Precision Agriculture

To properly manage nitrogen, it has been shown that splitting the fertilizer requirement and utilizing side-dressing when the corn is near the V6 stage can help reduce nitrogen loss and ensure application of the correct amount of nitrogen needed for the existing crop.

When the corn is past emergence, we use optical sensors to scan the field. This gives us an individualized, detailed image of the future needs of your crop.

Using these techniques allows to devote attention to each corn plant in each distinct area of your field and you are paying for only what is needed for your individual yield goal.

In order to discover what your crop needs, you need to know what nutrients you already have. ESI will take soil samples before the growing season to calculate and recommend the amount of nutrients needed for the growing season.

Soil samples can be taken using grids or zones.  In grid soil sampling, samples are taken and bagged separately every 2 to 10 acres in a grid composition.  In zone soil sampling, samples are taken and bagged separately for each zone.  Zones are determined via various methods, including previous grid sample results, soil type, topography, and historical yield variations.

A field is not uniform throughout all of its acres.  Differences in soil type, slope of the land, water retention and drainage, and other characteristics create areas of higher or lower potential for yield.  Treating these areas as unique, and planting appropriate populations for each part of the field will optimize yields.  We use a medley of field information and observations to create a variable rate prescription for your planter in order to utilize the potential of your field.

Now that you have yield data from your combine, what do you do with it?  ESI takes planting and yield information from any monitor, compiles the material, and creates usable knowledge to improve your fields AND your yields.