While the anti-agriculture activists spout misinformed data about how genetically-modified grains have not boosted yields nor reduced use of fertilizer or chemicals–those of us living and breathing modern precision agriculture know the truth. In my hundreds and hundreds of interviews I’ve done over the years with progressive farmers (in stories that have appeared in Progressive Farmer, Farm Industry News and … Read More
InfoAg Talk: Understand Nutrient Variability
Growers need to focus on getting the right nutrient source applied at the right time, rate and place, says Steve Phillips, southeast region director of the International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI). In his talk at the recent InfoAg precision agriculture conference, Phillips outlined the top 10 reasons why we need to understand spatial variability for nutrient management. 10. We need … Read More
InfoAg Talk: Soil Management Zones Increase N Efficiency
Ten years of research by Dr. Raj Khosla and his precision agriculture grad students at Colorado State University has produced a soil color based management zone technique that accurately optimizes Nitrogen use efficiency within and across zones in given corn fields. “Once farmers realize the value of varying N rates based on field productivity zones, most want to add more … Read More
Precision.AgWired.com for Profitable Peanuts
T.E. Moye, Jr. of Newton, GA was one of the winners of the 10th Annual Peanut Profitability Awards, sponsored by Farm Press. The awards are based on production efficiency and honor those growers who produce the highest yields at the lowest cost per acre. In addition, they are based on a producer’s entire farm operation – not just on individual … Read More
Virtual Weather Technology Helps Agronomic Decisions
At this week’s InfoAg 2009 precision farming conference, National Corn Grower Association yield champion David Hula of Renwood Farms in eastern Virginia gave a presentation on technology and productivity. As a seed producer, he likes to keep his customers informed on proper planting dates. One technology he uses to do this is Skybit.com. Hula says this virtual weather station accurately … Read More
Planter & Sprayer Controls Make Precision Farming Pay
With seed and chemical input costs trending higher, farmers continue to seek ways to increase operation efficiency. More and more growers of all sizes are turning to the tools of precision agriculture to accomplish this goal. Anthony Schmidt, director of product management, Applied Technology Division, Raven Industries, says producers can expect to save between 5 and 15 percent of their inputs … Read More
CNN Story On Precision Agriculture Via Twitter
News network CNN talked a little precision farming last week during an interview with western Nebraska farmer Steve Tucker. But the interview focused on what Steve does with his time when his auto steering takes the wheel — he keeps up with friends using Twitter on his smartphone. Nebraska Corn Kernels blog features a good post on the coverage, with … Read More
Precision Agriculture Benefits Presented at United Nations
“Technology has reduced the amount of herbicides and pesticides needed, requiring less energy per bushel produced, thus reducing our carbon footprint.” That was one of many precision farming efficiency messages delivered by Rob Korff last week at a United Nations food security meeting. Korff, Missouri family farmer and chairman of the National Corn Growers Association Biotechnology Working Group, explained how … Read More
Precision Farming In India
Part of India’s National Agriculture Development Program (NADP) promotes a precision farming technique that is gaining popularity, according to a recent story in India’s national newspaper, The Hindu. Over the past two years, precision farming techniques have been promoted in 900 hectares across the district in various crops including sugarcane, maize, brinjal, tomato, onion, tapioca, sunflower and groundnut. With installation of … Read More
Farmer Succeeds With Variable Rate Precision Tools
On variable soils, Indiana farmer Eric Wappel has found precision agriculture success by varying fertilizer and seeding rates, according to a recent story in Indiana Prairie Farmer magazine. “We use variable rate application to spread phosphorus, potassium and ag lime,” he notes. “What we put where depends upon soil sample results. Soil sampling comes first. We use hybrids, but also … Read More