Browse Integrative Precision Agriculture Stories - Page 4

Following the cancellation of 2020’s event, nearly 90,000 attendees were excited to return to Spence Field for the 2021 Sunbelt Agricultural Expo where they tested out agriculture’s newest technologies, learned about exciting research developments, and interacted with agricultural professionals from across the United States.

With the harvest season in full swing, October brings the welcome return of two of the largest events of the year for the agricultural and environmental science communities: the Georgia National Fair and the Sunbelt Agricultural Expo.

When it comes to taking care of a lawn — whether at home or on a golf course — proper watering makes the difference between a beautiful landscape and a muddy mess. Knowing when and where to water turfgrass can be a tricky process, but thanks to a group of researchers at the University of Georgia and Rutgers University, lawn irrigation could soon be much easier to handle.

Anyone familiar with agriculture knows that a successful harvest largely relies on environmental factors. An especially hot summer with no rain in sight or poor soil quality can cause as many problems as a late cold snap right in the middle of planting season. Often farmers must rely on trial and error to get the best results. But for agricultural scientists, the guessing game can be reduced thanks to a computer software program called Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT).

Due to high consumer expectations, farmers and agricultural producers are constantly under pressure to deliver their products at higher yields for cheaper prices. This may seem like an impossible combination of demands, but University of Georgia Cooperative Extension researchers are developing precision agriculture methods to make the planting process more efficient for farmers while protecting profits.

Georgia producers have a new precision agriculture resource to enhance productivity on their farms.

Lee Nunn of Madison, Georgia, planted his first wheat crop on 50 acres of his wife’s family farm when it became available to rent just over a dozen years ago. He quickly realized his passion for farming and began renting more land, now growing wheat, soybeans, field peas, corn and cotton on more than 1,500 acres.

The illuminated light bulb. It’s the symbol of a great idea come to life.

A cotton farmer who uses yield maps while he finishes harvesting this year’s crop could potentially increase his yields next season while becoming more efficient with input costs, according to University of Georgia Precision Agriculture Specialist Wes Porter.