Agronomy and Genetics in Precision Agriculture

Apr 20, 2015

2015 Precision Agriculture Breakout Session

By Jean-Paul McDonald, Farms.com

What are you doing to address yield variability? If you’re still trying to figure out the answer, you’re not alone. Derek Freitag, Canada Technology Development Lead with Monsanto talked about agronomy with a group at the 2015 Precision Agriculture Conference late February, in London, ON.

Incorporating decisions such as what you are going to plant, which hybrids you are going to use, how you’re going to plant it, as well as how you’re going to feed the crop, and how you’re going to protect the product into one solution can be intimidating and overwhelming. When looking at increasing your average yield, the bottom line is – you can’t increase it if you don’t fix the problem areas and you don’t maximize the good spots.

Freitag described two components that are key when looking at yield variability and precision agriculture tools; the first component is knowing the genetics and agronomy around these genetics, as this information will help in decision making to maximize the yield. The second component is getting the seed into the ground. Utilizing the rights tools can help ensure the product is planted and provided the right nutrition to get maximum results.

There are a variety of tools that can help producers make informed decisions when it comes to planting and increasing their yield, including Monsanto’s Climate Corporation platform of products, a suite of digital agriculture tools that together, provide convenience, choice, ease of use and integration.

“In order to maximize the tool, it’s important to know the genetics of the item that is being planted, as well as having the best technology to get these tools in the ground,” said Freitag.

Some other tools that are available to help increase your yield, include DEKALB’s Population Calculator App and Precision Planting’s vSet vacuum meter. The DEKALB Plant Population Calculator App is a tool that provides farmers planting corn and soybeans with the recommended planting populations for their crops. Precision planting’s vSet vacuum meters allows producers to get higher accuracy, resulting in higher yields. It offers flexibility for different seeds and shapes and works with most planters.

For more information on addressing yield variability, visit The Climate Corporation website.

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.