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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Change
your mind about nitrogen application
by Kurt Lawton
"Farmers are their own biggest stumbling block when it comes to
nitrogen on corn," says Tom McGraw, owner of Midwest Independent Soil
Samplers, based out of Buffalo Lake, MN, Jewell, IA, and Clay Center,
NE.
He wonders whether farmers can get over the psychological hurdle of 100%
fall or spring N applications. "Historically, farmers have over-applied
nitrogen to cover any potential losses that occur every year --
sometimes large, sometimes small," he says.
With the high cost of nitrogen and high corn prices, McGraw preaches
that now is the best time to abandon single application of N on corn,
"because split applications beat single applications hands down, every
time. Growers remember the one time they couldn't get the fertilizer on
because of weather, and they should not let this event stop progress."
Feed in-season
McGraw has seen numerous attempts to make precision in-season
variable-rate fertilizer applications work, using aerial photography and
corresponding management recommendations. "While some variable-rate
technology works well, it was always the aerial photo component that
didn't quite pan out. It was either too expensive, turnaround time was
too slow or the photo resolution was poor," he says.
"But now, John Deere has put enough muscle and the right technology
behind OptiGro," McGraw continues. (See story below.) "I was skeptical
at first, but after working with it for a few years, they got the
excellent photography and nitrogen management figured out. It's far
better than anything else out there. It will have a place in
agriculture, but I just don't know how long it will take farmers to
adopt it."
McGraw says he hopes that farmers who are trying it right now, after
applying all their N before the season, will grasp the value of this
technology. "They will see photos that prove actual N loss, at a time
when corn needs it most -- during the huge biomass growth stages of
knee-high through ear development. And if they take the next step,
applying liquid nitrogen with drop nozzles when corn is knee-high, then
we'll see growers begin to make the leap," he says.
"The leap is to the 'Holy Grail,' where farmers put half the N on before
or at planting, then come back with only what's needed at knee-high
stage," he continues. "And with the whole OptiGro program only costing a
little more than one bushel an acre, it's very affordable -- and that
includes environmental benefits of less N leached from the soil profile
each spring. But it takes a mind-set change."
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Find
value in variable-rate precision fertility
by Kurt Lawton
GPS-based variable-rate fertilizer application has become more
mainstream in the past decade, thanks to research, technology,
retailers' promotion of the practice and growers' success with it.
But according to site-specific leader Jess Lowenberg-DeBoer, the
economic return has been modest at best due to added labor, test and
equipment costs. Higher energy and fertilizer prices make variable rate
more attractive, says the Purdue ag economist, but he's unsure whether
it will dramatically change the profit picture.
His best advice:
- Variable-rate lime applications are good value.
- If you have fields with geo-referenced data points of yield along
with soil sample data points by management zone (random samples by soil
type, not grid), then you're better able to gain value from
variable-rate N, P and K.
- Realize that cost savings and yield increases won't always accompany
site-specific fertilizer management.
- On fields you own or fields where you have longer-term lease
agreements, build geo-referenced maps of yield, fertility and in-season
attributes (drainage problems, weeds, insects, hybrids/varieties, etc.)
and learn how to use history to
make smart management decisions.
- Experiment with
aerial crop sensing (see OptiGro story below) and other in-season
research projects that could boost your bottom line.
Most experts agree that the next wave of on-the-go sensor technology --
which will detect various nutrient levels, organic matter, soil texture
and more -- will truly help improve the value of variable-rate
farming, especially when combined with
RTK auto-guidance. Stay tuned.
More
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 Visit www.PrecisionPays.com, a site
specifically designed to bring you the latest information and resources
on guidance and other precision technology for agriculture. With
increased input costs and the pressure to do more with less, growers are
continually looking for ways to improve farming efficiencies, production
and profitability. Precisionpays.com was created with this in mind.
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Mid-season
fertility boost with OptiGro
by Kurt Lawton
When spring rains are above normal, we often rejoice when the crops
are in and we don't have to replant ponds. Extra moisture in the ground
is usually a bonus because hot and dry July is just around the bend.
But a wet spring can steal nitrogen as it leaches out, leaving behind
nitrogen-stressed corn that occurs randomly across drenched fields.
Listen to Jim Schepers, University of Nebraska USDA-ARS soil
scientist, talk about in-season nitrogen losses and the value of the
new OptiGro system from John Deere.
By enlisting aerial photography and quick professional analysis, you can
learn what portions of a cornfield lack nitrogen, then take action to
apply in-season nitrogen (when it's knee high) to help boost yield.
Tracy Blackmer, Iowa Soybean Association director of research, has used
aerial imagery across hundreds of Iowa fields and
talks about how in-season nitrogen precision can pay (click on KCIM
interview).
You begin the OptiGro system process by working with your area OptiGro
reseller to set field boundaries and order images via the Internet.
Photos are taken of the field and relayed back to the reseller within
days of your order. The OptiGro Zone Maker software translates the
images into different zones of plant health and maturity based on
reflected light. Your crop advisor then reviews these field locations
and writes a prescription for each zone. This digital information is
sent to your preferred applicator and the variable-rate nitrogen is
applied.
Change nitrogen strategy
You can also adopt a new planned nitrogen strategy with this technology.
Start with 50 to 65% of your usual N application, then have images taken
when corn is close to knee high. The OptiGro system identifies deficient
parts of a field that need different amounts of N. Then you decide the
best in-season method to apply prescription amounts of nitrogen to
various portions of a field.
OptiGro has been available to cotton growers since 2005 and is now
available for
corn and wheat producers. Check out the Farm Industry News
FIN-TV video report on OptiGro, or the story
"Aerial Detective" that appeared in the April 2006 issue of Farm
Industry News.
If you believe nitrogen deficiency could be stripping your valuable corn
yields, don't delay. Contact
your nearby OptiGro reseller or contact John Deere Agri Services at
AgriServices@JohnDeere.com or 800/393-8971.
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Automate
your spray boom
by Kurt Lawton
Chemical overlap when spraying is costly in product and sometimes
in added crop stress that can cut yield. But it's next to impossible to
prevent it on headlands and on point rows. Plus, sprayer skips can be
costly when unsprayed weeds rob yields.
John Deere's automated solution to these costly problems is Swath
Control Pro, designed to control boom sections in its 4720 and 4920
self-propelled sprayers, as well as its
brand new 30 series sprayers.
Swath Control Pro is part of Deere's GreenStar 2
(GS2) system, using GPS to turn boom sections on and off
automatically, according to a coverage map.
To grasp how it works, view
this animation of a tractor in the field and a view of the GS2
screen.
For pull-type sprayers, John Deere offers the
GreenStar 2 Rate Controller. It allows growers to reduce cab clutter
and replace current rate controllers by using the Deere GS2
system.
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Grower
experience: OptiGro
by Kurt Lawton
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Visit www.PrecisionPays.com, sponsored
by John Deere. The
site is updated numerous times each week to bring you timely precision
farming information, links to other resources and coverage from industry
tradeshows. In addition, you'll find interviews with technology experts
and leading growers who have incorporated precision technology into
their operations. Visit the site to help you make one of the most
important commitments toward improving your farming operation.
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