Ag Geek Speak

Join Sarah and Jodi as they discuss the role of satellite imagery, its various sources, and how to select quality satellite imagery for use in precision agriculture applications.

Jodi and Sarah cover NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) analysis and its relationship with crop yield, guiding smarter management of field crops. They share real-world experiences with tools like ADMS and insights into sourcing reliable imagery from platforms like Sentinel, NAIP, and Landsat. This is a great episode to listen to if you want to learn how to overcome challenges like cloud cover and smoke, blend resolutions for more accurate maps, and unlock the secrets to creating actionable zone maps.

Whether you're a precision ag pro or just starting your journey, this episode delivers practical tips and a fresh perspective on using technology to manage field variability. Tune in and take your crop production to the next level!

Tiny Bytes Episode 5: Raster Monster! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/15509080

ADMS https://gktechinc.com/adms-product/ and GK Server access information: https://gktechinc.com/consultants/

Unearth the secrets of soil science with our insightful guest, Tom DeSutter, as we navigate the fascinating landscape of soil classification and its vital role in agriculture. Discover how the unique vertisol soils of North Dakota's Red River Valley challenge and inspire local farmers, and learn why understanding soil taxonomy is akin to mastering the Latin naming system for plants and animals. Gain a deeper appreciation for the impact of soil composition on farming decisions, and how the presence of clays like smectite can shape agricultural practices.

Journey with us as we address the challenges of managing soil pH and salinity, particularly in arid climates. Explore the delicate balance of hydrogen ions and nutrient availability, and why substances like calcium carbonate are essential in neutralizing acidity, while gypsum isn't the magic fix for pH woes. Unravel common misconceptions about soil salinity in areas such as the Northern Great Plains, and understand the practical strategies farmers employ to maintain productive, healthy soils despite the presence of diverse salts.

Join us for a captivating conversation with Dr. Tom DeSutter from North Dakota State University as he unravels the mysteries of landscape variability. Dr. DeSutter's expertise offers a fresh perspective on the delicate balance between soil health and agricultural sustainability, particularly in the unique terrains of North Dakota.

In this episode, Sarah and Jodi explore the incredible technology that allows us to monitor plant health and field conditions from afar. Join us as we venture beyond the field and into the sky, where drones equipped with cutting-edge hyperspectral and thermal imaging sensors provide new insights into crop temperatures and plant species and satellites watch our crops from miles above the earth.

Sarah and Jodi discuss drain tile and its ability to manage excess water. Through vivid analogies and expert insights, Sarah helps us understand the historical transformation of drain tiles from traditional clay to modern perforated plastic pipes, while shedding light on how soil texture and organic matter uniquely influence water retention and drainage. Gain a comprehensive understanding of the inherent nature of these soil properties and their pivotal role in effective water management.

The strategic use of drain tiles can lower water tables and prevent and/or mitigate salinization, a significant hurdle for producers in the upper Northern Great Plains. If you are a farmer or consultant who wants to design your own drain tile plan or have someone help you put together a tile drainage plan, give us a call at GK Technology. GK's ADMS software provides all of the tools you need to design your own tile drainage plan so you can start managing subsoil moisture.

Join us for an enlightening discussion with John Breker from AGVISE Laboratories as he shares cutting-edge insights into managing soils with low and high pH, plus insights on managing soil potassium. Discover how variable rate applications and the precision of zone and grid sampling can pinpoint soil pH variability within your fields, leading to more practical and accurate lime applications. 

The conversation then broadens to address high soil pH levels and the crucial role of potassium in crop yield. John discusses the impracticality of large-scale pH reduction with elemental sulfur, suggesting more viable solutions like banding phosphorus and using chelated zinc starters. Additionally, he highlights the often-overlooked importance of potassium management, particularly in regions with fluctuating wet and dry cycles. This episode underscores the necessity of precision soil management in identifying specific areas needing attention, whether it's pH or nutrient issues, and how these insights can transform your soil management practices.

