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Agronomist encourages smarter input spending to boost crop yields

An agronomist says farmers will need to closely evaluate which input dollars have the most return on investment this growing season.

 AgroLiquid’s Stephanie Zelinko tells Brownfield, “Be smart with soil tests.”

“Reallocate those dollars where they’re to make the most difference, and then hopefully that’s going to lead to a better yield,” she encourages.

Zelinko says variable-rate technology and grid sampling can be used to help find areas to save.

“We have the technology, now we can go out and micromanage those areas,” she says. “I think that’s where we’re going to see the biggest difference. We may not increase our overall yield from 200 to 210 bushels, but those low areas that were only 150 bushels, we might get them up.”

She says soil tests can help identify fertility gaps and if micronutrients should be part of their management plan.

Brownfield interviewed Zelinko during the recent NAFB Convention.