We unpack why liquid fertilizer math trips people up and discuss how to figure out how to determine pounds of fertilizer in a liquid fertilizer. We talk real examples and show how small liquid fertilizer densities can drastically affect starter outcomes, especially in cold soils. In this Tiny Bytes, we talk • the dry vs liquid mindset shift • how density changes gallons into pounds • where to find pounds per gallon on fertilizer labels • comparing phosphorus from 10-34-0 an...

We sit down (again) with Kyle Okke of Agile Agronomy and explore how to make variable-rate residual herbicides actually work, from nozzle physics to dual-tank setups, and why agronomy must lead every tech decision. We also talk PWM (pulse width modulation), drift control, and mapping weed hot spots for smarter applications. Additionally... • Limits of conventional pressure-based rate changes • Why droplet size, pattern, and drift control matter • PWM and duty cycle basics • Turn compensatio...

We explore using precision agriculture to variable-rate apply residual herbicides using soil-driven maps to reduce crop injury on sensitive zones while maintaining strong weed control. Kyle Okke joins us to explain why OM, pH, and texture can set the rate and how sprayer mechanics affect success. In this episode, we discuss • Specialty crops that rely on pre-emerge residuals • Resistant weeds driving need for fall residual applications • Soil variability across landscape positions • Reading l...

We unpack why “precision composite soil sampling” isn’t a contradiction and show how GPS-marked points turn an old method into a reliable trend tool. We cover workflows, gear, timing, and when shifting results should push you toward zones. In this episode we discuss • Pre‑GPS composite sampling and its limits • Marking exact GPS points for repeatability • Keeping post‑harvest or spring timing consistent • Tracking year‑over‑year P, K and pH trends • When composites signal a move to zone...

We break down soil orders like a field guide, linking what you see in a soil profile to how soils behave and how to manage them. From prairie-black mollisols to red-dirt ultisols, we share traits, regions, and practical tips growers can use today. • soil taxonomy as a practical framework • mollisols and their dark, organic-rich surface • vertisols with shrink–swell clays and timing risks • spodosols in conifer forests with leached E horizons • alfisols, clay accumulation, and hardpan concern...

Catch the first part of this episode here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/17664422 In part two of introducing Surface Shaping, Kelly walks us through how to turn a watershed map into a buildable surface shaping plan that automatically controls a scraper. Kelly also shares the ADMS tools, soil insights, controller details, and timing tips that make smarter water movement practical and profitable. • farmer input on outlets, trouble spots, directionality will be important • ADMS Su...

Matt Kruger joins us to share the fascinating story of creating the world's largest corn maze spanning 121 acres with over 20 miles of pathways using precision agriculture technology. We explore how advanced planting techniques, boundary files, and ADMS technology transformed a traditional corn maze operation into a record-breaking agricultural attraction. • Valley Corn Maize east of East Grand Forks, MN opens August 23rd through October 19th, celebrating its 10th year of operation • The mai...

GK Technology introduces Surface Shaping and SD Surface (in conjunction with Rust Sales) which offers land managers an innovative approach to field design. Surface Shaping allows for advanced drainage design, giving farmers the ability to design intentional water flow and directionality, above and beyond normal ditching and "land leveling." Kelly Sharpe explains how this new technology preserves valuable topsoil while eliminating problematic water-holding areas through advanced design and pre...

Soil is more than just what we see on the surface, on average consisting of 45% mineral components, 5% organic matter, 25% water, and 25% air, with bulk density measuring how much dry soil weighs per volume. • Bulk density indicates the space available in soil for air and water • Sandy soils counterintuitively have higher bulk density than clay soils • Clay soils typically contain more organic matter which contributes to greater pore spaces • Bulk density increases as you go deeper int...

Sarah and Jodi continue their conversation about common precision agriculture issues encountered during spring planting, focusing on field boundaries, controller settings, and troubleshooting variable rate applications. • Field boundaries matter critically for prescription applications – without proper mapping, sections of equipment may shut off unexpectedly • Prairie Pothole regions require special boundary considerations since water levels change frequently • Use buffer tools to expand tig...

NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetative Index) helps farmers detect how green and/or productive different areas of their fields are by measuring the ratio of near-infrared to red light reflected from plant canopies. This technology creates reliable productivity zone maps when analyzed consistently over multiple growing seasons, enabling targeted input management across variable field conditions. In this Tiny Byte Sarah and Jodi cover: • NDVI measures plant canopy density by comparing near-infr...

Sarah and Jodi reflect on the fast-paced spring planting season of 2025, sharing their experiences supporting customers with ADMS software and troubleshooting common prescription issues while managing rapidly changing field conditions. Situations and questions they cover: • When to dissolve prescriptions during the export process to optimize controller compatibility • Understanding the difference between hard breaks and interpolation in prescription maps • Why you should never dissolv...

Using the correct UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) zone is crucial when working with GIS data mapped to a UTM zone. We explain how projections work to translate locations from Earth's spherical surface to flat maps, and why UTM zones are critical for accurate agricultural mapping. • UTM divides Earth into 60 zones, each six degrees of longitude wide • UTM choice errors cause maps to appear in completely wrong locations, like oceans • Creating maps in the wrong UTM zone leads to unusable p...

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 monitoring, and targeted spraying • Livestock operations benefit from AI...

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 consistently yield higher or lower • Combining yield history with grid soil sampl...

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 decisions integrating agronomy, mechanics, business, finance and weather variables •...

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 requires prescription files in specific locations • Page 203 of the 2025 ADMS...

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 the update, possibly just crisper-looking buttons • Explains the importance of diverse...

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) to terabytes (trillion) to petabytes (thousand terabytes) • GK Technology's...

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 baseball • Created an AI baseball pitch predictor that achieved 80% accuracy in predicti...