Farmers are getting more tools in their toolbox, thanks to new research from the University of Missouri that shows how they can tweak planting practices to make the most of every acre.
Traditionally, farmers have applied a one-size-fits-all approach to planting. But that strategy may be leaving profits behind, as not every part of a field performs the same.
With the help of digital technology and artificial intelligence, Mizzou researchers are exploring strategies that allow farmers to manage different parts of a field based on their unique conditions.
“Fields might look the same from the road, but they’re not,” Jasmine Neupane, assistant professor of agricultural systems technology at Mizzou’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources and co-corresponding author, said. “Some areas have better soil and moisture, while others are more prone to erosion or nutrient loss.”
Smarter planting with AI
In many cases, the strategy of planting more seeds to boost production can increase costs without improving returns. To address this, Neupane and her colleagues used an AI model to analyze data from two Ohio farms and show how variable-rate seeding (VRS) can help farmers strike a better balance.
Source : missouri.edu