How Farming Apps Help You Build a Crop Management Plan

When it comes to maintaining a working farm, a crop management plan is essential in your arsenal of tools. It helps you manage your land, maximize potential profit, and organize your time and energy in the most productive way.

In the modern digital age, developers have created apps for just about everything under the sun. From tracking your sleep to online shopping, you can hop on your smartphone and download the relevant app. 

The world of agribusiness has started to realize the power of the app in recent years. As a result, farmers have seen a significant rise in the range of available apps to help them.

DTN offers cutting-edge technology to keep farmers and crop managers working with confidence. Our Agronomic Insights give you the data and insights you need for maximum profit. Reach out today for a free demo.

What Is A Crop Management Plan?

Crop management is an integral part of running a successful farm. It refers to a group of agricultural practices that can boost the development, health, and growth of your crops.

Farmers must create or adjust their plan each year to account for changes that impact their crops. As time passes, nutrients and soil conditions can change. And pest concerns also can shift over time. It is essential to ensure that your soil is providing a sufficient supply of nutrients for crop health and pest resistance. 

What Goes Into This Plan?

A crop management plan must take a holistic look at your fields and crops. It should address soil conditions and pest issues as you aim for the most effective way to support a healthy yield.

A comprehensive plan will likely include:

• Soil Testing – Regular testing is necessary to analyze the nutrient status. This step is at the core of managing crops and rotation systems. Soil tests help you determine if there are enough nutrients and also if the soil is too nutrient-dense. Too much of something can create a problem for some crops.

• Manure Nutrient Analysis and Application – There are typical nutrient values for manure. But the actual values vary considerably from lot to lot. Before application, farmers should have an analysis to be sure the manure has the proper nutrient concentration for their crops.
• Nitrogen Management Plan – Any nitrogen input will need to match the needs of the crops you plan to grow. If the levels are unbalanced, excess nitrate-nitrogen may leech into the surrounding groundwater. 
• Manure applied to the soil must undergo careful analysis to ensure that it does not exceed the recommended levels. If needed, farmers may also add commercial nitrogen fertilizers.
• Phosphorus Management Plan – Manure application typically provides adequate phosphorus levels for crops. But maintaining correct levels is still essential. Excess levels of phosphorous can have a detrimental impact on your plants, leading to reduced yields.
• To craft a phosphorous management plan, producers need to estimate the phosphorous balance in the field. Using the phosphorus concentration in manure application and the reduction due to crop removal help determine this estimate.
• Pest Management – Any crop management plan must address pests. Accurate scouting and regular pest counts are crucial to determining the best method for protecting your yield and profit.

Put the Plan Into Action

Once the analyses and research are in place, it’s time to implement the plan so that you enjoy excellent results. Careful record-keeping and reporting will make sure all employees and managers are on the same page. 

What Are Farming Apps?

As the name suggests, farming apps are powerful, pocket-sized solutions to your most common agricultural challenges. From growth stage data to weather forecasts, a high-quality app lets you implement an excellent crop management strategy. And the best part is that you can do all of this from the comfort of your mobile device.

The best apps to help farmers allow you to create and share documents electronically. These tools allow for more effective communication between managers and employees, as well as accurate record keeping.

Farming apps make it easier than ever to manage strategies for producing a successful and profitable yield. Farming is incredibly difficult work. So why not allow technology to take the weight off your shoulders?

Farming apps can take care of a range of jobs, including:

• Storing and collating notes for easy communication
• Analyzing the composition of the soil so that you have accurate, up-to-date information
• Offering insights and next steps based on calculations
• Analyzing and monitoring pest data for timely detection and treatment
• Forecasting optimum spraying conditions to reduce waste
• Delivering economic insights for your crop production

Do I Need An App To Manage Crops?

It is certainly possible to manually gather and analyze the data you need, as farmers and land managers have done for years. In reality, however, an app is a powerful tool that keeps you competitive in the modern market.

Utilizing software in your crop management allows you to save valuable time and money, which could be better spent elsewhere. It can give you up-to-the-minute data delivered to your desktop or mobile device. And it provides action steps to take to achieve a maximum crop yield.

As the adage says, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. This wisdom is especially true when it comes to crop management. Spotting pest or soil issues early can make all the difference in the final results in any given growing season. 

When you utilize a high-end online management solution, it’s like you have an extra set of eyes. You and your team can catch and address concerns before they have a chance to develop into significant problems.

DTN Insights Give You a Competitive Edge

The agricultural software market has exploded in recent years, and it may feel overwhelming to choose the right product. It can be challenging to consider applying sophisticated technology to the ancient art of farming.

At DTN, we have a wealth of knowledge and experience to offer you and your agribusiness. Our Agronomic Insights solution provides the tools you need to manage your crops for maximum success year after year. Contact a team member today to see how DTN can boost your bottom line.