Ag-Spectrum - Maximum Farming System

SOIL TYPE AND MANAGEMENT ZONE

ST/MZ is our soil testing process that provides growers with nutrient information about their soils. Our samples are taken by Soil Type and Management Zone (ST/MZ) rather than by grid, because we understand that variations in soil type are not conveniently bound within congruent squares. Drawing soil samples from logical, scientifically selected regions allows our Ag Spectrum representatives to make valuable recommendations on phosphorous and potassium rates, herbicide selection, hybrid placement, seeding rates, nitrogen timing, gypsum applications and liming needs. Soil samples are pulled using special supplies and a Geographic Information System (GIS) file. Midwest Laboratories provides consistent and accurate results of each soil sample. Rapid turnaround ensures that valuable data is on hand when you need it to make critical decisions about plant nutrition, and we recommend repeating soil tests every two to three years for maximum results.

RESULTS

Once results are confirmed, our Ag Spectrum Associate will meet with the grower and provide a professionally prepared report that is easy to read. This report includes:

• Soil sample lab results
• Full-color ST/MZ maps, depicting zone boundaries and soil types, with percentage of each soil type
• 7 nutrient maps showing levels of organic matter, pH, CEC, potassium (K), calcium (Ca), phosphorous (P), and magnesium (Mg)
• Lime, P, and K recommendations with estimated cost breakdowns
• USB flash drive containing electronic copies and digital prescriptions for lime, P and K, as well as viewable files for all maps

MAXIMUM FARMING RECOMMENDATIONS

Ag Spectrum makes data interpretation easy. Soil test data is instantly integrated into our Maximum Farming Recommendations. These recommendations include Ag Spectrum products, along with other fertility and soil amendments, that work together to allow Ag Spectrum associates to help farmers improve their production. The modeling used in the system is based on an understanding of optimum requirements for the grower’s crop. The recommendations don’t just “treat the crop” – they treat the soil – bringing it to optimum levels to enable life in the soil and crops to thrive.

BALANCED NUTRITION

Enhancing plant health and vigor is accomplished through proper timing and placement of nutrients. Once appropriate soil structure is established, the next priority is to awaken microbial life within the soil through the application of GroZyme®. Research at The Ohio State University has shown that GroZyme increases soil activity and facilitates the release of N, P, K and micronutrients. GroZyme enhances the root system, leading to greater absorption of nutrients when the plant needs it.

A fertile soil environment encourages uptake of nutrients, particularly if nutrients are available at planting time. Specially formulated CleanStart®, paired with our micronutrient package Kick-Off, and GroZyme maximizes kernel numbers and is applied to the seed, while Nitrogen is banded next to the row at planting.

Nutritional needs remain a priority as the crop grows. Side-dressing and foliar feeding are prescribed specific to plant nutritional needs. Over the years, Ag Spectrum has funded extensive research on foliar feeding, discovering that when the proper materials are absorbed through a plant’s leaves at the right time, energy production is sustained, root growth is stimulated, yields increase, and soil test values improve.

MAXIMIZING PLANT ENERGY

A complex interaction of chemical, physical and biological processes is the foundation for all crop production. Energy is exchanged as a result of these processes and therefore it plays a unique role – it drives the system.

We believe that if you optimize the effects of these processes, then you can maximize production efficiency.  However, we must also diminish the amount of stress that a plant faces, or prepare the plant to withstand those stresses.

If a plant experiences stress, it will divert its energy to fight the stresses as opposed to creating sugar. This directs energy away from the harvestable yield, and ultimately results in lost revenue.

The Maximum Farming System® helps you manage your energy sources to bring these processes into balance and enables your plants to focus on using energy for yield production rather than fighting stresses.

The result is a higher yield that may even reduce the amount of additional nutrients needed to maintain an optimum soil environment.

FOLIAR NUTRITION

Leaves are the above-ground part of a plant that absorb nutrients, which is why we believe in applying foliar nutrition. Over the years, Ag Spectrum has funded extensive research on foliar feeding and has discovered that when the proper materials are absorbed through a plant’s leaves at the right time, energy production is sustained, yields increase, and soil test values improve.

Our proven materials, such as Kick-Off®, Clean Start®, Score®, PT-21®, GroZyme®, and GlyCure®, supply plants with the right amount of nutrition that they need and have shown great success in producing quality crops. Foliar nutrition can be applied during any condition that initiates stress, such as temporary limitation of root uptake. We apply our foliar nutrition to crops at very specific times for optimum success. Foliar feeding is a sound practice that has shown consistent results and our system encourages using foliar nutrition on every acre, every year.

MAXIMUM FARMING REPORT

The Maximum Farming Report is the tool used to evaluate production choices and helps the grower plan for next year’s production decisions. Layers of GPS data can be fed into Ag Spectrum’s Maximum Farming Report, which is included at no additional cost for customers who use 100% of the Maximum Farming System®. It’s a powerful tool, and if used multiple years it can help growers track production trends in various conditions over time.

This data allows a grower to evaluate how nutrient makeup in the soils, combined with seed selection, planting populations and soil types, work together to determine yield. The system evaluates yield by: variety, planting date, various nutrient availability, and application criteria. The Maximum Farming Report also provides information that can help a grower select next year’s hybrids based on data and helps to manage their nutrition program based on the hybrid they choose and field location. The report combinations that the Maximum Farming Report provides are virtually limitless and the ability to improve soils, and ultimately yields, is invaluable.

CROP MANAGEMENT TOOLS

At Ag Spectrum Company, we are dedicated to helping today’s grower produce crops in the most cost-efficient manner possible, but only by knowing the soil’s current energy status can a grower successfully select the right plant nutrients to maximize yield. For more than 30 years, Ag Spectrum has provided leadership in soil sampling and professional tools that help growers make informed decisions that lead to higher yields, reduced crop input costs, and as a result, more profit.

Our crop management tools consist of ST/MZ soil sampling, Maximum Farming Recommendations and the Maximum Farming Report. Together, these Crop Management Tools are used to create a seamless process of decision making and allow growers to make informed choices. By using this process year after year, growers can continually improve their soils under the Maximum Farming System.