reece Andrews, GrowSmart product manager at Lindsay. “With full control and monitoring from anywhere, … Read More