Active sensors - whether mounted on the boom of a high-clearance applicator or used to assess crop health manually - are one tool available to help quantify the nitrogen status of a growing crop. Dr. Joshua McGrath, Extension Associate Professor in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences at the University of Kentucky, joins this episode of the FarmBits podcast to talk about active sensors. This conversation covers the theory behind active sensor operation, the versions of active sensors on the market, the research that has been conducted in several regions to determine the efficacy of active sensors, and the realities of using active sensors to improve nitrogen use efficiency in farm operations. Dr. McGrath has a unique path that has led to many valuable experiences working with producers in regions where farm operations fall under significant scrutiny for nitrogen and phosphorous application efficiency, such as the Chesapeake Bay watershed. These experiences have cultivated Dr. McGrath's uniquely valuable perspective on nutrient application challenges and the technologies that are best suited to solve those challenges. Having a thorough understanding of the complexity around active sensors is important for anyone seeking to understand the best approach to improving nitrogen management in the digital age.

Josh's Contact Info:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuammcgrath/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NPK_Professor

Faculty Website: https://pss.ca.uky.edu/person/joshua-mcgrath

Soil Science Website: https://soilscience.ca.uky.edu/

FarmBits Team Contact Info:

E-Mail: [email protected]

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NEDigitalAg

Samantha's Twitter: https://twitter.com/SamanthaTeten

Samantha's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthateten/

Jackson's Twitter: https://twitter.com/jstansell87

Jackson's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacksonstansell/

Opinions expressed by the hosts and guests on this podcast are solely their own, and do not reflect the views of Nebraska Extension or the University of Nebraska - Lincoln.