Yield differences across fields can be attributed to diseases in many cases.  Plant pathologists often speak of the disease triangle, with three critical points representing the susceptible host, the presence of a virulent pathogen, and an environment conducive for disease development.  What is often overlooked is the presence of more than one disease, simultaneous disease, or disease complexes that ultimately drive yield.  Our ability to collect spatial data and synthesize it will help reveal the interactions of multiple diseases and disorders, making up the overall field environment, that will allow us to better understand the whole system in fields and maximize our production efficiency.  On farm collaboration between researchers, farmers, and consultants facilitating data collection, using current precision ag technology, will be key to our learning of and understanding complex issues that limit yield.   

This talk will discuss the emerging technologies for precision scouting and making herbicide applications.  It will go over options for drone imagery as well as growing improvements in satellite imagery and their usefulness for scouting and assessing the impact of applications.  We will also look at ways to incorporate these technologies together with yield monitoring and soil mapping to improve overall crop management.

myFields.info is a web-based application designed to help farmers and crop consultants make well-formed decisions through a customized, cooperative extension experience. Using a systems-based approach to pest management, myFields helps facilitate the adoption of integrated pest management (IPM) principles, including field scouting and chemical selection, by resolving issues of convenience and quick access to information.