Precision agriculture is playing a much larger role in helping potato growers become more sustainable, according to a recent story in Spudman. Bruce Crapo, a grower of 6,000 acres of commercial potatoes and 2,000 acres of seed potatoes in Idaho, is a good example of how the average potato farmer looks at precision agriculture – he uses technology to reduce … Read More
Variable-rate Irrigation Teams with Prescription Service
The precision irrigation from Valley has now teamed up with the variable-rate precision data services of CropMetrics. This agreement creates an alignment of Valley Irrigation dealers with the latest in agronomic technology to provide growers true precision irrigation with center pivots. Valley Irrigation with VRI Zone Control, and CropMetrics with automated agronomic VRI prescription services, are also proud to announce … Read More
Conservation Districts Support AG CONNECT Expo
The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) will continue its partnership with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and AG CONNECT Expo for the 2011 show, January 8-10 in Atlanta. NACD and AEM have partnered on various projects for more than four decades on an awards program that recognizes individual conservation districts for using new and innovative technologies, tools and … Read More
USDA Improves Online Carbon Management Tool
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently released an enhanced and expanded online tool that helps producers estimate carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions associated with a variety of on-farm management practices. NRCS Chief Dave White says COMET-VR 2.0 is a very user-friendly tool for farmers and ranchers. “Once producers have a better sense of their carbon footprint, they can … Read More
Precision Fertilizer Recommendations From Nebraska
Fertilizer production costs will be substantially higher in 2011 than they’ve been for the past couple of years. When you look at the numbers, remember that commodity prices also have increased significantly. If you are a shrewd marketer, you have taken advantage of crop pricing opportunities that will help offset the higher production costs. You may still be able to … Read More
Helping Consumers Understand Precision Farming
Kudos to the Kansas City Star daily newspaper for publishing a piece on farmers who are using precision agriculture to boost efficiency, increase yields and protect the environment. Check it out. And pass the link along to your town and urban friends.
Excellent Ohio Technology and Conservation Conference
Corn and soybean growers in Ohio and surrounding states should definitely attend an excellent late-February conference to pick up great information that can improve their farm operation. The Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference is the largest, most comprehensive program of conservation tillage techniques in the Midwest. About 60 presenters (farmers, industry professionals, and university specialists) from around the country focus … Read More
Real-time Crop Condition Monitoring from ClimateMinder
California organic produce grower Phil McGrath is monitoring his fields from his smartphone to save water, time and money thanks to ClimateMinder technology. McGrath, owner of McGrath Family Farms commented, “On our ranch there are several different soil types. One cropping program does not fit all. With ClimateMinder you get very accurate information about the soil moisture content on any … Read More
Why Advanced Technology is Needed in Farming
Urban Lehner, head of editorial for DTN/The Progressive Farmer, wrote an opinion piece this week that talks about the need for precision farming technology to help balance high-yield production with environmental needs. In the piece he writes… “But, for the foreseeable future, technology will be the key to boosting yields and avoiding billions of acres of forests and grasslands morphing … Read More
Save Chemical Input Cost with Precision Farming Technology
In the North Dakota Farm Business Management Program, coordinator Steve Metzger says producers are telling him they are using far less chemicals, saving money and the environment thanks to the tools of precision agriculture, according to a recent story in Farm & Ranch Guide. “We talk to each producer that we work with, and they are the ones telling us … Read More