Equipment & Technology

The Tassel Count analytics product will be available to all Sentera FieldAgent customers in March 2020. Instead of forecasting yield with a few spot samples, Sentera Tassel Count analytics tool allows users to more precisely calculate yields using tassel population data gathered across the entire field. Understanding tassel population can also help to more accurately time the application of certain ... Read More »

A small, handheld device may soon have a big impact in farming. The device is a Raman spectrometer. Raman spectroscopy measures how molecules scatter harmless laser light and has been found by Texas A&M AgriLife research scientists as a quick, accurate, nondestructive, and portable way to scan produce for its nutrient content. Dmitry Kurouski, assistant professor of biochemistry and biophysics, ... Read More »

Stored grains can be heavily damaged by insects if they are not properly conditioned and protected. Small grains, including wheat, are harvested in spring and stored through the hottest and most humid months of the year. Reducing the likelihood of insect problems in stored grain begins with cleaning equipment that will be used to harvest, handle and store the grain. ... Read More »

Editor’s Note: Reports in this month’s Corn South Market Outlook are from Mark Welch, Texas AgriLife Extension economist, with Regional agronomist, Brandon A. Dillard, of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, offering four points to help producers increase efficiency and profitability in 2015. The opinions and recommendations expressed are solely those of the authors and are intended for educational purposes only. ... Read More »

I read a quote that describes the business of farming: “It’s funny how day by day, nothing changes. But when you look back, everything is different.” Year by year, you seem to do pretty much the same thing – acreage and crops may change with rotations, weather is always a questionable factor and farm policy changes every few years. Otherwise, ... Read More »

Last year, in some cases, corn that was harvested in Mississippi was what could generally be considered highmoisture corn. Some farmers received a premium by harvesting high-moisture corn and taking it straight to the elevator. However, managing high-moisture corn is not easy since corn that goes directly into on-farm storage needs to be quickly dried to less than 15 percent ... Read More »

I’ve always been intrigued by quotes that contain the words “dawn” and “dusk.” Just a personal quirk, I suppose. I lean more toward dawn, with its promise of a new beginning, although dusk does not necessarily signify the beginning of the end. Instead, perhaps it serves as a precursor to the dawn, or the starting over. Following are a few ... Read More »

Accurately assessing soil moisture affects water management decisions By Dr. Erick Larson Last year, dry early season conditions prompted much conversation about the proper time to initiate irrigation for corn. This scenario usually generates a lot more anxiety than necessary because early season wilting is certainly not something we are very accustomed to. The simple answer is that irrigation should ... Read More »

Use multiple sites of action to manage/prevent development of herbicide-resistant weeds. As the spread of resistant weeds continues, the term “site of action” is becoming a factor in managing resistance. It is imperative that growers understand herbicide site of action – and what it means to their weed management plan – because it can spell the difference between losing yield ... Read More »

Fertility treatment options and hybrid testing program benefit corn producers By Rick Mascagni After the investments in land and equipment, two of the largest costs that corn farmers have each year are fertilizer and seed. That’s where Rick Mascagni’s research benefits Louisiana corn growers. Mascagni, a researcher at the LSU AgCenter’s Northeast Research Station in St. Joseph, conducts trials with ... Read More »