By Andi Anderson
For much of agriculture's history, farmers often relied on rough estimates and guesswork to determine the best production practices.
However, in recent years, advancements in scientific understanding and precision technology have allowed farmers to better document the details of their fields, leading to improved outcomes and greater environmental stewardship.
Julie Myers, director of marketing and communications at Luckey Farmers, Inc., has witnessed these advancements firsthand on local farms.
The implementation of the 4R practices—right source, right rate, right time, and right place—has been crucial in this process. "We’re located in the western Lake Erie basin, and it’s important to us to pay attention and reassure the general public that we want to be part of the solution," Myers said.
By adopting the 4R principles, Luckey Farmers has been able to plan and execute agronomic functions more effectively for their customers.
Luckey Farmers, an agricultural cooperative with nine branches, operates 4R-certified agronomy hubs in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. They offer a range of services, including soil testing, grid and zone sampling, variable rate recommendations, and nutrient applications.
The cooperative has also played a key role in helping farmers participate in the statewide H2Ohio Program, which began in the area’s watershed.
Prior to the H2Ohio program, Luckey Farmers was already using 4R methods to create tailored plans for each farmer. These plans, combined with advancements in precision technology, have allowed farmers to document and understand what is happening in their soil more comprehensively.
Around the same time, Luckey Farmers adopted Ag World software, which aggregates field data into an easy-to-use platform. This software enables agronomists and farmers to track soil sampling, nutrient applications, and other field activities seamlessly.
The integration of 4R practices and precision technology has proven invaluable beyond H2Ohio, as it provides farmers with accurate records of field activities. These detailed records not only aid in meeting regulatory requirements but also demonstrate responsible farming practices to the public.
Myers shared an example of a farmer in Ottawa County who, after analyzing soil sampling records, realized he didn’t need to add nutrients to his soil for some time, saving both resources and costs.
"People who aren’t in the agriculture business sometimes see news articles and think farmers are dumping all kinds of fertilizer and chemicals into the soil without regard," Myers said. "Having a historical record of what they’re doing that they can show really helps when they meet with Soil and Water, and it also helps Soil and Water tell a good story that shows we are doing the right things going back to the 4R principles."
As precision technology continues to evolve, farmers are better equipped to document and optimize their production practices, leading to improved outcomes for both their operations and the environment.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski
Categories: Ohio, Sustainable Agriculture