Background
A no-till farmer in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, faced significant hurdles during the spring of 2024. With a busy schedule, he could not perform the usual spring burndown pass before planting. The season was unusually wet, resulting in aggressive weed growth, particularly in the back half of the farm, which was prone to water retention. After harvesting corn in 2023, soybeans were planted on May 13, 2024, followed by a pre-emergence herbicide application. Planting through dense weeds led to poor crop emergence and gaps in the canopy that would later affect yield.
Challenge
The primary concern was ensuring timely planting; however, the dense weed pressure quickly became a pressing issue. Thin canopy coverage allowed weeds to thrive. Although multiple herbicide applications hadn’t been part of the original plan, a post-emergence application on July 7 became necessary due to persistent weed pressure. By that point, a decline in yield was already evident. The farmer sought data analytics to evaluate the extent of the problem and inform his next steps to manage the weed pressure.
Solution
Fortunately, AGMRI provided critical visibility into the problem areas of the fields. By using the weed pressure map and receiving timely alerts, the farmer and his crop consultant were able to pinpoint the spreading weed issue. With this information, they implemented a more aggressive weed management strategy. Initially planning for only one herbicide application, they recognized the need for a second pass to effectively combat the ongoing weed competition. The alerts from AMGRI helped to ensure timely applications, significantly reducing the risk of weed escapes.
Results
Moving forward, the farmer plans to use AGMRI to monitor his field conditions throughout the season. The focus on this field has intensified, especially given that 53% of the area experienced dense weeds, resulting in a yield loss of approximately eight bushels per acre—translating to a financial impact of around $79 per acre. The proactive approach with data-driven insights will help optimize his management practices for upcoming seasons.