Ever wondered why your shapefiles have more than one file? Discover the critical components that make up a shapefile and why each one is essential for accurate GIS and Precision Agriculture tasks. In this episode, we unpack the mystery behind shapefiles, explaining the roles of the four crucial files: .shp, .shx, .dbf, and .prj. Learn how these files collaborate to manage geometry, position, attributes, and projections, ensuring your data is complete and functional.

Say goodbye to shapefile confusion and hello to streamlined GIS tasks with confidence! Tune in to elevate your understanding and application of shapefiles.

Cover art meme from: https://www.reddit.com/r/gis/comments/1c2dhc0/this_still_happens_to_others_too_right/

Sound effects in this episode from: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/livechat-129007/ and https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/censor-beep-88052/

Get the download on soil tests and what they actually mean in our latest episode of Ag Geek Speak featuring AGVISE Laboratories' John Breker. We dive into the world of soil testing methods, breaking down the pros and cons of phosphorus tests like Olsen and Bray, and the "new" Mehlich-3 method. Discover why Olsen is often preferred in the Great Plains and how the Mehlich-3 method, despite its promise as a universal extraction tool, might over-extract in calcareous soils. The discussion highlights the importance of selecting the right soil test for accurate nutrient analysis, a crucial step for any farmer or agronomist looking to optimize crop yields.

Managing soil pH and tackling nutrient deficiencies, especially iron deficiency chlorosis in soybeans, can be challenging. John provides an in-depth look at the role of calcium carbonate and the necessity of specific soil tests to combat IDC effectively. We also explore concepts like reserve acidity and cation exchange capacity, explaining how soil texture influences these factors and the difference between water pH and buffer pH. If you're keen on practical strategies for managing soil fertility and improving crop yields, this episode is a treasure trove of knowledge. Tune in and equip yourself with actionable insights from one of the field's leading experts!

In this episode, we unpack the intricacies of soil test phosphorus methods and reveal why not all tests are created equal. We break down the specifics of the Bray 1, Olsen, and Mehlich-3 methods, explaining how they each cater to different soil conditions. Whether you're dealing with acidic, neutral, or calcareous soils, understanding the right test for your soil type can make a difference in your phosphorus fertilizer plan.

Ever wondered why a single phosphorus test doesn't fit all fields? We highlight the Olsen method's superiority in the northern Great Plains given the region's calcareous soils and weigh the advantages and limitations of the versatile Mehlich-3 method. The episode also delves into the concept of calibration and the essential role of university-led yield trials in developing precise fertilizer guidelines. 

Iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC) in soybeans can be a formidable challenge. What if you could manage it with precision agriculture? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Professor Emeritus Dr. R. Jay Goos, a leading authority in the topic, as we discuss how farmers can pinpoint and treat IDC in their fields. Dr. Goos delves into the intricate world of breeding IDC-resistant soybean varieties and discusses the vital role of resources like NDSU's IDC variety trials (https://vt.ag.ndsu.edu/view/6750). 

What are some ways that IDC can be managed with precision agriculture methods? Dr. Goos, Sarah, and Jodi discuss. Knowing previous crop history and collecting satellite imagery from soybean years can be put together to create "IDC" management zones that can be targeted for management. These IDC maps can help direct the use of iron EDDHA fertilizers, variable seeding rates, and variable fertilizer rates to manage soybean IDC.

Ever wonder why old herbicides are making a comeback? Dr. Goose draws fascinating parallels between agricultural trends and fashion cycles, emphasizing the importance of increasing soybean density to combat IDC. From soil testing techniques to the potential of precision agriculture, we cover it all. Finally, we'll take a closer look at advancements in North Dakota agriculture, from managing salt-affected soils to the pivotal role of research extension centers and the North Dakota State Board of Agriculture Research and Education in driving agricultural innovation. 

Tune in for these insights and more!