Great Bend Tribune
Published December 2, 2023
As of Tuesday, November 28 the drought monitor indicates that even with the snow/rainfall this past weekend, our drought status remains unchanged. The area snowfall ranged from around five inches in some places to almost a foot in parts of Safford County. A nice, wet snow that certainly was beneficial, especially with little wind. The six to ten-day outlook (December 5 to 9) indicates a 70 to 80% chance of leaning above normal for temperatures and a 40 to 50% chance of leaning to below normal precipitation. The eight to fourteen-day outlook (December 7 to 13) indicates a 60 to 70% chance of leaning above normal for temperatures and normal to slightly above normal for precipitation.
Recently we discussed the nitrate situation in area groundwater. We have also discussed the declining aquifer and other environmental concerns such as pesticide use and soil erosion. Problem we have to deal with in some fashion. Not just to protect the environment but also to optimize the production of agricultural commodities and keep producers in business and food affordable. One way is through the rapidly evolving field of new ag technologies. Today, let’s explore just a few of the ways this is and will be done.
- The general rule of thumb for new technologies is fairly simple whether in agriculture or not. You can produce the same level with fewer inputs or increase output with the same level of inputs.
- Yield mapping – Breaking down yields across a field over several years and likely several different crops allows a producer to accurately determine the variation across a field. Producers already know variation exists. The next step is to determine why low yielding spots exist. It may be something they can correct or simply poor soil quality for a variety of reasons. The high yields spots could potentially yield even more. By being able to map out these spots and with the aid of precision technologies they can optimize yields across the field by not wasting inputs on the low yielding spots and moving those to the high yielding spots. More efficient economically and you have a decrease risk of polluting the environment with wasted fertilizer or pesticides.
- Grid soil sampling - This allows a producer to more accurately know the variation of soil texture across a field as well as chemical properties such as soil pH and nutrient levels. Combined with precision application, the over and under application of fertilizers and even pesticides can be minimized. This helps the bottom line and helps protect the environment.
- GMO crops such as Bt corn result in decreased pesticide use that not only increases yield but helps protects pollinator species.
- One last example, by knowing your soil type and topography differences under a center pivot irrigation system in combination with variable irrigation application technology, producers can accurately apply the correct amount of water. This mean eliminating unnecessary water application and by minimizing under and over watering will optimize yields and help prevent runoff or leaching to groundwater of farm chemicals.