Background:
In the challenging 2024 crop season, an Indiana no-till farmer faced the complexities of erratic weather, crop replanting, and tight time management windows. Like many growers, he dealt with soybean replant issues during a busy time. With little time to monitor every field detail, he turned to AGMRI for additional monitoring, aiming to keep his crop on track through the season.
Challenge:
This farmer focused on maximizing his ROI, noticed a suspicious pattern emerging in one of his fields, and reached out to his crop consultant for further assessment. He initially assumed the irregularity was simply an issue of uneven stand emergence due to replanting. After further investigation, the pattern was found to be tied to the planting direction. The farmer had planted soybeans into no-till corn residue, which affected his planter’s performance when crossing rows at an angle. This resulted in uneven soil-to-seed contact, leading to poor emergence and, ultimately, a yield reduction.
Solution:
AGMRI highlighted this issue in aerial imagery by June 20th, helping the farmer realize the need for adjustments. The diagnostic information allowed him to prioritize field operations and deploy resources where necessary, avoiding further losses.
Results:
The farmer plans to improve planter ride quality by adjusting down pressure, controlling speed, and potentially upgrading row cleaners. Planting in alignment with crop rows is also being considered to avoid equipment riding unevenly across rows.
