modern agriculture
We don’t take advantage of the precious resources given to us to grow crops for the world. It is our duty to make sure the soil stays pure and the water clean by utilizing modern precision farming practices. We utilize the latest innovations in agriculture technology by using GPS planting. We started collecting and keeping data from every field farmed by keeping track of the average bushel per acre (BPA), guidance lines for planting, every pass of fertilizer and nitrogen application, as well as using yield monitors for every harvest since 1995. This technology and data lets us know how much we are producing on what field, how much fertilizer we are (or aren’t) using, and the exact place to plant seeds to avoid overworking of the soil.
As stewards of the earth, we believe it is our duty to preserve and conserve the soil we farm to feed the world.
SOIL MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES WE USE AT GOULD FARms
GUIDANCE LINES
Lines where the seed is planted to create rows of crops. On most of our farms we have been using the same line since 2004. These lines are repeatable and we can get within an inch of where we planted last time. This helps us to create a controlled traffic pattern across our fields which limits how much ground is affected by the equipment driving across it.
VARIABLE RATE TECHNOLOGY – PLANTING
We have been working with VRT’ing our planting rates for 7 years. This is to try and maximize the yield potential for each part of the field (a zone). And also to try and be as efficient as we can be with our inputs.
NITROGEN APPLICATION
We utilize a system that provides precision placement and row to row accuracy. Error from row to row is less than 3%. This means we are comfortable trying to cut nitrogen rates because we don’t need to over apply to make up for errors in application.
SIDEDRESS
This is a sensor system in conjunction with a nitrogen monitor program to round out our nitrogen program. Our sensor system looks at the corn plants as the sidedress bar is going through the field and adjusting the rate of nitrogen in real time based on the plant health. The goal is to apply just the right amount of nitrogen at the right time.
BUCHELS PER ACRE
Average BPA (bushels per acre) from about 1950 to present using our specialized practices allows us to maximize yield on every acre planted. There is no guessing on our farm about how much is yielded, we know the exact number. This is all thanks to precision agriculture practices.
We employ precision agriculture on all aspects of our farm. EACH AND EVERY pass is recorded and stored so we can analyze different operations years later.
Strip Till
- Soil conservation
- BEST planting conditions
- Nutrient run-off management
Cover Crops
- Soil conservation
- Nutrient runoff management
No-Till
- Soil conservation
- Cost savings
Waterways
- Basic need to maintain senseless erosion
Nitrogen
- Water quality – cost savings only use what is needed – not excessive
- Feed the plant when needed
VRT Fertilizer
- Less fertilizer needed or used
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Hours
Open today | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm |
