Article by Dale Cowan
Agronomy Strategy Manager and Senior Agronomist
AGRIS Co-operative - CENTRAL OFFICE
Yield maps offer value beyond just measuring bushels—they provide critical insights into your fields. While yield maps are great "lag" measures, showing what has already happened, they don't explain the "why" behind the results. The real power of yield maps lies in uncovering the underlying factors that affect yield. For example, on fields with sandy knolls that experience droughty conditions we expect the yields to be lower there. We know that wheat grows best at soil pH of 6.8 or greater. What is the pH of that sandy knoll? Maybe it is more than a lack of moisture limiting yields. What are the soil organic matter (SOM ) levels? What is the relationship of potassium to magnesium? A few more insightful questions to investigate.
Working with AGRIS which uses an integrated system to record multiple data points from your fields, can help identify yield-limiting factors. By combining current soil tests, yield maps, and in-season imagery, you gain deeper insights that can inform your crop input decisions.
Soil sampling before planting offers a descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive approach to crop management. Yield maps and imagery can guide where to sample or highlight areas that need additional testing.
One clear use of yield maps is to estimate the crop removal of nutrients, mainly phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). If soil tests show optimal levels, you might choose to replace only the nutrients that were removed at harvest. With yield data in hand, it's easy to run a script that calculates nutrient removal rates and creates an application map targeting areas with variable yield levels. This approach aligns well with the 4R Nutrient Stewardship program when combined with soil sample results.
Digital technology now makes it easier to collect and share data with your service provider. Planter maps, sprayer maps and yield maps along with soil sampling and in-season satellite imagery all contribute to a comprehensive view of your field's annual growth cycle.
Yield mapping, paired with applied technology, offers ample learning opportunities. This is especially true when evaluating new products and practices through our MiField Testing program.
As an industry, we’re slowly transitioning away from an analog to mobile, connected, data-driven systems. We recognize the diversity in how farmers adopt technology – some are fully immersed, while others are at various stages. No matter where you are on this journey, we’re here to support you.
If you need assistance, reach out to your Crop Sales Specialist. They’ll connect you with the rest of our support team and help you get the most out of these advanced tools.
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