By Amanda Bennett
Registration is now open for the July 12 Western Ohio Precision Agriculture Day hosted by Ohio State University Extension.
Focusing on precision placement opportunities, the daylong workshop is a chance for growers to learn more about nutrients and water quality, said Amanda Bennett, an OSU Extension educator. OSU Extension is the outreach arm of Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.
“We’ll focus on the newest innovations in precision agriculture and how farmers can use Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to access imagery to guide nutrient applications decisions,” she said. “We’ll also focus on the 4Rs of nutrient stewardship – using the right source, at the right rate, during right time and in the right place.
“It’s about improving water quality, increasing efficiency and saving money. With crop prices down, people are looking for ways to save money without sacrificing yields.”
The event is from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. and begins at Covington Eagles, 715 East Broadway St., in Covington. Participants will then go to a Miami County farm where they will see demonstrations of soil samplers and strip-till fertilizer applicators, Bennett said.
The workshop will feature:
- Starter fertilizer options for phosphorus and nitrogen.
- Mid- to late-season applications along with placement options.
- Uses of drone imagery for fine-tuning in-season nutrient and fungicide decisions.
Participants who attend the field day will fulfill the three-hour requirement for Ohio Fertilizer Applicator Certification and Training (FACT) program for growers who apply fertilizer to more than 50 acres of agricultural production, Bennett said. Certified Crop Adviser credits are pending, she said.
Source:osu.edu