Ag Geek Speak

Travis Yeik joins us for part two of our deep dive into the interaction of artificial intelligence and humans in agriculture, exploring current applications and future possibilities of this transformative technology in farming.

We chat about... 

• Weather forecasting is already utilizing AI to provide crucial planning information to farmers
• Precision agriculture applications include weed identification, disease m...

Precision agriculture focuses on treating different parts of a field according to their unique yield potential instead of applying the same approach everywhere. Variable rate applications start with establishing realistic yield goals for different areas within a field based on their consistent performance patterns.

In this episode, Sarah and Jodi discuss:

• Using historical yield data to determine which areas consisten...

We explore the future of human decision-making in precision agriculture and the role artificial intelligence might play in supporting – not replacing – farmers.

• Travis Yeik brings unique perspective from his background in farming, agronomy, and software development
• AI has existed since the 1950s but recent advances in computing power and algorithms have accelerated development
• Farmers must make complex decisi...

We tackle a common technical prescription writing question in this Tiny Byte: what does it mean to place a prescription on the root of a drive and why does it matter. Understanding this simple concept can solve many frustrating issues when loading prescriptions onto different monitors.

• The "root" of a drive is the main directory—the blank space you see when first opening the drive
• Different farm equipment...

Hudson Fuller, computer scientist and GK Technologies' newest software developer, discusses the upcoming ADMS software updates and his agricultural background while sharing insights into his current projects and future aspirations.

• Working on transitioning ADMS to the new .NET framework after Microsoft's discontinuation of the current framework
• Emphasizes that users will notice minimal differences with th...

We explore the fundamentals of digital storage and how it powers precision agriculture, covering basic bytes to the massive petabyte servers at GK Technology that store agricultural imagery and data.

• A byte equals eight binary bits and typically represents a single character or piece of data in computer language
• Digital storage units progress from kilobytes (thousand) to megabytes (million) to gigabytes (billion) t...

Hudson Fuller, GK Technology's newest full-time employee and computer science graduate, shares his journey from baseball player to agricultural data specialist working on the ADAPT standard integration.

• Hudson's connection to GK began through family ties and company retreats before pursuing internships during college
• Completed a computer science degree at Dakota State University while playing college base...

Plant tissue testing offers farmers and consultants valuable insight into crop nutrient status and helps diagnose field issues when properly conducted. We explain the science behind tissue testing and share practical tips for getting actionable results.

• Tissue testing can help to evaluate nutrient status to understand crop health at various growth stages
• Troubleshoot field issues by comparing samples from healthy a...

We continue our conversation this week with precision ag geek Shawn Kasprick of Simplot. Shawn shares how precision agriculture capabilities have evolved from floppy disks to satellite imagery, letting farmers see their operations all the way through from farm to field application.

Some topics we cover in this episode:

• Adapting precision agriculture for orchards with specialized equipment that applies fertilizer between rows
• ...

Shawn Kasprick shares his journey from farm kid to precision agriculture pioneer with Simplot Grower Solutions, detailing how early developments in the field shaped the technology farmers use today.

In the episode, Sarah and Jodi sit down with Shawn and discuss

• Shawn's background growing up on a farm in Walsh County North Dakota
• Shawn's educational background, which includes dual bachelor's degrees in Crop and Weed ...

Field boundaries serve as the digital cookie cutters of precision agriculture, defining where field operations begin and end for optimal resource management. Understanding their purpose and creation methods allows consultants and growers to implement more precise applications and better predict input needs.

• Boundaries determine where equipment turns on and off during field operations
• Accurate boundaries help predic...

Kurt Turner and Lane Bothwell from Ag Genesis share their innovative "gridding the zone" approach that combines traditional zone mapping with targeted grid sampling to address pH variability in eastern South Dakota fields. They've discovered that their most productive field zones often hide significant pH problems that can be economically addressed through this hybrid sampling method.

• Field topography in E...

Awareness of nutrient mobility in plants drastically improves in-field diagnosis of crop issues. In this episode, we dive deep into plant nutrient mobility and how nutrient mobility impacts visual symptoms in the field.

• Discussion on the concept of nutrient mobility 
• Insights into mobile vs. immobile nutrient deficiencies 
• Importance of tissue testing for accurate diagnoses 

Relatively immobile nutrients (symptoms will ...

Engaging with the evolving world of precision agriculture, this discussion sheds light on the unique relationship between technology and crop consulting. Our guests, Kurt Turner and Lane Bothwell of Ag Genesis Inc, bring their expertise to the table, sharing insights into the operational dynamics of the perfect duo: a precision ag and computer geek and soil sampling enthusiast. 

We discuss
- Introduction of Ag Genesis ...

Jodi and Sarah explore the crucial distinction between mobile and non-mobile nutrients in soil. Understanding how these nutrients behave not only aids in effective soil sampling but also enhances soil fertility management, providing fertilizer users with the knowledge they need to maximize returns on their fertilizer dollars. 

They cover
• Mobile vs. non-mobile nutrients
• Nutrient behavior based on soil charge 
• Cation...

Ag with Emma, a leading voice in agriculture, shares her journey from novice to practical mastery in field mapping with ADMS. Through engaging anecdotes and expert guidance from mentors like Kyle Okke, Emma's passion for mapping shines through. She emphasizes the unique blend of science and artistry involved in creating accurate agricultural maps, while also highlighting the importance of personalized learning approaches in ma...

Jodi and Sarah talk about what's available in GK Technology's expansive imagery library.  The library offers subscribers access to Landsat, Sentinel, NAIP, and Lidar data layers.

They discuss further...
• Significance of multi-layer data in agriculture 
• GK Technology's robust imagery library 
• Different types of imagery available and their resolutions 
• Importance of ongoing updates to da...

With over 750,000 followers online, Ag with Emma is one of the most influential voices in American agriculture. In this episode, Sarah and Jodi sit down with Emma to chat about her journey from growing up in rural Idaho to building a dynamic career exploring agriculture and sharing her experiences online. From working in western North Dakota to gaining global experience in Australia, Emma shares how she’s navigated the ever-evolvin...

Soil series names hold invaluable information that can inform land use and agricultural practices. Join us as we explore soil series and their characteristics, featuring insights on collecting data, understanding soil maps, and highlighting the significance of favorite series like Fargo and Williams.

• Soil series names relate to specific regions and provide insight into soil characteristics
• The importance of five ...