Accurate agronomic recommendations rely critically on data that needs to be gathered from the field. This data includes soil samples, tissue samples, crop scouting, and field risk assessments for nutrient runoff. This data is collected by Field Technicians to then be reviewed by the Agronomists.
Basic Introduction to Field Technicians
Agricultural Consulting Services (ACS) Field Technicians travel across the Northeast, spanning currently 5 states. They carry work orders that are produced by the Agronomists; these work orders list out the fields and what is needed from those fields. Utilizing different tools for different jobs, such as ATVs, soil probes, clinometers, range finders, and shears. Technicians will gather the samples or observations needed from the fields and then take the labeled samples to the proper lab, and observations will be documented in our software programs for the Agronomists to use in their recommendation process.
Collecting Field Data
For the dairy/crop farms that ACS works with, the Field Technicians provide crucial soil sample data. This data can be gathered in a few different ways: whole field based on 15-acre zones or 0.5, 2.5, or 5-acre grids. Each method is predetermined between the farmer and the agronomist, depending on the level of detail they want to get out of their results. In an average year, the Field Technicians will pull between 12,000 and 15,000 soil samples.
During the growing season, Technicians will also be scouting a multitude of crops, from soybeans and field corn to cabbage and sweet corn. Our scouting program is thorough and requires a sharp eye to recognize issues or symptoms before issues in the field exceed their threshold. They scout for weeds, insect pests, diseases, and abstract abnormalities that the farmers would want to know about. The field risk evaluation service, internally known as an SMP or Sampling, Mapping and Phosphorus Indexing, is a service that certified Technicians provide when a dairy acquires new ground that is to be added to their CAFO permit. This process evaluates the field for the possible risk a field could have from runoff into adjacent waterways or wells. Technicians go through significant training and internal certification to be able to provide hyper-accurate details for the CAFO permit with high regard for water conservation.
Additional Jobs Done by Field Technicians
Aside from working with dairy farms, ACS Technicians also pull soil samples for vegetable farms, field crop farms, orchards, and vineyards. With variable-rate fertility programs growing in popularity, ACS has developed specific grid sampling methods tailored to farms’ specific needs. Through detailed soil sampling programs, we are able to focus on smaller areas of interest and really dial in fertility needs. Growers have reported that staying consistent with fertilizer applications year after year not only promotes better crop uniformity, but increased crop quality.
Closing Thoughts
ACS is a team of professionals with diverse backgrounds in agronomy, environmental science, and other aspects of agriculture. Together, we are making a team that is passionate about helping our clients grow their cropping operations and make them more efficient. Many of our consultants have over 20 years of experience supporting the region’s row crop, specialty crop, and dairy industries. To set up a visit from an ACS Field Technician, email [email protected] today!