New Tech Peaks Farmers’ Interest

Nov 20, 2018

Can DNA testing protect crops from disease?

One of the exciting presentations held at the 2018 Farms.com Western Precision Agriculture Conference and Ag Technology Showcase on November 15, was by a DNA company, the topic was “bringing precision agriculture to farmers through genomics”.

Quantum Genetix does DNA testing for livestock and plants. The company has a rapid DNA test called Q-Protect which can be used to help farmers determine the risk and severity of developing Sclerotia, Fusarium, Aphanomyces, and Club Rot.

The Q-Protect collection kits are used to collect plant samples from the field and send to the lab to show the level of spore activity. These test results are used to determine fungicide timing and efficiency and used to avoid unnecessary spray application. In some cases, the test results are available the next day, allowing the farmer to act quickly to protect their crops.

To make it even more user-friendly, Quantum Genetix will be launching its new Q-Protect mobile app by the spring of 2019. The app will better assist in fungicide management decisions and allow producers to easily compare the cost of spraying to the disease risk.

Quantum Genetix also provides livestock solutions for herd improvement, performance traits, optimal carcass growth, and food safety.

More than 350 people attended the 2018 Farms.com Western Precision Agriculture Conference and Ag Technology Showcase held in Saskatoon. To learn more about the 2019 Farms.com Precision Agriculture Conference and Ag Technology Showcase in London, Ontario, visit https://www.farms.com/precision-agriculture/eastern-conference-2019/.

Video: Sulfur Foundations in High Yield Soybeans

This presentation was recorded at Illinois Soybean Association's Better Beans event on January 11, 2024 in Bloomington, IL. Shaun Casteel, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Agronomy and Extension Soybean Specialist for Purdue University. Dr. Casteel was born and raised on the family farm in east-central Illinois. He earned his B.S. in Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois, his M.S. in Crop Science and his Ph.D. in Soil Science at North Carolina State University. He has given over 850 invited presentations to 60,000 people across the country and world. Key areas of interest include: sulfur synergies, precision management of resources and practices; integration of soil characteristics, nutrient inputs, and crop physiology; and the influence of agronomic practices on yield physiology of soybean. His practical research also extends to field-scale trials with seeding rates, sulfur, and intensive management of soybean. You can follow him on his podcast Purdue Crop Chat