Equipment Resources
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Nutrient management is an important aspect of container plant production. When fertilizers are not applied on time and/or sufficiently, plants will look bad—and will your reputation as a grower. Plant nutrient management can be tricky sometimes as every plant is different in nutrient needs, and their nutrient demand also varies at different development stages. To create a better fertilizer program, you may want to monitor and track changes in plant nutrient status so you can adjust the fertilizer supply accordingly. One common way to do it is to send samples to labs, which can be expensive, time-consuming, and involves plant damage. RGB imaging analysis provide a timely, inexpensive and nondestructive way to monitor plant nutrient status.
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Some of the most widely adopted precision agriculture technologies include guidance systems that utilize a Global Positioning System (GPS). Although these technologies are most commonly utilized in row-crop agricultural systems, they also have many potential benefits in forage-based production systems. With so many different options to choose from, it can be a daunting task to determine which technologies are the best fit for a specific farming application and budget. When coupled with a differential GPS system (which are available in various levels of correction accuracy), the accuracy of these guidance systems can be greatly improved. The main goal of this bulletin is to cover the currently available GPS guidance options for forage production systems.
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Boom sprayer calibration using conventional methods (catching flow for certain time or distance) for large (60-90 ft; 54-72 nozzles) boom sprayers can be a time-consuming process. This short publication outlines steps to take to verify nozzle output and calibrate a boom sprayer, including tables with useful information on flow rates at multiple speeds for two common nozzle spacings and an equation for calculating rates if needed.
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The lack of proper planter setup and maintenance results in common planting mistakes that affects crop stand and yield every year. Growers can easily avoid these mistakes by following a few simple steps at the beginning of the planting season to ensure proper planter setup for maximized field performance. This simple and easy-to-follow checklist provides tips on how to properly set up different planter components to achieve a high and uniform stand establishment across the field. The checklist also includes a visual to identify the components available on a typical row-crop planter.
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This publication provides information on pulse width modulation (PWM) technology including its working principle, components, benefits, and best management practices for its optimal utilization on agricultural sprayers. Pulse width modulation technology was developed to overcome pressure variation issues, as the flow rate is varied by changing the cycle of the electronically actuated solenoid valves while the system pressure remains constant throughout the boom.
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This resource provides an overview of production practices in controlled environment agriculture, emphasizing a holistic approach to optimizing crop growth. It outlines the primary crops grown in these systems and describes how growers can successfully manage critical environmental factors. The resource covers the transformative impact of automation and advanced technologies, which enable precise monitoring of crop health and environmental conditions.
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Applicators used in granular applications should be calibrated to ensure uniformity and accuracy. An accurate and uniform application can reduce the quantity of an active ingredient required for a given degree of control.
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This resource helps poultry producers calibrate manure spreaders (rear discharge, twin spinner) commonly used in poultry litter application in the Southeast.
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These checklists can be used to introduce new landscape workers to safe work practices. They ensure that job safety training includes safety instruction. Included are sections on general safety precautions, equipment safety, lawn mower safety and pesticide safety.
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