Precision ag management is a consulting specialty for some, like Nicky Burgess of Fullen Land and Management Partners in Ripley, Tennessee. “My main job is data management and anything else that goes with precision ag,” says Burgess. “From hooking up a piece of equipment on a sprayer to analyzing yield data, all the way to managing the people and training … Read More
Precision Soil Sampling
Precision soil sampling has come a long way, according to Tom McGraw of Midwest Independent Soil Samplers, pictured here at the recent InfoAg conference with John Deere’s Jeff Kaiser. “Precision sampling isn’t all that new. 1929, Purdue University started grid sampling,” says McGraw. “We’ve done millions of acres of grid sampling by now.” He says that using imagery to detect … Read More
See Crop Variability Clearly
One of the presentations at last week’s InfoAg 2007 was titled “See Crop Variability Clearly,” on how remote sensing technology delivers aerial images that provide a unique view of crop and field variability. The presentation was given by Jeff Kaiser of John Deere Agri Services, who talked about the OptiGro™ system. “OptiGro is an in-season imagery service that allows you … Read More
In-season N management
The key to maximizing corn yields. Planting is complete, fields have been sprayed for weeds and insects, and as you drive by your fields and gaze at the first three rows of healthy corn from your truck window, everything looks as it should…but is it? It’s impossible to know exactly what is going on throughout your entire field, but you … Read More
Crops Face N Deficiency Stress
With potential yield losses at stake, corn growers are being urged to check nitrogen levels in their fields this summer. Darrell Anderson, Successful Farming Radio Magazine, discussed that issue with Tom McGraw, owner of Midwest Independent Soil Samplers in Buffalo Lake, MN. “The decisions are more important than ever,” says McGraw. “We can’t just throw on lots of nitrogen for … Read More
Precision Citrus Counting
Researchers at the University of Florida are developing an electronic system to “see” and count citrus fruit, a concept called machine vision. It could be commercially available by the end of the decade. According to news from UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, the system includes a Global Positioning System receiver and notes the position of each tree with … Read More
Photos from the Field
I got an email yesterday from Roger Godwin, our Reach for the Stars winner in Georgia. That state, as you may know, has been extremely dry this season which kept Roger from planting in a timely fashion. But, he now reports that enough rain has fallen that he has gotten out in the fields: “We only got 2 tenths of … Read More
UNL Expert on OptiGro System
Randy Koenen of KTIC/KWPN/Rural Radio Network in West Point, Nebraska recently interviewed Jim Schepers, USDA-ARS soil scientist with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, about the OptiGro imaging program available through John Deere Agri Services. “In years like this with lots of excessive rainfall, what happens is nitrogen losses,” Schepers says. “Too much water for two or three days will trigger de-nitrification.” … Read More
Introducing Corn and Wheat OptiGro to the Media
There are about 100 agricultural reporters attending the 2007 Commodity Classic this week in Tampa who are busy writing, recording and photographing the events and products to bring back to those who are unable to attend. Many of those reporters were on hand Friday for the introduction of John Deere’s OptiGro System for corn and wheat growers. John Mann, Vice … Read More
Winning With Swath Control Pro for Planters
One of the WIN Sessions at the Commodity Classic on Friday was focused on John Deere’s Swath Control Pro for planters. The presentation, given by Kyle Collins with John Deere’s Ag Management Solutions, explained to the group how the Swath Control technology can allow for more use of seed to help growers improve planter performance for optimal plant emergence and … Read More