OSU Researcher Finds Precision Farming Pays Dividends

Apr 20, 2015

Technology is helping farmers reduce their application of nutrients to fields, while reducing input costs, which has become increasingly important with low commodity prices. Grid sampling has been used widely in the Midwest and that technology has been more widely available for Oklahoma farmers.

Oklahoma State University Precision Nutrient Management Specialist Brian Arnall said he is seeing an increasing number of grid samples and as more farmers buy more advanced equipment they are adopting variable rate seeding and fertilization.

With Oklahoma’s variable terrain, Arnall said fields change in soil texture, slope and soil type. With the low crop prices, he believes this is the optimal time for farmers to maximize the benefits of their inputs. With grid sampling, he said they are able to identify those areas that need lime, phosphorus, potassium, etc. After the cost of soil sampling, he has seen farmers save $1,500 - $6,000 over a single field.

Arnall said OSU continues to evaluate the micronutrients for canola. He said sulfur is a primary nutrient for the crop. In areas with ph levels of 7.5 and higher, he said they are see more response to zinc, iron and manganese.

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Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.