02.5 Zone Soil Sampling: Making Fertilizer Dollars Go Farther

02.5 Zone Soil Sampling: Making Fertilizer Dollars Go Farther

In this episode, Sarah and Jodi dig into why zone soil sampling pays off when fertilizer prices are high and every pound has to earn its keep. We explain why composite soil sampling can hide field extremes and how better sampling leads to smarter variable rate fertility prescriptions.  We talk: • high fertilizer prices driving interest in variable rate fertilizer and better prescriptions  • composite soil samples providing an average while hiding extremes like low pH pockets  • pH variability on sandy ridges and why missing it increases yield and input risk  • sampling every zone at least once to build a dependable baseline  • sampling high and low productivity zones to capture the true spread  • low productivity areas often holding excess phosphorus and potassium from years of flat-rate applications  • using soil test data to cut back safely in poor zones and reallocate dollars to higher return acres  Tune in next time for a Tiny Byte of Knowledge from GK Technology, where we have a map and an app for that. https://gktechinc.com/

Spring Planting Playbook: Precision Ag Prep for Every Planting Season

We walk through what we’re thinking about for spring planning in 2026, from realistic yield goals to the map decisions that actually save money when inputs are high. We keep it practical by tying variable rate strategies to agronomy, controller readiness, and the real limits in each zone.  In this episode, Sarah and Jodi talk • setting realistic yield goals for averages and zones  • handling fields without recent soil sampling using yield potential and zone logic  • separating salty areas from other low zones to avoid wasting fertilizer  • using variable rate seeding to manage sand, salinity, IDC, drought and disease pressure  • balancing population changes with weeds, canopy and row spacing  • treating soil pH as a high-cost lever and avoiding too-good-to-be-true fixes  • improving phosphorus and zinc efficiency through banding and seed safety planning  • exploring variable rate residual herbicides with pulse width modulation  • powering up controllers early and running test prescriptions to avoid spring surprises  Thanks for listening and come back next time for another episode of Ag Geek Speak! At GK Technology, we have a map, and an app, for that.  VRT Herbicides with Kyle Okke pt. 1: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/18096941-15-variable-rating-herbicides-with-kyle-okke-pt-1 VRT Herbicides with Kyle Okke pt. 2: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/18144514-16-variable-rating-herbicides-with-kyle-okke-pt-2 VRT Herbicides with Kyle Okke pt. 3: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/18216234-17-variable-rating-herbicides-with-kyle-okke-pt-3 Seed Safety Calculator (SDSU): https://extension.sdstate.edu/starter-fertilizer-calculator-and-final-report https://gktechinc.com/

1. Talking Cybersecurity with Tech Support Farm's Chris Sherman

We sit down with Chris Sherman of Tech Support Farm to explore how cybercrime targets modern agriculture and what practical steps protect farms and agribusinesses from losses. From avoiding spoofed invoices to equipment lockouts, we share simple defenses any grower, consultant, or retailer can start today. In this epsiode, we discuss with Chris • why agriculture is a prime target for cybercrime • social engineering that targets busy planting and harvest seasons • real cases of spoofed invoices and wire fraud • risks in connected equipment and robotics • password best practicesand password managers • consumer email vs commercial domains and DMARC • backups, rapid recovery, and remote support • reducing tech fatigue with managed services • how Fence Check evaluates your cyber posture • Tech Support Farm's free webinar on passwords, phishing, and email security You can find out more about Tech Support Farm at https://techsupport.farm/ [https://techsupport.farm/] Complete your free Tech Support Farm Fence Check at https://techsupport.farm/fencecheck/ [https://techsupport.farm/fencecheck/] to get a free, actionable report within 48 hours Find our more about Tech Support Farm's winter webinars https://techsupport.farm/winter-webinars/ [https://techsupport.farm/winter-webinars/] At GK Technology, we have a map and an app for that! https://gktechinc.com/

0.5 Tiny Bytes - Value of NAIP Imagery In Ag Mapping

Sarah and Jodi discuss NAIP aerial imagery and why this high-resolution imagery is invaluable for precision agriculture work in the United States. They share workflows for validating zones, aligning layers, and spotting year-over-year patterns while noting timing pitfalls, thanks to NAIP imagery as a background source. In this episode, we discuss... • what NAIP is and who collects it • benefits of high resolution often associated with newer NAIP imagery • four-band imagery (RGB with NIR) enabling NDVI • leaf-on timing and when imagery misleads • state-by-state differences in resolution and frequency • FSA and CLU uses that ensure strong georeferencing • practical steps to draw boundaries and validate zones • aligning offset satellite layers to NAIP • leveraging multi-year NAIP to confirm stable patterns • free access and where to get the data Tune in next time for a Tiny Byte of knowledge from GK Technology, where we have a map and an app for that https://gktechinc.com/

20. Using Autonomous Tractors on the Farm with Matt Krueger

We talk with Matt Krueger about his field-level view of autonomous tillage with a 9R series John Deere tractor, from kit installation to dust-driven safety stops, and how better boundaries and AutoPath boost both uptime and data quality. Matt's story centers on labor flexibility, real costs, and where autonomy should expand next. In this special hour-long episode we talk: • autonomy kit details, JDLink Boost connectivity, dual receivers • autonomy-grade boundaries and safe offsets near obstacles • dust sensitivity, camera logic, alerts and overrides • AutoPath benefits for cleaner headlands and data integrity • remote control of depth, pressure and implement settings • ROI framed as uptime and labor flexibility, not replacement • likely next targets for autonomy: sprayers and air seeders • subscription pricing models and reliability trade-offs • NDVI plus as applied maps to trace application misses • skills and fallbacks when GPS degrades or sensors fail With GK Technology, we have a map, and an app, for that! https://gktechinc.com/