Date: Tue Dec 17, 2019
Time: 8:00 AM - 8:50 AM
Moderator: N/A
Farmers have recently become more interested in implementing variable-rate seeding of corn and cotton in Alabama due to increasing seed costs and the potential to maximize yields site-specifically due to inherent field variability. Therefore, an on-farm case study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of variable-rate seeding for a corn and cotton rotation. A randomized complete block design with four seeding rates randomly assigned to each block and replicated four times was utilized for this study. Irrigated and dryland locations were selected for both crops. Cotton seeding rates were the same for dryland and irrigated sites; corn seeding rates were higher at the irrigated locations. Plant population data was collected early season while crop yield was measured using yield monitors. Management zones were generated for each field using various terrain attributes, soil EC, and soil survey data to determine if these parameters could be used as a basis for development of seeding prescription maps. Preliminary results indicated that irrigated cotton yields were significantly different between the treatments for two of the three years. There were no statistical differences in the non-irrigated cotton yields. For corn, the higher seeding rate for both irrigated and dryland generated the highest yields. Initial results from the spatial analyses indicates that terrain and soil type impact yield with the optimal seeding rate varying between developed management zones. Final analyses will determine if variable-rate seeding of corn and cotton is feasible.
Water quality challenges outside of Indiana have lead to the development of a State Nutrient Reduction Strategy. Learn about the factors leading up to its development and what the components are. As trusted advisors, learn how CCAs can inform and help in implementation of the SNRS to ensure the long term viability of the clients’ farms, healthier soil and cleaner water.