Making the Most of Spatial Technologies: from an Ag Retailer and Service Provider’s Perspective

1. Making the Most of Spatial Technologies: from an Ag Retailer and Service Provider’s Perspective Clint Jayroe Director of Operations – OptiGro Jimmy Sanders, Inc. March 23, 2011 NCERA 180 Site Specific Mngt Annual Meeting

2. Background: JSI and OptiGro • Founded in 1953 • Headquarters – Cleveland, MS • ~60 locations located in 6 states • OptiGro 2008 – Precision Ag Experience dates back 12+ years • Committed to placing the right product, at the right rate, at the right time • Dedicated to Helping Our Customers be Successful & Profitable for Years to Come

3. Why Soil Sample? – Budget Conscientious

4. Why Soil Sample? – Fertilizer Market Fluctuation

5. Source: http://www.potashcorp.com/ Source: UN, USDA, FAO • Population and Income Growth Drive Crop Consumption • Global consumption of grains, oilseeds, fruits and vegetables has increased by nearly 2.5 times since 1970. World population over this time nearly doubled and per capita consumption increased by more than 30 percent as income growth in developing countries supported a shift to higher quality diets. With continued growth in population and income levels in developing countries, crop consumption is expected to approach 5 billion tonnes per year by 2020.

6. Source: http://www.potashcorp.com/ Source: USDA, IPNI • Application Deficit Is Not Sustainable Long-Term • As corn and soybean production increased, so did the level of nutrient withdrawals. This resulted in a growing application deficit, as farmers have been drawing down reserves that had been built up in their soils. This practice is not sustainable in the long-term. Crop production is expected to increase in the years ahead and we believe more potash will be required to match the level of nutrients removed from the soil.

7. Increased Removal and Economics http://www.back-to-basics.net/soil_test_summary.htm

11. Crop Removal Rates Source: International Plant Nutrition Institute, http://www.ipni.net/nutrientremoval

12. Crop Removal Illustrations

13. Crop Removal Fertilizer Applications bu/a 0 30 60 90

14. Soil Test P Soil Test P (lbs./a) Low: 40 High: 172 Mean: 93.6

15. Soil Test K Soil Test K (lbs./a) Low: 188 High: 766 Mean: 480.2

16. Soil Test pH Soil Test pH Low: 4.9 High: 6.2 Mean: 5.6

17. Trends?

18. Treating Each Nutrient Need or Deficiency Lime TSP Potash Zinc

19. In Season Variability • In season use of imagery to correct problems or to make changes in yield goals

20. Simple Design, Confident Answers • We place trials in large enough strips so that • we don’t put any burden on the operator • during harvest. • Through thousands of GPS data points and • multiple field sites over a large territory, we are • able to confidently evaluate products quickly, • accurately, and consistently. Making sure that we are observing the “3r’s”

21. Variety Info

22. Environment and Public Perception Gulf Oil Situation Hypoxia • EQUIP Opportunities? • We don’t want the public’s opinion of our grower’s to be equated to BP • Let’s be proactive

23. AutoProbe Vs. Manually Sampled 4” 8”

24. Educated Agronomy, One Field at a Time On Farm Trials Yield Data Preplanner Variety Selection Trait Tracking Goal = Profitable Decisions Soil Mapping Field Records Field Observations Aerial Imagery Soil Samples

25. Thank You Questions or Comments? Contact Info: Clint Jayroe 870-733-7436 Clintj@OptiGro.net