Nitrate test aids decision-making
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WAUNAKEE, Wis. – Technologies are increasingly being developed to help farmers make real-time decisions. One of these technologies is 360 SOILSCAN, which enables crop producers or their agronomic service providers to sample and analyze soil samples for nitrate levels in the field.
Jacob Getz of Insight FS of Marxville, Wisconsin, demonstrated the portable soil-sampling system at the Yahara Pride Farms Ag Innovation Day, held Aug. 16 in Waunakee. The 360 SOILSCAN box can be operated from the back of a pickup truck or an all-terrain vehicle. The box contains materials needed to measure nitrate ions in a soil sample, including nitrate calibrating solution, sensor, container for distilled water and mixing unit. It also includes a connection for an iPad on which the user can read soil-test results as well as enter information such as farm name, tracking number, sample number and GPS coordinates. The 360 SOILSCAN by 360 Yield Center app is available at the iTunes-Apple application store.
Innovation Day showcases manure management
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WAUNAKEE, Wis. – Low-disturbance manure-injection systems, along with manure composting and aeration equipment, are hopes – hopes of farmers who want to improve and protect land and water resources.
They are part of sustainable farming technologies and practices used to protect the Yahara River Watershed. The manure-injection systems are made to cut through field residue, lift soil and inject manure. As the name suggests, the systems create little soil disturbance and so preserve soil and crop residue. They also help to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus losses.
System automates, speeds soil sampling
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WAUNAKEE, Wis. – Several technologies to improve soil and water quality were demonstrated during the Yahara Pride Farms Ag Innovation Day, held Aug. 16 in Waunakee. Among the technologies was an automated soil-sampling system made by Falcon Soil Technology, headquartered in Monroe, North Carolina. The system was developed to make soil sampling faster and more accurate with less labor requirements. It also can be used with GPS-enabled soil-sampling software systems, said Dustin Blunier, product manager for Falcon and a certified crop advisor.