WHAT EXACTLY IS DATA?
As we enter yet another growing season, there is one old saying that still holds true; “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” Hybrids, varieties, fertility, weather, commodity prices, etc. all change at a rapid pace. Growers wanting to achieve maximum productivity per acre with the least amount of inputs is a constant. So how do we get these to counteractive principles to coexist on a daily basis? It can be done by using all disposable information available to make the most educated decision at a given moment. This information is called DATA. Data can come in all shapes and sizes. It can be from personal experience on a specific field or farm, a trusting neighbor over morning coffee, your seed/fertilizer/chemical sales rep, news articles, research papers, extension service, satellite imagery, drone pictures, field scouts, etc. Data can be a powerful thing if used properly, and from a reliable source. For example, knowing GDU (growing degree units) or GDD (growing degree days) coupled with consistent crop scouting in order to accurately predict crop grow stage is a valuable data point for optimum timing of foliar fertilization. Many articles come across my email on a daily basis having to do with data. Below are just a few examples: https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/cpr/plant-science/preliminary-results-soybean-survey-2015-05-05-16 http://farmprogress.com/story-afbf-farmers-want-control-own-data-8-141251-nl_7_nlr_11?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=13+May+2016&YM_RID=214252138 http://www.scienceworldreport.com/articles/13875/20140406/using-big-data-to-revolutionize-agriculture.htm http://deltafarmpress.com/blog/ownership-ag-data-still-not-legally-established-principle?NL=DFP-01&Issue=DFP-01_20160517_DFP-01_231&sfvc4enews=42&cl=article_1&utm_rid=CPG02000000693141&utm_campaign=9689&utm_medium=email&elq2=ead43bc02fb840dcbf696944f2231fbfhttp://growingminnesota.com/features/2016/05/study-gmo-crops-safe-human-consumption/?utm_source=Growing+Minnesota&utm_campaign=937c47017a-growingnorthcarolina-daily_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f0fcfd69a7-937c47017a-296641113 Use every available data point to make the most of your crop during 2016. Don’t be afraid to ask for more information and/or get clarification when using outside data when making on-farm decisions. Your lending institution will ask those same questions of you! - Tommy Roach, Director of Specialty Products & Product Development
As we enter yet another growing season, there is one old saying that still holds true; “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” Hybrids, varieties, fertility, weather, commodity prices, etc. all change at a rapid pace. Growers wanting to achieve maximum productivity per acre with the least amount of inputs is a constant. So how do we get these to counteractive principles to coexist on a daily basis? It can be done by using all disposable information available to make the most educated decision at a given moment. This information is called DATA.
Data can come in all shapes and sizes. It can be from personal experience on a specific field or farm, a trusting neighbor over morning coffee, your seed/fertilizer/chemical sales rep, news articles, research papers, extension service, satellite imagery, drone pictures, field scouts, etc. Data can be a powerful thing if used properly, and from a reliable source. For example, knowing GDU (growing degree units) or GDD (growing degree days) coupled with consistent crop scouting in order to accurately predict crop grow stage is a valuable data point for optimum timing of foliar fertilization. Many articles come across my email on a daily basis having to do with data. Below are just a few examples:
http://deltafarmpress.com/blog/ownership-ag-data-still-not-legally-established-principle?NL=DFP-01&Issue=DFP-01_20160517_DFP-01_231&sfvc4enews=42&cl=article_1&utm_rid=CPG02000000693141&utm_campaign=9689&utm_medium=email&elq2=ead43bc02fb840dcbf696944f2231fbf
http://growingminnesota.com/features/2016/05/study-gmo-crops-safe-human-consumption/?utm_source=Growing+Minnesota&utm_campaign=937c47017a-growingnorthcarolina-daily_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f0fcfd69a7-937c47017a-296641113
Use every available data point to make the most of your crop during 2016. Don’t be afraid to ask for more information and/or get clarification when using outside data when making on-farm decisions. Your lending institution will ask those same questions of you!
- Tommy Roach, Director of Specialty Products & Product Development
