Precision agriculture is maturing quickly as a host of electronic systems keep implements on track and running at the proper depth and moving across fields in repeatable passes that vary less than an inch from one another.
Precision agriculture is maturing quickly as a host of electronic systems keep implements on track and running at the proper depth and moving across fields in repeatable passes that vary less than an inch from one another.
For growers already utilizing irrigation to grow their crops, chemigation — applying agrichemicals through an irrigation distribution system — offers an alternative to other application methods. The method can be used to apply a variety of chemicals, from fertilizers to livestock waste, insecticides, herbicides and more.
Research at Oklahoma State University on nitrogen uptake in corn has shown that almost two-thirds of the nitrogen is taken up within 7 inches of the plant, according to Ron Lloyd, director of agronomy for 360 Yield Center, Morton, Ill. In corn, he says, “We know that most corn roots are within 4-6 inches horizontally of the stalk.”
There’s just no winning with weeds. If we don’t kill them, they’ll choke out our crops and devastate yields. In earlier days, we removed them by labor intensive hoeing and cultivating. More recently we started spraying herbicides to control them. Unfortunately, this unwanted vegetation figured out how to beat the most common of the weed killers being used, leaving us with as big of a problem, we had before we started spraying.
Nozzles are typically the least costly items on a sprayer, but they are key to the final outcome from a spraying job: achieving maximum efficacy from the pesticide applied while reducing the off-target (drift) movement of pesticides to a minimum. Pesticides work well if the rates on labels are achieved during application. This can be achieved only if the right nozzle type and the proper size of the nozzles are on the sprayer — and the sprayer is operated properly.
Richard Preston says his Kentucky grain farm represents the “worst-case scenario” for efficiently and responsibly spraying chemicals. His fields are located between creeks and timber and back up to ever-growing residential areas near Elizabethtown, Ky.
The “precision placement of chemicals” and “consistent application within a targeted coverage” area that Ken Giles spoke of 5 years ago is a reality today, and is often referred to as “site-specific management” or, in some cases, “variable-rate application."
When it comes to nutrient application, “The focus of the industry has to be the 4 R’s,” says James Fehr. “We’ve got to make sure we’re constantly talking about the right source, right rate, the right place, the right time.”
While aerial application of pesticides is still utilized extensively, on-the-ground sprayers continue to gain favor for applying crop chemicals. In all likelihood, their use will continue to expand, especially with the introduction of newer precision technologies with the capability to reduce chemical usage through site-specific application methods.
At the 2026 Farm Progress Show, Franklin Peitz, Digital Product Marketing Lead with John Deere Operations Center reassures growers that they have the right to their own data.
Since 1980, A&I Products has become a leading manufacturer and wholesale distributor of aftermarket replacement parts for the agricultural, turf, and industrial equipment markets. A&I Products' experience and expertise has greatly contributed to the company's reputation as a top supplier of quality, reasonably priced parts. Founded with roots as a small machine shop and repair facility, the company made the transition by manufacturing new parts to replace those that were identified as commonly needing repair. Throughout the 1980s, the company quickly garnered a reputation for offering quality parts at a reasonable price.
Built on 90 years of expertise, Yetter Farm Equipment leads the agriculture industry in designing effective and innovative equipment for residue management, seedbed preparation, precision fertilizer placement, harvest attachments, strip-tillage, and more.
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