Precision Projects
Introductory Comments for Precision Projects at the Orthman Research Farm
ORTHMAN takes the lead in Precision Tillage. We at Orthman Manufacturing have purposely joined arms and hands with other input companies of the Agriculture industry. We want to show the real benefits in strip-tillage, precision placed fertility, precision planting, true-implement steering, highest quality corn hybrids and traits, slow release N products, natural fertilizers in the seed furrow as well as commercial products, row orientation on the Platte Valley and day length differences with top notch corn companies products.
Growers look to the industry leaders for the best products to farm with, best seed to plant, what fertilizers will give them an edge, are there real reasons to have GPS - we at Orthman are answering the questions.
4/10/2009 - Does it Make Some Difference on Row Orientation?
“Row orientation in the Central Platte Valley. "We also want to observe after the ear is complete how dry down will be affected and standibility."”
Cooperating with Dekalb we are trying some N-S rows and E-W row orientation because at 41 degrees North and up to the Canadian border growers have observed row direction can offer a growth and yield difference. We at Orthman will look for those differences and make some specific measurements with leaf size, leaf area, height with selected varieties.
It may seem like something simple to some, but giving a plant a better chance to capture sun on all sides of the plant has value within a strip-till system.
Contact:Mike Petersen, Agronomist
4/2/2009 - Strip-Till System Technology and Fertilizers are Hand-n-Hand!
“"Roots are the conduits for water, hormones and nutrition, as we set the stage for more roots with better tillage systems and precise place fertility ... we accelerate corn productions potential". Ken Banks-Agronomist, Kugler Company”
Orthman Manufacturing, Inc joined in 2008 hands with Kugler Company, out of McCook, NE to evaluate precise fertilizer applications as part of the Precision Tillage System. This study is replicated three times with two rates. We at the Orthman Farm, near Lexington, will be collecting significant root differences from the Kugler 'in-furrow' application, two depth varied applied rates of KQ-663 products with the strip-till in a pre-plant operation against the checks. Root dimensions will be observed twice during the growing season, as well as node-internode dimensions, leaf area and finally yield.
Watch for information on the PrecisionTillage website as to how all of this responds in 2009. We will post in the ARTICLES section of the website.
Contact:Mike Petersen, Ken Banks with Kugler, or Mark Griffith and/or Justin Troudt
4/1/2009 - Orthman Manufacturing, Inc
“Orthman Manufacturing, Inc - Strip-Tillage with Trimble Implement Guidance in this years (2009) corn and soybean crops.”
Orthman Manufacturing, Inc is committed to providing ag commodity producers the very best strip-till tool to enhance the bottom-line. It is our goal to provide the precision tillage system that can conserve precious soil and water resources, improve soil quality for future generations, decrease input costs, and bump up yields. Orthman knows sound conservation tillage methods have to be proven and presented openly. These precision projects have a three-fold aim: 1) to demonstrate how the systematic approach works in naturally rain fed and irrigated crops, 2) provide growers, consultants, government, fertilizer dealers, seed company representatives and cooperative extension specialists the opportunity to interact with a forward thinking equipment manufacturer in field sized projects/plots, and 3) make the results known to American consumers of ag products.
Contact:Mark Griffith, Mike Petersen, Justin Troudt
3/30/2009 - BioGreen-USA Partners with Orthman Research near Lexington
“Answering the question - Can Strip-Till and BioGreen make a difference for the row crop farmer?”
Working with BioGreen-USA, we at Orthman Mfg will be studying what occurs with the application of the 'Natural' fertilizer product in some 'in-furrow' studies both in corn and soybeans. Last year (2008) a positive response was evident with B ioGreen in the soybean crop. This year we are expanding the study to look at 'in-furrow' and foliar applications.
Come, stop by and check it out. BioGreen across the U.S. has become another choice in the turf world, now they are checking out with replicated studies what may happen in corn and soybeans.
Contact:Mike Petersen, Justin Troudt - Orthman Mfg.
3/25/2009 - Strip-Till - Effecting Relative Day Length Issues - A Study with Dekalb
“We at Orthman are coordinating this study with Dekalb to determine which day length provides an answer.”
A question frequently asked of us is there an advantage or disadvantage with shorter season corn? We at Orthman at our research farm north of Lexington will be looking at 3 varying maturity corn varieties 105 day, 108 day and 113 day. After last years very wet season and slow maturing corn and slow drydown, we are wanting to see if strip-till combined with these day lengths will make a difference in getting corn harvested before November 15th.
Contact:Jeff Mueller,TDM-Monsanto & Mike Petersen
3/19/2009 - 2009 Tillage Comparison Plots - Orthman Research Farm
“We will; be observing differences between similar quantities of N-P-K comparing strip-tillage to Direct Seeding.”
Orthman in cooperation with Seed Corn companies are studying root growth with new hybrids for the ChannelBio corporation. Closer looks two specific times during the corn plants life will help unlock how these hybrids grow, respond to root pest threats, root structure, root dimensions and grain finishing for yield. Growers have asked what differences in these two systems. These plots are irrigated by a center pivot and Platte River Aquifer well.
Contact:Justin Troudt, Mark Griffith, Mike Petersen
