With today’s cutting-edge technology, there isn’t much we can’t monitor in the cab. The ability to monitor the planter, sprayer, fertilizer applicator or combine is a great record-keeping asset, plus it allows us to make more informed decisions.

Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and a few after-market companies have built technology platforms to generate important information on our farms. Most of these companies have their own proprietary cloud-based data storage, so we can access information remotely and have that data at our fingertips.

One main advantage of machine-generated, cloud-based service is access to information anytime and anywhere, using a mobile device or PC. If you’re operating multiple pieces of machinery in the field, you can connect remotely to see where the other machine has been in the field. You also can get an average of the machine-generated data produced by all machines. For example, say you are operating two planters in the same field. Both planters have swath control, so both planters know the GPS coverage patterns for each machine. One planter can shut off swath sections and communicate that function to the other planter, which prevents overlapping coverage between machines.

Collecting data and seeing your field maps in real-time view allows you to make management decisions as you pass through the field. Later we can upload these real-time view maps into Data Forward and take a deeper dive into what looks good and what could use improvement.

Sharing critical information with your agronomic advisors is very important. You can save time and help your agronomic advisors make better recommendations by sharing your files through a cloud-based platform. You can share field data from your entire operation, one farm, or a single field.

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds is an independent company, and Data Forward is an independent precision ag platform. We work with any precision ag system and its cloud-based services. The cloud makes the process of pulling data from the cloud into Data Forward seamless. We can then work on cleaning up the raw data and create a plan. Our plan might include soil sampling, precision ag hardware investments, product placement, fertility recommendations, satellite imagery and more.

Your Latham Precision Agronomy Advisors are here to support you with making these decisions, even if it is choosing which machine- generating platform would be the best fit for your operation.

One of the most common questions I get asked is, “What value will this bring to my operation?”

It’s the same question farmers ask before purchasing any piece of equipment. We must justify the cost, especially given these markets. Think of precision ag (PA) and data management as the research needed to support other farming decisions that you’re making. Farmers are always trying to improve. We start by improving the land we farm. As we make changes to be more efficient and to better care for our soil, yields improve. Yield improvement during the past 80+ years since hybrid corn was first planted is primarily from improved genetics. The other 40% of yield increase is due to management changes: higher seeding rates, better planter technology, seed treatments, tillage and other equipment improvements, fungicides, earlier planting, and many other practices implemented by individual farmers. Most of the yield gains from now on will likely come from micro-managing each farm down to the acre.

Precision ag tools can help you evaluate equipment, hybrids/varieties and other inputs as you move toward higher yields while keeping your costs in check. Maybe you’re already using 2.5-acre grid soil samples, but you’re seeing fertility issues or poor spots show up in areas not related to soil type. Maybe you have swings of 50 bushels per acre in corn yield in your fields, so you want to track the variation in productivity; you can use variable rate seeding on a planter or even try variable hybrid planting. Maybe you just want to keep better records and track when and where you plant each hybrid or variety, so you can plant the best genetics on each field. Again, PA tools can help you track incremental yield advances while keeping costs in check.

Start with the basics: capture quality yield data year after year; map your planting operations to track how each genetic package performs where it was placed; collect other field operations (spraying, fertilizing, soil sampling, etc.). Such data will help you build confidence as you plan for the future, whether that includes meeting with your Latham® Dealer, financial adviser, or planning for a farm transition.

Understanding data on your farm is critical because the next wave of yield improvement will most likely come from on-farm data and how we choose to use it! Managing all this data provides value, but it looks different for each farmer. Because there isn’t a “cookie cutter” approach for PA, we’re here to help you build data for the future. Feel free to contact me to learn more about Latham-led DataForward™ or farmer-led FieldXField™ crop planning.

Benchmarking is the practice of measuring the financial health and performance of your farming operation by comparing it to your performance, and to similar farms. Benchmarking can allow you to improve your financial position by identifying specific actions that can lead to increased profitability and long-term success.

Both internal and external benchmarking require accurate and timely data. Organized data related to your income, expenditures, as well as inventories of assets and liabilities, allows you to easily make benchmark measurements. This is where precision agriculture can be a time-saving advantage for you.

Precision agriculture tools can organize years and years of on-farm data to establish trends. Comparing your farm’s performance in 2019 to its performance in 2018 can help you understand the impact of changes in the market or changes you may have implemented internally.

Production benchmarks through Latham Hi‑Tech Seed’s Data Forward^SM program can help you start benchmarking years of information related to crop yields, seed and fertilizer use, as well as planting dates. Together, we can study the numbers. We can note where there are efficiencies, and develop a plan to increase efficiencies in other areas.

The next step is to compare your operation to similar farms in your area. For example, you might plant soybeans in 15-inch rows while someone else plants in 30-inch rows. By comparing your farm to others, you can gain knowledge and ideas. Group comparisons allow you to see the benchmarks of less profitable and more profitable farms, and all the information remains confidential.

Look again at the financial aspects of your operation after you have calculated production benchmarks. Are you reaching your targets? If not, what strategies and tactics do you want to try for 2020? Perhaps you want to try variable rate fertilizer. Maybe you’d like to reduce plant population in lesser productive areas of the field and increase it in higher fertility area. Through Latham’s Data Forward program, we can help you make changes with confidence.

While harvest results are fresh in your mind, plan for spring 2020. Now is a great time to schedule a Data Forward Needs Assessment, so we can help you achieve your goals.