Abstract
In 2005, West Virginia University Extension funded a demonstration of precision soil sampling and precision nutrient management. West Virginia University Extension Service partnered with a crop consultant and ‘custom applicator’ (Fullen Fertilizer) to perform this task. In 2006 11 land owners consigned 272 hectares to an expanded demonstration. These farms were soil sampled using conventional (0.56 hectares per sample) and precision (0.76 hectares per sample) method. WVU Extension paid for the conventionally taken samples. The individual soil data points were used to determine the number of hectares represented by the sample, the soil type and yield potential for alfalfa, mixed grass and corn from soil survey. Results showed that precision sampling and application required more lime than recommended by conventional sampling. Precision management required more phosphorous and less potash on fewer hectares than recommended by conventional management. Where higher recommendations for fertilizer and lime were called for using precision sampling it is assumed that crop yields would be higher since the crop needs were not being fully met using conventional sampling techniques. Extension education through presentations, a field day and farmer to farmer talks resulted in 625 additional hectares being sampled. Over 647 hectares received precision application of lime, phosphorous and potash. This occurred on five of the twelve co-operators and eight new land owners. Producers have used this information to change management practices including using mineral feeders and hay placement to guide cattle to specific field areas to redistribute nutrients, and delineate areas for variable nutrient application using conventional equipment. Acquisition of precision tools has increased in the area. Private consultants are partnering to help farmers interpret collected data.
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Claims 0
Judged adjacent: soil study without a plant endpoint — claims were not extracted. This is a scope decision by the model, not a statement about the paper’s findings.