What are farmers reporting from the field?</

May 07, 2013

Farmers provide a snapshot into planting progress through Tweets

Not only have farmers been busy planting in the field, but they have also been live reporting from the field through Twitter using the hashtags - #fromthefield and #plant13. Farmers from across the United States and Canada have been sharing information on things like - field conditions, types of crops they’re planting, pictures of equipment, perspectives from the field and more.

Last Friday, Farms.com encouraged farmers to not only engage on Twitter by using the popular #plant13 hashtag, but also to do some self-reporting #fromthefield in a meaningful way. Judging by the number of tweets, farmers seem to enjoy sharing their perspectives from the field and are quick to respond to follow-up questions.

The diversity in the types of crops farmers grow and were they’re reporting from has also enhanced the experience for those following the tweets. But perhaps the neatest aspect about this exercise is getting the unique perspective from the field from the farmers themselves. For one thing, during planting season – when a farmer snaps a picture of their office it may not be what you think. The office pictures are not of a desk and computer inside an office building, but rather from the cab of a tractor. Here are a few highlights of what farmers have shared thus far:

Types of crops they're planting

Equipment pictures

Views from their office

Crops already growing

Interesting finds

Related stories:
Farmers begin reporting from the field

Reporting from the field: Call to action for farmers

Video: Dr. Emerson Nafziger: Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates for Corn

The Crop Science Podcast Show, Dr. Emerson Nafziger from the University of Illinois breaks down decades of nitrogen research. From the evolution of N rate guidelines to how soil health and hybrid genetics influence nitrogen use efficiency, this conversation unpacks the science behind smarter fertilization. Improving how we set nitrogen fertilizer rates for rainfed corn is a key focus. Discover why the MRTN model matters more than ever, and how shifting mindsets and better data can boost yields and environmental outcomes. Tune in now on all major platforms!

"The nitrogen that comes from soil mineralization is the first nitrogen the plant sees, and its role is underestimated."

Meet the guest:

Dr. Emerson Nafziger is Professor Emeritus of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with degrees in agronomy from Ohio State, Purdue, and Illinois. His research has focused on nitrogen rate strategies and crop productivity. He co-developed the Maximum Return to Nitrogen (MRTN) model, which is widely used across the Midwest. His research spans N response trials, hybrid interactions, crop rotation effects, and yield stability.