Using Variable-Rate to Optimize Input Efficiency

Mar 09, 2020


Time is money. And in today’s ag economy, you can’t afford to waste either one.
 
Variable-rate planting and applications can help you allocate your in-field investments more precisely and place seed and other inputs where they will perform optimally. Here are some tips to create effective variable-rate prescriptions for the upcoming season.
 
1. Consult your trusted advisor.
There’s a lot that goes into generating a good variable-rate prescription, so contact your agronomist now for help. Tell him or her about your goals, your opportunities and what you’re doing now. Your agronomist will then use this information to develop the nuts and bolts of your prescriptions, saving you time. 

2. Place seed properly.
A professionally prepared field prescription will help you plant the right seed in the right place at the right rate. Essentially, the prescription is a map your planter monitor reads that lets it know which zones of your fields will get what rates of seed.
 
Using the R7® Tool by WinField United, your agronomist can create zones for different areas, with each aspect of your field comprising a “layer” of the prescription map. Those layers can include variables such as soil type, historical yield data and prior fertility rates. Collectively, these factors will let you know what plant populations to use in different areas to achieve the greatest potential outcome.   
 
3. Determine nutrient needs.
Soil sampling is a good start for any fertility program, and using historical yield data, in-season imagery or other available satellite imagery helps increase the accuracy of variable-rate prescriptions. Work with your trusted advisor to determine optimal soil test timing for this spring. Test results will identify available nutrients in the soil, allowing you to address nutrient deficiencies and improve the nutritional profile of your fields.
 
4. Apply nutrients as needed.
Proper nutrient management can help you budget in-field resources better, thus optimizing your return on investment potential. For example, you may have one area that requires more lime than another does. It doesn’t make sense to put the same rate of lime on both places. You can also use variable-rate prescriptions to allocate other inputs, such as fungicides.
 
Making your inputs count
No two fields are equal. The goal of any variable-rate prescription is to improve ROI potential by prioritizing input allocations. Talk with your local Co-op agronomist today about how you can partner to create the prescriptions that work best with your field variability and your budget, and help you reach your yield and ROI goals.
 
 
This article, written by Kelsey Berger, was originally published by WinField United in March 2018. This is an updated version republished by WinField on January 2019.
 
 
 

Read More News

Sep 05, 2023
Knox Farmers Cooperative new drone service creates spray application options for East Tennessee farmers
 
Aug 21, 2023
Tennessee Quail Forever is known for its efforts to promote conservation methods to enhance the habitat of upland birds and other wildlife. Since spring of 2021, the organization has been working with farmers to use precision agriculture tools to identify unprofitable portions of fields and assist them in converting these areas to wildlife habitat. The effort has the potential to improve conservation efforts, while helping farmers improve their return on investment. 
 
Aug 07, 2023
As the world continues to recover from a global pandemic that exposed America’s dependence on foreign fuels, fertilizers, and other goods and services, new technologies and strategies are emerging quickly. The past three years of upheaval have prompted many Americans to consider different, non-traditional options for accomplishing things that only a few years ago were often taken for granted.