Author: Simer Virk
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Liquid applicators are commonly used to apply different fertilizer solutions and similar to the sprayers, they need to be calibrated properly to apply the desired application rate in gallons per acre (GPA). While the calibration process for liquid fertilizer applicators is similar to the sprayers, the actual rate for the fertilizer can vary greatly from…
Posted in: Machinery Systems -
Broadcast spinner spreaders are one of the most common and widely used application equipment for lime and granular fertilizer. The importance of proper spreader calibration for accurate fertilizer applications has been emphasized many times and it is always good to see growers putting the time and effort into performing a calibration on their spreaders. However,…
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With corn planting underway in some parts of the state, the 2023 planting season is officially here and will be in full swing over the new few weeks. That also means if you have not already, this is the perfect time to perform a thorough inspection and get that planter ready for the field. During…
Posted in: Machinery Systems -
Soil pH variability in agricultural fields is common and needs to be addressed properly to avoid any consequences of low or high soil pH issues later in the growing season. One of the basic precision agriculture practices to address this variability is variable-rate (VR) lime applications. Precision soil sampling – grid or zone – is…
Posted in: Variable-Rate Technology -
Variable-rate application of lime and fertilizer is a common practice to address soil nutrient variability within the agricultural fields. When it comes to precision soil sampling to determine site-specific nutrient requirements, grid sampling still remains one of the most widely used methods due to its ease of implementation and not requiring any additional data layers.…
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With cotton harvest approaching, growers need to start performing necessary maintenance and adjustments to get the cotton pickers ready. One of the most often overlooked areas during this preparation is harvest technology i.e. the yield monitoring components. As cotton yield data is increasingly being used by crop consultants and growers in making crop management decisions,…
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Until now, drones have been primarily used for crop monitoring – especially scouting – in agriculture. However, with recent advancements in aerial application technology and the weather challenges limiting timely pesticide applications with ground equipment, the use of drones for spraying pesticides is gaining significant interest in the United States. While spray drones offer several…
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When it comes to following the best management practices for effective pesticide applications, proper nozzle selection – correct nozzle size and type – is among the top of the list. While almost every nozzle and sprayer manufacturer today have a detailed nozzle selection guide available as both printed and digital (pdf) format, the process in…
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Effective pesticide applications are needed to stay on top of weed, insect, and disease control throughout the growing season. Achieving both the desired spray coverage and efficacy while keeping off-target movement of pesticides to a minimum is a very challenging but an important task. Applications resulting in under- or over-application of pesticides, ineffective coverage, and/or…
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Application of in-furrow granular pesticides is a common practice at planting for pest, disease and nematode management in key row-crops including corn, peanuts and cotton grown in the southeastern US. In-furrow pesticides are important tools for growers to stay on top of pests, diseases and nematodes early in the season as the opportunity for their…