2021 Spring Insights - Flipbook - Page 18
Drive profitability with field forecasting
The Field Forecasting Tool is your go-to guide for in-season decision-making
Matt VanSloten, Precision Ag Specialist
As we begin to prepare for another growing
season, we must ask ourselves what we have
learned about the last. So, what did we discover
from our 2020 R7 Field Forecasting Tool results?
We collected three tissue samples at two growth
stages throughout the 2020 growing season. The
first sample was taken during the V5-V6 stage, or
what I like to call the “junior high” corn stage. We
begin to see some rapid plant growth resulting
in some awkward-looking plants. As the plant
transitions, it is relying on root absorption for
much of its nutrient uptake.
Any problems that may have occurred during
planting will begin to surface. While this is an
awkward stage for the corn plant, it provides one
of the first opportunities to understand the plant’s
health and any nutrient deficiencies that it may
have.
Figure 1 represents our findings. The black data
line in the green area indicates adequate levels
for this stage of the crop. Yellow points show
responsiveness to treatment, while points in the
red signal a deficiency.
Our samples did not indicate that any nutrient
levels were deficient at the time of testing.
Nitrogen was shown to be in the responsive
zone; however, all other nutrients were adequate
in the sampling. The data represents over 190
tissue samples that were taken during this stage
of growth. Composite soil samples were also
collected at the time of sampling to provide a
control of ‘average field conditions.’
The results from the soil sample can be seen
in Figure 2 - “Average Values from Soil Test.” The
mean phosphorous test value was determined
to be roughly 30 parts per million, a great target
level. Potassium was slightly low at 180 parts per
million. Ideally, potassium levels would be in the
range of 200-223 to not limit crop growth. The
average pH of 6.98 is a neutral environment for
our plants.
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Figure 1.
Figure 2.
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