Episode 007: Data-Driven Variability Management

Managing crop production systems in accordance with spatial variability is the primary goal of site-specific crop management, which is closely linked with digital agriculture. Digital agriculture technologies have enabled many site-specific management practices whether through variable rate application control or decision algorithms executed in digital systems. Effectively addressing variability for optimal crop performance requires the use of data quantifying soil spatial variability. This episode of the FarmBits podcast is the first episode in a series that will focus on quantifying and responding to soil spatial variability. Mike Manning, an Agronomic Information Advisor with Premier Crop Systems, joins the FarmBits podcast to provide an overview of data-driven variability management. Mike begins the episode discussing the challenges of getting started with proper data organization and management, then discusses data quality, and how data can be effectively used to assess spatial variability. Following this discussion of data, Mike dives into soil sampling and discusses fundamental differences between grid and zone sampling, and why he believes 2.5-acre grid sampling is a foundational practice in site-specific crop management. The episode concludes with Mike talking about the value of farm data and offering key advice for growers seeking to manage their farms better in the digital ag landscape. Throughout this episode, Mike presents concepts and directives in a straightforward and concise manner that is clear for all to understand. The topics discussed in this episode bridge the gap between the previous episode series' focus on yield data and the new episode series' focus on soil data. Mike's discussion of traditional soil sampling concepts in this episode segue directly into the next episode of the FarmBits podcast which will feature Tyler Lund of Veris Technologies discussing on-the-go soil mapping technologies. "In my opinion, farm data is only as valuable, is only worth as much as the gain it creates for the individual grower that came from." - Mike Manning "Put that information to work. Get things structured, get things cleaned up, make it so it is accessible. Make it so it's accessible, available, actionable." - Mike Manning Mike Manning Contact Information: mmanning@premiercrop.com Twitter: @DataManning  Premier Crop Systems Information: https://www.premiercrop.com/ https://www.premiercrop.com/podcasts/ Podcast Contact Info: E-Mail: farmbits@unl.edu Twitter: @NEDigitalAg Samantha's Twitter: @SamanthaTeten Jackson's Twitter: @jstansell87 Opinions expressed by the hosts and guests on this podcast are solely their own, and do not reflect the views of Nebraska Extension or the University of Nebraska - Lincoln.