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
Robust RTK Signals Expand Across Corn Belt
Check out a good story by Farm Industry News that offers the latest look at RTK signal correction across the Midwest. The umbrella of real-time kinematic (RTK) correction signals that covers much of the Corn Belt will be larger and more robust by the time the 2011 planting season rolls around. As a result, growers in many geographies will have … Read More
Year-End Tax Deductions on Equipment Buys
With the end of the year upon us, it’s always wise to check with your tax professional to discuss possible year-end investment strategies on equipment purchases. Gary J. Hoff, agricultural economist, University of Illinois, says that legislation passed by Congress and signed by the President on September 27, 2010 will reduce the tax bite for many farmers this year. Here’s … 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.
Make Soil Conductivity One of Your Mapping Layers
As I talk with many astute growers on the cutting edge of precision farming technology, almost all of them build management zones in fields using soil electrical conductivity (EC) to accurately characterize and map soil variability. Veris Technologies, a pioneer in this EC technology, offers a look into why researchers and growers are using this technology in more than 40 … Read More
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
Precision Farming Does More Than Save Money
The more you talk to growers who have been using precision farming technology for awhile, the more you learn about the values they treasure beyond input savings and greater efficiency. Less operator fatigue, more time to think and monitor what’s going on around them, and learning new things about their fields and farms every day are just a few things … 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
Post Harvest Precision Farming Projects
Many growers across the Midwest report one of the best weather harvests in a long time. I know my brother and cousin in central Iowa finished their shared harvest duties earlier than anyone in the family can remember. And the nice thing about that—more fall field work was completed. While it’s a big relief that the crop is in, make … 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