Wrapping Up the 2017 Season
By: Katie McWhirter, Precision Ag Specialist
I’ve heard plenty of comments in the last week. “The Pro Farmer tour is saying ‘this.’” “This corn LOOKS good, but across the fence, it doesn’t.” “I think that it paid to do XYZ.” “I think we’re going to see some big variances.” It’s time to ready our combines and ourselves for fall harvest. Yes, it’s that time of year where there is nothing more that we can do for the 2017 crop. The flood of remarks on yield projections and observations reminds me that it is also time to start reflecting and planning.
Here is my challenge for you as you’re in the combine watching the data come across the monitor in real-time:
1. What went well in the 2017 crop year?
Are you satisfied with your nitrogen and/or fertilizer program? If you variable rated (or straight spread) are you seeing a yield response based off of what your soil samples led you to do? Did you use Learning Blocks to check your work? Are you satisfied or not?
We know we can’t control the weather, so it’s crucial to maximize the factors that we can control. Did you do everything you could do that was in your control? If not:
2. What do you want to change in 2018?
Have you heard about what your neighbor is doing in fields that you think look great? Has there been anything that has piqued your interest on AgTalk or other ag media? Have you thought about if this technology/practice could work in your operation? If you would like to incorporate some new changes for the 2018 crop year, how will you know it’s working? Perhaps it’s time to join the ProVantage data analysis group to evaluate what you would like to incorporate in 2018 and to determine if it pays off next fall.
As the 2017 crop year is getting wrapped up, decisions for the 2018 crop need to be in the works. You have many pieces of data; put it to work and let it help guide your decision-making process.
Amber Milder or Katie McWhirter would enjoy learning more about your operation, your goals for 2018, and how they can help make your data work for you.
