Ag Technology

Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are the most important, often misapplied, nutrients for a healthy crop. A common practice is to apply these nutrients at one rate, which may waste money and fertilizer by overfeeding low yielding ground or under-feeding the better parts of a field, so yield will not be maximized. The first step to profitability is to understand each field’s yield variability.

• GRID SAMPLING  -  This method has a long history of being used for successfully managing the placement of inputs to maximize yield potential.  When performing grid soil sampling the field is divided into individual areas that measure 2.5 acres in size.
• ZONE SAMPLING  -  Gaining momentum in recent years due to improved zone creation systems this method of soil sampling uses satellite imagery to determine plant health.  From this imagery different areas of the field are grouped together based on the level of plant health that each area exhibits.  Once these zones are created our fieldsmen will collect soil samples in each zone to determine what soil properties are maximizing or limiting plant performance.

It’s long been known that crops suffer when it’s too dry which is why irrigation is so popular in areas that have that capability. Did you know that crops can suffer just as much when it’s too wet?

VaRi-Tech.IRRIGATION focuses on fixed factors that influence yields such as soil type (texture, infiltration, WHC) and landscape change (drainage, runoff) as well as non-fixed factors such as soil chemistry (nutrition, pH) and temporal variability (season, weather). Soil type and landscape change are fixed factors that can be quickly derived through advanced soil surveys.

Yield is a function of soil chemical and physical characteristics and the soil surveys give a complete picture for understanding:

• Water Holding Capacity
• Nutrient Capacity
• Production Potential
• Soil Depth / Root Zone
• Subsoil Constraints

Which all correlate directly to yield potential.

This program is developed to:

• Improve rate and timing of irrigation
• Match rates to yield potential and WHC
• Optimally place soil moisture sensors
• Reduce the stress of irrigation timing
• MAXIMIZE YIELD with EVERY DROP

 YIELD MAPPING

While not at the top of the list for every grower during a typically very rushed time of year yield mapping can provide jewels of insight into what is limiting yield through a field.  By analyzing these maps we can determine the appropriate approach to take to maximize profit for each part of your field.  Allow us to process your yield data to begin the process to a more profitable operation!