Extension:
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News, News Release, Radio Release, Pubs, Extension Pubs, Teaching, Research

Precision Farming Series:

Precision Farming - A Comprehensive Approach 442-500 PDF

Precision Farming Tools: Light Bar Navigation 442-501 PDF

Precision Farming Tools: Yield Monitor 442-502 PDF

Precision Farming Tools: Global Positioning System - GPS 442-503PDF

Precision Farming Tools: GIS 442-504 NEW (developing)

Precision Farming Tools: VRA 442-505 NEW PDF

Precision Farming Tools: Remote Sensing 442-506 NEW (developing)

Precision Farming Tools: Map-based vs Sensor-Based 442-507 NEW (developing)

Precision Farming Tools: Soil Electrical Conductivity 442-508 PDF

Interpreting Yield Maps - I gotta Yield Map, Now What? 442-509 PDF

Precision Farming Tools: Spatial Insect Management 442-510 PDF (in review)

Other VCE Extension Publications:

Precision Farming Projects:

Using Electrical Conductivity to Establish Management Zone in Coastal Piedmont Soils.

Electrical conductivity has been shown to be correlated to soil texture, organic matter and salinity issues. The project goal is to use a Veris cart, which measures EC, and with other data such as aerial photo's and soils maps to establish management zones from geo-referenced data. From these management zones and EC readings, adjust the yield potential and the other agronomic inputs to maximize the economic return for each management zone. See display. Also review: Soil Electrical Conductivity Mapping, Effective Management Zone Strategies, Soil Electrical Conductivity Mapping, and others.

Currently looking for row-crop producers that have taken yield data and looking at developing management zones.

Precision Planting - Using the Meter Max Device

Accuate planting and seed placement has found to improve yield by 3-5 bushels per acre. This program has the goals to encourage producers to annually and frequently adjust and test the seed metering devices from their planter and to demonstrate that spacing and population have an influence on corn productivity. This program also discusses devices such as row-clean mechanisms, seed firmer and other devices that will improve planter performance in both conventional and no-till practices.

The Meter Max is an effective and proven method of fine-tuning and adjusting planter meters. The unit has been made mobile with rolling-casters and can be moved to locations for demonstration. Read more about the advantages using the Meter-Max see: Calibrated vs Non-Calibrated Trials, The Value of Planter Calibration Using the MeterMax System, Benefits of Improved Plant Spacing in Corn, and others.

A project is also looking at ways to improve soybean seed spacing and influence from several planter/drill comparisons. See Drills vs. Planters for No-till Double-Crop Soybean: Agronomics, Economics, and Equipment Setup: A Preliminary Report for additional details. See display.

Adopting Precision Farming Technologies

This educational program is focused on the adoption and use of precision farming tools. There are several upcoming educational materials that are being developed and demonstrations being implemented.

Posters for LightBar Navigation and Precision Farming Tools used at several Virginia Field Days and Equipment Shows.

News, Pubs, Extension, Teaching, Research