Vision of the Future
The concepts, products, services, and technologies of the past 50 years have delivered production agriculture to 2024. However, a new vision needs to evolve as we enter the last half of this decade in preparation for decades to come. Fundamental changes to how we create production management plans are needed, including improvements in environmental stewardship and the potential to help slow global warming. The best part is that we can do both while improving farm profitability.
Visionary Agronomics takes over 40 years of academic and production agriculture experience and combines lessons learned to create a vision of what the future should look like. Now is a great time to test, challenge, and adopt new concepts. "Change or be changed." is a phrase that describes the future of production agriculture. It is not a question of whether we want to change how we produce grain and forage; it is a question of when changes will be implemented and whether such changes will be voluntary or mandated. We still have control of our decision-making, so now is the time to show the urban public that we focus on minimizing environmental impact while improving long-term farm profitability.
If you want to discuss making changes that focus on M.O.M., simply request a visit under the "Consulting" tab. I welcome your comments, concerns, and questions.
VISIONARY CONCEPTS
NUTRIENTS BY REMOVAL
Nutrients need to be applied according to site-specific removal. Nutrients removed from high-yielding areas must be replaced to maintain a high-yielding status. Without replacement, the drawdown will eventually sacrifice performance.
REINVENTING SOIL TESTS
It is time to move away from the acre furrow slice created by the moldboard plow and explore more of the upper profile supporting harvest yield. Here in East-Central Illinois, the upper two feet are where we need to focus on N and the upper foot for other essential nutrients. Track, and you will learn.
FARM-SPECIFIC NUTRIENT REMOVAL FACTORS
It is time to start building a database of nutrient removal by harvest yield from specific fields within a farming operation rather than a state-wide factor generated from multiple geographic areas using multiple practices.
TRACKING PLANT-AVAILABLE NUTRIENTS
It is time to inventory mobile nutrients after harvest to determine the potential for economic loss and environmental harm from leftover nutrients. It is time to use cover crops to capture unsed nutrients and minimize the environmental forces that cause soil erosion. It is time to use tissue analysis and soil tests to determine nutrient needs in-season and make necessary adjustments in nutrient management plans, optimizing input costs while, at the same time, minimizing any environmental impact (All about M.O.M.)
ON-FARM DISCOVERY
It is time to focus on farmer questions in farmer fields and utilize farmer data. Learning about crop response to products and practices under your specific management style is essential. Tillage, nutrient, weed, and crop management can all affect the outcome, so why not rely on a testing program built to accommodate your management style?
NITROGEN AS A MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
It is time to improve the management of the most significant cost input, nitrogen. It is time to focus on real-time management and creating a Nitrogen Management System that allows for changes in environmental conditions well into the growing season. It is time to inventory and track the most significant input cost and one of Illinois's top two pollutants to surface waters. It is time to track the dynamics of nitrate-N concentration in subsurface drainage tiles. It is time.
IT'S ALL ABOUT M.O.M.
Howard M. Brown, Visionary Agronomist and Owner
"My vision of the future farming enterprise is one that focuses on environmental and resource stewardship while in pursuit of improved farm profitability. It is a vision of agriculture that protects the environment while producing food, feed, fiber, and farm profitability.