What is agronomy at high resolution?

Jan 28, 2021

Precision ag techniques providing a ROI at the farm level

The modern farmer utilizes many precision ag tools on their operation, the difficult part is figuring out how it can best provide a return on investment.

Wes Anderson discusses how data layers can be used to “prove that these methods of precision agriculture can in fact provide an ROI at the farm level” with attendees of the 2020 Farms.com Virtual Precision Agriculture Conference & Ag Technology Showcase.

Anderson is Senior Fertility Specialist at Croptimistic Technology and CropPro Consulting, working closely with farm clients to enhance their fertility program using SWAT MAP variable rate technology.

He explains that agronomy at a high resolution involves three steps:

Recognize that responses to inputs usually vary across a landscape, not just from field to field.
Map, measure, and manage that variability using data that correctly delineates areas of similar response characteristics.
Apply agronomy to make a recommendation – but at a higher resolution.

“You can [compare] it to TV resolution,” explains Anderson. “Where treating all the wheat on your farm, for example, would be like a 720p resolution screen; managing it field specifically might be more like a 1080p; and now we’re talking about ultra-high definition 4K where we’re looking at differences within a field and across the landscape.”

For soil applied inputs, Croptimistic Technology uses a SWAT MAP (soil, water and topography map) for its base layer.

The red zones below represent Zone 1, the driest parts of the field, which Anderson notes could be related to landscape position or soil texture, while the dark green zones represent Zone 10, the areas of the field that are the wettest.

Example of a SWAT MAP

Using the above as an example, Anderson discusses the variability across the field and what factors are impacting yield.

“To be successful and provide a ROI at the farm level, we need to really understand what the limiting factors are. We don’t need to understand that it’s poor, we need to understand why it’s poor. That’s where a SWAT MAP data layer comes in useful,” says Anderson.

Anderson further explains that a plant’s responsiveness to nutrients is determined by more than just soil test values – nutrient parts per million or pounds per acre are only one measurement.

“Understanding all the differences in the landscape like mineralization potential, that is affected by both organic matter and relative water gradient, are also important factors. That’s where the power of a layer like SWAT MAPS comes in – it really accounts for really all those things,” he says.

Anderson goes on to discuss variable seed rates, in crop fungicide, crop and weed density, irrigation and more.

For more information and practical applications of a SWAT MAP, watch the below video with Anderson.

Photo: swatmaps.com/croptimistic

Video: The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

In the vast prairies of Alberta, Olds College’s Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC) stands as a beacon of innovation and research in the agricultural world. The institution has become a key player in advancing agricultural technologies and practices. The FCDC’s commitment to applied research has driven them to seek effective means of disseminating their findings and creating a positive impact on the farming community.

One such avenue that aligns with their mission is AgSmart, an event dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge agricultural technologies. The coming together of the FCDC’s annual Field Day and Ag Smart has proved to be a natural fit, fostering a synergy that benefits both parties and propels the agriculture industry forward. The FCDC Field Day took part in conjunction with AgSmart for the first time this week on Aug. 1-2 in Olds, Alta. FCDC Program Director Kofi Agblor and Olds College VP of Development Todd Ormann sat down for an interview with Marc Zienkiewicz to discuss the significance of the two events taking part together and what the future holds.

The Intersection of Research and Technology The essence of the FCDC lies in its dedication to plant breeding and new seed varieties, particularly barley and triticale. While conducting research is essential, it becomes meaningful when its benefits are shared with the wider community. This is where AgSmart steps in, providing a key venue for the FCDC to showcase their research. This union between research and technology creates a holistic and enriching experience for farmers, ranchers, and industry professionals, the pair said.

Seeds as Technology For the FCDC, the partnership with AgSmart goes beyond mere event collaboration. It is about creating an environment that bridges the gap between seeds and smart technology, Ormann said. The college believes that for technology to truly revolutionize agriculture, it must begin with a strong foundation — high-quality seeds. As the saying goes, “it all starts with a seed.” To demonstrate this critical aspect, the collaboration aims to showcase the seed value chain as an integral part of the smartphone.

The Birth of a Powerful Alliance The idea of joining forces emerged when staff realized the potential synergy between AgSmart and the FCDC Field Day. With just a few days separating the two events, a proposal was put forward to merge them. The marketing and communications teams from both sides worked seamlessly to ensure the essence of both events remained intact, creating a powerful alliance that leverages the strengths of each, Agblor said.

Driving Advancements in Breeding For Agblor, the partnership with AgSmart has tremendous potential to drive advancements in breeding and other technology. With technologies like drones and imaging becoming integral to phenotyping, breeding is no longer confined to vast fields to assess thousands of plants manually. Instead, it benefits from the data-rich insights brought about by smart technologies. These advancements make breeding more efficient, precise, and instrumental in shaping the future of agriculture.

Overcoming Challenges Together While the partnership between Olds College and Ag Smart has been a resounding success, there are challenges on the horizon. Securing stable funding for long-term breeding initiatives is crucial to sustain progress. The college is committed to navigating these challenges and investing in agriculture’s future sustainably, Agblor said.