Using AG Apps
Sandra Wick - Crop Production Agent
The “technology age” continues to develop new tools! You rarely see a producer without their mobile device in their hands or on their hip! If a stock broker can check the market with the touch of
a button, why can’t a farmer check the moisture level in his soil? Well now you can! In recent years, several institutions have developed mobile applications (or “apps”) for tablets and smartphones with the goal of providing a service to all end users. The agricultural sector has taken a similar path, producing new apps for mobile devices (so called “Ag-Apps”) for agricultural consultants and producers with educational materials and support tools. There is an increasing interest in these “Ag-Apps” and the use of new technologies for increasing the efficiency in communicating and decision-making.
Most of the apps mentioned are free to download, but before paying for any app, please check online reviews or consult with any specialist working with that app or someone familiar with the app
in order to understand its potential benefits and how it can assist you in your daily farming operation. As a general rule, an app needs to be “easy to use” and “intuitive.” Most apps do not come with a user guide or a manual. Take all these points into consideration before downloading and using apps.
Ag-Apps are grouped into basically ten classifications with the goal of dividing apps by their different uses and purposes according to Dr. Ignacio Ciampitti, K-State Research and Extension Crop Production and Cropping Systems specialist. The ten classifications include:
For more information on AG technology, stop by or call me at any office of the Post Rock Extension District in Beloit, Lincoln, Mankato, Osborne or Smith Center.
K-State Research and Extension along with Barton County and the Post Rock Extension District will be hosting two “Ag Technology Days” scheduled for February 9 and 10 in Great Bend and in Beloit. The Great Bend Recreation Center will be one site and the NCK Technical College will be the site in Beloit. RSVP is requested by Monday, February 6 to Barton County Extension or to Alicia Boor (aboor@ksu.edu) or to any of our Post Rock Extension District Offices in Beloit, Lincoln, Mankato, Osborne or Smith Center or to Sandra L. Wick (swick@ksu.edu). Online registration is also available at http://bit.ly/2j5YCty for the Beloit location and http://bit.ly/2jmqc6a for the Great Bend location.
The “technology age” continues to develop new tools! You rarely see a producer without their mobile device in their hands or on their hip! If a stock broker can check the market with the touch of
Most of the apps mentioned are free to download, but before paying for any app, please check online reviews or consult with any specialist working with that app or someone familiar with the app
Ag-Apps are grouped into basically ten classifications with the goal of dividing apps by their different uses and purposes according to Dr. Ignacio Ciampitti, K-State Research and Extension Crop Production and Cropping Systems specialist. The ten classifications include:
- D Apps: For identification purposes (weeds, insects, diseases, and nutrients)
- CALC Apps: For calculating purposes (nutrient removal calculations, tank mixes, volume to spray, etc.)
- SCOUT Apps: For scouting purposes or for geo-positioning (soil sampling, recording notes, soil types, etc.).
- ECON Apps: For checking grain prices, market evolutions, fertilizer price trends, news and finances.
- GUIDE Apps: For diagnosing crop production issues in the field, primarily related to field guides (crop management: insect, disease, weed, and more).
- LIVESTOCK Apps: Apps related to the animal side, nutrition, health, and information on markets.
- IRRIGATION Apps: Apps related to field crop irrigation and water application.
- MACHINERY Apps: Apps for associated with agricultural equipment preparation, inventory, providing information of the machine.
- GAG Apps: GAG (general Ag-Apps) for general use, weather-related, for meetings, for reading magazines, among several other Apps’ properties.
- NON-AG Apps: For general use from e-readers to calculators, email, calendar, picture editing, and more.
- Ag-PhD Field Guide: FREE - This app allows you to browse weeds and insects by name and view photos. It also provides control recommendations. (iPhone and Android)
- NDSU Pest Management: FREE - This app includes information from the North Dakota State University Extension Weed, Disease, and Insect Management Guides; including best pest management options. (iPhone and Android)
- Purdue Extension Corn & Soybean Field Guide: ($12.99) This app provides information for corn and soybean production, presenting a very complete field guide. (iPhone)
- NPIPM Soybean Guide (South Dakota State University): FREE - This app presents a field guide that provides management options for insect and other arthropod pests affecting soybeans. (iPhone)
- Seed Guide (AgReliant Genetics): FREE - This app provides information on seed purchasing decisions for corn, soybean, and alfalfa. Searchable database, easy to search by name, maturity, or seed trait. (iPhone)
- Field Guide (Oklahoma State University): FREE - This app presents nutrient removal values, a nutrient deficiency identification tool, and fertilizer calculations for most of the major crops. (iPhone)
- MFA Agronomy Guide (MFA Incorporated): FREE - This app provides market information related to major crops (corn, sorghum, wheat, soybean, rice, cotton) and pastures. (iPhone and Android)
For more information on AG technology, stop by or call me at any office of the Post Rock Extension District in Beloit, Lincoln, Mankato, Osborne or Smith Center.
K-State Research and Extension along with Barton County and the Post Rock Extension District will be hosting two “Ag Technology Days” scheduled for February 9 and 10 in Great Bend and in Beloit. The Great Bend Recreation Center will be one site and the NCK Technical College will be the site in Beloit. RSVP is requested by Monday, February 6 to Barton County Extension or to Alicia Boor (aboor@ksu.edu) or to any of our Post Rock Extension District Offices in Beloit, Lincoln, Mankato, Osborne or Smith Center or to Sandra L. Wick (swick@ksu.edu). Online registration is also available at http://bit.ly/2j5YCty for the Beloit location and http://bit.ly/2jmqc6a for the Great Bend location.
