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A Perspective on the Nutrient Management Planning Process. Eric McLean BenLedi Farm Ltd. Oak River, MB. BenLedi Farm History. Farm roots of J.S. Henry & Son Who’s who and what we do? Crops Wheats, Barleys, Oats RR, LL, & Specialty Oil Canola Yellow Peas and Flax Soybeans? Fababeans?
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A Perspective on the Nutrient Management Planning Process Eric McLean BenLedi Farm Ltd. Oak River, MB
BenLedi FarmHistory • Farm roots of J.S. Henry & Son • Who’s who and what we do? • Crops • Wheats, Barleys, Oats • RR, LL, & Specialty Oil Canola • Yellow Peas and Flax • Soybeans? Fababeans? • Our interests and pursuits…
Pursuit of Advancement • Technologies • Customers and neighbours look to us for opinions • Who, what, where, when, & why • Cost vs. return • Agronomic practices • Herbicides, fungicides, seed treatments • Environmental Stewardship • ALUS Pilot Project • Environmental Farm Plan • Beneficial Management Practices
ALUS • Alternate Land Use Services • Green box funding to preserve riparian, wetland, forest and sensitive areas • Various increments of reimbursement for different degrees of participation • 3 year commitment • BenLedi’s contribution • Landbase breakdown…30% of total acreage • Voluntary programs have great response! • Voluntary vs. government required
Environmental FarmPlan Investment • Beneficial Management Practices Utilized by BenLedi Farm: • Product and Waste Management • Fertilizer bins • Improved Cropping Systems • GPS Autosteers, VR technologies & software • Improved Pest Management • SP sprayer autoboom • SP sprayer remote boom control • JD Swath Control Pro • Nutrient Management Planning… • Total expenditures of over $160,000
Farm History of Nutrient Management Planning • Lack of Confidence in Soil Sampling • Grid vs. Site specific • Terrain issues • Difficulty in believing the accuracy • Under Utilization of agronomic services • Tough to trust recommendations • Blanket nutrient application • Ain’t broke don’t fix it • What’s Variable Rate fertilizing about? • How can we get into this…It seems to make sense!
Nutrient Management Planning for VR • Researching agronomists • In house vs. independents • VR based vs. traditional • Reviewing procedures • Short comings and limitations to different systems • Asking questions • VR Maps can tell many stories • Dealing with start up issues • Software, hardware, human error • Going to the field • RESULTS…
Agronomic Results • Nutrient Utilization Benefits • Proper placement • Proper amount • Crop uniformity • Improved input application timing and product effectiveness • Harvestability • Even rippening-straight combining advantage • Yield • On target with some surprises and some disappointments • Other Advantages…
Advantages • GPS tool implementation • Not just expensive toys to drive straight! • Utilization of soil management data • Generation of VR prescriptions • Calculating what is needed and where • not over applying needlessly • VR Application • Putting nutrients where they need to be • Profit/Loss/Breakeven • 30% to 50% repayment of services from EFP • What’s the future…
The future…? • Environmental Benefits • Social Benefits • Trade Benefits • NMP when $ disappears • Tips for consultants